[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
the Aida would act as shuttles, carrying Griffin's soldiers and Carlotta's warriors to the surface as
they arrived.
And within a few more hours, a freighter would arrive with food, clothing, and building
supplies. There would be hundreds more to house and feed in a very short time thousands as all
the soldiers came home. I watched Carlotta and saw a play of emotion over her face. No doubt
she hurt for her own people for those who'd been exiled to space, and for those who had been
left behind. She met my gaze and smiled sadly, and for the first time I saw the queen that she
should have been.
106 Belinda McBride
When we landed, my heart was broken by what I saw. Our welcoming committee was
frightened and defensive, their weapons drawn on the well-armed soldiers that poured from the
cruisers. Children were ragged and gaunt; fear etched their faces into expressions far too old for
their years. When the armed adults saw Griffin's head towering over the others, the weapons
were lowered in uncertainty.
A woman broke from the crowd, and Carlotta stepped up, putting herself between me and
the potential threat. She recognized my sister before I did, and quickly stood down, her warriors
moving to her side.
Helios!
As soon as I saw her, I remembered her. I found myself wrapped not only in her arms, but
in years and years of memories. To my delight, they were mostly good. I held her tightly, feeling
her tears soak into my shirt, feeling her hand groping, grabbing onto my braid.
Deirdre, I whispered, unable to squeeze anything else from my throat. She let go, stood
back, and stared.
You're so different& She looked at the tail of hair that she still grasped, and then stroked
my cheek. I have the feeling you have many stories to tell.
Just one, and it isn't for telling here.
She looked up at me, taking in the lined eyes, the smooth skin. You are absolutely
beautiful, but I get the feeling that you didn't choose this appearance.
She was still lovely, still striking, but there were lines of fatigue around her eyes, and she
was thinner than I remembered.
Alexander& they wanted him to stay behind. He's at the village with the priests. He'll
probably sneak away! Her eyes were bright with tears and pride.
I nodded, glancing at the small crowd that was closing in on us. Alexander was heir to the
kingship and still very young. It was only right that he'd be kept away from what could become
an explosive situation. My men were healthy and armed, but the settlers numbered in the
thousands. As I watched, the small crowd grew larger by the moment.
To my back were Carlotta and Griffin and their soldiers; to my front were faces that were
familiar, yet unknown. One man approached, a look of angry disbelief on his face. His attention
was on Griffin. A group of robust-looking men flanked him, their weapons at the ready.
An Uncommon Whore 107
Captain Hawke, we sent you and Markus out with specific orders, which you failed to
carry out. And now you've returned with a stranger as well as what appears to be a show of force.
Explain yourself!
Griffin stepped up and stood next to me, so close that our arms brushed. The weapons of
the villagers had come up once again, but I saw uneasy glances cast in my direction. There were
whispers, furtive gestures.
One voice carried on the air. That's King Helios! It is!
A laser rifle clattered to the ground, followed by another, and then another. Before me, a
man dropped to his knees. I recognized him, but couldn't recall his name. He reached up and
clasped my hand. He was followed by another, and then another. Hands pulled at my clothing,
ran down my skin. They touched me, and I allowed it.
Panic welled up inside me. What could I possibly do for these people? How is it that my
very name brought desperate hope to their eyes? Griffin squeezed my shoulder, and then looked
at the man who had challenged him.
Councillor Evan, my primary directive was to locate and return with King Helios. Indeed,
it is the standing order of the military. I found him, and I thought it best to return with him
immediately. I have also recalled all military units.
Why didn't you warn us? We'd have arranged a reception of some sort!
From the corner of my eye, I saw the slight figure of a man break away and run toward
where the town must lie. He was bearing the news of my return. Looking back at the councilman,
I saw a glimmer of something in his expression& dismay? Fear?
Just coming home is enough, Councillor. And Captain Hawke was only observing
protocol. It would have been unwise to announce my survival where the message could have
been intercepted. I kept my voice smooth and even, trying to reassure the crowd.
Where is Markus? He addressed Griffin, pointedly ignoring me. It was not a particularly
auspicious beginning with the council.
I will answer that, Councilman. Markus Dayspring broke the law on a planet known as
Warlan. He attempted to murder an upstanding citizen and was captured in the act. His fate is
enslavement. By now, he has been chipped and has undergone a memory wash.
108 Belinda McBride
I didn't add that the records in my own chip proved that Markus had been among a small
group of conspirators who had helped to overthrow our kingdom and sold me into slavery. That
was for later.
The man went pale, and I heard several mutters from the crowd. Questions began to crowd
my mind. Where were all of the able-bodied men and women? Had they all been dispatched to
space?
I looked around. The planet wasn't barren; it was rocky, yes, but trees studded the dusty
hills, and low grasses and shrubs clung to the hillsides. The sky was a mild blue and dotted with
fluffy clouds. If all the strongest members of the community had been sent away, it was no
wonder the populace was in dire straits! [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl karpacz24.htw.pl
the Aida would act as shuttles, carrying Griffin's soldiers and Carlotta's warriors to the surface as
they arrived.
And within a few more hours, a freighter would arrive with food, clothing, and building
supplies. There would be hundreds more to house and feed in a very short time thousands as all
the soldiers came home. I watched Carlotta and saw a play of emotion over her face. No doubt
she hurt for her own people for those who'd been exiled to space, and for those who had been
left behind. She met my gaze and smiled sadly, and for the first time I saw the queen that she
should have been.
106 Belinda McBride
When we landed, my heart was broken by what I saw. Our welcoming committee was
frightened and defensive, their weapons drawn on the well-armed soldiers that poured from the
cruisers. Children were ragged and gaunt; fear etched their faces into expressions far too old for
their years. When the armed adults saw Griffin's head towering over the others, the weapons
were lowered in uncertainty.
A woman broke from the crowd, and Carlotta stepped up, putting herself between me and
the potential threat. She recognized my sister before I did, and quickly stood down, her warriors
moving to her side.
Helios!
As soon as I saw her, I remembered her. I found myself wrapped not only in her arms, but
in years and years of memories. To my delight, they were mostly good. I held her tightly, feeling
her tears soak into my shirt, feeling her hand groping, grabbing onto my braid.
Deirdre, I whispered, unable to squeeze anything else from my throat. She let go, stood
back, and stared.
You're so different& She looked at the tail of hair that she still grasped, and then stroked
my cheek. I have the feeling you have many stories to tell.
Just one, and it isn't for telling here.
She looked up at me, taking in the lined eyes, the smooth skin. You are absolutely
beautiful, but I get the feeling that you didn't choose this appearance.
She was still lovely, still striking, but there were lines of fatigue around her eyes, and she
was thinner than I remembered.
Alexander& they wanted him to stay behind. He's at the village with the priests. He'll
probably sneak away! Her eyes were bright with tears and pride.
I nodded, glancing at the small crowd that was closing in on us. Alexander was heir to the
kingship and still very young. It was only right that he'd be kept away from what could become
an explosive situation. My men were healthy and armed, but the settlers numbered in the
thousands. As I watched, the small crowd grew larger by the moment.
To my back were Carlotta and Griffin and their soldiers; to my front were faces that were
familiar, yet unknown. One man approached, a look of angry disbelief on his face. His attention
was on Griffin. A group of robust-looking men flanked him, their weapons at the ready.
An Uncommon Whore 107
Captain Hawke, we sent you and Markus out with specific orders, which you failed to
carry out. And now you've returned with a stranger as well as what appears to be a show of force.
Explain yourself!
Griffin stepped up and stood next to me, so close that our arms brushed. The weapons of
the villagers had come up once again, but I saw uneasy glances cast in my direction. There were
whispers, furtive gestures.
One voice carried on the air. That's King Helios! It is!
A laser rifle clattered to the ground, followed by another, and then another. Before me, a
man dropped to his knees. I recognized him, but couldn't recall his name. He reached up and
clasped my hand. He was followed by another, and then another. Hands pulled at my clothing,
ran down my skin. They touched me, and I allowed it.
Panic welled up inside me. What could I possibly do for these people? How is it that my
very name brought desperate hope to their eyes? Griffin squeezed my shoulder, and then looked
at the man who had challenged him.
Councillor Evan, my primary directive was to locate and return with King Helios. Indeed,
it is the standing order of the military. I found him, and I thought it best to return with him
immediately. I have also recalled all military units.
Why didn't you warn us? We'd have arranged a reception of some sort!
From the corner of my eye, I saw the slight figure of a man break away and run toward
where the town must lie. He was bearing the news of my return. Looking back at the councilman,
I saw a glimmer of something in his expression& dismay? Fear?
Just coming home is enough, Councillor. And Captain Hawke was only observing
protocol. It would have been unwise to announce my survival where the message could have
been intercepted. I kept my voice smooth and even, trying to reassure the crowd.
Where is Markus? He addressed Griffin, pointedly ignoring me. It was not a particularly
auspicious beginning with the council.
I will answer that, Councilman. Markus Dayspring broke the law on a planet known as
Warlan. He attempted to murder an upstanding citizen and was captured in the act. His fate is
enslavement. By now, he has been chipped and has undergone a memory wash.
108 Belinda McBride
I didn't add that the records in my own chip proved that Markus had been among a small
group of conspirators who had helped to overthrow our kingdom and sold me into slavery. That
was for later.
The man went pale, and I heard several mutters from the crowd. Questions began to crowd
my mind. Where were all of the able-bodied men and women? Had they all been dispatched to
space?
I looked around. The planet wasn't barren; it was rocky, yes, but trees studded the dusty
hills, and low grasses and shrubs clung to the hillsides. The sky was a mild blue and dotted with
fluffy clouds. If all the strongest members of the community had been sent away, it was no
wonder the populace was in dire straits! [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]