(eng) Michelle L. Levigne - Zygradon Chronicles 05 by The Rift War

Author:The Rift War [War, The Rift]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Liris led the way from the tunnel mouth, heading straight for Emrillian. He gave head-and-shoulder bows to the Valors who stood at attention, weapons ready but not drawn, forming an aisle leading to the throne. Halfway across the clear space, he gestured at the Science Directorate people to wait, and then he and the household staff continued the rest of the way to meet Emrillian. He winked at Grego as they passed each other. The Archaics split, going around the Directorate people, and some of them broke ranks, hurrying forward a few steps and calling his name when they saw Grego. They slowed soon enough when Valors stepped forward, weapons flashing in the late morning sunshine.

"Welcome, Archaics. Welcome loyal friends, to the kingdom of Quenlaque," Grego called.

"Quenlaque?" Dr. Reynod looked around, turning so fast that Grego's neck ached in sympathy. "Cavvon?" he said, voice cracking.

He had the look of someone who'd spent his life behind a desk, studying a computer screen. Only emergencies could drag him from his office, away from reports and charts. From his dusty brown hair to dull blue eyes to the slightly slouched shoulders and beginning of a potbelly, he was someone unable to enjoy the reality pulsing with life all around him. Grego knew he was a hopeless case.

"It's me." He hadn't had much contact with Dr. Reynod, but knew his reputation. This wouldn't be as problematic as dealing with Kayn, but Reynod's one-track mind and sometimes childish attitude would set the tone for the others, who were on his team specifically because they would follow his lead.

"Grego?" Brysta stepped out from the knot of scientists following in Reynod's shadow.

He groaned, knowing a manageable situation had just gone sour. What he needed was to take her aside to talk for fifteen minutes, tops. Brysta's familiarity with the Archaics and with Emrillian could either be her biggest help in acclimating to the reality here, or her biggest hindrance.

"Is this where you vanished to?" She gestured at Shalara and Karstis. "Is this the big secret they were keeping from me, all their cryptic little comments? I don't like your friends very much. It's a rotten trick."

Definitely a hindrance.

I'm sorry, Emrillian said. If I could have prevented her from coming, I would have.

Grego didn't turn to look over his shoulder at her. He knew the sympathy creasing her face.

I made my choice for Quenlaque long ago. He squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and continued forward. "Welcome, members of the Science Directorate, to the land of Lygroes and the kingdom of Quenlaque."

"Now is not the time to play games," Brysta began, her voice a wail, before two of her co-workers caught her and pulled her back into their sheltering knot. They all paid more attention to the Valors with their drawn weapons, stern faces focused on them, than on Grego and their leader. Brysta looked pale as she fell silent. She gave him one pleading look of pained betrayal, and let her friends hide her from view.

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