A Double Edged Wish (A Cat Among Dragons) by Alma Boykin

Author:Alma Boykin [Boykin, Alma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3: Casting the Die

Lord Ni Drako did not have anything resembling a delicate sensibility nor was she unaware of the cruelties that people could inflict on their neighbors in the name of philosophy, economics, or even less understandable causes. But even she was glad that the Azdhagi telecommunications system had not advanced to the point that smells were transmitted along with sound and visuals. She made note of the location and asked, “how many dead, Lieutenant?”

“We think eight, Commander Lord Ni Drako, but, well, it’s hard to be certain,” the junior officer admitted. He flipped his tail in a gesture of apology.

“Understood, Lieutenant. I trust the situation has calmed down for the moment?”

“Yes, my lord. Most people are out in the fields or otherwise at work. I took the precaution of closing the brewery and distillery, and only the Healer can get kacho ,” the lieutenant reported, referring to the intoxicating stimulant leaves favored by some of the more aggressive reptiles.

Not that the officer’s actions would do more than slow the locals’ consumption and irritate them, Rada knew. She’d smuggled her share of intoxicants into various places in her day. All for medicinal use of course—she smiled bitterly, then hauled her wandering mind back to the current reality. “Very well, Lieutenant. There are no changes to your orders.”

He obviously wanted to know more but stopped himself. “Yes, my lord.”

“Ni Drako out,” and she cut the comm link. In what was becoming a habit, the mammal rubbed under her blind eye as she finished her notes and got ready for the next incoming report. It was just as grim.

Hsae and his mate and juniors had just barely been in the Azdhagi nobility, through distant cousinage with Clan Shu. Rada would have called them gentry, living in a fortified farmhouse even smaller than the hunting lodge at Burnt Mountain. Some stones remained of the dwelling and smoke rose from the hollow walls and empty doorway. “The entire household?” the Lord Defender asked Sergeant Kslii.

“Affirmative, Commander Lord Mammal,” he agreed. He looked over his shoulder at the ruin, then back to the comm screen. “The housekeeper and junior-tender got out, but the other two servants didn’t make it. We’ve found Lord Hsae and his mate, and four of the five juniors. The smallest seems to be missing. He has less than one turning.”

Rada hoped that one of the attackers or the junior-tender had felt pity for the little one and had taken him home to raise as a commoner. More likely, the body had burned completely. Juniors of less than a year had very thin bones. “And no witnesses, I assume.”

Kslii made a negation gesture with his forefoot and shifted uncomfortably. “None that we’ve found so far, Lord Mammal.”

Rada made more notes. “Thank you, Sergeant. Carry on, and try not to antagonize the locals too much.” The last thing she wanted was to lose Defenders to armed peasants. They’d already had a close run in Sunnyvalley, and only some quick thinking and

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.