The Gift of the Trinde Tree by Sabin E

Author:Sabin, E.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arucadi Enterprises, LLC
Published: 2024-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

A group of Chadiassans returned and lit several torches. One offered Bailey food: a loaf of brown bread, a hunk of cheese, and a flask of wine. Hungry, he accepted the fare. The bread was coarse and the cheese stronger than he liked, but both seemed safe enough, and the wine was actually good.

He tried to communicate with his hosts, but without the translator he couldn't make himself understood. The Chadiassan leader indicated through signs that Bailey was to remain seated on the edge of the stage and wait for his return. He and all but three of the Chadiassans exited through the door behind the thrones.

A lethargy crept over Bailey. Had there been a drug in the food or wine? He stood, intending to walk around a bit, but a Chadiassan shambled over and pushed him back to his seat on the stage. Rather than antagonize them, he stayed seated. Easier, anyway, not to move about. He was tired. It must by now be late at night, he'd slept little the night before, and he’d had a harrowing day.

The other Chadiassans returned, escorting the seven actors. Bailey watched as they filed in, but the hostile looks directed his way warned him to keep his distance.

They were taken before the dais with its regal dead. The leader of the Chadiassans pointed to the translator in Dombey’s hands; the director turned it on.

“Have you selected the one to be honored?”

Andy Wiseland, not Dombey, acted as spokesman. “We have decided not to choose,” he said. “If we must all die, so be it.”

Korin Lee was pale and trembling; Judy clung to Matt Chen’s arm.

The Chadiassan bowed. “If that is your decision, we shall honor it.”

China pushed forward and seized the translator. “It is their decision. It is not mine!” she shouted while Dombey and Rannie tried to restrain her.

“Oh?” the Chadiassan’s single syllable required no translation.

“I will accept the honor. I volunteer to be the one to die, if you will let the rest go.”

“Silence!” The Chadiassan’s roar stilled the protests of the other actors. When he had their attention, he spoke into the translator. “The choice must be mutually agreed upon. If you choose to accept the young lady’s offer, she alone will be accorded the honor, and the rest of you will go free. But if you continue to insist on sharing the honor, we shall allow you to do so.”

“She made this offer when we were discussing the matter,” Andy said. “We rejected it then; we reject it now.”

“Don’t be fools!” China reached across Dombey and flicked off the auto-translator. Her dark eyes snapped. “All you’re doing with your noble gesture is throwing away any hope of rescue. If six of us are set free, those six can reach the shuttle and get help before the seventh is killed. It’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

“The risk is too high, Miss China,” Andy objected. “I consider it greater than trying to call their bluff. As I said before, I don’t believe they will kill us all.

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