Truth and Treachery, the Last War by Sylvie Grayson

Author:Sylvie Grayson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci fi/fantasy military, post apocalyptic, thriller and romance, romantic suspense, police romance
Publisher: Sylvie Grayson
Published: 2019-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty Four

The third day of the talks proved productive. Zhang admitted they hadn’t been patrolling the borders as regularly as they should and he was aware that bands of men had set up camps there. “They are dispossessed,” he said. “They are nothing.”

“But they are something,” Cownden replied. “They raid across the border into our small towns and farms and cause havoc. If you can’t control it, would you allow us to come across in a fifty mile stretch and clean out the woods?”

Zhang stared at the wall. The new interpreter, young Adoni, had been excellent so far, much to Duncan’s obvious chagrin. He’d been angered when Cownden told Huxley to take a day off. But he had little to say about the new man. Today he was closeted with the assistant police chiefs and Cownden had just Anatoliy and Selanna with him.

Zhang turned back to reply. “I will inquire. If we are unable to clean it up, I will recommend you be allowed through the border for that specific purpose. We would of course monitor it closely.”

“Of course,” Cownden murmured. “I would expect no less. Now, can we discuss the Emperor’s positon in Legitamia?” He watched the other men hold their breath as Zhang gave him a hard look.

“He is a refugee in our country.”

“A refugee. I see. So what is he doing waging war across our borders? Is that how he should acts? Is that how he rewards you for giving him refuge?”

Zhang shook his head. “I am unable to discuss this. It is to Barrington to talk of this issue.”

Everyone around the table nodded. Obviously no one could gainsay the leader of Legitamia, and certainly the chief of police didn’t set such policy.

“How does it affect your men?”

Zhang looked surprised, then mollified. “It is difficult. Carlton's men do not obey all the laws.”

The Jiran delegate spoke. “Is it possible to contain the Emperor and his men within the borders of the province where he lives?”

Sturridge added, “Our concern is that if war breaks out at the Khandarken Legitamia border, others will seize the opportunity to widen the conflict up to our country. It is not that long ago that we put a stop to such actions. There are many men who remember how it was, and glory in that type of life.”

The men began to talk more openly, discussing the possibilities of a new war and the ways they could try to contain any conflict or even halt it before it began. Cownden was amazed. He’d never heard anyone from Jiran talk this way, let alone Sturridge. It had always been guarded empty promises and false smiles. For the first time he felt hope for some results at this conference.

They broke for lunch, and a man from the front desk approached him with an envelope. Not again. He looked at it guardedly and saw Anatoliy watching as he stuffed it into his pocket. “Take Selanna down to lunch,” he said. “I’ll join you later.”

He walked to his room, Tukka a half step behind.

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