X-Calibur: The Trial by Jackson-Lawrence R

Author:Jackson-Lawrence, R. [Jackson-Lawrence, R.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: RJL Books
Published: 2015-05-21T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Of Kings and Queens

Earth Year 6239

As Triltan descended the steps, the sounds of agitated movement suddenly stopped. She flicked on the torch beneath the barrel of the rifle, shining it first at the closest guard and then at the one furthest away. They both lay still, unmoving, but she wasn't fooled. They were both breathing much faster than when she had left them, and the guard closest to her had turned himself around within the corridor.

“I, I know you're awake,” Triltan announced, though her voice stuttered, betraying her anxiety. “I'm armed, so I wouldn't, don't try anything.”

“What do you want?” the closest Mori asked, his bound feet failing to find purchase as he scrambled to get away.

“What is it?” the second Mori asked, his voice betraying his fear.

Triltan paused, taking in the scene before her. She had expected to find the guards already free and waiting to ambush her, or perhaps fleeing, retreating to find reinforcements to take control of the birthing chamber. The few Mori that she had met were proud, fierce and noble. The two before her were shaking in fear; cowardly, almost child-like.

She was reminded of the impression she'd had of the guards when she'd bound them. The wide facial ridges were a sign of adolescence in the Mori, and though both were taller than her, neither of them were as tall as Arthur or Gar-Wan.

“You're just children,” Triltan said aloud. “Both of you.”

The two Mori looked quickly at each other before turning back to fix each of their eight eyes upon her. “What do you want?” the closest Mori asked again, sounding more fearful than before.

“Please don't hurt us,” the second Mori pleaded.

Triltan suddenly realised that she didn't know exactly what she wanted. She didn't want them to escape, to harm or her or call for help, she was sure about that, but as to what she wanted from them? Now that she was asked, she had absolutely no idea.

“Stop moving,” she said after a moment's thought. “Tell me how to free Arthur and the others from the pods.”

The two Mori looked at each other again before the furthest away from her whispered, “What's it saying? Do you think it's going to kill us?”

“I'm Sol-Dan,” the closest Mori announced. “And this is Mir-Bir. Please don't hurt us.”

Triltan smiled to herself. They couldn't understand a word she'd said to them. Arthur and Gwen had their capsules, and Lance used a small earpiece to translate what she said to him, but the Mori before her knew nothing of the Teleri or their language.

She returned the rifle to her back and moved quickly back up the stairs, retrieving the scanner from the console. She'd used one to transmit sounds before, deep beneath the ice of a frozen planet. It should be easy enough to use it to translate what she wanted to say to her captives.

Her captives. Thinking about it like that made her feel better, stronger somehow. Her father had been so worried about her, insisting she run away and hide until he arrived to rescue her.

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