Mage and Mate by Taki Drake & Paul C Middleton

Author:Taki Drake & Paul C Middleton [Drake, Taki & Middleton, Paul C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mage and Mate
Publisher: All Chaos Press
Published: 2019-08-24T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25 – Call for Help

Arkken Port

Luka was behind the bar as usual when Jenna and Margo came in. He took one look at their faces and reached under the bar to pull out some of his reserve stock. Pouring them each a stiff drink, he slid the glasses over and commented, “I take it things did not go well.”

“You could say that,” responded Margot, “We found different groups all mounting attacks against Ruth and Pawlik.”

Jenna took over, saying, “You would think that buying a dress would be simple, but it is not. The aristocracy seems to be taking the position that Ruth is a gold digger, and after Pawlik’s money. They are trying to make their displeasure known and plan on grinding that into Pawlik’s face. Borach’s heir is trying to make people think that Pawlik’s mind has been damaged because of his captivity. Probably to make anything that the Lord of Borachland says or does mistrusted.”

The bartender leaned toward the two Marines and said, “This sounds like something we need to bring to a council of war. What do you think?”

Startling both women, an assertive voice said behind them, “I would agree on the strategy session. Luka, how about if you get somebody in to watch the bar and let’s go over to a more private booth. It will be easier to come up with a response there. After talking with both Pawlik and Ruth over the last week, I’m pretty sure they are going to need strategic options and a list of tactics.”

Responding to the voice of command, the two former Marines straightened up and said in unison, “Yes, Sir!”

Luka laughed and said, “Marines. You can retire them, you can demob them, but they are still Marines.”

The assured voice responded, threaded with traces of amusement, “I don’t see that as a problem.”

Sharing a smile with Jenna and Margot, Luka called for his backup bartender, as the two Marines that headed the Inner Keep Guard organization for Borachland Castle turned to see the back of Alan Culhane’s wheelchair returning to his table. Exchanging astonished glances, Jenna and Margot followed the Major’s path and took seats at his reserved location.

After a short moment, the bartender joined them, and Jenna and Margot brought the two men up to date on everything that had happened. Luka asked questions as Alan stared thoughtfully at each of the women’s faces, looking for nuances and hints.

As the bartender ran out of questions, the retired Marine commander started his own interrogation. Asking questions mostly directed at Margot, the man who had headed the Arkken Marines for decades before retirement extracted every bit of information out of the former Recon scout.

By the end of his questions, Margot was exhausted. She felt like her brain had been vacuumed dry as every nuance, every hint that she had heard during the day was pulled, defined, and noted. The Major had managed to even extract things that she had not remembered hearing.

Jenna was taking notes, watching the skillful way

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