Ilfin of Arc 1
SEEING
THEIR EMPRESS in a dead faint, the Glonu generals reached for their
weapons.
“Stay
your hands!” Commander Gennerin snarled. The threat of death was implicit in
his tone. He added, “Allin, remove everyone from this space.”
As the
corporal stepped up, the Glonu with his goatee growled, “We are not leaving the
Empress.”
“You
are not leaving her,” His Majesty murmured, “merely allowing her space to
recover. Second one of your men to watch over her with us, but please wait
outside.”
After
a moment the Glonu nodded once. Gesturing to the man beside him to remain, he
led the other generals out. The Ilfin vacated the space also, barring the king,
his daughter and Mirlin. Commander Gennerin left as well, probably to play the
diplomat outside.
In the
silence, all attention returned to Enris kneeling with Leffandir in his arms.
“She
expended everything to summon me,” Enris murmured. “She needs rest.”
“Will
she recover?” the Glonu asked.
“Yes,”
Enris snapped, looking up to glare at the man. “What is your name?”
“I am
Captain Glen.”
“Captain,
please inform your superiors we are moving her to a suite where she may rest.
You have the word of the Makar she will not be harmed.”
The
Glonu stared at Enris for many moments before he eventually inclined his head
and left the conference room. When he opened the door, the hubbub outside
nearly deafened, but mercifully the door closed on him swiftly.
“Where
is Coltern?” Iniri demanded.
“Massin,”
Enris murmured, returning his attention to the woman in his arms.
Mirlin,
who was still on his knees beside his prince, asked, “What happened?”
Grunting,
Enris struggled up with Leffandir in his arms. “We can discuss it later.” He
headed for the exit opposite to the one the others employed. “Iniri, I need
you.”
Swallowing
markedly, she hastened to him and hit the button to open the door. A thousand
questions obviously burned her tongue, for the strain of not asking them was
written on her face. Mirlin watched brother and sister leave, wishing with all
he was to accompany them.
To his
everlasting relief, King Linus said, “Go with them, Mirlin. I will finish the
negotiations here.”
Without
replying, Mirlin strode across the space to follow his prince.
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