Read Online Every Battle Lord's Nightmare by Linda Mooney - Free Book Online
Authors: Linda Mooney
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try and bring about a more lasting peace between us and the Normals. Please accept my decision and theirs. And wish us good luck. D'Jacques?”
Yulen pivoted around, waiting for the man to continue.
“I'm placing my faith, and those of Wallis, in your hands. When do we leave?”
Yulen looked to Atty, who shook her head.
“If we may camp here tonight, at first light tomorrow.”
Twoson nodded. “You are welcome. Now... who's up for a celebration? ”
Chapter Nine
Smell
“This place knows how to throw a party.” Thrasher walked over to where the battle lord stood near a large tree. “I just have one question.”
“Shoot.”
“What are we celebrating?”
Yulen snorted. “Our arrival was reason enough. But I'd like to think they're trying to put a good luck whammy on the possibility of more treaties.”
Thrasher mused over the comment. “I hope you're right.” He gave a glance at the contents of the mug the man held in his hand. “Is that beer?”
“It's lemon verbossa.”
“Verbossa? Never heard of such a thing. Any good?”
“It'll knock you on your ass after two sips. Half a mug will throw you under the table.”
The doctor grinned. “And what happens after you finish a full mug?”
Yulen shrugged, keeping a straight face. “I have no memory of what I did afterwards.”
Thrasher laughed aloud. “Sounds like my kind of brew. Are you able to point me in the direction where I can get some?”
Yulen gestured toward a small knot of men near the outdoor tables where they'd been served their meal. The physician thanked him and ambled off.
“D'Jacques?”
Yulen turned around to find Berris Dullay studying him. With darkness fallen, and the Mutah's back to the large bonfire where a wild pig had been roasted for dinner, it was difficult to read the man's face. Dullay took a few steps toward him. He suddenly paused, averted his head to hawk and spit, wiped his mouth on his coat sleeve, then held out a hand to shake.
“I don't want you think I have any hard feelings about my vote today,” the man told him.
“You have the right to your opinion. Just like I have the right to know you're wrong. Mind if I ask you a question?”
“You want to know why I objected to attending the summit.”
“Actually, I'd like to know where you're from.”
Now that the Mutah was close enough to observe, Yulan caught his surprised expression.
“I'm from Denam. It's in the Oka territory.”
Yulen made an appreciative face. “That's quite a ways. What brought you to Wallis?”
Dullay's eyes narrowed. “Is this an interrogation?” The man's unexpected switch from cordiality to apprehensiveness put the battle lord on alert.
“No. Just a friendly question. I didn't recall seeing you during my past visits. I figured you were new to the compound.”
Dullay retreated a little, but his guard remained up. “I moved down here last month.”
“Last month, eh? Well, welcome to Wallis.”
The man suddenly turned and walked away without a goodbye, leaving Yulen with more questions than answers. The sound of someone sniffing behind him caught his attention.
“He smells.” A loving figure moved up next to him, draping an arm about his coat at waist
Yulen pivoted around, waiting for the man to continue.
“I'm placing my faith, and those of Wallis, in your hands. When do we leave?”
Yulen looked to Atty, who shook her head.
“If we may camp here tonight, at first light tomorrow.”
Twoson nodded. “You are welcome. Now... who's up for a celebration? ”
Chapter Nine
Smell
“This place knows how to throw a party.” Thrasher walked over to where the battle lord stood near a large tree. “I just have one question.”
“Shoot.”
“What are we celebrating?”
Yulen snorted. “Our arrival was reason enough. But I'd like to think they're trying to put a good luck whammy on the possibility of more treaties.”
Thrasher mused over the comment. “I hope you're right.” He gave a glance at the contents of the mug the man held in his hand. “Is that beer?”
“It's lemon verbossa.”
“Verbossa? Never heard of such a thing. Any good?”
“It'll knock you on your ass after two sips. Half a mug will throw you under the table.”
The doctor grinned. “And what happens after you finish a full mug?”
Yulen shrugged, keeping a straight face. “I have no memory of what I did afterwards.”
Thrasher laughed aloud. “Sounds like my kind of brew. Are you able to point me in the direction where I can get some?”
Yulen gestured toward a small knot of men near the outdoor tables where they'd been served their meal. The physician thanked him and ambled off.
“D'Jacques?”
Yulen turned around to find Berris Dullay studying him. With darkness fallen, and the Mutah's back to the large bonfire where a wild pig had been roasted for dinner, it was difficult to read the man's face. Dullay took a few steps toward him. He suddenly paused, averted his head to hawk and spit, wiped his mouth on his coat sleeve, then held out a hand to shake.
“I don't want you think I have any hard feelings about my vote today,” the man told him.
“You have the right to your opinion. Just like I have the right to know you're wrong. Mind if I ask you a question?”
“You want to know why I objected to attending the summit.”
“Actually, I'd like to know where you're from.”
Now that the Mutah was close enough to observe, Yulan caught his surprised expression.
“I'm from Denam. It's in the Oka territory.”
Yulen made an appreciative face. “That's quite a ways. What brought you to Wallis?”
Dullay's eyes narrowed. “Is this an interrogation?” The man's unexpected switch from cordiality to apprehensiveness put the battle lord on alert.
“No. Just a friendly question. I didn't recall seeing you during my past visits. I figured you were new to the compound.”
Dullay retreated a little, but his guard remained up. “I moved down here last month.”
“Last month, eh? Well, welcome to Wallis.”
The man suddenly turned and walked away without a goodbye, leaving Yulen with more questions than answers. The sound of someone sniffing behind him caught his attention.
“He smells.” A loving figure moved up next to him, draping an arm about his coat at waist
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