Read Online The Path to Loss (Approaching Infinity Book 4) by Chris Eisenlauer - Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Eisenlauer
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but they have promised to take Thrax Palonis for their own.”
“Are you mad, Gim Pehsil? Did you come to me at this hour simply to inform me of your madness?”
Peshil stood, realizing that, though he’d hoped and intended to stay at least a day or two, he was done here. “As I said, you may do what you will with my warning. I came to you first because we have been… friends . What approaches requires the attention of every Shield on Thrax Palonis, but above all, it requires the attention of Chan Fa, the Everliving.” Peshil started back across the chamber the way he had come. “Good night to you, Sera Fontessa,” he said over his shoulder. “I hope that you and your territory fair better than me and mine.”
“Wait!” she cried, clearly moved by his demeanor. “Gim Peshil, I have never seen you so sober with news so dire. You have convinced me that you do not lie, that this is no elaborate ploy.”
Peshil paused and turned to face her again.
She swallowed hard and Peshil marveled at how much she looked like a child to him now. “I have ever been friendly with Kels Ansrath, the Iron Weapon. And I may be able to win over Toth Talpas, the Gold Fount, as well. Surely the four of us would be sufficient…”
Peshil narrowed his eyes. “Let me show you, my dear, the scope and scale of what we are up against. Peshil pointed towards a whitish silk hanging on one wall and projected light against it, showing the image of an olive-green cable hanging from the sky.
“You know the size of those rock plates,” Peshil said. “You can see how massive this alien thing is. Even if we were to eradicate its agents, Thrax Palonis has been infected. Can we—any of us—afford not to meet this threat with anything less than the full might of our world?”
She nodded. She had never seen him like this and was humbled by his command and his passion, both of which seemed new, brought about by this epic challenge perhaps. “You are fastest among us, Gim Peshil. Fly to Chan Fa, but be safe. His temperament is volatile, and he is dangerous. This is the commonly-held belief, but trust me when I tell you that it is also the truth.”
Peshil thought he could see a memory, dark and painful, swimming just below the surface of Fontessa’s bright green eyes.
“If he threatens you, even slightly,” she continued, “you must promise to use your speed and return here immediately.”
Peshil grinned. What an interesting change in her. “Of course, Sera Fontessa. Then shall we congregate here to plan our defense of Thrax Palonis?”
“Yes. I will gather as many Shields as possible. Let us meet back here in three days.”
“Three days? You are confident in your persuasive skills.”
“I am,” she said smiling. “I have the means to contact Kels Ansrath quickly. Toth Talpas, may take a bit more time.” She shrugged. “Even if you convince Chan Fan, though, it is far to the other side of Thrax Palonis. It will take him at least twice as many days to reach here.”
“Depending on his disposition, that may work to our favor.”
She stared at him for a long moment then. “You are different, Gim Peshil. This event has changed you, and for the better, I say. Come back safely.”
“I will.” With no more discussion, Peshil strode from the reception hall without escort. Rolst glanced between Peshil and his mistress, but Fontessa only shook her head, smiling vacantly.
• • •
Unlike any of his fellows, Gim Peshil could reach Chan Fa’s territory on the other side of Thrax Palonis in seconds. He was beholden to no one and felt very good right now in spite of the looming alien threat. He felt that he could have his pick of territories if he wanted them, but challenging high-ranking Shields right now would likely result in an endeavor too lengthy and too public. He was hungry, though, and thought that he—and their cause—might benefit from at least one more feeding. This time, perhaps a true Shield would be in order. No
“Are you mad, Gim Pehsil? Did you come to me at this hour simply to inform me of your madness?”
Peshil stood, realizing that, though he’d hoped and intended to stay at least a day or two, he was done here. “As I said, you may do what you will with my warning. I came to you first because we have been… friends . What approaches requires the attention of every Shield on Thrax Palonis, but above all, it requires the attention of Chan Fa, the Everliving.” Peshil started back across the chamber the way he had come. “Good night to you, Sera Fontessa,” he said over his shoulder. “I hope that you and your territory fair better than me and mine.”
“Wait!” she cried, clearly moved by his demeanor. “Gim Peshil, I have never seen you so sober with news so dire. You have convinced me that you do not lie, that this is no elaborate ploy.”
Peshil paused and turned to face her again.
She swallowed hard and Peshil marveled at how much she looked like a child to him now. “I have ever been friendly with Kels Ansrath, the Iron Weapon. And I may be able to win over Toth Talpas, the Gold Fount, as well. Surely the four of us would be sufficient…”
Peshil narrowed his eyes. “Let me show you, my dear, the scope and scale of what we are up against. Peshil pointed towards a whitish silk hanging on one wall and projected light against it, showing the image of an olive-green cable hanging from the sky.
“You know the size of those rock plates,” Peshil said. “You can see how massive this alien thing is. Even if we were to eradicate its agents, Thrax Palonis has been infected. Can we—any of us—afford not to meet this threat with anything less than the full might of our world?”
She nodded. She had never seen him like this and was humbled by his command and his passion, both of which seemed new, brought about by this epic challenge perhaps. “You are fastest among us, Gim Peshil. Fly to Chan Fa, but be safe. His temperament is volatile, and he is dangerous. This is the commonly-held belief, but trust me when I tell you that it is also the truth.”
Peshil thought he could see a memory, dark and painful, swimming just below the surface of Fontessa’s bright green eyes.
“If he threatens you, even slightly,” she continued, “you must promise to use your speed and return here immediately.”
Peshil grinned. What an interesting change in her. “Of course, Sera Fontessa. Then shall we congregate here to plan our defense of Thrax Palonis?”
“Yes. I will gather as many Shields as possible. Let us meet back here in three days.”
“Three days? You are confident in your persuasive skills.”
“I am,” she said smiling. “I have the means to contact Kels Ansrath quickly. Toth Talpas, may take a bit more time.” She shrugged. “Even if you convince Chan Fan, though, it is far to the other side of Thrax Palonis. It will take him at least twice as many days to reach here.”
“Depending on his disposition, that may work to our favor.”
She stared at him for a long moment then. “You are different, Gim Peshil. This event has changed you, and for the better, I say. Come back safely.”
“I will.” With no more discussion, Peshil strode from the reception hall without escort. Rolst glanced between Peshil and his mistress, but Fontessa only shook her head, smiling vacantly.
• • •
Unlike any of his fellows, Gim Peshil could reach Chan Fa’s territory on the other side of Thrax Palonis in seconds. He was beholden to no one and felt very good right now in spite of the looming alien threat. He felt that he could have his pick of territories if he wanted them, but challenging high-ranking Shields right now would likely result in an endeavor too lengthy and too public. He was hungry, though, and thought that he—and their cause—might benefit from at least one more feeding. This time, perhaps a true Shield would be in order. No
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