As she advanced toward the main group gathered around the Esstika, her mother spotted her and smiled. Noticing where the woman’s attention was focused, those gathered around her turned, saw her, and parted to allow Lhora to reach her parent.
Kai Vul Est Niram, Esstika of Beinight, grimaced as she took in her daughter’s sweaty appearance. “I would hug you, but…”
Lhora replied with a wry grin. “I would have taken a quick bath, but…”
The Esstika nodded, and turned to address the others. “Gentle folk, if you will allow us a moment.”
The group acquiesced and moved aside. Taking Lhora by the arm, the Esstika led her over to where they could speak in relative privacy.
Lhora brought up the subject first. “I saw the Coltrosstian ship on my way here. Are we about to host another delegation?”
“Sarpi Sov is arriving to discuss something he says is of great importance.”
A shiver of trepidation went through her. “Why, Mother?” Then it hit her, and she didn’t make any attempt to hide her displeasure. “Oh, by the graces! He’s not wanting to arrange another treaty, is he?” She scanned the people already inside the chamber. “That’s why your council is here, isn’t it?”
“Lhora.” Kai took her hands. “Heed me well on this. I haven’t conversed with you on this issue before because I had hoped things would get straightened out and clarified before now. But they haven’t, and we are being faced with dire circumstances.”
Lhora stared into her mother’s face, and for the first time saw the strained look in her eyes. “What kind of circumstances?”
“The Tra’Mell have taken over our southern hemisphere and attacked our vessels at least seven times in the past three days. We’ve suffered massive casualties, and our armada has been reduced significantly.
A cold chill went through her, followed by a flash of heat. “How many ships do we have left?” If memory served her correctly, they should have nearly fifty ships under their command.
“Twenty that are still sky-worthy. Four more are undergoing repairs.”
Lhora quickly inhaled. “That’s all? Why didn’t you tell me any of this earlier?” she hotly demanded.
“I wanted to. There was a chance we could get help from the Arbinars on Curod Six, but this morning I was informed that they’ve declined. We are facing a near crisis, and I was starting to worry that the Tra’Mell would attack again before we could gain reinforcements, when I got the transmission from Sarpi Sov saying he had a proposition for us.”
“What sort of proposition?” Lhora narrowed her eyes. “We must be in dire straits if you’re willing to listen to that brot horg.”
Kai squeezed her hands. “The least we can do is listen to their proposal.”
“Have you spoken to Father about this?”
“Yes. In fact, he’s escorting them from the landing field.”
“Mother, they’re ourenemy.”
“But this is also their home planet. If we can’t come together to defend it against the Tra’Mell, then we both lose.”
She knew her mother was right. Still, the idea that they and the Coltrosstians should work together in this endeavor was a hard pill to swallow. “Please tell me this is only meant to be a temporary truce,” Lhora begged.
Kai slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry. You know I can’t make that kind of promise. I have to keep an open mind. Otherwise…”
Lhora took a deep breath. “Do you have any idea what kind of proposition the Sarpi plans to present?”
“I’m as clueless as you are.”
Pulling her hands away, she folded them behind her head and stared up at the carved ceiling. “When did all this come down?”
“This morning.”
No wonder she wasn’t given any time to make herself presentable. “The Coltrosstians were on their way here when they notified you, weren’t they?”
“Yes.”
“Have they lost as many men as we have?”
