Neversfall - Ed Gentry [47]
"Orir, you said I was in command, didn't you? The resources in this citadel are mine to utilize," Jhoqo said. "And that includes your forces."
Adeenya relaxed her stance and looked the man in the eyes. "Never again without my knowledge, Urir. Never."
Before Jhoqo could respond, Adeenya left the building, leaving the door wide open behind her. She felt better. She wished Taennen could experience what she just had.
+ + + + +
Taennen strode through the courtyard, ignoring the salutes as he went. They meant nothing. The men giving them had not believed in the gesture since before their fight with the formians. That fight was why Taennen had lost the respect of both his men and Jhoqo. His feet felt heavy and part of him screamed to stop, but he moved forward simply to be away from anything.
"Taennen," Loraica called. She jogged toward him, her leather armor creaking as it tried to contain her mass through the jostling motion.
"Terir," he said.
"Can we talk a moment, sir?" she said.
"Of course. Walk with me."
"I'm concerned about you, Taen," she said.
He stopped and looked at her. His oldest friend's brow was creased, her eyes big and alert. "I'm all right, Lori."
"Are you sure? You don't seem all right. I saw what happened at the gate."
"I was angry and ashamed. I'm dealing with it."
"I'm glad," Loraica said.
"What is it, Lori? There's something else bothering you." Taennen had shared more with her than anyone else in the world. Stories of his childhood, hopes for the future, bruises, blood, tears, and joys. There was likely little they could hide from one another.
"You just seem different on this mission," she said.
Taennen thought about her words. "I suppose so. This is unlike any other mission we've been on, isn't it?"
Loraica shrugged. "I guess, but… forgive me, but I'm not sure I trust the orir, and you're spending more time with her than might be necessary," she said, her body stiffening to stand at attention.
"I'm not sure what to say, Lori. I'm glad you said something, but I don't think that's the case. I trust her so far, but I hope you can trust me when I say that I'm being cautious."
"I do, Taen. You know I do," Loraica said, a smile overtaking her face. "Oh, speaking of the orir, she asked me to tell you that something's come up in her ranks, so she'll try to catch up with you later."
"I see. Thank you. Can we break our fasts together on the morrow? I feel like we haven't had much time to relax together since we got here."
Loraica smiled. "You're on, sir. See you then."
Chapter Nine
Adeenya faced west, standing atop the wall, watching the vastness of the plains stretch out before her. She had asked Loraica to join her, but she could not guess what the Maquar woman would do.
When at last Loraica approached, Adeenya did not give any indication that she had heard the other woman coming near. They stood in silence for a few moments, both staring to the west. Adeenya turned to face the terir and, for the first time, appreciated Loraica's true size. She stood at least two heads taller than Adeenya and was nearly twice as broad through the shoulders. Her skin was darker, her features less distinguishable in the soft light. A foe to be reckoned with, but now, she hoped, an ally.
"Thank you for coming," Adeenya said. "I have a plan, but carrying it out requires your help."
"Why me?" Loraica asked. Some would have asked what the plan was first.
Adeenya smiled. "I'll be honest with you and admit that I had wished to convince Taennen to help me, but he seems…"
"Distracted," Loraica finished, and Adeenya agreed. "And why not go straight to Jhoqo?"
Adeenya weighed her options and chose honesty. "The urir seems… less than pleased by my participation in serious decisions here," Adeenya said.
Loraica looked to the west again and said nothing for a few moments. "What's this plan, then?" the Maquar asked.
Adeenya hid her surprise at the woman's lack of protest over her characterization of the Maquar leader. "Taennen was informed