ROAD TO CORDIA
Page 27
The regent Xi’Lef looked sharply at Y’Nota. “What makes you think there was anyone behind Raptor? He seemed to be acting alone.”
“For one man acting alone, even someone as influential as Lord Raptor, he managed to do an incredible amount of damage to the running of our country. As far as I’m concerned, his death confirms the certainty of an accomplice.”
Xi’Lef lifted a disbelieving green eyebrow. “An accomplice?”
Y’Nota wasn’t cowed. “Perhaps even a superior,” he said.
There was an uneasy silence then, “The guards were killed too?” said Princess Lil’Li.
“Aye, they had to be. A witness, even the whisper of a witness, would be too dangerous. This someone is of high rank, your majesty.”
The princess’s face paled from light green to almost white. “Will this never end?”
CHAPTER 36
The day was warm and sunny. Both suns were high in the sky. Two shadows dogged everyone’s steps. “A good sign,” said the Healer. She was a Cloud Person in her twenties. Plain and earnest looking, she came with the highest recommendations from her teachers and co-workers. Best of all, she didn’t seem to feel slighted at being assigned to a lowly Fisherfolk village.
Ee’Rick had come out to say goodbye. “The Princess is sending you off in style.”
Ja’Nil looked around at the strong red and black horses, at the wagons, heavy with luggage and presents. A teacher had also been assigned and she sat on the high seat of one of the wagons engrossed in a book. Uniformed soldiers would accompany them all the way to her village. The soldiers would make and break camp along the way, Captain Y’Nota had assured Ja’Nil. She need do nothing, but ride her horse in comfort.
Ja’Nil hadn’t wanted to tell him that she seldom rode and wasn’t at all sure about the comfort part. Y’Nota had saluted her, wished her well, and expressed the desire to visit her village.
“Really?”
“To further our acquaintance,” he smiled at her.
She didn’t remember what she had mumbled, but she knew she had blushed.
Now here was Ee’Rick, her comfortable travel bud. “It’s going to be strange traveling without you,” she said to him.
He looked over her caravan and grinned. “I don’t think you’ll be lonely. You’ve been an interesting traveling companion, Ja’Nil.”
“You also, Obilon Ee’Rick.”
He looked down at her. “You disapprove?”
“No, of course not,” she hesitated for a moment. “The truth is I don’t even know what Obilon means.”
“It means First Born.”
“And your father is the head of you clan?’
“He is.”
“So you are like Head of your Clan Presumptive?”
He laughed. “It is not automatic with my people. There are tests and trials. I have two brothers.”
“And sisters?”
“None.”
“And will your clan stay with Cancordia?”
“A more appropriate question might be; will Cancordia honor its treaties?”
“Then you still don’t trust the Princess?”
“There was someone behind Lord Raptor. He’s still out there. Who knows if she can keep the throne?”
In spite of herself, Ja’Nil shivered.
Ee’Rick reached out a finger and traced the faint scar on her cheek. “We will meet again, little warrior.”
“I’m not so little.”
“But definitely a warrior…and soon to be an adult.”
“It’s been huge meeting you,” admitted Ja‘Nil. “I mean… a wolf!”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Do you prefer me as a man or a wolf?”
She thought about it. “Well, you’re an awfully impressive looking wolf.”
“Ah, little warrior.”
One of the soldiers came up to them leading a beautiful red and black horse, thankfully on the small side. Ee’Rick helped her to mount. Then he captured one of her hands and raised it to his mouth. “I salute you, Ja’Nil.” When he released her hand, she placed it lightly on his head, feeling his thick hair.
“You growled at me the last time I touched you,” she said.
He looked startled, then grinned. “You scratched me behind my ear.”
“Goodbye, Obilon Ee’Rick.”
He studied her face. “We will meet again, Ja’Nil. This I promise.”
Huge!
The caravan moved out. Ee’rick watched it go, and then turned back to deal with his clan’s business.
CHAPTER 37
Shall I order the trumpets played, Lady Ja’Nil?” asked the officer in charge of escorting her home.
She had told him she wasn’t a Lady, but he insisted on using the honorific. He had also insisted on sounding the trumpets at every village and crossroads that they came to in the last five days. This time Ja’Nil put her foot down.
“They know we are coming,” she said. “I assure you a caravan of this size and color has not escaped notice. No trumpets.”
He all but pouted, but his good humor was restored when he started shouting orders about “dressing up that line,” whatever that meant. Flags and pendants were unfurled. The soldiers sat straighter in their saddles and precisely lined up their horses. Even the teacher put down her book and looked around as they entered the village.
Doors opened. Children were running out into the street, and women stepped down from their stoops, peering at the approaching caravan. Men were running up from the fields and harbor. The Lodge doors opened and Jo’Oner and several other elders, dressed in their best clothes, stepped out to await the Queen’s caravan.
Ja’Nil, riding a beautiful red striped pony, stopped before them. Behind her, she heard the trumpets sing out. There was even a drum roll. Ja’Nil held up her arm, and abruptly the trumpets and drums stopped. The village people crowded closer. She could make out both Sidly and Rog. In fact, the entire village, except those out fishing, was present.
Jo’Oner peered nearsightedly up at her. “Ja’Nil?”
“Yes.”
He looked behind her at the soldiers, at the wagons of goods, at the Royal flags and pendants. He looked at the beautiful strong horses, at the teacher up on the wagon seat, at the young Cloud Person woman on a smaller pony, and at her wagon painted brightly with the Healer's Clan markings.
“What’s all this?” He seemed bewildered and slightly afraid.
“You sent me on a mission,” she reminded him.
“But...?”
She gestured at the Cloud Person. “I have brought the village its Healer.”
THE END
THE ROAD TO CORDIA is the first in a series of Cancordian Adventures.
Be on the lookout for the further adventures of Ja'Nil and Ee'Rick in the second book in this series.
***
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Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
&n
bsp; CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37