LW Browning - Krystile Warriors 01 - Warlord's Honor

by LW Browning

  They wore gloves with studded metal sticking out of the backs of their hands. Leather bands covered their forearms to their elbows. The outside of the forearm bands were sharp pieces of metal that stuck out in an "L" shape. A thick leather apron hung from their waists and was slit on either side. Cloth was attached to the armor on their shoulders so that when they moved, the capes flared out behind them. With their helmets on, facial features were difficult to see, but some of them had paint on their faces. The helmets were metal and some had two horns sticking up on either side. They wore masks that covered most of their faces and necks. What did show were their blue eyes, it was their eyes that unnerved Claire.

  She lifted her chin and summoned all her courage. Claire joined Koda and his warlords as they left the craft. The sight before her caused her knees to go weak. They were at Trade Central. She hated this place and all that it stood for. Koda offered her his arm. She had to work to keep her face impassive, but her heart sped up and her breathing changed. Koda looked down at her. She thought she saw a small frown flit across his features. He knew she was afraid and apprehensive. It was impossible to get anything by him.

  "Trust me," he said. "Read these people. Let me know anything unusual or important."

  She had a job to do. Claire breathed in a shaky sigh. "Of course, Warlord Leader," she whispered. She kept her eyes lowered, automatically reverting back to her training.

  She opened her mind to read everyone within her distance. The distance she was able to read had increased during the time she spent with Koda. Even her ability to filter and sort through the emotions of so many people had grown much stronger. These people were much easier to read than Koda's race.

  Koda had asked for her trust. Anxiety tied her stomach in knots. She had not told him of the Conglomerate plan to take possession of the Krystiles. If she had known they were coming here, she would have told him already. She wondered what his reaction would be to her news. Claire had promised to help him save the MX. It was difficult with fear rising up in her throat and threatening to choke her. She fought to keep her breathing slow and regular.

  Three men in the grey robes that designated them as Trade Ushers waited for them. The obvious leader of the three introduced himself to Koda and waited. After an awkward silence, the usher turned and began leading them. Claire felt the terror the ushers had of Koda and his warlords. Several women sat in glass offices overlooking the area. The readings Claire got from them were lust and fear. The warlords had a little fan club of female admirers.

  She accompanied Koda out of the holding-area into a wide hall. Koda moved his hand to touch the small of her back where the dress was open. Crafty Warlord. His gloves were folded in his belt. Claire made contact with Koda's thoughts and emotions. He was shielding himself from her. Koda allowed her to see and feel only what he wanted her to experience. Very crafty Warlord.

  Claire opened up to receive from the people around them. She let what she received flow through to Koda. He turned his hard blue gaze on hers and lifted one eyebrow. She spared him a brief, sweet smile before shutting down the flow to a smaller, more manageable stream.

  "Impressive," he said.

  "I am glad you approve, Warlord Leader." She looked down to hide the half smile that formed on her lips. Anything even close to praise from him made her giddy with joy.

  Koda's face, what was seen of it, showed no change. She felt the wonder and awe of everyone who looked at them. She wondered if her presence might inspire people to be truthful.

  Koda steered her. Claire was reading everyone who was close. Koda's touch at the small of her back was intimate; his hand hot. She read the Trade Ushers. They thought Koda showed his possession of her. They had no idea she was passing all she read to him through that intimate touch.

  The officials led them through a maze until they stopped before an electronic pocket door. "I hope you find these quarters satisfactory, Warlord Leader Koda. We will return in four Time Periods for the meeting." As if Claire were a pet he added, "Do you require any special holding conditions for the MX? We can offer you a cage for it. They are not allowed in trade negotiations here."

  Koda had not witnessed the attitude of the normals toward the MX before this. She felt his anger. The thought of being in the cage alone terrified her. MX were never allowed in trade negotiations here at the Trade Center. Koda did not answer the Trade Usher, but walked into the room with his hand still on her back. Claire had read the man's disgust of her and passed it along to Koda. She made a note to be more careful what she allowed through the bond to him.

  The ushers waited just outside the door. Var pushed the pad to close the door in their faces.

  Inside the room, there were sofas, an entertainment viewer, and refreshments. They also had a small kitchen area. Several private rooms opened off the main area. They removed their helmets and gloves.

  Koda pulled a chair out from the table and faced the entertainment viewer. Some of the warlords sat while others milled about the room. Revi was eating.

  "Claire, here please." She walked over to stand in front of him. "Report." He was in battle mode.

  She began, "Warlord Leader, the officials who met us and led us here are ushers. The most significant emotions I read from them were anxiety and fear relating to the size and reputation of you and your warlords."

  "And what of their feelings toward you, pet?"

  "Their reaction toward one of my kind is common, Warlord Leader. It is of no consequence."

  "I would see your hair loose." Koda's look could have melted glass.

  Claire's sharp intake of breath drew everyone's attention. She did not move.

  Koda raised an eyebrow.

  She put her hands to her hair and loosened it.

  "That is much better, pita. You have never seen us in armor before. Is that the cause of your alarm?"

  Claire nodded.

  "You have no need to fear us, little one." Koda’s voice softened.

  "Your group is intimidating," she whispered.

  "Not to you, never to you. I do not want you to fear me. Ever. Look at me," he said.

  She looked in his eyes.

  Koda kissed her hand. His lips were so hot she thought he burned her skin. "There is no need to lower your eyes to these ushers, or to anyone else. Look at them.”

  Claire hid her shock, but nodded.

  “Rest while you can, little one," Koda said softly.

  "There is one thing you must know. Two things. There is another MX here," Claire said.

  The warlords focused their attention on Claire.

  "Can you communicate with her?" Koda said.

  "Not at this time, I can discern her presence, and she, mine."

  "Is she a friend?" Var asked.

  Claire looked from Var to Koda for several moments. "She is here to do a job, just as I am."

  "Do you detect if her job is contrary to ours?" Koda asked.

  "Not at this time."

  "You cannot detect the purpose of her job at this time or you cannot detect her presence well enough to know the purpose of her job at this time?" Var asked.

  "Both."

  Koda nodded. "Thank you, pita. Let me know as soon as that changes."

  "Of course, Warlord Leader." Claire turned to go.

  "And the other thing?" Koda asked.

  Startled, Claire's mouth opened slightly. She closed it and stood there, not knowing which way to move.

  "You mentioned two things," Koda said.

  "I-I would prefer – could we speak privately?" Claire asked.

  Koda tilted his head so slightly only those who knew him well were able to discern it. He stood and steered Claire to one of the private rooms. Inside, he closed the door to what appeared to be a small bed chamber. He turned his gaze on her, waiting, patient.

  Claire wanted to run, rather than tell him, but there was no place to go. Her heart was beating so fast she thought she might faint. "I never said anything... If I had known we were coming here..."
/>   Koda waited.

  Claire began again, "The Conglomerate – they will not trade fairly with you. That is one reason they will not let you take me into the Trade Chamber. They want you to sign agreements with them, but in the end, they will steal your Krystiles and find a way to justify it. They want what you have." She bit her lip and waited, afraid of his wrath.

  He nodded. "Yes, pita, I know."

  Claire's eyes opened wide as her mouth formed an ‘o’. "If you know that, then why?"

  Koda spared her a smile. "We have dealt with the Conglomerate before, pita. It has been many years, but we have long memories."

  His eyes pierced her. "Was that part of your assignment with me? To help deceive me?"

  That settled in Claire's brain, she shook her head. "No. No! I was only supposed to help you with your other trading. I was never supposed to be part of this."

  "Yet you knew of the plan to deceive me. Why did you not tell me?" Koda sounded patient. Claire doubted his patience could be stretched much further.

  "I-I d-do not know, Warlord Leader." She looked down. Heat suffused her face.

  "I see. Is there anything else that I need to know before I go among the thieves?" Koda asked softly.

  "No, Sir." Claire said miserably.

  "Sir?" Koda waited, but Claire did not respond to that. "Are you sure, pita?" Koda asked.

  She trembled and shook her head.

  Koda got a bottle of water from the cold unit and handed it to her. "Drink."

  She started to say something else, but her courage failed her.

  Koda went back into the large room.

  Claire followed and found a chair in the corner of the large outer room. She closed her eyes to better tune out everyone in the room. Claire tried to contact the other MX.

  Koda sat on the sofa, waiting.

  The warlords helped themselves to the fresh fruit, food and drink that had been provided for them in the suite. Everyone turned when the bell rang announcing a visitor. Vix moved like a big stalking cat to the door.

  Six females stood outside bearing bottles of wine and trays of cheese. Vix let them in. The first one bowed as did the others. "We are here for your pleasure, Sirs." The warlords turned hardened gazes on the frightened women.

  Vix motioned for two of the women to come to him. Their trepidation obvious, they moved closer. He grabbed their wrists and led them to a chair where he sat and pulled both onto his lap.

  "Two. You think you get two of them, brother?" Revi smiled.

  "Get your own, I have two legs, obviously I need a female on each leg,” Vix said. He soon had the women giggling.

  Revi motioned to a tall dark-haired woman. She followed him into a private room.

  "Next time, I will answer the door," Foord said.

  The warlords soon had the women squealing. They became friendlier as they sampled the wine and the women.

  Lars sat by himself, quiet as ever.

  Claire left the main suite and went back into the private room.

  ***

  Koda was curious about Claire's reaction to being here. She had withdrawn. She always became formal when she needed to put distance between them. Her attitude might have something to do with the large amount of information she was receiving and filtering from the people here. Perhaps the effort to shield from so many emotions and minds took so much effort that she had little energy left. Her confession might have caused the fear he felt when he touched her. He wondered what exactly she was afraid of.

  Koda leaned back and bit into an apple.

  Claire felt the Ushers outside the door. Moments later, the door chime sounded. Revi opened the door panel to see the Primary Usher filling the doorway. Claire read surprise rather than disappointment from the ushers.

  "We are here to escort you to the meeting, Warlord Leader Koda. The MX cannot remain here alone. We will cage it for you," the usher said.

  Koda held out his hand for Claire to come to his side. Touching her bare back, she walked beside him as he led his warlords out the door. The ushers ran to catch up. "Warlord Leader! MX are never allowed in the Trade Chamber."

  When they entered the Trade Chamber, the page inside the door announced the arrival of Warlord Leader Koda and his warlords. The warlords came in two by two through the double doors. They carried their helmets.

  The room was a large rectangle. Thirteen men sat on a raised podium behind a long curved table in the front of the room. They wore the black robes of the Trade Council. Insignias on the collars of their robes identified them as the high council. About 30 other people, traders representing the interests of select groups, sat behind a waist-high barrier that lined either side of the chamber. The room was dark, with only a few small overhead spotlights.

  Koda moved one of the chairs provided for them in front of the Trade Council and guided Claire into it. He stood to her side with his bare hand under the heavy coolness of her hair. When he touched the mate mark on her neck, Claire felt the heat of their connection. She shielded against the disgust she felt from those in the room. She did not want Koda to feel it through his link to her. The warlords stood fanned out on either side and slightly behind them.

  "Warlord Leader Koda, how good to see you, Sir." The leader's voice reminded Claire of dirty oil. She tamped down her own loathing to better concentrate on the emotions of the others in the room. "We are honored by your presence among us, however, we do not allow females in the Council Chambers and possession of MX within the Chamber is a violation of our law. If you are turning it in for your reward, then allow us to cage it for you."

  Koda stood silent.

  "Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if the MX were caged," the Trade Leader waited a moment, "for the safety of everyone, of course."

  "We will protect you from the MX." Koda said. "I came to discuss trade details. Do not waste my time."

  Chuckles from the crowd did nothing to improve the Trade Leader's temper. Claire passed everything she read from the Trade Leader to Koda through their connection.

  "This is most unusual, Warlord Koda. We have never allowed a female into these meetings. Since you want to become part of the Conglomerate for trade purposes, do you not think it best to observe Conglomerate law?"

  "I do not seek entry into the Conglomerate. I was invited here to discuss trade agreements of Krystiles."

  The Trade Leader's skin mottled with red. "B-B-But Sir, trading is limited to members of the Conglomerate. Trade with non-members is never allowed. We had expected you to apply to become a member."

  "He trades on the black market." One of the council members muttered under his breath.

  Claire passed along the Trade Leader's thought. It would be a major success for him, if he succeeded in signing agreements with Koda to trade Krystiles. Claire also passed along his fury that a barbarian had them all at his mercy. Koda had the Krystiles and they needed them, needed Koda's cooperation until they could take control of all the Krystiles.

  "I'm sure we can come to some compromise." The Trade Leader smiled. Claire suppressed a shudder.

  Koda nodded. "Then let us get to the business of trade agreements for the Krystiles."

  They began to outline the details of the trades. Claire read the emotions and whatever thoughts she could get from the Trade Council and the others in the room. She let the information flow through her to Koda while he stroked his thumb down the side of her neck to calm and anchor her. She was helping him, she was important to him. Claire fairly glowed with happiness that Koda needed and appreciated her assistance. She had never experienced such a sense of fulfillment. They were a team.

  Five on the Trade Council supported Koda and were anxious to accept whatever deal he suggested. Three of them had very hostile feelings toward Koda. The remaining traders were interested in the money they stood to make from the trades. Details of the agreements held no interest for them.

  When the agreements were nearly completed, Claire remained stoic, though she wanted to sigh with relief. The
stress of this meeting was almost over. Her head was aching from reading the emotions and thoughts of so many.

  "Very well then, we will record the trade agreement." The Trade Leader was relieved. Claire passed along his thought that he at least had an agreement to trade for Krystiles even though Koda had driven a hard bargain and had not yet become a member of the Conglomerate.

  "We are not done. I have another point to the Krystile Trade Agreement," Koda said.

  Several of the robed traders leaned forward, even the ones who had not been paying attention turned to look.

  "Any and all MX from the societies that enter into these agreements will be turned over to me before delivery of any Krystiles," Koda said. "The societies that withhold MX will forfeit any Krystiles they have in their possession, and we will take the MX from them by force. If there are any MX here, at this Trade Center, they will be turned over to us within two Time Periods. We will continue to trade Krystiles with any society whether they belong to the Trade Center or not as long as they comply with my rules for Krystile use and do not withhold any MX from me."

  There was absolute silence before riotous noise broke out in the chamber. The flow of emotions and thoughts rocked Claire before she was able to filter out the milder ones and concentrate on the most serious. She shut down the flow through her contact with Koda to almost nothing. Slowly, she allowed the emotions and thoughts to flow through her to him. A glance at Koda affirmed her guess. His face revealed nothing. She envied his control, her own was costing her.

  Voices ran together as the traders began speaking all at once. "This is an outrage!" Claire heard from more than one person. Several Traders leaned forward with their fisted hands on the table. Most of the audience stood up to object to Koda's words.