Alliance of Serpents by Kevin Domenic

our priority was to capture
you and disable the implant. So in that regard, our mission was a
success. It just didn't work out the way we'd intended. No great
loss in that, though." He looked at Kitreena once again. "But now,
we've got to get downstairs. If you need us, you can contact us
through the communicator we gave you."
    "Is there a place where I can practice my
sword technique?"
    "There's a gym on the far side of the deck,"
Kitreena told him. "I'm sure the crew will be more than happy to
spar with you, if you'd like. However, you're free to train solo if
that would make you more comfortable."
    "Thank you," Arus said again. "I don't know
how to truly show my appreciation for everything you've done for
us."
    The door slid open as Damien approached it.
"We're happy to be of service, Arus. Our job is to help people like
you and your friends. It's the reason the Aeden Alliance
exists."
    If he didn't know Kitreena better, he'd say
her smile was almost shy. "Don't worry," she said as she
followed Damien through the door. "Everything is going to be just
fine. We'll take care of Truce and his lackeys, and your people
will be safe again."
    The door slid closed, leaving Arus alone in
the conference room. "Thanks," he muttered, "but that won't change
the fact that I can't return home."
    *******
    The largest den in the Underworld was packed
to its limit with every single man, woman, and child that could be
gathered on such short notice. Olock estimated there were roughly
two thousand of them, which accounted for more than two-thirds of
the remaining Kyrosen. The number would have to do; they would
surely spread word of what transpired today to those that hadn't
attended. Besides, it was a good wager that no more would've fit
into the cavern anyway. There was scarcely room to breathe.
    Olock climbed onto the makeshift stage and
began inspecting the connections on the communications array.
Lugging all that equipment down from the Control Room had been more
than a hassle, but when Truce made his first contact with the
Kyrosen after having vanished at Castle Asteria nearly five days
ago, he'd requested that Olock move the equipment to the arena and
assemble the Kyrosen for a future message he planned to send. He'd
been uncharacteristically vague about the purpose or content of
this message—Truce had never held details of his plans from Olock
before—but if the nature of his plans were that sensitive, then
there was little reason to pry. Regardless, it was good to hear
that Truce was all right after losing Arus. There were some fears
that the failure at the castle would send Sartan into a
psychological meltdown that would force Olock into taking the
reigns of the Kyrosen.
    "It's nearly midday," F'Ledro said as he
climbed onto the stage. It was little more than a glorified mound
of packed dirt, but it was enough to lift the array above the rest
of the people so that everyone had a chance to hear what the boss
had to say. "Is it ready?"
    "Everything looks to be connected properly,"
Olock responded, rising from the side panel where the majority of
the wiring was fixed. "All we can do now is wait."
    "In the meantime, it would probably be a good
idea to address the people," F'Ledro suggested. "They look a bit
restless."
    Olock glanced at the crowd uneasily. None of
them shouted, yet their dull conversations echoed in the cavern to
produce a small roar. Getting them to pay attention to him was
going to be enough of a challenge, let alone any transmission that
came from the feeble speaker on the array. "May I have your
attention?" he tried to shout. Few people actually heard him.
"Please, may I have your attention?"
    "Quiet!" F'Ledro shouted, drawing his pistol
from its holster. He fired a single blast into the ceiling,
dislodging dust and small rocks over the people. The act certainly
got their attention but for all the wrong reasons. Olock grabbed
him by the vest and snarled in his face.
    "What do you think you're doing, you bloody
fool?"