On the Meldon Plain (The Fourline Trilogy Book 2) by Pam Brondos Page B
Authors: Pam Brondos
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wish to return once Estos’ presence is revealed.”
“Mudug still doesn’t know he’s back?” Nat asked, surprised.
“Fortunately, no. Mudug has no clue Estos has returned. Whatever you and Soris did to the Chemist’s tracking device worked beyond our best expectations, thank goodness. Although he’s claiming to be only temporary regent, you know as well as I that Mudug would expend every resource available to kill Estos if he appeared before his birthday next winter. Mudug will want formal recognition as regent, and that can only happen if Estos fails to claim the regency once he reaches the age of majority. His death would cement Mudug’s rule. My point is Mudug will be occupied in the North. Now that your training is done, it’s a good time for you to slip back into Fourline.”
Nat stared at the plate. “Did Riler’s message say anything about Soris?”
“No, we still have to assume he’s with Ethet. It would be difficult for a duozi anywhere in Fourline without friends to hide him,” Barba explained gently.
Nat clutched the mug Barba set in front of her and silently sipped the hot tea.
“Your grades this semester are excellent. I’m sure your parents will be as proud as I am,” Barba said, changing the subject.
Nat felt a tinge of pride when she glanced at the small red-haired woman in front of her. She’d grown to deeply respect Barba despite the grueling schedule and the panicky fear that overshadowed every part of her training. “Thank you,” she said.
“I’ve said it before, Natalie. Your intelligence is your best asset. Rely on it and it will see you through anything. Now finish up, Sister. I need to show you your new cloak.”
“You sure MC doesn’t want my turtle for the summer?” Viv asked as they looked around their nearly empty dorm room. She wore a black T-shirt with “Vengeance Is Mine” emblazoned on the front, and her hair was spiked up like a hedgehog.
“She’d love it,” Nat said, knowing her little sister would flip at the chance to take care of a turtle. “But like I said, I’m not heading home.”
Viv shrugged and lifted her final box off the floor. “Call me from the hinterlands of Canada this summer,” she demanded. “I go into withdrawal when I don’t hear your melodious voice.”
“I’ll make sure to call you every morning at the crack of dawn before I go for a run.” She held the door open for Viv.
“Don’t you dare,” her roommate huffed and shoved the box into the already cramped backseat of her car.
“It’s a.m. calls or nothing.”
“Nothing it is, then. I’ll speak to you in August.” Viv gave Nat a quick hug. “I’m glad you got your ducks in a row, honey,” she whispered into her ear. Her eyes were misty when she pulled away. Nat’s throat tightened.
“Thanks, Viv. I’ll be even better in August.” She gave her roommate another quick hug, hoping that there was truth to what she’d said. She watched Viv drive away before grasping the handle of her bag. Cars and trucks were parked on the sidewalks and lawns as students loaded their belongings. Nat wove her way in and out of the traffic and climbed into the back of the small maroon bus idling in front of the Student Center. She placed her bag on the seat next to her and retrieved her phone as the bus lurched down the road. Her dad picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, Nat. You making it home tonight?” She heard a little buzzing sound in the background and knew her dad must be in his shop.
“About that, Dad . . . I tried to call yesterday and the day before and only got your voice mail. I’m not coming home right away. I got another job this summer in Canada.” The driver steered the bus around the students and parents clogging the road. He honked, but Nat didn’t notice. She was listening to the silence on the other end of the phone. “Dad, did you hear me? I got another job this summer in Canada. I leave this weekend,” she said softly.
“How long this
“Mudug still doesn’t know he’s back?” Nat asked, surprised.
“Fortunately, no. Mudug has no clue Estos has returned. Whatever you and Soris did to the Chemist’s tracking device worked beyond our best expectations, thank goodness. Although he’s claiming to be only temporary regent, you know as well as I that Mudug would expend every resource available to kill Estos if he appeared before his birthday next winter. Mudug will want formal recognition as regent, and that can only happen if Estos fails to claim the regency once he reaches the age of majority. His death would cement Mudug’s rule. My point is Mudug will be occupied in the North. Now that your training is done, it’s a good time for you to slip back into Fourline.”
Nat stared at the plate. “Did Riler’s message say anything about Soris?”
“No, we still have to assume he’s with Ethet. It would be difficult for a duozi anywhere in Fourline without friends to hide him,” Barba explained gently.
Nat clutched the mug Barba set in front of her and silently sipped the hot tea.
“Your grades this semester are excellent. I’m sure your parents will be as proud as I am,” Barba said, changing the subject.
Nat felt a tinge of pride when she glanced at the small red-haired woman in front of her. She’d grown to deeply respect Barba despite the grueling schedule and the panicky fear that overshadowed every part of her training. “Thank you,” she said.
“I’ve said it before, Natalie. Your intelligence is your best asset. Rely on it and it will see you through anything. Now finish up, Sister. I need to show you your new cloak.”
“You sure MC doesn’t want my turtle for the summer?” Viv asked as they looked around their nearly empty dorm room. She wore a black T-shirt with “Vengeance Is Mine” emblazoned on the front, and her hair was spiked up like a hedgehog.
“She’d love it,” Nat said, knowing her little sister would flip at the chance to take care of a turtle. “But like I said, I’m not heading home.”
Viv shrugged and lifted her final box off the floor. “Call me from the hinterlands of Canada this summer,” she demanded. “I go into withdrawal when I don’t hear your melodious voice.”
“I’ll make sure to call you every morning at the crack of dawn before I go for a run.” She held the door open for Viv.
“Don’t you dare,” her roommate huffed and shoved the box into the already cramped backseat of her car.
“It’s a.m. calls or nothing.”
“Nothing it is, then. I’ll speak to you in August.” Viv gave Nat a quick hug. “I’m glad you got your ducks in a row, honey,” she whispered into her ear. Her eyes were misty when she pulled away. Nat’s throat tightened.
“Thanks, Viv. I’ll be even better in August.” She gave her roommate another quick hug, hoping that there was truth to what she’d said. She watched Viv drive away before grasping the handle of her bag. Cars and trucks were parked on the sidewalks and lawns as students loaded their belongings. Nat wove her way in and out of the traffic and climbed into the back of the small maroon bus idling in front of the Student Center. She placed her bag on the seat next to her and retrieved her phone as the bus lurched down the road. Her dad picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, Nat. You making it home tonight?” She heard a little buzzing sound in the background and knew her dad must be in his shop.
“About that, Dad . . . I tried to call yesterday and the day before and only got your voice mail. I’m not coming home right away. I got another job this summer in Canada.” The driver steered the bus around the students and parents clogging the road. He honked, but Nat didn’t notice. She was listening to the silence on the other end of the phone. “Dad, did you hear me? I got another job this summer in Canada. I leave this weekend,” she said softly.
“How long this
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