Roberto’s point was a glaring one. While most of the fleet’s small cargo carriers and transports were equipped with lasers and a limited arsenal of short-range missiles, none of them would be worth the value of the scrap metal they would become if they were deployed for combat in space, certainly against the Hostiles, but just as much so against a “swarm” of magician-powered towers like the one Altin had been in when he wiped out hundreds of Hostiles singlehandedly. Not that Roberto thought that was a problem, but if it came to fighting, the fleet’s small craft were air-to-ground support and nothing more. Space fighters they definitely were not. They had far less power than the star ships did, and only marginally more maneuverability. It was readily apparent from the stony countenances of not only Captain Asad but a few of the others that this was an unexpected bit of intelligence.
“So, now that you know what the redoubts are all about,” the War Queen said as she watched the paranoid pall fog the faces of her fleet allies, “let’s head to the spire. Up there you will see something truly amazing. It’s not only a first for the kingdom of Kurr and for Citadel , it’s a first for all of Prosperion. The elves haven’t even done what we have done, as you are about to see.”
Most of this was meaningless to the Earth folk, but the group moved through the redoubts obediently. As they did, Altin let Aderbury take his place at the lead again, allowing himself to casually drift back toward the end of the line, where Orli was. They exchanged glances and expectant grins, knowing they were nearing the point where they could finally have some time alone, but neither said a word. Content to walk together patiently, they slowed just a little so they could have at least a sense that they were already alone.
But of course Thadius noticed it and called back to them in his kindest tones. “My dear Miss Pewter, you don’t want to miss what’s coming next. Her Majesty makes no jest. The spire holds a wonder beyond reckoning.”
“How would you know, Thadius? You have never been up there.” That came out pettier than Altin wanted it to, and he wished he could take it back as soon as he said it. Not because it wasn’t true, but because, well, such was the nature of courtship and rivalry.
Thadius saw his opening, of course, and, striding back to where they were, feigned sympathy and said, “Altin, old man, you’re snappish as a badger today.” Without waiting for a response, he went on, “And besides, I’ve read the reports, just as everyone on the Royal Armada Council has. Of course I know what’s up there.” He leaned closer to Orli and added, “I say, I do believe the old git needs a nap. All this walking must have been too much for him.”
“Lord Thadius, surely you have something better to do than consort with commoners like us,” Altin said. His dragon, Taot, couldn’t have summoned an acid cloud as corrosive as that.
Thadius gave him a patient look, then turned to Orli as if she were Altin’s mother and Altin had been caught at some form of naughtiness. “It’s not often that commoners are given titles like our poor Altin was,” he said, affecting the deepest sympathy. “It’s almost always the case that if they are, they struggle under the weight of them. Usually it’s having so much responsibility that gets them; the strain manifests unpleasantly.” He turned to Altin again, clapping him on the shoulder and looking down at him in the fashion of extreme charity. “However, our dear boy’s biting mood might simply be the stress of being in the presence of a creature as lovely as you, Miss Pewter. Lads who seldom experience such proximities tend to fall apart straight away, a sad reality of being unfamiliar with the circumstance.” He finished the statement with a greasy smile and another wink.
Orli thought he might be wearing a bit of eyeliner, but she could not be sure.
She held
“So, now that you know what the redoubts are all about,” the War Queen said as she watched the paranoid pall fog the faces of her fleet allies, “let’s head to the spire. Up there you will see something truly amazing. It’s not only a first for the kingdom of Kurr and for Citadel , it’s a first for all of Prosperion. The elves haven’t even done what we have done, as you are about to see.”
Most of this was meaningless to the Earth folk, but the group moved through the redoubts obediently. As they did, Altin let Aderbury take his place at the lead again, allowing himself to casually drift back toward the end of the line, where Orli was. They exchanged glances and expectant grins, knowing they were nearing the point where they could finally have some time alone, but neither said a word. Content to walk together patiently, they slowed just a little so they could have at least a sense that they were already alone.
But of course Thadius noticed it and called back to them in his kindest tones. “My dear Miss Pewter, you don’t want to miss what’s coming next. Her Majesty makes no jest. The spire holds a wonder beyond reckoning.”
“How would you know, Thadius? You have never been up there.” That came out pettier than Altin wanted it to, and he wished he could take it back as soon as he said it. Not because it wasn’t true, but because, well, such was the nature of courtship and rivalry.
Thadius saw his opening, of course, and, striding back to where they were, feigned sympathy and said, “Altin, old man, you’re snappish as a badger today.” Without waiting for a response, he went on, “And besides, I’ve read the reports, just as everyone on the Royal Armada Council has. Of course I know what’s up there.” He leaned closer to Orli and added, “I say, I do believe the old git needs a nap. All this walking must have been too much for him.”
“Lord Thadius, surely you have something better to do than consort with commoners like us,” Altin said. His dragon, Taot, couldn’t have summoned an acid cloud as corrosive as that.
Thadius gave him a patient look, then turned to Orli as if she were Altin’s mother and Altin had been caught at some form of naughtiness. “It’s not often that commoners are given titles like our poor Altin was,” he said, affecting the deepest sympathy. “It’s almost always the case that if they are, they struggle under the weight of them. Usually it’s having so much responsibility that gets them; the strain manifests unpleasantly.” He turned to Altin again, clapping him on the shoulder and looking down at him in the fashion of extreme charity. “However, our dear boy’s biting mood might simply be the stress of being in the presence of a creature as lovely as you, Miss Pewter. Lads who seldom experience such proximities tend to fall apart straight away, a sad reality of being unfamiliar with the circumstance.” He finished the statement with a greasy smile and another wink.
Orli thought he might be wearing a bit of eyeliner, but she could not be sure.
She held
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