Burning Stone Read Free Page A

energy. Iskan offered her some in exchange for twelve of her people over one century. They would be remade into Iskanoi and be the seeds of a new population.”
    “Was I part of that deal?”
    “Not if you don’t wish to stay. The Drai contract supersedes all others.” Kedna smirked.
    Halwis scowled. “I was going to tell her that. No matter where she chooses to live, this is her Citadel and we will always welcome her.”
    Leyhara yawned and wobbled to her feet. “I think I want to see a bit of the universe. Is that possible? I would like to go on those twenty assignments.”
    Halwis smiled. “I will make the arrangements in the morning. You should ship out within the week.”
    Kedna got to her feet, obviously handling her alcohol better than Leyhara was. She linked her arm with Leyhara’s and helped her to her room.
    “Don’t worry about the Drai. They are not quite the beasts depicted in the vids. I have met two of them, and they are urbane, cultured and devoted partners and spouses.”
    “Are they in the Citadel?”
    “Mostly they are in the Sector Guard, but the Guard draws a lot of its personnel from the Citadel. They came here to bring a candidate who needed a bit more training. Halwis went up one side of him and down the other. He was sorted out completely in six weeks and now has an assignment on an instable world and is working to reshape the atmosphere. It should take him quite a few years to get it just right.”
    Alone in her room, Leyhara unlaced her bodice and crawled between the sheets. Tomorrow, things were going to be set in motion that would put pressure on her, but she was up for it. Well, she hoped she was. Failure was not an appealing option.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Bohrvin’s eyes were the first thing she noticed about her pilot. His eyes were a pure emerald green with hot gold around the edge and as a pupil. It gave a new meaning to having fire in his eyes. His skin was a silvery grey and his hair a rich scarlet that made her flame-red hair seem brassy in comparison.
    He was taller, stronger and prettier than she was. She grappled with that for a moment and then put on her robes, gathered her spare clothing in her bag and hugged her few friends goodbye.
    It was an adventure that she was seeking and Bohrvin was going to help her find it.
    Halwis-Iskan took her new pilot aside and spoke to him in an urgent tone.
    Bohrvin nodded and patted the Avatar on the arm.
    Leyhara couldn’t understand what they were saying, but Halwis gave her a nervous look before finally nodding and wishing him a good journey.
    A final hug to Leyhara and she was on her way to the first mission she would undertake as a Master of her elements. Her father would enjoy the title. He always thought that she deserved some kind of recognition for not only what she was, but also what she could do.
    The shuttle that Bohrvin was piloting was a sleek design, quite a bit different from the ship that had brought Leyhara to Iskan. It was definitely something designed by another race or team of races. That thought made her smiled. Two months ago, other races had been something to fear, and now, she had not only a curiosity about them, but also the ability to satisfy that curiosity.
    The narrow-backed seats of the shuttle were a little odd, but as long as Leyhara sat straight, they were perfectly comfortable. The interior walls were wide, doorways as well. Even in the slim shuttle, two people could walk side by side without trouble in any direction.
    Bohrvin settled next to her and he took the controls. “Are you ready?”
    She nodded. “I guess so. I am willing to try.”
    He grinned. “I meant for takeoff.”
    “Oh, yes. Right. Sorry.” She settled and placed her hands in her lap. “Ready.”
    He turned the ship with a graceful arc, and they went for a short burn down the runway before they lifted up and away.
    They left the surface of Iskan and flew through the atmosphere, heading along the curve of the world until they