damaged."
"There were no bodies. How can such a vehicle move with no one to drive it?"
"Remotes," said Rezac. "From a distance," he added, realizing how inadequate the Jalnian language was to explain technical matters.
Thoughtfully, Killian sat back in his chair and began stroking his beard while his gaze flicked from one to the other of them. "Now, I presume, you wish to return to the Spaceport and leave Jalna for your own worlds."
"That was the general idea," said Davies, speaking for the first time.
"Unfortunately that won't be possible," said Killian, his tone regretful. "Another blizzard is due tonight and the pass will be blocked by morning. I'm afraid you'll have to accept my hospitality until the weather improves."
He's lying, Kris sent to Jo.
We can't prove it, Rezac replied.
The only outward sign of both Kris' and Jo's surprise at Rezac joining the conversation was a slight tensing of their bodies.
Good, thought Rezac to himself. At least they're skilled in concealment.
Jo's reply, when it came, was slower and fainter. What do we do, then?
Go along with him for now. We have no other options yet, Rezac replied while sending a private thought to Kris.
Later, the Human replied.
"In return for my hospitality, perhaps you can help me," said Killian, oblivious to their mental exchange.
"In what way?" asked Kris.
"Bradogan, who rules the Spaceport and its surrounding lands, is hungry for power. Those Lords he can't ally to himself with bribes of off-world goods, he wages war on. It's only a matter of time till his eyes fall on Kaladar. I want an edge, something to keep him away from my lands. Something like this weapon here." He indicated the pistol. "You could help me by making more of them."
"Those weapons are highly sophisticated, Lord Killian," said Kris. "They require manufacturing methods not available on Jalna. We couldn't make them for you, even if we knew how."
Killian raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"We know how to use them, but we don't know how to make them," said Jo.
"You know how they work, you can make them." Killian's voice had grown cold.
"You misunderstand us, Lord," said Kris. He pointed to one of the guardsmen behind them. "They can use their crossbows, but could they make one?"
"You misunderstand me. You will provide me with off-world weapons," said Killian uncompromisingly. "If not that one, then others that fulfill a similar purpose."
He pushed himself to his feet. "Escort my guests to their chambers," he ordered his guards. "Think about it overnight. I'm sure you'll see the wisdom of mutual cooperation. We'll talk again in the morning."
* * *
They were escorted through the curtained doorway out onto an external balcony. The air was bitter as it blew fresh flurries of snow into their faces. Dressed as they were, Rezac could feel the cold hit Zashou and he moved closer to her, holding an arm out in invitation to her to share his warmth.
He felt her mental retreat as she shied physically back from him. Only a step, but it was enough. Their long sleep hadn't changed anything then, he thought with a sigh.
Are they going to lock us in some dungeon? asked Jo, trying to control the chattering of her teeth. Maybe he wasn't lying about the blizzard after all!
I don't think he'll put us in a dungeon tonight, sent Kris. Likely it'll be somewhere comfortable. He's reminding us how cold it is to persuade us that cooperation is worthwhile. If we don't, then tomorrow it'll be the dungeons.
I agree, sent Rezac.
* * *
The two males proved to be right. The rooms they were shown to were in a small tower set near the center of the castle. A suite for visiting dignitaries, or noble prisoners.
The main chamber boasted a fire almost as large as that in Killian's private quarters. Opening off it were two smaller bedrooms, both of which had beds hung with heavy drapes and fires burning in the grates. There was also a small closet that served as a privy. In the larger, a pile
"There were no bodies. How can such a vehicle move with no one to drive it?"
"Remotes," said Rezac. "From a distance," he added, realizing how inadequate the Jalnian language was to explain technical matters.
Thoughtfully, Killian sat back in his chair and began stroking his beard while his gaze flicked from one to the other of them. "Now, I presume, you wish to return to the Spaceport and leave Jalna for your own worlds."
"That was the general idea," said Davies, speaking for the first time.
"Unfortunately that won't be possible," said Killian, his tone regretful. "Another blizzard is due tonight and the pass will be blocked by morning. I'm afraid you'll have to accept my hospitality until the weather improves."
He's lying, Kris sent to Jo.
We can't prove it, Rezac replied.
The only outward sign of both Kris' and Jo's surprise at Rezac joining the conversation was a slight tensing of their bodies.
Good, thought Rezac to himself. At least they're skilled in concealment.
Jo's reply, when it came, was slower and fainter. What do we do, then?
Go along with him for now. We have no other options yet, Rezac replied while sending a private thought to Kris.
Later, the Human replied.
"In return for my hospitality, perhaps you can help me," said Killian, oblivious to their mental exchange.
"In what way?" asked Kris.
"Bradogan, who rules the Spaceport and its surrounding lands, is hungry for power. Those Lords he can't ally to himself with bribes of off-world goods, he wages war on. It's only a matter of time till his eyes fall on Kaladar. I want an edge, something to keep him away from my lands. Something like this weapon here." He indicated the pistol. "You could help me by making more of them."
"Those weapons are highly sophisticated, Lord Killian," said Kris. "They require manufacturing methods not available on Jalna. We couldn't make them for you, even if we knew how."
Killian raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"We know how to use them, but we don't know how to make them," said Jo.
"You know how they work, you can make them." Killian's voice had grown cold.
"You misunderstand us, Lord," said Kris. He pointed to one of the guardsmen behind them. "They can use their crossbows, but could they make one?"
"You misunderstand me. You will provide me with off-world weapons," said Killian uncompromisingly. "If not that one, then others that fulfill a similar purpose."
He pushed himself to his feet. "Escort my guests to their chambers," he ordered his guards. "Think about it overnight. I'm sure you'll see the wisdom of mutual cooperation. We'll talk again in the morning."
* * *
They were escorted through the curtained doorway out onto an external balcony. The air was bitter as it blew fresh flurries of snow into their faces. Dressed as they were, Rezac could feel the cold hit Zashou and he moved closer to her, holding an arm out in invitation to her to share his warmth.
He felt her mental retreat as she shied physically back from him. Only a step, but it was enough. Their long sleep hadn't changed anything then, he thought with a sigh.
Are they going to lock us in some dungeon? asked Jo, trying to control the chattering of her teeth. Maybe he wasn't lying about the blizzard after all!
I don't think he'll put us in a dungeon tonight, sent Kris. Likely it'll be somewhere comfortable. He's reminding us how cold it is to persuade us that cooperation is worthwhile. If we don't, then tomorrow it'll be the dungeons.
I agree, sent Rezac.
* * *
The two males proved to be right. The rooms they were shown to were in a small tower set near the center of the castle. A suite for visiting dignitaries, or noble prisoners.
The main chamber boasted a fire almost as large as that in Killian's private quarters. Opening off it were two smaller bedrooms, both of which had beds hung with heavy drapes and fires burning in the grates. There was also a small closet that served as a privy. In the larger, a pile
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