The Nemesis Blade Read Online Free

at Tristan and then one for Teroux. “My lords,
it is an honour.”
    “Beacon is
ever welcome,” Teroux said, digging at Tianoman’s behaviour.
    “Please take a
seat, Mr Westlake,” Tristan said, sitting himself.
    Sirlasin
retreated, taking a perch removed from the gathering. He was
advisor only, not decision-maker, for the Vallas were permitted to
make their mistakes unimpeded; if trouble arose the council would
step in.
    “Tris, we have
a problem,” Tianoman said, but sat.
    Teroux,
grinning, balanced near him, obviously intending to temper his
hot-headed cousin’s outbursts.
    Tristan gazed
at his youngest cousin. Tianoman was hot-headed, yes, but they were
all that way once. Something was definitely wrong for him to lose
his cool before an outsider.
    “I hear you,”
he said.
    Tianoman
subsided, hearing in that tone trust in his judgement.
    “Shall we
allow Mr Westlake to speak first?” Tristan prompted.
    “Yes,” Teroux
said. “Mr Westlake, please.”
    The Beaconite
was a tall man with unruly brown hair and laughing brown eyes. A
good-looking man, and never had anyone seemed less dangerous.
    “My lords,
thank you, and please call me Kris. The Mr Westlake thing makes me
feel old and staid and married, and I’m not close to any one of
those.”
    Teroux
laughed, Tristan smiled and Tianoman scowled.
    Ignoring
Tianoman, Kris continued, speaking largely to Tristan.
    “My partners
and I are of Beacon Farm and we secured the privilege to trade
ideas about a genetically engineered grain with Valaris’ Farmer’s
Union.” Beacon Farm was the agricultural world annexed by Beacon.
“Our papers are in order, if you would like to see them?” Tristan
made a gesture with his hands. “I thank you for your trust, my
lord. We landed two days ago, having travelled with the trade ship Circular and took up lodging in the big hostel near the
spaceport on Vall.” He shrugged. “There isn’t much to add, except
to say we are meeting your union tomorrow and we have been, er,
partying until now.”
    He shrugged
again and glanced significantly at Tianoman.
    Tristan’s grey
eyes followed him there. “Tian?”
    “I acknowledge
the man’s credentials, his intentions, and agree he has enjoyed
Vall’s entertainments since arrival. Nothing wrong there, but he
has a loose tongue. Sirlasin can confirm.”
    “Now wait a
minute …!” Kris burst out.
    “Mr Westlake,
you had a few too many too often,” Tianoman snapped. “You may or
may not be aware of the trouble you caused, I see that now.”
    The Beaconite
opened his mouth, closed it. Then, “Yes, well, I do have gaps in my
memory.”
    Teroux
spluttered into laughter.
    Tianoman
glared his way and spoke to Tristan. “It may be innocent, but this
man said things, and it was heard by others who like nothing better
than to feed the rumour mill.”
    “What did he
say?” Tristan murmured.
    “He expounded
on the idea the Kaval is a Valleur tool. He implied we, the Vallas,
seek to rule the universe, our grandfather uses the Dome to prepare
our places. The three of us will each receive a kingdom in the
future and Elixir will ensure we hold them.”
    There was
silence and then Kris spluttered, “I didn’t say that!”
    Teroux spoke,
“You do not remember saying it, but these thoughts are not new to
you, are they?”
    “I … well, no.
But many think that; I am not alone in it. Are you aware how many
worlds have entered into truce with the Dome to avoid future
invasion?”
    “Invasion?”
Tristan whispered. “You suspect Elixir will invade worlds?”
    “I am
repeating what I heard.”
    “Invade with
what?” Teroux said. “Are you insane? The Dome has no army.”
    “We hear tell
of a world called Sanctuary, and folk say an army is being prepared
there,” Kris said, eyes going from one to the other. He finally
understood why it was he had been nabbed by Sirlasin and brought
before Tianoman.
    Both Tianoman
and Teroux were about to shout and even Sirlasin in the