Page 21 of The Warrior
“Whenever there is a physical threat involved, our mediators always work in teams. We’ve already established four other teams working on finding the last fifteen Nmen. You and Hans will make up the fifth team, and you have nothing to worry about. He has years of experience and comes with the highest recommendations from his previous area. If it comes to a confrontation, Hans will defend you.”
“I can fend for myself.”
“Of course you can.” Isobel looked up when a knock on the door was followed by a woman entering with a bowl and a glass of water in her hands.
“Sweet Isobel, you really must eat something.”
“Ah, yes.” Isobel swung her hand to the plump woman and looked at me. “Meet Linda, who has been a wonderful host to me since the earthquake.”
“I’m Laura,” I said politely.
“I know. Isobel told me about you, and I’m sorry to intrude upon your meeting. It’s just that Isobel is putting everyone before herself. She hasn’t slept more than an hour, so I’m being a mother hen and making sure she at least eats a little.”
“That’s good.”
“Would you like something to eat as well?” she asked me.
“No thank you, I’m fine.”
As Isobel began to eat what looked like a vegetable soup, Linda dried her hands on her pants and gave me a smile. “Hans is eager to meet you, should I ask him to come in?”
As if summoned, a man smaller than me came into the room. He had long dirty-blond hair that was braided, and an awful lot of make-up on. “Did someone call my name?”
“Hello,” I said and accepted his outstretched hands in a formal greeting. “I understand that we’re teaming up to go after the missing Nmen.”
“That’s what I’m told.” Hans’ eyes darted around the room. “It’s a good thing that I’m here. I have a lot of experience with large brutal Nmen.”
“Really?” My eyebrows rose up.
“Hans was assigned to be Finn’s personal mediator while he was here,” Isobel explained before taking another spoonful of soup.
“Ah, I see. But I wouldn’t call Finn large or brutal. He’s one of the nicest men I know, and he can’t be more than six-two since he’s only about four or five inches taller than me.”
Hans couldn’t be more than five-five and leaned his head back. “Yes, well, but you’re very tall for a woman.”
“I’m a woman of the North. We’re all tall, just like our men.”
“All I’m saying is that I’m experienced in dealing with Nmen, so you’re in good hands.”
“Great.” I pointed to the door. “Should we get going? We’ve got work to do, right?”
“Yes, of course.” With a look of importance, Hans addressed Isobel: “We’ll report back to you as soon as we catch the criminals.”
She gave him a tired smile. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
As soon as we were outside, Hans steered me toward a scratched-up drone. “Were you happy that Finn found you while he was here?”
“I guess so, why?”
“I should mention that I was the one who located you for him,” Hans said. “Finn didn’t think I could do it, since others had tried and failed.”
I got the reference to Magni and frowned.
“I’m only telling you to make you understand that I’m very skilled and can get results others can’t.”
“Good for you,” I said unimpressed. If this toad thought diminishing Magni’s attempt to find me would make us friends, he was wrong.
“I should also tell you that Finn wanted me to give him your address and I flat-out refused.” Hans’ hand cut through the air to underline his point. “I stood up to him and made it clear that I would never pressure you to meet with him.”
