Page 19 of Orange Tundra
“Who gave that information?” This time it was Xy who stepped up. His face grim. As Captain of the Red Guards, I could feel the huge responsibility on his shoulders.
CG pressed his lips, not saying anything.
“Enough,” Sim stepped between CG and Xy. “We can’t help you.”
CG nodded. But my mind was working overtime. I understand Nim and Sim don’t trust these people. They don’t know who Onork was. They can spare the lives of these men because I asked them. Can I ask my mates to have these odd manaties to join us? For goodness sake - practicing not to curse in my mind because of the baby - we were going to the same location!
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of the situation. “We have to save Old Onork. He’s important.”
Sim and Nim exchanged glances, their protectiveness still intact, but I could see grave concern in their eyes. They will not budge about this.
“Please, they saved me. Especially Old Onork. Even though he was half-blind -”
“-Wait!” Nim cut in. “Onork? Half-blind?” His brows knitted. “Fuck. Sim.”
He and Sim gazed at each other. It was eerie seeing them like this, like they can communicate in their mind. Sim inhaled sharply without Nim saying anything. Nim just nodded and Sim cursed left and right.
“Your highness,” Clitasoxdfwe’h stepped nearer to Nim. He whispered something to Nim that I wasn’t able to hear or anyone else in our vicinity.
Nim nodded, then said, “Go.”
Clitasoxdfwe’h looked at us, Xy nodded at him, then he went away. Not the time to ask what that was about. I looked at Nimand Sim who looked at me the same time, doing their twin thing again. I stood taller and await their final decision.
Sim sighed and faced CG. “We’ll take you with us.”
CG tried to hide his surprise yett even I saw it. Some gasped and some were murmuring.
When I turned to express my gratitude to Nim and Sim, I saw their grim faces and thought things were not as straightforward as I thought.
“We need to talk,” Sim told CG. When CG stepped forward, Nif stepped forward as well. I wasn’t surprised that he was acting protective of CG.
Nim gently took hold of my elbow and guided us away from the rest of CG’s crew.
10
NIM
We huddled togetherin the fading light. Sim stood beside me, his eyes scanning the surroundings. I let go of Brynn’s elbow, but kept her at my side. Clitasoxdfwe’h kept to my left, ever alert, while Xy hovered nearby, his hand resting on his weapon. Across from us, CG watched with a measured stare. Nif loomed next to him, his mouth still covered by that cloth.
“We need a plan that avoids bloodshed,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “The prison guards are innocent. There’s no need for unnecessary conflict.”
CG crossed his arms. “Agreed. I understand But we can’t just waltz in there.”
Sim glanced at me. “A small group can infiltrate more easily. Less chance of detection.”
I nodded. “Exactly. We’ll go in as a small team. The rest of you stay behind.”
Nif grumbled, the sound muffled. His eyes narrowed, a flash of annoyance evident even with half his face covered.
CG frowned. “Leaving my crew behind isn’t acceptable. We came to rescue Old Onork. We’re part of this.”
“It’s not about excluding you,” I replied. “It’s about minimizing risk.”
Nif pulled the cloth from his mouth. “We’re capable fighters. We won’t be a hindrance.”
Clitasoxdfwe’h stepped forward. “The more people involved, the higher the stakes. Stealth is key.”
Tension thickened the air. Xy’s grip tightened on his hilt. I could feel Sim bristling beside me.
