Page 19 (1/2)

“When we received the fa’s tricks Thenyour signifier The cos” He closes his eyes “Together again”

“Together again, brother,” I say It still seems impossible to me, and I hold back because I know the revelations I s me after I have shared those revelations will this reunion be real “I randfather He deserved far better”

Ajax pulls away, his face downcast

“Yes, well, he made his mark, didn’t he? Now it is our turn” His eyes break away froh to survey the Raa His voice becomes truculent “Unless you have a new family…”

Kalindora clears her throat With apologies, I greet her with less informality than I would like and introduce Diomedes and the Rim deputation In reply to Dioue

“When we received Lysander’s coht you a mummer’s fiction But here you are, bold as alley cats, and just as dusty”

“On behalf of the Riins before Kalindora interrupts him

“Your uncle extends his apologies Atlas would be here to greet you hi affair” Her lovely eyes narrow “I’m sure you wouldn’t know”

Ajax steps territorially between Dioht “So you’re the eldest spawn of Romulus and that Venusian whore How bold you must be to liberate Lysander from the captivity of the Traitor” So that is what they call Cassius Not ideal “I suppose I owe you a debt, cousin”

Odd as it is to hear aloud, they are cousins Both with the pure Raa blood of the Conquerors in their veins But, like so enetic lines, they hold little in coe and the layered ani

Diomedes looks at me, then back to Ajax

“I hold no man in my debt,” he replies

“I assume the Traitor is dead?” Ajax asks Dio blow? Did he squeal?” Diomedes does not reply “I see your aesthetic penury extends to your vocabulary In the Core, it is polite to answer a question when asked”

Seraphina’s jaw muscles work as she watches her brother suffer the insult

“I take no joy in the demise of an honorable nity “But I fear before he fell, he…slew your half-brother, Bellerephon”