The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (novels in english .TXT) 📗

“I don’t understand. You talk asthough you know them intimately,” observed my companion.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that.Beyond the human memories I had inherited, the loshti alsocontained an incalculable record of the Illeniel She’Har going backover stretches of time that boggled human reason. “I know more thanI should,” I said and left it at that, but in my mind’s eye I sawvisions of the past, cities grown from thousands of such treesharmoniously linked together.

“What are those things rising uparound it?” questioned Moira. “You said there was only onetree.”

“Most likely they are offshoots. Thefather-tree can expand in a vegetative manner, sending up new partsof itself from the roots. Their cities were grown in a similarmanner,” I told her. “In this case I can’t be sure but given thearrangements they might be specialized Kriteck.”

“How so?”

“They create the smaller ones fromfruiting bodies that grow from the main tree, but if somethingexceptionally large is necessary he could grow them like that, aslarge offshoots,” I said, trying to explain.

Gareth spoke then, “Why would he makethem that large?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, butinwardly I worried. The Kriteck were produced for two primarypurposes only, defense and war.

Chapter 20

A loud knock sounded from the door, aheavy masculine rapping. The Queen’s guard was usually moreconsiderate before announcing visitors, and the King himself didn’tbother knocking, which left only a few possibilities. The person atthe door wasn’t her guard and was therefore most likely to be aclose friend or family member.

Genevieve glanced at Elise, the samethoughts passing unspoken between them. She nodded and Elisecrossed to the door.

Opening it, she started speakingimmediately, “Thank goodness you’re here, Dorian. We’ve been…” Herwords stopped short. Andrew, the Duke of Tremont, stood in thedoorway. An odd smile graced his features. Behind him a largenumber of guardsmen in Hightower’s livery filled the antechamber.The Queen’s doormen were not in sight.

“You seem surprised,” said Andrew hiseyes bright with barely suppressed glee, or perhaps insanity wouldhave been a better term.

No, thought Elise, that’s bloodlust, orblood and lust. Her eyes darted over him,noting the stains on his clothing as well as his ruddycomplexion. He’s drunk, but not fromwine. Her mind processed that informationbefore reaching a looming abyss—the unthinkable hadoccurred. No! Shestared at him in shock before bowing meekly, “Your Grace, yourvisit is most unexpected.”

“Of course it is, bitch. Now get outof my way,” he answered disdainfully, pushing her aside. His menbegan entering behind him. “Four should be sufficient,” hecommanded quietly. “Close the door. The rest can guard thehall.”

Genevieve had not stirred from herseat. “Have you no knee for your Queen, Andrew?”

He laughed, “You werenever my Queen,Ginny, but that is about to change. The time for genuflection is atan end.” Glancing at Lady Thornbear, he spoke commandingly, “Take aseat, whore. Over there.” He pointed at a chair to one side of theroom.

Before Elise could move, Genevievespoke up. “Not there, come sit beside me Elly.” She indicated thechair closest to her.

Tremont looked amused, but he made nomove to dispute the change in seating. “You always were a stubbornone, Ginny.”

Genevieve looked at him with barelysuppressed anger, “You were never this mad, Andrew. What have youdone? Why are you here?”

“Why, I’ve come to discuss ourwedding. Why else would I be here, Dearest?” he replied. Steppingforward, he took a seat across the table from the two women. Butfor the strange guardsmen in the room, they might have been aboutto have tea.

Genevieve Lancaster’s eye twitchedever so slightly, but she gave no other sign of distress. Still,Elise could see the strain of the emotions playing under thesurface of her friend’s calm demeanor.

“You might recall that we are bothalready married,” said Genevieve.

Andrew smiled, “Wrong on bothcounts.”

The Queen’s hand was shaking now, soshe hid it in her lap, clutching her dress to keep it still.Desperate she looked at her friend, “Elly, would you be a dear andfetch some wine?” Looking back at her husband’s murderer, sheasked, “Would you care for a glass?”

Tremont licked his lips. “It’s a bitearly in the day, but I must admit I am a bit parched.”

“Where were we?” said theQueen.

“I was just about to offer mycondolences on the passing of your husband,” said the duke smugly.“I also thought I might explain your current options to you,” headded.

Genevieve froze for a second, and thenher eyes went to the wall where a decorative dagger wasdisplayed.

“Don’t even think about that, Ginny,”said Andrew soothingly.

“You killed him, didn’t you?” she saidbitterly. Her shoulders sagged slightly as the words left herlips.

“This isn’t my blood,” said the Dukeof Tremont, lifting the front of his shirt. Elise placed threeglasses of wine on the table.

“Presumptuous bitch!” he snarled atLady Thornbear. Snatching up the glass she had placed beforeherself, he threw the contents in her face. “How dare you think todrink in the presence of your betters?”

Neither woman moved as an uncertaintension filled the room. At last the Queen spoke, “Please sit down,Elise. Andrew, I would thank you to be more considerate of LadyThornbear.” Lifting her wine, she drank half the glass in a longswallow.

“My apologies,” said Andrew. “It’sjust that I am not used to sharing wine with whores. I shall try tobe more tolerant.” He lifted his glass to his lips before pausing.His eyes were on the two women, but neither so much as glanced atthe other. He took the glass away and instead offered it to Elise.“In fact, take my glass, Lady Thornbear. My behavior wasrude.”

Elise’s expression did little todisguise her hatred. “You are most kind, but I have lost my tastefor wine.”

“Drink it,” he responded evenly, onehand moving to his sword. “Or would you rather I make your Queendrink instead?”

“You think I poisoned your wine?” saidLady Thornbear with a raised eyebrow. Reaching out she took theglass from his hand. She took a large drink before setting it onthe table. “Perhaps that will satisfy your worries.”

Andrew’s expression changed to rage,and his hand swept and struck Elise with a heavy backhanded motion.She fell to the floor, stunned. “Try not to look so wounded. My menwill take care of your concerns shortly,” said Tremont venomously.Turning, he addressed Genevieve, “Let’s get