LW Browning - Krystile Warriors 01 - Warlord's Honor (21 page)

Koda sat on the sofa, waiting.

The warlords helped themselves to the fresh fruit, food and drink that had been provided for them in the suite. Everyone turned when the bell rang announcing a visitor. Vix moved like a big stalking cat to the door.

Six females stood outside bearing bottles of wine and trays of cheese. Vix let them in. The first one bowed as did the others. "We are here for your pleasure, Sirs." The warlords turned hardened gazes on the frightened women.

Vix motioned for two of the women to come to him. Their trepidation obvious, they moved closer. He grabbed their wrists and led them to a chair where he sat and pulled both onto his lap.

"Two. You think you get two of them, brother?" Revi smiled.

"Get your own, I have two legs, obviously I need a female on each leg,” Vix said. He soon had the women giggling.

Revi motioned to a tall dark-haired woman. She followed him into a private room.

"Next time, I will answer the door," Foord said.

The warlords soon had the women squealing. They became friendlier as they sampled the wine and the women.

Lars sat by himself, quiet as ever. 

Claire left the main suite and went back into the private room.

***

K
oda was curious about Claire's reaction to being here. She had withdrawn. She always became formal when she needed to put distance between them. Her attitude might have something to do with the large amount of information she was receiving and filtering from the people here. Perhaps the effort to shield from so many emotions and minds took so much effort that she had little energy left. Her confession might have caused the fear he felt when he touched her. He wondered what exactly she was afraid of.

Koda leaned back and bit into an apple.

C
laire felt the Ushers outside the door. Moments later, the door chime sounded. Revi opened the door panel to see the Primary Usher filling the doorway. Claire read surprise rather than disappointment from the ushers.

"We are here to escort you to the meeting, Warlord Leader Koda. The MX cannot remain here alone. We will cage it for you," the usher said.

Koda held out his hand for Claire to come to his side. Touching her bare back, she walked beside him as he led his warlords out the door. The ushers ran to catch up. "Warlord Leader! MX are never allowed in the Trade Chamber."

When they entered the Trade Chamber, the page inside the door announced the arrival of Warlord Leader Koda and his warlords. The warlords came in two by two through the double doors. They carried their helmets.

The room was a large rectangle. Thirteen men sat on a raised podium behind a long curved table in the front of the room. They wore the black robes of the Trade Council. Insignias on the collars of their robes identified them as the high council. About 30 other people, traders representing the interests of select groups, sat behind a waist-high barrier that lined either side of the chamber. The room was dark, with only a few small overhead spotlights.

Koda moved one of the chairs provided for them in front of the Trade Council and guided Claire into it. He stood to her side with his bare hand under the heavy coolness of her hair. When he touched the mate mark on her neck, Claire felt the heat of their connection. She shielded against the disgust she felt from those in the room. She did not want Koda to feel it through his link to her. The warlords stood fanned out on either side and slightly behind them.

"Warlord Leader Koda, how good to see you, Sir." The leader's voice reminded Claire of dirty oil. She tamped down her own loathing to better concentrate on the emotions of the others in the room. "We are honored by your presence among us, however, we do not allow females in the Council Chambers and possession of MX within the Chamber is a violation of our law. If you are turning it in for your reward, then allow us to cage it for you."

Koda stood silent.

"Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if the MX were caged," the Trade Leader waited a moment, "for the safety of everyone, of course."

"We will protect you from the MX." Koda said. "I came to discuss trade details. Do not waste my time."

Chuckles from the crowd did nothing to improve the Trade Leader's temper. Claire passed everything she read from the Trade Leader to Koda through their connection.

"This is most unusual, Warlord Koda. We have never allowed a female into these meetings. Since you want to become part of the Conglomerate for trade purposes, do you not think it best to observe Conglomerate law?"

"I do not seek entry into the Conglomerate. I was invited here to discuss trade agreements of Krystiles."

The Trade Leader's skin mottled with red. "B-B-But Sir, trading is limited to members of the Conglomerate. Trade with non-members is never allowed. We had expected you to apply to become a member."

"He trades on the black market." One of the council members muttered under his breath.

Claire passed along the Trade Leader's thought. It would be a major success for him, if he succeeded in signing agreements with Koda to trade Krystiles. Claire also passed along his fury that a barbarian had them all at his mercy. Koda had the Krystiles and they needed them, needed Koda's cooperation until they could take control of all the Krystiles.

"I'm sure we can come to some compromise." The Trade Leader smiled. Claire suppressed a shudder.

Koda nodded. "Then let us get to the business of trade agreements for the Krystiles."

They began to outline the details of the trades. Claire read the emotions and whatever thoughts she could get from the Trade Council and the others in the room. She let the information flow through her to Koda while he stroked his thumb down the side of her neck to calm and anchor her. She was helping him, she was important to him. Claire fairly glowed with happiness that Koda needed and appreciated her assistance. She had never experienced such a sense of fulfillment. They were a team. 

Five on the Trade Council supported Koda and were anxious to accept whatever deal he suggested. Three of them had very hostile feelings toward Koda. The remaining traders were interested in the money they stood to make from the trades. Details of the agreements held no interest for them.

When the agreements were nearly completed, Claire remained stoic, though she wanted to sigh with relief. The stress of this meeting was almost over. Her head was aching from reading the emotions and thoughts of so many.

"Very well then, we will record the trade agreement." The Trade Leader was relieved. Claire passed along his thought that he at least had an agreement to trade for Krystiles even though Koda had driven a hard bargain and had not yet become a member of the Conglomerate.

"We are not done. I have another point to the Krystile Trade Agreement," Koda said.

Several of the robed traders leaned forward, even the ones who had not been paying attention turned to look.

"Any and all MX from the societies that enter into these agreements will be turned over to me before delivery of any Krystiles," Koda said. "The societies that withhold MX will forfeit any Krystiles they have in their possession, and we will take the MX from them by force. If there are any MX here, at this Trade Center, they will be turned over to us within two Time Periods. We will continue to trade Krystiles with any society whether they belong to the Trade Center or not as long as they comply with my rules for Krystile use and do not withhold any MX from me."

There was absolute silence before riotous noise broke out in the chamber. The flow of emotions and thoughts rocked Claire before she was able to filter out the milder ones and concentrate on the most serious. She shut down the flow through her contact with Koda to almost nothing. Slowly, she allowed the emotions and thoughts to flow through her to him. A glance at Koda affirmed her guess. His face revealed nothing. She envied his control, her own was costing her.

Voices ran together as the traders began speaking all at once. "This is an outrage!" Claire heard from more than one person. Several Traders leaned forward with their fisted hands on the table. Most of the audience stood up to object to Koda's words.

The Trade Leader brought down his gavel to bring order to the room. "That is unacceptable, Warlord Leader Koda. As I have told you, we have laws concerning the MX, and members are forbidden to trade outside the Trade Center."

"We have our own laws concerning the MX. You do not want them. I do. If I discover that a society has put any MX to death or harbors any from me, they will be removed from our list of Krystile trading partners. I will send warriors to remove MX from any society that refuses to comply with my word on this." Koda paused. "Take your time to decide if you can meet the terms of our agreement. If you refuse, I will use force."

"Warlord Koda," the Trade Leader said, "this MX Addendum is unacceptable to us."

"These are my terms. The only thing left is for you to agree to them," Koda said.

Claire felt the emotions in the room. No one wanted to incur Koda's wrath.

The traders were afraid. If Koda refused to sell them Krystiles, their societies would lose power and would be at a disadvantage to trade with others. Even now, the Conglomerate was in dire straits. To refuse Koda's terms would leave them open to attack by the warlords and ultimately to invasion by other societies that did have Krystiles. Koda had left them with little choice.

If they capitulated to Koda's demands, however, their power would be broken. It would be the beginning of their end. Many similar thoughts flowed through Claire to Koda.

The Leader of the Trade Council spoke, his voice hesitant, "Warlord Leader Koda, S-Sir, this is blackmail of all the societies in the Conglomerate Trade League. It is common knowledge that you have agreed to hunt the MX for the Special Threat Squads."

"Yes, we hunt the MX. I will have all of them. These are the terms of our agreement to trade Krystiles with any and all societies. I will have your decision in two Time Periods." Koda's voice fell like shards of ice in the large room.

His hand left Claire's neck and grasped her arm to lift her to her feet. His warlords followed him back to their waiting area. The Council ushers followed at a distance. 

Claire stumbled through the door of their waiting area. Koda picked her up and carried her to the private room. He sat her on the bed. "Are you alright, pita?"

"Yes. Warlord Leader."

"I would have you rest. You filtered many of the thoughts and emotions. It is a heavy load that you bear, little one."

Claire lay on her side. The weight of sleep pulled her down. Koda stroked her cheek with his knuckles to comfort her. She needed to say something to him. She was so tired. She reached a hand up to touch his beautiful face.

"I did not understand, now I do. You are going to save us, my Warlord." Claire's voice was weak.

Koda smiled and stayed with her until her breathing slowed. He placed a light kiss on her forehead and left the small room.

When he returned to the warlords, he shared with them the thoughts and emotions of those in the trading room that he had received through his physical contact with Claire.

"I still do not know if we can trust her," Ache said. "There is something just – off. The way she communicated with the MX Anna. Is it possible for them to deceive us through their skin to skin contact?"

"They are destined to be our mates," Dare said.

"How will we find the other MX Claire is sensing here?" Lodi turned his gaze to Koda.

Koda lifted an eyebrow. "Either they will give her, or we will take her."

"Now we will have some fun," Vix grinned.

The door chimed.

"More visitors," Vix said before he opened the door.

Six beautiful women stood on the other side with more refreshments. "Welcome, females. Look brothers, gracious females are here with refreshments," Vix announced with a smile.

"It was my turn to answer the door," Foord groused.

"Very nice, healthy females," Revi said as he stalked toward the women.

"Though healthy, they appear fragile," Vix replied.

"Perhaps we should be careful with them," Revi said.

"You frighten them." Claire stood in the doorway of her private room. Why had they sent a different group of females?

The women wore the skimpy clothing of pleasure females, lots of sheer fabric in multiple metallic colors. They were all barefoot and wore heavy makeup.

"Do not eat the food they brought. The wine has been drugged as well," Claire warned.

One of the women began to cry. "They made us bring it," she sobbed.

"You brought drugged food and wine to us?" Ache questioned.

Two of the women fell to their knees to plead for mercy.

Claire looked at the women and smiled at one. "Hello sister."

The woman stepped forward to greet Claire, but Lodi's sword barred her path.

Lodi dropped his sword when Claire moved forward to embrace the woman. "No, they did not know the food and wine are drugged," Claire answered Ache's question.

"Warlord Leader Koda, this is Destiny, the MX that I sensed earlier," Claire said.

Destiny looked at Koda with challenge in her eyes. She nodded her head to him in greeting.

The new MX smiled and pulled off her wig to reveal the dark hair that was splashed with strands of red. Destiny leaned forward and popped contact lenses from her eyes to reveal green eyes, the color of summer grass. She brought out a pair of gloves and pulled them on, then gave a deep sigh of relief. "My captors will soon realize I have escaped. A very kind woman helped me with my disguise and let me out to come to you with these women."

Claire turned her attention to Koda. "They will kill her if they find her after she has escaped."

"She has escaped and come straight to us. With drugged food and wine, no less," Ache said. "Of course we can keep her."

"Her timely escape saves us the trouble of tearing this place apart to find her." Foord holstered a long, sharp knife before crossing his arms over his chest.

"Benson sent the women with the drugged food and wine. They are slaves," Claire said.

Destiny spoke. "I've been locked up."

Ache's blue eyes were cold. "Fortunate for you that someone came to your aid on penalty of death, little MX."

"I was locked in a cage, awaiting a sure death. I did not take the time to ask a lot of questions when she offered to help me. I sensed Claire here and I thought if I could just get to her, we could..."

"Could what?" Koda asked, his blue eyes as icy as his voice.

"Escape together," Destiny said, lifting her chin.

The women became even more frightened, listening to this discussion. Koda's warlords surrounded them. "I would hear more about who sent you women with the drugged food," Ache said.

"They do not know anything that can help you, barbarian," Destiny spoke up.

"She speaks truth," Claire added. "They reside here to provide services to those who come to trade. They are pleasure slaves. This was just another assignment for them. They did not know the food and wine were drugged, but they were told not to eat or drink it themselves."