Captive - Cheryl Brooks Page 0,44

is Leon?”

“The Norludian god,” Temfilk replied, with the air of one explaining what should’ve been obvious to anyone.

“Odd name for a god,” Velkma observed with a shake of her head. “But then, I’ve often heard that Norludians are very strange beings.”

To Moe, this was a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black, but he refrained from comment.

Astonishingly, Temfilk also let it pass, although that may have been more due to the horde of female Haedusians approaching them than any discretion on his part. What was even more astonishing was the number of posters snapping in the wind. Apparently, Velkma was only the first of many would-be autograph hounds.

“Your mother was very brave to have refused Pelarus,” Velkma said. “And she was much admired for her courage. We would have helped you before this, but until these posters began going up, we feared you had died. You have been far too good at hiding. But now”—she gave Klara’s cloak a reverent stroke with a gnarled hand—“you are here, and we will do our very best to help you.”

Nexbit cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose that help would include breakfast, would it?”

“If it costs anything, he’s got money in the bank,” Temfilk said, aiming a thumb at Moe. “At least, he says he does.”

“No payment is necessary.” Velkma smiled, revealing more sharp white teeth than Moe had ever imagined a Haedusian would possess, especially one that looked as ancient as this lady. “It would be an honor to share my breakfast with each of you, meager though it is.”

“Meager beats none,” Temfilk declared.

Klara put up a hand in protest. “We aren’t exactly starving. We were only trying to find a bank so Moe could withdraw enough cash for us to have breakfast at a restaurant.” She glanced at Moe. “Withdraw is the right word, isn’t it?”

Moe nodded. “Although I think we need to hear more of what Velkma has to say before we move on. Something tells me she has some very valuable information.”

Klara rolled her eyes. “Thanks for not rubbing it in.” She turned toward Velkma, whose puzzled expression begged for an explanation. “He told us we should’ve been talking to the townspeople before this. Apparently, he was right.”

“Indeed,” Velkma said with a grave nod. “We could have saved you a great deal of worry and hardship.”

“Possibly,” Klara conceded. “But dealing with us might’ve put innocent people in danger of reprisals from Pelarus. We didn’t want that.”

If anything, this made Velkma gaze at her with even more admiration than before. “You truly are a remarkable woman. You have become a symbol of hope to those who live under Pelarus’ oppressive rule. We should’ve sought you out before this.”

Klara shook her head. “I still don’t get that. All we’ve done is do our best to survive without getting caught.”

“That may be true,” Velkma said. “However, you enjoy a measure of freedom that the rest of us do not have. Many who have rebelled have lost their lives in the arena. That you have eluded that fate is an inspiration to us all.”

Klara’s eyes met Moe’s with frank dismay. She obviously didn’t see herself as an inspiration, much less a revolutionary.

Moe disagreed. In his eyes, she was a revolution waiting to happen. “Believe me now?”

Chapter 12

“Wait a second,” Nexbit said, waving his arms. “Can’t we at least wait until after breakfast to start the rebellion?”

Velkma smiled. “An army must march on its stomach.” Turning toward her house, she motioned for the others to follow. “Come in out of the wind. We will discuss our plans while we eat.”

“Rebellion? Plans?” Klara hadn’t felt so bewildered since—well, since those first jolts of arousal after meeting up with Moe. “Dammit, Moe! I knew you’d be trouble. I should’ve walked out of that bar without a backward glance and let that Herp beat the stuffing out of you.”

Velkma paused in her doorway. “Is there a problem?”

Moe’s unabashed grin made Klara long to smack him. “She likes me,” he said in an aside to Velkma. “A lot.”

Velkma’s entire body rippled with brittle laughter. “I believe she does, although I’m sure it pains her to admit it.”

“What pains me is having my gang ganging up on me,” Klara snarled. “We came into town looking for a bank, and now we’re planning a rebellion?”

“You gotta learn to go with the flow, boss,” Temfilk advised. “I mean, if this lady is willing to feed us, I’d say that warrants a slight detour.”

She shot the Norludian a withering glance. “Thanks