32. Chapter 32

Dzar-Ghan's arrival was a surprise. I just wasn't sure yet if it was good or bad.

The khadahr had always been one of Bzun-Lhan's strongest opposers, but he had also opposed Tzar-Than's proposal of bringing human gallies to Vandruk. Had he changed his mind?

"The humans attacked us," Bzun-Lhan spat, "you can't support that. None of you."

"We won't," I reassured him.

"You won't be fighting against your mate's species!" Bzun-Lhan predicted.

My mate. My wonderful, strong, brave mate answered before I could. "He will, and so will I!"

All eyes turned to her. Even Dzar-Ghan's eyebrows arched as he assessed her anew.

"I was a warrior on Earth, and I will use everything they taught me against them, and I will teach you too if you will let me," Amber added, moving her chin forward defiantly. Nobody who saw her, not even Bzun-Lhan, could doubt her sincerity for one moment.

As Bzun-Lhan proved by trying to belittle her. "A gallis doesn't fight."

"This one does." Amber tilted her head, staring him down. "Want to try me?"

"Unfortunately, Bzun-Lhan is missing a thumb and has never learned to fight properly," Dzar-Ghan interjected, looking smug for having drilled into Bzun-Lhan's deepest insecurity.

"I don't need to fight. I am the ambassador of the gods." Bzun-Lhan pushed his chest out.

Ignoring him, Dzar-Ghan turned to me. "What about them?" He nodded at the Queen Bees.

"Because they showed themselves to be untrustworthy, cowardly, and conniving, Tzar-Than banished them from Vandruk," I explained.

"Hmm, it seems like the humans and us have more in common than we thought," Dzar-Ghan stared directly at Bzun-Lhan.

"Enough. What is your plan?" Bzun-Lhan tried to salvage his dignity.

While we were talking, two more warriors separated themselves from my group and joined Bzun-Lhan's camp. I was sad seeing them go, but I would rather they did so now than regret their decision to stay with me later amidst a bloody battle. And I had no doubt in my mind that, unfortunately, sooner or later, we would enter a bloody battle where brother would fight brother and sons their father—a sobering thought, but also unfortunately inevitable given our current situation.

Three males left Dzar-Ghan's group as well. His eyes narrowed as he followed their departure and for a moment I thought he would challenge them.

To stop that from happening, I called on the Queen Bees and the remaining scientists. "It's time for you to leave."

"But… the portal isn't even open," Sandra whined, pointing at the red fog.

"I have no doubt they will see you coming and open it," I replied.

Her eyes darted to me, filled with one last appeal. She didn't want to leave, no matter what she had said she was looking forward to.

I moved my head to encourage her to go. Once she took a step forward, I was convinced the others would follow.

"Fine." She straightened her shoulders, making up her mind and realizing that I wouldn't change mine. "Good riddance."

Her chin lifted in the air, and just like I had expected, the others followed behind her. The red fog, seemingly swirling through and around an invisible doorframe, dissipated, looking more like a portal again. On the other side, I made out men and women in similar uniforms to Amber's, watching and working on curious-looking, blinking machines.

"What is this?" A male voice called out in English. "Where are the other women? If you harmed them— "

"They're fine, living up to their promises, which you obviously didn't," Amber replied, stepping from my side and forward. Naked fear for her seared through me, and I had a strong urge to pull her back. I'm still not sure how I restrained myself. I went totally stiff, ready to pounce and push her to the side if needed.

"Your little traitorous foraging party failed to kidnap Doctor Bauer and are all dead, so you might want to reconsider before you launch another attack."

A man moved forward, and by the way, the others stepped out of his way, I gathered that he was someone important. He was wearing the same uniform as Amber but older.

"Let's talk about this. Why don't you step over and—"

"Why don't you step out here and face the Vandruk like a man, Doctor Weidenhof?" Amber stopped him.

"There seems to have been some miscommunication. Please, Doctor Wayland, let's talk about this." The stranger backpedaled.

My hand shot forward to grab hold of Amber's arm. Under no circumstances would I allow her to walk to the other side of the portal or any closer.

"Actually, it's Khadahrshi Amber," she responded, filling my chest with pride. Her fingers danced invitingly in the air. "Come and meet more khadahrs."

To his credit, the man hesitated, mulling her invitation over. Another man appeared, burlier but about the same age. He wore a different kind of uniform decorated with all kinds of pins on his chest. Urgently, he spoke to the doctor .

"It seems like my security isn't prepared for me to do that just yet. Why don't we set up a formal meeting and get these things straightened out."

"Name the place and time," Amber responded.

Again, the two men talked animatedly.

"Tomorrow morning, here," the doctor finally said.

"Your side or ours?" Amber's voice filled with challenge.

"We will come to you as a show of our goodwill."

"We need medicine. Your little attack wounded a lot of Vandruk," Amber demanded.

"I will see it done," the man replied, and the portal filled with red fog once again. Amber turned to me, speaking in halting Vandruk. "We need to prepare; this might be another trap."

"What did they say?" Dzar-Ghan loomed over us, his presence overpowering even the space of the wildlands.

Quickly, I summarized Amber's conversation for him and Bzun-Lhan, who joined us.

"A trap," Bzun-Lhan spat.

"Maybe," Dzar-Ghan rubbed his chin thoughtfully and looked at Amber. "What do you think, Khadahrshi Amber?"

For the second time within the span of a few fingers, my chest swelled with pride for my khadahrshi. Dzar-Ghan's approval of her status carried a lot of weight and would go a long way with the other khadahrs.

"I think they overestimated themselves and need time to come up with a new plan," Amber said after a moment's reflection. "I don't think tomorrow will be a trap, but they will try to figure out another way to gain a foothold onto you—… our planet." I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to pull her into my arms and carry her off to where it would be only her and me to show her how much her words affected me. Regrettably, this wasn't the moment for it.

"We better come up with a list of things we want to ask for," Amber added, "tomorrow will be our best shot at getting what we need."

"We want them to destroy this gods' damnable red fog and never to come back," Bzun-Lhan spat.

"They will never do that," Amber predicted. "Not now when they've finally opened communication and can basically taste Vandruk's resources."

"Do you think they would be open to sending more gallies?" Dzar-Ghan asked.

"They still have thousands of volunteers waiting for their chance. Yes, that's a given." Amber nodded.

"Thousands?" I stared at her in disbelief.

"Thousands," she confirmed.

Dzar-Ghan and I exchanged a knowing look while Bzun-Lhan sputtered. "No more of these devils. I will not allow it."

"You don't have the authority to forbid it, High Priest," I informed him.

"You are creating a war between brothers," Bzun-Lhan warned.

"Nek, you are." Dzar-Ghan empathetically pointed his finger at Bzun-Lhan's chest. "Don't think I haven't heard the rumors of what is going on at your Temple . Mark my words, priest, you will be exposed for the traitor you are. "

Alarmed, my head swiveled to Dzar-Ghan. Defying a priest was something totally different from accusing him. "What are you saying?"

"Why don't you ask the High Priest?" Dzar-Ghan invited me. "Ask him about the gallies he has been offering so freely all of the sudden."

"You have no proof, no right…" Bzun-Lhan sputtered.

"Watch me. My troops are on their way to Mount Vladyck's Temple right now. I wonder what they will find there, Bzun-Lhan?"

Bzun-Lhan backed up. "You have no right."

Dzar-Ghan crossed his arms over his massive chest. "No right to visit our Temple? Since when is that forbidden?"

"What are you implying Dzar-Ghan?" My stomach went cold when I thought of Majiil and all the gallies I had seen at the Temple.

"That our priests have been up to a dangerous game you don't want to know about, trust me. Not yet. Let me get all the pieces together before I tell you because if I'm wrong…" he didn't need to finish his sentence.

Whatever he suspected Bzun-Lhan to be guilty of had to be bad. If Dzar-Ghan were wrong—which I almost hoped he was because my skin crawled at Dzar-Ghan's insinuations—Bzun-Lhan's vengeance would know no bounds, not until Dzar-Ghan lost his lands and title. Something I was sure Dzar-Ghan was aware of. That fact, plus his unhurried demeanor of rushing out to prove his accusations, was telling enough to send more cold shivers down my spine .

What was happening to our beautiful planet? Our way of life? It was all changing.

It took only one look at Amber to comfort me. We were changing, but some of it would be for the better.