Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

“You’re lucky to be alive,” the other man said. “The mountains are unstable, and filled with twisted creatures.”

“We know,” Sten said. “We fought our way out. What happened here on your planet?”

Nythoria’s face twisted. “The Gek’Dragar ruined our mountains, our villages, and our animals.”

Azulon’s face hardened. “The Gek’Dragar used our plorion.”

“The blue mining fluid?” Carys said.

Azulon nodded. “For centuries, my people had used it in small amounts. We controlled its use.” His jaw tightened. “But the Gek’Dragar overused it. It destroyed our mountains, warped the animals.”

His sister leaned into him, and he hugged her.

“I’m sorry,” Carys said. “We must find a way to return to Oron. We need a communicator, or some way to contact our people. We have to stop the Gek’Dragar. I suspect that they’re planning to attack our planet too.”

“No one can stop them,” Nythoria said.

“Knightqueen Carys can,” Sten stated.

“Knightqueen?” Azulon froze. “You are the Queen of Oron?”

Carys nodded.

The man bowed his head. “You are so welcome among us, Knightqueen.”

“Thank you, Azulon. Please, no need to bow. We’re grateful for your help.”

“Do you have a communicator?” Sten asked.

Azulon shook his head. “We do not have a communications device here.”

Carys’ shoulders sagged.

“But the head of a neighboring village has some technology. He managed to hide it when our villages in the mountains fell. I will contact him, and see if he can help.”

Hope surged through her. “Thank you.”

Nythoria smiled. “I’m sure you would like to bathe, and change into some fresh clothes.” She eyed them. “We will need to adjust some of our clothes to fit you.”

Azulon nodded. “Nythoria can see to whatever you need. I will let you know when I hear from the neighboring village.”

“Come,” Nythoria said, waving a hand.

Carys took Sten’s hand and followed the woman into the village.

The female Ti-Lore led them to one of the round-topped buildings. She smiled, and waved them inside.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” Carys said.

The interior was covered in a plush rug, with vibrant wall hangings. A bed of overstuffed pillows sat to one side. Walking to the nearest wall hanging, she fingered the exquisite stitching.

Nythoria smiled. “Thank you. Our way of life has changed, but we’ve tried our best to adapt and not lose our skills. Making fabric and stitching our art onto it is a time-honored tradition.” She pushed back a dark-red wall hanging. “This is the way to your adjoining private bath house. We have natural mineral springs here.”

A wash of steam rolled over Sten. A second, round building with no windows was attached to the first. Inside was a large, irregular-shaped pool, with steam rising off the water.

“Hello? I have food for our guests.” An older Ti-Lore man entered the main hut, carrying a platter. He was tall and lean, but there was gray threaded in his long, black hair. Sten noticed he also had a heavy limp.

The tray was covered in fruits and breads, and a creamy-looking soup. There was also a glass bottle filled with red liquid. He set it down on a table.