Free Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) by Michael Phillip Cash

doing.”
    Her daughter shrugged indifferently, bent down , and pulled another epock from under the table to pound into a paste for dinner. Mori chuckled and slid back into his hammock.
    Bobbien grabbed her communication instrument, the forbidden nevi, to contact the queen. Mori narrowed his gaze and pointed at it. “I am not the only one hiding things from the League.”
    Bobbien turned her eyes on her son-in-law, who laughed, his mouth wide, his grin evil. He rose and moved toward her.
    “ What know you?” she demanded.
    “ Enough,” he said defensively. “I know you use a nevi to speak with the cloud people. I know you go where you are not allowed.” His voice dripped with sweet nectar now. “Yes, Bobbien, I know where you disappear for days at a time, and I think you should share your secrets. The Elements do not—”
    Bobbien stamped her staff , demanding silence. She leaned in close to his face, her eyes inches from his. “You will get us all killed with your recklessness, Mori. You know nothing. Say it! Say it!” She rattled her medicine bag, and for once her feckless son-in-law was frightened.
    “ Oh, have it your way, old woman. I know nothing.” He sneered and flung himself back into the hammock, placing a straw hat over his face.
    Bobbien stalked off from the hut to find a private spot, where she gingerly held the shell-like device to her ear. The Quyroos were not allowed to have communication tools. This one had been given to her by the queen. Only her family knew she had it, and her discussions with Reminda kept them all from starving. In exchange she had helped the queen with some spells and given her special herbs when she had fallen ill from the hot climate; Bobbien’s potions had saved her. Lastly she had given her Tulani for protection for both of their houses.
    Static burst in her ear, and the queen ’s familiar voice came to life. “Bobbien, has my son arrived?”
    “ Indeed he has, Your Highness. And may I add, he was sampling some of the delights of the Desa.”
    “ So fast!” The queen chuckled. “I knew I could trust Tulani.”
    “ Of that I am certain, Highness, but I need to know what you are about. Tulani is worth more than a slattern. She is royal born as well.”
    “ Bobbien! There is a big difference between Quyroo and Darracian royalty. Tulani knows what she is doing. I suggest you leave her to my business.”
    “ Tulani shall not be a pawn,” the older woman persisted.
    “ Do not defy me, Bobbien. There is much you don’t understand,” the queen said as the line went dead.
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 10
     
    Pacuto and his stallius took off from yet another spot in the Desa. He had lost Prince V’sair. In the heavens there were no trails to follow, just the direction from other Darracian guards patrolling the wide skies. The dark outline of Aqin blotted the skyscape. Pacuto looked at the villages that dotted the hills and shuddered. He didn’t want to tempt the Elements and search on the volcano. Though the prince’s stallius was well known, her stark-white color a veritable beacon, there was no sign of them. They could have landed anywhere in the Desa. He stopped several guards who reported that they had seen nothing.
    A sluggish transport with five cars filled with randam crystals rode in a snaillike pace to the left of them. Pacuto kicked Winata to fly next to them. A Petrion guard sat at the helm and another in the rear. Each car had a Quyroo to help with the unloading.
    “ Have you seen the prince?” Pacuto demanded.
    “ What? The prince? Or do you mean Zayden? The queen would never let her boy out this late.” He winked and gave a guttural laugh.
    “ He’s out with a Quyroo slattern,” Pacuto spat. “The queen’s handmaiden.”
    “’ Bout time they made a man outta him,” the guard at the end offered. “He must be having fun on the ground. I’ve seen him ride Hother. He’s got a talent. If he’s done showing off, my guess is he’s