Free The Soterion Mission by Stewart Ross Page A

children.”
    Roxanne shook her head. “From what I’ve seen, Cyrus, and I don’t want to be unkind, but is she the sort of woman who needs your pity – or anyone else’s?”
    He laughed. “You’re right. She’s as tough as they come. Ambitious, too: Taja does what’s good for Taja. Honestly, I could never figure out what she saw in me.”
    “You couldn’t?” Roxanne’s voice was lighter, teasing. “Then I’ll tell you. She saw the future, Cyrus. She saw a tall, well-built and handsome man, more than a winter younger than herself, who was both a warrior and a thinker. A true leader. Someone with a body and a mind – and a heart.”
    Cyrus tutted and shook his head.
    “Don’t recognise yourself, Cyrus?”
    “No. I’m no leader. I’m too full of questions I can’t answer.”
    “That’s what makes you different. Most people don’t even ask the questions.” Again they exchanged glances, confirming with their eyes the cocktail of physical and mental attraction growing between them.
    “You’re different, too, Roxanne. You know that, don’t you?”
    She shrugged and flashed him a quick smile. “Maybe.”
    “Unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
    They walked on in silence for a few moments, each taking in the significance of what had been said.
    “But we must be careful, Roxanne,” continued Cyrus, lowering his voice. “Very careful. She can be ruthless, you know.”
    “I’m sure.”
    “Going back to why she’s here. Well, it may be partly because of me, but it’s also because I reckon she’s changed her mind about you. To begin with, back in the Majlis, I’m certain she really was afraid you were a spy, a traitor. Now I’m sure she knows in her heart of hearts – but won’t admit it – that you’ve been telling the truth about the Soterion all along. That’s why she’s here and why she keeps telling us she’s a Mudir. She was furious when she wasn’t chosen to be our Emir – this gives her a chance to be something even more important.”
    “Leader of the Soterion Mission?”
    “Yes. She wants us to succeed. That’s why you’re safe – for the moment.”
    Roxanne thought for a moment. “You mean she’ll put up with me as long as I’m the only one who can read? A bit nasty, but I see what you mean. I thought it was odd when she approved of me teaching you. Once you know how…”
    “Exactly. But we’re not there yet, are we? I only know the ‘P’ for ‘Peter Pan’!”
    “Then it’s time for another lesson, Cy! You don’t mind if I call you ‘Cy’, do you? Just between ourselves.”
    “No, not if you let me call you ‘Roxy’.”
    She hesitated. “Someone used to call me that. They’re no longer alive.”
    “I’m sorry. I’ll stick to ‘Roxanne’. It’s a lovely name.”
    “No, it’s alright. Call me Roxy. It’ll make me feel young again.” After a brief pause, she went on briskly, “OK, let’s begin with the first letter of the alphabet. It’s ‘A’, as in ‘IKE - A’.”
    “Hang on, Roxy! What’s an ‘IKEA’?”
    “Ah! It’s found in the second of the three Books of Yonne. Its name is the IKEA Catalogue .”

    The travellers had been climbing steadily since leaving Della Tallis and in the hills, although the days were still blisteringly hot, at night the temperature dropped sharply. Afraid to light a fire in case it attracted the Zeds, they slept close to each other for warmth.
    On the first two nights, Taja had made sure she was next to Cyrus. When they lay down at the end of the third day, however, she placed herself beside Navid and whispered to him for some time before they fell asleep.
    Cyrus nudged Roxanne and pointed towards his friend. “Eh?” he mouthed.
    “Wants an ally,” she mouthed back. Then, leaning across and putting her mouth to his ear, she whispered, “Trying to get between you and Navid?”
    Cyrus rolled over and gently pushed back her hair. By starlight the curve of her neck was as smooth as glass. “Impossible!”