Free Second Guard by J. D. Vaughn Page A

cross Nel’s face as she read the words on Paulo’s lips. “What exactly is your problem?” Tali asked, trying to control her anger.
    Paulo crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Tali. “The Second Guard is my problem. How can you be so blind as to what they stand for?”
    “They stand for peace and protection of the realm.”
    “You are seduced by their fancy uniforms. Look closer, Tali. They are rotten inside.”
    “Have you any proof? You should not hurl accusations that you cannot defend.”
    “Proof? Ask a half dozen homeless families up and down the Magda. They’ll tell you the truth about your precious Guard.”
    “Careful, Paulo, your words smack of treason. What are you getting my family involved in?”
    Paulo laughed, though there was no mirth in his voice. “You should be asking your superiors that, not me.”
    “Do not endanger my family with your careless lies.”
    “You are a fool.”
    “This discussion is over,” Tali said, trying to keep her temper in check. She did not want to upset Nel further, who looked like she might cry.
    Paulo barked out another harsh laugh and turned on his heel. “Not even in the Guard yet and already ordering people around,” he called over his shoulder.
    Tali resisted the urge to counter his sarcasm with a few choice words of her own, and turned back to Nel.
What’s wrong with him?
she signed.
    He saw you arrive with other pledges. He does not trust the Guard,
Nel answered, then added slowly, with expression in both her hands and face,
I wish you could come home,
sister.
    Tali felt an egg rise in her throat and she pulled her sister into a quick embrace. Then she stepped back so Nel could read her lips once more. “My service to the Queen isn’t
optional, Nel. You know that. Besides, I
want
to serve the realm and I
do
trust the Guard, even if some do not,” she replied, throwing an angry look at Paulo, who had
returned to the corner across the street. She couldn’t help it. Whatever his opinions of the Guard were, he had no right to worry her sister with them.
    Nel glanced worriedly at Paulo, then began to sign a flurry of words. Tali’s mind raced as she tried to decipher the combination of signs. For the first time she felt like their language
was lacking. Many times she had to stop Nel and ask her to repeat her hand motions. Finally, Tali began to understand: Nel was upset by recent visitors to the tradeboat.
    “But what did they want?” Tali mouthed without making a sound.
    Nel frowned and signed a series of words.
Mines. Queen. Danger. Guard.
    Tali shook her head in frustration. “I don’t understand, Nel. I need more words.”
    Nel bit her lip and tried again.
Second Guard. Tradeboat. Salt mines. Queen. Fire. Father. Silence.
    “Is Father in danger?” Tali asked worriedly, taking Nel’s hands. “Are you, Nel?”
    As Nel withdrew her hands to make another sign, her eyes grew wide at something over Tali’s shoulder.
    Tali turned to look. Zarif and Chey walked across the plaza carrying treats in muslin bags, their lips covered with powdery sugar. Despite her worries, Tali’s stomach rumbled, thinking
about the fried sugarbread Porto Sol was known for. Zarif wore a cheerful expression as he deftly balanced four stacked cups of lemonsong, but Chey’s face displayed a scowl. What’s
wrong with him? Tali wondered.
    She turned back to Nel just in time to catch sight of her yellow skirt disappearing behind the corner. “Nel!” she called, even knowing her twin would not hear her. Tali whipped her
head around to the spot where Paulo had stood, only to find that he, too, had disappeared. She stood on her toes and peered down the busy street for a glimpse of her twin, but Nel and Paulo had
disappeared in the throng.
    “Where did your sister go?” asked Zarif behind her, extending the tower of cups to offer her a lemonsong.
    Tali took a deep breath, trying not to panic. “I don’t know. All of a sudden she ran off. Why would she do