A Way of Honor (Champions of the Crystal Book 2)

Chapter 7.1

Sabrina and Scotty were marched to a cell, which they were allowed to share. They sat numbly facing each other, trying to think of something to do or say. Lost in misery, it took them a moment to realize it when their surroundings abruptly changed.

"Sabrina. Scotty," Khediva said, as they looked around in astonishment at the Ship's control deck. "Maratobia requests that you join her in the infirmary."

"Thanks, Diva," Scotty grinned, getting to his feet and helping his sister up.

"It was Maratobia who rescued you," Khediva said. "She and I both felt that for me to intervene at such a time would only harm our cause."

"Did you get all that, then?" Sabrina asked as they made their way down the corridor.

"Yes," Khediva said. "I began to look for you both as soon as Maratobia and I determined that Tirqwin was coming out of danger. I take it we are all just a few seconds short of being declared enemies of the Realm?"

"I'd stand ready to put the shields up," Sabrina said as they reached the infirmary.

Tirqwin lay on the nearest bed, deathly white but breathing normally. Mara stood over him, her hair hanging loose around her face. She looked up and smiled as she saw the siblings. "There you are!" she said, in an attempt at cheer. "I must tell Tirqwin when he wakes that there was no need to scare us all so badly just to see me again!"

"Thanks for the rescue, Mara," Scotty said. "I think we were two seconds away from the firing squad, and I've never made up my mind whether I want the damn blindfold."

"Don't worry," Sabrina said wryly. "I'm sure we'll still get there eventually. Mara, honey, you look exhausted. Sit down."

Mara let herself be led to a nearby chair. "Oh, Sabrina. It was so close. I thought...I thought he was going to die."

Sabrina hugged her. "I know. But he didn't. You saved him. Again."

Mara gave a deep sigh. "And now I must save us all. Scotty, Sabrina, do not worry. I will take full responsibility for the link, and for concealing it. You acted under my orders at all times and cannot be held to blame."

"Under your orders, huh?" Scotty said, grinning a little. "Like when?"

"On our planet," Sabrina said, "they don't tend to think much of the 'just following orders' theory."

"Imari wants to fry us all," Scotty remarked, sprawling in a chair beside Mara's. "Rassir'll light the fire, too. Rayland's the most reasonable one, and he wants us shot. Or whatever they do to traitors on Praxatillus."

"For Miahns, it is absorption into the Great Crystal. Don't worry," Mara smiled, "I will refuse to carry it out, and no one else is capable."

"We aren't Miahn anyway," Sabrina pointed out. "What do they do to other people?"

"Banishment. In very bad cases, they wipe the person's memory, implant a new one, and send them off to do good works."

"Oh goody," Scotty sighed.

"Nothing will happen to you. I won't let it," Mara said firmly.

Tirqwin gave a low groan, and they all hurried to his bedside. Mara took his hands in hers and bent over him, smiling as he opened his eyes. "Mara," he whispered.

"I'm here," she whispered. "And nothing will separate us again."

He smiled, and Mara kissed him. Sabrina and Scotty exchanged glances with the hint of a grin, and Scotty said, "Yeah, that's our Tirq. Even half dead, he's a charmer."