“Okay, wait for my signal.”
Blatson’s brow furrowed, trying to overcome his disbelief and merriment, as I stood calm, confident, hands loose at my sides, speaking words that he couldn’t believe were possible.
A murmur had gone up in the surrounding soldiers, their weapons rattling a little, and my open telepathy could hear a lot of anger, confusion, and fear.
“And you alone are tasked with this job? To bring about a military coup?”
I turned to the door behind me and gestured it open with a quick whip of telekinesis. Three of the other Farians, including Ilisa, quickly entered. One more came in the same door Zaya and the guard had used. The last two would remain outside to deal with any scuffle or remaining mental misdirection needed.
I smiled at Blatson as he stood up sharply. “Just me and a few of my charzbos comrades.”
Guards centered around the General, swords brandished outward to protect him. Zaya was just slipping away when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him. Her eyes looked at my wildly as she stood frozen, fear blanking her thoughts.
Damnit…
“It’s okay, Zaya… You will be okay… I will keep you safe. These are other Farians and we will do as I say. We will kill Blatson and anyone who tries to hurt you.”
“I trust you, Cartari…”
Her trust buoyed me and helped calm my agonizing mind. Now that she was so close to him, it would be harder to kill him before he caused her harm. I needed to diffuse this… We needed to battle.
The Farians spread apart in the broad hall, knives haloed telekinetically around their head, ready to shoot like speeding spikes into the eyes of the twenty-five attending soldiers. They also had swords in their hands. They arrayed themselves so that I could be sure my back was covered.
Thanks, Axis… Thank you so much for sending me back-up… I certainly owed my dear friend a beer or two once I was back on Farian. Back on Farian, and with my beautiful Lady Zaya… I looked into her frightened eyes and pushed a resounding feeling of soothing love and hope to her. She took an easier breath, even though her lips were trembling, and smiled, even though her eyes remained misted with fear.
I focused back on Blatson. “You can be certain, General, that Truloy is on her way and plans have been laid. However, there is one thing you can’t be certain of yet: whether or not you could beat me in a duel.”
Blatson’s eyes lit up from where he stood behind Zaya, his large frame holding her against his chest, one arm around her throat, the other gripping her waist.
“You tell me my compound, my very position on this planet is under attack, and I should stoop to duel you, a charzbos?”
“Yes. Because, I am more than just the Commander leading this contingent who is fomenting insurrection. I am the man who is connected, irrevocably, and unconditionally, to your bride-to-be, the beautiful Lady Zaya. And I will not go without her.”
“So…” Blatson’s face turned a deeper shade of red. “You wish to duel me for her honor, not necessarily for the honor of the military?”
“This is between you and me. Truloy is still a few hours away. You could have a chance to make a stand.” That was an utter lie. My Farians would strip the place of all weapons within a matter of an hour and there would be nothing for them to defend themselves with when Truloy arrived. But what was important was getting Blatson away from Zaya, before he hurt her. “Right now, lets you and me duel.”
“What about the famed telekinetic skills of Curan warriors?”
“I shall not use them. I will fight you on even ground.”
“Cartari, don’t be stupid. This man is a monster and he will be more used to just fighting with his fists.” Ilisa spoke the truth, but there was no way around it.
“I can handle it.”
“Good, then.” Blatson released Zaya into one of the guard’s arms with a shove.
“Kala, grab Zaya the moment you can,” I said, speaking to the Farian nearest my Destin. She nodded.
The guards surrounding Blatson backed away a bit and he took off his sheaths of knives. Then he slipped one across the floor to me.
“I’ve chosen our weapon.”
“Let’s duel.” I picked up the knife, feeling its weight in my hand. It was nice, well balanced. It would be a good weapon. It would just be odd to have it be my only weapon…
“On Vailstor, we duel to the death. Are you all right with that, charzbos?”
I looked at Zaya and smiled. I took off my winter coat and tossed it on top of his highly decorated military fatigues. “To the death, General.”
The General let loose a roar and ran at me, knife before him, and I ducked aside, ready to fight, stripped of my normal skill set…
But, I wasn’t worried. I was still going to kill him.
Nineteen
Zaya
Cartari twisted the knife in his hand and looked at me with a smile. My heart was beating fast. I couldn’t believe he was going to fight Blatson without telekinesis. Was he a good fighter that way? Surely, he was. He was athletic, fit, ripped, even. Muscular and large-chested, with rippling muscles down his body, pecs that I loved to kiss, that made my heart swell just to imagine right now. I loved running my lips and hands and tongue over his body. But, right now, he was going to be using that body in hand-to-hand combat against one of the strongest Vailstor warriors. Granted, Blatson didn’t do much of his own battling these days, but, still. I knew he sparred often.
“Blatson has a weak left knee. Old war injury,” I told him as we locked eyes.
“Thank you. It will be okay, Zaya. Just stay safe. Take the instructions of my comrades. I will be with you shortly.”
Then the General roared and rushed at him, shoving me out of
