Author: ueoai

Chap. 360 The Prime Key K’ndar looked with misgivings at Jansen’s computer terminal. “Turing, what is going on?” he asked it. It blandly ignored him. On impulse, he pulled his datalink and thumbed it awake. Let’s see what happens if I send a message. Who should I send it to? Duh, make it simple. Jansen…

Chap. 359 The Spy in the Machine K’ndar had not been back to Landing more than half an hour-long enough for him to get a badly needed shower-when Raventh touched him. Kelso is here. Huh! Where is he? Outside the bay. Siskin is with him. He’s still wary of coming into the bay. Why is…

Chap. 358 The Artistic Assistant “I am not sure just how to feel,” Lizard said. K’ndar had helped him down from Raventh’s back. Their fire lizards immediately began to swoop over the tall grass, hunting. The trader stood, hands on hips, surveying something he’d never dreamed of owning not three days ago. This is mine?…

Chap. 357 Bolster 270° They landed in what was obviously a dragon bowl. Having never been there before, K’ndar immediately requested authorization from the watch dragon. The conversation was by necessity shouted, as the watch dragon was on the rim of the palisades. K’ndar noticed the dragon stones and immediately memorized them. “K’ndar, rider of…

Chap. 356 Decisions in the Dark Lizard awoke, momentarily confused. Batu, his bronze fire lizard, awoke with a sleepy chip. His eyes glowed in the stygian darkness. Oh, yes, of course, I’m in my caravan, the trader recognized. It took me hours to get to sleep, now I’m awake again? His shoulder reminded him why…

Chap. 355 The Adoption “Wow,” B’rost said, “This is fascinating. So many twists and turns in this scenario!” They were sitting around a fire, digesting. Everyone had a mug of beer save K’ndar. Their fire lizards rested in the tree limbs above them. The fire was just warm enough to offset the cooling air. The…

Chap. 354 Dinner at Lizard’s “You too?” Lizard said. K’ndar laughed, feeling his nerves untangle after overhearing his neighbor’s row. “Yes.” He didn’t say he knew that Francie would be coming. “Francie beat you by just a few minutes. Did you plan on coming with her?” Motanith was in the front meadow, talking with Raventh.…

Chap. 353 The argument We’re going back to the trader’s caravan? Yes, K’ndar said, making sure the pannier was securely lashed into place. I don’t want anything to spill, he thought. It is food for the trader? It is. I’m sure Lizard’s going to have troubles cooking. His shoulder is slashed and I’m betting he…

Chap. 352 Roll Out The Barrel “We can’t slow down,” said the bowman. They’d dumped the leader’s body in a gully after removing his wallet. “Should we leave the horse?” “No. Horses are valuable.” The boloman took the reins of the chestnut horse. The bowman, in front, was leading the grey mare. Between them, the…

Chap. 351 The Engraver’s Mistake With many misgivings, K’ndar launched. Lizard waved at them as they rose into the sky and then turned to return to his caravan. The raptor that’d killed the green fire lizard was circling overhead, keeping an eye on its prey. The moment they’d cleared the meadow, the raptor dropped, picked…