Mirage Read Online Free Page B

rolling hills and fill the empty skies with clouds.”
    The Red Sky Equians cheered.
    Hoku shook his head. Karl Strand was promising them water. How could their tiny band ever compete with such an offer?
    “What about the herds that don’t want war?” Aluna said.
    “Karl Strand is not worthy of desert honor,” Dash added. He touched fingers to his heart. “He is not worthy of
you
, High Khan.”
    “When the Thunder Trials are over, there will be only those who are loyal to me and those who are traitors,” the High Khan said. “All traitors will be hunted down and killed. Their bloodlines will be crushed to dust so that their lines can never rise again. All memory of them will be extinguished, and even the sun herself will forget them.”
    Silence fell in the pavilion. Onggur’s words hung in the air, dark as blood in water.
    Tayan spoke next, her earlier bravado diminished. “Your message is clear, and I will deliver it to my father, High Khan. With your leave, I will take the four Shining Moon prisoners and go.”
    High Khan Onggur held up his hand, and Tayan waited, her black tail swishing. “The
aldagha
is yours by herd law, Tayan khan-daughter, but you will not harm the other three, even if they are found guilty for helping the exile. Bring them to the Thunder Trials. When the games are over, they will belong to Scorch.”
    Scorch grinned, looking like a hunter with a fat catch.
    Tayan’s back hooves shifted, but in the end, she bowed. “A fair compromise, High Khan.”
    “If you think we’re going to give ourselves to her,” Aluna said, glaring at Scorch, “then think again.”
    “If you do not arrive at the Thunder Trials, then Shining Moon will bear the punishment for your dishonor,” the High Khan said.
    “I will execute the Aviar in front of all the herds,” Scorch said. “That will make up for this ludicrous”— she looked at the High Khan and paused —“this
understandable
delay. But if the winged girl is not there, then I’ll make do with killing Shining Moon. One Equian for each of the girl’s feathers seems fair. . . .”
    “The prisoners will be there,” Tayan said quickly. “You have my word.”
    The High Khan nodded. “Then go. Tell your father that by the Thunder Trials, Shining Moon should be ready for war. I am counting on his swords, his arrows, and his falcons.”
    “Oh, I will,” Tayan said quietly, and bowed low before the High Khan. Hoku wondered if he was the only one who could hear the hint of dissent in her voice.
    Their guard from earlier, Borte, motioned for Tayan to follow him. She paused to speak to Dash. “Dashiyn of the Shining Moon, you have knowingly broken your exile and returned to the desert. Do you acknowledge this?”
    Dash looked up at her. “I do.”
    “And you will come willingly to face your judgment?”
    He nodded. “I will.”
    Tayan stomped a foot. “Then I see no need for restraints. Bring your friends and follow me. We leave the city immediately.” She walked past him, then past Borte and down the ramp.
    Dash looked at Hoku, his dark eyes questioning.
    “Yes, of course,” Hoku said. “Calli, do you need help?”
    She gave him a weak smile. “No, I’m fine. I’m looking forward to open air.”
    Hoku turned and found Aluna staring at Scorch from less than a meter away.
    “This isn’t the last you’ll see of me,” Aluna said to her.
    Scorch chuckled. “I certainly hope not.”
    Hoku saw the talon weapons in Aluna’s hands and whispered quickly, “Not here. Not now.” He knew that the Kampii artifact in his throat would send the words directly to the device in her ears.
    She didn’t react at first. Her gaze stayed stuck on Scorch. But eventually she nodded and stepped away — though she wouldn’t turn her back entirely, not with Strand’s clone so close.
    Hoku gave one last look at Scorch. Now he could see her resemblance to the Karl Strand from the ancient photo. Her brown hair was the same length as his, her chin the same