Quell Read Online Free

“Caxton. Oh, thank the goddess you are all right.”
    Amylia let go of her escort and made her way slowly to the arms of her friend. “All right is an overestimate. I am up and running. Everything else will take time.”
    Kreatha’s huge gold eyes welled with tears. “I am so sorry that they did that to you.”
    “They thought I was one of your oppressors, and they had spent six months feeling helpless. They lashed out. I won’t say I liked it, but I understand the motivation.”
    Kreatha helped her to sit. “You are very good at understanding motivation.”
    “It is a hobby of mine. No matter the society or species, the motivations of survival, reproduction or territory are common. You fell across all three of those motives.”
    Kreatha sat across from her and poured the tea before loading a plate. “I am their queen. They worried.”
    “And yet, you didn’t mention that to the court.”
    Kreatha shrugged. “I didn’t feel it needed stating.”
    “It would have made your actions inviolate. The ambassador assaulted the ruler of Rohul. Even the Imperium would have killed him for that.”
    “They would have?”
    Amylia chuckled weakly and sipped at her tea. “See? Societal prejudices can rear up and mess with you.”
    “Well, Caxton—”
    “Amylia.”
    “What?”
    “My name is Amylia. Caxton is my family name. Null Caxton is my title. I am here in neither capacity. I am here as your friend... Amylia.”
    Kreatha smiled. “Amylia. I am not familiar with societies beyond my own. The Imperium was after us for some of our trees. We have some of the richest oxygen-producing trees in the sector.”
    “And you control them all.”
    “Just the ones with vines.” Kreatha winked. “Now, eat. You have been out for days.”
    Amylia picked up some of the greens on the small plate, and she nibbled until she confirmed that she wasn’t going to lose the little she had eaten.
    Kreatha remained quiet and asked, “Why were you really in court?”
    “Because I didn’t want you facing it alone. I had no idea that this was going to happen.” Amylia looked at her wryly. “You did.”
    “I did. There hasn’t been a lost queen among the Rohul in the last seven centuries. I knew my Artruo wasn’t going to start now.”
    “Your husband?”
    “Yes. We were bonded for three months when the Imperium came calling. They caught us by surprise then, but it will not happen again. My people do not take kindly to the high-handed behaviour that was exhibited. We will defend ourselves.”
    “Why wasn’t I left for dead?” She nibbled at her meal, watching the amount she had been able to consume and continuing slowly.
    Kreatha smiled slightly. “According to Artruo, when you were stunned, I grabbed you and wouldn’t let go. They had to take you with me.”
    “And yet you hit me.”
    “I had to keep you from knocking us all out. I knew that you wouldn’t expect it from me, so I apologise for the assault.”
    “Considering the events which followed, I will have to think about accepting that apology.”
    “My brother will be made to pay. Right now, he is in the hold, scouring the waste ducts with a small brush.”
    Amylia cocked her head. “May I recommend an alternative punishment?”
    “Certainly. Anything I can do.” Kreatha leaned forward with an earnest expression.
    “Fine. Give him five percent of the time that I spent in the SRT. Full intensity. If he does the time without begging to leave, we are even. If he asks to get out, we will have to think of something else.”
    Kreatha leaned back. “That is devious.”
    “Thank you. It is his choice. Your punishment for as long as you choose, or mine and done.” She smiled tightly.
    “You have a devious mind, Cax—Amylia.”
    Amylia smiled and sipped at her tea. “It comes and goes.”
    Kreatha grinned. “Do you want to be there when he goes into the machine?”
    “Yes. I would like him to be played the audio track from when I was put in. He was very chatty, and