Ambition and Alavidha by Candy Rae Read Free Book Online Page B

still serving with
the Fifty-first Ryzck and that was what they did. It was rare
indeed for any member of the Susa’s Own to remain on one place for
long. They were always off doing the Susa’s bidding, taking
messages, finding out information and liaising with officials of
other countries. Some ventured even into the southern continent.
The Fifty-first worked closely with the Avuzdel; the semi-secret
cadre within the Lind nation responsible for intelligence and
fact-finding.
    “Another
message,” agreed Katie, “Kenlei and I will likely be away for a
while his time too. There are exciting times ahead Thalia.”
    “Times are
always exciting when you’re around Katie,” laughed Thalia. Katie’s
zest for life was perpetually catching for those in her
vicinity.
    “How true,”
Katie giggled, “life is for living. You take life too seriously my
friend.”
    “Perhaps I like
it that way, so, if you’re going tomorrow, perhaps we could go to
the Lazy Lind for dinner tonight? The cook-house will be
full to the brim with both us and the Second coming in.”
    “Absolutely,”
agreed Katie, her face brightening. The Lazy Lind was the favourite eating house. The food it served was
‘tremendously delicious in every way’ as Rodick had once described
it and more importantly, it catered for the Lind too; as did most
inns in and around Vada but it was common knowledge that the Lazy Lind was the best.
    “At Eve Bell
then?” asked Thalia, “now, I’d better be making tracks, I’ve got an
interview with Susa Malkum.”
    “That sounds
ominous,” teased Katie, her eyes were twinkling, “so what have you
been up to, to warrant such a summons?”
    “I requested the interview,” retorted Thalia, “can’t tell you
now, don’t have the time. Eve Bell then?”
    “Eve Bell.”
    Katie exited
Katie and Kenlei’s daga at a run, straightening her uniform tunic
as she went and with the mental urging of Josei ringing in her
head. He was already waiting outside the Susa’s office.
    “What took you
so long?” he asked as she skidded to a halt.
    “Katie,” she
answered, “ Lazy Lind . Eve Bell.”
    Josei looked
pleased. He liked the cooking there. The head chef was very fond of
Josei; Josei told good stories and during his and Thalia’s
cadetship, bored with the mess hall cooking, he had, at least once
a tenday regaled the chef with stories in return for a large bowl
of his best zarova stew.
    The two of them
stood watching the activity around them. Cadet duos were hurrying
to their next classes. They laughed as a gaggle of first years
exited the main lecture room and began to run at full tilt towards
the practice fields.
    “Weapons
practice,” Thalia deduced, “I wonder if Weaponsmaster Alkin is
still as unforgiving with latecomers as he was in our day.”
    “He is a man of
a habit,” agreed Josei, adding, “Freya says Malkum is ready for us
now.”
     
     
    * * * * *
     
     
    “You must
remain with the Fifteenth Ryzck for another tour,” Malkum informed
them after he had heard them out. “After that the Fifteenth has
Long Leave. Is that correct?”
    “Yes Susa,”
replied Thalia.
    “I can arrange
transfer to one of the Western Ryzcks after that,” Susa Malkum
said, “if that is agreeable to you and Josei.”
    “I agree,” said
Josei at once.
    “As do I,”
echoed Thalia.
    “You will be
stationed much closer to Josei’s rtathen which will please you
Josei,” Malkum continued.
    “Yes Susa,” he
said, “I am most excellently happy, I miss my family much.”
    Susa Malkum
nodded. “I’ll make out the orders and let you know the
arrangements. We’ll miss you both here in the east. I have heard
nothing but good about both of you. Now go. Enjoy your Short
Leave.”
    “Yes Susa,”
said Thalia and saluted.
    She skipped her
way out of the office. Yes, she would miss all her friends in the
Fifteenth and moving west didn’t mean she and Josei wouldn’t see
action again; there were plenty of dangers there too,