Black Legion: 03 - Warlords of Cunaxa by Michael G. Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

Attica.”
    “A dog?” laughed Lady Artemas.
    Glaucon, Xenophon and Roxana all cast her a look that told her it was not a subject to make jokes over. Instead, she reclined back into the great throne and tapped a button. A small hatch opened to reveal a glowing metal orb. She placed it on the arm of the chair, tapping it three times. A blue haze burst forth like an energy shield and filled the room.
    “This is a suppression screen. It will ensure we have utmost privacy while activated.”
    Glaucon looked to Xenophon with a raised eyebrow. The others might be unsure as to what he was thinking, but Xenophon new too well that Glaucon probably thought it was time to tear off his clothes and find the nearest of the ‘givers’ as they were called.
    “What? You thought we were here for amorous activities? No, we are here on the business of my uncle, Lord Cyrus.”
    This immediately grabbed the attention of Xenophon. He turned from the painting and approached the regal looking figure of Lady Artemas.
    “What? You tricked us!” he said angrily.
    “I’m sorry, Xenophon. I had no idea you were so keen to find a nubile wench to waste a few days with. No, I have a friend already on his way. He will be here in less than a few minutes. I suggest we present a united front upon his arrival.”
    “Who is it?” demanded Tamara, now equally as annoyed as the others.
    The sound of dulled footsteps was now audible as the door opened, and in walked a Medes man of some high status. He looked similar to Cyrus though perhaps a little shorter. He wore the lavish finery of a senior member of the Median nobility and a small, highly detailed breastplate over which hung a number of adornments. His head was bare but his hair long and braided.
    “Positions,” muttered Xenophon under his breath.
    The four quickly positioned themselves around their Lady, with one at each flank and two at her front. Although they were unarmoured, they all carried Terran issue carbines on their flanks in case of trouble on the planet. The system might be under Terran control, but that hardly meant it was guaranteed to be safe for Terrans. Xenophon slid down his right hand and flicked off the safety of his own weapon. They were modified versions of the trusty Doru Mk II high velocity rifle but cut down to make them suitable for close quarter work and escort duty. They were squat and accurate only at short ranges but still incredibly more powerful.
    The Medes man knelt down in the excessively over the top fashion so detested by the Terrans, before standing and nodding to the guards.
    “My Lady Artemas. I bring news and reports from home, as requested.”
    Artemas lifted herself from the throne and approached him slowly. Xenophon and Roxana watched carefully, looking for any sign of movement that would betray an attempt on the life of their charge. When close enough, she stopped. The man reached forward, kissed her gently on each cheek and stepped back. He reverted to his own language but managed just a few words before being interrupted by her.
    “Please, not in front of our guests. These are my handpicked Terran bodyguards, as decreed by Lord Cyrus himself. They have already proven themselves in battle with both their own kind and ours.”
    “He looked at them in turn, sighed and looked back to Lady Artemas.
    “As you wish, my Lady.”
    She returned to her throne chair, indicating for Glaucon to being over a chair for him to sit in to face her. Once settled into position, the four returned to their guard positions, and the Medes nobleman faced her at a distance of a few metres.
    “This most honourable nobleman is a close family friend of mine. He was one of my teachers many years ago when I was a child. Now he serves in...”
    “Ahem,” said the man gently, doing his best to restrict the flow of information.
    She smiled.
    “Yes. Let us just say that he is a vital source of information for my uncle in the coming struggle.”
    He nodded politely. Evidently, he