Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights by Lawrence White Read Free Book Online

some idea of what we’re bringing you into. We have very serious problems of our own, but despite those problems, we will do whatever we can to rid your world of the demons.”
    “The demons are not your fault.”
    “True, but I have accepted this obligation in the name of our Queen, of our Empire. We will not abandon you in your time of need.”
    Galborae stood up, then with some difficulty went to a knee. “Thank you, M’Lady. I know nothing about your weapons, but I know we will not survive against these creatures with swords and arrows.”
    “I cannot promise your survival even with our weapons. The demons, we call them gleasons, are truly the stuff of nightmares. The fight will be horrible.”
    Washburn went to Galborae’s side and helped him back to his feet. Krys looked toward him and said, “We have prepared a meal. Will you join us?”
    “I will, but my meld grows anxious. She should meet you.”
    “We’re a little concerned about that. Will you be able to control her?”
    “She will sense my feelings, but that might not be enough. Her kind tends to be protective.”
    Washburn led Galborae back to his room where they gathered up Limam. Galborae did his best to calm her and send his feelings about the others to her, but in truth his feelings had not solidified. The people were easy, but bridging the gap to Great Cats, dragons, and insects would take time. He said as much to Washburn.
    Washburn did not hesitate. “I had the same issues when I first met them. Now I just think of them as regular people, even the ones who don’t look like us. I hope you can bridge that divide some day.”
    “When you first met them? You haven’t known them your whole life?”
    Washburn stopped with a hand on Galborae’s arm. “In a lot of ways I’m just like you. Remember Lady Krys’ story about the other emerging world? I’m from there.”
    Galborae blinked as he took in this new piece of information. “You fight her enemies?” he asked.
    “I do,” Washburn said, nodding. “I do not feel the mind weapon except as a slight buzzing in my head. I was an elite soldier on my home world. When I came here, the Great Cats trained me to be a Protector, almost a super soldier. My sole purpose now is to protect the two Knights on this ship. Have we told you what it means to be a Knight?”
    “I’m a knight. It means you lead soldiers.”
    “Our Knights lead more than just soldiers. There are an enormous number of civilizations within the Empire, but only one Queen and only a couple of handfuls of Knights to rule them. An Imperial Senate represents the people and makes the laws. The Queen, her Knights, and her military forces uphold those laws, but there are so many worlds and so few Knights that she has empowered her Knights to speak for her. Their words are her command on all worlds of the Empire. The words of a Knight literally bind the Queen.”
    Galborae thought about speaking words that would bind his own king and shook his head. Such a thing would never happen. “The insect said they were Great Ones,” he said. “I’m beginning to see what he meant.”
    Washburn nodded. “The sole purpose of everyone on this ship is to protect those two Knights. Your world, Tranxte, is fortunate to have them on your side.”
    Galborae did his best to convey that sense to Limam as they continued toward the meeting room. When they reached the door, Washburn entered first and stepped to the side. His hand was not on his weapon, but so fast were his reflexes that it did not need to be. If the cat lost control, he would do his best to stun her, not kill her.
    Galborae entered with a hand resting lightly on Limam’s neck and his thoughts focused completely on her. He took two steps into the room and stopped, ordering Limam to lay on the deck.
    Limam did not obey. With one foot lifted and her ears pointed forward, every one of her senses were at full peak. She registered each person in the room and sniffed the air, then she stared