Chapter 15
Mouhra' Lah stood when she heard a sound at the door. She moved back to the far side of the room as it swung open. Saballa swaggered in, saw where she was standing and motioned for the door to be closed.
"Good evening, Princess."
She didn't answer. He wasn't worth answering. None of them were.
"Oh, I see, this is to be one of those types of conversations. I'm quite good at them, though. You see, I've had quite a bit of practice helping people learn how to talk, especially when they didn't want to.
Mouhra' Lah understood only too well his inference.
"You've come to torture me then? It won't do any good."
"I'm sorry you think so. I haven't come for that. I just thought I'd come see if you'd come to your senses yet. You see, it's only a matter of time until we find your sister. And when I'm sent to take her, I mean 'invite' her to come back to her city, I would hate for her to be harmed in any way."
"The only way you would hate it is if someone wasn't harmed by something you do."
"Oh but you misunderstand me horribly." Saballa put a dramatic hand over his heart. "I have only the best interests of our city in mind. I'm totally devoted to my beloved birthplace."
Mouhra' Lah laughed.
"It's good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor,” Saballa said. “But I afraid that will pass also. You see, I've spoken with several of our city’s leading citizens that we are . . . detaining. They have been most informative in their ideas as to the whereabouts of your sister.
They were only too happy to 'talk' after a time. And if you know what's good for you . . . and her, you'll talk to me now."
Mouhra' Lah stared at him. She made sure her eyes were level, her face bland. Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing I'm scared to death, she thought. Saballa wouldn't be here if he'd gotten the answers he needs. Dierni' Lah is still safe. And maybe I am too. Tranthra' Joh knows I won't talk, even with torture, and he'll keep Saballa reined in for now. I just need to figure something out before then.
"I see you haven't seen reason yet." Saballa, if anything looked . . . happy. "I may get to have my little 'discussion' with you yet. Rest assured, that when we do it my way, you'll be begging to tell me anything I want to know."
"You may go now," Mouhra' Lah pitched her voice to sound bored. "You weary me with your pathetic threats. Tranthra' Joh should have found someone with more intelligence to serve him." She allowed a wry smile to cross her face. "But then again, he wouldn't want someone to serve who was smarter than he. That must explain it."
She felt satisfaction as Saballa's face colored and his claws splayed from his hands in anger. It was clear he was under orders to restrain himself. Even then he was fighting it.
"Guard! Open the door," Mourha' Lah raised her voice in command. "My audience with this pathetic man is finished. He is dismissed."
Saballa uttered a guttural growl, but turned on his heel and left as the door swung open.
That went well, Mouhra' Lah thought as she went back to the cushions lying on the floor where she slept. Now I've just got to figure out a way to get out of this cell and take back my city. She looked around the room. And when I do that, I'll be ready to fly down from the tower by flapping my arms.
She sat, though, and focused her mind on the problem, just as she'd been doing ever since she'd been placed here. There has to be a way!