Once Upon a Time

第45章 Chapter (2)

d help each other,” Rohan said. Unlike his friends, he had to think about the bigger picture, despite his distaste for everything the High Hronthar stood for. He was the governor of Tai’Lehr. He was responsible for the lives of millions of people. The truth was, they couldn’t afford a full-blown war against a high-tech pl like Calluvia. They would be crushed like bugs.

Ignoring Warrehn and Sirri’s bewildered gazes, Rohan met Idhron’s eyes. “The difference is, if you help us restore our reputation, we won’t remind the Council of the original reason our ancestors rebelled. We won’t remind them of the ex-member of the High Hronthar who was disgusted by his Order’s thirst for power, by the web of deception the Order wove for the Council, using their fears against them. If the Council actually epts Tai’Lehrians, there will be no war, and if there is no war against powerful telepaths, Calluvians will have little reason to want to break their bonds. We’ll leave the Order alone, and you’ll be able to keep most of your power if you play your cards right.”

Sirri made a protesting noise, but Rohan didn’t look at her.

He watched the subtle change in Idhron’s eyes. He was actually considering it. Good.

“As a show of goodwill, we’ll let your apprentice go,” Rohan said, ignoring the protesting noise from Warrehn this time. “Think about my offer. Working together would be beneficial for both of us. It’s the only way that doesn’t involve heavy losses for both of us.”

Slowly, Idhron nodded. “I will think about it,” he said before looking at his apprentice. “Eridan.”

The boy practically ran toward him. Eridan grabbed his master’s wrist, who activated his transponder, and they teleported away.

“Are you out of your mind?” Sirri gritted out, turning to Rohan.

“You shouldn’t have given him the boy,” Warrehn said at the same time.

Ignoring them, Rohan glanced around. “We should go home, too. It’s not safe to remain here now that we don’t have Eridan as leverage.”

Sirri snorted. “Why, I thought you were now best friends with that creep?”

Rohan gave her a flat look and activated his transponder, knowing that for all their bitching and grumbling they’d do as ordered. They always did.

Next time he opened his eyes, he was on the orbital station again, for the first time in over a month. He stared at the gray walls and closed his eyes, trying to adjust to the resounding silence at the back of his mind.

He managed to school his features into a neutral expression by the time Sirri and Warrehn materialized next to him.

“Now what?” Sirri said.

“Now we go home and fine-tune our plans while we wait,” Rohan said, without meeting her gaze.

Home.

It didn’t feel like he was going home.

“And what if the Grandmaster won’t ept your offer?”

Rohan said curtly, “He will.”

He strode toward the hangar bay, trying not to think about what he would do if Idhron didn’t.