[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
my chambers to find Ryan Cawdor alone with my wife. She was naked and
distressed "
Another ripple of shock, this time not shared by the companions. Dean, for his
part, found the idea of Jenna distressed by her nakedness sickly amusing,
considering what the woman had told him about her plans for his father and
himself.
Alien held up his hands for silence, and continued, "When I had dismissed Ryan
Cawdor and had calmed my wife, I discovered that Ryan had told her he wanted
to rule Raw, and use the people to help him achieve his aims. Also that he
wanted her as his woman, as he was tired of the one he has now."
file:///J|/sci-fi/Nieuwe%20map/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2056%20-%20Sunch
ild.html (300 of 340)17-2-2006 3:20:57
Axler,_James_-_Deathlands_56_-_Sunchild
Krysty felt sick at the accusation coming from the mutie woman, but also
amused at how far wide of the mark she knew it to be. She felt the raven eyes
of the queen searing into her, but refused to meet them.
Tiring of that game, Jenna stepped forward and interrupted her husband. "When
Page 142
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
I told him that I wasn't interested, the bastard tried to take me by force. It
was only my husband arriving that saved me from that animal," she cried, her
voice trembling with an anger and fear that was convincing unless you knew the
truth.
The muttering in the crowd started again, but with an uglier undertone. Jenna
had never been popular, but Alien was loved and respected by his people, and
she was his wife.
The baron held up his hands. "I've called you here to announce that they will
be expelled. I want no chilling, as the rest of the party are not to blame.
They will be escorted from the ville. If, however, they do so much as come
near us again, then they will be chilled. That is my ruling."
There was a buzz among the crowd as they debated between those who agreed with
the baron, and those who favored a chilling. Dean put aside his own surprise,
and moved to the front of the crowd, making ready to break into the circle.
In the middle, it was hard to tell who was the more surprised, Ryan and his
companions, or Jenna and Harvey.
"J.B., better be triple red just in case," Ryan whispered, leaning close to
the
Armorer. He was careful not to approach his weapons and spark a reaction.
file:///J|/sci-fi/Nieuwe%20map/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2056%20-%20Sunch
ild.html (301 of 340)17-2-2006 3:20:57
Axler,_James_-_Deathlands_56_-_Sunchild
J.B. nodded agreement and swept his gaze over the others. While shocked, they
had all taken in the judgment and were prepared to believe the baron. No one
had reached for a blaster. Not even Dean. The Armorer blinked, momentarily
surprised at the stealth with which the youngster had infiltrated the center
of the circle.
J.B. wasn't the only one to notice Dean. Harvey reached for his Colt Magnum
Carry blaster as soon as he spotted Dean, but was stayed by the hand of the
baron, who said something that J.B. was unable to make out in the surrounding
noise. The Armorer also noticed that Jenna had turned pale.
Alien held up his hand once more for silence, and made to speak as the hubbub
subsided. But before he could actually speak, Dean began.
"Listen to me! Alien is being lied to Jenna and Harvey have a lab hidden at
the end of one of the tunnels, and they're making muties down there. It was
them who took me, and I wasn't able to escape until now."
Alien listened to the youngster with a puzzled frown. Noticing this, Jenna
grabbed her husband's arm.
"Don't listen to that shit! Get them out of here," she screamed with an almost
hysterical edge to her voice.
But when her husband looked at her, there was a coldness in his eyes that made
her shrink.
"No," he said quietly. His voice was almost a whisper, but over the shocked
file:///J|/sci-fi/Nieuwe%20map/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2056%20-%20Sunch
ild.html (302 of 340)17-2-2006 3:20:57
Axler,_James_-_Deathlands_56_-_Sunchild silence of the gathered ville
dwellers, it carried like the loudest shout. "No, let the child show me. If he
lies, then it will be shown for that. If I do not allow him that chance, how
can my people ever trust again that I am fair and honest?"
"Don't do it," Harvey said, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and
anger.
"It may be a trick of some kind."
"Well, if it is, Harv, then mebbe we'll chill anyone in sight," Downey said
slowly.
"Right. 'Cause we'll go along, just to keep things safe& all of us. With the
boy and his father, and the rest, in front. Just to be sure," Blake added. He
Page 143
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
looked at
Jak before adding, "You learn who to trust when your life is on the line, and
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]