I considered this for a few moments.
“Have you considered the dangers inherent in submerging your will completely in favor of another’s?”
“I have not completely submerged my will, Rahm. If Ssah should undertake a course which in my opinion is not in the best interests of the Empire, I will speak up or move to block her. I am an ambitious Tzen, but am still a Tzen.”
“What weapons do you have in your personal arsenal at this time?”
“A wedge-sword, a whip sword, a telescoping thrusting spear, long knife, and dueling sticks.”
“What weapons, if any, are you willing to place at the disposal of the team?”
He didn’t hesitate.
“I will have to think that over and consult with Ssah before giving you my reply.”
“That answers my questions. Unless you have any further questions, pass the word for…”
I hesitated in midsentence. Zur’s massive bulk had just appeared in the gloom of the cavern. I waved Mahz away and beckoned Zur to report to me.
“Is the tunnel complete?”
“Yes. I left Ahk posted at the mouth as lookout and came back to report to you.”
He handed me back my hand-burner. I glanced at the charge indicator: less than a quarter-charge remaining That wasn’t good.
“Shall we have our conference now, Rahm?”
I considered it. I knew my second-in-command better than I knew any of the other team members. However, when we talked, there would be much to plan and discuss.
“Not yet, Zur. For now, pass the word for Ssah.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Flattened against the tree trunk some ten meters in the air, I slowly surveyed the terrain. The trunk swayed gently in a gust of wind, and I swayed with it. This did not worry me. Swaying trees are a natural movement and do not attract even a watchful eye. However, my turning my head to look about would not be a natural movement, so I did it extremely cautiously. Even if I could be detected through the foliage, my silhouette was altered enough by the tree trunk so as not to arouse suspicion. As such, only my head movement would betray my position. Due to our eyes being mounted on the sides of our heads, the peripheral vision of a Tzen is extremely wide, requiring less than a six-inch movement to scan a full 360degree field. I took almost a quarter hour to move my head the necessary six inches.