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Mikol got up quickly, sweeping Kalen into his arms and carrying him the few steps to his cabin. The door slid open, and he took him inside to lay him on his bed to peer down at him and pat all over his body.
“Are you sure you’re not hit? Does it hurt anywhere?”
“No, I’m all right,carli. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Kalen smiled up at him. “I’m sure.”
“Rest here for a few minutes and then we’ll go check on your friend when you’re feeling a little better.”
“Would Florin…would someone call and tell us if-if…”
“Yes, of course.”
Actually, he had no idea whether they would or not, as the doctors no doubt had their hands full and Florin would be too distraught, but it was only a little white lie, as his omak used to call them, and fairly harmless, he thought. He would go check on Kalen’s friend as soon as he felt able to leave Kalen, if he was unable to go with him. He was still too aware of how easily everything could have gone so terribly wrong, and he couldn’t bear to leave him quite yet.
Kalen reached out for his hand. “I’m glad you’re all right too.”
“I was worried about you,” Mikol admitted, kissing the back of his hand and making him blush. “Tell me, nobyo…what is this word you called me?Carli, I think you said.”
Kalen looked surprised and then turned pink as a flush came over his face. “I, uh…did I say that?”
“Yes.”
He blew out soft breath. “It means, something like that name you called me on Belline.Honey, I think you said. It’s a-a pet name among my people.”
Mikol looked so surprised, Kalen wondered if he had been too harsh with Mikol since he’d renewed his acquaintance with him. He made up his mind to be nicer, because any distance between them wasn’t good at all. Not for his plan to get in good and tight with the Tygerians, certainly. And then too, because so far, Mikol had been good to him.
“There was so much noise and smoke and yelling coming from the upper decks. I couldn’t imagine who was attacking us. I’m glad you weren’t hurt, Mikol,” he said, taking his hand.
“Fucking pirates, or at least they were using pirate tactics. Not Nilaniums or Drex though. I actually didn’t recognize them at all, and the ship disengaged fast and took off when their captain realized what was happening to the ones who boarded us. I’ve sent word to the Lycanus High Command to intercept the ship if they can. Lycanus is the nearest planet.”
“The pirates have cloaking devices though, don’t they?”
“Yes,” Mikol answered shortly, his eyes darkening. “It won’t save them if the Lycans get close enough to blow them away though. They have equipment to see through the cloaking the pirates use. I hope they can find them.”
“But who were they, do you think? Were they Roths?”
“Maybe. I never saw any so-called Roths before, though they’re supposed to be in this area.”
“But why would they be so stupid as to attack and try to board anAxisship?”
“Pirates have done it before, and no doubt will again, unless we wipe them all out. But I would like to question that captain.”
“The thing is…”
“Yes?”
“They looked different. Tall and thin, with pale skin. Like a species I haven’t ever seen before. And I-I thought—I’m almost sure I heard one of them say something in Lorian.”
Mikol glanced over sharply at him. “It may not mean anything—pirates come in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities.”
“But I’ve heard rumors—and I know you must have heard them too—about the Roth. Some say they come from near our planet. Perhaps one of the outer moons. People say they’re different.”
“Rumors, like you said, or even myth. If we knew where they actually were, I’d have already gone after them. But it’s only a matter of time. We’ll find them. Now, forget those bastards. Tell me how you’re feeling. Do you feel well enough yet to go check on your friend?”
“Yes, please,” Kalen said, throwing back the cover and scrambling to get up.
