The Mamluks (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 1) by Edward Lake Page B

flew back to my building and found Adomas in
the security room on the third floor. He was sitting at the control board,
looking over a few holographic monitors.
    Adomas glanced at me. “Emily.”
    I walked up to him. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
    “Certainly not. These are standard procedures I must attend
to.”
    I took a quick look at the monitors. Some of them showed
slaves working in the forest. And others showed recreation sites for soldiers
and citizens.
    I looked back to Adomas and put my hand on his arm. “I want
to see Dalia.”
    He nodded. “I shall send her the request.”

 
     
    Chapter 39
     
    That night, I was brought to Dalia’s room on the top floor.
She was sitting on a wooden chair by the window, looking over a hologram from
her sija.
    She peeked at me and smiled as I walked to her. “Emily.”
    I stopped at the sofa next to the chair and took a seat.
“Hello, Dalia.” I checked the hologram and realized she was reading text. “What
are you reading?”
    “Reports from Marsden.”
    I nodded restlessly, wishing I could visit. “How are things
back home?”
    “Excellent.” She pressed a button that made the hologram go
away. “You wished to see me, Emily?”
    I touched the marble she gave me and glanced at it. “Yes.
It’s about this.”
    Dalia leaned forward and checked it. “There is great
conflict in you.”
    I nodded sadly and put my head down. After all this time, I
was still struggling to escape my emotions. “I don’t know what to do.”
    “To stabilize the substance—the host must be free from
uncertainty.”
    I looked up at her, blinking. “What kind of substance is
this?”
    “It is ozlon . Our greatest source of power.”
    “Why did you give it to me?”
    Dalia waited a second before responding. “When Juozas
defeats Adomas— you will become my successor.”
    I trembled and got a little lightheaded. “ What ?”
    “That is the way of our society. The mother of the Champion
rules the land. And the Champion protects the mother.”
    I looked off in a daze. “That means…Adomas is your son.”
    Dalia nodded. “He is.”
    “And that makes Juozas your grandson. Wow —this is
amazing.” Then, a troubling thought crossed my mind. “Wait—so if Lauren-Lynn
defeats Adomas? Would Katie become the Ruler?
    Dalia nodded.
    My eyes got wide. “Oh, I see. Well, that would be
interesting,” I chuckled. “But what if a Ruler is unwise and doesn’t do what’s
best for the people?”
    “An unfit mother could never nurture a worthy soldier.
Therefore, an unworthy soldier could never become Champion.”
    It was flattering to know that Dalia had so much faith in
me. “I’ll do my best to make sure Juozas is ready when the time comes.”
    Dalia reached down and gently brushed her hand along my
hair. “Worry not, Emily. In time, you will mend the conflict of your soul. And
the ozlon you carry will stabilize. Giving you the strength to prepare Juozas.”

 
     
    Chapter 40
     
    I was sitting on the floor eating some food. Robert was
sleeping. And Elos was still working. I finished the food and grabbed a cup of
water. Slowly, I drank the water and closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation.
    Afterward, I got up and walked over to Elos. “Hey, don’t
Ecknors sleep, too?”
    “We do not require much sleep.”
    I stood there and watched him take sets of the sija’s
exterior off the conveyer belt and put them in a bin. “ Why , Elos?” I
paused and stared at him. “With all the knowledge you have—why do you still
serve them?”
    For the first time, he ignored me. I studied his face and
saw some discomfort in his eyes, like he didn’t know how to respond. It was as
if no one had ever shown him kindness. I tapped Elos on his shoulder and walked
away.
    “I’ll leave you alone, my friend.”
    But before I could go back to my spot, Elos spun around and
stepped forward. I turned around and waited.
    “Your behavior troubles me, Human.”
    I chuckled. “Look, I don’t know