Heirs of the Enemy Read Online Free PDF Page B

people down to Trekum and see what they can scrape off the floors in your basements and alleys.”
    “I would be a fool to refuse such an offer,” smiled Governor Mobami, “but I truly think it will be a wasted trip for your people.”
    “I would more than welcome the same offer for Lanoir,” declared Governor Za-chan. “I do not have the same confidence in my situation as Governor Mobami does. Ongchi is a large city and our government is the largest of all provinces. I have found it almost impossible to verify everyone in such a large bureaucracy.”
    “Then I shall send some people to Ongchi as well,” offered General Fernandez.
    “Let’s get beyond the Snakes,” suggested General Gregor. “We still have to plan a defense against the invading Zarans. What have the provinces come up with so far?”
    “I am increasing the size of Lanoir’s armies,” answered Governor Za-chan. “There is little else that I can do. While we know where the armies are coming from, we do not know when they will attack or how many troops we will be up against when they do come.”
    “There is truth in that,” frowned General Fernandez as he glanced at Alexander Tork. “We need more intelligence on the enemy. Have you brought any with you today, Alex?”
    “I have brought news,” Alex replied, “but not the type you are asking for.”
    “Bring us up to date on Zara, Alex,” urged the king.
    “The Dielderal elves are free,” declared Alex. “All four of the reeducation centers were hit within a day of the others. The children are safe, and the rest of the Dielderal have escaped. They will aid us when it is time to strike at the Federation in Zara.”
    “That must have caused some consternation in the Imperial Palace,” remarked Queen Tanya. “Will Emperor Jaar survive such an embarrassment?”
    “That I cannot answer at the moment,” replied Alex, “but I might be able to on the next visit. Clint is currently on his way to the Imperial Palace to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the Federation. He will report what the mood is in Despair.”
    “He is a minor general in the Federation army,” frowned General Gregor. “Why would the emperor invite him?”
    “He was not specifically invited,” answered Alex. “In fact, he learned of it quite by accident. His troops are stationed in Olansk. A couple of days ago, General Marashef arrived from Tyronia on his way to Giza. He is taking a ship from Giza to Despair for the celebration. Clint decided to tag along as if he had received an invitation.”
    “Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” asked Zack Nolan, the spymaster for Alcea.
    “I don’t think so,” offered Jenneva. “The celebration is a way for Emperor Jaar to hide the embarrassment of the Dielderal. Every monarch and every general has been invited as well as many nobles from the countries of the Federation. It will be quite an event. I doubt anyone would blink an eye seeing General Forshire attend.”
    “Every general except Clint,” Governor Fernandez pointed out.
    “I suspect that General Forshire’s lack of an invitation was merely neglect,” replied Jenneva. “To most of the Federation the A Corps is merely an ornamental army, not a real one. There will be hundreds of people there. Clint will be fine.”
    “I think you are asking too much of Clint,” stated Zack Nolan. “He has done a remarkable job, but he cannot do it all alone. You have him leading a Federation army around the continent and trying to spy on the Imperial Palace at the same time. If you continue to have him try to do both, he will eventually fail at both.”
    “That is not a choice we actually made,” Alex replied defensively. “We were fortunate to get Clint inside the Imperial Palace. We will not have such luck again. We are stuck with what he can provide.”
    “I agree,” King Arik said with an air of finality. “What about the timing of the attack, Alex? Do you have any better idea than last time you