Read Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights for Free Online

deep enough that its claws clicked against the deck with each step. It stared at him silently like cats do so well. The cat resembled Limam in some ways, but this creature made Limam, a vicious predator when necessary, look like a family pet. Much larger than Limam, it had tufted ears and tail and four hands instead of paws. Yellow eyes glared at Galborae from above a muzzle much longer than Limam’s, the hairless skin on its face colored red and black and orange. This creature literally reeked of savagery.
    “I greet you as one warrior to another,” the cat said. “Welcome to our home. I am called Borg.”
    When the cat spoke, Galborae’s mouth opened in amazement. He had trouble finding his voice and looked to Washburn for guidance.
    “He and his brothers are known as Great Cats,” Washburn explained. “They are possibly the most lethal warriors ever, but their purpose is not to wage war, it is to protect. They have killed a number of demons on your world.”
    Galborae suddenly found his voice. “You fight demons? You are lethal, indeed. Are there more of you?”
    “There are, but not nearby and not in the numbers you need. The demons are our ancient enemies. You, too, killed a demon, something we will not forget. I’m sorry this has happened to you and your people.”
    Galborae bowed in response, but it was only a slight bow. He was not willing to place himself in an indefensible position before this ferocious-looking creature yet despite knowing it had come to his rescue. “I would ask that you kill more of them.”
    “We will, but not today or tomorrow. Already, we have traveled far from your home. When you return, it will be with a great army.”
    Galborae acknowledged the cat’s words, but his eyes kept straying to the dragon, a creature of myth among his people.
    Borg noticed. When he held out a hand to introduce the dragon, Galborae looked closer at the hand. Similar to his own, just larger and clawed, it was truly a hand with an opposing thumb, and the cat had four of them. Real hands tipped the scales, making the cat a more formidable opponent than he had first thought. Here was a warrior who could not only be savage but could use weapons. He sucked in a breath. “You truly are not a beast,” he said.
    Borg’s lips lifted in a smile, causing Galborae to take an unconscious step backward. “But I can be when I choose,” he said. “Come, meet my captain.”
    He led Galborae closer to the group, but Galborae stopped short when the dragon’s head swung down to his own level, purple eyes that matched his scales focused fully on him. Galborae had eyes mostly for its snout lined with formidable teeth and tipped with enormous nostrils.
    “Sir Galborae, let me introduce Stven, captain of this great ship,” Borg growled. “He comes from one of the most ancient and revered people in our Empire and is probably smarter than all of us.”
    The dragon stepped forward, forcing Galborae to make a decision. He chose to hold his ground.
    “Welcome aboard, Sir Galborae,” Stven said. “I regret the presence of demons on your world. You have a hard fight ahead of you, and after that it gets even more difficult.”
    Galborae’s brow furrowed. “How so?” he asked.
    “Your people do not even comprehend the fullness of their own world, and now they have to deal with us, strangers from the stars. Our presence will change them just as it is changing you.”
    “Just kill the demons. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
    Stven nodded, his whole neck rippling as lights reflected off his scales. “We will kill the demons. As important, we will teach you and your people how to kill them.” He swung his head toward the giant insect. “May I introduce M’Sada, our pilot? He, too, is a great warrior. In fact, it was he who taught us how to kill the demons.”
    The insect rose to it’s full height, which was not very high, his multifaceted eyes reflecting the light and his upper hands busily preening his whiskers.