Read Torian Reclamation 2: Flash Move for Free Online Page B

here. This is where the Central Region Militia would stop trying to enforce their jurisdiction, but we haven’t come that far from the Midlands yet, either. If ever the C3 Amulites were to fight a battle among themselves, this side of this valley, right out here, figures to be the ideal location, with the different militia groups all coming to a head along this small ridge where the woods stop.”
    Alan nodded as he continued to look about.
    Three of the red-cloaked Sheen appeared from among the huts. They took slow, deliberate steps towards the bench where Jumper and Alan were sitting. The one in the middle was shorter than the others. He was, in fact, the shortest Sheen Jumper had ever seen; not much taller than Jumper. His cloak was a brighter shade of red, too—but the glow from his skin was noticeably dimmer than that of his two companions. You could see his half-human looking facial features well, which had just enough of a skin-glow to conceal its leathery nature.
    The two on either side of him stopped before the fire pit, but the short Sheen continued approaching until he stood before Jumper and Alan. His face showed no emotion. Jumper and Alan stood up in response.
    “Tulros,” the Sheen said. “I am the leader of the Belle Sheen order, the one they refer to as the Belle-ub. You may call me Belle-ub when speaking to me, although this is a great privilege, as my followers address me as Prophet . I understand you come from the cities, and have lost your way?”
    “Tulros,” Jumper responded, bowing slightly.
    “We haven’t lost our way,” Alan blurted without bowing. “We were picked up and brought here from the Sinlo foothills after our cruiser was stolen, and accused of aiding an escaped worker, when we knew nothing about the work contracts here.”
    Belle-ub glared at Alan with obvious disdain. He then turned back to Jumper and spoke.
    “You climbed the mountains?”
    “Yes, we did,” Jumper replied.
    “How high?”
    “Higher than we wanted.”
    “You came into contact with the natives who have removed themselves to the heights?”
    “Yes, in fact.”
    “They forced you to play?”
    Jumper cocked his head. “Yes.”
    “You told them you are a local champion?”
    Jumper rolled his eyes. “Yes, unfortunately.”
    Alan attempted to speak. “How did you know that—”
    “How did you escape?” Belle-ub continued, acting as if Alan were not there.
    Jumper looked down at his float suit, then over to Alan’s, then back at Belle-ub.
    “You flew down the mountainside?” Belle-ub asked before he could respond.
    Jumper cocked his head all the sideways this time. Maybe prophets were real after all.
    “You were fortunate to have the means of escape with you,” Belle-ub said. “The mountain dwellers are fools, but we hear they are formidable opponents. How would you assess their skill?”
    Jumper straightened up. “If what you mean is their polwar skill, it’s as good as any of the natives I’ve played, and any of my people, too, I suppose. They take it very seriously up there.”
    “Yes, they do.” Belle-ub looked up in the direction of the mountains. “We are seeking a way to draw them down here for the tournament. You know how to find them, it seems. Would you be averse to visiting them again—with a proper armed escort this time—as our messenger?”
    “What tournament?” Alan interjected.
    Belle-ub continued ignoring Alan and did not respond.
    “I’m afraid we didn’t leave on good terms,” Jumper said.
    Belle-ub frowned.
    Jumper opened his mouth to offer a further explanation, but his attention was drawn by objects in the sky beyond him. Belle-ub noticed and turned around.
    Suddenly the air above the central valley was filled with spaceships. They were of at least two different types. Some of them were still high up and appeared as nothing more than specks. Others were coming lower, as if intending to land.
    One of the ships higher in the sky exploded, sending flashes and