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Stories from the Verse
Versers Versus Versers
Chapter 65: Hastings 182
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Chapter 64: Beam 53
When Lauren reached Bob that evening, he was apparently waiting for her. Good, he sent. Pack everything, including Joe and Zeke, and get back here quickly.
What’s happening? she asked.
I’ve scheduled a meeting with those other versers, about four days from now, noon, out at the bandit camp we destroyed in the wadi. I’d like us to be there about two days early, to reduce the possibility that they would get there and ambush us, but I’m not really expecting trouble.
Makes sense, she responded. Anything else?
Nothing I can think of, he sent. I presume everything is still quiet there?
Yes, there’s nothing to report.
Good. Rathi tells us that the visitor Sch’hery had did talk about the possibility of her marrying the eastern Amir, but she’s not interested in him, at least at this point. Well, call me if you need me, otherwise I’ll see you as soon as you can get here.
Right. Might be tonight, if I can do this quickly enough, although I don’t want to startle the guard by materializing in the courtyard.
Understood. I’ll try to remember to tell them you’re coming. Later.
With that, he was gone. Lauren rose from her seat and shook herself. This was an unexpected development--they were going to try to meet with the other versers, the ones who had killed Derek. Was it a mistake? Did the other group have reason to fear versers, some verser villain having attacked them in the past? What was Bob thinking?
Well, she’d find out when she got there, and that was soon enough.
She turned her mind to Joe. Pack your things. Slade wants us to rendezvous at the Caliph’s palace as soon as possible; he’s scheduled a meeting in a few days with these other versers, and wants us there in advance.
Sounds--interesting.
Tell Zeke. How long do you need?
Probably half an hour. One of us should tell the Amir we’re leaving, and I think that’s me.
Sounds right. I’ll pack. Call when you’re ready.
So, something was happening. She wasn’t sure what, but at least they would find out something concrete about these other versers. That was good, probably.
There is a behind-the-writings look at the thoughts, influences, and ideas of this chapter, along with ten other sequential chapters of this novel, in mark Joseph "young" web log entry #339: Verser Tensions. Given a moment, this link should take you directly to the section relevant to this chapter. It may contain spoilers of upcoming chapters.
As to the old stories that have long been here:
