Patreon or PayPal Me keeps this site and its author alive. Thank you. |
Stories from the Verse
A Dozen Verses
Chapter 147: Kondor 307
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Cooper 120
Kondor sat uncomfortably astride a white Arabian horse in anticipation of the start of the race. He had brought everything with him, and instructed the others to do the same. His explanation to Amanda for this was that they might have to leave in enough of a rush that they wouldn’t have time to return to the hotel before departing–not a lie, but certain to be misunderstood. His was nearby, along with his motorcycle and his weapons, which he had had shipped from London. Zeke’s was also there. Amanda simply had a large travel bag with her, which was on Zeke’s bike.
“Why do you look so uneasy?” Amanda asked, but Kondor wasn’t certain what to say. Zeke answered.
“We were on horseback when Leah was killed.”
“Horseback? What were you doing on horseback, if you were leading troops into war?”
“It’s a complicated story,” he said. “Remind me to tell you about it when we’re on the other side of all this.”
They sat silently for a few more minutes before race officials began lining everyone up. The king’s team was headed by one of his sons, a prince whom they were directed to address as Your Highness. Their team was wearing white with gold bands; nearly all the outfits were white, but the colors and patterns of the decorations distinguished them.
The plan at this point was to start with the others and fall back as inexperienced riders, then move to their bikes. These they could find by the scriff–not in the bikes themselves, yet, but in the other equipment stowed with them.
The race started, and Kondor made a point of appearing to get a delayed start. Then Zeke managed to dance his horse in a bit of a circle, as if it weren’t cooperating, and Kondor and Amanda slowed as if waiting for him. Then he shot off in what would appear a random direction but was actually aimed directly for their hidden motorcycles. The other two followed as if surprised and trying to catch up, and Kondor glanced several times at the receding racers crossing the sand.
In a few minutes they reached the sand-colored canvases which hid their bikes. They stripped themselves of the white garments, which they put on the backs of the horses. They were now clad in their desert camos. Amanda was attractively clad in tan khaki pants and a similar button-up shirt with short sleeves, and as they got on their bikes she rode behind Kondor. The next task was to locate the sheik’s camp out here in the desert.
As to the old stories that have long been here:
