XXIII
Boulden nowadays.The next day, when Deirane left the consulate, a whole troop was waiting for her. In addition to about thirty soldiers, regardless of species or gender, there was Hester, a few grooms who were to stay behind with the horses once the expedition entered the jungle, and an unknown Edorian who looked out of place and whom she thought was the sensitive. In all, a little less than forty people. The Helariaseny were examining their horses, not caring about the new arrival. Saalyn was nowhere to be seen. She was probably with the Pentarch going over their action plan one last time.
It was Hester who first saw his mother and came to join her.
“Hello," he said, kissing her on the cheek.
She made him a light caress, parting a lock of hair that had hidden her forehead.”
“Is
