The Uprising (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 2) by Edward Lake Page B

meeting them.” Mother gave me a sly look. “Why haven’t you ever told me?”
    I shrugged slightly. “Forgive me, My Ruler. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed, and I often forget to mention these sorts of things.” Honestly, I hadn’t wanted Mother around them. She was a cruel monster.
    Shortly after, Isabella came downstairs and joined us at the table. She was wearing a beautiful green dress that matched her eyes. “I apologize if I’ve kept you waiting. I was washing up and changing into something more appropriate.”
    Mother smiled. “Not at all, Sweetheart. You look stunning.”
    Isabella gave her a bow. “Thank you, My Ruler.”
    The servant brought our food into the room and began to fill our plates. I glanced at Mother and saw her watching Isabella and her parents. Then it finally hit me. She had come here to test them and me.
    I became deeply troubled as we carried on. Isabella and her parents were putting on an act to please Mother. Even though it was necessary; I hated seeing it in this setting. Their home had become my sanctuary, a place where I could be myself. Now Mother had taken that from me, too.
    Zydrunas and Susan had been doing most of the talking, so Isabella eagerly tried to change the conversation, and I was thrilled with what she came up with. “Tell us about your upbringing, Great Emily. I’ve always been curious to know the history of our Ruler.”
    I grinned because I knew she was trying to expose her. Very nice, My Love. I straightened my face and stared at Mother.
    She glanced at me with cunning eyes, then she looked at Isabella. “Well, I was quite reserved as a youngster. You know, always doing what I was told.”
    Isabella nodded. “I would expect such from a Ruler with great wisdom.”
    Mother flashed a charmed smile.
    Then, much to my delight, Susan caught on and hit her with another probing question. “And what about your family, Your Greatness?”
    Mother and Susan locked eyes, and their faces became stern. Naturally, Susan knew she was from the previous civilization, but I knew Mother wouldn’t speak about her past. True to form, she appeared to be rather upset with the question.
    Still, she gave a vague answer like before. “My family was terrific.” Finally, after dinner, Mother said goodbye and left.
    I stayed behind with Isabella and her parents to digest the situation. We waited a moment and listened to her ship take off.
    Susan gasped. “That was appalling. I don’t understand how anyone could be so devious.” 
    I let out a sad groan. “Trust me; I’ve seen her behave worse.” We paused for a moment and shared an unnerving silence. “She knows we’re up to something.” I looked on and heard a few sighs and grumbles around the table.
    A moment later, Susan started things up again. “What should we do?”
    Zydrunas gave her a bold stare. “We must reach out to the community and look for support.” 
    Isabella’s eyes became petrified. She fretfully reached down and touched her stomach. “Perhaps we should wait until the baby is born.” 
    Susan shook her head. “No. We have to act now.  Emily could know more than we think.”
    I sternly nodded. “I agree. Our chance at a rebellion could be slipping away.”
    The next night, before taking another trip to the North, I used my sija to create a hologram of myself sleeping in bed. Since my first expedition to the snowy region, I’d had a feeling that someone was spying on me, and I needed to cover myself whenever I left to visit the humans.
    When I arrived and landed, I headed into the cave and found Robert and the others practicing with the human-sized sija s I had brought them.
    Bill saw me and came over. “Hey, Juozas. How are you?”
    I reached out and shook his hand. “I’m doing well, My Friend.” We turned and watched the others. “How has the training been?”
    Bill flashed a toothless smile. “We’re ready to kick some ass.”
    I laughed and glanced at him. “You use such interesting