Shadow Magic, page 30
He only smiled and beckoned her forward. If she wanted to end this fight any time soon, it appeared she’d have to take the initiative.
She feinted left then lunged at his right leg.
He shuffled aside then countered with a slash that would have taken her head if she hadn’t rolled under it.
She sprang to her feet, sword at high guard.
The pirate came at her again.
He wielded his cutlass with a speed she didn’t think possible for such a heavy weapon.
He was good.
The force of his blows drove her toward the center of the ship.
Blade parried the incessant attacks, unable to get a blow of her own in.
She had to think of something soon or his superior strength would eventually break her guard.
As they approached the main mast she got an idea. Blade continued to block and move away. The pirate captain had fallen into a rhythm, four slashes followed by a thrust to her head. He’d followed the same pattern twice now.
Blade parried the thrust then began to count. When the fourth slash came in she batted it aside and felt behind her with her left hand. The main mast was only inches away.
Perfect.
The thrust came.
She dropped straight down into a split. The cutlass parted her hair and stuck in the mast.
Before he could react, Blade thrust her sword up under his ribcage and into his heart.
A disbelieving look came across his face as he fell to the deck, dead.
“Anybody that wants to live had best drop their weapons,” Robert bellowed. Blade looked up toward the rear castle and saw Robert and five sailors with leveled crossbows.
“You don’t have enough shots to take us all,” one of the slavers said.
Robert pointed his crossbow at the man’s chest. “You’re right, but I guarantee you’ll be one of the dead ones unless you convince your pals to surrender. Anybody else want to take a chance?”
“How do we know you won’t just kill us once we surrender?” another slaver asked.
The captain appeared beside Robert. “You have my word, anyone who surrenders will be spared. I imagine that’s a better offer than you planned to make us.”
The slavers looked at each other and slowly lowered their clubs to the deck.
“A wise decision,” the captain said. “You men watch those prisoners.”
Blade made her way to the rear castle to talk to Bobby and the captain. Her arms ached from the heavy blows of the pirate captain’s cutlass. It was with great pleasure that she sheathed her sword. As she staggered up the steps Bobby was waiting for her.
“You all right?” he asked.
She smiled at the concern in his voice. “Fine, just tired.”
“Young lady, that was the most impressive display of swordsmanship I’ve ever seen,” Captain Haram said. “We owe you our lives. If my crew or I can do anything for you, just ask.”
“Thanks.” Robert and Blade exchanged glances. “I may take you up on that offer later.”
“We’ve got things under control up here,” Bobby said. “Why don’t you go below and rest. The kid will be wondering what’s happened.”
Blade worked her head from side to side. There were several audible snaps. “I think that might be a good idea. Join me as soon as you can.”
Blade heard several of the nearby sailors chuckle. Robert nodded and she left them to their work. When she reached their cabin she knocked twice. “Open up, kid, it’s me.”
After a moment’s pause the door opened. “Is it over?” Shara asked.
Blade brushed past her and dropped into one of the hammocks. “Yeah, it’s over.”
“How’d we do?”
Blade managed a weak grin. “Better than they did. I don’t think anyone was killed. A few broken bones and plenty of bruises, but that’s about it.” Blade draped an arm over her eyes. “Bobby will know more when they finish up topside.”
Chapter 60
Robert and Captain Haram descended from the rear castle to interrogate the prisoners. A group of ten sailors formed a very nervous ring of steel around the slavers.
“Who’s ranking officer here?” the captain asked.
A scarred sailor stepped hesitantly forward. “I’m second mate, sir.”
“All right, sailor, do you have any slaves belowdecks?”
“No, sir, we were fresh out of port when we spotted you. Captain, what are you going to do with us?”
“Good question.” The captain gestured for Robert to step away with him. “What do you think? I don’t have room to transport a bunch of prisoners and I can’t just let them go.”
Robert thought for a moment then said, “Here’s what I think. Let me take some men over to their ship and check for slaves. When we’ve cleared the ship we’ll lower their longboat and load it with food and water. Then we’ll scuttle the ship and they can take their chances in the longboat. Given our space limitations, I think that’s the best we can do. The only other option is to put them to the sword and I have little taste for that.”
“Aye, I’m with you there. I gave my word that they wouldn’t be harmed and I’m loath to break it even to dogs like these. Take what men you need and search the ship. We’ll watch this lot.”
“As you wish, Captain,” Robert said.
Robert got six volunteers and crossed over to the Bound Hope. On deck they found a handful of dead and dying men with crossbow bolts sticking out of them. They were dumped overboard without ceremony. Sharks had to eat after all.
He chose two men at random and pointed at the cabin in the rear of the ship. “You two check in there, the rest of us will head below deck.”
The sailors nodded and walked cautiously over toward the cabin, weapons at the ready.
Robert and the rest of his party found a set of steps that led down into the hold. Below, two-thirds of the hold was divided up into cells, all empty just as the slavers had said. The smell that filled the closed space was an obscene combination of sweat and excrement. Not exactly first class accommodations.
One of the sailors was muttering under his breath, probably praying.
“Come on, guys. Let’s finish up and get the hell out of here.” The sailors seemed eager to comply.
At the rear of the holding area was a heavy wooden door. Robert picked the largest sailor in the bunch and pointed at the door. The man put a boot into the middle of the door.
It cracked but didn’t fall.
A second blow sent it into the room with a crash. Light from a pair of crystals embedded in the deck above illuminated the cargo area. Boxes of preserved food and barrels of fresh water filled the room. The only items of note were three axes and a score of spare grappling hooks.
“Grab those axes, and some food and water,” Robert said.
The sailors quickly divided up the items and they retraced their steps up to the deck. The other sailors were waiting for them.
“Find anything?” Robert asked.
“Just this.” One of the sailors opened a coffer filled to the rim with gold coins.
Robert grinned. “We’ll keep that for our trouble. Three of you guys load those supplies in the longboat then lower it and secure it to the Fox. The rest of you take those axes below and scuttle this heap.”
The longboat was lowered and secured in short order. The remaining sailors came up on deck after a couple minutes, their clothes soaked below the waist. The Bound Hope started to list.
“Everyone back to the Fox.” Robert waved them across the planks that still joined the two ships.
Captain Haram was waiting. “It’s done,” Robert said.
The captain nodded and a pair of sailors with crowbars ripped the planks free of the deck. “All right, let them go. If I see you swabs again there’ll be no mercy, understand?”
The slavers ignored the question and climbed a rope to the longboat. When everyone was aboard the rope tethering it to the Fox was cut. They immediately turned the longboat north away from the Desert Fox.
Robert and Captain Haram watched the Bound Hope sink slowly beneath the waves. Robert doubted he’d ever know for sure if Argus set him up or if it was just bad luck.
Not that it mattered. They’d made it through the danger in one piece and that was enough.
Chapter 61
Vilos stood in a guard tower overlooking the site of the explosion. His decidedly modest army was busy digging through the rubble. For the last week they had done little but pull out bodies and the rare survivor. It was hard work and Vilos was only taking a break. In another hour or so he’d rejoin his men in the effort. He rolled his shoulders, trying to work the kinks out. The many aches and pains reminded him that he wasn’t getting any younger.
He sighed. No one expected him to do any real work, but it helped ease the guilt he felt. Though others might argue, he knew this mess was his fault. If he’d just told that damn sorcerer to go to hell all those years ago, none of this would have happened.
“You’re thinking dark thoughts.” Abin appeared in the doorway at the top of the tower.
“It’s rude to read your lord’s mind,” Vilos said.
Abin smiled. “It takes no magic to read your mind, Majesty. One look at your face reveals all. Why don’t you rest and let the others finish the cleanup?”
“Every day you ask me that and every day I tell you the same thing, I need to do it.”
“No one blames you for this,” Abin said.
“Can’t you understand? I blame myself. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I know the truth. This is my fault.”
“Suppose you’re right. What would have happened if you hadn’t accepted this sorcerer’s help? How many more people would have died during the Crown War? Would you have blamed yourself for their deaths because you didn’t take help that was offered? What’s done is done. We must look to the future.”
“Right you are, my friend. Why don’t you tell me what my disagreeable brother is up to?”
“At the moment he’s up to very little. According to our people in the city, his men have been fleeing in small groups for the last few days. Our men have grabbed them and incarcerated them in a warehouse in the outer ward.”
Vilos grinned. “Nord must be fit to be tied.”
“I couldn’t say. Nord’s wizard must have noticed my spying and cast a shielding spell. I can’t find a trace of them.”
Vilos waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter. How long before we have the worst of the rubble searched for survivors?”
“We haven’t found any survivors in the last two days,” Abin said. “I doubt we’ll find any more now. The rest of the cleanup could take months.”
“Months we don’t have. Tomorrow we’ll switch the men to working on the wall. We’ll fix up their defenses the best we can then go settle with my brother.”
“A wise decision, Majesty. When should we plan on leaving?”
Vilos thought for a moment. “Ten days at most. That’ll give us a week to patch the wall and three days to rest. The men will be no good if they arrive exhausted.”
Agreed,” Abin said. “I’ll contact our people in the city and let them know your plan.”
Vilos nodded and turned back to the window. Ten more days and he’d be face to face with Nord again. He sighed and remembered the last time they’d faced each other.
Father had just died and Nord and Vilos were escorting the last of the nobles out of the palace. When they had gone Vilos said, “I hope I can count on your support when the time of selection comes.”
Nord laughed. “You can’t be serious. Why would I support you?”
Vilos had been puzzled at his brother’s words. “It was Father’s wish that I succeed him. Is that not enough?”
Nord managed to suppress any further laughter with great effort. “If he had made a public announcement, maybe, but as it is only we three know what he wanted. No, brother, the throne belongs to whoever is strong enough to take it. I trust you noticed Kent talking with the wealthy merchants that came to the funeral. He’s already making alliances.”
“There’ll be war,” Vilos had said softly.
“Yes.” Nord had a vicious gleam in his eye. “For the first time in generations the strongest will rule, not the one with the good fortune to be born first. It will be glorious.”
“It’s insane. Thousands will be killed. The High Kingdom could tear itself apart.”
“This sort of thing happens all the time in nature. The strong kill the weak. That’s the way the world works.”
Vilos stared at his brother. He spoke calmly enough for a madman. “We’re not animals, Nord. We don’t have to settle things with claws and teeth.”
“You’re wrong. We’re no different than the lions that stalk the oases. Ignore that truth at your peril.” Nord had stomped off into the palace and Vilos hadn’t spoken to him again.
Vilos shook away the unpleasant memory. It seemed very little had changed for Nord since that day twenty-one years ago. It was a pity. Kent had managed to change over the years, but then he always was the smartest of the three of them. No one would ever debate that.
Nord it seemed never would change. When they faced each other next Vilos feared he might have to kill his brother.
Chapter 62
Robert, Blade and Captain Haram stood in the prow of the Desert Fox and watched a pod of dolphins swimming in front of the ship. They almost seemed to make a game of seeing which one could get the closest to the keel without getting hit. They leapt and played on the spray like kids on a beach. Robert smiled and wished Shara could risk a trip up on deck to see it.
Turning away from the show Captain Haram said, “We’ll reach port tomorrow. I’d like to thank you again for your help.”
“It was our pleasure,” Robert said for what seemed the twentieth time in the last three-plus weeks.
After the slavers had sailed their little boat away, the crew had found and repaired the minor damage done by the ballista bolt. They had gotten lucky that it hit above the water line. Six men had been injured in the battle, only one seriously enough that he couldn’t work.
“Perhaps you could do us a favor in return.”
“Of course, my friends, anything in my power.”
“We’d like to borrow one of your longboats and land a few miles away from the city. There may be some unpleasantness if we show up there. You understand?”
“Of course, I know a place sometimes used by smugglers.” The captain cleared his throat. “Just tavern talk mind you.”
Robert smiled knowingly. “No doubt. Your men will take us there?”
Captain Haram nodded. “There may be trouble. The smugglers don’t trust newcomers.”
Blade cracked her knuckles. “Don’t worry about the smugglers.”
Captain Haram swallowed nervously.
Robert smiled. His sweetheart certainly had a way with words. “Let us know when we’re to disembark. We’ll be below packing our things.”
When they had moved out of earshot Blade asked, “What things? Everything we own is in two packs.”
Robert waved his hand. “That was just an excuse. We need to fix up a disguise for Shara. I don’t want anyone to get too good a look at her. No one paid much attention when we boarded, but a second look might jog their memories. When we reach the High Kingdom, we’ll need a disguise even more. I imagine everyone there is looking for her.”
“Good point. What did you have in mind for a disguise?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t got much to work with. A cloak with a deep cowl will probably be the best we can do. I’ll try and find something better in the city.”
They reached the bottom of the steps and turned down the little hall. “What do you plan to do for money?” Blade asked.
Robert grinned and reached inside his tunic to the hidden pocket and pulled out three gold coins. “They have friends.”
“Where’d you get those?”
Robert knocked on the cabin door. “We found a coffer of them over on the slavers’ ship. I took a handful for our trouble. The sailors didn’t mind when I mentioned some of it was for you.”
Shara opened the door for them and they stepped inside.
“Hey, kid. In a few hours you should be on your home soil, or sand as the case may be.”
Shara closed her eyes and sighed. “At last.”
“I thought you’d be pleased. Now we need to fix you up a disguise.” Robert looked around the cabin and his eyes finally settled on the thin green blanket on the floor next to the bench. It wasn’t much but at the moment they had little choice.
He picked up the blanket and gave it a shake. No mouse droppings went flying which he took as a good sign. Robert glanced at Blade. “Can you sew?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Didn’t think so,” Robert said staring at the blanket. “Well I used to patch sails, so I guess the job’s mine.”
“Excuse me,” Shara said staring at him. “If you need something sewn, I know how. That was one of the things a proper lady must be able to do. Father insisted I learn even though my aunt swore Mother couldn’t sew a stitch.”
“Thank heaven for a classical education.” Robert went over to his pack and retrieved an oilskin pouch. He tossed it to Shara. “You should find everything you need in there.”
Blade gave him a funny look as Shara pulled out a needle and thread. “You carry a sewing kit with you?”
Robert shrugged. “How did you think the tent got fixed every time we found a new leak?”
Blade smiled and began putting her things in order.
It took about two hours before someone knocked on their door. “The captain is ready for you.”
Shara draped her crudely made cloak over her shoulders and brought the deep cowl up over her head. “Ready.”
“Okay, remember to keep your head down and don’t talk.”
“Don’t worry,” Shara said. “I won’t do anything stupid.”
“I know,” Robert said giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “But it makes me feel better if I remind you.”
