The Warrior's Tale Part 24

I laughed. 'Actually, my lady,' I said, 'he's attending to me. In this fleet the admiral takes my my orders.' orders.'

Xia glowed. 'Fancy that,' she said. 'A woman in command! We must speak again soon, Captain.'

She extended her hand. I bowed over it, brus.h.i.+ng her soft flesh with my lips. She s.h.i.+vered. I rose, troubled by the heat rising in mei and made a stiff farewell.

Cholla Yi was pacing my cabin. I'd had my bunkmates clear away their gear and ordered a table and chairs brought in along with a few refreshments. Besides his angry pacing, the first thing I noted was he was alone. Which meant he didn't want witnesses to our conversation.

He whirled to confront me. 'You've landed us into a mess of trouble, Captain Antero,' he snapped. 'And if we don't act fast we're all doomed for a flaying, or worse.'

I was rocked by his accusation. 'What have I done?'

'Saved those Konyan b.a.s.t.a.r.ds is what you've done.' he said. 'I'll be the first to admit it was a brave act, but it was also a d.a.m.ned foolish one.'

'Since when has rescuing people been foolish?' I asked. 'I thought it was one of the unwritten laws of the sea to come to the aid of your fellow mariner.'

'Your seas, maybe,' he said. 'Not mine. And especially not these waters.'

I had no immediate reply -I had an inkling of what was troubling him. Cholla Yi looked at me, then he let his anger whoosh out in a long breath and got himself under control. had an inkling of what was troubling him. Cholla Yi looked at me, then he let his anger whoosh out in a long breath and got himself under control.

'Look, Captain, we've been through a lot together. I still don't like you much - I'm honest enough to admit that. And I expect the feeling's mutual. But I've got a lot of respect for you now that I've seen you in action. However, we've got a big problem here, and me pointing fingers is no help and I'm sorry for that. We haven't had time to talk since that Sarzana business, and that's the root of our trouble.'

The germ of worry that I'd had since Corais had awakened me became a full-blown plague. As full understanding hit me, I sank into a chair and poured us both tumblers of strong wine. Cholla Yi nodded when he saw my look of realization and sat across from me. We both emptied the tumblers and refilled them.

'The way I see it,' Cholla Yi finally said, 'is everything The Sarzana told us was a lie. Not only that, the opposite of everything he said was the real truth. He was a right b.a.s.t.a.r.d, he was, and the Konyans hated him for it. They couldn't kill him - because of the curse. That That was truth. Any Konyan who kills the leader is doomed. So they did the next best thing, which was to stick him on an island. Then they gathered up every wizard and witch in the kingdom and cast a spell on that island so strong that he could never escape.' was truth. Any Konyan who kills the leader is doomed. So they did the next best thing, which was to stick him on an island. Then they gathered up every wizard and witch in the kingdom and cast a spell on that island so strong that he could never escape.'

'And then we came along,' I said, 'and freed him. But it wasn't our fault! With Gamelan out of action, how were we to know The Sarzana pulled the magical fleece over our eyes?'

'You think the old wizard would've picked up on it?' Cholla Yi asked.

'Of course he would,' I said. 'That may have been one mountain of a blissfulness spell The Sarzana smothered us with, but it would have been nothing to Lord Gamelan before he was hurt. As Captain Stryker commented before, I belatedly sensed it myself, but my talents are too new to stand up to an experienced wizard like The Sarzana. Regardless, that's past. We were fooled, but by powerful magic. There's no shame in that.'

'I don't give a p.i.s.shole about shame,' Cholla Yi said. 'Getting rich and dying old is all I care about. And right now, you can keep the coin, because I don't see much hope of growing a grey beard if word ofwhat happened leaks out to the wrong people.'

'Which brings us back to the Konyans we rescued,' I said.

'Which brings us back to the Konyans, Cholla Yi agreed. 'Before they came along, we were going to bluff it out. Slip into a port in a hurry, boast about how important we were in Orissa, then cozen some help out of them and get the blazes out before they learned we were the ones who set that devil loose. But the plan - weak as it was - is wrecked now that you rescued those people.

'You can't keep secrets in a fleet. We all live too close. The Konyans will find out and soon as we drop anchor at one of their ports, they'll let the rat out of the barrel. And then we're done for. Looking at it from their lights, we deserve the worst that can be handed out.'

'Maybe The Sarzana drowned,' I said, knowing it was a weak prayer. 'That was a pretty small boat he escaped in.'

Cholla Yi shook his head. 'He's too mean to drown,' he said. 'The fish would spit him back. No, my guess is that as we speak he's hauling into his home port and rousing the rabble to his cause.'

'We did did rescue a Konyan princess,' I said. 'That should count for something!' rescue a Konyan princess,' I said. 'That should count for something!'

'Okay, so they don't gouge out our eyes after they flay us,' Cholla Yi said. 'Which is about all that's that's going to produce.' going to produce.'

I lapsed into silence, drinking my wine as I pounded at mental doors for a way out 'There's only one course I can see,' Cholla Yi said.

'What's that?'

Cholla Yi shrugged. 'Toss them back. They drown, just like they would have in the storm. And we sail innocently into Isolde and make our plea. No one will be the wiser, as long as we keep the mouths of the crew shut tight.'

I shook my head. 'I won't do that,' I said.

Cholla Yi went from reasonableness to instant fury. 'By the G.o.ds, I'll drown them myself, if you don't have the stomach for it'

'I don't make war on civilians,' I said. 'These people have done nothing to harm us.'

'But they would have been dead anyway, if you hadn't interfered,' Cholla Yi shouted. His hand hovered over his sword. I came up, kicking the chair back and out of the way.

'But I did. And that's that. As long as I command here, they will not be touched.'

Cholla Yi looked as if he were about to draw his sword and have at it. I was more than ready to accommodate him. Then he fought for control again and won. I heard leather harness creak and shot a look over my shoulder to see Polillo's bulk filling the door. Just behind her was Corais. Our argument had been so hot and loud they'd come running to see if I needed help. I didn't. On the other hand, killing Cholla Yi was no solution. I'd only have a mutiny of his men for a reward.

'We shouldn't fight amongst ourselves,' Cholla Yi said. 'Perhaps there's another way. I'll return to my s.h.i.+p and think on it.'

'I'll rack my own brains,' I said.

'Shall we confer again tomorrow, Captain?' Cholla Yi said, cold and formal. 'If you please, Admiral,' I replied.

After he left, I looked at my two legates. 'How much did you hear?' I asked.

'Enough to know we're in for it,' Polillo said.

'Half die s.h.i.+p knows now, Captain,' Corais said. 'You two weren't exactly speaking in whispers.'

'There has to be some way out of this,' I said. 'Let's go and talk to Lord Gamelan.'

Some hours later, after attacking the problem from every angle we could think of, even the wizard admitted defeat.

There's a spell I know of that causes forgetfulness,' he said, 'but it's quite unreliable and dangerous as well. If it went wrong, it would be more merciful to simply kill them. Besides, I don't think it would be within your powers as yet, Captain Antero.'

'But you all agree with me that it would be wrong to harm these people?' I asked.

That would be a cowardly act, Captain,' Polillo growled. 'I'm more than willing to spill blood, as you all know. But I won't be a party to injuring innocents.'

'I had my fill of that kind of fighting on the streets of Lycanth,' Corais said, shuddering at the memory of the civilians who were hurled against us by the Archons.

I looked at Gamelan. As if sensing my gaze he shook his head. 'I have enough to account for on the other side when the Seeker comes for me,' he said. 'My vote is no.'

'The only path I can see,' I said, 'is to confess our error to the princess and pray to the G.o.ds that she'll not only forgive us, but champion us.'

No one could see any other course, so I sent for her. When she entered, the room lit with her presence. She wore a short, borrowed tunic that displayed her long legs, and hugged her narrow waist and high b.r.e.a.s.t.s. When she looked at me her eyes were full of admiration. I hated to kill that look. But I did.

They widened in shock when I told her about our encounter with The Sarzana, then they hardened into dark mirrors when I revealed what we had done.

'I wish you had never rescued us,' Xia said. 'I'd rather be dead than witness what is going to happen to my people with The Sarzana loosed.'

'At least they will have warning,' Gamelan said.

Xia made a bitter laugh. When she spoke, her words were much beyond her eighteen summers. 'You cannot realize the full extent of what you have done,' she said. 'The Sarzana is the most evil man in all our history. He enslaved us, he robbed us of all dignity. Whole seas of blood flowed from our islands while he reigned. It was a miracle, a once-in-a-lifetime blessing from the G.o.ds that we were able to rid ourselves of him.

'He will not be so easy to defeat again. In fact, it may not even be possible. He is a wizard of tremendous powers and is certain to have been planning when he was in exile all those years. And only awaiting the day when he would be freed by fools such as you.'

She looked at me, angry tears coursing down her cheeks. 'When I told you my father would be grateful to you for rescuing me, his only child, I did not explain that I was his only surviving surviving child. I once had four older brothers. They were slaughtered by The Sarzana during his purges.' child. I once had four older brothers. They were slaughtered by The Sarzana during his purges.'

Xia wiped her eyes, and composed herself. Her features became cold, distant. 'My family, you see, is cursed with royal blood. Through my mother, who died when I was a child, we spring from an ancient line of Konyan monarchs. The Sarzana slew all the male children of every family with royal ancestors.'

Her head fell and she wept again. There was nothing I could say. Sorry seemed such a mewling word. The weeping stopped and the princess raised her head. I saw puzzlement in her eyes.

'Why did you tell me?' she asked. 'Now that I know... it isn't safe for you.'

I told her about Cholla Yi, studying her closely as I did. I saw no fear, even when I explained that although I commanded the fleet, Cholla Yi and his pirates held the upper hand in numbers.

'Are your women better warriors?' she asked.

I said they were, but it would be a mistake to underestimate the admiral's men. They were good fighters, fearless fighters, with much experience in slaughter.

'And you still refused him?' she asked.

'Yes.'

'Why?' she pressed.

I answered, but with difficulty. 'I am a soldier. But above that, I command the Maranon Guard. We are sworn to protect hearth and home. It has been thus for hundreds of years. All of us here would rather suffer the most humiliating of deaths than defile that tradition.'

The princess thought a moment, and once again I marvelled that one so young could display such depths. Then she said: 'I will help you... if I can. There is a small, lightly populated place near Isolde, which is my home and the chief island in die Konyas. Drop me and my kinsmen there secretly at night and then wait. I will talk to my father and explain you were as much of a victim of The Sarzana as we have been.'

'Do you think he'll listen?'

Xia shrugged. 'I don't know. And even if he does, he is only one of nine Lords who make up the Council of Purity that rules us.'

She made a face when she named the council, as if she found the group distasteful. 'I don't know what they'll say. If they agree, I'll send word to you. If they don't, then you must flee. Sail as far and as fast as you can. And although you have harmed me and my people most dreadfully, the G.o.ds forgive, I pray that you will someday find yourselves safe and at home again.'

It was a generous offer and we accepted.

'What will the admiral say?' the princess asked.

'I don't know,' I said. 'But I'll do my best to persuade him.'

'And if he refuses?'

I looked at my companions. They nodded, firm. 'Then we fight,' I answered.

The next day came too soon. I slept little, but arose early to prepare. I pa.s.sed the word to my troops to be ready for the worst, but to be quiet about their preparations.

Gamelan and I took a morning stroll. The atmosphere among the crew was so chilly and the looks so hateful that even the blind wizard could sense the trouble brewing. Captain Stryker stayed well clear of us, and I could tell he had communicated with Cholla Yi, because rather than urging the crew to work with a will, he pa.s.sed among them, pausing to speak low and casting quick glances in my direction. Gamelan kept a smile on his face as if nothing were amiss, but all the while he whispered instructions to me, filling my head with an a.r.s.enal of small, defensive spells.

Two hours before the sun reached its highest point, Cholla Yi sent word that he was coming. I waited on the deck, and saw several boats leave the admiral's s.h.i.+p. They were all bristling with armed men. Cholla Yi did not make the mistake of trying to board with all of them. Ordering the others to stand off, his boat skimmed up to us and he swarmed aboard, followed by several of his key officers.

He strode towards me along an isle created by crewmen on one side, and my troops on the other. He stopped within sword range, his hair freshly greased and bristling.

'Well, Captain Antero,' he said, 'have you considered my words of yesterday?'

That I have, Admiral,' I said. 'And I've spoken to Princess Xia as well and she has pledged to a.s.sist us.'

Cholla Yi goggled at me, then threw back his head and laughed. 'You take the word of a girl? You're an even greater fool than I thought.'

Some of the crew barked harsh laughter. In return, my women cursed them under their breath.

I smiled at Cholla Yi, and raised an eyebrow at his crew's behaviour, as if to say, at least I do not command rabble.

'Perhaps lama lama fool,' I said. 'But I'm not so foolish that I'll stop my ears to whatever it is you have to say. When you departed yesterday, you pledged to think of some alternative.' fool,' I said. 'But I'm not so foolish that I'll stop my ears to whatever it is you have to say. When you departed yesterday, you pledged to think of some alternative.'

'And I have done so,' Cholla Yi said.

'You have a plan that will spare the lives of the Konyans?' I asked.

'Indeed I do,' he said. 'I propose we find an island. Something out of the way, so no one will ever find them. We'll maroon them there, with all the food and water we can spare and then sail to Kbnya as if nothing had happened. Then we proceed with our plan to seek help, and once that is granted, we sail for home.' He rolled back on the bails of his feet. 'What do you think of that, Captain?'

I shook my head. 'It would be kinder to kill them than to abandon them to starvation, or worse,' I said. 'I'm sorry, Admiral, but that's not a satisfactory solution.'

Cholla Yi's face purpled with anger. His hand dropped to his sword.

'You would rather fight me, then?' he shouted. His men growled like dogs ready to be loosed.

'I'd rather settle this peaceably,' I said. 'But, failing that, I'll fight.'

'All I have to do is give the signal,' Cholla Yi said, 'and the whole fleet will be on you.'

Blood sang in my ears. I laughed at him. 'Not the whole fleet, my friend. My troops are with me. And some of your own men as well, I'll wager. But, if it's steel you have a taste for, have at it.'

Our swords flashed out, and all over the s.h.i.+p I heard fighting metal rasp its greeting to the day.

But the lookout barked alarm and we all froze as his warning was echoed from every mast in our fleet. We turned to see a mighty wars.h.i.+p bearing down on us. Its decks were black with soldiers and in the heights of its forest of masts and sails were scores of archers, bows bent and ready to fire. There were more cries from our lookouts and we swivelled to find yet another huge s.h.i.+p, then another and another until we were entirely surrounded.

I shouted orders to my troops and they turned to face the new enemy. Cholla Yi thundered commands to his men and they did the same.

He stepped up beside me, a grin twisting his lips. 'Funny how quickly the game changes,' he said, 'when you're playing dice with death.'

Princess Xia sprinted out of her cabin. 'They're Konyan s.h.i.+ps,' she cried. 'My people!'

Cholla Yi made way as she came up to us, his pirate's wit quickly sniffing out a small hope of survival.

'Let me speak to them,' she said. 'I'll tell them you rescued us. I won't say a word about The Sarzana. I'll feel like a traitor, but as my father says, sometimes honour requires a lie.'

I looked at Cholla Yi. 'We don't seem to have any other choice,' he said. 'At least not one that involves a chance at living.'