by William King
“Nothing wrong with making a profit,” Zamara said. “I hope to make one myself on my voyage back to Siderea.”
“I am sure we can all drink to that,” said Waters. He raised his glass in a toast. Kormak drank his wine considerably watered; he did not like having his senses dulled. He let some sit on the tip of his tongue while he tried to taste any poison that might be in it. It was not that he feared being poisoned at Zamara’s table; it was simply habit.
Hugo entered with the food. The smell of roasted chicken and boiled vegetables filled the room. Zamara proceeded to carve off the meat while Hugo distributed the plates for the vegetables. “Have you ever been to the Far Colonies before, Captain?” Waters asked Rhiana.
“I have sailed through the Viridian islands and made port in Maial a few times,” she said.
“It is a lovely place if you can stand the weather. So hot and so humid. Built on the ruins of an ancient Lunar city. The ruins of a Temple Ziggurat still loom over the town. I don’t know how much longer it will last. The locals use it as a quarry.”
“I heard they go there during the Masque of Death, to mock Xothak, the Lord of Skulls, the devil god whose home it once was,” said Zamara. “To show that the followers of the Holy Sun are not afraid.”
“Masque of Death?” Kormak asked.
“It is the great riotous carnival of the year. Everyone dons fancy dress and no one acknowledges rank or class,” said Orson. “It is quite a spectacle. We should arrive just before it begins, if the winds blow true.” He looked at Serena.
“We should,” she said, “but we still have a long way to go.”
“I have heard the tribes of the interior are unfriendly,” Rhiana said. Waters looked at Zamara, as if he was wondering how the admiral would respond to the implication that the natives were less than ecstatic with Siderean rule.
Zamara gestured with his left hand, indicating that he should speak.
“There have been uprisings,” Waters said. “Outlying estates and plantations have been attacked, but the vast majority of the natives are content. Now.”
“They are obviously not much like the Aquileans then,” said Kormak. “Every time the Sunlanders have attempted to annexe my native land, they have been swiftly ejected.”
“You sound almost as if you are proud of that, Sir Kormak.” Waters said.
“I am simply stating a fact.”
“There is something about the way you state it, though. In any case, the situation is quite different in Terra Nova. We have brought the natives the benefits of the true religion and stable government. We have suppressed the tribal warlords and the cannibals, and see that they receive the justice of the King-Emperor.”
A faint smile curled up the corners of the fat man’s mouth. His eyes glittered. There was a definite note of mockery in his words. It was as if he knew he needed to praise the King-Emperor’s rule, but wanted his listeners to understand that all was not well.
“I notice that you number one of the natives among your bodyguards,” Kormak said. “A woodsman. He has an interesting collection of tattoos.”
“Urag has been in my service for many years. Before that, he hunted escaped slaves. That takes a hard man, believe me. Those tattoos are lodge symbols, showing he has shared blood brotherhood with one of the jungle clans. You need such contacts if you are to survive in those green hells. I think he finds life in my service more congenial. He has risen to be one of my personal bodyguards. ”
“The folk of the interior are said to be fierce warriors,” Rhiana said.
“They are,” said Orson. “And great trackers and hunters too. Men like Urag must match them in every way. ”
“It is said that worship of the Old Ones remains strong among them,” Zamara said. He had clearly been studying the subject and wanted to let the others know it.
“Indeed, and the further from our lands the tribes are, the stronger that worship is,” said Orson.
“I believe the Eldrim they worshipped were of a very dark sort,” said Zamara. He looked at Kormak as if to judge the guardian’s response.
Orson considered his words for a moment then said, “They were. Of the darkest sort. They fell to the Shadow and formed a dark pantheon that ruled over the lands we call Terra Nova. Or so legend has it. The Dark Ones were destroyed and banished by the Angels of Light during the Elder Wars. Xothak is the only name that it is known to us, but there were others. Their memory lingers on among the tribes. Or so Count Balthazar assures me, and he has spent more time among the tribes than any man I know.”
Silence settled over the table. Everyone present seemed to be considering the implications of the merchant’s words, and all gazes flickered over to Kormak as if they expected him to draw his sword and slay them just for broaching such a subject.
“He must have led an interesting life, your friend Balthazar.”
“He is a scholar, and has written many monographs on the tribes and their religions. You will most likely meet him, Sir Kormak, when we reach Terra Nova. I am sure he would be delighted to make your acquaintance.”
“If he is an expert on the Old Ones, I may have reason to seek him out,” Kormak said. He left the words hanging in the air. No one took the bait.
“The colonies remain very profitable,” said Serena, taking a morsel of chicken up on a small silver eating spike. “Very nicely cooked.”
“For ship’s food, you mean,” said Zamara with an indulgent smile.
“By any standards,” said Serena. “I see you plan on eating well while you are away from civilisation, Admiral Zamara.”
“The tribes are all heathens,” said Waters. He quite clearly did not want to let the subject of their conversation die. Perhaps he wished to show he was not intimidated by the presence of a guardian. “They worshipped the Moon and other things before Solar missionaries went among them. Of course, they burned—and some say ate—the first of those, but eventually they were shown the error of their ways. It was work, though. Some of their shamans were powerful magicians. I am surprised your order had not a chapter house in Maial, Sir Kormak.”
“My order had its work cut out for it even in the Old Kingdoms.”
Waters widened his eyes and closed his fist. “There is a lot of gold in Terra Nova. Silver too, and other things. Cathedrals and churches and chapter houses are usually built where there is money to pay for them.”
“Are you offering to sponsor the building of a chapter house?” Kormak asked.
“No but I am surprised that King Aemon has not offered to do so.”
Zamara offered some more wine around. “I think the King-Emperor will do so eventually. At the moment, he is bent on making sure that every town and village in Siderea has its own temple.”
“As is his right,” said Waters. “But I am ashamed to say there are those who feel that they get little for all the gold they send to the King-Emperor as taxes.”
Zamara gave a sharp intake of breath. “Most of the gold that comes out of Terra Nova comes from mines owned by the King-Emperor.”
“I know this, Admiral. You know this. I am merely saying that there are those who feel differently.”
“They might have a point,” said the windcaller. She smiled at Orson and then at the others.
“There are some who could construe that remark as treason,” said Zamara. His handsome face was a mask. His eyes held a wary look. The conversation was veering into dangerous places and he knew it.
“Then the king himself is guilty of treason,” the windcaller said. “He has said very much the same thing to me.”
Silence fell over the table. Kormak exchanged looks with Rhiana. She blew him the faintest of kisses. Clearly, she understood as well as he did that the purpose of Serena’s remark was not to be treasonous, but to make it clear that she had talked with the king on such a touchy subject.
Having let the point sink in, Serena continued, “At the moment his priority is to settle matters in the kingdom itself, but the day will come when he tu
rns his full attention to the Far Colonies, and sees they get the treatment they deserve.”
She stared directly at Orson as she spoke. The fat man smiled, took a bite from his drumstick, swallowed and then said, “That is good news indeed, Windcaller. I will pass along that message when we reach Maial.”
Zamara looked a bit put out, as well he might with his thunder stolen. He took another drink of wine. “I have heard there are many strange ruins in Terra Nova.”
“Many,” said Orson Waters. “Maial is built on them. The moon worshippers built many huge structures that were temple, fortress and city wrapped into one. And they were not the only ones. Remnants of the Elder Races can be found scattered through the jungles and swamps. There are sand demons in the deserts of the high plateau as well.”
Zamara frowned. “I do not have fond memories of such places. The last time Sir Kormak and I were among Elder World ruins, we fought a pitched battle with monsters.”
Orson Waters’ eyes crinkled. “That sounds like an interesting tale.”
“Aye,” said Zamara and proceeded to tell it.
Rhiana started to play footsie with Kormak under the table. They did not need to hear the tale. They had been there.
Rhiana removed her shirt and hung it on the peg above the small narrow bed.
“Will every night between here and Maial be like that?” Kormak asked.
“No. They will be less interesting. Still, it could be worse. If we did not have the windcaller with us, we would be cooped up on the ship for nearly two months. As it is, we should only be stuck with each other for twelve days after we leave Fort Wrath. There will hardly be time to get sick of everybody’s boasting and everybody letting everyone else know how important they are.”
“Well, that’s something to look forward to,” Kormak said. He listened to the sound of the waves and the tread of the sailors on the deck above. The ship creaked and rolled.
“I might get off at Fort Wrath if this keeps up,” Rhiana said. “Smugglers from there run regularly to Port Blood.”
“I might join you.”
She looked at him sidelong. “You are joking, of course.”
He leant back on the bed and put his hands behind his head. “I suspect Admiral Zamara would not let me slip away. Prince Taran has probably given him instructions concerning that.”
“We could still manage it. It’s something to keep in mind if you ever need to find your way to Port Blood.”
“I’ll remember,” he said.
She lay down beside him and stared at him with her strange green eyes. “What will become of us?”
He looked at the ceiling for a moment. “I don’t know. I wish I did.”
“Do you intend to keep hunting monsters in the dark until you die?”
“It’s not just about that,” Kormak said.
“Isn’t it?”
“I am helping people,” he said. “Saving lives. Sometimes.”
“Is that why you do it?”
“It’s one reason. You do not have to come to Terra Nova if you do not want to.”
She stared at him silently for ten heartbeats. He felt as if he was being judged, and refused to look away. He was very aware of the warmth of her body alongside his. “The people on this ship must think we are an odd couple,” she said at last.
“Let them.”
“We are an odd couple. A moonchild and a Solar Guardian. Most people think we should be sworn enemies.”
“Life is rarely that simple.”
She laughed softly. “There’s an understatement.”
“I have a gift for that sort of thing. Do you want to go with me to Terra Nova?”
“I am not doing anything else at the moment.”
“I thank you for your enthusiasm.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I like having you around.”
“And I thank you for your enthusiasm.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “That is not common for me. Normally I pass through places, rarely get to know anyone for longer than a few weeks or months.”
“Boo hoo.”
“Normally I like it that way. It keeps things simple.”
“Should I be flattered?”
“People who are close to me get hurt. Killed sometimes. It has been happening since I was eight years old.”
“And you’re scared it might happen to me?”
“Aren’t you?”
“I looked after myself for a long time before we met, Sir Kormak. I can look after myself now.”
“I am sure you can, Captain Rhiana. But it’s as well to remember I have enemies.”
“You’re not the only one. And somebody needs to look out for you.”
“You volunteering?”
“I’ll give it a try.”
“That gladdens me.”
“You should do that more often.”
“What?”
“Smile like you mean it.”
He laughed. “I’ll bear that in mind.”
The ship rolled moving them against each other. Her body was soft against his as they embraced.
Chapter Nine
Zamara lifted his spyglass, squinted into the morning sunlight and surveyed the horizons, turning a complete circle to look in every direction. Kormak did not doubt he had been there since before dawn.
“That’s odd,” said Zamara.
“What?” Kormak asked. He turned from admiring Rhiana where she leant against the bannister, looking backwards over the ocean.
Once again, the admiral had invited the two of them to the command deck to witness the approach to the Outward Islands. It was a mark of his special favour. He was letting the passengers know it, even if they disapproved of Kormak and Rhiana. The guardian suspected that perhaps their presence reassured the admiral. They were familiar faces to have around while he grew accustomed to his unfamiliar role.
“I would have thought we would have encountered something by now, even if it was only a fishing boat,” Zamara said. “We’ve been in sight of the islands for hours and nothing.”
“You think so?”
“The seas here are full of fish. It is the islanders’ staple food. A small fleet of boats is normally at work by this time of day—there should be gulls following them. There should maybe be an Imperial cutter come out to escort us in, or at least to see what we are about. There’s nothing.”
Zamara sounded as agitated as his exalted status on the command deck allowed him to be. His voice held a little tinge of worry that meant he must be troubled indeed.
Zamara said, “Captain Rhiana?”
“Yes, Admiral,” she said. There was none of her usual tone of mockery. She knew she needed to show respect for Zamara. More than that, Kormak suspected she did respect him.
Zamara kept his voice low so that only the three of them heard. “Is your familiar about this morning, perchance?”
Rhiana nodded.
“Has he spotted anything unusual?”
“One moment, Admiral.” Rhiana closed her eyes and concentrated for a few heartbeats. “There are a number of tasty fish, but nothing much else.”
“No monsters. No strangeness. No magic in the depths?”
“Not any threat of the kind a dolphin would notice, Admiral. It does not mean there is nothing, but he is likely to sense evil magic or blight, or something like the Quan.”
Zamara nodded and wiped his brow with his sleeve. He was relieved about something.
“Is something the matter, Admiral?” Rhiana asked.
Zamara said. “Look around you—what do you see?”
“Nothing. And…” Rhiana fell silent as she noticed it too. “No ships. Not even a fisherman’s cog or a rum-runner. That’s not usual in this part of the world. You think something is wrong in Fort Wrath?”
Zamara shrugged. “It might be nothing. But it never hurts to be cautious.”
“The port may be quarantined
,” Rhiana said. “An outbreak of plague perhaps.”
“That thought had occurred to me, but I would have thought there might still be some craft from outlying crofts. Somebody always breaks a quarantine. I’ve spent enough time trying to police such things to know.”
Kormak shielded his eyes with his hand and stared towards the shore. “No plumes of smoke. No sign of battle,” he said.
“Might not be any if the port was attacked a few days ago,” Rhiana said.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Zamara said. “We don’t know that anything has happened at all.”
His tone made it clear that he did not believe that, but he was still trying to remain outwardly calm.
“As you said, Admiral, it never hurts to be cautious.”
Zamara turned and beckoned to Terves. “I want all your men on deck and ready for action. Full drill.”
“At once, sir,” said the sergeant. He caught the note of urgency in Zamara’s voice and began to bellow orders to his troops. Zamara gave instructions to the sailors; he wanted extra men aloft in the crow’s nest, and he wanted all of the sailors ready for emergency manoeuvres.
Having made a decision and given the commands, he looked more relaxed. Kormak understood that. As a leader, Zamara had done all he could at this moment in time. Now, like the rest of them, he had to wait.
As they approached Fort Wrath, a crowd of curious passengers assembled watching the marines drill, staring at the shore, looking around wide-eyed. They sensed the tension in the crew, even if they had no idea what was going on.
Kormak stood beside Zamara as the admiral studied the approaching town through his spyglass. A small keep bestrode the hill on one side of the harbour. Kormak guessed it was the fort from which the town took its name.
“No signal flags to greet us. No cutters. No yellow flags with a green teardrop.”
“No plague then,” Rhiana said.
“Nothing of any sort. Take a look at the harbour.” He handed Kormak the spyglass. The guardian focused it on the distant harbour. He saw whitewashed buildings running all the way down to the wharf side. Stone piers reached out into the waves. He adjusted the magnification. What appeared to be leafless trees emerged from the water; it took him a moment to realise they were the masts of sunken ships.