Tae felt certain if they had heard, they would have shown some reaction.*But you couldn't communicate with Matrinka before, either. Now you can.* Tae had to know.*Try saying something to that drunkard across the way.Try on every level you can.*
Imorelda turned her back on Tae in an obvious gesture of disdain. Since it was all done through the mind, she did not have to face the person she addressed. Her tail lashed irritatedly.
For several moments, she remained in this position, while Tae feigned sleep. *Nothing. He's dense as a rock.*
Tae closed his eyes in disappointment. Clearly, not all cats could use their minds this way. Imorelda disdained normal cats as "morons who can barely communicate their basic desires." Why should he expect humans to come in fewer varieties than felines? *But your neighbors are chatting.*
Tae had to restrain himself from leaping to his feet.*The pirates are talking? With their minds?* That changed everything.*What are they saying?* *How should I know? I don't speak gibberish.*
Dense as a cat-shaped rock! Tae intentionally stifled the thought.*Imorelda, can you get me to their… their voice level?* *Get you there?* Imorelda considered an instant.*You mean carry your mind to the pitch of their conversation?*
Tae bit back his impatience and forced himself to remain polite.*Please.* *I'll try. But I've never done anything like that before.* *Me either, Imorelda. But it's desperately important.*
Tae could feel the touch of Imorelda's mind, like a wordless whisper, seeping around his thoughts. Then a dizzy sensation gripped him. He seemed to float, mind and body, rising upward as swiftly and easily as a bird in flight. He sensed great effort trickling through Imorelda's thoughts. Sounds reached him, at first as subtle and unfathomable as the creak of trunks and the rattle of leaves in wind. Then, gradually, the noise took form as distinct words punctuated by concept and emotion that made them easier to follow than if someone had spoken them in one of the languages he knew. *-stop feeling guilty. They're animals, Jaxon, with no more understanding than a cow or a dog or a pig.* This came from the larger of the two, the one who had attempted to throttle Tae. *I'm not so sure anymore, Dillion.They make noises at one another.They have expressions.They certainly seem to be communicating. Sometimes.*
Dillion brushed off the observation with a hefty dose of skepticism.*Cows and dogs and pigs make noises at one another, too. They're not words; and they're not talking.* *I can hear they're not words.* The unspoken implication came through as concept. Clearly, wherever the pirates originated, all manner of intelligent creatures used a single language. The possibility of multiple tongues never occurred to them because it went so far beyond the logic of their experience. Communication, whether spoken or mind-sent, came in only one form; and they seemed incapable of considering anything else true speech.*But they look so much like… like us.* *Of course they look like us. Don't you remember what the Kjempemagiska said?* The awe that always accompanied this word came through much more savagely in mental communication, accompanied by a fear bordering on terror.Tae caught a vague image of giants wielding terrible magic.*It's not their true form. They take it, instinctively, from sight of us.They use it to disarm us.*
Jaxon heaved a sigh, clearly unconvinced.*But they use it so well. So naturally. And I've never seen them take other forms.* *Oh, no?* Dillion asserted.*Did you miss that striped beast that tried to take my head off? He fairly shredded my face.* *Of course, I saw it. But I think that might have been an actual… animal. If the takudan between us could shapechange, don't you think he'd take a form that would let him out of that cage?* With the addition of direct emotion and perception, Tae discovered the term they used for him meant "sewer rat."*An actual takudan could fit between those bars and escape.* *We know they're of animal intelligence, that the ships and weapons they use were things left by our Kjempemagiska when they visited centuries earlier and attempted to civilize these savages.*
Jaxon said nothing, clearly unconvinced.
Dillion continued, undaunted,*So, if the Kjempemagiska built these cages, which they must have, they may have placed magical constraints upon them. Perhaps it's impossible to shapechange from the inside.*
Jaxon extended the thought.*So, you're saying the one who ripped up your face changed form outside, came in as a creature that fit between the bars, and was able to go out the same way?* *Exactly.*
Tae concentrated on the conversation, afraid to have any thoughts of his own. He had no idea how much effort Imorelda expended to keep him listening to the exchange, but he did notice that she remained silent, even as the pirates discussed her in an unflattering way. *All right.* Jaxon accepted the premise, though doubt still showed through.*But, Dillion, can you name any other animals that can sail ships, whether or not they can build them? What kind of animals use tools, like axes and shields and swords? And how do animals work together well enough to… to manage a place like this?* Jaxon made a gesture that encompassed the prison.*And even we're not capable of shapechanging; that's magic, the realm of our Masters. Are you saying mere animals have powers we don't?*
Discomfort ground through Dillion's reply. He glanced around, as if worried a Kjempemagiska might overhear.*Fish breathe underwater, deer outrun us, birds actually fly, and, last I checked, jarfr can rip the snot out of most anyone. Aside from that last, all things we can't do and the Kjempemagiska need magic to perform.* The uneasiness grew to the level of clear distress.*So what if these beasts we're fighting have some very rudimentary communication skills and have learned to use left-behind tools in a primitive way, for war.They're still not alsona, Jaxon. At best, they're something in between animal and alsona. Call them creatures, instead of animals, if the word suits you better.The Kjempemagiska…* Real fear entered the sending now.*… refer to them as animals, so animals they are to me.*
Jaxon accepted the explanation.*So what do we do, Dillion?* *Do you want to suffer ernontris?* The word had no translation, but an image came to Tae's mind unbidden. He saw a circle of giants kicking a living, human torso. Limbless and blind, bleeding, the man screamed in agony as they tortured him in some sort of gleeful game. An enormous basket filled with similarly disfigured people lay nearby.
Though he had seen more than his share of horror,Tae found acid in his mouth and drooled it onto the stone floor. Had he swallowed, he would have retched, emptying the contents of his gut on the dungeon floor. He could not risk the pirates knowing he was awake nor the possibility that some of the meal Matrinka had secured for him might come out with the rest.
Jaxon visibly trembled. The fear Tae had noticed in his features when they first met colored his thoughts now.*Of course not.* *Then we finish our mission.We kill as many of these animals… these creatures as possible. And, when the first chance arises, we kill ourselves or one another.*
No reply followed, other than the residual terror. Jaxon rose and paced to the opposite side of his cell, and lay back down.
Tae found his thoughts snapped back so suddenly, he had to fight nausea again. Pain rang through his head, and it took inordinately long to realize Imorelda was speaking. *Did it work?* *Yes, thank you.You're the absolute best.* *At everything,* Imorelda added immodestly.
Tae's head hurt too much to nod.*I heard… it all.* *Me, too,* Imorelda stated.*But I didn't understand a word of it.* That surprised Tae. He had found it so easy to catch every single nuance, he had simply assumed Imorelda did, too.*Is that why you didn't say anything? Or did taking me to their level just require too much focus to speak?* *I could have talked. I didn't have anything to say. I couldn't even understand them.*
That explained a lot to Tae and opened some interesting possibilities. At first, he considered having Imorelda speak for him, but that seemed foolish at best. Even if he could coach her through the language, her catty sensibilities would overrule any control.*Do you think it's possible you could take me to their "voice level" securely enough I could speak to them?* *Why?*
Now that the men had broken off contact, the situation had become less urgent. Imore
lda had done a great service and deserved an explanation.*They have some serious misconceptions about us I'd like to fix.* Although not the most important to him or the rest of the world, their impressions about Imorelda would make better examples for the cat.*They think you're a male human, for example.* *What?* Imorelda's reply mixed startlement with offense.*So, they're morons?* *Not necessarily morons. Just… differently experienced. Their world is, apparently-* *Incredibly weird?* *I was going to say more magical, but your words work as well.* Still lying on his side, Tae grinned at the cat.*So, can you help me?* *I don't know? Why don't you just talk to them the regular way?*
It was a good question, and Tae had no great answer. It might impress the pirates more to come at them with what they clearly considered a higher form of communication. On the other hand, the unnaturalness of it, and the need to use a mediator, might steal some of Tae's concentration and the method's power.*A very good point, Imorelda. I'll try that first.*
Tae remained in position a bit longer, considering his approach. The last time he had attempted communication nearly resulted in his death. Finally, he sat up again, yawned, stretched, and glanced at his neighbors.
Dillion crouched, staring out the front of his cell. Jaxon remained on the floor, as far from Tae as the bars allowed.
Previous experience, and the overheard conversation, told Tae the smaller pirate was, by far, the more approachable. Tae cleared his throat, organizing the words he had managed to learn. He had added vastly to his vocabulary just in the last few moments. Mental speech defined as it presented. "Greetings, Jaxon."
The pirate stiffened so suddenly, Tae worried he might have torn some muscles. He rolled over to look up at Tae. "Did you just… talk?" His gaze shifted past the little Easterner to his own companion in the next cell.
"I did," Tae admitted. "We are intelligent. We are not animals."
Jaxon only stared. His hands began to tremble. "Did you hear that, Dillion? Or am I-?"
"You're not going crazy, Jaxon," Tae said, slowly and distinctly. "I am talking to you."
"I hear him, too," Dillion admitted.
Tae looked over his shoulder as Dillion moved to the set of bars directly between them, the ones through which he had strangled Tae. The Easterner knew better than to approach, and he wanted to know the location of the larger pirate at all times.
They both fell silent. Certain he must be missing something, Tae sent his next message to Imorelda.*Are they talking in their minds?*
Imorelda hesitated only an instant.*No.They're completely silent.* Another moment passed.*I think they're both dead.*
Tae fought back a smile.*Not dead. Just very, very surprised.* He looked from Dillion to Jaxon and back.*Imorelda, would you please let me know immediately if they start talking by mind?* *All right.*
The background noise continued: prisoners shifting, coughing, snoring. In the distance, urine splashing into older urine. But, near Tae, silence reigned; and he broke it with a gentle caution that revealed no emotion. "I think," he started carefully, "it's time for us to talk."
Refusing to loiter in alleyways like a common thief, Calistin hun kered down outside the New Loven fabric-seller's doorway, polishing and oiling his blades. At first, the passersby gave him a wide berth. But, as he squatted calmly and paid them no obvious heed, they whisked about their business, pausing only to stare at the boyish stranger who had nothing better to do than tend to swords that clearly needed no further attention.
Sensing nothing more dangerous than suspicion, Calistin did not even bother to return their stares, simply waited for Treysind to let him know when the ruffians arrived. The sun touched the horizon, trailing hazy bands of colors muted by cloud cover that barely hinted at rain. Darkness followed quicker than usual, aided by the overcast. The citizens scurried about their final business, while merchants folded shutters over their stands or closed and latched their doors.
Calistin finally sheathed his weapons, rose, and stretched. He found himself eager to battle, hoping that a group of five or six toughs might actually prove a worthy challenge. At the least, it brought him one step closer to Valr Magnus. His jaw clenched at the thought. The best warrior the Northmen had to offer would die at the hand of a Renshai, this time in the fair fight that should have happened on the Fields of Wrath.
Treysind ran out from behind the fabric shop. "Hero, they's comin'."
Calistin glanced at the fabric-seller's still-open door. Clearly, the merchant hoped to coax in the last straggling customers.
Calistin and Treysind walked inside. The untidy little shop held bolts of fabric on every level surface: tables, chairs, and shelves. The odors of fresh wool and billy goats hovered in the air, partially smothered by a sweet spice Calistin did not recognize. A door behind stacks of material apparently opened onto upstairs living quarters while another, sturdily fastened with broad bolts and two large locks, led to the alleyway.
A small, balding man who looked as if a strong breeze might carry him away spun toward them. Fear etched his features, then melted to relief. "Can I help you, boys?" Then his gaze dropped to the swords at Calistin's belt, and his expression again turned grim.
Calistin opened his mouth to explain that killing the shopkeeper was not worth dirtying his swords over, but Treysind spoke first.
"Don't worry, sir. Hero ain't gonna hurt ya none. He's gonna he'p ya wit' ya's problim."
"Problem?" the man, apparently Khalen, repeated. "I don't have-"
As if to prove him wrong, something heavy slammed repeatedly against the fastened back door.
The fabric-seller swallowed hard and raced to secure the front door. "You boys better get out now, or you might get hurt."
Calistin started to laugh, silenced by a glare from Treysind.
Khalen's face turned greenish and lapsed into terrified creases. "You're with… them?"
"No!" Treysind said quickly. "I's tole ya. We's here ta he'p ya 'gainst 'em." He turned toward Calistin. "Tell 'im, Hero."
There did not seem much to tell. "We're here to help you," Calistin repeated. "We're here to kill the brawlies."
"Kill?" Khalen repeated uncertainly.
Three young men burst into the shop, slamming open the panel and knocking Khalen sprawling. One shouted into the street, "Front's open! He's here."They wore dark leather and black cloth, each with a sword at his hip. Their hands appeared callused, their faces weather-beaten and scarred. The youngest looked about sixteen, the oldest well into his twenties. Dark bangs fringed killer eyes, and bright red circles defined their cheeks. They seemed not to notice Calistin and Treysind as they moved menacingly toward Khalen.
The fabric-seller scrambled to his feet, only to take several mincing, backward steps. He swallowed hard.
Two more toughs appeared in the doorway. The last, an enormous figure in his early twenties, sported a frosty gaze without a hint of mercy. He calmly shut and latched the door behind them. Clearly the leader, he took in details the others had skipped over, including the presence of the two young strangers. "What's this, Khalen?" He gestured at Calistin and Treysind. "Your children?"
Before Khalen could answer, Calistin announced, "I'm a man." Every eye went to him.
"I passed my tests at thirteen."
"Thirteen?" the one who must be called Savage repeated derisively. "You mean… yesterday?"
The brawlies laughed.
"I'm eighteen," Calistin informed them.
The Savage snorted. "If you're eighteen, I'm a hundred and six."
"Then," Calistin informed him, "you'll be the oldest man I've ever killed."
Treysind cringed. Calistin suddenly realized the boy did that a lot when he spoke.
Silence descended over the room as everyone waited for Savage's retort.
Finally, the enormous man laughed, waving dismissively. "I like your audacity, boy. That's why I'm going to give you and your little friend there a chance to leave now. Alive." He gestured to one of his cronies to open the front door.
The y
outh obeyed without hesitation. The latch clicked back open, and the panel eased inward.
Calistin watched the door but made no movements of his own. He measured Savage: well-muscled yet agile, probably quicker than one might expect for a man of his size. The others would prove no obstacle, only interesting distractions.
Treysind retreated a few steps in the wrong direction. Clearly, he intended to keep his promise to allow Calistin to handle the fighting alone. The Renshai remained firmly in place.
Savage frowned. "You're trying my patience, boy. I'm not usually this generous."
Calistin refused to be baited with words. "I'm not the one delaying this battle, old man." He glanced around at the other brawlies. "Your friends may leave, if they wish. They're hardly worth a sword stroke."
None of the toughs took a step. Swords rasped from sheaths.
"My men are loyal." Savage made a sharp gesture, and his nearest companion hurriedly shut and relatched the door.
"If they're so loyal," Calistin taunted. "Why do you feel the need to lock them in?"
Savage drew a wicked-looking, curve-bladed sword with a serrated edge that reminded Calistin of the ones the pirates used in Bearn. A dagger appeared in his left hand as well. He cut the air with them. "Put the bugger in carry position!"
As one, the toughs moved in on Calistin, and Khalen retreated to the farthest corner.
Calistin faked a yawn as the first man made a clumsy cut. The Renshai leaped onto one of the tables, stepped on the brawly's shoulders, then vaulted over them to face the leader directly. Only then, his swords cleared their sheaths, cutting for Savage.
Savage managed a hurried block that caught one of Calistin's blades. He dodged the other, inadvertently slamming a hip into one of the many tables. Bolts of cloth tumbled to the floor. "Get him!"
Already in motion, the brawlies charged Calistin from behind. He spun full circle, parrying one strike, slicing a deep gouge through one's jerkin, and knocking a third to the ground. He completed the move with a strike to Savage's face that nearly claimed his nose. Blood exploded from the wound, gushing down his face.
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