‘I’m . . . I’m listening,’ Wynn insisted.
‘The divided must be joined.’
He shielded his eyes with his hand. ‘What does that mean?’
‘The prince cannot wait. War is the way to peace.’
Wynn looked away, trying to perceive detail in the void. ‘Are you talking about me? Are you saying I should carry on? I should finish the war with Draig?’
‘The divided must be joined. Time is short . . . one more day. The stones will fall.’
‘I don’t know what you want me to–’
The light died, and Wynn saw only blackness. As his eyes adjusted, the soft shadows of his bathroom came into focus. He was cold, and the moisture on his skin had dried. How long had he been out? he wondered.
He stood, feeling unsteady, and dressed, realizing he was late. He left his suite and headed for his breakfast meeting with Tanis. Everywhere he went people looked to him, greeting him, smiling their support. His regal face was well-practiced now. He knew how to be Prince Halstead, but inside all he wanted was to be Wynn, with Bara.
‘You look troubled.’
The voice startled him. He hadn’t noticed Reader Mallory coming towards him. ‘Do I?’ he said, hiding his doubts behind a smile.
‘A little,’ she replied. ‘May I walk with you?’
Wynn felt trapped. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts. ‘Be my guest,’ he said, regretting it immediately.
‘Thank you. You will be missing Bara.’
The statement was like a knife to his chest. He caught his breath, trying to hide his feelings. ‘We all miss her. She’s an excellent engineer.’
Reader Mallory smiled kindly.
‘I’m sorry you had to undergo an interrogation from Tanis,’ Wynn said quickly, keen to divert her attention from him.
Mallory tensed, her lips tight. ‘Yes. It wasn’t pleasant, but necessary. The information I provided led you into a trap. I was surprised as you were that Derward had deceived us.’
‘You’re certain of that?’
She glanced at him, her head tilted. ‘You are not?’
Wynn looked away. ‘I don’t like to think about it. Derward was an old friend. I trusted him . . .’
‘And he betrayed that trust.’ There was a bitter edge to her voice.
‘You knew him a long time?’
Reader Mallory stiffened. ‘Long enough.’
Wynn stopped walking. ‘I still . . . I still, I don’t know . . .’
‘You can’t bring yourself to believe it.’
‘Yes, exactly.’
Mallory sighed, looking away. ‘Me neither. But we must, if we are to move on.’ She turned to stare into his eyes, her hand on his arm. ‘I am here, if you wish to talk.’
‘Thank you,’ Wynn said, feeling better.
She dropped her hand and walked away. Suddenly, Wynn’s loneliness returned like a hammer blow. Drained, he continued on his way to the meeting chamber.
‘You slept well?’ Tanis quipped as Wynn entered the room.
‘No,’ Wynn replied, sitting at the long table. Immediately, servants brought him breakfast. He sipped on cold orange juice, holding the glass to his cheek. It felt real, icy and wet.
‘Rough night?’ Tanis asked as he sat down.
Wynn shook his head. ‘Doesn’t matter. How are the repairs going?’
Tanis slid a pad across the table. ‘Slowly. We’ve salvaged internal bulkheads to enclose the Vengenace’s engines. It’s not pretty . . .’
‘It doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to work.’
‘And it will, soon.’
‘How soon?’ Wynn asked, letting the pad drop to the table.
‘I think we can get moving again in three . . . four days.’ Tanis answered as he picked up a piece of bread.
‘Not good enough. We’re an easy target.’
‘Wynn, it’s the fastest we can do,’ Tanis soothed. ‘People are working around the clock to get this finished.’
‘We need to be ready,’ Wynn muttered, feeling like he’d said this before. He felt as if he was reliving an old memory.
Tanis put down his food, staring coldly at Wynn. ‘Ready for what?’
‘To strike! Draig will pay.’
‘But we don’t even know where the Draig fleet is yet. Once we’ve finished the repairs we can–’
‘The prince cannot wait!’ The words came to him unbidden, desperate to be spoken, and his mind became clear.
The Lord Chamberlain hesitated, staring at Wynn. He leaned closer, whispering. ‘Your majesty, are you all right?’
‘We need to be ready,’ Wynn repeated, staring at the table. ‘War is the way to peace. Time is short, we have to be ready.’
Tanis leaned back in his chair, exhaling. ‘I don’t think you understand how difficult–’
‘I understand,’ Wynn said, impaling Tanis with his glare. ‘I understand that my people are tired . . . they have lost much. You are tired as well, and your devotion wavers. But you have to be strong, Tanis. You have to believe in me. What I tell now is the truth: if we are not ready to act, we will lose everything. The Infinite Gods have spoken to me, Tanis.’
‘They . . . they have spoken to you?’
‘You doubt me?’
Tanis blustered. ‘No, of course not, but . . .’
‘We must be ready. By Tomorrow. If we are not . . . all will be lost.’ Wynn heard his own words., like he was listening to another person speaking. ‘The divided . . . the divided . . .’ He felt a wave of nausea overwhelm him, and he stood to leave.
‘By tomorrow,’ Wynn managed to say as he stood by the door.
Tanis nodded, stunned. ‘Tomorrow.’
Wynn smiled, then left the meeting, feeling exhausted.
ABSOLUTE POWER
Admiral of the Fleet, Jacque Valine, daughter of the House of Draig, smiled contentedly as she took her seat on the flight deck of the arkship Fenrir. As she studied the grand view, she wallowed in a moment of reflection, thinking how far her ambition had taken her.
Few would have guessed at her humble origins on board the Rhydar. Even the mention of that fateful arkship had become a sort of shorthand for evil and debauchery. A ship of gravel-headed addicts, who would do anything for their next hit. A ship of murder and torture. A ship of myths and folklore. No one wanted to hear the truth. The truth was never as enjoyable as reality.
She was just a girl, but those memories never aged. Anyone who had seen that skinny, feral child, crawling in the dirt for a scrap of food, would not have imagined her sat in this chair today, dressed in the finery of her new position. But she remembered. The past was always there, pushing her on. That sickly, scrawny little girl was her constant companion.
‘The uniform suits you,’ Orcades Draig said as he approached her.
‘Thank you, Valtais, for the uniform and the position.’
He smiled, statesmanlike and regal. He was in one of his more lucid moments. ‘We have a clear signal?’
Admiral Valine checked her console. ‘He’s still on course. He took quite a beating in his escape.’
‘He would have expected death. We had to be convincing.’
‘He should rendezvous with the Tateishi-Maru in the next three hours. With your permission, I will begin my duties.’
Orcades Draig raised his arm in a wide arc, offering her the flight deck. ‘I am here merely to observe.’
She nodded formally, then spoke into her com. ‘Admiral Valine to all stations. As of this time, Valtais Draig has ordered me to assume command of the fleet. All arkships, prepare for Cube transit.’
The com system chattered as each of the Draig arkships responded, relaying their status. She settled back into the command chair, smiling to herself as the flight deck bristled with activity. She glanced down at the cuff of her uniform; Valine had pictured this day for years. All of her planning and sacrifice had been worthwhile. Now, only one obstacle remained in the way of her ambition: Orcades Draig himself. She watched h
im as he strode purposefully around her flight deck. He was a fool, a relic from a bygone era. Soon . . . very soon, he would be dead, and Valine could assume absolute control of the House of Draig.
NEW LIFE
Bara tugged at her coverall, wishing she didn’t have to wear it. She’d already had a run-in with her supervisor over clothing violations after she had removed her sleeves and wrapped the upper part of her uniform round her waist. Apparently, that was dangerous, and disrespectful. They certainly liked their rules on the Tateishi-Maru, but she had never seen such an orderly and efficient hanger bay. She wondered how long they would tolerate her less-than-perfect ways of doing things.
She finished cleaning the coolant filters and replaced the metal cover. Even before she needed it, there was Gofal with the bolt fastener in his outstretched hand.
Bara laughed. ‘Do you read minds now?’
‘Just anticipating your requirements. It’s a simple enough routine,’ he said, turning to remove the intake grill.
‘Are you saying I’m simple?’ Bara said.
Gofal stopped what he was doing and looked at her. ‘You are a woman of clear intent. That is surprisingly rare, Bara. That makes it easier for me to know what you need. And to know when you are teasing me.’
She laughed at him. ‘I wish I knew what I needed.’
‘You don’t?’
Bara looked about the hanger bay. It was completely different to its equivalent space on the Obsidian and the Vengeance, but she knew her way round well enough. The same was true of the engine deck. Experience told her what she needed to know, the rest would come in time. There was everything she needed here. She had work, somewhere to live, and the people seemed friendly. This could be her home, she told herself. This could be her life. It might even be a good life, if she allowed it. But it just wasn’t right. Something was missing.
‘You’re thinking of Wynn, aren’t you?’ Gofal said quietly.
‘Am I so transparent to you?’
‘I am your friend. And I miss him as well.’
Bara felt her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. ‘You really need to get that intake grill repair finished. We’re due back on the engine deck in half an hour.’
Gofal returned to his work.
‘But thank you,’ Bara added. ‘I’m glad you’re here with me.’
He didn’t reply, completing his task and moving on to the next. She watched him work, content in his silent company, her mind temporarily distracted from her thoughts.
Gofal stopped what he was doing and looked upwards.
Bara followed his gaze to the hanger entrance. A tiny ship was making its way through the dock.
‘What’s wrong?’ Bara asked.
At first, Gofal didn’t speak, his focus on the new vessel. Then, he turned to face her and said, ‘I have been listening to the Tateish-Marui’s com channels. I find the overlapping chatter enjoyable, there is often a musical quality to it that compliments by tasks . . .’
‘And?’ Bara prompted.
‘That ship up there is the Far Horizon, a merchant vessel with a Vermeulen family registration.’
Bara looked up at the ship. ‘So?’
‘Its configuration matches that of the Lupaus, Derward Tarkkail’s ship.’
‘So, it’s the same type of ship. There’s probably lots of merchant ships of that class.’
Gofal shook his head. ‘No, it is not like the Lupaus. It is the Lupaus. The external markings match exactly. See the damage to the starboard side, where it’s been repaired?’
Bara squinted. ‘No.’
Gofal sighed. He almost sounded impatient. ‘Trust me: that is the Lupaus, not the Far Horizon. That is the ship that Derward Tarkkail left the Vengeance on. That is the ship that the Caerleon saw dock with the Fenrir. That is the Lupaus. It has sustained more recent damage, however; its cockpit is almost completely destroyed. But there is no mistaking it.’
‘Tarkkail is here?’
‘According to the ship’s docking papers it is captained by Siwal Otomo, but I am certain it will be Derward.’
Bara stared at the descending ship, watching as it found its berth, and she felt a growing rage deep within her. She had known Derward for years. He was probably the one person still alive who had known her the longest, she realized with a shudder. Suddenly, the sense of betrayal felt all the greater. She threw down her tools and marched in the direction of the Lupaus.
‘Bara,’ Gofal called after her. ‘You’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?’
‘You tell me, Gofal! I’m a woman of clear intent, remember?’
WELCOME
Derward shut down the navigational array, switched the computer into its diagnostic idle, and climbed from his bed.
‘Any response to my request?’ he asked the computer as he dropped the pad onto the sheets.
‘None received,’ it replied courteously.
He stretched, feeling tired still. He picked up the medi-spray and gave his eye socket another dose. He waited until the needles of pain became a dull throb, then he walked to the back of the ship and opened the hatch.
Fresh air blew through the opening, followed by a fist, and Derward found himself on the floor.
‘Sol! You sold us out!’
He knew that voice, but he couldn’t recollect who it was. It was all happening so quickly. He was being attacked, hands swinging at his head as someone screamed obscenities at him. His training kicked in and he took hold of his attacker’s hands, twisting his assailant, throwing them to the floor so that he was on top, in control. He looked down, his vision slow to adjust, and saw the young face of a friend.
As Bara Delaterre stared back at him, she saw his wound and the struggle left her hands.
‘What happened to you?’ she said, still sounding angry.
‘A small matter of torture. Nothing to–’
Derward found himself lifted off Bara and pinned in place on the hull above. He struggled, unable to move. Then he saw Gofal and he realized retaliation was pointless.
‘Derward Tarkkail,’ Gofal said slowly. ‘You have a great deal of explaining to do.’
Bara stood, tilting her head to look at Derward as he tried to work his mouth.
‘I think you’re choking him,’ Bara noted.
‘Choking?’ Gofal replied. ‘I am using just enough force and pressure to keep him secure. There is sufficient air for his needs.’
‘Enough to speak?’
Gofal looked from Bara to Derward. ‘Perhaps not.’
He let go, and Derward fell onto the entrance ramp. He coughed as he composed himself. ‘It’s good to see you too.’
‘What are you doing here?’ Bara asked. ‘Thought you’d be living it up on the Fenrir by now.’
‘The Fenrir?’ Derward replied, feeling like he was missing something. Then it dawned on him. ‘You think I sold you out?’
Bara laughed coolly. ‘Well, someone did!’
‘And you were seen leaving the Vengeance at the end of the battle. You docked with the Fenrir.’ Gofal added.
‘Yeah . . . I did that,’ Derward confessed.
‘We walked into a trap! We almost got killed because of you!’ Bara said, jabbing a finger at him.
‘Not because of me,’ Derward replied angrily. He was too tired for this. He sat up, rubbing his face. ‘I went to the Fenrir to try to find out what was happening over there. I thought a single trader might be able to slip through in the confusion.’
‘And you never told us? You didn’t think to let us know before you disappeared?’
‘It was safer that way. I went alone, to find out what was going on. Their people are starving, Bara.’
‘I don’t care about their people! I care about ours. I care about those who died during the battle. We walked into a trap, and you’re saying you had nothing to do with it?’
Derward stood, his anger overwhelming him. ‘You think they do this to people who help them?’ He pointed at his missing eye. ‘You think
this was my reward?’
Bara stepped back. ‘I . . . I don’t know what to think.’
‘Someone did betray us,’ Gofal said calmly. ‘If not you, then who?’
Derward took a breath. His mind had been skirting round this very problem, not wanting to join the dots. ‘I . . . I’m not sure.’
Gofal stepped between him and Bara. ‘Why are you here?’
‘To warn you,’ Derward replied, pushing his doubts to one side. ‘To warn the Tateishi-Maru. Draig is coming for them next. The Fenrir is on its way . . . probably the whole fleet is on its way. We don’t have long. I’ve tried to contact the captain, but he won’t see me.’
‘How do you know this?’ Gofal asked.
‘They . . .’ The disturbing blur of torture came to his mind. He forced it aside, calming himself. ‘I was captured. I overheard them discussing their next target. It’s here!’ Derward pointed to the ground, feeling frustrated. ‘This is their next target.’
‘You realize they could be using you? It is a common tactic.’
‘Yes, of course! I calculated the possibilities, as I’m sure you are doing right now. But I had no choice, I had to come here. I have to warn them.’
Bara stared into his eye. What was she hoping to find there? Derward wondered. Certainty, perhaps? Conviction? Honesty? There was nothing to see but years of subterfuge and deception. Lies upon lies. But, maybe, he still possessed a trace of honor there. He was still a man of principle, and he wasn’t lying. He prayed it would show.
She turned to Gofal. ‘Well?’
‘It is hard to say,’ he confessed. ‘I do not think he is lying, but I have always found Derward Tarkkail hard to read. He is more . . . complex than you.’
Bara nodded, glancing back to Derward. She pulled out a cloth from her pocket and handed it to him. ‘For your eye,’ she said.
Derward took it and wrapped it round his head. ‘Thank you.’
‘As Gofal says, I’m a simple woman. I’m an engineer, I fix one problem at a time. If you’re telling the truth, then our first problem is warning these people. We can deal with the everything else later,’ she announced. ‘I think we should go see the captain, don’t you?’
Arkship Vengeance (The Arkship Saga Book 2) Page 14