“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Silvano told her. “You see, I was going through my father’s things early this morning, and I came across something interesting.” He held up a black-bound book and watched for signs of recognition. Their blank faces were almost a disappointment. But what had he expected? “It’s virtually identical to the one you use, madam treasurer, but you’ll find the numbers don’t match up. Curious.”
“A clerical error, I’m sure.”
“A clerical error. That’s a funny way to say embezzlement.” The room went silent as all eyes flickered between Silvano to the ledger. “Every single person in this room, with the exception of our naval officer and the minister of the people, is guilty of stealing funds from the treasury. To cover up the theft, taxes have gradually increased over the past few years. I’m sure I don’t have to state just how serious of a crime this is.”
The treasurer paled. She reached out and braced her hands on the edge of the table. Her breathing became shallow and raspy and, for a moment, Silvano thought she might expire right then and there. “Mercy.”
“I will gladly offer all of you an official pardon on two conditions. First, you will pay back every copper bit you embezzled from the treasury. Second, you will approve the sewer project for every home in Crystalmoor, and not just the wealthy.” When no one raised objections, Silvano clapped his hands once. “Wonderful! I’m happy we could come to an agreement.”
The minister of sanitation opened his mouth to say something, but Silvano waved him off. “There is something else I need to present to the council related to this matter.”
Everyone sat a bit straighter. Silvano stifled a grin and wondered how long this newfound obedience would last. It would certainly make council meetings more efficient. For the first time, he felt fully in control.
“Recently, it has come to my attention that the people are being denied adequate medical care because they cannot afford to pay the Healers. This ends today. You will create a system where people can take their sick and injured to be Healed.”
The minister of the people nodded. “It’s similar to the system they use in Aravell. I’m hesitant to offer my support on this matter. Healers are already expensive and constructing care centers will only increase the rates. It could make the cost of Healing prohibitive for the general public.”
“You misunderstand me. The Healers will be paid directly from the treasury—a set amount, so they cannot refuse service.”
The treasurer stared at him in horror. “You are going to bankrupt Crystalmoor!”
“I am doing nothing of the sort. So far, their taxes have done nothing but line the pockets of the rich, and to fund my father’s lavish feasts. To make up for the added expenses, there will be an increased tax on the upper-class.”
“You’re going to lose the support of the nobility. They’ve worked hard for their money, and you’re punishing them for it.”
Silvano walked around the table and over to the window that overlooked the city. “On the contrary. They’ve accumulated their wealth by exploiting the lower class in underpaying jobs. It’s only fair that they pay more. One might even say it’s their duty as citizens of Crystalmoor.”
No one responded. He wasn’t sure if he should feel proud or offended by their fearful stares. “Thank you for your cooperation in these matters. I expect regular updates on your progress. Now, do any of you have matters to present?”
The naval officer raised his hand and pushed back his chair. He walked to the head of the table to address the council. “There is a new development with the navy. Lord Pierce has acquired a new weapon from Aravell. I would like to request an audience to demonstrate what it can do.”
Silvano’s ears perked up. Is that the trade agreement Lord Pierce had made? Purchasing a new weapon seemed unnecessary, but he would reserve judgment for now. “Is there a purpose to this weapon?”
“Our reports show that the Belosian pirates are getting bolder. Not only are they boarding and assaulting our ships, but they have recently begun landing on our northern shores, pillaging and raiding the villages there.”
Silvano rubbed a finger across his lips. “That doesn’t explain why Aravell would equip us with weapons. No matter our alliance, I can’t imagine any country willingly handing their neighbors something that could be turned against them.”
The naval officer nodded. “That was my initial reaction as well.”
“And now?”
“Reports from Aravell show that the pirates are doing the same to them. Unlike us, Aravell has no true navy, and the ships they did have were taken by the pirates. They aren’t a military people. Any proposed changes must be sent to committees and voted on. I’m sure you can imagine how this could cripple them in war time. Without our aid, they would be wiped out in a year.”
“I see.” Silvano frowned. Lord Pierce had never shown an interest in the navy before, or any military business for that matter. What had compelled him to enter into this trade?
“If it pleases you, I’d like us to meet tomorrow morning at the cove where our fleet awaits. My force will run a few test drills to try out the new weapon. With your approval, Lord Pierce will acquire more at the earliest convenience.”
Silvano’s eyes narrowed. “And what does he expect in return for his generosity?”
“Nothing. I understand that family is his motivator in this instance. His daughter and her husband live in Raven Crest, the capital.”
“Very well. If there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned. We will reconvene in the cove in the morning.”
12
Crystalmoor’s naval fleet was stationed in a man-made cove a half-mile north of East Rock. Silvano surveyed the area as the sailors prepared for the demonstration. The secluded cove offered protection from the violent seasonal storms common to the area but unfortunately, its narrow bottleneck would be a perfect location for an ambush. He resolved to discuss altering the cove to provide a secondary exit at the next council meeting.
Lush flora covered the rocky coast, shielding the cove from the sea-side view. An early morning fog had rolled in, clinging to the sea and lowering visibility. The naval officer, now appointed admiral, had assured him that it would not interfere with the demonstration.
Silvano stood on the prow of the navy’s flagship, The Indomitable, which rocked gently on the small waves. A green-faced Jax stood next to him. From the looks of it, he was just barely holding onto breakfast without tossing it off the side. Silvano took a deep breath, relishing the scent of the saltwater. A flock of gulls cried as they flew overhead. He leaned forward, running a hand over the carved figurehead—a kraken. Its tentacles wrapped around the bow of the ship, swirling along the sides which bore the scars of a hundred battles. The Indomitable had led the navy’s armada on hundreds of voyages, and it had never once been boarded. Never been defeated.
And this new weapon would ensure victory for years to come. He allowed himself the indulgence of a daydream—a vision of himself at the helm, leading the charge against the pirates that terrorized the coastline. But he wouldn’t stop there. Once he had neutralized the threat of the pirates, he would send his fleet east and conquer both Belos and Talos, expanding Crystalmoor’s power. All possible because of this opportune trade deal with Aravell.
Six of the new weapons lined up in a row on the starboard side of the ship where a Farber had sawed holes allowing them to poke through. Each weapon consisted of a long, iron tube mounted on a metal stand. It didn’t look like much, but it was technology that he could hardly dream of. Lord Pierce had said the cannons had each cost a fortune, but they would be instrumental in defeating the pirates.
Speaking of Lord Pierce, the man himself stood at the stern, surrounded by a group of nobles who insisted on being present for the demonstration. Dressed more appropriately for a ball than a war exercise, they sipped apricot cordial and nibbled on smoked fish on toasted bread to break their fast. Silvano had politely declined their invitation to join them, stati
ng that he wasn’t there to socialize. His snub might come back to haunt him, judging by the nobles’ outraged stares and loud whispers.
Silvano strolled to the first cannon where the admiral waited with his hands clasped loosely behind his back. A pile of round, iron balls waited at the back of the cannon.
“Admiral.” Silvano dipped his head in greeting.
The tips of the admiral’s ears turned red. “Miestryri. There’s no need for such formality.”
“Nonsense. You’ll be leading the armada against the pirates for years to come. How will your crew respect you if the Miestryri does not?”
The admiral shook his head. “I don’t deserve the title. Surely there were more experienced sailors."
“There were none I trusted more than you.” Too eager to suffer through the rest of the customary greetings, Silvano gestured to the cannons and asked, “How do they work?”
The admiral couldn’t hide his enthusiasm. His face broke out in a wide grin that made him appear even younger than his twenty-one years. He smacked the side of the cast-iron tube. “We pack firepowder—a recent invention in Aravell—into the bottom of the bore and then load the cannonball. Then, we light the fuse, which ignites the firepowder and fires the cannonball. Picture a row of Saxums launching melon-sized rocks at the enemy, just with fifty times the power and distance!”
Silvano’s eyebrows rose. “You think we could get that sort of range?”
“I do,” he said confidently. He gestured to the south. “We have a target ship anchored just there, about a thousand feet away. This is a test run. Our goal for today is to test our range and accuracy in the hopes of sinking it. If we can get a clean hit, I’ll consider it a victory.”
Silvano followed the trajectory. If he squinted, he could just barely make out the outline of the target ship through the fog. If the admiral’s crew managed a clean hit, he would be quite impressed. “Well, far be it from me to delay you.”
The admiral bowed before taking his place by the helm.
“Positions!” the admiral called.
The nobles pressed closer, eager to see what the weapons were capable of. Their endless prattling and excitable chatter grated on Silvano’s nerves. In retrospect, inviting them had been a mistake.
Groups of four sailors gathered around each of the cannons. Using long poles, they packed the cannons with firepowder and cannonballs. “Aim!”
“Fire!”
They lit the fuses and stood back, covering their ears. With a thunderous boom, the cannons fired. Cannonballs sailed through the air before splashing harmlessly in the water a few yards shy of the target. The sailors groaned as they adjusted their aim for the next round.
The admiral nodded as if that was to be expected. “Reload!”
“Fire!”
Another volley of cannonballs launched toward the target. The nobles, who had applauded the first round enthusiastically, now tittered and giggled behind their hands. Only Lord Pierce stood silently, gripping the rail until his knuckles turned white. He squinted out into the fog as the crew rushed to load another round. And another. The piles of cannonballs dwindled, and the sharp tang of firepowder tainted the air. Finally, a single ball hit its mark, blowing a hole in the side of the ship above the waterline. It was far from a fatal hit that would send the ship to the depths, but a cheer rose up amongst the crew as they celebrated the hit nevertheless.
Silvano clapped the admiral on the back. “Impressive damage.”
The admiral’s grin consumed his entire face. He gestured wildly as he said, “It is. From what I understand, the balls are designed to detonate upon impact. It isn’t much, but we’ll work on improving our accuracy, obviously. Regardless, I would wager this is a success. With your permission, I would like to experiment with combining our Gifts with the technology to improve the results.”
“You have my approval moving forward.”
“Thank you. I really think—"
A cry of alarm rang out among the crew moments before the sound of cannon fire reached his ears. A lone cannonball fell short of The Indomitable, splashing harmlessly in the water. For a moment, it seemed like time froze, then pandemonium broke out. Someone rang the alarm bell, and Silvano raced to the bow. The admiral stepped up to his side and lifted a telescope to his eye. He swallowed, then wordlessly handed the telescope to Silvano. He didn’t bother looking through it. The source of the cannonball was clear.
Three large ships cut through the fog like wraiths, sailing toward the cove.
Cannon blasts sounded across the water as cannonballs hurtled toward The Indomitable. The nobles screamed, dropping their glasses and plates to the deck where they shattered, sending shards flying. They scrambled for the longboats, slamming into the panicked crew in their desperation to escape.
Silvano knew he should run, too, but his feet were glued to the bow.
“Prepare for attack! Turn the ship to port!” the admiral cried.
The helmsman turned the wheel sharply. The deck dropped from under Silvano’s boots, and he grabbed the nearest rope to stay upright.
“Man your positions! Fire at will!”
The crew’s inexperience proved costly. They fired off a few useless rounds of cannonballs, but the enemy ships were out of range. Even Silvano knew it was a hopeless cause. If they couldn’t hit a stationary target a thousand feet away, they had no hope at double the distance.
The enemy ships edged closer, sealing the entrance of the cove and cutting off any chance of escape by sea. Silvano lifted the telescope to his eye, hoping for a better look at their sails. His eyes widened, and the telescope fell from his hand. It wasn’t the Belosian flag—a skull with a dagger clenched in its teeth—on their sails. Each of the vessels bore his sister’s crest.
Arianna’s fleet showed no mercy as it sent round after round across the cove.
The crew of The Indomitable returned fire, eating through the ammunition until there was nothing left.
An enemy cannonball blew through the mast. Men and women dove out of its way as it crashed to the deck. Cannonballs blew through the side of The Indomitable. Wood splintered, and men screamed. The ship lilted violently to the side. Silvano slid across the deck. Water sprayed up the sides. He clutched the railing and pulled himself upright.
“We’re taking on water!”
“Abandon ship!”
Sailors dove off the sides to avoid the carnage. The nobility on the ship were herded onto the remaining longboats.
The admiral spotted Silvano, and his eyes bugged out of his skull. “Miestryri, you must go!”
Silvano drew his shoulders back and stabbed a finger toward the enemy ships. “That is my sister. It should be me who handles her.”
“Sire, I respect your wishes, but this is not a fair battle. We are out of ammunition.”
As if to punctuate his point, another cannonball blasted through the side of the ship.
He ran to the starboard side and clutched the railing. If Arianna thought she would have an easy victory, she was sorely mistaken. He planted his boots on the deck and raised his hands. He lifted a wave that towered above the ships and thrust it toward the enemy.
He hoped that the water would slow enemy fire, but the cannonballs cut through the water and rammed into The Indomitable. Shrapnel exploded around him, cutting into his skin and leaving trickles of red behind. A wooden splinter the size of his hand embedded into his thigh. He cried out, releasing his hold on the water. The wave flowed harmlessly back into the sea before it reached Arianna’s ships.
Jax tackled him to the deck as a cannonball flew through the spot where he’d been standing. The air whooshed from his lungs when he hit the deck, and pain flared in his skull. Spots clouded his vision, and he gave into the darkness.
13
Someone was tugging on his leg.
Silvano groaned and tried to sit up, but blinding pain in his thigh made him fall back down. His head throbbed when it hit the soft ground. Soft. Why was he laying on something
soft? Where was he? He kept his eyes squeezed shut and reached out, feeling the ground around him. Sand? What happened to the—
The memories came rushing back. The Indomitable. The cannons. His sister’s ships.
“Lie still, Miestryri.”
“Jax?” Sand coated his tongue and crusted his teeth. He turned his head to the side and spat. Blinking, he opened his eyes and his surroundings came into focus. They weren’t in the cove anymore. Dense cover surrounded them, so thick he couldn’t see the sea, but the faint screech of gulls and the sound of water crashing on the shore told him they were close. Jax knelt by his side, tying a strip of cloth tightly around his thigh. “What happened?”
“We lost,” Jax said bluntly, though he kept his eyes averted. “Somehow, your sister’s fleet was equipped with even more cannons than our own. It was a bloodbath. We and the nobility were able to escape in time, but it was a close thing.”
Silvano pressed his palms to his temples. Everything… gone. He glanced over his shoulder. The nobles huddled together, dripping wet, looking lost and confused. A few sported minor injuries, but nothing that would slow them down for long. “The admiral?”
“Dead. After evacuating the crew, he chose to go down with the ship.”
He hadn’t known the man long, but the admiral had already earned his respect. He would have had a wonderful career, had he survived. Silvano felt a flare of remorse. “Who is in charge of the navy now?”
“No one, sire. The fleet has been captured.”
The weight of what he said slammed into Silvano. His head snapped up and he gaped at Jax. “All of it?”
Jax nodded. “Every last ship.”
“We must reclaim it immediately. Help me up.” He reached his hand toward Jax, who clasped his wrist and pulled him to his feet. Silvano tested his leg, leaning weight onto it. He gritted his teeth and took a few steps. The pain nearly made him collapse, but he couldn’t afford to rest. “I’ll need a team of Irrigos and Ignises. I’d rather burn the fleet to the watery depths than see them under her control.”
The Dreg Trilogy Omnibus Page 65