Ghuda said, ‘I think he said they wore no badges.’
The man who had named himself Tuka shook his head vigorously. ‘Yes, a non-lawful company, no doubt, Encosi. Brigands, most certainly.’
Something about the way he spoke confused Nicholas. He motioned for Ghuda to step away and said, ‘He doesn’t believe that. Why is he lying?’
Ghuda glanced over Nicholas’s shoulder. ‘I have no idea. We don’t know what the politics around here is like, and it may be we’ve wandered into some sort of fracas between two lords or two business organizations or who knows what. It could also be that he does know who the raiders are, but playing stupid will keep him alive.’
Nicholas shrugged and turned toward the man. ‘Are you the only survivor?’
The man looked around as if trying to decide which answer would best serve him. The expression was not lost on Ghuda, who drew out a hunting knife and stepped before the man. ‘Don’t lie, you scum!’
The man fell to his knees and started to beg for his life, imploring them to spare him because of his three wives and uncountable children. Nicholas glanced at Marcus, who nodded slightly to let Ghuda continue. The big mercenary made an almost comic show of menacing the little man, but whatever humor was in it was lost on Tuka. He crawled upon the ground and wept copiously, screaming that he was innocent of any duplicity and calling on at least a half-dozen gods unknown to Nicholas to protect him from harm.
At last Nicholas waved Ghuda away and said, ‘I won’t let him harm you, if you tell us the truth. We have nothing to do with those who burned these wagons. Now, who are you, where were you headed, and who raided you?’
The little man glanced around the circle of faces, and after another short spurt of imploring heaven for aid and comfort, he said, ‘Encosi, mercy upon me. I am being Taka, a servant of Andres Rusolavi, a trader of majestic accomplishments. My master holds patents from six cities and is considered friend by the Jeshandi.’ Nicholas hadn’t a clue who or what the Jeshandi were, but motioned for the little man to continue his narrative.
‘We were bound home from the Spring Meeting, carrying cargo of great wealth, when we were struck this morning by a band of riders who forced us to circle. My master was served by Jawan’s Company, who fought well, and we were protected against this trivial raid, but then we were assaulted from the river, by men in boats, who overcame us. All of my master’s servants and Jawan’s Company were put to the sword, and my master’s four remaining wagons were taken away.’ The man looked terrified as he said, ‘I was upon that wagon’ – he pointed to one of the two overturned wagons – ‘and when it upended, I was thrown into the grass there.’ He pointed to a point near where Calis had found him. ‘I am not being a very brave man. I hid.’ He said the last as if ashamed to admit his cowardice.
Nicholas said, ‘Do we believe him?’
Ghuda asked him to step aside and said, ‘I don’t think he’s lying. He expects we know who these Jeshandi are and who this Jawan was, or he would have said who they were. But he didn’t expect us to know his master, so that’s why he told us what an important man he is.’ Ghuda turned to the man and said, ‘Are you of Rusolavi’s house?’
The man nodded furiously. ‘As was my father. We are his free servants!’
Ghuda said, ‘I think we’d best keep who we are to ourselves for a while.’
Nicholas nodded. ‘You circulate and tell everyone to watch what they say around this fellow, while I ask him some more questions.’
Nicholas motioned for the little man to accompany him over to the wagons, and made a stab at finding out what this valuable cargo was. The others appeared soon after and Ghuda warned them all about keeping their identity secret.
At one point, after Nicholas had some sense of what the caravan was carrying, Tuka asked, ‘Encosi, which company is this?’
Nicholas glanced at the ragged band of sailors and soldiers who had survived the trip from Crydee, and said, ‘It’s my company.’
The man’s eyes widened. ‘May I have the honor of your name, Encosi?’
Nicholas,’ said the Prince, and he almost added, ‘of Krondor,’ but caught himself.
The man’s expression turned to one of puzzlement, but he said, ‘Of course, mighty one. Your reputation precedes you. Your deeds are legendary, and every other captain shakes with fear or trembles in envy at your name.’
Nicholas didn’t know what to make of the flattery, but as he told the little man to follow him, he said, ‘We’re not from around here.’
‘By your accent and manner of dress, I am gleaning that fact, Encosi. But your fame spreads throughout the land.’
‘Speaking of which,’ said Nicholas, ‘what land is this?’
Tuka looked confused at the question, and it wasn’t a function of language. Nicholas judged the context wrong, and said, ‘How far are we from your destination?’
The little man brightened and said, ‘We are but four days from the rendezvous at Shingazi’s Landing. There my master intended to load our cargo upon barges and take them downriver.’
‘Where?’ asked Nicholas as they reached the others.
At this Tuka looked even more confused. ‘Where? Why, the City of the Serpent River. Where else would one go in the Eastlands, Encosi? There is no other place to go.’
Nicholas glanced at his companions, who waited.
Margaret craned her neck, attempting to see around the large rudder. ‘It’s a seaport,’ she said.
‘How interesting,’ said Abigail sarcastically. She had alternated between bitter humor and black despair since they left the pursuing ship behind. ‘We were going to reach one sooner or later.’
‘One thing you learn in the wilderness, Abby, is that you’re a fool to follow a trail without marking your way.’
‘Whatever that means,’ said Abby.
Margaret turned around and sat down on one of the beds. ‘It means that when we escape, we don’t want to find we haven’t a clue to how to get back.’
‘Back where!’ said Abby, her bitter anger now directed at Margaret.
Margaret gripped her friend by the arms. Keeping her voice low, she said, ‘I know you’re upset. I felt just as distressed when we lost Anthony and the others. But they’re coming. They may only be a day or two behind. When we get free of these murderers, we’ll need to backtrack along this route, for that’s where help will be.’
‘If we get free,’ said Abby.
‘Not if – when!’ insisted Margaret.
Abby’s eyes teared and she let go of her anger. ‘I’m so frightened,’ she said as Margaret took her in her arms.
Soothing her friend’s terrors, Margaret said, ‘I know. I’m frightened, too. But we’ve got to do whatever we need to, no matter how scared we are. There’s just no other way.’
Abby said, ‘I’ll do what you ask.’
‘Good,’ said Margaret. ‘Always stay close to me, and if I see any opportunity to escape, I mean to take it. Just follow me.’
Abigail said nothing.
The door to the cabin opened unexpectedly. Two black-clad sailors entered, taking up guard positions on either side of the door. Instead of Arjuna Svadjian, a woman entered. Her hair was nearly black, which, coupled with fair skin and blue eyes, gave her an exotic appearance. She wore a robe which, once inside the cabin, she threw back across her shoulders, showing she wore little beneath; her breasts were covered by a light halter, while around her waist she wore but a simple short silken skirt. The scant garments were finely fashioned and well made, and she wore a ransom in jewels.
Margaret knew this was no tavern dancer or even a rich courtesan, for there was something terrifying in this woman’s eyes. She spoke easily, in the King’s Tongue. ‘You are the Duke’s daughter?’
Margaret said, ‘Yes, I am. Who are you?’
The woman ignored the question. ‘You are then the daughter of the Baron of Carse?’ she said to Abigail.
Abigail only nodded.
The woman said, ‘You
will be taken from here, and whatever is asked of you, do it. You must know that you may live well, live poorly, or watch some of your countrymen die incredibly painful, lingering deaths – I can assure you we have the means to make it seem an eternity. It is your choice. I urge you to choose well.’ In an offhanded manner she added, ‘The pain of your countrymen is of no consequence, but you nobles of the Kingdom have a strong sense of being caretakers to these cattle. I hope this proves sufficient motivation for your cooperation.’
She motioned with her hand, and from outside the cabin two more guards entered, dragging a young girl with them. Without taking her eyes from Margaret, the woman said, ‘Do you know this girl?’ Margaret recognized her: she was one of the kitchen staff from the castle, named Meggy. Margaret nodded.
‘Good,’ said the woman. ‘She is not very well, so killing her will only lose us one mouth to feed.’ She waited a moment, then said, ‘Kill her.’
‘No!’ screamed Margaret as one of the two guards quickly drew a dagger, gripped Meggy by the hair, and pulled her head back. With a swift stroke of the blade, he easily slashed her throat. So quick was the act that the girl had only a moment to emit a strangled cry and then her eyes glazed over and she collapsed to her knees, as blood fountained from her neck.
‘You didn’t have to do this!’ accused Margaret, while Abigail stood mute, eyes wide in horror.
‘A demonstration,’ said the woman. ‘You have special value to me, and I will not risk harming you as long as I have other options. But I will not hesitate to take the youngest child from your home and slowly cook him over coals before your eyes to get your cooperation. Am I making things clear to you?’
Margaret swallowed hot anger, leaving the taste of raw bile in her mouth. Her eyes were moist with tears of rage, but she forced her voice to calmness as she said, ‘Yes. Very clear.’
‘Good,’ said the woman. Turning, she drew her robe about her and left. The guards who had dragged the girl in picked up her lifeless body and carried it out. The other two guards closed the door, leaving the cabin as it had been before, save for the spreading crimson pool on the deck.
When everyone had gathered at the site of the ambush, Nicholas had the area searched. They discovered three swords in the tall grass, as well as a handful of daggers. A barrel of hard bread and dried beef was found and quickly passed among the men.
Tuka observed the ragged band and said, ‘Oh, Encosi, it would seem your company has fallen upon hard times.’
Nicholas observed the little man and judged him a shrewd customer. ‘You could say that,’ he answered. ‘As you have, it seems.’
The little man visibly sagged at that. ‘So true, mighty Captain. My master will be sore vexed to have lost so valuable a caravan. His standing in the Dhiznasi Bruku will diminish, and I shall be the one held accountable, no doubt.’
Nicholas didn’t know what a Dhiznasi Bruku was, but he was darkly amused by the little man’s last remark. ‘Why should your master, obviously a man of perspicacity, hold you, a lowly wagon driver, responsible?’
Tuka shrugged. ‘Who else is there being alive to blame?’
Ghuda laughed. ‘No matter how far you travel, some things never change.’
‘This is so,’ said Nakor, who had come up behind the Prince. ‘So it would be likely that this intelligent man might also be thankful for the recovery of his property.’
A feral light arose in Tuka’s eyes. ‘Would so mighty a captain accept a commission from one being so lowly as myself?’
Ghuda imperceptibly shook his head no, and Nicholas said, ‘I would not, but I would accept one from your master should you be empowered to act upon his behalf.’
‘Ayee,’ said Tuka with a genuine note of frustration. ‘You make sport of poor Tuka, Encosi. You know that I cannot. I may endure shame and punishment from the Bruku, perhaps being cast out and fated never to know honest work again, but I cannot be binding my master to any contracts, oh no.’
Nicholas rubbed his chin, at a loss for what to say next. Ghuda, however, said, ‘Well, I suppose we could go after these brigands and simply take from them what they took from your master.’
Now Tuka looked thoroughly stricken. ‘Oh, mighty Captain, should you do that, I shall be again cast upon the river of hopelessness. No, some bargain must be possible.’
Amos, who had been standing silently nearby, finally said, ‘Well, laws of salvage are pretty much the same everywhere.’
Nicholas turned and said, ‘On the sea, perhaps, but in – where we’re from, we hang those who receive stolen goods, remember?’
Amos sighed. ‘The niceties of civilized law; I’d forgotten,’ he said dryly.
Nicholas said, ‘Tell you what: we’ll see what we can do after we’ve scouted out these bandits, and if we can recover anything, we’ll take the usual fees.’
Something like hope appeared in Tuka’s expression. ‘How many warriors in your service, Encosi?’
‘Thirty-three besides myself,’ sad Nicholas.
Tuka pointed to Brisa. ‘Including the girl?’ he asked, instantly seizing upon any chance to bargain.
A dagger suddenly appeared between Tuka’s feet, vibrating in the earth from the force of the throw. Brisa smiled with as nasty an expression as she could muster. ‘Including the girl,’ she said.
‘Women warriors,’ said Tuka, with a forced smile. ‘I am being a progressive man. Thirty-three warriors and you, Encosi. From here to Shingazi’s Landing, with a bonus for fighting, you would be entitled to sixty-six Khaipur cerlanders, and –’
Not waiting for the man to finish, Ghuda grabbed him and pulled him around roughly. Seizing his tunic, he half lifted the little man and said, ‘You seek to cheat us!’
‘No, master of kindness, I was merely beginning my accounts!’ He looked about to faint. ‘I mean sixty-six cerlanders, each day, with food and drink, and a bonus to the captain when we reach Shingazi’s Landing!’
Nicholas shook his head. ‘When we reach the City of the Serpent River, and your master, you mean.’
Turning pale, Tuka looked as if he might offer another option, but Ghuda hiked him up so that his toes dangled an inch above the ground. ‘Eeep!’ the little man said as he rose into the air. ‘If that is the Encosi’s pleasure, then I’m sure my master will be obliged.’
Ghuda set him down and Nicholas said, ‘Oh, your master is obliged, if he wants to see his cargo back.’
Tuka looked as if he were dancing on hot coals as he shifted his weight back and forth from foot to foot; at last he said, ‘Done!’
Ghuda said, ‘I’ll take Calis.’
Nicholas nodded. He said to Marcus, ‘Supervise one more sweep through the surrounding grass and see if there’s anything useful we’ve missed.’ Turning to Tuka, he asked, ‘Is there any place between here and Shingazi’s Landing where those men on the wagons could have offloaded what they’ve stolen to the boats?’
‘No, Encosi. They were small boats, in any event. If they have large riverboats, they will be at Shingazi’s Landing.’
‘Then that’s where we’re bound,’ said Nicholas.
Nicholas consulted with Amos, and quickly they evaluated their forces. The company now possessed one bow, five swords, and enough knives and daggers to arm the others. Of those men who survived the wreck, all were seasoned soldiers, or sailors with some experience in a fight.
Nicholas discussed a variety of plans with Amos, but mostly to keep his own nervousness under control, as he knew little of warfare save from his lessons. Theory he had more of than any man present, he was sure, but in battle he was the least experienced. Marcus had fought goblins with his father, and even Harry had ridden out with his father to chase off bandits before coming to Krondor.
Calis returned near midafternoon. He leaned on his bow and said, ‘Ghuda watches. There was a supply of wine or ale –’
‘Fine spirits,’ supplied Tuka.
‘Well, those with the wagons are determined to drink most of it before joining
their fellows at the landing. They’ve pulled off the road and are working on a heroic drunk.’ Motioning for Nicholas to move off out of Tuka’s hearing, he said, ‘There’s more. They have prisoners.’
‘Prisoners?’
‘Women.’
Nicholas thought for a long moment, then slowly, with great drama, drew his sword. He advanced upon Tuka, who turned pale as the rough-looking young man bore down upon him. ‘Encosi?’ he croaked.
Putting the point of his sword to the little man’s throat, Nicholas said, ‘Tell me of the women.’
Tuka fell to his knees, crying, ‘Spare me, master, for I am being a fool to lie to so august a captain as yourself. I am telling you all if you will but grant me leave to breathe until Lady Kal takes my life.’
‘Speak,’ demanded Nicholas, trying his best to look threatening.
He must have been convincing, for Tuka told everything in a flood of words. The women were a noble’s daughter, the Ranjana by title, though Nicholas didn’t have any idea what that meant, and her four maids. She, from the city of Kilbar, was bound to someone called the Overlord, ruler of the City of the Serpent River. She was to be his wife. Tuka’s master, Andres Rusolavi, was being paid a large sum to broker the arranged marriage and provide safe transport for the girl from the city of Khaipur to the City of the Serpent River.
Tuka swore that he believed the bandits to be men sent to cause friction between the Overlord and the Dhiznasi Bruku – which Nicholas guessed to be a trading consortium or association – and drive a wedge between them.
‘Who would wish to do so?’ asked Ghuda.
Tuka looked confused. ‘Surely you are not being from so distant a place that you do not know the Overlord is being a man of multitudinous enemies? Most certainly it is being the work of the Raj of Maharta, he being the ruler with whom the Overlord is presently at war.’
Nicholas said, ‘We are from a very distant city.’
‘My master, and his associates, seek to bring favor upon their lot by sending gifts to the Overlord along with his newest wife.’
Prince of the Blood, the King's Buccaneer Page 76
