by Cas Peace
She sighed. “‘Keen’ is not the word I would have chosen. I knew I would not be given much choice, and I would rather accept a command of my own free will than have one forced upon me. And there is another factor here, something Vanyr probably does not know, which might make all the difference.”
He waited but she didn’t continue. “Well? What is it?”
She grinned. “Unlike the rest of this bigoted realm, it is not unusual on the eastern seaboard to find women working alongside men. Sailors, particularly legitimate traders, often spend many months at sea, and some take their women with them. It seems that easterners are more practical than these western types and can appreciate a woman’s merits.”
Robin’s troubled expression cleared and Sullyan lifted a warning hand. “Do not assume that this will make them easy to sway, Captain. It is still rare to find a woman in a position of authority, and this Ky-shan is obviously a man full of his own importance. We must be very careful. I may have to resort to a dangerous tactic in order to convince him.”
“What do you mean? What tactic?”
She refused to enlighten him and continued toward their suite. On reaching Marik’s rooms, she stopped to inform the Count of the meeting’s outcome and to extend the Hierarch’s invitation. He was pleased to learn that he would be included in her new command but was terrified of attending the dinner-party. She was aware that most of the Hierarch’s court regarded him as an enemy, even a traitor, so she could understand his nervousness. She said casually over her shoulder, “You just have to convince them of your loyalty, Ty.”
Marik didn’t say a word, and her apparent indifference gained her a sharp glance from Robin. She ignored him and returned to their suite, where she stripped off her dress uniform and indulged in a relaxing bath. At one point she heard Robin answer a knock at their door, and soon he appeared in the pool room, bearing a covered jug.
“Deshan left this for you. He said to drink it all—he’ll send more later.”
She grimaced. The drink was bound to taste foul. Healers seemed incapable of making their potions taste pleasant. However, when she emerged from the pool room and tasted the brew, she discovered that it was actually quite refreshing.
There was some food on a tray by the settle, and once they had eaten, Robin clearly expected her to rest until the dinner engagement. Sullyan had other plans. She pulled on her combat leathers and Robin frowned, watching her attach the Hierarch’s rank-badge to those she already wore.
“Where are we going now?”
She looked up. “To see Ky-shan, of course.” At his worried expression she pursed her lips. “Oh, you thought I would rest on my achievements today, did you? Well, may I remind you that this realm is at war and we came here to ensure that Rykan does not win? I intend to take the field tomorrow, so we have no time to waste. Does that not suit you, Captain? Would you rather spend your time relaxing here? You only have to say the word.”
His surprise turned to chagrin and he held up his hands. They were back on a military footing, their old working relationship re-established. Knowing she needed his wholehearted support, he replied briskly.
“Of course not, Major, I’ll be ready when you are. You can rely on me.”
Her smile warmed him. “I know I can.”
Half an hour later, they were walking through the snowy streets of the lower town, heading for the northern quarter. Alone, dressed in combat leathers and cloaks trimmed with the Hierarch’s purple, they attracted much less attention than when they had arrived three days earlier. Her weatherproof cloak concealed Sullyan’s gender and also hid her sword. She was on surer ground now that she had a clear purpose. The potion Deshan had brought her had certainly improved her vitality, and she moved with her usual grace, her gaze missing nothing.
Although they saw no one they knew on their journey, they found Ky-shan’s compound easily enough. Sullyan stopped and took in the scene. The pirate band might not be officially captive, but their freedom was certainly being restricted. There were large numbers of Velletian Guard drilling conspicuously nearby, and Sullyan noted their presence grimly. Taking a breath, she strode past them and approached the pirates’ courtyard, its entrance guarded by two huge fellows in breeches and greatcoats. Both men carried long pikes and sported thick beards, a rarity among Andaryans, who mostly went clean shaven. The two were so alike that they had to be twins. At Sullyan’s approach they stepped together, barring her way.
She halted before them and flicked back the corner of her cloak, letting them see she was armed. The two men were clearly puzzled and glanced mutely between her and Robin.
“I am Major Sullyan,” she said. “I wish to speak with Ky-shan.”
The giants fixed her with identical blank stares and remained silent. Sullyan sensed Robin preparing for trouble, but then another man appeared, strolling through the compound toward them. Medium height and powerfully built, he walked with a sinuous gait. His large, calloused hands were thrust through a thick leather belt, from which hung a heavy sword with a curved tip. Clean shaven except for a thin mustache, his eyes were very blue in his tanned and weathered face. He halted just behind his men and regarded the two Albians down a large, rudder-like nose.
Sullyan immediately gave him her attention, while he studied her with disparaging interest. Robin shifted uneasily and Sullyan was careful to keep her hands away from her sword hilt.
“Ky-shan,” she said pleasantly. “How blow the winds across the Triple Sea?”
The man called Ky-shan frowned. When he opened his mouth to reply, he displayed large and very even, white teeth. His voice was deep and he spoke slowly. “They blow westerly, steady and strong.”
She held his gaze. “Then it will be a broad reach over to Tallimore.”
From the corner of her eye she caught Robin’s bemused look. He had no idea what was going on. Thankfully, the pirate found meaning in her words and turned to the giants by the gate.
“Almid. Kester.”
Both men put up their pikes and stood aside. Ky-shan gave a dramatic flourish with his hand, inviting the Albians in. Sullyan inclined her head and stepped past him, into the pirates’ compound. Robin followed, shaking his head.
Chapter Eighteen
Men were lounging about the compound in attitudes of boredom and more came strolling out of the buildings on either side. All were strong and swarthy, some darker of skin than others. Their eyes were mainly blue or grey and of a greater intensity than most Andaryans’. They were stocky rather than tall, the two by the entrance being exceptions. Their ages ranged from twenty-five to fifty-five, Ky-shan being one of the oldest. Two were much younger than the rest, younger than either Sullyan or Robin, and one of these, judging by his features, was Ky-shan’s son.
The men crowded silently around, surrounding the two Albians. Sullyan felt her Captain grow nervous and took care to hide her own discomfort. Standing confidently at Ky-shan’s side, she openly assessed his band. Most of them stared right back at her, but a few wouldn’t meet her gaze. Eventually, her eyes came to rest on Ky-shan’s son, and she probed his mind delicately. She caught the aura of raw, untrained talent and the promise of strength. The youngster didn’t respond and sullenly avoided her gaze. Withdrawing her attention, she turned to face Ky-shan.
He raised his brows. “You wished to speak with me, Lady?”
Hands on hips, she stared pointedly. “I came to see if you and your men have had enough of the easy life, Ky-shan, but by the looks of this lot, they have lost sight of what they came for. Perhaps they are content to laze here in comfort while others do the fighting and collect the bounty? I am disappointed. I thought eastern seaboarders were doughty fighters, but these do not look at all fearsome to me.”
There were gasps of outrage, the loudest coming from Ky-shan’s son. He took a step forward, his hand on his sword hilt. Ky-shan frowned deeply. Robin’s hand strayed to his own sword, and Sullyan could feel his tension. She understood. He had never heard her speak so rudely to a st
ranger before and had certainly never known her to goad a man so deliberately.
Contempt showed on Ky-shan’s face. “We came here to fight, Lady! It’s hardly our fault they sent us bilge-bailers instead of officers.”
“Ah, I see. Your men are unruly and cannot take orders. Yes, that is what I heard. I did not believe it because I thought the men of the eastern seaboard were disciplined and successful, but it seems I was wrong. I regret disturbing you, Ky-shan. Clearly, I am wasting my time.”
She turned on her heel, preparing to stride away, but a shiver of drawn steel brought her up short. She was now facing Robin and saw the frozen look on his face. His voice sounded in her mind.
What on earth are you up to? He’s drawn on you!
Trust me, Robin. I know what I am doing.
She spoke without turning. “Any man who draws steel on me had better be prepared to use it.”
A metallic snap broke the brief silence as the partly drawn sword was rammed back home. Then Ky-shan snapped, “Pah! I don’t fight women.”
She turned with a smile on her lips. “You prove at every turn what they say in the barracks. They are right to keep you netted like fish. What is it they call pirates—your pardon, free traders—in the east? Sea wolves, is it? Ha, I think not! Just look at the state of your men, Ky-shan. Sea slugs would be more fitting. No wonder the officers here do not want you.” She turned away again.
This time she had gone too far. Ky-shan snarled, drew his great sword, and sprang across her path, leveling his blade at her breast. Abruptly she halted and stared into his eyes, ignoring the dangerously waving sword.
“Well now,” she murmured, “what is this? Would you challenge me?”
Despite having most of her attention on Ky-shan, she sensed that Robin was beginning to understand. Despite the Hierarch’s express warning about dueling, and her own opinions on the subject, she meant to cross swords with Ky-shan for the right to lead his men. She knew Robin would trust her.
She almost smiled. Unlike the twin giants and Ky-shan’s son, all of whom had their hands clenched upon their sword hilts, Robin was showing great restraint. He stood unmoving with his arms folded across his chest, watching the scene before him. His expression was calm. She wanted to hug him. It was at moments like these when she loved him the most.
Ky-shan was anything but restrained. He was roaring.
“Take back your discourteous words, girl. No one speaks to Ky-shan like that! What gives you the right to come in here, offering the traditional words of friendship and then insulting us? You’re not even of this realm. You’re human! I don’t take insults from my own kind, let alone inferior creatures like you!”
His men bellowed their support. Sullyan saw Robin cast an uneasy glance at the soldiers outside the courtyard. They had heard the altercation and were gathering to watch.
“‘Inferior creatures’?” she echoed, the sneer never leaving her face. “Is that the best you can do? I have heard better insults from children. If your sword arm is as weak as your wit, Ky-shan, I will have no trouble besting you.”
Now the man was dancing with rage, his face suffused with blood. The tip of his sword trembled with the force of his anger.
“You wouldn’t stand a chance, girl. I’m the best swordsman in the east! I’ve killed real fighters twice your height and strength. If you were a man I would make you regret your words.”
“Oh, come now, my sex is a poor excuse. But I suppose if you have no stomach for it, then that is an end.”
His son surged forward, sword in hand. “I’ll fight her, Father!”
Ky-shan slapped the youth away. “Stay out of this, ignorant pup.”
The boy subsided, looking sullen, and Ky-shan rounded on Sullyan. “Very well, girl, if you want a fight you can have one. I don’t usually bother with the likes of you, but you need to be taught a lesson. You’ll learn some manners and respect before I’m finished with you, and then my men can have you. They’ll teach you much more than respect, believe me!”
Robin gasped and Sullyan felt her heart clench with fear before she controlled herself. “Very well, Ky-shan, I accept your terms. But I warn you, when I defeat you, I shall demand a forfeit.”
“Ha! You can demand whatever the hell you like! If you can defeat me, I’ll pay any forfeit you care to name. But when I defeat you, you’re ours.”
“Agreed. Captain!”
Her voice jolted Robin, who fortunately realized what she wanted, although his voice was a croak.
“Witnessed.”
Sullyan removed her cloak and jacket, handing them to Robin. Ky-shan’s eyes widened when he saw her rank insignia and battle honors, and wariness showed on his face. He waved his men back to the walls of the compound to make space for the fight. This hid them from the soldiers outside, and Sullyan noticed Robin eyeing the Guardsmen. He would be wondering how long it would be before news of the duel reached the Hierarch. Sullyan could hardly deny inciting Ky-shan. Knowing Robin trusted her, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind, waving him to a position not far from the compound entrance.
As she drew her sword, Ky-shan positioned himself across from her, his heavier blade already balanced in his right hand. Poised on the balls of his feet, he looked angry and dangerous. Sullyan chose a double-handed grip. It wasn’t her usual style, but when the pirate attacked with no warning, she was glad she had. She blocked the mighty swipe and let Ky-shan’s blade shiver off hers, the two-handed grip giving her stability against his heavier weapon.
He came back at her at once, and she allowed him to make contact with her sword, jumping away without striking back. She would test his skill and strength and let him spend the first flush of his anger. Moving easily around the space, giving ground as necessary, she made him do all the work. Yet he was not without subtlety and soon realized what she was doing. After a few testing passes which she parried cleanly, she saw him begin to re-evaluate her. She gave him her full attention, anticipating the real start to their duel.
The pirate lunged at her and she switched to a single, left-handed grip, parrying his thrust and following up with a lunge of her own. The very tip of her sword parted the sleeve on his right arm and she saw a thin trace of blood follow the blade.
His men saw it too and erupted, roaring their anger. It was only a flesh wound and could hardly have stung, but seeing first blood go to her refueled Ky-shan’s rage. He bellowed and pressed her with a flurry of furious strokes. Sullyan parried smoothly, forcing him to circle, trying to tire him out. Where she could, she sidestepped his lunges, letting him spend his strength on empty air, and then followed up with a lightning-fast attack of her own.
Ky-shan’s was the stronger weapon, but it was heavier and slower. His thick, meaty fingers weren’t as flexible as Sullyan’s and his control over his blade not as sure. His was a slashing weapon and his style reflected this, more suited to shipboard skirmishes than the finer art of dueling. Soon he began to tire, his breath coming in gasps. She guessed that her level of expertise had both surprised and infuriated him. Sustaining his anger was sapping his strength. As he fought, he gave a series of grunts and cries, whereas Sullyan fought in silence, only exhaling hard during a particularly vicious cut.
His men were jeering her, yelling encouragement to their leader. Ky-shan altered his tactics and advanced hard on her, attacking with a series of cross-body strokes so powerful they turned his torso from side to side. Each slash was punctuated by a heavy grunt. Sullyan blocked, backing away before him, his men parting to give her room. She was still using a left-handed grip and Ky-shan had the measure of that now, compensating well for the unusual angle of her blade. He was grinning. She moved sideways, parrying awkwardly, sliding away when she could. Ky-shan pursued her relentlessly, pressing home his advantage. His men roared and he swung his sword round to attack her unprotected right side.
Flicking her sword into her other hand, she ducked his violent swing, thrusting swiftly at his completely undefended left flank. Her
blade opened a long, bloody cut down his side.
Ky-shan staggered, gasping in pain. As his men swayed forward, yelling their anger, Sullyan pursued him across the courtyard, opening two more superficial cuts before he recovered his balance. Enraged beyond thought now and egged on by his band, Ky-shan chased her back, beating down on her sword, raining blows as fast as he could. He drove her backward on the icy ground where the footing was treacherous, pressing her so fast that suddenly—she went down. With a roar of triumph echoed by his furious men, Ky-shan raised his blade.
“NO!”
As Robin’s cry echoed across the courtyard, Sullyan whipped her weapon upward, catching Ky-shan’s on the shaft. Shivering up under the hilt, it twisted the heavier sword out of the pirate’s hand. The blade flew sideways, ringing across the compound until it came to rest at his stunned son’s feet.
The men fell silent, crowding in a tight ring around their leader. Robin surged through them, shoving urgently, but then stopped, dumbfounded.
Sullyan lay on the frozen ground, breathing heavily. Above her, Ky-shan stood immobile, staring down. He too was gasping for breath, perspiring freely. His face was grey with fear, for the tip of Sullyan’s weapon rested lightly against the artery inside his right thigh. One tiny thrust from her and the vessel would be severed, ending his life. Ky-shan couldn’t afford to move a muscle and Sullyan’s sword didn’t waver.
She stayed where she was while her breathing slowed. Her eyes never left the pirate’s, and his stayed locked on hers. Robin didn’t move either, unsure what would happen next. The men around them were intent on the scene, hands clenched into fists. They were, Sullyan knew, one step away from tearing her and Robin to pieces. One word from Ky-shan was all it would take.
Her breath restored, she disengaged her gaze from Ky-shan’s. Delicately giving her sword-tip a tiny push, she reminded him how close he had come to death. Then she lowered it, keeping it ready nonetheless. Her left hand was behind her, supporting the weight of her upper body. Now she brought it round and wordlessly held it toward him.
