by Allan Cole
She straightened, every inch a royal warrior. She said, with all the conviction she could muster: "I will guard you and I will be this other woman for you for as long as you like."
Leiria almost took her leave with that. But she found there was one more thing it was important for her to say. "Perhaps someday," she said, desperately fighting to keep her voice from trembling, "It will be my name you speak instead of … hers."
And then Leiria fled.
Leiria came back to the present, feeling Jooli's eyes on her. "The woman's name was Nerisa," she said.
"Safar loved her and she died tragically."
She shrugged. "What's more tragic is that Safar believes it was his fault. Just as he thinks that he is to blame for Methydia's death."
"Is there any truth to it?" Jooli asked.
"None at all," Leiria said. "But Safar's like that. He takes on guilt faster than anyone I've ever met."
Jooli eyed her. "You're in love with him, too," she said.
Leiria blushed. She said, low, "Yes. We were … lovers once."
"And he sent you away," Jooli asked, "because of his guilt?"
Leiria wiped an eye. "No, I sent him away," she said. "Or I left, at any rate. But it was because of his guilt, yes."
"And now you wished you hadn't?" Jooli asked.
Leiria only nodded.
"What are you going to do about it?" Jooli prodded.
Leiria shook her head. "Nothing," she said. "What's done is done."
Jooli put a hand on her shoulder. "Sister," she said, "thank you for keeping me from making a big mistake."
She looked Leiria straight in the eye. "Let me return the favor by giving you a word of advice. You are wrong, sister. You were wrong then and are wrong now. And when the right time comes, be sure to correct the mistake. And you'll both be happier for it."
Then she turned and walked back to her cabin. Leiria stared after her, too surprised to answer.
"Something's wrong with my father," Palimak said.
He was lying on his bunk, arms behind his head, the two Favorites perched on his chest nibbling sugar rolls and cheese.
Gundara belched. "Of course there's something wrong with him," he said. "He's a master, isn't he?
Masters always have worms in their brains." Another belch. "Present company not included, of course."
"Speaking of worms," Gundaree said. "I found a nice fat one in a biscuit the other day. It was dee-lish-shous! Better than old cheese."
"You're such a disgusting thing," Gundara sneered. "How can you stand yourself?"
"Worms, worms, worms," Gundaree said.
"Stop it!" Gundara shouted. "You're making me sick!"
"Big fat juicy ones," Gundaree continued. "Worms in your sweets. Worms in your sugar buns. Worms, worms, worms!"
"Shut up, you!"
"Don't you say shut up! You shut up!"
"Shut up, shut up, shut-Ouch!"
Gundara rubbed his backside. Palimak had just given it a stinging flick with his finger. "Why'd you do that?" he whined. "I wasn't the one talking about worms."
"And I didn't say shut up first! You-ouch!"
Now it was Gundaree's turn to rub his tender behind.
"Do I have your attention now, boys?" Palimak asked.
The twins muttered, "Yes, Little Master," while rubbing their rears.
"Now, I was talking about my father," Palimak said. "There's something wrong, but I can't figure out what it is. Ever since he got back, he's been acting … well … I don't know…" He shrugged … "Strange, I guess."
"Seems the same to me," Gundara said.
"Me too," Gundaree agreed.
"Why are you asking us, Little Master?" Gundara wanted to know. "We don't care how people act.
People are people, which is pretty stupid."
"Yeah," Gundaree said. "People are sometimes stupid one way. Sometimes stupid another. So it's all the same to us. Stupid is stupid. What more is there to know?"
Palimak sighed, trying not to become impatient. He fed them more sugar buns and cheese to shut them up.
"I was talking about magic," he said. "Could something have happened to him in that spellworld that somehow affected him?"
Gundara shrugged. "Sure, it could have," he said. "But it didn't."
"How do you know?" Palimak asked.
Gundaree snickered. "There he goes, just like people. Acting stupid."
"I'm also part demon," Palimak reminded him.
Gundara belched loudly. "What's the difference?" he said. "Stupid with fingers, or stupid with talons. Still stupid."
"All right," Palimak said. "I'm being stupid. But if I'm so stupid, how am I supposed to know unless somebody tells me."
Gundaree giggled. "That's our job," he said. "Stay with you always and tell you when you're being stupid."
"Not that you ever listen," Gundara said. "Lots of times we say, a€?Run, Palimak, run! Run for your life!'"
He gave Palimak an admonishing look. "But you don't run. And someday they're going to catch you.
Mark my words!"
"I'm marking them," Palimak said. "But you still didn't answer my question. Why am I being stupid about my father?"
Gundaree gave a long and weary sigh. "Because, Little Master," he said, "if something magic was going on we'd know it, right? And so would you. You're a wizard!"
"But you're both better at that kind of thing than I am," Palimak said. "Much better. The witch who made you gave you heightened powers so you could protect your masters." He pointed at the door. "Why, if something that meant me harm was walking toward this at cabin this very minute, you'd both know. And warn me. Right?"
Gundara shuddered. "Something's coming, Little Master!" he suddenly squealed.
"Stop fooling around," Palimak said, getting irritated. "I'm serious about this!"
"And so are we!" Gundaree cried. "Look out, Little Master, here it comes!"
And at that moment Palimak heard a heavy body thump against his cabin door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CORALEAN
Coralean was tossing fitfully in his bunk when he heard the scratching at his cabin door.
He'd spent a miserable day both cajoling and threatening his fleet captains, all of whom had been stricken with jealousy over the handsome sums paid to the crew of the Nepenthe.
Never mind that none of them had actually wanted to join Safar on his mysterious mission. Never mind that the camel had been let out of the stable and now everyone knew Safar's mission was a dangerous around-the-world voyage with minimal chance of success.
The mere thought that other men were enjoying fatter purses than theirs was more than those pirates could bear. They wanted more money, they wanted it now, or they would lift the blockade on King Rhodes.
In the end, Coralean had used all his persuasive powers to get them to agree upon a lesser sum. Although he'd sweetened the contracts with promises of bonuses for every month spent on station patrolling the Syrapian coast.
The problem was that Coralean was uncertain how successful he'd actually been. Blockade work was incredibly boring, sailing up and down one sector day and night with only occasional breaks for debauchery at free ports such as Xiap.
These men were used to action and now that Syrapis was more or less pacified they were all yearning for their former lives-lives that had been spent plying their trade as thieving cutthroats.
In a way, he didn't blame them. Coralean was just as bored. He was also bitterly disappointed that he couldn't have sailed with Safar. That's where the action would be, no doubt about it. Moreover, he worried that without his skills as a negotiator-won through many years of running caravans across the wilds of Esmir-Safar's chances of success would be much less.
But, he thought, what other choice did his dear friend have? Safar needed wise old Coralean at home in Syrapis commanding the naval fleet that kept the Kyranians safe from the quarrelsome kings and queens of Hunan. Especially that devil Rhodes. That eater of camel dung.
That intestinal worm of deceit.
There was no telling when and where Rhodes would strike next.
The caravan master snorted. Just let him try! Coralean, former bull of the land, was now the bull of the sea. If Rhodes launched an attack he wouldn't stand a chance against wily old Coralean!
That thought alone should have sweetened the caravan master's sleep. But he had other, more immediate, frustrations. He ached for the comfort of one his wives. Unfortunately, of the twenty-three women who constantly praised him as husband and lover, he'd only taken Eeda with him on this trip to the fleet.
Eeda was his newest bride. Barely eighteen, she was younger than many of Coralean's fifty children.
Lusty and adventurous in bed, Eeda was so sweet-tempered that only one or two of his wives appeared jealous. And he had no doubt he could cure that jealousy when he returned home, bearing gifts of jewels, rich cloth and his ardent attention.
At the moment, however, Coralean wished mightily he hadn't delayed his husbandly duties. Upon his arrival at the fleet, Eeda, poor thing, had taken ill. Apparently she was newly with child and suffered from that sickness of early pregnancy. The result was that she had taken to her bed-leaving Coralean alone in his.
Not that he begrudged her the rest.
Was not Coralean the most understanding of husbands, who doted on his wives? Did he not see to their every need, even anticipating such niceties as insisting that each one should always have a private room that they could retreat to in times such as these?
Coralean groaned and turned uncomfortably in his bunk. Wishing that sometimes, just sometimes, he wasn't such a mighty bull of a man. Whose powerful seed took root so swiftly and easily that he had to deny himself the most important of all his pleasures.
It was at that moment he heard the scratching at his door.
Ah ha! he thought. It must be Eeda. Her sickness had passed and now she longed for the strong, lusty arms of her bull, her Coralean.
Eagerly he rose from his bunk and went to the door, white sleeping shirt swirling around his massive frame like a tent battered by the desert winds. His hand went to the latch, but just before he threw back the lock he hesitated.
What if it wasn't Eeda? What if it was someone who meant Coralean harm? One of Rhodesa€™ spies, perhaps. It would be difficult, but not impossible, for an assassin to swim or row the two miles from Xiap and slip on board under the cover of night.
How would the assassin know which cabin was Coralean's? Again, a not impossible task. Perhaps the killer had a colleague aboard. These men were pirates, after all. To them, Coralean's life was worth no more than the coin he could keep heaping into their palms.
One of them might not have been completely satisfied with Coralean's bargain and high have decided to get as much as he could all at once by betraying the caravan master to Rhodesa€™ hired killers.
Coralean's lust turned to anger. A man of many enemies-none of which he believed he deserved-he had not lived so long by ignoring his instincts.
Again, he heard the scratching. But this time, instead of sweet Eeda, he imagined a sharp-faced killer with a dagger poised on the other side of the door.
Coralean snatched up his sword and at the same time ripped the door wide. A figure was crouched on the floor and the caravan master's blade was swinging down, ready to split the assassin in two, when he heard a small cry of terror.
"Lord and master!"
It was Eeda!
Coralean caught himself just in time and stayed the blow.
His heart hammering from what he'd almost done, Coralean leaned down and drew the girl to her feet.
"I'm so sorry, little one," he said, embracing her. "I didn't mean to frighten you. How can you ever forgive your Coralean? Who believed his dearest wife was an assassin at his door."
To his surprise, Eeda hissed, "Silence," and pushed him back into the room. She whirled, softly shut and latched the door, then turned back.
"They're not at the door yet, my lord husband," she whispered. "But they'll be here soon!"
Coralean frowned. Lovely and young as Eeda might be, she was the daughter of a wild Syrapian chieftain. And was well-experienced in matters of the assassin's knife. Taking her word that danger was afoot, he hastily drew on his clothes.
"Who are these men, dear one?" he rumbled. "And how do you know what they plan?"
"Earlier my illness chilled me, lord husband," she said. "And so I had closed the little round window in my cabin. But then I began to feel feverish and longed for fresh air. So I opened the window, hoping there might be a sea breeze. The window was so small, however, that the breeze was faint. So I put my face close to get all the air I could."
The caravan master slipped his boots on. "Go on, dear one," he said. "Tell Coralean what happened next."
"As you know, lord husband," she continued, "my cabin is below the captain's. And his little round window was open too."
"It's called a porthole, dear one," Coralean corrected her. Eeda was very much a landswoman and had no experience with terms of the sea.
Eeda shrugged. "Thank you for instructing me, lord husband," she said.
But her tone was just sharp enough for Coralean to realize she wasn't thanking him at all. The caravan master warmed even more to her. What a sassy wench she was!
"Pray continue, little one," Coralean urged.
Eeda nodded, catching the implication of an apology. Which was as far as Coralean would ever go with one of his wives.
"I heard the captain speaking to some other men," she said. "I don't know who the other men were, but I could tell right off they weren't crewmen. And from their barbaric accents I was positive they were from Hunan."
"Rhodesa€™ men!" Coralean growled, buckling on his sword.
"None other, my lord husband," Eeda said. "My dear lord father was a prince unsurpassed by any in the number of men he hated. But of all his enemies, he despised King Rhodes the most."
"Another reason for Coralean to admire your father," the caravan master said. "Now, tell me, dear one.
Did you hear what these men planned?"
"Yes, lord husband," Eeda replied. "They intend to kill your soldiers. Then capture you and hold you for ransom."
"Let them try," Coralean growled, hand going to the hilt of his sword.
"I believe I said they intend to," Eeda pointed out. Poking at Coralean's manly pride a little harder than perhaps a good wife should. The caravan master frowned, but said nothing. "You should also know that this isn't the only ship in danger. Several of the other captains have also thrown in with Rhodes. Or at least that's what I heard one of the men claim."
Her pretty brow furrowed as she thought of something else. "About that man, lord husband," she said.
"The captain used his name. It was Tabusir. Lord Tabusir. And it was my impression that this conspiracy was his idea. And that he has much at stake with King Rhodes to see it's carried out properly."
Just then, Coralean heard bootsteps thundering overhead. Then the wild cries of surprised, brutally awakened soldiers as Tabusir's assassins attacked them in their sleep.
He started to buckle on his armor, preparing to rush up on deck and join the fray. But then he heard the sound of many men coming down the stairway, then along to corridor to his door.
Overhead, the sounds of the fighting had ceased. He could be of no help there.
"Pardon, lord husband," Eeda said.
And he looked down to see that she'd found his battle ax. She pointed at the porthole.
"Perhaps you could make the little round window bigger with this," she said.
"By the gods, woman, you are a wonder!" Coralean roared, not bothering to hide his voice from his enemies.
Eeda blushed and bobbed her head. "Thank you, my lord husband," she said prettily.
Then she drew a dagger from her bodice and stood guard at the door while Coralean hacked at the "little round window" until it was large enough for him to pass through.
The men
were breaking down the door when he grabbed Eeda by the waist and hurled her through the enlarged porthole.
And just as the last door plank exploded inward and the men poured into the cabin, Coralean forced his own bulk through the hole and fell into the dark waters below.
As he emerged sputtering to the surface two small, strong hands grabbed him by the collar, pulling him under again.
Coralean kicked up, trying to get a breath, only to be pulled under again.
Finally, he yanked the hands away, grabbed a slim figure about the waist and got his head above water to drag in a shuddering breath.
"Forgive, me lord husband!" Eeda cried. "But I cannot swim."
Above, he could hear men shouting in the cabin from which he'd just escaped. "He's gotten away! After him!"
There was a thunder of boots on the lower deck.
"Take a breath!" Coralean commanded Eeda.
The moment he felt her chest fill with air he dived back under the water, pulling a frantic Eeda with him.
Arrows and spears rained into the water after him.
Coralean held Eeda tight with one arm and kicked deeper. Following the bow, he swam under the ship to emerge on the other side.
"Get on my back," he whispered to Eeda.
Quickly, she did as he directed and he kicked away from the ship, strong arms powering them through the waves.
Behind him he heard the cries of his enemies as they spotted him again. But he ignored them and kept swimming, heading for another ship about a quarter-mile away.
He prayed they wouldn't have sense enough to lower boats and pursue him until it was too late.
His prayers were answered as he heard the splash of arrows falling nearby. They were going for the quick kill, but it was night and the glowing red Demon Moon made the light tricky.
If Dame Fortune smiled they'd keep missing until he was out of range.
She must have had two heads that night, because while one smiled, the other frowned. For although he and Eeda escaped the arrows, they heard the sounds of fighting as they approached the other ship.
Obviously, there was no refuge to be found there.
