“You let him live. If you hadn’t, maybe I would have gone ahead and fought you too. I’m not as good with a sword and I don’t have magic, but I’m decent with my blade, and my ship could blow yours to shreds. I might have lived. I might have died.
“But you let him live, so now I think we might have found a place where we can set down the pirate life. Where we can make ourselves at home. With you, with this New Perth kingdom, if you’ll have us.”
William groaned and looked at Riley. “First the mutants, now magical outcasts from across the Great Sea. Just let ‘em take their ship and get the hell outta here.”
Riley winked at the woman, then asked, “Worth, have you and your kind saved the rude man’s ass?”
“Aye, betcha. Save many time.” Worth grinned from ear to ear.
“Can you remind me who taught him magic?”
“Aye. Worth taught. Worth still teachin’. He hard-headed, though.”
“That he is,” Riley agreed. “So, William, the Prefect’s Right Hand, do you not think these two can teach us a thing or two about the sea, and maybe a thing or two about magic?”
“He forgets how much he has to learn, doesn’t he?” Lucie chimed in.
Everyone was grinning now—everyone but William. He continued looking pissed for a few seconds but finally started laughing.
“Fine, smartass. Bring these two on. I ain’t responsible, though, if they steal all our stuff.”
Riley turned to the woman and her son. “As Right Hand of Mason Ire, Assistant Prefect of New Perth, I welcome you as citizens. Your magic and your ship are welcome and will be treated with the respect they both deserve.”
Chapter Five
“I’m growing bored, Artino.”
Rendal watched the slight man walk around his makeshift laboratory.
“That’s not my problem, Rendal. I have work to do. So much work, and you’ve brought me out here on the ocean where my beakers keep sliding and breaking. And look. Just look, Rendal. Right there.”
Rendal did. A bunch of broken glass had been swept into the corner.
He smiled.
Artino was a genius, but damn if he wasn’t neurotic.
“Those were some good-looking beakers, weren’t they?”
Artino stopped moving around, unable to understand that Rendal was toying with him. He stared at the beakers, looking sad.
“They were. They really were.”
Rendal stifled a laugh.
“Okay, Artino. Soon I’ll get you all the beakers you could possibly want. When we get to New Perth, I’m going to set you up with a whole floor of that damned castle full of nothing but beakers.”
“What do you want, Rendal? I have work to do.” The man stopped staring and went back to his workbench.
“I’m bored and there’s work to be done, so I need to know how we can go about it?”
Artino shook his head. “I know there’s work to be done. I wonder if you know it. What is it, Rendal? Get to the point, please, for the love of all that’s holy.”
Rendal smiled, knowing the man was reaching a breaking point. Rendal had to rein it in some, or the man might snap—and above all, that could not happen. Rendal needed his genius.
“I need more people, plain and simple. We have enough to battle those coming, but that’s not what I’m preparing for. I’m going to turn the Right Hand, then we’re going to attack New Perth. I have to assume they’re building their defenses, and what I currently have isn’t going to be enough.”
“What’s this have to do with me?”
Rendal wanted to throttle the little scientist, but he kept his temper in check as he said, “It has everything to do with you. You’re the one who created this technology that’s allowing me to do it all.”
“Oh, Rendal, all your power, and you can be so dense sometimes.”
“What are you talking about?” Rendal asked.
The scientist didn’t look at him as he opened one of the red necklaces.
“You know what the green necklaces do, right?”
Rendal nodded. “Yes. They create confusion among the nanocytes so that they can’t focus on the user’s directions.”
“Partly correct.” He shook his head. “It amazes me how little you understand about all this.”
“Well, enlighten me, then.”
“I’m afraid if I tell you it’ll ruin everything.” Artino quit fooling with the necklace. “I know what will happen if it does.”
“What’s that?”
“Given our current location, I imagine I’ll be shark food before the night is over.”
“Oh, Artino.” Rendal moved across the room and sat down on a chair. He swung his feet up on the table. “There’s nothing you could tell me that would make me hurt you. You’re safe with me, probably more than anyone else in this world. Now, friend, tell me what I’m not understanding.”
The scientist sighed, clearly knowing he had no choice. “Some of the technology is because of me. Draining the nanocytes and uniting them with your blood—that’s technology powered by amphoralds. I invented the tech to make that possible, true enough. The necklaces that create confusion among the nanocytes, limiting a magic user’s ability, that’s my tech, too.”
“So what am I missing?”
“The army you’re creating. That isn’t technology, or…not completely.”
Rendal grew very still. “Be careful here, Artino. I don’t suffer liars well.”
“I’m not lying! I have never lied to you! You’ve never asked about any of this, just trusted me!” The scientist whipped around so that he was looking at Rendal, his eyes wide and sweat on his brow.
Rendal smiled broadly. “Just kidding, Artino. You’re safe. No worries. Now finish.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Hey, Artino, is it going to stop me from doing what I want to do?”
“It may.”
Rendal’s eyes turned red, and he waved his fingers toward his chest. Artino floated slowly into the air, listening to his command.
“You don’t have a choice in the matter, Artino. I hate to break it to you, but you don’t. Now tell me.”
“The red necklaces. The red bracelet.” The man’s words flew from his mouth, running together, his fear great. “They’re focus mechanisms. They keep the magic user from using their own magic, but they allow you to focus harder than you usually would. They allow you to control the subject’s mind at a much deeper level.”
Rendal put his hand down, and Artino fell to the floor. He was shaking.
“Calm down, Artino. Calm down. You’re fine.” Rendal dropped his feet to the floor and swiveled his chair around so that his back was to the scientist. “So it’s not technology that’s allowing me to use them, it’s mind control?”
“Yes and no. The technology is keeping them from using their magic, keeping their nanocytes from following their directions. But when you step in and command them to do something, the bracelets and necklaces light up and their nanocytes listen to you, not the host. Well, that’s not completely correct either. The nanocytes are listening to the host, but the host is listening to you. Does that make sense?”
“It’s my magic that’s making this work?” Rendal asked.
“Yes. The number of nanocytes in your bloodstream is higher than any concentration I’ve ever seen. You can control entire armies, but you need focus objects and a way to scatter the nanocytes until you’re ready.”
“So I don’t have to go to Sidnie? I can take people from anywhere? I don’t have to take people who already use magic?” Rendal asked.
“Yes. Anyone will work since everyone has nanocytes in their bloodstream.”
Rendal smiled. “Why were you nervous, Artino? This is great news. You’re telling me I’m more powerful than I originally thought. There’s no downside here.”
“Th-Th-That’s not true,” Artino stumbled out. “It might have been a placebo. You thought it worked because you were convinced of the technology. Now that
you know it really rests inside you, maybe it won’t work anymore.”
Rendal spun the chair around again. “Nonsense, Artino. The technology is there. This is actually a great gift. Do you have any idea how many pirate ships are on these seas? I can gather an armada just by floating around.”
Artino nodded quickly. “Yes, that’s one way to look at it.”
Rendal clapped his hands together and stood up. “Great news! Now, tell me what else you’re working on. You know I don’t like complacency, Artino.”
The fear drained from the scientist as he thought about his work again.
He walked back to the desk he was working at.
“I’m working with the amphoralds, Rendal. I’m trying to engineer weapons that won’t rely just on your magical abilities but can also tie into them.”
“Oh, Artino, you know the way to my heart, my dear friend. Please, please, tell me more.”
“Harold, I had an idea earlier in the day.”
Rendal lay on the upper deck. His chest was bare, and he was letting the sun tan his skin. He’d been working hard for a long, long time, and soon more hard work would arrive, so he was taking a few moments to enjoy himself.
“Yes, sir,” Harold responded. “How can I help?”
“Well, first, look at Mason over there. Excuse me, Assistant Prefect Mason. I want to make sure I’m using his proper title.” Rendal winked at Mason, who was leaning against one of the ship’s railings. He was dressed in the same clothes he’d been captured in, although they were dirty and holey now. “I asked him to join me in sunbathing, and he’s resolutely refusing. Can you believe that?”
The Assistant Prefect refused to look over.
“It seems foolish to me, sir,” Harold answered.
“Yes, yes, to me as well. No matter. I learned long ago that my happiness can’t be tied to someone else’s. If he wants to be a sourpuss, I suppose I have to let him. Come, sit, Harold. Let’s discuss my idea.”
Harold moved across the deck and grabbed a wooden stool. He put it next to Rendal’s chair and sat.
“We’re in infested waters, Harold. Do you realize that?”
“With sharks?”
“With pirates. They’re everywhere. If I send my mind out even a little way, I can pick up ten ships. They’re like vultures looking for something weak or dying.”
“I don’t understand, sir. I don’t think we have to worry about pirates, given what happened a few days ago.”
“I’m not worried about them, Harold. I want them.”
Harold’s eyes narrowed. “I’m still not understanding, sir.”
“We’re going to New Perth soon. We’re going to show up and take the kingdom over. You’re with me that far, right?”
Harold nodded.
“We need more people. I want to take no possible chance that New Perth can repel us. I think we have a whole ocean full of killers, and I think it might be a good idea to enlist them.”
Rendal saw realization dawn in Harold’s eyes.
“How do we do it, though? How would we get to them?”
Rendal reached forward and slapped Harold’s knee, laughing. “You still don’t have a lot of faith! I’ve got an idea for that too!” He looked at Mason. “Tell him, Assistant Prefect. You and I were just talking about it, weren’t we?”
“He’s a lunatic,” Mason retorted, “and so are you for following him.”
“Ha!” Rendal sat up, laughing. “I love this guy. Always with the insults! Come on, Mason. Tell Harold what we discussed!”
Mason sighed and shook his head. “He’s going to throw up a distress signal. A firework.”
“Exactly. It’ll bring them to us like a dead carcass brings vultures. From miles around, Mason.”
“Sir, please don’t think I doubt you, but if we bring ten ships full of pirates, will we be able to handle them?”
Rendal nodded, smiling. “Oh, yes. That won’t be a problem. By the end of the next few days, you’re going to be running an armada, Harold.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay,” Rendal said. “That’s all I needed you for. We’ll meet tonight about the distress signal.”
Harold stood. “Thank you, sir.”
Rendal’s second-in-command walked off.
“You’ll never be able to rule New Perth.” Mason scoffed.
Rendal looked at him. The young man was staring into the distance, watching the endless ocean slowly toss and turn.
“Why would you say such a harsh thing, Mason? I should have been the first ruler, but I was robbed of that opportunity. I personally think I’ll make a fine Prefect.” Rendal wore a sly grin.
“You rule this ship by fear. You rule that crew of zombie-like creatures with necklaces. My father doesn’t rule like that, and neither did my grandfather—”
“Don’t you mention that man in front of me,” Rendal snapped. “Don’t even say his name.”
Mason smiled now, turning from the sea to the mage.
“Simon?”
Rendal’s eyes turned red, but Mason didn’t look away.
“Your magic doesn’t scare me, Rendal. The fear tactics you rule this ship with won’t work on me. You can kill me. You can toss me right over the rail, and it won’t matter. Riley is coming, and that means you’re going to die. I don’t care about the armada you’re building or the group of people you control with magic. Riley is stronger than them all, and when she kills you, I’ll be the one laughing.”
The mage’s eyes faded. “You’re as foolish as your grandfather. He’s dead, and I’m alive. I promise you, young Prefect, the same will happen to you.”
“You’re a silly, insane old man. You don’t even know the storm that’s coming for you,” Mason answered as he looked back at the sea.
Chapter Six
“Ale. That’s all I give a damn about,” William remarked.
“The island isn’t that big, chubby,” Riley told him. “I think you’ll be able to find it pretty easily.”
Erin stepped up next to Riley. She’d directed them to this small island, something they never would have found on their own. “There’s a bar down to our right. We could all go there and talk a bit if you like?”
“They have ale?” William asked.
“It’s a bar, dummy. Of course they have ale,” Lucie taunted.
William grumbled something that Riley couldn’t hear and started walking before anyone could retort.
Erin remained next to Riley, her son Eric slightly behind both of them. Lucie was on Riley’s other side as Worth picked up his pace to get to the alehouse at the same time as William.
Riley smiled.
“Ocean’s End is a dangerous place,” Erin said. “Only pirates know about it, and there isn’t any truce when you land here. What keeps the peace is that every single person who shows up is tough as hell, and they’ll all kill at the drop of a hat.”
“So it’s a safe place, is what you’re saying?” Riley joked.
“Something like that.” Erin smirked. “Verith, what did you think of the ship?”
Verith was behind them, walking ahead of a group of the soldiers he had picked to accompany them off the ship.
“It’s amazing. I’m not sure I understand it yet, but it’s going to give us firepower we couldn’t imagine before. How did you get it? The ship, I mean?”
“We built it,” Erin answered happily. “It took us a long time and we did a lot of trading, but we lined the ship with the stones. They call them ‘amphoralds’ where I’m from. The ship doesn’t rely on the wind; it’s powered by energy stored in the green gems. That’s what the amphoralds do, basically—they hold energy that the ship can use a lot of different ways.”
“Where’s their energy come from?” Verith asked.
“From us!” Erin smiled.
Riley liked the woman. A pirate and a cutthroat, maybe, but her humor was infectious.
“Humans power the amphoralds, so as long as we’re alive, the amphoralds will be too.�
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“That’s amazing.” Verith seemed lost in thought.
“We picked up the idea from Arcadia and the surrounding cities.”
The group reached the alehouse. The island was small, only about two miles in diameter. Erin said it was strictly used by pirates, but it enjoyed a brisk business because of how many ships patrolled the seas.
Riley stepped inside the alehouse.
It was a dingy thing with low lighting. The tables were scattered haphazardly around the building, and the bar had been carved up by knives. It looked like anyone who’d ever sat at the bar had thought it their duty to carve a new symbol or slogan into it.
The bartender glanced up, one eyebrow rising at this new group.
“They know you’re not pirates, but keeping moving.” Erin grabbed Riley’s elbow surreptitiously and pulled her forward.
“What gives that away? The giant up ahead wearing a purple robe?”
“Yeah, might be. Or the crew of armor-clad soldiers behind you.” Erin grinned as if this were the most fun she’d had in years.
“This’ll do just fine.” William pulled out a chair from a large round table and sat down. “Now I want to drink in peace, all of youse. Don’t aggravate me with nonsense like you do on the ship.”
Riley sat down next to him and leaned in close. “Remember, we’re all about saving Mason. This is a momentary break.”
“Aye, I know, Right Hand. Let me play my part of boisterous prick and I’ll let you play yours of concerned servant, then both of us can get to the business of kickin’ Rendal’s ass.”
Riley smiled and leaned away from her partner in crime.
“WHADDAYA HAVE?” The bartender didn’t move from behind the bar as he called for their orders.
“ALE!” William shouted.
“WINE!” Worth shouted at the exact same time.
The two big men looked at each other and started laughing.
The group was large, about twenty people, and they took up the entire table plus a smaller one next to it.
“Right Hand,” Erin said. “I have a request of you.”
Hand of Justice Boxed Set Page 24
