“They love you. That much is clear. But how much do you love them?”
He looked up as the hatch door opened and Echo was pushed onto the deck, blinking in the suns’ bright light.
“Kill his crew. Start with that one.”
“No!” I cried.
One of theRhi’Ahrswung a cyr, but the blade froze a mere hand’s breath before the faun’s belly.
“I said kill him,” Ilvalour snarled.“Laedith.”
“Ni allath,”said theRhi’Ahr,and he shook his head. A second pulled hiscyr, drove it forward as well, only to have it stop, trembling, beside the first.
I locked eyes with Echo, grateful he was still alive. He was trying to tell me something, but I couldn’t hear a word.
“Hythae,”hissed Ilvalour, and he swung round to the crew of theTouchstone.
“Who is doing this?” he barked. “Confess now or I will slaughter each and every one of you.”
A hand waved deftly in the air.
“No need,” said Smoke. “That’s me. SimpleKinestorumspell. One you should have learned in foggin’ mage school as a pup.”
Ilvalour turned asRhi’Ahrsurrounded the quartermaster and dragged him forward.
“You’re being a fool, Kinrath Ilvalour,” said Smoke. “Killing the captain of theTouchstone, one of the most wanted rogues in both helms, for something as petty as revenge. It shows an appalling lack of imagination.”
“Rhi’Ahrare pragmatic,” said Ilvalour. “He is wanted dead or alive.Dead is much easier.”
And he towered over the quartermaster, his golden hair waving in the breeze.
“As you will soon find out.”
Ilvalour swung his sword. It thudded to a stop just before Smoke’s head.
“Again, foolish,” said Smoke. “Why would you kill me? I know all the secrets on this ship. I can help you.”
“You lie like an Oversea whore,” said Ilvalour.
“I’m not the liar. He is.” And Smoke pointed to Fahr, pinned to the deck underRhi’Ahrboots. “The son of King Stephanus Bonavanczek IV of Oversea.”
“Smoke,” I hissed. “No…”
The quartermaster cocked his head at theRhi’Ahr.
“Of course, you knew. Yes, the Stolen Prince is still alive after all these years. Could fetch a pretty sum from the court at High Temple.”
Ilvalour swung around.
“This one?”
Dev snarled as he was pulled to his feet.
“The very one. Or better yet, bring him to your Impirius as a prize,” Smoke urged. “Lethimdo the negotiating. A feather in your cap, I’d say. At the same time, present him with Gavriel Thanavar, the last Priestlord of House WoodRaven. He’s been sinking your ships for years. Two feathers, now.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. I was dreaming. I was dead.
“I currently have an accord in place for the prince,” said Ilvalour. “But your arrogance is intriguing. Why should I listen to a privateer?”
