Rhylan picked it up. ‘And this is indicative of what, exactly?’ His tone held an uncertainty that hadn’t been there before.
‘Again, I don’t know. But there’s a definite correlation. And with each conquest he makes, with each step nearer our sphere of influence, the disturbances grow stronger.’
‘There’s no doubt about this?’ his brother said, studying the scroll.
‘None.’ The Elder addressed them all. ‘Don’t you see? We have something here that’s unprecedented. If there’s the slightest prospect of it affecting our position we’re bound to act. We’ve survived as long as we have by anticipating threats, and stamping down hard at the first sign of any opposition to our power. Ask yourselves this: what do we have to lose by taking action, bar a few lives amongst the lower orders? Inaction, on the other hand, could prove disastrous.’
Largely favourable murmurs rose from the Council.
‘I propose we vote on this,’ a supporter suggested.
‘Those in agreement with military action as outlined,’ Jacinth said, ‘raise your hands.’ He scanned the table. ‘And against?’ There was a quick reckoning. ‘The ayes have it.’
But only just.
Rhylan got up. ‘A word on behalf of the naysayers, brother?’
The Elder nodded.
‘There’s wisdom in what you’ve told us, as usual. But I know you’ll respect the reservations some of us have. In recognition of that, I’d like to suggest a rider to the Council’s decision.’
‘Of course.’
‘We should be kept fully informed at every stage of this operation.’
‘Naturally, that goes without saying.’
‘And in the event of any mishap, any hint that this enterprise was misconceived, a further vote shall be taken with a view to instantly recalling our forces. The outcome of such a ballot to be absolutely binding.’
‘You ask no more than that which would have been freely given, Rhylan. So be it.’ He rose. ‘There are busy days ahead and we all have our tasks. Unless anyone else wishes to speak…? Good. Then I suggest we adjourn and go about our business.’
The Council dispersed in whispering groups.
But the brothers lingered, and, as one, moved back to the pit.
The Elder gestured, reactivating the silvery mass. Visions came again. Views of the streets, squares and parks of Jecellam, once the most orderly of all capitals, now fraying at the edges.
Snow had begun to fall. It dusted the shoulders of dissenters and enforcers alike, and tempered unlawful fires, but it did nothing to quench the passion for justice.
At a silent command from the Elder, the empire’s largest port came into focus. A great invasion fleet was at anchor there. Lines of stevedores chained provisions from hundreds of wagons jamming the dockside, while battalions of harbour marshals swelled the crowd, making preparations for the embarkation of a waiting army. Ships were so numerous they queued out into the bay; a seemingly endless prospect of nodding masts and fluttering sails.
And beyond, the vast expanse of a heaving ocean.
12
Flying the colours of the freebooter alliance, around a dozen ships lay at anchor within sight of the Diamond Isle.
The small fleet’s number had recently been reduced. Not through the attrition of warfare, but a cause less predictable, and one that left fury in its wake.
On the deck of the largest vessel, Kingdom Vance vented his anger.
‘Three ships! Three damn ships, and two score men!’
‘So you said,’ Kinsel Rukanis told him.
Vance turned from the rail and faced the singer. ‘You find this amusing?’
‘Instructive would be a better word.’ He was shivering from the cold, and found little protection in his threadbare garments.
‘Instructive? The only lesson I draw is that a bunch of turncoats switched sides.’
‘Have you thought why?’
‘Why?’ There was genuine menace in his tone. ‘Because they’re cowards!’
‘Isn’t it possible they deserted because they realised the futility of what you’re trying to do?’
‘That’s just another way of saying they’re spineless. I’m better off without scum like that.’
‘Or could it be that they saw the justice of the rebels’ cause?’
Vance laughed cynically. ‘They’re fools as well as lily-livered if they think that. They deserve each other.’
‘You surprise me, Captain. I thought you’d feel an affinity with the rebels, given they stand against the authorities.’
‘Then you think wrong, singer. I’ve no love for the empires, but at least you know where you are with them. They’ve got power, and don’t have any scruples about using it. I can respect that. The only thing of any account in this world is what you can grab with your own two hands.’
‘If that’s what you truly believe, I’m sorry for you.’
‘Save your pity for yourself, Rukanis. And think on this. The people on that island chose to leave their homes and come here. By doing that they deprived us of a land of our own. That makes them my enemy.’
‘Who’s being self-pitying now? You chose your way of life. Were you forced into piracy? Did somebody hold a blade to your throat? No. Make an accommodation with the islanders, Vance, as your deserters have. End this lunacy.’
‘You come out with that refrain as regularly as any of your airs, and I’m growing tired of it. There’ll be no truces or climb-downs. And the ones who ran out on me are going to pay for it when I take that island.’
‘If you take it.’
Lightning swift, Vance swung his fist into the side of Rukanis’s head. It was a savage blow, and the singer would have fallen if he hadn’t been standing with his back to a mast. His cheek instantly reddened. A dribble of blood seeped from his swelling lip.
‘You’re forgetting the nature of our relationship,’ Vance hissed, his face close. ‘Prisoner and captor, not equals. You’re not somebody I take advice from.’
Rukanis spat blood on the deck, then met his gaze. ‘Is hearing the truth really such an unfamiliar experience for you?’
The pirate made to strike him again, but hesitated, and finally stayed his hand. ‘To hell with it.’ He turned away, leaving Rukanis to dab at his mouth with a shirt cuff. ‘It’s only a question of time before I get what I want,’ Vance promised. ‘And you’re going to help me.’
‘Anything happening?’ Serrah asked, squinting at the group of ships lying well offshore.
‘No.’ Caldason offered her the spy tube. ‘See for yourself.’
‘Not much point looking at nothing, is there? Come on, we can’t do anything here. We’ve got plenty of eyes on them.’
They resumed their walk along the compacted spine of the sandbank. The wind was raw, and they felt its chill despite their hooded fur topcoats and fleece gloves.
‘You know, I still find it hard to believe,’ she said.
‘The pirates?’
‘Yes. When they came in flying white flags I thought it was another trick.’
‘Darrok was convinced of it.’
‘Perhaps he was right.’
‘Planting vipers in our midst, that kind of thing? I doubt it. Too obvious. But they’ll be kept under guard until we’re sure.’
‘Says something about morale under Vance if that many changed sides, doesn’t it?’
‘All it tells us is that forty-three of his cohorts were disheartened enough to desert. It doesn’t necessarily weaken Vance. If anything it makes him more dangerous.’
‘How’s that?’
‘It’s going to fire him up all the more; give him another reason to hate us and want this island. And now his ranks have been purged of waiverers he’s got a stronger force to send against us.’
‘Well, at least we got three more ships because of it. Talking of which…’ She nodded ahead.