Dragon Choir (23 page)

“
Where do they make it, and how?” asked Kobb.

“
Our agent was compromised before we found out.”

Kobb nodded
again.

“
No! Please! He managed to get to an alchemist’s apprentice.
He said it comes from dragons.”

“
That can’t be true,” said Elrin.

“
Why not?” asked Kobb. “Calimska had a dragon patron before.
Another might have turned up with the knowledge of black
powder.”

“
Daniakesh left us before I was born. The Guildmaster’s great
golden shield has kept us safe every season since. We only see
their shadows pass nowadays; none even bother to attack. There
aren’t any near Calimska.”

“
Damn it, I want one!” said Kobb. His pet beat its wings in
annoyance and chittered in Kobb’s ear. “Prisella! Come now, you’re
no dragon, dear.”

Prisella
launched from Kobb’s shoulder in a huff, chittering and clicking,
making a raucous flight around the room before landing on her
golden perch, her back to Kobb.

“
Last chance, Commodore. Tell me what it’s got to do with
dragons.”

Pelegrin shook
his head, desperate for mercy. “I don’t know. I thought it nothing
more than some fancy of a bored apprentice.”

Kobb nodded to
Fjhor. Pelegrin screamed as his second arm was drawn up at a
painful angle, dislocating his shoulder. His face streamed with
tears of pain. “I don’t know. I don’t know,” he sobbed.

“
Well, that doesn’t help anyone does it? Now, Brother Uighara,
what do you want?”

“
Give me my acolyte.” Uighara’s voice was gravel under the
wheel, unmoved by the torture his comrade had endured.

“
He is not mine to give,” said Kobb. “But, let’s just say I
will not keep him from you.”

“
That is more than satisfactory. What do you wish of
me?”

“
You will return our dear Commodore back to the Council of
Jando, revived and in tip top condition. Do let my dear friend the
High Priest know the Buccaneer King Kobb—use those exact words
please—has their ships and is happy to have any more they might
send my way.”

“
But, my acolyte, how can I—”

“
That isn’t my problem,” interjected Kobb. “You figure it out.
Someone has to row, remember, and the poor Commodore isn’t fit for
such strenuous activity in his current state.”

Uighara
grimaced, which wasn’t so different from his brutal bristled smile.
The air shifted around him, an exasperation of energy, clawing for
traction.

The pirate
ignored the impotent threat, turning toward Elrin with an alluring
offer and a hearty smile. “Now what would you like son? Treasure?
Glory? A night of passion with a lass?”

Elrin thought
through his options. Treasure and glory were fine things, a woman’s
touch finer still. Once those things would have been all he wanted,
but since hearing his father’s name, all he wanted was to help him.
All he had done was run. And now, after meeting Delik and Minni,
after freeing Amber and Hurn, learning Calimska was behind the
black powder trade, he was filled with guilt.

How could he
wish only for his father, when there were so many more lives at
risk? If he asked for their freedom, or a ship, Kobb would give it
only to take it away again. He couldn’t trust Kobb to give him any
wish he asked, it had to be something the pirate didn’t really care
to lose.

“
I want you to free us on the Hoard Islands with a small boat
and supplies.”

“
So be it,” Kobb laughed. “Your wish is my wish. Now, mine
must be yours. You will teach me how to operate these Jandan
gadgets that flash their secrets about. I have quite a collection
from all these prize ships.”

Elrin didn’t
know what to say. Kobb was too eager to let them sail to Hoard
Island, but Elrin had to get there somehow. There was no way to win
his game. If he refused to help he would end up with his arms in
knots like Pelegrin. If he didn’t tell Kobb how to work the
devices, surely someone else would.

Elrin looked
to the rebel generals, Minni shrugged, Tikis just stared back, but
Delik gave a gentle nod of approval. That was enough for Elrin.
“Alright, do you have one here?”

“
Good lad. It can wait. Let’s finish our game first. What do
you want ogre?”

“
Hurn Ga Kogh keep Little Bell safe, no more screams for
her.”

“
Such a popular commodity! What ever can I do to keep my
promises to everyone?” Kobb appealed to Amber. “What say you lad?
Do you want this big oaf to follow you around and keep you
safe?”

Amber nodded,
shrinking from the redeemer’s intense gaze, grasping across the
table, probing with a hollow, hungry need.

“
Done and done! Two fish on one hook. I won’t stand in the way
of a rolling mountain. Now, I need you to do some heavy lifting for
me, so don’t wear out your arms before we get to port.”

“
Hurn Ga Kogh will lift for you.”

Uighara’s fist
slammed into the table and the whole room shook, rattling the
table, and vibrating through the chairs. A guard pushed his blade
to the base of Uighara’s skull, and the tremors eased, accompanied
by a tightness in the air.

“
You said you would not keep my acolyte from me.”

“
Indeed I did. I’m an honest man, Uighara ... well I keep my
promises at least. I believe I said, I would not keep him from you.
I never said, I wouldn’t keep you from him.”

Uighara spat
on the floor. “You will suffer the wrath of the Lord Almighty! I’ll
see to it you are skinned for my boots.”

“
Oh my, make sure you give me a nice rub and polish if you
wear me in front of the High Priest. I’d want him to see me at my
best.”

Stewing in a
white-hot rage, Uighara pursed his lips, making white knuckled
fists upon the table. The guard kept his knife on the redeemer, the
fine point was all that kept the Jandan priest in check.

Amber wilted
into Minni for comfort, for fear Uighara’s anger would ignite.

“
There now deary, don’t you worry about him. Once that sour
old dog without a bone is on his way, I’ll introduce you to Granny
Shan. She can juggle and knit at the same time.” Kobb leant across
the table and whispered, “She’s got a bit of wind, like
you.”

The pirate
made a silly face and Amber hid a creeping grin, tucking down into
Minni’s shoulder.

“
Now then, Delik, my dear boy, what can I do for
you?”

“
I want you to honour our original agreement, but I know
that’s as likely as milk from a dragon.”

“
Indeed, things change. So how do you want them to change now?
What do you want?”

“
Take me to my father, we’ve been told you know where he
is.”

Kobb’s ruffles
shook with his laughter. “Granted! I told you this game would be
good. Your old man was such a prize! Don’t fret, I have him well
fed and kept quite secure. You’ll see him soon enough.”

Pelegrin
focused on the conversation, lifting his pain-creased face from the
table. “You’ve got Jaspa Scrambletoe? Where the hell are you
keeping him? Listen Kobb; I’ll make sure you are richly
rewarded—above the going sum. We can work out a fine price for
you.”

“
Let’s just say that old man Jaspa is more valuable to me than
anything your lot will offer. He’s not for sale.” Kobb grinned at
Pelegrin and Delik. “You both look so surprised.”

“
What do you want of me, Kobb?” asked Delik, determined to
maintain his composure.

“
I want you and your men to follow me to the Hoard Islands;
the scalers too.”

“
You’ll take us either way,” said Minni. “What’s the
point?”

“
You’re of more use to me out of chains than in
them.”

“
My rebels will follow,” conceded Delik. “But, I do not speak
for Tikis and his drakkin brethren.”

“
Well then, what do you say, scaler? In chains or
out?”

“
These ones will walk free and Kobb must name these;
drakkin
. Say
scalers
no
more.”

Kobb contended
with the idea. He paced along the stern gallery then pivoted on his
heel, his face grim. “Untie the drakkin,” he ordered. “Mind you
play fair.”

Tikis rubbed
his wrists and adjusted his position on the seat. Once Kobb was
satisfied the drakkin warrior would not launch another attack, he
continued with his game.

“
Now, my ravishingly magnificent Minella, finally we get to
dessert, hmm?”

“
Oh, Kobb,” she said, flushing a coy smile. “I’m so glad you
finally got round to me.”

“
I’m told ladies enjoy gentle anticipation.” The pirate topped
his slick smirk off with a wink.

Minni dropped
her coquettish facade like the headsman’s axe, replacing it with
sharp eyes and a scowl. “I’m no lady, as you well appreciate, and
my tolerance for your drivel is near expired.”

“
What do you want then?” asked Kobb, caught off guard by her
change in mood.

“
Just free all of the captured slaves at a safe port. Don’t
sell them on again, they’ll end up in the same place they
began.”

“
Certainly so. They’re simply far too much bother for me at
the moment. Now, my dear, I have a delicate situation that requires
your utmost confidence and those talented fingers.”

She laughed.
“I’ll give you one of those things, but not both.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lord's
Blessing

Each tiny movement disturbed a flock of flaming hooks, which
tore up his arms and attacked his brain. Pelegrin did all he could
to stay conscious. He focused on
Bone
Dancer
sailing away while their small
rowboat idly rocked in the sea. The ship eased away to the north,
its tawdry, flagrant defacement an offence to its long years in the
Lord’s armada.

He would make
them suffer. The Scrambletoes, Kobb and all the half pint grubs
infesting the chosen land would feel his pain multiplied by the
four points of the black star. They had brought this agony on him
and he would return it with the Lord’s brand, marking their sin to
eternal damnation.

“
Does it pain you?” asked Uighara, fastening his bandolier of
spell components. His less than subtle lack of empathy was greased
with pleasure.

“
Of course it does, you sadistic bastard!”

“
Yes, surely it must. Tell me though, is it more or less
painful than the injuries you received from the young
Scrambletoe?”

“
What’s it matter? Heal it!”

“
The Lord’s gift is great and powerful indeed, yet its full
potential will only be revealed through study.”

“
Uighara, so help me, heal these arms, or I’ll ...”

“
What will you do Commodore? I assure you I can mend your
body, but I cannot mend your soul if you forgo your faith. What do
you seek?”

“
Blast it, Uighara. Absolve my sins. Black star burn them.
Just make it stop!”

“
Good child, good. The Lord hears you. Now, take my
hand.”

“
I can’t ... the pain.”

“
You must have faith, give me a hand. The pain will
purify.”

Pelegrin
clenched his teeth and swung his maimed sword arm to the redeemer.
Uighara caught it and held it firm. The pain intensified with the
angle and the tension lanced a burning rod through his shoulder.
Pelegrin screamed and twisted his body, kneeling with his head over
the gunwale. Uighara dipped his free hand into the water and
chanted, his rough voice grating the holy prayer into
incomprehensibility.

Nonetheless,
the Lord’s power bridged across Uighara’s hand to the Commodore’s.
At first, the excruciating pain in each arm increased, then it
receded to an ice like numbness. That too faded, leaving a pleasant
tingling over his skin. Pelegrin sat up in the boat and tested his
arms, rotating his shoulders and flexing his grip.

“
Thanks be to the Lord! I feel so good, filled with ... a
strength, it’s hard to describe. What did you do?”

“
You have been blessed in many ways Commodore. The Lord has
infused your body with the spiritual fortitude to see us home. Now
take my hands.”

Pelegrin
smiled and took Uighara’s hands in his.

“
Jando must be told,” said Uighara, staring into his
eyes.

“
Yes, Jando must be told.”

“
The rebels and the pirates are working together, plotting
Jando’s destruction from the Hoard Islands. They must be
eliminated.”

“
They must be eliminated.”

“
We will rally the Armada to our cause. You must persuade your
father.”

“
I will persuade my father.”

“
Thanks be. Now Commodore, navigate us to shore. We must get
to Rum Hill”

“
Of course! We must get to Rum Hill.”

Uighara
released Pelegrin’s hands and the Lord’s blessing lingered like a
balm on his fingers.

Dipping the
oars to water, the Commodore turned the boat to shore. Everything
was as it should be. The Lord had chosen these trials to make him
strong. The proof was plain as the bright blue sky. The sun was
glorious, shining on them in all its splendour. Uighara in his holy
white robes was the vision of a saint and Pelegrin was his
champion. Together they were the Lord’s men.