Ship of Destiny

Swiftly and surely, he began to tack other provisions on to the pact. The fabulously powerful Satrap of Jamaillia could not expect him, king of scattered towns of outcasts, to patrol these waters against miscreant pirates with no remuneration. Whatever agreement Jamaillia had had with the Chalcedean patrol vessels would be passed on to Ke

When the Satrap objected that these «Tattooed» would be indistinguishable from the lawful slaves of Jamaillia, Ke

"A thousand," Ke

"Done," the Satrap snapped sulkily as Malta's mouth opened in angry protest. The young ruler glared at her. "It costs me nothing. Why should not I give it to him?"

That set the tone for all that followed. Malta's efforts to give ground grudgingly were undermined by the Satrap's obvious despair and ultimately his boredom with the whole process. Jamaillian ships that stopped for water, supplies or trade in the Pirate Isles would pay a fee to Ke

As Wintrow rose to fetch fresh candles for the table, he reflected that soon they would not need them. The talks had consumed the night: a late winter dawn was breaking over the water. He stood beside Malta as he fitted the candles into the heavy silver holders and wished he could reach her as he did the ship, with no more than a focused thought. He wished she knew that although he sat with those who opposed her, he was proud of her. She had bargained like a true Trader. If Ke

He longed for this to be over, so he could talk with her. His hunger for news from home was more powerful than his need for food and sleep. He lit the last candle and resumed his seat. Ke

"This is outrageous!" Despite his weariness, the Satrap lurched to his feet. His mouth had gone white and pinched. His clenched hands trembled with fury. For one horrifying instant, Wintrow feared he would burst into angry tears. Malta reached a supportive hand toward him, but stopped short of touching him. She sent Ke

"Lord Magnadon Satrap, I see the logic of this. Your nobles will value you less if they have not had to pay anything to recover you. Consider this. It will give you a way to gauge who is truly loyal to you. You will reward those who are willing to contribute to your recovery later. Those who are not will feel your magnificent wrath. King Ke

It was pathetic. She saw that the Satrap was powerless to refuse Ke

"SAILS!" All heads turned to the lookout's cry, but Ke

Jola blurted out, "Sir, Jamaillian ships! A whole fleet of them headed our way from the south. Lookout says he sees war machines on their decks." He drew breath. "We can escape them if we up anchor now."

Hope kindled in the Satrap's eyes. "Now we shall see!" he declared.

"Indeed we shall," Ke

Ke