02 Bloodstorm by Dan Abnett;Mike Lee

Author:Dan Abnett;Mike Lee
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, General, War & Military, Epic, Elves
ISBN: 9781844161928
Publisher: Games Workshop
Published: 2005-12-27T06:00:00+00:00

86

“Stay here,” Malus told Hauclir, then crossed the tilting deck as the corsair came about. Urial, he noticed, appeared to have finally found his sea legs, leaning unconsciously with the change in attitude of the wooden deck.

“What’s happening?” Urial asked as Malus drew near. There was a subtle tension in the former acolyte’s pale face. Was he anticipating battle, Malus thought, or something else?

“We’re turning into that storm yonder,” Malus said. “Bruglir hopes to evade the Bretonnians in the squall.”

Urial frowned. “The famous sea captain won’t offer battle?”

“He’s taking the long view,” the highborn replied. “There will be major battles aplenty where we’re headed and he must conserve his force. I would do the same in his position.”

“But if the Bretonnians find us in the storm?”

“Then it will be a fight indeed,” Malus said. “Close and brutal. Men are apt to die.”

Urial’s eyes shone at the prospect. “Indeed,” he said eagerly. “Even a great sea captain could find a knife in his side from an unknown quarter, if an attacker were bold enough.”

Malus’ eyes widened. He leaned close, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “I haven’t forgotten my promise, brother,” he said. “But now is no time for assassins’ knives. We need Bruglir to command his fleet. If he dies, the captains will look to their own, either fighting to control the fleet or turning for home. I can’t have that. Not yet.”

Urial’s face twisted into a grimace. “So long as you remember your vow, Malus,” he hissed,

“you have my support. But my patience has its limits.”

“Of course, brother,” Malus said tightly, trying to conceal his irritation. “Tell me, have you seen our sister since the horn was sounded?”

“No. She remains below, I think,” Urial said. “I’m a trifle disappointed. I’d hoped that the prospect of battle would draw her from her cabin.”

Or she could be down on the mid-deck, stalking among the crew and waiting for a chance to get close to Tanithra, Malus thought. He wasn’t sure how Bruglir would react if his first officer wound up dead with a knife in her back. Would he retaliate against Yasmir? There was no way to tell. For a moment Malus contemplated sending Hauclir forward to keep an eye on Tanithra, but he dismissed the notion almost as quickly. What could the retainer do? Come between the first officer and a murderous highborn lady? What would that achieve besides his death?

The wind picked up across the deck, buffeting Malus’ hood and blowing a spray of fine ice crystals into his face. The sky was darkening as the Harrier crossed the squall line, plunging into the winter storm. Soon it would be hard to see more than a few feet in any direction and danger could fall upon them with little warning, striking from almost any quarter.

Even within, Malus thought, his eyes scanning the crew. An old proverb came to mind as the storm swept over them.

When darkness falls, the knives come out.

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