Gears of Troy 2 by Daniel Pierce

Author:Daniel Pierce [Pierce, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-20T16:00:00+00:00

9

We sailed east and met nothing but open ocean until the sun was almost below the horizon. It was then that we spotted a small fleet of three ships in the direction we were heading. I had never seen an Egyptian ship before. I did not know what to look for, but these ships were foreign to me. I could tell even from such a distance that their sails bore no resemblance to any of the nations I had come into direct contact with in the past year.

As we approached them, I spotted a bay not too far off in the distance and wondered if there was a trading post there that these sailors were either coming from or going to. I hailed the ship at the head of the fleet, and a dark-skinned man, who I assumed was its captain, called out to me.

“Greetings,” he shouted.

His crew of eight gathered around, all carrying swords at their sides. One of the other boats sailed in on my opposite side, flanking me. I would have been in a bad position if they decided to attack. The third ship stayed back, preventing my immediate forward escape. They could have only been taking precautious measures because of my unusual craft and its unusual crew, but their actions alarmed me right from the start.

The lead man continued, “I am Laxos of the Tursha. Many know us only as the Sea People. Where do you come from, stranger? Where are you going? And where, I am most interested to hear, did that massive pile of bones come from?”

“I am Troy,” I said, keeping my voice firm and authoritative. “I am also from Troy. We are sailing these parts hoping to come across an Egyptian vessel because we wish to seek counsel with their people. These bones”—I gestured behind me to the skinned beast—“are from a leviathan we slayed earlier today. It was terrorizing a small village of islanders not far west of here.”

“That is very commendable of you, Troy,” Laxos said. He smiled at me, but it was hard to tell if it was not intended as a sneer. I did not like this guy; he seemed slimy. “And why do you seek guidance from the Egyptians, may I ask?”

I wanted to tell him that no, he may not ask. It was none of his business, and I did not want to share potentially compromising information. In an effort to keep things civil, though, I gave him a watered-down version, saying, “I wish to learn about their magic.”

“Ah . . . Egyptian magic. Powerful stuff, I have heard, but I have never had the pleasure . . . or misfortune . . . of seeing it firsthand.”

“It is pressing business, so if you will kindly excuse us, we will be on our way.” I headed back to the wheel.

“Not so fast, Troy of Troy,” he said.

I did not stop walking until I was in front of the console.

He raised his voice. “Perhaps you have never heard of us?” He asked this with an eyebrow raised.

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