Scout's Honor: A Planetary Romance by Vogel Henry

Author:Vogel, Henry [Vogel, Henry]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Rampant Loon Press
Published: 2014-04-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 54

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” I said. "I just discovered the city was burning a few minutes ago! I couldn’t have started the fire even if I’d wanted to—which I didn’t.”

“I didn’t say they accuse you of setting the fire,” Bane said. "I said they blame you for the fire.”

“That’s equally ridiculous!” I protested. “I only spent a few hours inside the city. How can I be to blame?”

“The tunnel rats started fires all over the city in retribution for their fellow rats who died during your rescue of the princess and prince,” Bane said. "And for forcing them to kill their tammar.”

“Are you telling me that saving people from the tunnel rats is a crime?” I asked.

“You won’t find any such law on the books,” Bane said, “but the city and the tunnel rats have an unspoken agreement. The rats leave respectable, well-to-do citizens alone, preying on the poor and outcasts teeming throughout the city. The city’s population of undesirables is kept in check without endangering anyone important. In return, the city leaves the tunnel rats alone.

“According to the unspoken agreement, the lives of the prince and princess were forfeit when they entered the tunnels on their own,” Bane said. “By rescuing them, you broke the peace.”

Glaring at Raoul, Bane added, “You also saved me from having to do the same thing.”

Turning back to me, Bane said, “The debt I incurred for that is repaid with this warning. Keep clear of Beloren and you should be fine. Now, I’m going to recall my ship and—”

“Please stay a while longer,” said Callan as she emerged from the cabin. "I have a proposition to discuss with you..”

Callan strode toward us, her face calm and her eyes hard.

“But first, what became of Rob’s body?” Callan asked.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, I took his body to be properly prepared,” Bane said, “but the fire changed everything. It was all I could do to escape the flames with my ship and crew.”

Callan turned her gaze toward the city, “An entire city burns in response to Rob’s death.”

“It’s as grand a funeral pyre as any man could ask,” Bane said.

Callan watched the burning city for a moment and then nodded. Turning back to Bane, she said, “I have need of a fleet of fighting airships. Will you recruit and command such a fleet for me? If you will, how quickly can you recruit the fleet and how much will it cost?”

“The cost depends entirely on what you wish us to fight,” Bane replied.

“Trogs,” Callan answered.

“Ah, yes, the trog army did appear to be headed toward the Mordanian border. And the navy is sure to be spread far and wide, searching for the heir to the throne.” Bane thought for a moment, “Standard mercenary wages for all ships. I’ll need one day to recruit the ships.”

“Agreed,” Callan said.

“And,” Bane said, “your father will issue a full pardon for one Martin Bane!”

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