The Pearls Of Lutra - 11 by Brian Jacques

Author:Brian Jacques [Jacques, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Stan' aside, me lucky buckoes, let me go!

Cut me teeth upon a cutlass Yes I did, yes I did,

An' me pore ole daddy ran away an' hid,

Sayin', 'That's no child o' mine,

Let 'im sail across the brine,

Stan' aside now for the vermin, let 'im go!'

If there's plunder in the offin'

That's fer me, that's fer me,

An' I never charge, I'll kill you all fer free.

Give me lots o' lovely loot,

An' a cask o' grog ter boot,

Up the anchor, loose the sails an' let me go!"

Sinking majestically into the western horizon the sun burned skies of blue and gold to a crimson hue. Ublaz and Sagitar watched from an upper window as the hot day drew to a close. Bloodkeel was a mere speck far out to the southeast.

The Emperor poured two goblets of rich dark wine, and pushed one in the direction of his chief Trident-rat.

"Now you may ask me," he said.

"'Ask you what, Sire?" replied Sagitar apprehensively.

The pine marten sipped his wine, still watching Bloodkeel diminishing into the hazy distance of the ocean. "What is on your mind," he said. "Why did I repair the fox's ship, why did I let him sail off with a crew of his own choosing, why did I not crush the wave vermin this morning when I had the chance? These are the questions on your mind, am I correct?"

Nervously, Sagitar swallowed the wine in one gulp. "Mightiness, you have read my mind!"

Ublaz refilled the goblets, narrowing his eyes to keep Bloodkeel in his vision. "You are only thinking what every otherbeast on Sampetra is thinking at this moment, so I will tell you. Rasconza is a born troublemaker, ambitious and deceitful. Like Barranca, he is popular with the corsair crews. This would make him dangerous in the long run, so I decided to dispense with him. First I let him choose a crew, knowing he would choose his closest allies. You see, there may be those among them who would also be future trouble to me, so I dispense with them also. But I do not want the other crews to know I am responsible for the slaying of Rasconza and his friends. I want them to think that their Emperor is benevolent to themif they consider me their friend I will have their loyalty. So, there you have your answer."

Sagitar paused, the goblet half lifted to her lips. "But Sire, you have not slain Rasconza and his crew. They have sailed away alive, free to return to Sampetra when they will."

Ublaz smiled, shaking his head at the Trident-rat's simplicity. "Look out to sea, Sagitar. If you can still see Rasconza's ship, then take a last look at it. Bloodkeel has only one place to go, straight down! When my workers fitted the new tiller and rudder this morning they were carrying out my instructions. Below the waterline, they hewed the stern until the wood was thin, then they fitted the rudder. It has a special metal spike protruding from the back of it.

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