The Tyranny of the Night: Book One of the Instrumentalities of the Night by Cook Glen

Author:Cook, Glen [Cook, Glen]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2010-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

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“THERE’S A PLAN IN PLACE, NOW,” ELSE TOLD PALUDAN, DIVINO Bruglioni, and Gervase Saluda. Divino Bruglioni was the man Else had seen with Gervase and Paludan before. Divino did not seem as old as an uncle ought to be. “I spent all day running hither and yon, seeing men I knew from the Connec. We figured out how to handle a pirate attack. The Bruglioni would have to contribute four thousand, two hundred ducats and any skilled fighters who can work with the Brotherhood. Which would be me. The Madisetti, the Arniena, and Bronte Doneto’s subclan of the Benedocto have all agreed already. I’m supposed to enlist the Bruglioni.”

Paludan had trouble breathing. The Principate sat quietly, considering Else. Gervase gasped. “Forty-two-hundred ducats?”

“Forty-two from each of the Five Families. Plus contributions from the Church, the Brotherhood, and the Deves.

“Four thousand two hundred ducats,” Paludan murmured. “Tell me the plan.”

“That’s where it gets a little sticky. Drocker is convinced that the Calzirans have allies and spies here.”

Uncle Divino offered, “They do. It was by spying on their spies that we learned that a sorcerer named Masant al-Seyhan controls the pirates. Go ahead, Captain Hecht.”

“Because of those spies Drocker doesn’t want to discuss his plans. I know you don’t like it but that’s the way it’s got to be. Principate, he’ll explain to you. But only if Paludan isn’t willing to take my word that total secrecy is necessary.”

Gervase asked, “They don’t trust us?”

“No. Grade Drocker is the most cynical man I’ve ever met. He’s sure that, fully informed, one of the Five Families would sell out the rest in exchange for not being plundered. Or some abused and underpaid servant might hear something and sell the information. Looking at the historical record, Drocker may be justified.”

Uncle Divino opined, “It would be a huge risk just talking to the Collegium.”

“I’m sure he has that angle covered. I don’t like him. Not even a little. But he’s the man to deal with what might be headed our way.”

Paludan wriggled and whimpered for days before he financed his share of the Grand Strategy—once pressured sufficiently by his uncle Divino.

Only Sublime refused to contribute to the defense fund. He did not like the master plan. It did not sufficiently aggrandize him or the Patriarchy.

Else felt boyishly pleased when Grade Drocker announced, “His Holiness will receive no protection since he refuses to participate in the common defense. Eis be blessed, even the heathen Deves are contributing.”

Else shivered in secret glee. Everything was going perfectly.

THE CALZIRAN PIRATES DID ATTACK UP THE TERAGI, IN NUMBERS FAR greater than anticipated, a week later than expected. Their sails masked the river for miles.

During the delay week they raided Terea, where the raiders ran into Imperial troops headed south, to take part in whatever adventure Hansel and his local henchmen had afoot in Alameddine.

The Collegium declared the Terea raid a diversion meant to draw defenders away from the city. The Tereans and Imperials were awarded their freedom to twist in the wind.

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