03
It was, however, already too late to dodge the big asteroid. We had barely gotten clear of EnVey and started walking when I spied DeKan down the street through the thin crowd. He was still some distance away, but striding in our direction, with half a dozen followers in tow. I slipped my arm through Cin's and steered her off the street and between the anchored ships.
'What?'
'Our friend, the Clan-king was coming our way. Let's get clear. We've run enough risks.'
She shrugged, but didn't object as we cut across the rows of anchored ships towards the island's nearest edge. But not fast enough.
DeKan and his followers were waiting for us, half a dozen streets across, and a dozen short of the island's edge. They must've run to cut us off when they saw us veer off, but they weren't showing any sign of it. The broad-feathered folk can travel much faster and surer on these little islands than we can with our claw toed boots.
We'd no choice but to stop and greet him. 'Ah, greetings Clan-king. We just settled things with EnVey. He made a very gracious apology which we were happy to accept. A very interesting character,' I added, hoping to temper whatever the Clan-king seemed so intent on saying to us by highlighting the graciousness of his subordinate.
'Raf is indeed, a very fine fellow, sober. And a demon when drunk. A family trait. He is, however, rarely drunk, and always enterprising, in a commercial sort of way,' (that rather dismissively) 'and he is as dear to me as he is annoying. I am happy, though not surprised, to find, that he has so promptly set out to make amends and apologized for his unfortunate actions. I, too, have sought you out in the hope of making amends. I'm here to invite you to my ship, the Talon Hawk, where we can discuss your new roles - as members of our clan.'
That set me back for a moment, until I realized our new role as a member of the clan would likely be that of either prisoners, or slaves.
'I'm sorry - we seemed to have missed a step or two. I don't recall an invitation being extended to join the clan. I know we haven't accepted one. I'm sure it's an honor. But I'm afraid we must decline. We are but ships passing in.... well, ships passing in a storm. We intend to go our own way as soon as repairs to our boat are finished. Your secrets, however, remain safe with us. We've already given our word on that.'
'Captain Canary hopes to return to his islands and give up sailing ships to be a farmer. He has found this voyage far too exciting for him,' laughed Cin, 'so we have no interest in becoming Temtres. It would not suit him, I'm afraid. Though we thank you for your generous offer.'
Left unsaid was Cin's preferences...
DeKan gave me an amused glance. For the most part, he'd only eyes for Cin. 'I gave you the freedom of the Assembly when we last met, as members of the Clan. While my meaning might not have been as clearly expressed as perhaps it should've been, as I was not in a position to make it clearer at the time,' he replied with a suave, faux apologetic smile. 'I trust you will understand that this offer is both generous and necessary. This Assembly and this island are touchstones of our society. We have, as you may have gathered, rivals and enemies in the Principalities. This island is virtually impossible to find by chance, and is secured by the loyalty of the clan and the members of the clan that can find it. Should its existence become known to outsiders, our, well, our security would then be in jeopardy.'
By security, he meant treasure. Who knows, the treasure trove of the Temtres may be a legend in the Principalities. Keeping it a legend would be a high priority to the Temtres. A secret known only to the clan and its location known only to Temtre captains or guides. DeKan could not be sure we did not have the talent to find our way back. We hadn't had the chance to look into the Temtre treasure cave, but I'd a feeling that if generations upon generations had been accumulating treasures, it could be something worth looking for.
'Ah, yes,' I said. 'I understand your concern. However, I assure you that, as strangers, and strangers far from home, we bear no animosity towards your clan. Indeed, we've become half Temtres ourselves. We'd be more than happy to formally pledge our friendship and our assurances to keep your secrets. And I can assure you than neither Naylea nor I have the talent to find this island again. You needn't lose a minute of sleep over that prospect. I trust you will accept that, since we will, in the end, be going our own way, in our own boat,' I added, giving him my most determined look. At least I hoped I kept desperation out of it.
'The cheerful good nature of your people and the generosity of their leaders has greatly impressed us,' chimed in Cin. 'Your hospitality alone requires that we reciprocate the trust you've shown in us by giving us the freedom of your clan. I assure you, you can trust us to keep your secrets.'
'I'm glad you've become half Temtre, it will make it all the easier for you to become all Temtre. As for allowing you to leave on your own - how can I trust you? You're a thief,' he replied giving her a hard look. 'A self-confessed thief. Why would I trust a thief?'
She laughed. 'We've already gone over that, DeKan. You're also a thief. I took a few coins out of necessity, cutting no one's throat in doing so. And, I might add, I am a thief for hire. I steal things for other people, not for myself. It is a career that I was trained for. I enjoy the challenge of it. It is the journey, not the destination that matters to me. I think, sir, that I am far, far less greedy than you, and I can assure you, however fabulous your treasures may be, it is of no interest to me.'
'Why not?'
She shrugged. 'We're wealthy enough. You might not believe this, but Captain Canary is quite wealthy in his own island. He is a very lucky man. As for your wretched coins, I took them only because we did not possess the local currency and did not seek to call attention to ourselves. It ill behooves you, as a great Clan-king, to be so petty about a few coins.'
I doubted that last remark would sit well with ol'DeKan, but I was wrong. He had eyes for only Cin. They were talking one pirate to another. And she was as at her most cheerful, charming and fearless self - taunting and tempting. She wasn't looking at me, so I couldn't tell how calculating the act was. If it was an act at all. I should've been alarmed, but knowing how Cin loved to role-play - and have fun at my expense - I wasn't. Which is not to say I wasn't alarmed, just not on that account. I'd plenty of others to be alarmed about.
'It is not a matter of a few coins, though I'll admit it galls me that you could steal them so easily. But that is all the more reason to bring you into the clan. While I personally trust you, alas, as Clan-king, I must look after the best interests of the clan. I cannot take the chance that the wealth of ages might disappear if you are not true to your word. Not when I have other options...' He glanced at the half dozen followers behind him. Which was merely a feint.
I sensed, more than heard or saw a movement behind us, coming from behind the ships at our back. Cin reacted faster than I, drawing her dagger, but we were both engulfed in a thick rope net which was quickly, and effectively, drawn around us, pulling us together. And before she could even attempt to cut us free, my struggle, at least, was ended abruptly in blackness by a thumping crack on the side of my head. No flash of blue, but the results were the same, a dive into a bottomless blackness.