'This rain,' Mallick Rel continued behind him, 'it shall make the seas rise, yes?'
Chapter Eighteen
Truth is a pressure, and I see us all shying away. But, my friends, from truth there can be no escape.
The Year of Ten Thousand Lies
Kayessan Arhizan, clinging to the limp folds of the imperial standard, its hunger forgotten, its own life but a quiescent spark within its tiny body, had listened intently to the entire conversation.
A dromon was easing its way among the nearest transports, towing a sleek, black-hulled warship; and from the shoreline watched the Adjunct and Admiral Nok, along with Fist Keneb, Quick Ben and Kalam Mekhar. Few words were exchanged among them, until the arrival of Sergeant Gesler and Corporal Stormy. At that point, things got interesting.
'Adjunct,' Gesler said in greeting. 'That's our ship. That's the Silanda.'
Admiral Nok was studying the gold-hued marine. 'Sergeant, I understand you claim that you can sail that unpleasant craft.'
A nod. 'With a couple squads, aye, and that's it. As for the crew below manning the oars, well, when we need 'em to row, they'll row.'
Stormy added, 'We lived with 'em long enough they don't scare us no more, sir, not even Gesler here an' he jumps every time he looks in that fancy silver mirror of his. An' those heads, they don't make our skins crawl neither, no more-'
'Stop talking like a sailor, Adjutant Stormy,' Nok said.
A smile amidst the red, bristling beard. 'Ain't no Adjutant any more, Admiral.'
Thin brows rose, and Nok said, 'Title alone gifts the bearer with intelligence?'
Stormy nodded. 'That it does, sir. Which is why Gesler's a sergeant and I'm a corporal. We get stupider every year that passes.'
'And Stormy's proud of that,' Gesler said, slapping his companion on the back.
The Adjunct rubbed at her eyes. She examined the tips of her leather gloves, then slowly began removing the gauntlets. 'I see by the waterline she's fully provisioned…'
'Food does not spoil in that hold,' Nok said. 'That much my mages have determined. Furthermore, there are no rats or other vermin.' He hesitated, then sighed. 'In any case, I could find no sailors who would volunteer to crew the Silanda. And I have no intention of forcing the issue.' He shrugged. 'Adjunct, if they truly want it…'