The Jewel of Turmish - Mel Odom [108]
"To the right," she answered.
Borran Kiosk walked in that direction, crossing the narrow flying bridge. Lightning flared again, and this time it reflected from sails.
"No fishermen come out here," Allis said, "and they wouldn't be here at this time of night anyway. They must be looking for someone. Occasionally, treasure hunters come out here, looking to lay claim to cargo lost by ships that were sunk in these waters, and to raid the drowned city itself."
"They see us, cap'n," the dead man occupying the crow's nest said. "They're turning and coming toward us."
Borran Kiosk saw that the ship had altered its direction and was now approaching them. Lights moved hurriedly along the ship's deck, and more of them were lit.
"Someone is looking for us," Borran Kiosk said.
"No one knows we're here," Allis said.
Borran Kiosk fisted the ratline running down to the flying deck and said, "Coming here wasn't as clever as you thought it was."
"There's an army waiting here to be claimed," Allis said.
T can't hide as easily on the open sea as I could have in the city," Borran Kiosk replied. T know the warrens and alleys there. I could have stayed away from them."
"They would have hunted you down. You didn't stand a chance… especially not after the way you announced yourself to them."
Rage filled Borran Kiosk and he almost backhanded the werespider.
T will not be taken again," he said. "I will not be locked away, nor will I allow myself to be destroyed."
"We can hold them off," Allis said.
Borran Kiosk wanted to scream and shout, to rail against Malar who had undoubtedly abandoned him yet again. Lightning flared and thunder pealed, sending highlights and a jagged reflection skittering across the sea's surface.
The other ship sailed alongside Mistress Talia and matched her speed. Men stood along the other ship's deck. Many of them held lanterns and the lights showed the bows, javelins, and swords the sailors wielded. Among the crew, though, were a number of men Borran Kiosk recognized from their dress as druids. Some of them had animal companions with them, and an owl skimmed through the sky, shining silver-gray in a lightning flash.
"Ahoy the ship!" someone yelled from the other vessel. "Identify yourselves!"
None of the undead crew aboard Mistress Talia moved. All of them waited for orders from the mohrg. Borran Kiosk flicked his tongue out. Even with the storm continuing unabated around them, he tasted the scent of human flesh and blood staining the winds. It was delicious.
"Ahoy the ship!" the same voice repeated, growing angry this time. "Answer up or you'll be paying dearly for your reticence!"
The other ship sailed closer, and Borran Kiosk knew that they were well within bowshot. The lanternlight played over Mistress Talia's deck. His undead crewman stared at the flesh and blood crew of the other ship.
"Blessed Lady," a man swore aboard the newly arrived ship, "all them there men are dead! That's a crew of dead men aboard her, it is!"
The owl circled Mistress Talia, coming in closer.
Borran Kiosk pointed at the owl. A green beam lanced from his finger and transfixed the bird. In less than a heartbeat, the owl roiled into a fluff of feathers that blew away on the storm winds.
The crew aboard the second ship drew back. Several holy symbols appeared and as many curses as prayers came from their hps.
The mohrg leaned on the flying deck's railing and showed the men a confident pose.
"I am Borran Kiosk!" he roared above the keening winds that whipped through the sails and rigging. "You know me."
Instantly, several beams from bull's-eye lanterns turned in his direction. They stripped the shadows away from him and revealed him for what he was.
"It is Borran Kiosk!" someone yelled.
"Kill him!" another cried. "Get the wizards out here!"
Immediately afterward, dozens of arrows sprang from the bows of men on the second ship. The missiles leaped across the space between the ships and tore into Mistress Talia's deck and sailcloth. Several of the arrows found homes in the