The Lost Library of Cormanthy - Mel Odom [99]
Generous in floor space, the room held a large desk, two couches, and a half dozen chairs in front of the desk. The first time Baylee had seen the office, he thought it hadn't fit the pirate's reputation.
But today, seeing Uziraff with his knee in the chest of a young man sprawled across that desk, a lead-filled cestus covering one hand, Baylee thought that it looked more representative of the pirate.
"Who dares interrupt me?" Uziraff roared, turning to look over his shoulder at the door. He was a little more than six feet tall, bronzed from the sea and the wind, and his dirty blond hair was pulled back out of his face. Wide gold hoops dangled from his ears. His beard was full, but kept short, following the angles of his face. He wore a red silk shirt and black, heavy-weight breeches that tucked into roll-top boots.
The boy's one eye that wasn't swelled shut stared in rounded terror. Blood covered his bruised and battered face, and ran down his neck. Two men held his arms spread out at his sides.
"You know me," Baylee said. He gestured for Xuxa. The azmyth bat leaped from behind him.
Uziraff didn't move from his victim. The pirate's face twisted in a grimace. "Fannt Golsway's whelp. I've heard the old mage finally got himself killed."
Xuxa landed under one of the supports across the ceiling, hanging upside down. She kept her wings open for immediate movement if necessary. Be careful, she advised.
"Get off that boy," Baylee ordered.
Uziraff didn't move. "This boy stole from me. I was only teaching him a lesson, and deciding whether I should take a hand for my trouble as well." "And this is the man you're going to deal with?" Cthulad asked quietly,
pulling the door closed to the main bar.
"I'll not trouble to tell you again," Baylee said in a cold voice.
"You dare to come here and tell me how to run my affairs?" Uziraff laughed, joined by his men, who started to close in, drawing their weapons.
As quick as thought itself, Cthulad stepped forward. His long sword swept out before him in a series of strokes. Three men lost their weapons, drawing back bleeding hands.
Uziraff abandoned his victim, reaching for the cutlass in the red sash at his waist. "I'll suffer no such treatment of my authority under my roof, old man."
Cthulad turned to face the freebooter. "The boy here wants you left alive. I'll humor him as long as I am able." His long sword rose to an en garde position. "Though, by nature, I am not a fanciful man, I must warn you."
"Who are you, old man, to come to me in such a threatening manner?" Uziraff demanded.
"I am Civva Cthulad, justifier, a known warrior and general of armies. I was raised on combat, schooled in warfare, and have kept a sword as my constant companion for as long as I can remember."
"I have heard of you, Justifier, but usually you are with an army in one nation or the other of the Dalelands. Here you are just one man. Perhaps only a breath short of dying."
"And perhaps even further than that," Cthulad challenged.
Xuxa spread her wings and shrieked, startling several of the pirates into dodging back. Do not forget about me, Uziraff Fireblade. No one will touch Baylee without paying full measure.
"Let the boy go," Baylee commanded.
"You're not even armed," Uziraff protested.
"That can change. There happen to be a number of swords laying here on the ground. I'm proficient with any style of them."
"What do you want?" Uziraff asked. "I know you didn't come here to save this miserable wretch." He nodded at the boy.
"I came here about the pictograph you found and took to Golsway."
Uziraff's interest showed on his face. "I thought there might be more than Golsway let on." He gestured to the two men holding the boy across his desk.
The men released