Under Fallen Stars - Mel Odom [74]
"You convinced us of this strike," Maliceprow said in his soft voice, barely heard above the ship's creaks and groans.
"I merely pointed out the opportunity," Iakhovas replied. "You convinced yourselves."
Maliceprow's eyes narrowed. "You say you don't accept the blame for this?"
Iakhovas reached out and pulled back a chair, ignoring the four guards around Maliceprow who moved to defend him. Iakhovas sat across from the portmaster, every eye in the galley on him. "I only accept my share of the blame. You knew there would be risks."
"I thought there would be less risk involved," Maliceprow stated, waving at his guards to stand down. He hadn't achieved his position by being afraid. "You said those damned sea devils and their creatures would chew up more of the city's defenses than they did."
Laaqueel felt her face grow hot at the disrespect the man obviously held for her people.
Easy, little malenti. You have even less respect for him.
Only the discipline Laaqueel had learned through serving Sekolah helped to keep her mouth closed and harsh words unsaid.
Iakhovas replied easily. "They incurred even greater losses than your pirates, Portmaster."
"And there's a balance to be struck here?" Maliceprow demanded.
"They went there to go to war with their enemies," Iakhovas said. "You went there out of greed to sack Baldur's Gate. Even with the losses you took, you made a profit."
Maliceprow said nothing.
"I'd call your attack a success."
"Except that every city and country along the Sword Coast is going to be more interested than ever in the Nelanther Isles," Falkane said.
Iakhovas smiled at the pirate captain. "I thought you took pride in the amount of the bounty offered for your head, Captain Falkane. Surely that amount will go up once the Sword Coast learns you were involved in the attack."
A smile spread across Falkane's thin lips. The yellow light from the lanterns mounted on the walls painted shadows on the wall behind him. He gave Iakhovas a small salute, fingers briefly touching his forehead. "A pirate's reputation is worth its weight in gold."
"Exactly," Iakhovas said. "After the attack on Baldur's Gate, all of your reputations have been enhanced, and you've made a profit."
"Not enough of one," Maliceprow growled. "I don't give a damn that you're supposed to be some kind of unkillable legend, Alaric. There will be an accounting here-or mayhap we'll see the evidence of those myths."
"I'm not a man to be pushed," Iakhovas said quietly, maintaining his steady gaze on Maliceprow.
For a moment Laaqueel's breath caught. She felt certain that violence was about to erupt in the galley.
After a long breath, Maliceprow leaned back in his chair and said, "Your alliance with the sea devils is of benefit to us."
"Of course it is," Iakhovas replied. "So far none of the pirate ships from the Nelanther Isles have been attacked by the sahuagin, or any other creature from the sea."
Laaqueel watched as the threat rolled over the gathered captains. She saw that they understood Iakhovas wielded more power over them than they'd before believed.
"Our arrangement guarantees your continued safe passage on the seas," Iakhovas went on. "You're free to continue to plunder the Sword Coast, secure in the knowledge that whoever decides to pursue any of you will become targets for the sahuagin. You yourselves have no cause to worry about them."
Maliceprow nodded slightly, but Laaqueel knew he didn't like his position and perhaps suddenly realized how untenable it was.
"Surely that's worth something," Iakhovas pointed out.
"Maybe it is," Falkane stated, "but you have to ask yourself, what's it worth to you to walk out of this galley alive?"
Laaqueel's heart sped up at the bald-faced threat.
Turning his head, Iakhovas stared at the pirate captain. "Your absence wouldn't go unnoticed. You'd be a hard man to replace."
Silence stretched in the galley, filling it. Laaqueel