Juliet McKenna - The Assassin's Edge

“We want to hit them like a storm out of a clear sky,” murmured Halice over the soft sweeps of her whetstone on a dagger.

Temar looked up and saw that the sky, while clear, was perceptibly darkening. “Is there enough time to win this battle before dusk?”

“If we get a move on,” Halice grinned. “And I doubt they’ll expect an attack this late in the day, so that’ll work to our advantage.”

As she spoke, the vessel wheeled and shot into the narrow opening of the inlet, pace barely slackening. Guinalle retreated to the sanctuary of the cabin again.

“Dast’s teeth!” A sailor’s nervous exclamation made Temar look up. He realised the crew were as tense as cats in a water-mill. Every man moved vigilant among the spars and ropes, making the finest adjustments often before the boatswain’s whistled orders.

Pride in Allin’s abilities swelled in Temar’s chest as the Dulse sped through the narrow channel. The little ship raced past looming green hills thick with tangled trees that gripped the very shoreline with belligerent roots. The fighting men ready in the waist of the ship swayed and cursed as the ship heeled and jinked like a bolting horse. More than a few turned pale and Glane dashed for the rail, clutching at his belly, other hand clapped to his mouth. A cry of consternation from the prow prompted anxious looks all round until the boatswain waved reassurance with a broad hand. A swell of nervous laughter ran the length of the boat.

“What is it?” Temar asked Halice.

“Something about the reefs.” She peered over the side rail and surprised Temar with a chuckle. “Look at this.”

Temar grinned along with Halice when he saw the waters seething furiously as jagged rocks and water-smoothed boulders tumbled over each other to pile against the shore, clearing the channel for the speeding ships. Usara was leaning on the foremost rail of the Fire Minnow , head bowed, wizardry turned on the unseen hazards beneath the waters.

“Careful.” The Dulse lurched and Halice grabbed Temar’s arm.

“Thank you.” Temar took a deep breath as the unrelenting speed and motion made his own stomach protest.

“When we get ashore, you play your part but you watch your back,” Halice warned him sternly. “You need to stay alive to reap the rewards for Kellarin—and to finish what you seem to have started with young Allin.”

“You keep your hide whole,” Temar retorted. “I’m not done needing you.”

Halice grinned. “I’m a mercenary. We’re expendable. That’s what we’re paid for.” Her words won a cheer from the fighting men closest to the aftdeck.

“Just make sure we get paid, Commander!” called Minare.

“First pick of the loot,” shouted Peyt with relish.

“Secure it first and then we’ll argue shares.” Challenge rang in Halice’s voice.

“We’re nearly there.” Allin’s strained words drove all other considerations from Temar’s mind. The ship lurched as the elemental wind fled. Crewmen scrambled up the ratlines to trim the sails.

“Ready to land!” Halice shouted and her banner sergeants called their troops to order.

“Ready?” The Fire Minnow was some way behind but Usara’s shout echoed over the waters.

“Yes.” Allin’s voice broke on her tension.

“Yes!” Temar drew his sword and waved it. He saw pirates running down to the water, hate-filled weapons catching the sunlight, their shouts soon drowned beneath the abuse the mercenaries on deck were hurling. The foremost brigands stood in the swirling surf, daring the invaders to risk a landing, their taunts raucous.

A deafening roar smashed through the uproar. Flames exploded from the merchant ships broken and dishonoured on the beach. Magefire ripped the masts asunder, wood splitting and metal melting. Burning brands and red-hot splinters scattered the waiting pirates. The troops on the Dulse jeered as their ship drove at the shingle, straight as a die. Stones grated beneath the hull, keel biting deep. The sailors caught the last of the wind to force her on, adding their skills to this new magic.

“ ’Sar’s pretty good with water,” Halice noted with approval. Temar looked back for Allin. Her feet were firmly planted on the deck, hands tight folded as she turned all her skill to destroying the stolen ships. She didn’t flinch, even when someone jumped screaming from the stern of the Tang , flames consuming the man even as he fell towards the futile hope of quenching in the sea.

“Ware arrows!” Minare perched on the side rail, sword in one hand, the other holding a rope. The Fire Minnow reared up beside the Dulse , Usara leaning perilously over the prow as he forced the shingle to bank and hold the hull secure.

Temar put himself between Allin and any hostile arrow but the scattered shower had all but spent its force by the time it clattered among the masts and ropes. Then crossbow quarrels thudded into the wooden side of the Dulse , one sending a Kellarin man reeling back clutching his chest and screaming. A second flight of arrows hissed through the air like geese taking fright but this time Allin was ready. A shimmering curtain of magelight swept the shafts toppling and tumbling back to the shore and into the sea.

“Any chance she could use those to pin down a few pirates for us.” Rosarn appeared at Temar’s side, her bow strung, reaching for her quiver.

Temar was surprised. “I thought you’d spent all your arrows.”

“Nearly.” Rosarn narrowed her eyes on a distant target. “But it’s not arrows that makes the archer.” She drew her bow up in one fluid movement and loosed the shaft. A distant scream told Temar it had found its quarry. “It’s the aim,” Rosarn concluded with satisfaction.

Other archers picked to win full value for every precious arrow were on the aftdeck now. A second contingent on the sterncastle of the Fire Minnow was picking off enemy crossbow men.

“Have at them!” Halice roared. Sailors flung ropes and nets over the side of each ship. Some of the mercenaries barely seemed to use them as they poured on to the beach, running to engage those pirates holding their ground despite the flaming embers or spent arrows cascading down on them.

“Go on!” Rosarn shoved Temar towards the main deck. He didn’t need her urging, aware of every man’s eyes on him.

It was he and no other should lead the men of Vithrancel and Edisgesset into this battle. The loyal tenants of D’Alsennin’s vast holdings had once trusted him to lead them within the cohorts of the Emperor fighting for Tormalin glory. Now his duty was to lead these men to victory such that as many as possible would live to enjoy it.

By now he was over the side and knee deep in the water. Ahead, Halice led her troop up the sloping shingle. Swirling waves dragging at their boots, the snarling mercenaries fought as one, each man arm’s length from the next, ready to defend each other, all the while attacking with all the savagery they could muster. The pirates went down like wheat before a scythe, bodies falling to taint the foam with a rush of scarlet.

Temar and his troop followed hard on their heels. “To me!” he yelled as they gained the solid ground. Halice and her mercenaries met the pirates’ main force in the centre of the landing. Immediately in front of Temar, Minare sent his men to either side, long practice spreading claws to crush the enemy. Some of the pirates broke, fleeing to the scatter of huts and tents on the rise beyond. Minare’s men fell on the rest like starving dogs on meat.

Blood flung from a sweeping sword spattered Temar’s face but he paid it no heed. He saw his moment and ran, blade questing before him. “Now! For Kellarin!”