Red Seas Under Red Skies: The Gentleman Bastard Sequence, Book Two (Gentleman Bastards 2)

The two men met in the roofless ruins of a stone cottage, south of the city proper, so close to the edge of the eerie jungle that not even drunks and gazers would crawl out to it for shelter. It was near midnight, and a hard rain was falling, warm as spit.

‘Got all our junk sold just this afternoon. Been taking on water and ale like crazy. More than enough food already. Once we scrape up everyone that wants to get scraped up tomorrow, I’m sure we’re gone.’

Jaffrim Rodanov nodded, and for the hundredth time cast his gaze around the broken house and its shadows. Anyone close enough to listen through the noise of the rain would have to be close enough to spot, he reckoned.

‘Drakasha said ... disturbing things when she called the council. What’s she told you about her plans once she’s back at sea?

‘Nothing,’ said the other man. ‘Peculiar. Usually she gives us a good week to get our skulls busted and our purses sucked dry. She’s got a fire under her arse and it’s a mystery to the rest of us.’

‘Of course,’ said Rodanov. ‘She wouldn’t tell you anything until you were on your way. But she’s said nothing about the Archon? About Tal Verrar?’

‘No. So what do you think she’s—’

‘I know exactly what she’s doing. I’m just not entirely convinced it’s wise.’ Rodanov sighed. ‘She might call down a heap of shit on everyone in the Ghostwinds.’

‘So now you—’

‘Yeah.’ Rodanov passed a purse over, giving it a shake so the coins within could be heard. ‘Just like we discussed. Keep your eyes open. Note what you see. I’ll want to hear about it after.’

‘And the other thing?’

‘Got it here,’ said Rodanov, hefting an oilcloth satchel with a heavy weight inside. ‘You’re sure you have a place where this cannot be found—’

‘My sea-chest. Privilege of rank, right? Got a false bottom.’

‘Good enough.’ Rodanov passed the satchel over.

‘And if I have to ... use this thing ...’

‘Again, like we discussed. Three times what I just paid you, waiting for you once it’s done.’

‘I want more than that,’ said the man. ‘I want a place aboard the Sovereign.’

‘Of course.’ Rodanov extended his hand, and the other man met his grip. They shook in the traditional Vadran fashion, clasping one another’s forearms. ‘You know I can always use a good man.’

‘You’re using him right now, hey? Just want to be sure I got a place to call home when all this is over. One way or another.’

Utgar’s grin was the faintest crescent of white against the shadows.