Skir Master had a long memory, but that isn’t what bothered Argoth—how was it that the Skir Master knew the Prime had pointed at him?
“A blight upon our name, Great One,” said Shim. “But those elements were culled from the clan. Our loyalty has been tested. Was it not a Shoka who saved the Glory’s blessed father from the avalanche?”
The Skir Master turned and smiled. “Indeed. And now, it seems, the Shoka have yet another opportunity to do a great deed or a greater evil. What will it be?”
An anger began building in Argoth. But Shim dropped to one knee and Argoth followed his lead.
“The Shoka serve the Glory of Mokad,” said Shim.
“Does anyone else know the secrets of your firewater?” asked the Skir Master.
“No, Great One,” said Argoth. “A handful know parts and help with preparation. But only I know how it all combines at the last.” Actually, that was a lie. Hogan knew all the steps. And Hogan had sent the secrets along so that the Order might have this weapon.
“Then you shall be the savior to lift the burden from this people’s neck,” said the Skir Master. “You now have your ship of dreadmen. You will gather up every fire lance—every part, from the cannon to the fittings on the ships. You will collect every drop of the firewater and all the tools and substances used to create it. You will have them loaded on my ship by morning. And you,” he turned to Shim, “you will deliver all those who help prepare it. Do this and the Glory of Mokad will forgive this people its cruel inattention.”
Argoth was stunned. Did the Divine not know he was taking their last defense? With those words he’d just ordered the deaths of all the fine warriors of each clan. He’d ordered the rape of their women. With those words he had put the collar of slavery upon every child born for as many generations as it took to rise up against the the invaders and finally throw off their chains. With those words he had cut the hearts out of hundreds to be burned upon the barbaric altars of the Bone Face priests.
“Do you waver?” asked the Skir Master.
“No,” said Argoth. “I—”
“Great One,” said the Prime. “Does this mean that the Glory has blessed us with your wise leadership?”
The Skir Master shook his head. “All of the arms of Mokad must now defend the heart. I too will sail in the morning.”
Again, the room fell silent. Argoth could not believe he was hearing this. And then he realized he did not believe this. The Skir Master was deliberately provoking them, testing them.
Why would he do that?
“Deliver your burden,” said the Skir Master, “and I will reward you immediately with a replenishment of three weaves.”
Three? Three would never be enough to protect this land.
“Great One,” the Crab said. “Did you have time to consider our request for a seeking?”
“A proper seeking takes many hours,” said the Skir Master. “I cannot draw for your weaves and perform a seeking by morning. And I will not delay my departure. No, take your prisoner and put him to the question yourself. You can break through a man’s defenses with a proper questioning almost as easily as you can with a seeking.” He gestured in a way that took in the whole Council. “Or is this seeking the boon you desire?”
“Weaves,” said the Prime. “Bring our weaves to life.”
The Skir Master signaled for his guide, but before he left, he gazed at Argoth again. “Lest something happen to such a valuable resource as yourself, ten of my dreadmen will accompany you. Losing you is a risk I will not bear.”
“Very wise, Great One,” said Shim. “Very wise.”
Argoth looked into the Skir Master’s eyes—did he know Argoth’s secret? Argoth glanced at Shim. Had he revealed his suspicions about Argoth?
Argoth bowed. Ten dreadmen to guard him, but only three for the whole of the New Lands?
“Do not disappoint me,” the Skir Master said to the whole Council. “Now, I have heard of your baths. Lumen wrote incessantly of them and the delights of your blueberries, and I mean to enjoy them both before I leave.”
The Council erupted after the Skir Master left. But the Crab, ever fixed upon his purpose, came to take Hogan.
“It appears we’ll have to find another to oversee the questioning,” he said.
“It will be one of the Shoka,” said Shim. “And it will be done in the fortress of Whitecliff.”