“Yeah? With her magic-”
“We’re wasting time,” Stryke said. “We’ve got a destination. Let’s get to it.”
Pepperdyne indicated the prisoners. “What about them?”
“We’ll leave ’em to fend for themselves.”
“How’d you feel about that, Kalgeck?” Spurral wanted to know.
“There are parts of the island that are deserted. They can go there. We won’t interfere with them if they leave us alone.”
“Fair enough,” Stryke said. “Now let’s get to the ship.”
4
Rather than wait for dawn, Stryke insisted they set sail that evening. There was a crimson sunset as they upped anchor and moved away from the island, promising a torrid following day.
So it proved. Even at dawn it was hot, though a constant, moderate wind gave some relief and kept the sails full. The cabins and cargo holds were stifling, and most of the band preferred the relative comfort of the deck. In scattered pairs and groups, the main topic of whispered conversations was Stryke’s treatment of the prisoners. Some backed him, others had doubts. Stryke himself spent most of his time alone at the prow, as though willing the ship onward.
Pepperdyne was amidships, at the wheel. As an islander born and bred, it would normally have been a pleasure, had not Standeven been plaguing him.
“You saw what he did to those soldiers. Didn’t that alarm you?”
“Stryke did what he felt he had to do,” Pepperdyne replied, his response measured. “I can’t say I liked it, but-”
“It was the act of a savage.”
“I’d take what you’re saying more seriously if you didn’t have a cloud over you about that dead orc back in Acurial.”
“How many times do I have to tell you-”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Those two Stryke killed were human beings,” Standeven persisted. “Our kind.”
“And not just a lowly orc, eh?”
“Forget that! My point is that Stryke’s the one with the instrumentalities.”
“Here we go again.”
“They’re our only way home.”
“And there’s no way you’re getting them.”
“That’s not it. I’m saying is he the best one to be in charge of them?”
Pepperdyne laughed. “It should be you, is that it?”
“No! But he’s unstable. He showed that yesterday.”
“Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. But he’s what we’ve got, whether you like it or not. No way is he going to give them up.”
“Of course he isn’t. But I’m thinking that if we spoke to him, reasoned with him, maybe we could get him to take us back home before we get dragged deeper into this madness.”
“You say he’s unstable then you come up with an idea like that. It’s not going to happen, Standeven. Do you really expect him to break off searching for his mate to ferry us home? Not to mention how erratic the stars have been. How could he be sure of getting us home? Or of getting himself back here?”
“So you’re admitting he can’t control them.”
“I’m not sure anybody could. Anyway, I’m not inclined to run out on the band. Not now, when they’re trying to find Thirzarr.”
Standeven was puzzled. “Why?”
“It’s called loyalty. A notion you’re not familiar with.”
“What about loyalty to Humanity? To me.”
“It has to be earned. The band’s done that. You haven’t.”
“Your trust in these orcs is misplaced. This… relationship or whatever it is you’re having with Coilla; they’re laughing behind your back about it, you know. Those who don’t hate you for it, that is. Why don’t you stick with your own?”
“I think you just answered that question yourself. For all of what you call their savagery these beings aren’t devious like you and most of our race. Whatever you might think, they don’t hide their true opinions behind mealy- mouthed words. They speak plain and act out what they feel. I quite like that.”
“And that’s your excuse for your disgusting union with one of them, is it?”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you or anybody else. And I don’t have to listen to this shit. Now clear off.”
“Since when did you get to give orders?”
“I’m the skipper as far as this vessel’s concerned, and that makes my word law.” Pepperdyne gave his erstwhile master a flinty look. “And if that isn’t enough for you, I can back it with this.” He took a hand off the wheel and made a fist of it.
Standeven blanched, then, mumbling curses, turned and stamped off. Coilla was coming up the stairs to the wheel as he went down, and he pushed past her wordlessly.
“What was that about, Jode?” she asked.
“The usual.”
“Still keen on the stars, eh?”
“He says he isn’t.”
“Yeah, right.”
“He said something else.”
“So stop creasing your brow and spit it out.”
“What do you reckon the rest of the band think about… us?”
“Do they know?”
“Standeven said they did, and that they’re not happy about it.”
“Nobody’s said anything to me. Well, apart from Haskeer. But he’s always moaning about something, and humans aren’t his favourite race.”
“Maybe we should be a little more discreet.”
“Why? What the fuck’s it got to do with them?”
“Well, it’s not as though our situation’s that normal, is it?” He saw her expression and started rowing back. “Not that there’s anything abnormal about it, of course. I mean-”
“All right, you can stop digging now. It’s rare, yes, but that’s no reason for anybody to get sniffy about it. Anyway, Standeven’s probably just trying to vex you. Don’t let him get under your skin.”
“Expect you’re right. But I’d be happier if-”
“Hold it. Here comes Wheam.”
“Damn it. It’s busier than a town square on market day up here.”
She favoured him with a smile. “Give the kid a break. He looks low.”
Wheam trudged up the steps dejectedly.
“Why so glum?” Coilla asked.
“Oh, this and that,” the youth replied.
“Anything in particular?”
“Dallog just chewed me out.”
“Why?”
“He says we haven’t got enough drinking water on board, ’cos we left in a rush and didn’t load enough, and everybody’s drinking more in this heat.”
“How’s that your fault?” Pepperdyne said.
