Inferno

17

Long after the sun disappeared, and the crisp night sky was speckled with stars, the Wolverines’ ship ploughed on.

They used hooded lamps for such light as they needed and conversed in hushed tones. Dynahla was the only real guide to their destination, and as they were uncertain about how close they were, or whether there might be other craft abroad, they ran dark and silent.

Stryke gathered his officers in what had been the master’s cabin, or whatever the ship’s former, goblin owners called it. Its windows were kept firmly shuttered.

“What do we do when we get there?” Haskeer demanded before they all finished seating themselves.

“That’s what we’re here to figure out,” Stryke told him. “Now sit down and shut up.”

Sullenly, his sergeant did as he was told.

“We don’t know what we’ll be up against,” Stryke said. “So we need a plan. You’re our strategist, Coilla; talk to me.”

“We do know what we’ll be up against: Jennesta. Question is how best to overcome her and pull off our mission. And not get killed doing it.”

“Isn’t that always the way it is when we tangle with her?” Jup asked.

“Yeah,” Haskeer chimed in, “since when did we worry about odds when it comes to a fight? I say we go in with blades out and give no quarter, Stryke, like we usually do.”

“This is different. I want Thirzarr out of there and safe. That’s what Coilla meant by the mission. This isn’t just about killing Jennesta.”

“You don’t want to fight?” Haskeer looked incredulous.

“ Course I do. But I want to fight smart.”

“Could be we’ll run straight into opposition,” Coilla said, “in which case it’ll be an all-out scrap. But if we can get ashore unseen, maybe a snatch squad’s the best option to bring out Thirzarr.”

“What about Jennesta?” Jup wanted to know.

“Once we get Thirzarr clear we can tackle her force head-on.”

“Only trouble with that,” Stryke judged, “is that it spreads us thin.”

“Yeah,” Coilla agreed. “Three groups. Snatch squad, main body holding back ’til they get the word to attack, and a group defending the ship.”

“That could be us,” Dallog suggested. “Me and the rest of the Ceragans. We could guard the ship.”

Haskeer sneered. “Quick getting in with that bid, ain’t you? Frightened of a fight?”

“ No. It’s just that we work well together. We’ve proved that.”

“You did a good job holding it last time,” Stryke conceded. “That’s your detail then.”

“We’re better off without ’em,” Haskeer muttered.

“But I can’t spare all of you,” Stryke added. “Take Chuss, Pirrak and Keick. Wheam can come with us.”

Haskeer loudly groaned. “As if we didn’t have enough trouble.”

Stryke showed him a clenched fist. “I won’t be telling you again. We need all the bodies we can get. He’s included.”

“Not in the snatch squad?” Jup said, faintly alarmed.

“No. He’ll be part of the main force.”

“Who is in the snatch squad?” Coilla wondered.

“Me, you, Jup and a couple of the grunts. I’m thinking Eldo and Reafdaw. Dynahla should be in it, too.”

“Why?”

“He says he’s got magic. We might need that. And before you say it; yes, we don’t really know anything about him. I’ll take that risk.” He looked to Haskeer. “You’ll head the main force.”

“So I get the pleasure of Wheam’s company. Lucky me. Pepperdyne, too?”

“Yes.”

“What about the other one?”

“Standeven stays on the ship. You’ll keep an eye on him, Dallog.”

Somebody rapped on the door and barged in. It was Finje, breathing hard from a dash.

“We can see it,” he reported. “The island. It’s in sight.”

“It’s big,” Stryke said, peering at the long black slab of the island, outlined on the horizon by the spreading dawn. “Funny it’s not on the map.” He shot Dynahla a searching look, coloured with a hint of suspicion.

“There are lots of maps. I doubt there’s one that charts this world accurately. Anyway, what’s the worry? There it is.”

“You’re sure Jennesta’s there, and Thirzarr?”

“Yes.”

“Because Serapheim told you so.”

“Not just that. Now we’re close I can sense the presence myself.”

“ You can? How?”

“As with so much to do with the craft, it’s hard to explain to the uninitiated. Let’s just say that living things give out a certain… cadence, and some of us can detect it.”

“I can’t pretend to understand that.”

“You’ll have to take my word for it then. But be certain that Jennesta, and your mate, are on that island.”

They were at the ship’s prow, and Stryke carried on staring at the island for a moment before speaking again. “The plan’s to send in a snatch squad to get Thirzarr out before we launch a full attack. Will you be part of the squad?”

“I think I ought to be. Though you should be aware that Jennesta’s sorcery is stronger than you know, and quite possibly greater than anything I can summon.”

“That’s better than nothing. But here’s something you should be aware of. All I know about you is what you’ve told us. On the strength of that I’m trusting you. Betray that trust, or do anything that might harm Thirzarr, and you won’t be coming back from this mission, whatever happens to the rest of us. Got it?”

“I understand. You can rely on me, Stryke. Now unless there’s anything else, I’d like to prepare.”

“What does that involve?”

“Nothing too drastic. I just need to find a quiet corner for contemplation, to centre myself.”

“I need to do some preparing myself. I’ll send for you when it’s time.”

From the bridge, Coilla and Pepperdyne watched Stryke and the shape-changer part.

“Think we can trust him?” Pepperdyne said.

“Stryke seems to. Not that he has much choice. Though it’ll go badly for Dynahla if this is some kind of trick.”

“It’d go pretty badly for us as well.”

“The band’s used to being in tight spots.”

“It’s not the band I’m worried about. It’s you.”

“You’re worried about an orc going into a fight.” She had to smile. “That’s like worrying about a bird flying or whether a fish can swim.”

“Hunters bring down birds and fish lose out to hooks.”

“I’m not a fish or a bird, so I’ve nothing to worry about, have