Negotiations
Bitias began with a lie, “I was expecting Tondo.”
“It’s my ship now.”
A twitch vexed Nunshin’s eye. Bitias had seen such things before, often in sailors born into violent abuse. There was no alcohol on the man’s breath, but he had the whiff of evil about him, the kind of demon who didn’t mind blood on his hands so long as it served its purpose. Bitias proceeded with caution. “Where is our queen? What is her condition?”
“Your little queen is fine.”
“We demand her immediate return.”
“You’re in no position to make demands.”
“What is it you want? We are willing to negotiate a trade.”
“There will be no negotiation. You will give us the treasure and we will return your queen.”
“Treasure? What treasure?”
The pirate reached into the folds of his tunic and pulled out the gold chain hanging around his neck. Bitias recognized it from the jewels Elishat had allowed them to take from the Sage.
“There’s no use denying it.”
“We can give up a few pieces, but surrender it all? Impossible. The survival of our fleet depends on—”
“The survival of your fleet is not my concern. Bring what we demand, or else—”
“Or else, what? If you harm her—”
“If you do as we demand, she will remain untouched.”
“How can we be assured of that?”
Nunshin’s eye twitched uncontrollably. “You have my word,” he sneered.
“I should drown you right here and now like the rabid dog that you are.”
“Lay a hand on me, and your queen…” He made the gesture of a knife being drawn across his neck.
Bitias feigned acquiescence. “It will take some time to gather up what little we have.”
“You have until first light of dawn. Meet here for the exchange. And don’t try anything stupid.”
Bitias opened his mouth to say something, anything, to buy more time, but the pirate boat had already pulled away.
Blues for the Unsung Queen 