Aethosphere Chronicles: Storm of Chains (17 page)

And then he heard Bar Bazzon’s baritone
voice, rumbling not far off; maybe on the other side of the rickety
door at the room’s end; or maybe through the floor or ceiling. Who
could tell? “So the whole crew knows now?” he was saying with plain
irritation.

“That’s correct, Captain,” replied another
man. There was a distinct refinement to this other voice that Drish
found refreshing. “After Lance told me what happened down there, I
felt duty bound to inform the crew; what with three of our own
killed in the
rescue
.”

“I know who we lost; some of those men were
close friends!”

“Captain, we have an imperial agent in our
midst now! I was just doing what I though best for everyone
onboard. The men have a right to know.”

“Funny what you think should and shouldn’t
be known.”

“You do know we’ll have to kill him,” stated
this second man brazenly.

Bar Bazzon’s voice turned to a low growl,
“Aye, probably—but not till I say. Not a man touches him until I
say so, you hear?”

“
Hmm
…well, that’s certainly going to
be difficult with so many of the crew having been Ascellans once;
some might think a lashing or two worth it just to kill a
traitor
like him.”

“Well, I’ll just stow him away in the
forecastle—under lock and key—and if any man so much as brushed
into him without my say so, Johonna, I’ll hold you personally
responsible, understood?”

“Me? I’d think that unfair… After all, this
is UKA business and really none of my concern; but I’ll see to his
safety, if I must. As for you, I would feel derelict in my duties
if I didn’t remind you that such an action as this is, no doubt,
going to land you in a spot of trouble one of these days. Despite
whatever your relationship with the Crimson Countess
may
or
may not
be, you should still watch your back in the days to
come.”

“Is that a threat, Johonna?”

“Oh, no, no, my dear captain, simply a
respectful—and strictly hypothetical—warning; in the best interest
of your personal safety…of course.”

“Oh,
of course
, and don’t you worry
your pretty little head over me one bit, I’ll be watching my back
just fine, Mr. Wren, never you worry yourself about that.”

From Aethosphere

Book 1: Coalescence of Shadows and Light

From the Aethosphere Chronicles

Winds of Duty

The Rat Warrens

And Coming soon!

Aethosphere: Book Two

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