Page 18 of Potions & Pints
“No,” Tan said.
The lack of sleep had completely sapped him of any rebellious thoughts. And hope.
“Good, because I think you will find this next part very interesting.”
Tan doubted that, but he forced his mind to focus.
“I actually have evidence in the assassination of Princess Namys—”
“And my brother,” Pili interrupted.
“Yes, and your brother,” Valar said. “Useful actually. I would have you send word to your father that it was Princess Shara who planned the assassination. Being that your father is still upset about Idrulo, he might be willing to pledge his tribe to me in order to exact vengeance on those responsible for his untimely death.”
Tan snuck a look at Pili. The elf looked positively thrilled and quite blood thirsty at the idea of getting to avenge his brother’s murder.
“So, your task, and by you I mean all three, is to take the weapons I have promised to his tribe.”
Tan’s heart sank. He wasn’t sure what the Prince was up to, but the Heaving Sea lay between Lurg and Gamlin Ait. The journey was still doomed.
“It can’t be done,” Tan said.
Pili looked grim. “My father and I are not on the best of terms at the moment.”
“Then I suggest you change his mind and your frenemy’s dreadful attitude,” Valar said. “You’re going. And so are they.” He pointed to Tan and Vir. “You will be escorted to the ship. Wouldn’t want anyone to accidentally get lost on the way. Once you are on board…” he ended with a shrug.
“Once we are on board,” Pili said grimly. “Tan isn’t going anywhere. He owes me. He owes my family. And that debt will be paid. I’ll make sure of it.”
9
“Go!” Valar ordered.
Two of his soldiers poked Tan in the back.
“Okay,” Tan hissed, turning around. “I’m going.”
Tan trudged up the gangplank. One of the orc soldiers making the journey with them shoved Tan aside. The other two soldiers assigned by Valar to guard Tan on the ship stomped past.
Tan looked back at the dock. As they got closer to the ship, Pili lost some, if not most, of his enthusiasm for the voyage. Now he stood on the dock, apparently pleading his case to Valar. Tan strained to hear over the sounds of the cargo being loaded and the general hustle and bustle of the wharf.
“I thought we’d have a wizard,” Pili said. “To go without one, it’s madness.”
“I never said that,” Valar replied. “Did I say that?”
“No, but—”
“Don’t get me wrong, if you see a wizard walking around and want to pay him, be my guest.”
Pili hung his head. Valar nodded to one of his men, who poked Pili in the back. Tan turned and all ran up the gangplank. He went to the bow. He figured Pili would probably head to the stern. There was probably a good chance Pili would consider jumping off and swimming back before the port disappeared from view.
Vir stood at the front of the ship. Tan trudged over to him. Vir looked down at him and smiled. Tan could tell the orc’s happiness was genuine. Usually orcs smiled when they were about to tear someone limb from limb. Then, their eyes looked dark and deadly.
Vir’s eyes sparkled merrily. Tan assumed it was a trick of the light, perhaps a reflection from the water.
“Nice vest,” he said, because he felt like he had to say something.
Vir beamed and smoothed his hands down over his chest.
“A gift from my father,” he said proudly. He pointed to the anchor embroidered on one pocket. “My mother did this,” he said.
