Read Online Dark Sun: Prism Pentad 4 - Obsidian Oracle by Troy Denning - Free Book Online Page A

much, you certainly live in squalor,” observed Agis, handing over
     another silver.
    “My information is not always of such value. Besides, I have a certain fondness for broy.”
     Nymos slipped the coin into his pouch, then said, “I overheard the high templar of the
     Balkan fleet, Navarch Saanakal, escorting a Tyrian onto his flagship. He addressed the man
     as King Tithian.”
    “You'll have to do better for that last coin. I knew Tithian was aboard the fleet before I
     came here,” said Agis. “Did the king leave Balic so fast because he knew I was here?”
    “You're asking me to speculate,” Nymos said, raising his hand again. “That costs-”
    “You haven't earned my last silver yet,” Agis interrupted.
    Nymos sighed. “I doubt he knew you were here,” he said. “The fleet left dock long before
     you reached the harbor-perhaps even before you entered the city.”
    “That's welcome news,” Agis said. “Now, what of the ship I need to hire?”
    In reply, Nymos rubbed his mouth. “With what I've paid you, you can buy your own broy,”
     Agis snapped.
    The jozhal repeated the gesture twice more, both times slowly and deliberately.
    “I'm not among those who wear the veil,” the noble said, finally recognizing the signal
     for what it was. “But I can tell you that in Tyr, the Veiled Alliance would not have
     charged three silvers for its help.”
    “We are not in Tyr,” said Nymos. He sat down in the corner, using his cane to motion Agis
     to do the same. “But we hope someday to liberate Balic as you and Tithian did your
     city-which is why I've lived on this rooftop for the last decade. Nothing leaves or enters
     this port unless I hear about it.”
    “So you have proven,” Agis said, still indignant about the fee Nymos had demanded of him.
     “Does that mean you'll guide me to a reliable captain?”
    “Yes, if you tell me what's going on here,” Nymos said. “Andropinis is not the type to
     lend his fleet, especially to the king of the Free City.”
    Agis shrugged. “I don't know. All I can tell you is this: Tithian has more in common with
     Andropinis than with the hero legends make him out to be. The reason I'm following him is
     that he sent a tribe of slavers to attack a small village-one of Tyr's allies.”
    “Because I am short and blind, do not mistake me for a fool!” Nymos hissed. “Even in
     Balic, we know of Tithian's deeds. He freed the slaves. He made a public marketplace of
     the gladiatorial stadium. He gave the king's fields to the poor. He-”
    “Yes, he did all those things,” interrupted Agis. “But in Tyr, the king's power is not
     final. The Council of Advisors forced him to issue every one of those edicts. Rest assured
     that if the choice were his, Tyr would be a tyrant's plaything.”
    Nymos was quiet for a long time. Finally, he asked, “Why should I believe you?”
    “Because if you know of Tithian's reputation, you must also know mine. I wouldn't say
     these things unless they were true.” When this didn't seem to convince Nymos, he added,
     “From what I've said, you must realize that we can't both be honest. To choose between us,
     ask yourself who's sailing with Andropinis's fleet”
    “Maybe he has a good reason for his actions,” the jozhal suggested, still reluctant to
     accept that the legendary king of Tyr was just as corrupt as any other ruler.
    “You know that can't be. King Andropinis would not help him if his cause were a worthy
     one,” said Agis. “Besides, there's no justification for taking slaves. By breaking Tyr's
     most sacred law, Tithian has become a fugitive from his own realm.”
    “Not a fugitive,” Nymos said. “If your king were fleeing Tyr's justice, he would have
     stayed in Balic, under our king's protection. No, Tithian wants something with that
     fleet-and whatever it is, Andropinis wants him to have it.”
    Agis frowned. “What could it be?”
    Nymos shrugged. “I don't know,” he