Read Online The Pirates of Pacta Servanda (Pillars of Reality Book 4) by Jack Campbell - Free Book Online

the laws of Julesport.”
    “Which other ports? Where are you bound?”
    The captain finally hesitated in his reply. “We were bound for Daarendi, but after that tussle with the Syndari galleys I’ve been rethinking things, sir.”
    The official gave the captain a stern look. “You are sailing in very deep waters, whether you realize it or not.”
    The captain nodded. “I full realize it, sir, but I have my reasons.”
    “Do you? There are rumors about, Captain. Rumors that someone may be headed this way. Someone important enough to cause both of the Great Guilds to demand her death. Julesport needs to know if that someone is on your ship. Julesport needs to speak with that person. I can promise nothing except this. Your ship will not leave this harbor until we have spoken with her, or until this ship has been searched down to the last nail.”
    The captain eyed the official. “And if I knew her whereabouts, this person you seek, why would I betray her for any price or in the face of any threat?”
    “Your reputation is known,” the official said.
    “That may be a poor guide in this case. Tell me you mean her no harm, and we’ll discuss more.”
    “You know that we’re discussing a woman? A young woman?”
    “Aye. And those traveling with her.”
    “A Mage?” The official waited for some confirmation, but the captain just stood watching him. “I swear by the honor of my mother and my father that if this woman is who she claims to be, there will be no harm done to her.”
    Alain leaned close again to murmur to Mari. “He does not lie.”
    “And he already knows too much,” Mari said. She sighed, nerved herself, then shoved open the hatch and walked out onto the deck, straight to the official. Alain and the others followed her. “There doesn’t seem much point in pretending I’m not aboard.”
    The official eyed Mari, then Alain standing beside her, then the other Mechanics and Mages. “A young female Mechanic and a young male Mage. And others unknown to me. Are you the Mechanic your Guild seeks, Lady? Master Mechanic Mari of Caer Lyn?”
    Mari nodded, trying to keep her face calm and wondering just what the city council of Julesport was up to.
    “Are you also…” The official paused, as if finding it hard to ask the next question. “Do you know why your Guild wants you dead?”
    “I know exactly why,” Mari said. “Why do you want to know?”
    “I am one of those responsible for the protection of this city.”
    She took another look at Alain, who nodded to confirm that the official was once again being honest. “I am no threat to Julesport. I do not intend staying here.”
    The official stared at her. “Lady, Julesport is on edge. The people have been pushed as far as they can go and are ready to set this city ablaze for no better reason than anger and frustration and fear. If they hear that…someone…is in this city, it may be all the spark that is needed.”
    Mari took a step closer to the official. “I’m not trying to be a spark. You said it yourself. The people are angry and fearful. They lack hope that things will ever change. What if they could gain such hope again?”
    “What if,” Alain said, “they had reason to believe that the prophecy is coming true?”
    The official rubbed his mouth with one hand as he gazed at Mari. “Hope. Hope will not defeat the Great Guilds, Lady.”
    “I have other means for accomplishing that,” Mari said with confidence she did not entirely feel. “But hope is important. Without hope there is nothing, and without hope there will be no future. Just let us go on our way, and when next you hear of me you will know I spoke the truth.”
    “Lady, if it were up to me I would do so, but I have orders. Will you accompany me into the city? There are those who must speak with you. I swear that we will not betray you to either of the Great Guilds.”
    “Yet,” Alain said, “simply entering into your city will make her more vulnerable to them.”
    Mari