Read Online The Seascape Tattoo by Larry Niven - Free Book Online

they were either weak (no great surprise, in these milk-water days) or so powerful they could effectively shield themselves, even from the concealed Neoloth.
    â€œNo, Your Grace.”
    She nodded. “Is there anything else you wish to say?”
    His eyes shifted. “No, Your Grace.” Later, perhaps.
    She nodded. “Please take these brave men to the healers, and to food and rest. I’ll find a wizard as well and will come to you later.” The sailors were led away, leaving the other three in the middle of the throne room.
    For a long time no motion disturbed the room. The air was still. Silence reigned, as if the humans within, royals, nobles, advisors, and guards, were engaged in a test of wills to see who could longest refrain from speech.
    â€œHave you more to tell me?” the queen asked. “Is there no word at all of my daughter? Has the ocean swallowed her entirely?”
    â€œI do not believe that is the case,” the tallest of the three ambassadors said. “We believe that these strange burning ships that throw fire are the same vessels who have attacked our own fleet. We seek them, but confess to surprise that they travel so far south. We seek them north of our own borders. We have agents among the Northfolk, and believe that, given time, we can learn what has happened.”
    â€œWhat is your belief?”
    â€œI believe that the princess is alive and held by these men. They have raided ships before, seeking slaves, women, loot. While ruthless to men, they are not known to slaughter women. Rather, they hold them for ransom … or…” He paused significantly. “Keep them for themselves, if you understand the implications. We believe that we can find her, if she is where and with whom we believe her to be.”
    â€œThe royal personage would appreciate any assistance you can offer. We will, of course, make our own inquiries.”
    â€œThe sea leaves few traces, Your Majesty. We were fortunate to find witnesses at all.”
    That was certainly true. But better that these sailors had been swallowed by the waves if the smallest portion of their story proved untrue.
    The tall man paused again. The silence thickened. This time, one of the queen’s advisors seemed to recognize her distress and spoke in her stead. “We appreciate your return of our sailors. And any efforts you can make to recover our beloved princess. What can we offer you as a token of appreciation for your efforts?”
    There it was. To maintain the pretense, the ambassadors could not ask for blackmail. It had to be offered.
    The man bowed. “We wish only to continue making safe passage through your waters. That you allow us to conduct investigations and pursue our financial affairs as we see fit. In exchange, I believe we can promise that we will find and return the princess.”
    Neoloth reeled. The implied threat was more brazen than he would have believed.
    There was more said, but after a relatively short exchange, the ambassadors retired from the room.
    *   *   *
    The next day was a whirlwind. Sanam the sailor was allowed to eat but not sleep. He was drilled endlessly on everything he had seen and heard. He said he had been treated well by the Shrikes. He bore no sign of coercion or magical control. Again and again he told the same story: A storm. Small steaming ships coming out of the night. Explosions. Sinking. Those steaming ships swarmed the Abyss instead of trying to take her down.
    And that was the only consolation any of them had.
    At midnight, the queen summoned Neoloth back to the throne room. “Great Mage,” she said. An edge of desperation had crept into her voice. “What words of wisdom have you to offer?”
    â€œThis is like no magic I’ve ever heard of,” Neoloth said, “and I thought I knew of every form of magic.”
    â€œMy daughter?”
    â€œIt was a veiled threat, of course,” he said.