Read Online The Storm's Own Son (Book 1) by Anthony Gillis - Free Book Online
Authors: Anthony Gillis
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considered Palaeon's statement, and answered, "He had a long time to accumulate it, and a lot of room in his vaults to stash it away."
"I don't have to tell you, of all people, how wildly he used to spend it," replied Palaeon.
"Not so wildly in the last couple of years," answered Talaos.
"True, but I've also done a lot more damage to his paying operations than most people are aware ," said Palaeon. "By the way, remember Firius and Milo, and their smuggling ring?"
"Before Cratus killed them all, yes," replied Talaos.
"I had a mole there, before it happened," Palaeon added, voice coldly thoughtful. "Cratus had been putting a lot of money into buying old art objects, artifacts even."
"That doesn't sound like the Cratus I knew," said Talaos with mirthless sarcasm . "He might have liked making an impression or putting on a show, but I never recalled him caring about the historical value of anything he owned."
"Exactly ," continued Palaeon. "It would be interesting to know why, because I don't see crazy as a sufficient answer by itself. Still, more directly important is that although not on the old scale, he was still spending plenty of gold on things useless for a gang war. A gang war he started, and largely funded, at the very time a lot of his old income started drying up."
Talaos considered that, then added something more . "He's also been a lot more openly violent that he used to be. As if he needs to make an example every single time."
"He could be feeling desperate. I have been winning, after all," replied Palaeon.
"Maybe, but it started before that, and he used to be a lot more willing to cut deals. It was no accident he used to seem sane, to the outside world."
"No doubt, Talaos. I'm glad I was never one of his higher ups," said Palaeon . "And no doubt he's gotten stranger. He's been hiring men from places very far afield. He has a pair of new bodyguards that are supposed to be giants from the far north. They call them The Twins, though I haven't seen them yet myself."
Talaos pondered that with some curiosity, but knew if all went well, they'd find out the truth of a great many things about Cratus.
"Now," said Palaeon quickly, in fact almost suddenly, "let's get ourselves ready."
Palaeon rose and threw on his fighting gear, with additional weapons, and a chain shirt over the light hidden armor he always wore. Talaos was already equipped, but he checked buckles and fastenings to be sure all his gear and weapons were secure and ready for a fight.
Around them were a few of Palaeon's crew captains and more trusted guards. They readied for battle with cold eyes and hard faces.
Talaos kept alert, and noticed that Palaeon had his trapdoor to the sewers unlocked
There were noises of some sort of scuffle, fighting, and then the doors above smashing in.
Talaos drew his swords. Palaeon's men, with slower reaction speeds, did so a half moment later. Palaeon himself already had a sword drawn.
There were crashes, and the heavy steps of many feet. Palaeon's men showed varying degrees of surprise as they moved into position with bows and blades, but their leader did not.
Armed men came charging around the corner from the base of the stairs. One dropped immediately with an arrow in his forehead. Another took an arrow in the collar, but ripped it out with a snarl. A third arrow missed. More men poured into the basement with grim scowling faces and a motley variety of weapons and gear. Then many more.
They advanced across the basement towards Palaeon's position. A few fired bows from the back, and arrows stuck in the wall of barrels or smashed against the stone wall behind.
"Time to go," Palaeon hissed quietly, as he kicked up the trapdoor with a foot.
Without hesitation or question, Palaeon's men darted down the ladder in the dark hole beneath. As they went, Palaeon pulled a large vial, almost a bottle, from a hidden pouch under his chair. It swirled with blackish liquid or mist inside. He tossed it over the
"I don't have to tell you, of all people, how wildly he used to spend it," replied Palaeon.
"Not so wildly in the last couple of years," answered Talaos.
"True, but I've also done a lot more damage to his paying operations than most people are aware ," said Palaeon. "By the way, remember Firius and Milo, and their smuggling ring?"
"Before Cratus killed them all, yes," replied Talaos.
"I had a mole there, before it happened," Palaeon added, voice coldly thoughtful. "Cratus had been putting a lot of money into buying old art objects, artifacts even."
"That doesn't sound like the Cratus I knew," said Talaos with mirthless sarcasm . "He might have liked making an impression or putting on a show, but I never recalled him caring about the historical value of anything he owned."
"Exactly ," continued Palaeon. "It would be interesting to know why, because I don't see crazy as a sufficient answer by itself. Still, more directly important is that although not on the old scale, he was still spending plenty of gold on things useless for a gang war. A gang war he started, and largely funded, at the very time a lot of his old income started drying up."
Talaos considered that, then added something more . "He's also been a lot more openly violent that he used to be. As if he needs to make an example every single time."
"He could be feeling desperate. I have been winning, after all," replied Palaeon.
"Maybe, but it started before that, and he used to be a lot more willing to cut deals. It was no accident he used to seem sane, to the outside world."
"No doubt, Talaos. I'm glad I was never one of his higher ups," said Palaeon . "And no doubt he's gotten stranger. He's been hiring men from places very far afield. He has a pair of new bodyguards that are supposed to be giants from the far north. They call them The Twins, though I haven't seen them yet myself."
Talaos pondered that with some curiosity, but knew if all went well, they'd find out the truth of a great many things about Cratus.
"Now," said Palaeon quickly, in fact almost suddenly, "let's get ourselves ready."
Palaeon rose and threw on his fighting gear, with additional weapons, and a chain shirt over the light hidden armor he always wore. Talaos was already equipped, but he checked buckles and fastenings to be sure all his gear and weapons were secure and ready for a fight.
Around them were a few of Palaeon's crew captains and more trusted guards. They readied for battle with cold eyes and hard faces.
Talaos kept alert, and noticed that Palaeon had his trapdoor to the sewers unlocked
There were noises of some sort of scuffle, fighting, and then the doors above smashing in.
Talaos drew his swords. Palaeon's men, with slower reaction speeds, did so a half moment later. Palaeon himself already had a sword drawn.
There were crashes, and the heavy steps of many feet. Palaeon's men showed varying degrees of surprise as they moved into position with bows and blades, but their leader did not.
Armed men came charging around the corner from the base of the stairs. One dropped immediately with an arrow in his forehead. Another took an arrow in the collar, but ripped it out with a snarl. A third arrow missed. More men poured into the basement with grim scowling faces and a motley variety of weapons and gear. Then many more.
They advanced across the basement towards Palaeon's position. A few fired bows from the back, and arrows stuck in the wall of barrels or smashed against the stone wall behind.
"Time to go," Palaeon hissed quietly, as he kicked up the trapdoor with a foot.
Without hesitation or question, Palaeon's men darted down the ladder in the dark hole beneath. As they went, Palaeon pulled a large vial, almost a bottle, from a hidden pouch under his chair. It swirled with blackish liquid or mist inside. He tossed it over the
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