Death's Reckoning Read Online Free

the matter. These men insure our safety.”
    “Your safety is it?” Muldor said. “Or that of your purse?”
    “Now, Master Muldor,” Cassius said, but Muldor ignored him.
    “You should be frightened for both. This city is not kind to strangers, to their bodies, or their money bags. But I am surprised a man of your reputation requires an armed guard to be here. I find that suspect. Perhaps this is some ploy to force us into a decision we would not make if such a contingency were not in the room.”
    Grayme Lautner sat forward. “You speak with a boldness not warranted in this situation. Your organization is guilty of embezzlement, bribery, murder, intimidation, money laundering, and a host of other charges this committee will uncover and prosecute to the fullest extent of my power.”
    “You have no such power.”
    “You forget your city surrendered,” Lautner said, and for the first time let his cool, professional demeanor slip. “Your city council made the arrangements for it. These men here, your peers, are required to adhere to any and all mandates therein. You are not in a position to make demands even if The Merchants Guild is now an official branch of the city’s government.” He sat back with an air of arrogant satisfaction.
    “Please, please gentlemen,” Cassius said and raised his hands, making a placating gesture. “This is a time and place of peace making. That is my intention.” He made a point to look at Lautner. “And it is the intention of the ruling City Council of Sea Haven. This is an inquiry only. Set to determine—”
    “To determine the extent of which this city and operating factions within have done harm to Janisberg of which I represent,” Lautner said, and there was a shifting of the rest of the Sea Haven council. Muldor looked at them. They were nervous, a bit stunned, and restless in equal measure. Lautner turned to Muldor and fixed him with a hard glare. “And thus, all of us here shall be responsible for the dispensation of all liable parties.”
    Cassius, to his credit, leaned forward refusing to be intimidated by Lautner’s bold predictions. He kept his voice steady and patient. “Need I remind you, Ambassador Lautner, that this remains our city, and our auspices will be maintained to what is right by us. Although your city may have been wronged, it is not up to you alone to dictate terms.”
    “Need I remind you, Lord Cassius, that this city and its military force were defeated and given terms of surrender, terms to which this council agreed two weeks ago.”
    “Those terms did not include an occupying military force,” Cassius said in his patient, even fatherly voice. It was hard not to be swayed by his calm demeanor.
    Lautner scoffed. “An occupying military force? Come now. These men behind me represent a cadre of bodyguards, nothing more.”
    “Then there is no reason for them not to wait outside while we conduct this meeting,” Muldor said. “They are not needed.” He sat back and rubbed the fingers of his right hand together. “Unless of course you fear for your life among us miscreants and thugs. I must say, I don’t blame you. ‘Murder’ Haven people are so frightening.”
    This last part prompted a round of chuckles from the council and even a smile of amusement from the guards and Lautner’s retainers.
    The Ambassador didn’t change the expression of his face one iota. Instead, he took it in stride, staring at Muldor with an impassive gaze that would look proper on a corpse. The ambassador seemed to be considering. His mind churned yet showed nothing on his features. He was like a cunning tiger, biding his time to pounce.
    Lautner raised a hand and got a soldier’s attention. “Captain Duval. Take the men outside and wait for my instructions. You may go.”
    The armored men left, clanking and shuffling around the table until the door closed behind them. Lautner watched them go and then turned his attention back to the others. Muldor felt a rush