King of the Bastards Read Online Free Page A

could orchestrate such a thing?”
    “Who indeed? But the more important question is why.”
    “This is a transport ship we ride on,” Javan insisted, “not a war
vessel. Aside from the ram on the front, what defense do we have? They cannot
think we have booty.”
    “Get it through your skull, boy. By Wodan, Javan, you may have
General Thyssen’s strength, but you think like a damned politician! Always
believing the best in folk—bah—that doesn’t even work on brats. The real world
is a different place. Those men aren’t after the ship or plunder. Thousands of
miles from home, they are here on a purpose. I told you that flying creature
above reminded me of Damballah?”
    Javan nodded.
    “These men are seeking a target. That’s why that creature is
circling us like a hungry buzzard. By magic or by stealth,
they want me and
that bird has led them to us
.”

THE DAMAGED BIREME listed to the port side as its
inhabitants went to battle stations. Javan watched the sailors make quick work
of the sails, while others brought up more weapons from the cabins below.
Captain Huxira’s men were no strangers to warfare on the open seas. They moved
decisively and with astonishing speed, especially given the fact that several
of them still bled from wounds suffered under the sea creature’s recent attack.
Bows, short swords, maces, pikes, and small forearm shields filtered amongst
the men. Confusion and panic flashed on the sweaty faces of the rowing slaves,
toiling under the taskmaster’s persistent lash. Javan felt an unexpected flash
of pity for them. His uncle would have chided him for the emotion, but this
danger threatened the slaves, as well. Finally, his gaze came to rest on Rogan,
still tall, sturdy, and imposing in his advanced years, seething under his
wrinkled skin at the rapidly advancing smaller ships. His smile, wolflike,
terrible to behold.
    “How do they move so fast, Javan?” Wagnar asked, knuckles white
on his pommel.
    Javan affirmed, “Light sails. They maneuver well with little
effort.”
    “Who sent them on to us, bound up to such a vessel?” Harkon
asked.
    Javan glanced to the circling bird and offered, “Who knows? It
doesn’t matter now, does it?”
    Rogan nodded, clutching the handle of his broadsword, letting the
heavy weight of it rest on side of the ship. “Aye, true enough. They’ll be on
us soon.”
    Captain Huxira barked orders in Olmek-Tikalize as the vessels
sped towards them. The sailors all took a knee, partially concealing themselves
behind the undamaged ridge of the boat and raised their large bows. The
taskmaster cracked his whip and the slaves doubled their efforts on the oars.
    Wagnar noticed the wet breeches of one of the sailors who had
just come from the hold. He elbowed his brother.
    “Either that man has soiled himself or we are taking on water.”
    “We’re taking on water,” Harkon confirmed. “We must send these
dogs to their gods with haste, lest we all feed the sharks. We’ll sink before
long.”
    Javan looked up at Rogan. “You wanted a glorious death?”
    Not looking back, Rogan snapped, “Shut your ass.”
    “On my word!” Captain Huxira shouted, and then paused, his eyes
wide. “Look at them!”
    The attackers were heavily muscled and black as coal; clad in
little more than loincloths. Each bore hoops of gold and other decorations in
their noses and ears. Ivory teeth flashed savage grins. The ebony warriors
raised their bows, but unlike Captain Huxira’s crew, didn’t hesitate. They
unleashed a volley of long, flaming arrows, and seconds later, crackling orange
flames greedily engulfed the mast.
    “Damn you, dogs,” Rogan barked. “Release!”
    The stunned crew unleashed their arrows, but a second volley was
already soaring towards them. The sky rained feathered shafts, and sailors on
both sides dropped to the decks.
    Javan, crouching, noticed that even as the smaller boats strafed
the bireme, the larger galley bore down on them.
    Hefting a spear,