Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (red queen free ebook txt) 📗

praises.” This brought a stifled laugh from Loryn, who was close enough to hear. Both fell silent in response to Kinsman’s warning glance in their direction. Kinsman replied, “Only if everything goes horribly wrong. If things go as planned, no one will ever know who’s done it.” Captain Rigel had the next question, “So, Mardon gets first pick, then I get second choice?” Kinsman replied simply, “Yes.” The scarred captain nodded, “And after that, I come back to my ship and several of my sailors sail her to the prison.” Kinsman paused, then comprehended, “Yes, so that tomorrow you will still be present to display the fact that you and your ship had nothing to do with the events of this night.” Captain Rigel gave him a satisfied nod and Kinsman looked around the room, awaiting more questions. There were none.

Despite the fact that all her sails were furled, the winds outside caused the Sundancer to rock. One of the Wharfsiders commented, “An’ we’re ta sail out… in this weather?” One of the other men grumbled his assent, “Docking on that island is gonna be tough. Tougher still since the Guard don’t want us out there.” Kinsman was prepared for that observation, “True. And it’ll be dark, besides. But that works in our favor, too. Crossbowmen from the walls might be able to shoot that far in clear weather; and if the piers get damaged a bit, that won’t matter. Just don’t damage them so much that we can’t walk on them to get to shore and back. Once we’re alongside the pier, my people will work our way in, get control of the entry and then we’ll split into two groups. My people already have their orders. The only thing we’ll want from the rest of you is to move along behind us, watch our backs and give whatever help is needed to get prisoners back to the ships.” Silas asked, “Any idea how many soldiers are manning the prison?” Kinsman shook his head, “Not exactly. We estimate between fifteen and thirty. It depends on whether this storm caught them in the midst of a shift change.” He paused, then admitted, “Sometimes the army will garrison a few extra squads in the prison if they’ve received word that there are more ships in the area than usual, but if they intended to do that, they’d have done it when the flagship and warships made their circuit in the bay a few days ago.” Captain Rigel observed, “Speaking of the prince’s ships, won’t they pursue us rather rapidly? Three ships being boarded and leaving port all of a sudden, only to go out and raid the prison… that will hardly go unnoticed.” Kinsman smiled and avoided looking at Mardon, “We have considered this and have put… measures in place to, shall we say, address those concerns.” This brought a chuckle from a few of the Wharfsiders, which revealed their involvement in emplacing those measures. “I have no doubt that they will follow, but I expect that the term ‘rapid’ will not apply.” The First Merchant made a quiet throat-clearing noise, which Kinsman hoped would be as close as he’d ever come to making an admission of guilt, the rest of the men became silent.

Kinsman took a deep breath. He’d reached the point in the plan where he expected the most resistance. He announced, “Once we get the prisoners loaded onto the ships, we’ll cast off and sail west out of the bay and in amongst the rocks of the Broken Coast.”

The captain’s burned face stretched, consistent with someone raising their eyebrows, “The Broken Coast?! Do you realize how many wrecks lay amongst those rocks? A man, nay, a business could make its fortune there purely based off salvage… if anyone would dare to attempt it. Even fishing boats avoid that area.” The Wharfsiders were nodding in agreement. Kinsman waved his hands, asking for silence, “That’s because no one has bothered to plan for it. It can be navigated.” He looked meaningfully at Silas as he indicated the map on the table and pointed, “Here, and here. A ship could sail through, even moor itself.” Captain Rigel protested, “I’ve sailed past those rocks so many times I’ve lost count. There’s no safe harbor there. A ship sailing into those rocks can’t be expected to come out again.”

Silas had leaned in to inspect the map. He spoke, his voice hesitant at first but gained strength with each word, “No. I’ve fished those waters and we’ve smuggled in a fair bit of cargo through there. There are gaps where he’s pointing. And, unladen, the ships will have a shallower draft. A ship would need to reef almost all sails and drift in, and turning would need to be done by setting temporary anchor lines, or by skilled steering with the right sails… it’d take an active crew but it could be done.” The Captain pointed to the roof over their heads, indicating the weather outside, “But in weather like this?! And in the dark?” Silas shrugged, “I think so. I’ve been through there enough.” Mardon leaned in to examine the map. He gave Silas a long look and said, “I’d not wish to risk a ship amidst those rocks, but if you say it can be done, and you think you’re the man to do it, then the position’s yours. Your problem now will be finding a crew who’s crazy enough to go with you.”

Silas squinted suspiciously as he asked Mardon, “Standard rates? And I pick my own crew?” Mardon considered the meaning behind Silas’ question then extended his hand, “Consider it the first part of my daughter’s dowry… son.” Silas looked stunned but vigorously accepted the handshake, and Wharfsiders all through the boat cheered loud enough to be heard halfway across the bay, and as soon as the word spread the crew of the Sundancer heartily joined in.

Birt stepped over to stand beside Cooper and spoke