Leviathan (Lost Civilizations: 2) by Vaughn Heppner Page B

why the merchants of Further Tarsh hate the pirates of Shamgar, and why they hate Auroch above others. In this instance, however, I think you must put aside your hatred and view the facts as they are. This man has done us a great service. We must not hound him, nor must you take out your reasonable revenge on him. Instead, you must reward him for bringing us the one who will help us save the Earth.”
    “Reward Auroch?” Captain Maharbal asked, in amazement. His sailors murmured angrily.
    “No,” Lord Uriah said. “We must reward a man who risked his life to aid both Irad and Lod. You must not let your hatred of Shamgar, or of Auroch, blind you to the truth of the deed just done. Gog unleashes his powers. Despite the terror of Gog’s powers, many of the pirates have dared to stand against him. That took courage.”
    Captain Maharbal glared at Auroch. Slowly, however, he slipped the dagger back under his sash. After a long pause, he nodded. “Take Auroch below to a hammock. Let him sleep. After he has slept, we will feast him and treat him as a friend.” Captain Maharbal clenched his teeth, and half-turned away, and then he forced himself to look at Auroch. “I cannot give you the hug of friendship,” he said. “However, you are my guest as long as you remain here. If, though, you misuse your status among us, then you’ll be slain like a wild dog. We will then throw your corpse into the sea for the fish to feast on.”
    “Thank you,” the exhausted Auroch said, half-mockingly, and half with relief. He followed several of Lord Uriah’s warriors below.
    Captain Maharbal whispered to the first mate and to the boatswain. The officers nodded in agreement. Then they selected a few beefy sailors and left.
    Captain Maharbal said to Lord Uriah’s questioning glance, “They will be his guards, not his slayers. I’ll admit, however, that it’s an order I’d dearly love to give.”
    Lord Uriah said, “I suspect that only such a man as Auroch could have made the journey past Gog’s fleet, and then here to Gandvik Rock.”
    Maharbal made a vague gesture of dismissal.
    “Do you belittle his feat?”
    Captain Maharbal adjusted his red robe before saying, “Auroch is bold. He’s rash to the point of madness. That gives him certain strengths, and an ability to do the impossible. I do not belittle his feat. Instead, I begrudgingly give him praise. His actions are always self-centered. He has attempted to escape Gog, but who wouldn’t wish to flee a First Born? I’ve listened to Adah’s tales. A kingdom ruled by First Born has little room for men. In such a kingdom, men are cattle to be used by those with accursed blood. Of course, Auroch would dare any feat to escape such a fate. Who wouldn’t?”
    “Are we then also to be despised?” Lord Uriah asked, with mock severity.
    Captain Maharbal frowned.
    “We attempt many dangerous feats, all in the hope of escaping a world ruled by First Born.”
    “But...” Captain Maharbal tugged at his beard. He scowled. “Many are those who bend their head to the First Born, who lose their spirit to fight...” His scowl deepened. “Bah! You’ve confused the issue.”
    Lord Uriah clapped Maharbal’s arm. “My only point is this. As the First Born rise again and move openly, let us not spurn any allies we can gain. We must bury painful memories, and accept even rogues and pirates, if they will fight with us against the First Born.”
    “What you suggest is difficult to accept.”
    The sailors who listened nodded in agreement, as did Joash.
    “Maybe it is difficult,” Lord Uriah said, “but in the end, Auroch brought us Irad. Now, we must pray that Zillith is able to heal him so he can tell us his tale.”
    ***
    “How can Captain Maharbal think that Nidhogg is just a myth?” Herrek asked the next morning. “This place reeks of evil and hidden watchers.”
    Gens and Joash nodded in agreement. They ate old, crusty bread and stale chunks of cheese. A particularly thick fog