A Latent Dark by Martin Kee Read Free Book Online Page B

smoke.
    “Tried,” Perlandine said. “Grows back faster than we can move through. The smoke drives the men insane and the coastal fog keeps everything too damn moist.”
    Lyle took a long grotesque puff on his cigar, spewing a long, slow plume of blue smoke. His expression was thoughtful.
    “Why not just invade by sea… via the river? Rhinewall has access to naval vessels I assume. The river seems wide enough.”
    “Wide, but not deep,” Perlandine said. “The depth of the river makes it accessible by wide, shallow ships, but nothing ironclad would be able to navigate it. A dreadnaught would ground itself as soon as it left the Rhinewall ports. You’ll notice that Bollingbrook does not have a navy for a reason. We have access to docks, but only small ships.”
    “Small vessels then,” Lyle said, growing impatient with the list of excuses.
    “Over the last, say, ten years or so, the pirate town has achieved a much stronger foothold. They have artillery, ballistae and cannons. Any ships that are not welcome are almost instantly dispatched.” Perlandine puffed bitterly on his cigar. “Ships who wish to do business with Lassimir use a semaphore code… a complex lamp signal to gain access.”
    “I am aware of what a semaphore is,” Lyle said, smiling. You patronizing ass. “How hard would it be to crack the code?”
    Perlandine chuckled. “That’s a mystery. The code is changed frequently and only those who have done business with Lassimir are told the next signal to use. We’ve tried and the ships have never come back.”
    “Honor among thieves, eh?”
    “Indeed. For a city of outlaws, their security is impeccable.”
    The two men sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Lyle looked out onto the streets at the beggars, the businessmen, the merchants. He looked at the distant factory smokestacks of the industrial wedge: black, tall, and dormant.
    “Not much of a need for military these days,” Lyle said.
    “Sadly, no.” Perlandine matched the Reverend’s gaze out the window. “I used to command some of those beggars you see down there.”
    “Is that so?”
    Perlandine nodded. “During the Crusades... unfortunately, many of them had difficulty finding work in a city no longer at war.”
    “Begging seems unfitting for men of that caliber,” Lyle said.
    “ Mmm ,” Perlandine muttered. “Well, some do find work as bodyguards, hitmen , assassins, that sort of thing. I wish we could get more of them on the police force but, well, you can only hire so many. I end up arresting a dozen men every year that, not a decade ago, I commanded. It’s a damn shame.” He snarled around his cigar.
    “Good men, all of them, no doubt,” Lyle said as the two men looked out the window.
    “The finest,” said Perlandine. “I know that it contradicts popular sentiment, but peace was the worst thing that ever happened to this city.”
    “I understand you still make some fine armor here. One of your soldiers was wearing it. Excellent craftsmanship.”
    “And weapons,” Perlandine said. “What we didn’t use, we sold to Arist or Rhinewall. The mayor we have now killed most of those deals.” He paused and muttered, “Idiot.”
    Lyle shifted the conversation by taking a deliberate drag of his cigar.
    “I’m sure you are aware that I lead a fairly successful branch of The Church, Chief Perlandine.”
    “Yes, I’ve heard a great deal about it,” Perlandine said. “A little dramatic for my tastes, but then we’re all Catholics out here. You’re something of a celebrity.”
    “Well, I just give the people what they want. To each his own. We both play for the same team either way.”
    Perlandine nodded. He was looking at Lyle expectantly.
    Lyle continued. “As you must have figured out by now, I have a business proposal for your city. I’m looking to make a substantial investment.”
    “For the entire city?” Perlandine cigar drooped. “Why come to me with a business proposal if