Cloak of the Two Winds by Jack Massa Read Free Book Online Page A

That is my opinion."
    He sat down and looked around at the others, trying to judge if his appeal had swayed them. After some moments of silence, Eben stood.
    "There is something to be said for both sides," he remarked. "We might have been rash in stealing from this witch when we don't know the extent of her powers. But that is over and done with. So then, supposing the witch finds us? If we're trying to dump her things, or return them, or take them elsewhere but Fleevanport, she'll realize we changed our plans from fear of her, and she'll have that much more advantage. It seems our best choice now is to stick to the course we've started on, and to face the witch boldly when we meet her. That is my opinion."
    After Eben sat down, Brinda climbed slowly to her feet. She was Karrol's sister, yet their temperaments could not have been more different. Stoical and quiet, Brinda always weighed decisions at length and was often the last to speak in a meeting.
    "It is a reckless venture we're on, mates," she began. "But we knew that from the start. I also put great store in your feelings, Glyssa. But as things stand, more recklessness seems called for. Eben gives me good reasons and besides, we're not likely to sell the loot for much outside of Fleevanport. So let's sail to Fleevanport and see what happens. That is my opinion"
    Lonn nodded his approval as Brinda sat down. "Four of the klarn agree," he told Glyssa and Karrol. "Will you two also be guided by us?"
    The question was a point of ritual. The dissenters could ask for a vote, but this obviously would not change the decision.
    "We may as well," Karrol said. "It's plain you won't see things our way."
    Glyssa looked uneasy, but nodded her agreement. "I suppose you're right. At this point, going on with it is probably best. Still, if we had it to do over ..."
    "But we don't," Draven laughed.
    The Iruks put their hands together in pile. "We will sail to Fleevanport and sell our booty there," Lonn intoned. "This is the decision of the klarn."
    "Agreed," they all said, and separated their hands.
    "Now let's have some drink and toast to our luck in Fleevanport," Draven said.
    The Iruks filled their tea mugs with the purple brandy of Nyssan and drank, leaning on furs piled in front of the fire. Lonn felt the pleasant warmth of the liquor seep into his blood, dulling his apprehensions. Soon he was light-headed and sleepy.
    Glyssa stared somberly into the fire and drank almost nothing. When the others spoke of going off to bed, she volunteered to keep the first watch.
    "One of us can stay with you," Brinda offered.
    Glyssa shook her head. "I'll be fine. I'll have Kizier to keep me company."
    The mates climbed to their feet. One by one, they embraced Glyssa.
    "Keep a spear close," Eben told her. "And shout out if there's anything strange."
    "I will."
    Lonn hugged Glyssa and kissed her on the lips. "When your watch is over wake me," he whispered. "We can lie together."
    Glyssa smiled and tugged the hat over his eyes. "Go to sleep," she said.
    Carrying their swords and cups and the half-empty keg of brandy, Lonn and the others crept through the low tunnel to the inner dome. They lit a fire in the oil stove, and piled bed-furs on the sleeping platforms.
    Soon the dome was warm, though the squall blew outside with untiring fury. Listening to the storm, Lonn felt a twinge of apprehension, and wondered if he should not go and stand watch with Glyssa. But it was only the wind, he told himself, and soon he drifted off to sleep.
    Left alone in the outer chamber, Glyssa put on her leggings and boots, then went to check the entry flap of the dome. Satisfied the knots were secure, she returned to the fireplace.
    The ice in the bostull's pails had all melted, so Glyssa emptied them at a place where no furs carpeted the sandy floor. She refilled the pails with seawater from the wooden tub. Green-leafed creatures, the bostulls mostly nourished themselves with light and air. But they needed fresh seawater