The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion by Larry Robbins Page A

Good Engineer,” Gann said.  “We have been flanked and all of their ships have more sail than we do.  We couldn’t outrun them if we tried.  The Stars hold our fate now.  Let us pray they favor us.”
    The men had swarmed onto Kal’s ship in a manner which left no doubt that such action had not been their first time.  There had been a smattering of resistance from Kal’s crew, but he and Gann had quickly ordered them all to stand down.  There was nothing to be gained from getting them slaughtered.  Afterward they had been separated from their crew whom the pirates had divided up and taken aboard the other ships.  What happened to them after that Kal had no idea. 
    Kal and Captain Gann had been put into one of the upper cabins where they were guarded until the door opened and a man entered.  He was dressed much more colorfully than the rest of his crewmen with calf-high black leather boots, linen trousers and a leather vest with a blousy green shirt underneath.  His upper lip glistened with sweat from the heat, and he delicately wiped it away with a rag.  He was a tall man for this world, which is to say he was about five feet, eight inches tall.  There was a foppishness about him which seemed inconsistent with the image of a pirate and outlaw.
    “My name is Tallun,” he said in a high voice.  “I am the leader of this fleet and the Captain of the Necromancer.”  He paused slightly as if he expected them to recognize the name.  When no such recognition materialized he walked up to Kal and smiled showing surprisingly white teeth.
    “Are you the Captain?” he asked.
    Gan took a step forward.  “I am the captain of this vessel.  What have you done with my crew?”
    One of the guards made as if to push Gann back, but he was waved away by the newcomer.
    “Relax, Captain.  Your men are safe, and they are being well-treated.  You are to be commended, not all Captains ask about the welfare of their crew before seeing to their own safety.”  He held his smile while he sidestepped over to Kal.  “And who would you be?  Let me guess; you are the nobleman who owns this beautiful ship.”
    Kal had a momentary flash of pride at the mention of his ship’s appearance.  “No, I am no nobleman, and I do not own this ship.  The people I represent have no nobility, only equal citizens.  I am the engineer who designed this brig.  We are on our maiden voyage and under orders to seek out new friends with whom we can trade.”
    The man pointed his finger at Kal and raised his brows.  “Orders?  You claim you have no nobility in your land.  Who, then issued these orders?”
    Gann butted in.  “His Majesty King Tyner of the kingdom of Aspell, is who.  He will not take kindly to the way you have treated his citizens.”
    The man studied Gann intently for a moment before the smile returned.  He turned to the guard whom he had addressed before.  “I’m confused, Bonn.  The one claims no nobility in his land while the other boasts of a king who will severely chastise us for our actions.”  He sat on the edge of the chart table.  “You,” he pointed at Kal.  “Are you already telling me lies?  I’ve only known you for a few moments yet you insult me with your lack of honesty.”
    Kal grew angry.  He had been holding himself in check because of the situation that he and his men found themselves in.  He did not want his temper to result in harm being visited upon his crew.  This latest accusation however, was too much for him to hold back.  “We of Aspell do not dishonor ourselves with lies.  Our system of government is much too complicated to relate in a few words.  I fear it would take quite a number of words before one such as you would understand.” 
    A few of the guards tensed, but their leader shook his head and wiped his lip again.  He walked slowly over to the Captain’s desk and examined the items on top.  He picked up a silver inkwell and showed it to the man standing