The Pirates of Pacta Servanda (Pillars of Reality Book 4) by Jack Campbell Page A

world had in store for them.
    “There’s a launch heading this way,” the captain called to Mari. “Not normal port tax collection from the look of it. Too fancy. That fellow in the back is not the run-of-the-mill customs inspector, Lady. I’d guess from the cut of his jib that he’s a high official of the city guard.”
    “We’ll get under cover,” Mari said, beckoning to the other Mechanics and the Mages. “You see what they want, Captain, and hopefully talk our way out of any trouble.”
    “As you wish, Lady Mari!”
    The large launch coming toward the
Gray Lady
flew the flag of Julesport, an official emblem which incongruously boasted the crossed swords of the sometime-pirate Jules. Jules had not just founded this city, but had also been the primary founder of the Confederation. It was from Julesport that she had led a flotilla against an Imperial fleet to win the battle that saved this region from Imperial control and gave Jules the title Hero of the Confederation. Mari was certain that Jules must have received aid from the Mechanics Guild and the Mage Guild in her victory, because neither of the Great Guilds wanted the Empire to grow so powerful it might openly challenge their authority, but she had still been the sort of person whose legend had trouble outpacing reality.
    The idea of being linked to such a woman, of being the long-awaited daughter of Jules, was disconcerting for Mari, to put it mildly. But that was who Alain said she was, who the Mage Guild had decided she must be, who the common people saw in her: the person who was prophesized to overthrow the Great Guilds which had ruled Dematr for all of its history. A history that was measured only in centuries, but on Altis Mari had finally learned the reason for that.
    Mari gazed through the windows of the stern cabin using her far-seers. The man in the stern sheets of the launch approaching the
Gray Lady
wore an impressive uniform. “That’s a dress uniform, isn’t it? Not a working outfit.”
    Mechanic Dav borrowed the far-seers and took a look. “Definitely. It looks like…uh-huh. The oar handlers have knives, and the guy in the fancy uniform has a sword, but there aren’t any other weapons in sight. They don’t seem to be coming to start a fight.” He lowered the far-seers, returning them to Mari with obvious reluctance. Like other Mechanic devices, the far-seers had been deliberately kept too rare and expensive for widespread use. “These are nice. Made in the workshops of the Guild Hall in Palandur?”
    “That’s right. I took an advance on my first year's Mechanic pay allowance for them.” Mari took another look at the official in the launch, then glanced at Alain. “High-ranking, but obviously not one of the leaders of the city. What do you think that means?”
    Alain considered the question. “I would guess that it means they suspect that this ship carries not just any passengers, but that they also wish to know more before making any decisions.”
    “I cannot sense any unusual activity among the Mages in Julesport,” Mage Dav said.
    “That one steam ship hasn’t fired up its boiler,” Mechanic Bev offered.
    The launch was nearing rapidly under the pull of its oars. Mari looked across the harbor, seeing no other activity that seemed out of the ordinary. Work everywhere within sight had slowed for the afternoon break. “The captain told me that we can’t leave without taking on more food and water and then getting official clearance to depart. All we can do is see what that official wants and what questions he asks.”
    “It is safe to assume that the leaders of all cities are under a great deal of pressure from the Great Guilds to find us,” Alain said. “Was not Julesport the site of rioting not long ago?”
    “Yes,” Mari said. “About the time I went north to find you again. The last I heard, the Mechanics Guild was leaning hard on the city leaders and the city leaders, according to the gossip among commons, were