Free Call Of The Flame (Book 1) by James R. Sanford

Sorrin.  “Now help me raise sail.” 
Moments later he said, “Good.  Now jump off and give me a push.”
    After he had started under way, the
wind rose enough to fill the sails of the two boats, but it was mild, and they
loitered on the water, inching along as if time had slowed.  Clearing the
harbor, they turned to run before the breeze.  The endless morning stretched
on.  To Sorrin, watching through a veil of mist, it seemed that his boat had
gained a little in the few leagues he had chased.  Then the fog rose anew on
the land, spilling onto the ocean in a thick roiling cloud.
    The front door slammed and Sedlik walked into the kitchen,
dressed for business in a conservative grey doublet.  He tossed his cape over a
chair, and sat down opposite Aiyan.
    “First,” he said.  “You owe me a big lump of gold.”
    “I thought this one didn’t need bribing,” Aiyan said.
    Sedlik offered him a grim smile.  “For this I had to cancel
his gambling debt and then some.  What is happening now is all about the spice
trade.”
    After Aiyan’s story, Kyric could barely follow the
conversation.  The one covered in dragon’s blood, this Cauldin, he had been the
man in last night’s dream.
    Sedlik took off his hat and ran his hand through the bristle
covering his scalp.  “In almost complete secrecy, Senator Lekon has been
collecting allies for the purpose of forming a new trade company — the Spice
Islands Trade Company.  This company would be authorized to bypass the
Baskillian spice merchants and deal directly with the chiefs of the islands.”
    “Which would take us to the brink of war with the Baskillian
Empire,” Aiyan said.
    Sedlik nodded.  “The Senate was set to vote on this at their
next session, three days after the games close, Lekon in place to win the
directorship with six other Senators backing him.  Until yesterday, when two of
them switched sides to join with Senator Ulium’s triumvirate, making it a five
to five impasse.”
    “Did the magistrate know why?”
    “The two that defected were waiting to see some sort of
proof that this scheme would work, and suddenly Lekon couldn’t produce it.  There
are some rumors as well.  A thief was discovered at a masquerade ball at
Senator Lekon’s estate three nights ago.  He escaped in a running swordfight. 
You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?”
    Aiyan didn’t blink.  “Go on.”
    “And the celebrated captain who just returned from Baskillia
in Lekon’s spice galleon has gone missing.”
    Aiyan glanced at Kyric.  “That news certainly traveled
fast.”
    Sedlik put his hand over his face.  “Good goddess.  It is you.  You’re fully embroiled in this.  Let’s see:  Burglary.  Swordfighting. 
Missing person.  Yes, that sounds like you, Aiyan.”
    “So, is the vote to be cancelled?”
    “By law it cannot be cancelled so long as a quorum of
senators are present.  If the vote is a tie, they must vote again in
fortnight.  If it passes or fails, the issue cannot be tried again for one
year.  That brings up one last item.  The magistrate told me of an obscure law
that allows the prince to attend any meeting of the Senate and cast a
tie-breaking vote if he so wishes.”
    “The prince is only nine years old,” Aiyan said.
    Sedlik nodded.  “But as mother-regent, Princess Aerlyn is
allowed the same privilege.”
    “I would guess that Lekon knows of this law as well,” Aiyan
said.  He fell into a brief reverie then, letting out half a chuckle with half
a smile.  “I saw her once.  Up close, I mean.  It was at the theatre — she was leaving
the royal box as I was passing in the hallway.  She smiled at me.”
    He pulled himself away from the memory, coming to some kind
of decision.
    “Sedlik, I’m afraid we have to stay here until the games are
over.  And I need you to keep something for me in your vault.”
    They went down to the basement, and when Aiyan handed him
the book of rudders he open it first