Free Spellbreaker by Blake Charlton Page A

than from dingy river merchants. Think, and think hard, about everything the River Thief could do for his worshipers if he could dip into the imperial wealth or if he commanded a fraction of all the taxes in Ixos or the taxes in all three league kingdoms. I’m offering a chance for your god to shape the league’s destiny.”
    The sailors had stopped smiling. One had gone back to playing aft lookout. The other two sailors were again staring at Nicodemus’s unseen interrogator. “You suggest that the River Thief should be enslaved in one of the regency’s pet divinity complexes?”
    Nicodemus had known this question was coming. Usually it was asked just before a neodemon either converted or tried to expose Nicodemus’s internal organs to air. “Why would I suggest such a small prize?” he asked. “Joining an existing complex is for the neodemons who need the Sacred Regent’s protection. But it’s the other way around for the River Thief; the Sacred Regent needs protection from him. With the right go-between—namely me—you could name your terms. Or forget the regency entirely, we could go directly to the Council of Starfall and give your god a jurisdiction greater than this kingdom’s.”
    Someone from the bow called out and one of the sailors hurried away. But what did his interrogator think? She would be the key to the River Thief. A moment passed in which only the creaking of boards and the lapping of water sounded. Then, at last, the interrogator said, “You must have a very high opinion of yourself, that you think you could achieve such a feat.”
    â€œI have managed to get one or two things done in my youth. I could catch the right ears for you.”
    â€œSkinmage,” his interrogator asked, her voice growing tense, “I begin to fear that you have not been completely forthcoming regarding who you are. That or you are a consummate lunatic. To whom am I speaking?”
    â€œThis is not that kind of conversation.”
    â€œAre you fond of trying to reverse situations in which you are bound and censored with a knife point to your kidneys?”
    Something cold and sharp press up against Nicodemus’s left flank. “I try not to make a habit out of it,” he replied with as much composure as he could muster. “But, truly, I can help the River Thief gain power beyond any previous. Even more importantly, I can offer him protection.”
    The woman snorted. “No, I’m afraid that won’t work. The River Thief has no need to fear the Trimuril or Leandra Weal.” Her voice grew louder. “They have never found us, and they never will.”
    Nicodemus waited a moment before speaking softly. “Your crew is listening, so perhaps you would let me whisper something to you.”
    Nicodemus felt pressure on his sides and then heard his interrogator speaking close behind his head. “You have exactly one breath to convince me that I shouldn’t cut you into pieces small enough for the river fish to swallow.”
    â€œIt’s too late,” Nicodemus whispered. “You’ve swallowed poison bait.”
    She was silent for a moment. “What do you mean?”
    â€œThink about what I just offered so loudly. Who could make such an offer?”
    â€œNo one.”
    â€œNo one except Nicodemus Weal,” he said before belatedly adding, “Or his wife. If you do convert, don’t tell Francesca I forgot that part.”
    â€œYou’re mad as a monkey in heat.”
    â€œYou are the River Thief’s avatar, yes?” he asked.
    Rather than answer him, she said, “You can’t be the Halcyon; we’ve had reports that Nicodemus Weal went after a brigand goddess to the east of Chandralu nearly thirty days ago. There’s been no word that he came back.”
    â€œWhere do you get such information?” Nicodemus asked. “Tell me and I could make things even easier for