Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (best interesting books to read txt) π
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- Author: Brian Keller
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Not wanting to spend any more time than was necessary, Kinsman rapidly climbed back up to the deck and looked for either Mardon or Captain Rigel. Neither of them were in sight, so he left the ship in search of either of them. He found Silas on the second ship. Silas shouted, βThe First chose this one. He said it looked like it's the one most recently refitted.β He pointed at the ship furthest toward the bay, βThat ship has a lot of frayed rigging that'll need replacing soon. I'd recommend that one to be the one left behind, but your man may decide different.β
When he finally found Captain Rigel, Kinsman was minutes away from simply making the decision himself just so they could cast off and move on to the prison. Captain Rigel pointed to the first ship, βThat's the one you want. She's actually the best of the three. Her seams are so tight that they've actually brought in barrels for ballast. β Kinsman mentioned the observations made by Mardon and Silas. Captain Rigel's face contorted into what passed as a grin, βTrust a merchant to look at a ship as if she were pages in a ledger. There's more to consider than just a bit of cloth and rope. Makes no sense, he'll be wanting to change out the sailcloth anyway. That's the first thing you do to conceal the ship's origin.β The Captain addressed the more pertinent topic, βThe third boat's already taking on more water than she should, and the second ship, the one the Wharfsiders have chosen, is crusted with barnacles. That'll take some time to get them cleared off. There's enough of 'em that it'll slow her down just a little until that's done, and who knows what they'll find while they're scraping?β Kinsman wondered briefly how the man could know those kinds of details. Any barnacles would be at, or below, the waterline. Instead he merely confirmed, βThe third ship gets scuttled then. That's what I needed to know.β Kinsman turned to leave then faced the Captain again and extended his hand, βSir, in case you've left before I get a chance to come back around... Thanks for coming. Fair winds.β Captain Rigel grasped his hand, βWe'll stay a few days. I'm hoping you'll visit the Sundancer. There's no one aboard that'll play Nine Stones anymore.β
Kinsman returned to Silas and asked, βHow many men will it take to crash and sink the third ship into the island?β The man shook his head, βIt surely is a shame to deliberately sink a working ship! Are you sure about this?β Kinsman's expression remained blank. He repeated, βHow many men?β Silas shrugged, βSix, or maybe eight. We'll tie off a longboat to her. Wharfsiders'll put her on course, lock the helm and then paddle to join us on the island.β Kinsman reminded, βRaise the Lukasi flag to its full height before jumping ship.β Silas smiled in answer then looked skyward as if his eyes could pierce the darkness and the storm, βThis'll clear off by morning, so we'll need to be far away by then. There's still much rough water ahead.β Silas stepped away to select the men to navigate the sacrificial ship.
Rukle approached, still getting his breathing under control, βDo you think we got them all?β Kinsman's jaw clenched at the thought that some threat might yet remain, βWe'll sort that out after we get our people freed.β He recalled his own thoughts after the Guild House had been raided and burned. The charred skeleton of the House still remained, as a clear reminder to anyone who'd missed the event. βThey'll be wary. Watchful. Most likely, they'll be seeking some way out of town. As a sellsword with a caravan or aboard a ship. Or they'll buy or steal a horse. They're outsiders and they know it. Unless they have pouches filled with coin, no one will be willing to hide them.β Rukle accepted his assessment with a nod and turned back to face the ships, βWe're leaving out now?β Kinsman followed his gaze, βYes. Just make sure no one except Silas' men boards the third ship we struck.β Rukle glanced at the third ship and replied, βGotcha. Which are you boarding?β Kinsman smiled, βI haven't decided. I'm going to check the pier, to make sure we're not leaving anyone behind, so I'll probably board the first one. It's at that end.β Rukle had stepped away but he turned and shouted to be heard over the rain, βHow'll we know if we have everyone?β Kinsman shook his head and shouted, βWe won't! As long as there's no one still on the pier, I'll just accept that everyone has boarded one of the two ships. We need to get those ships moving. Anyone left behind, stays behind. They'll find their way home to the Ruins. We'll need to be more organized leaving Serpent Tooth. No one gets left behind there.β Rukle raised his eyebrows at the thought of being stranded on the island. The remaining choices would be to swim, or fight. Both
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