Page 19

Dulgar adjusted his back in the white leather.

He cleared his throat, mirroring Revik’s smooth gesture.

“If you are wondering, yes, we have surmised it was likely him behind this human-killing disease.” Dulgar’s lips firmed. His gold eyes grew harder and colder. “We have seen a number of indications that it was so. Solid evidence, in fact. In addition to the ‘convenience’ of his swift rise to power in the aftermath of this bioweapon’s dispersal.”

Those thin lips lifted in a humorless smile.

“So know, dear Illustrious Brother, that all of us were not fooled… despite the endless propaganda spewed by this ‘Shadow,’ and his unceasing attempts to lay the blame for this atrocity on you and your mate.”

Dulgar continued to study Revik with those metallic eyes.

“Even apart from the disease, and the serious moral failings there, we have been made…uncomfortable,shall we say, by his seeming willingness to provoke dangerous wars between the human and seer races, as well as his apparent interest in stoking factional wars between the remaining human powers. We feel his agenda is incompatible with the long-term goals of the Legion of Fire. Even more so now, given the significant restrictions under which our businesses must currently operate.”

Making a more diplomatic gesture, not dissimilar to the one I made earlier, Dulgar adjusted his back a second time on his leather seat. He picked up his drink, resting the long-stemmed glass on one knee.

“We find this situation…untenable,my brother.” Dulgar aimed his predatory smile at Revik. “It has come to my ears of late, there is even some talk of nuclear retaliation for the C2-77 strikes. I have heard different parts of Asia mentioned as targets for this. The loss of some of these population centers would damage our business to an unacceptable level, even beyond the harm it would do to our more long-term interests in the region. Whatever this seer’s motives, and whatever element of the race for which he claims to speak, we simply cannot allow him to pursue this dangerous course. A sentiment with which you can likely sympathize.”

Revik acknowledged the other’s words with a flick of his fingers.

“Go on, brother,” he said politely. “And how do you think we can help you with this problem of yours?”

“It is quite simple.” Dulgar set his glass firmly on the table. “We have no interest whatsoever in whatever political or ideological wars this being, ‘Shadow,’ wishes to conduct. As long as these wars do not endanger us, or curtail our business in a measurable way, he is free to follow whatever religious quest he so desires. If I can be entirely candid, Illustrious Sword… we also have no interest in whatever wars might be waged between the two ofyou… meaning you and this Shadow person. Whatever the origin of those complaints, or the wider ideological and religious issues underlying your disagreement, we of the Legion of Fire consider it none of our concern. We have long adopted a policy of neutrality in such matters.”

Revik gave a single nod.

“Understandable, brother,” he said diplomatically.

“And yet…” Dulgar made another expansive gesture with a manicured hand. “This being, Shadow. He does not strike me as a reasonable or measured man. He is unwilling to allow us to conduct our mutual businesses in peace. Further, he will not honor our desire to remain outside of these ideological struggles. To be blunt, we have found spies here, my brother, on more than one occasion. We have traced these spies back to Hong Kong, and back to this same seer, as well as those who do his bidding. We have found Rebelshere,brother Syrimne… from the same group who once swore fealty to you. We are told they are now part of Menlim’s network, led by his blood cousin, Salinse.”

Revik acknowledged his words with a short gesture.

He didn’t confirm or deny the implied question.

“Further,” Dulgar said, letting out a series of clicks. “We find Shadow and his people are…uncompromising,shall we say… when it comes to particular territories that interest them.”

“You mean Hong Kong?” Revik asked. “Or Beijing?”

Dulgar smiled, inclining his head without answering the question directly.

Reaching down, he plucked up his glass, taking a drink of the glowing blue liquid before lowering it back to the polished black stone.

“Hong Kong is, of course, of particular interest to us, since we share those waters,” he said, wiping his lip with one finger. Leaning back on the white leather, he tilted his hand in a shrug, eyes shrewd. “More pressingly, they are attempting to control trade in this part of the world, brother. They wish to limit our access to certain types of resources, and to impose their moralistic rules on us, as if we were under imperialist control.”

I bit my lip, fighting not to roll my eyes.

I didn’t look over, but felt Revik nod.

“You mean trafficking humans?” he said neutrally. “…Or did you mean seers, my brother?”

“Both, my Illustrious brother,” Dulgar said, smiling unapologetically. “And I thank you for being direct. We are businesspeople, you see, first and foremost. And while it may be distasteful for one such as you, who must adhere in spirit and word to the old ways, at least whenever such a thing is possible… certain appetites will always require sating. We find it far more practical to aid in that end, to ensure a nonviolent and fair exchange for those services, than to fight the proclivities of either species.”

Letting his words hang, Dulgar frowned, holding up a finger for emphasis.

“Further,” he said, vehement. “This is not a time to be timid in establishing our mutual territories, brother Syrimne. If I may be so bold as to say it, this is a time for expansion. This is felt by you, surely, that the shape of things to come will largely be determined in the next few years?”

He didn’t wait for an answer.

“Those of the Legion of Fire have no wish to fall under the control of an ideological zealot. That would be true at any time, but the dangers of allowing a theocracy to consolidate global power now?or even simply power over Asia?are exponentially greater. We desire autonomy, first and foremost. In the face of one who seems to wish to controlallof us, and to use religious zealotry and the manipulation of weak minds to do so, I would think your people and mine could be natural allies in this?”