Page 74 of Company of Thieves
He bowed, and murmured something about present company being excluded.
“If you think we’re going to join up with you when you have put a bounty on Tavy’s head, you’re flat-out insane,” Jack told William. “Even if that was lifted—as I assume you intend to do—then I fail to see what reason we would have to join your force.”
“Naturally, I will make sure that the bounty is removed off the fair Octavia’s head,” William said with an air of graciousness. “As members of my Imperial Aerocorps, you would command the best crews to be found in all of Europe. In addition to which, you would have access to my airships. My not-inconsiderable force of airships.”
Alan looked to Octavia and Jack, then Zand and Safie. They all looked back at him, once again leaving him to speak for them all. Alan shook his head. “Tempting as that offer is, I believe I can safely say that we’re all happy with our ships, our crew, and our own company.”
William made an annoyed gesture. “Do not force me into a position where I must act to defend myself from you. I don’t believe any of us would enjoy that, although I hasten to point out that I am infinitely better suited than you to survive such a situation.”
“Dude,” Hallie said, twanging her bowstring. “Did you just threaten us?”
“Yes,” William said calmly, and added, addressing Alan, “Your wife appears to be quite antagonistic.”
“She is in an interesting state,” Alan said just as calmly, his fingers on Hallie’s in warning, which thankfully she took. “I believe that allows her a little leeway with regards to strong emotions. Despite that, I second her sentiment, if not the manner in which she expressed it. We none of us will stand for being threatened. If there is another element to your proposal, we would all like to hear it. Otherwise, I believe we will take our leave.”
William didn’t like that, but then, he never did like having his plans changed. However, he clearly wanted their help, so after a few moments of inner struggle, he sat back in his chair and said, “Iago, the king of Italy, has decided to throw his lot in with the imperator. He has informed me that I must commence moving imperial troops out of Italy immediately.”
Alan frowned. “Why would the king take such a dramatic step against you? I may be mistaken, but I was under the impression that he was a friend.”
“He was.” William grimaced. “He has decided that he values the Mediterranean more than a friendship that dates back to our school days, and thus has come to an agreement with your ... with the imperator.”
Alan glanced at Zand. “He’s carving up Europe.”
“Or trying to,” Zand agreed, looking as worried as Alan felt.
“Would you be agreeable to working for me in a nonofficial capacity?” William asked with bald frankness. “The Black Hand I can handle. The imperator, I may be able to keep at bay at least until such time as I have the revolutionaries eliminated. But without a base in southern Europe, and with my one remaining ally no longer reliable ...” He let the words trail off.
Jack cleared his throat. “Octavia and I are not unaware of what we owe to you, despite the damned bounty that you put on her head.”
A fleeting smile crossed William’s lips.
“For that reason, we would be willing to put theEnterpriseand our crew at your disposal, but we will not speak for the entire company. What you ask poses great danger, and with my sister pregnant, Alan may not wish to risk his life. And Zand may very well wish to spend some time with his new wife before he is called upon to take such perilous actions.”
“I can speak for my father, Robert Anstruther,” Octavia said quickly. “He is in Ireland, but I know he will do all he can to aid to curb Etienne’s plans.”
“Robert Anstruther,” William said slowly, looking curiously at her. “That is a name I have not heard for some time, and unless I’m mistaken, it belonged to a man who died many years ago.”
“Yes, well, sometimes people appear to die, but don’t really,” Octavia said with a gesture toward Alan. “As we have proof.”
“Just so,” William said, then pinned Alan back with a steely look. “You understand what I am asking, no doubt. While the others will be of immense use to me in tackling Etienne, your knowledge of the Moghuls and the imperator places you of vital importance in my attack on Turkey.”
“Not Turkey,” Alan said slowly, thinking over his father’s plans. Even after the “death” of Akbar, he knew his father would not change his plans. He never did, not once he had decided upon a path. It was one of the things that they had argued about the most. “Bohemia.”
“Really?” William thought about that for a few seconds; then his eyebrows rose. “Constanza.”
“Yes,” Alan said, meeting his searching gaze. “The imperator wants Bohemia above all else.”
“It would serve as a very handy gateway to the rest of Europe,” William said, nodding. “Very well, then I will modify my statement to ask you to face your father in Bohemia. I will understand if your wife’s delicate condition gives you pause—”
“We’ll do it,” Hallie said, squeezing Alan’s fingers, then saying under her breath, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to steal your thunder, but you were going to say that, right?”
He gave her a wry smile. “Yes, but in the future, I would prefer for you to consult with me before making any such promises.”
“Sorry,” she repeated. “I just couldn’t help myself, but yes, in the future, we’ll make the decision together.”
“Excellent,” William said, looking at Zand.
Alan watched his friend, seeing the slightly panicked look in Zand’s eyes. Although he trusted his faithful lieutenant with his life, it was clear that Zand felt more than a little out of his depth with the idea of going into battle as the captain of his own airship. Alan thought he would do quite well at the job, but mindful of Safie’s soft, pleading eyes upon him, he said slowly, “Zand has, until recently, been a member of my personal company, and unless he wishes otherwise, I would welcome him at my side while we dealt with the imperator.”
