A Scoundrel's Song

18

Niico understood, now, how it was at all possible to hold a spear awkwardly, because he held the spear as though it were a snake about to coil around his arm and bite him. It felt too heavy to do anything with and Maldani had already adjusted his fingers four times before slapping him on the back and wishing him luck. Niico didn't need luck, he needed coin and if he had to pretend to fight a magical creature to do so, he would.

The mad old fool had him and Antioni stood in one of the boats, while Akafa and Pel stood in the other. Of course, Akafa had the task of protecting Pel. He could probably beat the beast bare-handed. And bare-chested. Niico gazed across, envious of Pel's proximity to the beautiful man, while he had Antioni in front of him. The young man was worth bedding, but, in a choice, Niico would prefer to stare at Akafa's backside. And thighs. And sculptured back. He sighed at the unfairness of the world.

"Do not forget, fearless friends, the beast will come to the one that feels love in their hearts, so everyone but the fair maiden must clear their thoughts and think only of the task at hand." Maldani used his unstrung bow to point out toward the lake. "My lady Pelenia, think only of your greatest love, bear it upon your countenance, in your deepest thoughts. Carry it in your heart, mind and soul and Old Sennolli will seek you out."

"I can see a flaw in this plan straight away." Like Maldani, Niico used the spear to point, fumbled it and dropped it into the boat. "Pel doesn't love anyone, like me. Love is a tool for such as us."

"I love everybody!" Everyone turned to stare at the boy further up the lake shore, pacing up and down in frustration. "I can be the bait!"

"No!" Three voices snapped at Herit, Niico's not among them.

"I have love enough for this." At Niico's scoffing snort, Pel turned, rocking her boat. "I've loved! Remember Borsto?"

Niico did remember Borsto Galccini. He remembered the man blubbering in the street as Pel left him at the temple while carrying away a hefty bag of jewellery and Borsto's favoured servant on her arm. Love was not how he would describe that situation. At least Niico knew he was safe. He loved nothing and no-one. Well, he did love coin, but that would hardly count. And himself, but only in private when he had no other man to satisfy his needs.

Of them all, Niico expected that Antioni would attract the Sirencci more than any other, which made having to stand in the same, flimsy boat all the more undesirable. If things turned sour, though, Niico could always dive in and swim for shore, comforted by the fact that the Sirencci would find him the least edible. Of course, Antioni would die, but that was a risk Niico was more than willing to take.

"The lady Pelenia will attract the beast. How could she not? As fair a woman as these old eyes have ever seen. Save for my beautiful Francella." The old man looked out to the horizon, across the lake, musing wistful thoughts of his lost wife. "Fear not! We will triumph this day!"

"Wait! This day?" Niico had tried, a couple of times, to retrieve the spear, the boat rocking wildly, and returned to standing at those words. "We're doing this today? We've hardly trained! Antioni is about ready to fill his hose, I'm still debating whether I should support you all from the shore, and Pel simply doesn't love anyone. Oh, Patrons. We're all going to die."

"Nonsense! We shall prevail! And this creature will fall before our combined might!" Maldani came to the stern of Niico's boat, grinned and then dropped, pushing the boat out. "Hold tight."

Before Niico could protest, the boat slipped out from the bank, onto the peaceful waters of the lake. The old man moved to Pel and Akafa's boat, lifted Herit out of it, dropping the boy back on land, and pushed the second boat out. All while he stood, safe and sound, on the shore. Fairness had left them long ago, running away and cackling to itself at their predicament. Niico's legs shook, reminding him, yet again, that he despised water, and he crouched, trying to keep the boat steady.