Authors: Michael J. Sullivan
The Emerald Storm (44 page)
A knock sounded at the door. He nearly rose to answer, when he spotted one of his new servants trotting to the foyer.
“Where is she, Merrick?” he heard an angry voice shout.
A moment later, the valet led two men into the drawing room.
“Please have a seat, both of you.” Merrick reclined in his soft chair, warming his hands with his cup. “Would either of you care for a drink before we conduct business? My servants can bring you whatever you like, but I must say the cider is especially good.”
“I said, where is she?”
“Relax, Mister Deminthal, your daughter is fine and I’ll bring her down shortly. You fulfilled your end of the bargain brilliantly and I always honor my commitments. I merely wish to go over a few details. Only a formality I assure you. First, let me congratulate you, Wyatt. May I call you Wyatt? You’ve done an excellent job. Poe’s report gave you extremely high marks.
“He tells me you were instrumental in getting Royce and Hadrian on board, and even after the unexpected sinking of the
Emerald Storm
, your quick thinking saved the ship’s orders and the mission. I’m especially impressed with how you won over Royce’s trust—no small feat—I might. But you must be a very convincing fellow as demonstrated by how you persuaded the Port Authority that Royce and Hadrian were in Tur Del Fur to destroy Drumindor. I’m convinced it is only by your skill and intelligence that the operation was such a wonderful success.”
Merrick took a sip from his cider and sat back with a grin. “I have just one question. Do you know where Royce and Hadrian are now?”
“Dead. By the Ghazel or the Tur Del Fur officials, whoever got them first.”
“Hmm, I doubt that. Royce is not easy to kill. He has gotten out of much more difficult situations before. I would say he leads a charmed life, but I know all too well what kind of life he’s lived. Still, I wouldn’t even trust Death to bind him long.”
“I want my daughter—now” Wyatt said quietly through clenched teeth.
“Of course, of course. Mister Poe, would you be so kind as to run up and bring her down, third door on the left.” Merrick handed him a key. “Seriously Wyatt, you are a very capable man. I could use you.”
“Do you think I
liked
doing this? How many hundreds of people are dead because of me?”
“Don’t think of it that way. Think of it as a job, an assignment, which you performed with panache. I don’t see talent such as yours often and I could find other use of your skills. Join with me and you’ll be well compensated. I am working on another project now, for an even more lucrative employer and I am in a position to make a great many good things happen for you. You and your daughter can live like landed gentry. How would you like your own estate?”
“You kidnapped my daughter. The only business I’m interested in doing with you—is arranging your death.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. Ah, see, here she is now. Safe and sound.”
Poe escorted a little girl down the steps. Around ten years old, her light-brown hair was tied in a bow, and she wore an elegantly tailored blue dress with fine leather shoes.
“Daddy!” she shouted.
Wyatt rushed over, throwing his arms around her. “Did they hurt you, honey?”
“No, I’m okay. They bought me this pretty dress and got me these shoes! And we played games.”
“That’s good, honey.” Turning to Merrick, Wyatt asked, “What about Elden?”
“He’s fine, still in Colnora, waiting for you I presume. Wyatt, you really need to consider my offer, if for no other reason than your own safety.”
Wyatt spun on him. “I did your job! You sat there, and told me I did it
brilliantly!
Why are you still threatening us?”
Merrick looked at the girl. “Poe, take Allie in the kitchen. I think there are some cookies she might like.”
Wyatt held her to him.
“Don’t worry, she’ll be right back.”
“Do you like cookies?” Poe asked her. The little girl grinned bobbing her head. She looked up at her father.
Wyatt nodded. “It’s okay, go ahead. Hurry back, honey.”
Poe and Allie left the room hand in hand.
“I’m not threatening you. As I already said, I’m very pleased with your skills. I am merely trying to protect you. Consider for a moment, what if Royce is not dead? He’ll put two and two together, if he hasn’t already. You should be afraid of what he’ll do to you—and your daughter. Royce will probably kill Allie first and make you watch.”
“He’s not like that.”
Merrick released a small chuckle. “Oh, sir, you have no idea what Royce is like. I will grant you his association with Hadrian Blackwater has tempered him greatly. Twelve years with that idealistic dreamer has made him practically human, but I
know
him. I know what lurks beneath. I have seen things that make even my hardened heart shudder. Get his anger up and you’ll unleash a demon that no one can control. Believe me, he is
like that
and so much more. Nothing is
beyond
him.”
Allie returned with a handful of sugar cookies. Taking her handtt headed for the door. He paused at the threshold and looked back. “Merrick, if what you say about Royce is true, then shouldn’t
you
be the one who’s afraid?” Wyatt walked out closing the door behind him.
Merrick sipped his cider again, but it had gone cold.
The Crown Conspiracy
Avempartha
Nyphron Rising
The Emerald Storm
Wintertide*
Percepliquis*
*Forthcoming
The Riyria Revelations
If you enjoyed this novel, you will be happy to learn that…
The Emerald Storm is the fourth in a six book series entitled the Riyria Revelations. This saga is neither a string of sequels nor a lengthy work unnaturally divided. Instead, the Riyria Revelations was conceived as a single epic tale told through six individual episodes. While a book may hint at building mysteries or thickening plots, these threads are not essential to reach a satisfying conclusion to the current episode—which has its own beginning, middle, and end.
Eschewing the recent trends in fantasy toward the lengthy, gritty, and dark, the Riyria Revelations brings the genre back to its roots. Avoiding unnecessarily complicated language and world building for its own sake; this series is a distillation of the best elements of traditional fantasy—great characters, a complex plot, humor, and drama all in appropriate measures.
While written for an adult audience the Riyria Revelations lacks sex, graphic violence, and profanity making it appropriate for readers thirteen and older.
Born in Detroit Michigan, Michael J. Sullivan has raised in Novi. He has also lived in Vermont, North Carolina and Virginia. He worked as a commercial artist and illustrator, founding his own advertising agency in 1996, which he closed in 2005 to pursue writing full-time. His first published novel The Crown Conspiracy was released in October 2008. He currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife and three children.
2009 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist
2008 ReaderViews Literary Award Finalist
2007 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist
Fantasy Sites Recognition
Named one of the Notable Fantasy Books of 2009 — Fantasy Book Critic
Named one of the top 5 Fantasy Books of 2009 — Dark Wolf’s Fantasy Reviews
Named a Notable Indie of 2008—Fantasy Book Critic
Websites
Author’s Homepage: www.michaelsullivan-author.com
Author’s Blog: www.riyria.blogspot.com
Social Networking Groups
www.goodreads.com/group/show/10550
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26847461609v www.shelfari.com/groups/30879/about
Contact
Twitter: twitter.com/author_sullivan
Email: [email protected]
