"Walter Jon Williams - Consequences" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

======================
Consequences
by Walter Jon Williams
======================


White sails cut precise arcs against a background of vivid color: green
sea, blue sky, black volcanic sand. Spindrift shone like diamonds as it
spattered over the weather rail. _Birdwing_ heeled in the strong gust; timber
and cordage groaned as they took the strain. Captain Derec SuPashto adjusted
his stance to the increased tilt of the deck. His mind was on other things.
_Birdwing_ and its convoy was about to be attacked by the Liavekan
navy.
"My compliments to the ship's wizard, Facer," he said. "Ask him if he
can veer this wind two or four points."
"Sir."
A veering wind would be useful, Derec thought, if Levett could conjure
one up. But whatever happened, let it stay strong.
"Starboard a point, Sandor."
"Starboard a point, aye aye."
"Break out our colors, SuKrone."
"Sir."
Derec's first reaction on seeing the three Liavekan warships was not
one of anxiety, but rather relief. _Birdwing_ would finally have a chance to
prove itself to Ka Zhir, and that chance was desperately needed
As the black-and-gold Zhir ensign streamed out overhead, Derec studied
the enemy with narrowed eyes: three bright ships on a shallow sea the color of
green baize. The lead galleass was a big one, thirty oars or more per side,
white foam curling from its massive ramming prow. It was painted purple with
scarlet trim; a rear admiral's blue pennant fluttered from its maintop and
gold leaf winked from the carved arabesques that decorated the stern. The
second galleass, three cables astern, was smaller and lighter, its rigging
more delicate: it would be at a disadvantage in this strong wind, this choppy
sea. It hadn't been painted; its sides were the bright color of varnished
wood. Astern of the second enemy was a small xebec -- its military value was
negligible unless it could get under an enemy's stern in a dead calm, in which
case it could pound away with its bow chaser until its opponent was nothing
but driftwood. Likely it served as a tender, or was used for chasing down
unarmed merchantmen. Derec's impulse was to discount it.
A brave sight, these three, on the green ocean. They seemed entirely in
their element.
Derec knew that appearances were deceiving.
He wondered what the Liavekan admiral was thinking as he stood on his
fine gingerbread poop. The Liavekan squadron had been lurking along the coast
between Ka Zhir and Gold Harbor for the obvious purpose of attacking a convoy;
and now a convoy had appeared, twelve caravels and two huge carracks, all
crammed to the gunnels with trade goods. The Liavekan squadron, waiting behind
a barren, palm-covered islet, had duly sprung their ambush and were now
driving toward their prey. But what in hell, they must wonder, was the escort?
A ship of _Birdwing_'s type had never been seen in these waters. The