“Perhaps this would be a good place for a long shore leave,” John said. “Besides, the motors need rewiring, and that takes time.”
“How long you stay here depends upon you,” Goring said.
John looked sharply at him.
Goring smiled, Was John considering how he could take advantage of the Virolanders? Or was he merely thinking that he could relax here, not have to worry about his boat being seized?
At this moment, a man entered the control room. He was about six feet high, deeply sun-bronzed, wide-shouldered, and barrel-chested. His straight hair was very black. Thick black eyebrows shaded large fierce black eyes. His face was as strong as any Goring had ever seen. The man radiated an aura which in Goring’s childhood would have been called “animal magnetism.”
John, catching sight of him said, “Ah, Gwalchgwynn, the captain of my marines. You must meet him. He is a capital fellow, a superb swordsman and pistol shot, a great poker player. He is a Welshman descended from kings on both sides of his family, if what he says is true.”
Goring felt as if his blood had deserted his heart.
He murmured, “Burton!”
23
NO ONE SEEMED TO HAVE HEARD HIM.
From Burton’s shocked expression, quickly masked, Goring knew that he had recognized him. When Goring was introduced to him as Brother Fenikso, La Viro’s emissary and a subbishop, Burton bowed. He drawled, “Your Reverence,” and he smiled mockingly.
“The Church has no such titles, Captain,” Goring said. Burton knew that, of course. He was just being sarcastic.
That didn’t matter. What did matter was that Burton seemed to have no desire to reveal that Fenikso was in reality Goring. He wasn’t doing it to help Goring because he liked him, however. If he gave Goring’s natal name, then Goring would reveal Burton’s. And Burton must have much more at stake than he, Goring had. Actually, Goring had no strong reason to be pseudonymous. He just wanted to avoid having to explain why he was now a member of the Church. It was a long story and took much time, and many just refused to believe that his conversion had been sincere.
King John was charming to his visitor. He must have completely failed to recognize the man whose head he’d once savagely struck with a pistol butt. Goring wanted it to stay that way. If John still believed that he could rape and rob the locals, he would be on guard if he knew that a victim of the past was present. If he thought Fenikso was just a simple innocent bishop, he might not be so careful to hide his intentions.
Of course, it might be that John’s nature had changed for the better. Would Burton serve him if it hadn’t?
Yes, he might if he wanted strongly to get to the headwaters.
But perhaps John was no longer a human hyena. Not that Goring meant to give the hyenas a bad name.
Wait and find out.
John invited the bishop to tour the boat. Goring accepted gladly. He’d been through it in Parolando before it was quite finished and so, even after so many years, knew its layout well. But now he could see it fully furnished and armed. He’d give a complete report to La Viro. His chief could then determine if it would be possible to sink the boat if it was necessary to do so. Goring didn’t really take La Viro’s statements about this seriously. He was sure that it couldn’t be done without some bloodshed. However, he’d keep his counsel until asked for it.
Burton disappeared shortly after the tour began. He reappeared behind them ten minutes later and quietly rejoined them. This was just before they went into the grand salon. On entering, Goring saw the American, Peter Jairus Frigate, and the Englishwoman, Alice Hargreaves, playing billiards. He was shocked, and he stuttered for a moment replying to one of John’s questions. The memory of what he’d done to them, especially to the woman, smote him with guilt.
Now his identity would be out. John would remember him. Strubewell would, too. And John would be deeply distrustful of him.
Goring wished now that he’d given his old name as soon as he met John. But who would have thought that, out of over thirty-five or -six billion people, one whom he’d known too well would be on this boat? And who would have imagined that not one but three such would be aboard?