The Prophecy Machine (Investments) Read Free Page A

around him now, yowling and howling, hissing and leaping about, sometimes swinging so close he could smell their vile and fishy breath.
    “No more of this nonsense,” Finn said aloud, “I'm damned if I haven't had enough!”
    He didn't take time to weigh his odds. He jumped, caught a line and pulled himself aft, hand over hand, to the thick mainmast. There, several lines ran straight down to the deck. The big man cursed him, but he didn't look back. He closed his eyes until his boots touched wood again. The trip nearly burned his hand raw, but he was down, and—
    —so was the double-ugly lout. Finn could scarcely believe his eyes. The monster had taken the longer way down, climbing back the way he'd come. Still, he hit the deck running and raced after Finn.
    “Tomatoes and Toads,” Finn groaned. He took one look at the fellow, then turned and sprinted aft. Almost at once, a figure blurred to his right, a figure with a great plumed hat atop his head.
    Finn stopped and turned back. His foe was sinking to his knees. His mouth dropped open and his hands hung loose along his sides. Captain Magreet, in glorious regalia, stood over the man with a wooden belaying pin gripped in his hand.
    “A nasty customer,” Magreet said, looking up at Finn. “I hate like the devil to sap a payin' passenger, but this isn't the first time, I'll tell you that.”
    Finn kept a cautious distance from the fellow on the deck. He was still on his knees, eyes rolled back in his head.
    “I'd say he's lost his senses. Either that, or someone's got him in a spell.”
    “No magic to it,” Magreet said, leaning over to spit into the sea. “This fellow's plain mean. He's one of the Nucci clan, they're all a nasty lot. You hurt, are you, lad? If you are, why, I've got a potion below that'll fix you up fine.” He cast a wink at Finn. “Take the pain away, clean out your liver and everything besides.”
    “Thank you, Captain, I'm fine.” He'd never heard of the Nuccis and didn't care to ask. “That boy, now, he could use some help.”
    “Ah, now I expect he'll be fine.” He glanced at the boy who still sat cringing by the mast. “Those Newlie folk are tougher than you think. I guess that's likely enough, seeing what they were before …”
    The captain paused and grinned at Finn. “Now why am I telling you for, sir? You'd know better than me, seeing as you got one yourself.”
    Finn was seething inside, but he'd learned to keep his feelings off his face.
    “If you'd seen what happened, sir, you wouldn't dismiss it so lightly. This—this lunatic here committed wanton assault on the lad. Tried to kill him, quite frankly.”
    Magreet frowned. “Now that's strong talk you're layin' on me, Master Finn.”
    “I was here, Captain. He damn near killed
me.
” Finn took a breath. “Look at him, sir. Tell me he's
fine.
”
    Magreet cleared his throat. “Well, I suppose not entirely fine. Slightly beaten, possibly bruised you might say.”
    Finn ignored him, walking quickly to the lad.
    “Can you stand up, boy? Do you feel as if a limb is broken, or some other vital part?”
    All the boy could do was whimper. He shrank fromFinn's touch, moaning, and his slight form trembled from head to foot.
    “I'll do what I can,” Finn said, “and that's not a great deal. There is surely someone aboard acquainted with the physical arts …”
    “You needn't bother,” said a voice behind Finn. “We'll take care of its damage now.”
    It?
    Finn stood. In all the trouble and strife, he'd completely forgotten the black-clad lawyer and his wife. Clearly, they had managed to vanish when the mayhem and bother began.
    “If I may, I'd suggest you get some medical help for the lad. I'm sure there's some kind physician aboard. Just ask the captain to—”
    “Gyrd, get up,” the man shouted, “Get up or by damn you'll regret it!”
    The man kicked out viciously at the boy, aiming at his head.
    “Here, now.” Finn stopped him with an open palm to the chest. The