Renato showed little patience for Barnaby's evasive account. Keenly picking up on several deliberately vague phrases, he cut him off bluntly:
"'Concerned citizens'? Barnaby, I don't want to repeat myself. My patience is limited. Tell me exactly who the client is."
Crooked Mouth's false smile froze for an instant, then quickly returned. Looking at the tall nobleman's fingers resting on his sword hilt, he swallowed and chose his words carefully:
"Sir, I should warn you first: the client is a very important man. So, under the customs of the Thousand Islands, there's no advance payment. Please don't take me for a swindler..."
"Talk."
A silent stare was more unnerving than a shouted interrogation. Especially when Barnaby knew perfectly well that the other man's strength far surpassed that of ordinary mortals, enough to tear him apart with ease, that wordless pressure became all the more intense.
Cold sweat streamed down Barnaby's temples. After a brief internal struggle, he abandoned his evasions and quietly told the truth:
"It's Cornelis, the Black Wave Duke."
Renato frowned. He had only been in White Harbor for a few days, but he had already heard that name.
Pye, the leader of the Ironhook Gang, had mentioned him while introducing the Tidal Eight Nobles, using Cornelis as a comparison to illustrate just how powerful the Flaying Grand Duke, the other of the Two Dukes, was.
As a great pirate commanding more than a dozen ships, the Black Wave Duke had considerable influence and a formidable reputation. But wasn't Cornelis a pirate too? Why would he pay to maintain order at sea on behalf of the Kingdom of Marispan?
As though he had anticipated this reaction, Barnaby hastily half rose from his chair, gesturing as he explained:
"No, no, Sir Renato. Those are all misconceptions spread by outsiders,