（外文电子版资料）Walter Jon Williams - Consequences.pdfVIP

====================== 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 ships 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. Derecs 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 admirals 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 hadnt 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 enemys stern in a dead calm, in w