Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates

by Bartlett, Gerry

  “You’ve turned into quite the leader, Colin. I’m sure the captain will let Lord Jeremiah know how you won the day yourself when Jeremiah returns.” I was so tired, I just wanted the boy, no, man, to go.

  He finally offered me a deep bow. “You vanquished the queen of the pirates. By all that is holy, Mistress Gloriana, that’s a fine night’s work! We should break out the ale again, don’t you think?”

  “Why not? Thank you, Colin. You’ve made me feel better about it.” I was glad to send him on his way. Mercy had managed to get the small tub filled and arrived to help me undress. I let myself be taken care of in the maid’s capable hands. Too bad my ease was overshadowed by my worry about Jeremiah.

  As I finally lay in my bed, ready for the dawn, I remembered the potion the witch had left for me. Mercy had found it in my clothes and set it on a chest, mumbling and crossing herself when she handled it. It seemed to glow in the firelight, calling to me. The witch had claimed it would calm me. I was certainly in need of calming, the pain of my still healing wounds making me restless. Lying in bed without Jeremiah also bothered me. But could I trust the word of such a woman?

  My heart thudded as I climbed out of bed. Surely Helen was too wily to risk hurting the mistress of the Guardian of the Coast. Unless she’d “seen” that Jeremiah wouldn’t return? I had no business even touching the bottle that seemed to hold its own light from within.

  As if drawn beyond my control, I picked it up. The glass was smooth and cool to the touch. I pulled out the stopper and sniffed. It was a pleasant smell, reminding me of the whiskey that Michael used to enjoy when he had an extra coin. How could something like that hurt me?

  I raised the bottle to my lips. Just a taste, not even a sip, should be fine. I knew a vampire was not supposed to eat or drink but I let a drop land on my tongue. It was delicious and even that tiny bit had warmth flushing my cheeks. Before I could stop myself, I drank it down.

  Heat flowed through me, seeping down to my toes and even to my fingertips. I barely made it back to my bed before my legs grew too weak to support me. My heart slowed until I was afraid it would stop. Thump. Thump. Thump. Suddenly as frail as an old woman, I fell onto the bed. I was limp and so relaxed I felt sure I wouldn’t be able to raise my head even if Jeremiah came running into the room.

  What had I done? Did I care? I smiled up at the ceiling, noticing for the first time men and women dancing across a sky of blue. I blinked. Now I saw a flight of birds, pretty birds in many colors. They disappeared into the clouds before angry men raised their swords and dashed across that same sky to fight an army that appeared from behind a storm cloud.

  I tried to lift my hand to rub my eyes, but couldn’t manage it. Visions. The potion had not only relaxed me to the point of making me powerless, but had made me see things. For some reason I was not afraid. Instead, I watched the parade of pictures above me, looking for clues, messages that might help me in some way. Could I see where Jeremiah was getting ready for his own death sleep?

  Or perhaps I could learn something about my past? I would do anything to find out where I came from. Just a hint about my home would mean the world to me. Who was I, really?

  As soon as I asked that last question, a great building appeared. It was white, a palace unlike any I’d ever seen before. Inside, people knelt before a shimmering throne where a handsome man sat. He wore a crown formed by a circlet of golden leaves. I knew at once that he was a god. A god?

  For a moment he seemed to look right at me, his eyes sad. Did he know me? Had I known him once? Light burst from behind the throne before a woman joined him. She was beautiful in her white robes and wore a smaller crown of those same golden leaves. Her hair streamed down her back and was the same color as mine but her locks shone with the radiance of the sun.

  Goddess. I found that word in my head to describe her. She leaned over to kiss the man before she settled onto a throne of her own. They both looked out at the crowd of people kneeling before them and smiled. I wanted to reach out to them, to say something, but the vision faded before I could even lift a finger.

  Who were these people, this god and goddess? I always said “gods” when I prayed or cursed. Was that because I’d come from a place like that? One that worshiped such beings instead of the strict god in the Church of England. The church the Scots had chosen to ignore when they celebrated Yuletide?

  So many questions. My heart slowed as dawn crept closer. With a deep sigh that shuddered through me from my head to my toes, I fought the dying. I wanted to know more. But I was vampire and one thing vampires cannot deny is our death sleep. The sun rose and I knew no more.

  When I woke at sunset, Valdez was sitting at my bedside. He was scowling. That convinced me he had heard about my fight with the pirate queen.

  “You are very lucky, Glory.” He got up and turned his back to me.

  “I was ambushed. But I am to blame. I never should have sent you away. But wait—” I grabbed my robe and shrugged it on. “why didn’t you check the grounds before you left? Didn’t you see the pirate ship in the harbor? That we were under attack?” Now I was angry. He was my bodyguard. He’d let me talk him into leaving and then look what had happened.

  “The ship was not in the harbor when I flew out of here, madame. Nor had fighting started.” Valdez did not back down. “You were desperate for me to go. Begged me.”

  I sat on the bed. “You are right. And poor MacDougal paid the price.” I sniffed back the urge to cry. “I fought her, Valdez. Thank the gods you trained me well or I would not have won the fight.”

  “Colin said she threw herself off the battlements to avoid hanging.” He sat beside me.

  “Yes, that’s what happened.” I wanted to lean against him but stood instead. “I guess we’ll both hear plenty from Jeremiah when he returns about our wrongheadedness in this. I hope you have news for me about him.” I walked over to the pitcher and poured water into my bowl. It was cold but I was glad to splash it on my face before I cleaned my teeth. Valdez was silent. Not a good sign.

  He stood, almost at attention.

  “I am angry at myself. I never should have left you. I’m sorry MacDougal paid the price for my negligence. It won’t happen again.” He frowned. “Colin said you were wounded. You are healing?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” I sat in a chair in front of the fire. “Sit and tell me what you saw on your search. Did you find Jeremiah and the laird? What about his ship?”

  He sat and leaned back. I’d never seen him tired, but it was obvious he’d had no sleep and needed to find his bed.

  “I found his ship. You were right about that cannon. Jeremiah had to jettison the thing or risk sinking the ship. He took on a lot of water and has run aground on an island north of here. The ship is stuck on a sand bar, firmly stuck it seems.”

  “Is he all right? The laird? Jettison?” I worked on that strange word. “Does that mean he had to throw it overboard? His beloved Intrepid? How that must have pained him!”

  “Yes, he waited too long to do it, too. I couldn’t let his mortal crew see me so I stayed hidden and listened to him rail about it. The wheels were a bad idea. He had it tied down, but it broke loose and rolled with the rough waves. That made it a danger to the crewmen.” Valdez frowned.

  “Your Guardian of the Coast had to admit he was wrong to insist on bringing it on board. That very expensive toy of his is at the bottom of the sea. It would have better served him if he had mounted it at the front gate here.” My bodyguard couldn’t hide his disgust at the waste of a good weapon.

  “Oh, dear.” I knew that would put my lover in a devil of a mood. “What is he doing now?” I tried to picture it. “How do you get a large ship off a sand bar?”

  “First, he thought the tide might help it break free. That didn’t work. Now he’s continuing to lighten the load.” Valdez sighed. “More cannon are going overboard. Your lover would rather leave his entire crew behind on that deserted island than lose one more weapon, but the la
ird talked him out of it.”

  “Surely that was a jest. Jeremiah couldn’t treat mortals so poorly.” But did I really know him that well? He did love his weapons.

  “I think the next high tide and another cannon should do it. They are also putting some of their rowboats in the water and trying to tow off the boat. The crew can row, pulling as best they can to help.” Valdez yawned. “Can I trust you to stay inside the castle tonight while I sleep for a while? We should see Jeremiah and the laird before sunrise if all goes well.”

  “Wait. How did they explain to their crew disappearing from the ship during the day? Flo found graves where they slept on land and they weren’t near the ship or she’d have seen it.” I got up and walked Valdez to the door.

  “They would lock themselves in the captain’s quarters and then fly out the window. The crew knew not to disturb them. Jeremiah and his father didn’t dare spend the day dead on board ship. There was always the possibility of being attacked while on that sand bar. Someone could have broken down the door. It was a wise decision in my opinion.” Valdez opened the door. “Well, at least now you have guards at your door.” He began to question the men about their whereabouts the night before.

  “Valdez, leave them alone.” I still felt tired, as if I hadn’t really rested during the day. That potion. What had it done to me? Fortunately, Mercy approached with a pitcher of warm water.

  “Go rest. I need to dress.” I shooed him off and let the maid in.

  “I am hearing such tales!” Mercy chattered about the fight with the pirate. Colin must have told her all he knew of it. “Maggie is working on your dress but it will never be the same. Do you wish us to burn it? It must hold bad memories for you.”

  I shook my head. I knew where that question came from. Burn it? Clever Mercy could remake a discarded dress into something new for herself. Oh, why not?

  “Take it. Do what you wish with it. I never want to see it again.” I was rewarded by the light in her eyes. She hurried out of the room as soon as I was buttoned into a dress, this one another blue that matched my eyes. I was hoping Jeremiah would come this night.

  I left my room trailed by a guard. Valdez had obviously scared the men into keeping a close eye on me. I decided to go to the great hall. I hadn’t seen Lady Anne since she’d disappeared with her captain once he’d arrived home safely. I knew he’d gone to fight the pirates but where had she been during the attack?

  “Gloriana!” She caught me on the landing before I could go down. “Won’t you come in to my solar? Malcolm, I mean Captain Burnett, tells me you vanquished the pirate queen. Please, I must hear the tale. Is she really dead?” She grabbed my hand and dragged me into her cozy room.

  I really didn’t want to relive that scene but recounted it for the lady anyway. She glowed with happiness at hearing that Zarah was no more.

  “She refused to be captured and finally killed herself.” I stared into the fire, seeing that scene again. What had the woman screamed as she’d fallen? Something in the Irish language that I hadn’t understood.

  “She was a coward, afraid to face the hangman.” Lady Anne paced in front of me. “Gloriana! I am so proud of you. Certainly, you were not afraid to face her. I would have been terrified.” She stopped and clasped my hands. “Thank you! Finally, my Ralph is avenged.”

  “I am having a difficult time feeling good about it.” I let go of her hands. “No more talk of death. Please sit and tell me how things are with your captain.” I patted the seat next to me.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sure it was a disturbing scene and you want to forget it.” She sat and patted my knee. “I’ll say no more about it. When the pirates attacked here, I stayed locked in my bedchamber while Malcolm ran to defend the castle. He is at his ship now, seeing to repairs that were started during the day. He is anxious to look for Lord Campbell but his ship isn’t ready yet.”

  “Now what about your progress with the captain?” I smiled. “I saw that kiss when he arrived here.”

  She flushed. “Yes, he was certainly glad to see me. And I was thrilled to see him safely returned.” She looked down at her hands. “He’s even spoken of marriage.” Her eyes were glistening when she finally glanced at me. “So soon! It happened after I told him about the letter from Mama. He knows I must either obey Clyne or find another solution to my future.” She smiled. “He has been alone, too, since his wife died. We both need someone to hold onto.”

  I leaned back. “Why not marry? We can send for a priest as soon as Jeremiah returns.” I smiled at her. “Colin says we should be rejoicing that Zarah is dead. For now, the pirates seem to be without a leader. That’s cause for a celebration. Add a wedding to that and I think we could have a fine time here. Your poor villagers have suffered for a long time with the pirate raids. Don’t you think they would be happy to see you wed to a fine man?”

  “I said Malcolm mentioned marriage, not that he said let’s do it tomorrow.” Anne was on her feet again. “Dare I tell him we should hurry?”

  “You can always hint that he could have planted his seed.” I stood and walked to the door. “You said he was lusty and his first wife died in childbed. It is possible you are already increasing.”

  “Possible but not likely.” Anne flushed but she was smiling. “Let me talk to him. When he returns from his ship, I will broach the subject.” She followed me to the hall. “What of Lord Campbell? Any news?”

  “I expect him later tonight. He sent word that he had run aground north of here.” I couldn’t tell her how that word had arrived, but she didn’t ask either. “If the tide is high enough, he should be able to float free and come home to us.”

  “That’s good news. I know Malcolm planned to set sail again, to look for him. He has been delayed since those pirates shot flaming arrows into his ship before they left.” Anne followed me down to the great hall. “Can you imagine?”

  I could actually. I’d seen those flaming arrows. What a good idea. I wish I had thought of trying to shoot some myself.

  Flo stopped me at the bottom of the steps. “You know where Angus is and you didn’t tell me?” She grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Anne’s side. “Mi scusi , my lady, but I need a word with my friend here.”

  The next thing I knew, we were outside. “Careful, Maggie is tired of repairing rips in my dresses.” I pulled her hand from my sleeve. “This is one of Jeremiah’s favorites.”

  “It is very pretty, but too plain, amica . Add a few rows of lace and it would be better, I think.” She frowned. “But I hear you tell Anne that Jeremiah’s ship is aground? That they will be home this night? How do you know this?”

  “Valdez just told me. I was on my way to tell you.” I linked my arm with Flo’s. “Calm down. You’re not to go flying away and bother them. They are desperately trying to get their ship off a sand bar. It’s a problem they have to solve. Unless you know something about ships and how to float them.”

  “Well, I did spend many months with my dear friend Leonardo. He knew a bit about everything.” Flo frowned and rubbed her forehead. “Ships? He did like to think about flying. But not so much about ships. Leo enjoyed studying and drawing the body.”

  “Oh?” I raised my eyebrows and looked at the way Flo’s breasts pushed against her bodice.

  “Not that way, amica . We were never lovers.” She laughed. “He was so very clever. Always thinking. He studied the way things connected. He noticed how my legs joined to my feet. And he did love my elbows. He would draw them.” She sighed. “I do enjoy a clever man.”

  “Really!” I led Flo to a place where we could sit and watch the men from Dollar practice their archery. It sounded a bit strange to me, but interesting. Florence had lived a very long time. I felt like I had just started living when I met Jeremiah.

  “Leonardo painted me! And taught me to draw and paint.” She sat and looked at the men. “I could draw one of them. That Archie. Sai cosa ? His body would make a good picture. Nude, of course. Like a Michelangelo, capisci ? His statue
of David?” She kissed her fingertips and gestured. “Magnifico .”

  “Florence! You are naughty.” I stared at Archie, imagining it. Yes, he did have a beautiful body, so muscular and manly. But I preferred Jeremiah’s, scars and all.

  “Not naughty, amica. It is nature.” She leaned against me. “I miss my Angus. He is a fine man. I will draw him. He will fuss about standing still for it but he will allow it.” She sat up again and straightened her bodice, adjusting the lace. She did like her lace and I trusted she knew the latest fashion. “You are sure they are all right and will return tonight?”

  “Valdez thinks so. If it gets close to sunrise, I will see if he will go check on them.” I looked down. Did I need more lace?

  The night wore on. I practiced my own archery and talked to the men about flaming arrows. I hoped we wouldn’t need them but thought it best to prepare. It was after midnight when the call went out. A ship had been sighted sailing into the harbor. Could it be Jeremiah home at last? Or the pirates attacking again?

  12

  J eremiah’s poor ship looked battered and in sore need of repairs. When my man and his father climbed out of a rowboat and waded ashore, I could tell Jeremiah was not in the best of moods.

  He took me in his arms and gave me a hungry kiss, then looked into my eyes. “If I ever take ship again, remind me that I am a much better warrior on land.”

  “I wouldn’t dare.” I fought a smile. Next to us, the laird and Flo were having a noisy reunion. Flo was letting Angus know that she’d been worried. That seemed to require loud Italian and hand gestures.

  “What’s she doing there?” Jeremiah nodded toward the witch’s hut where Helen stood in front of her door, staring at us.