by James Dale
“Lead on, Marc,” Jack instructed him. “I think I’ve tried Bloody Max’ patience long enough.”
“This way countess,” Marc bowed again. Deeper this time.
Thessa took Jack’s offered arm and with two squads of council guards in tow, the three began their journey to Admiral Kailmax's villa.
Small knots of curious onlookers stooped to watch the entourage pass, talking quietly among themselves but in no way making any attempt to impede their progress. Jack thought they paid more attention to the two squads of council troops than to Thessa. It was obvious such a large number of armed men were the more unusual sight. Beautiful women they had seen before, but half of the council's guard in one place was a rare sight indeed.
Jon Kailmax's villa was on a hill overlooking the harbor, directly across the bay from Kaiddra's. Jack could see lights burning in the large estate he had shared with the captain of the Huntress before the raid on Norgarth. He briefly wondered what she was doing at this moment. Did she know of this meeting? He thought it likely. Not much passed in Brimcohn of which the Queen of the Sea was unaware. He wished again he could have talked to her before tonight, but there was nothing he could do about it now.
They were met at the entrance to the courtyard by a pretty female servant. “I am Margarete,” she said in introduction. “Lady Arthol. Admiral Kailmax bids you welcome to his home. There is a bath already drawn for you. If you will follow me?”
“It will be fine,” Jack said, and leaned down so Thessa give him a kiss on the cheek. Still she seemed hesitant to follow the servant. “Go on,” Jack whispered. “Show them the courage of the house of Arthol.” After only the slightest hesitation, Thessa straightened shoulders and walked fearlessly into the home of the most famous pirate of the Brotherhood as if she was entering the safety of her own estate.
Lieutenant Marc dismissed his troops and led Jack through the foyer and down a long hallway ending at a pair of large double doors. "I will take my leave of you now, Jack Braedan." Marc said. "This is Admiral Kailmax' private study. You will wait for him here." He opened the doors then stepped aside. After Jack entered, he closed the doors and left without another word. Jack was sure he heard it lock behind him.
The room was much like Kaiddra's study. Books of all shapes and sizes lined three walls and there was a large oak desk and a comfortable looking chair in the center of the room. Across the way a pair of glass double doors opened out onto a balcony overlooking Brimcohn's harbor. Braedan wandered about the room examining the books. He could make out a few of the titles, having learned to read and write the basic characters of the common tongue of Aralon during the month the Brotherhood had spent preparing for the raid on Norgarth.
One particular book immediately captured his eye. The Prophecies of Aaracus. The prophet had been mentioned by Alnordel when recounting his tales. He removed it from the shelf and fingered through the pages randomly. The first passage he read hit him like thunder-bolt.
Thus sayeth the Lord, "I will call forth My champion. From
His long exile will I bring him to the Temple prepared for him."
“I will set his feet on the Path of war against my enemies."
"And he and his brothers will rain fire on those who debase
Themselves before the fallen one. Denying the Altar
of Blood the virgin sacrifice, the Lion will secure
Refuge from those who do not count him among criminals."
"An interesting book.” Admiral Kailmax asked entering the library. "There are only three known copies still in existence. One in the Royal Library of King Theros in Brythond and one on Lordsisle with the Lords of the Staffclave. Mine is the only copy written in the common tongue of Aralon. I actually purchased it. Even a marauder such as myself knows better than to steal the work of Aaracus. I don't claim to understand all the cryptic passages and symbolism, but it is thoughtfully intriguing. Since Dorad brought word back from the Ailsantain of temples and demons I have been reading it much of late myself. Dorad isn’t the only one to warn that demons and the Sorcerers of the Sa'tan will once again plague the world.
"What is in it?" Braedan asked, He replaced it on the shelf with as much nonchalance as he could muster, but the book seemed strangely reluctant to leave his hand. His heart was pounding like a jackhammer and his very hairs were standing on end. Had he finally found something that might shed more light on why he had been transported to this strange land?
“The words of a mad man?” Kailmax shrugged. “Or words of the Creator of the World himself, spoken to His last prophet. Depending on whom you believe, of course.”
“Which do you believe admiral?”
“I believe,” Kailmax replied slowly, “that the older I get, the more I tend to lean toward the latter. Even way out here in the Felnors, I get news of the world. There are momentous days ahead, Jack Braedan. Some of those days have happened already. Some which were predicted in that book. If you believe that kind of stuff. There was actually a priest of Yh’Adan here on Brimcohn for a short while. He was in this very library three months ago. We had a…fascinating conversation about Aaracus and the future he fortells. He almost had me convinced to lay down my wicked ways and join the priesthood. Almost.”
“I met him as well,” Jack replied, turning to face the admiral.
“Oh?” Max replied.
“Curious man,” Jack said hesitantly.
“That’s putting it lightly,” Kailmax laughed. “He’s disappeared from the Felnors, I hear. Just here one day and gone the next. Strange. Anyway, perhaps someday I’ll let you borrow it. If you stick around.”
“If you don’t let me leave, you mean?” Jack snorted. “Are you going to let me leave admiral?”
“That,” Kailmax replied, “depends.”
“On what?”
“On many things.” Bloody Max replied. “On my mood after dinner, maybe? On whether I’m so delighted with the countess’ company, I wish to keep her around for a while. Many things.”
“May I ask a question?” Jack said.
“You may,” he nodded.
"Dorad seems to think you were not surprised today when he informed the council we wanted to be released from our oaths to take Thessa home."
Kailmax laughed quietly. "You are not the only person in Brimcohn who can visit Gretta the Seeress. I sought her services many times while our ships were away on the raid. She gave me...interesting readings."
"Care to share them?"
"Not at this time," the admiral smiled. "Sometimes revealing such visions have a tendency to defeat fate."
"Sometimes they have a tendency to becoming self-fulfilling," Jack added.
"Indeed," Kailmax nodded. "But enough about visions and prophecies. Let us speak of something else."
"The countess perhaps."
"Yes, the countess."
"Another question if I may, sir?"
"I had intended on asking the questions tonight," Kailmax smiled. "Only one more will I allow. After I pour us some wine? The smell of these books always puts me in the mood for Cairhini red. Not as fine as the Brydianic dark the Seawolf captured, but good wine nonetheless. Would you like a glass?”
“Thank you, sir,” Jack nodded.
“What is your question?” Kailmax asked, after pouring two generous glasses from a bottle sitting on a nearby table and handing one to Braedan.
"The council, your council admiral, granted the officers of the raid first choice of any treasure captured in Norgarth, did you not?"
"We did." Max admitted hesitantly, taking a sip from his glass. “Is that your question?”
"My question, sir, is if I had found the Crown of Brydium in that warehouse,” asked Jack, “instead of the fiancée of Prince Thonicil. And I decided to oh…I don’t know, give it to that doe eyed barmaid at the Shark’s Tooth for a tumble in my bed, would the council have even batted an eyelash in concern?"
Kailmax was silent for some time. "I see your point," he finally admitted. "I will concede
that by the council’s decree, you have the right to treat your...prize as you see fit. Even to throw it away if you wish instead of demanding a literal king’s ransom."
"Thank you, sir."
"It is how you intend to...dispose of your prize which gives us pause. I researched the records of the Brotherhood this afternoon. They are quite extensive I might add," the admiral said with a small note of pride. "Some even date back to the formation of the Free Brothers of the Sea. Though I did not have time to study them as thoroughly as I would have liked, I found no mention of anyone ever being released of their oaths from the Brotherhood."
"Tarsus remarked to me today you have always done what wasn't expected of you sir," Jack stated.
"I suppose that is true," Kailmax nodded, wondering what trap he was being led into.
Braedan took a sip of wine before continuing. "Will you refuse our request then, simply because it has never been granted before?"
Kailmax again hesitated before answering. Once more the young man's argument was not without merit. "What did you do before you came to the Brotherhood, Jack Braedan?" he asked curiously. “You weren’t so lowly a creature as a barrister, were you?”
“I was a soldier, sir,” Jack replied. “Like I told you. It’s all I’ve ever been.”
“Was,” Kailmax stated. “What happened?”
“That sir, is a long story,” Jack sighed. “Too long for this evening. And much too depressing for this excellent wine. Again, will you deny my request simply because it has never been done before?” Jack took another sip of wine as he waited for the admiral to reply.
“Let’s go to the balcony, shall we?” Kailmax said, delaying his answer. “The view at this time of the evening is quite lovely.”
Jack nodded for the admiral to lead the way. He was at the mercy of Bloody Max. If he wanted to draw the evening out, with wine and banter, Jack had no choice but to allow it. The view, as promised was lovely. From this hill overlooking Brimcohn, you could almost imagine the city below was some quaint sea side port and not the notorious den of the Free Brothers of the Sea. Jack sipped his wine and enjoyed the view. What choice did he have?
“No. No I will not refuse you for that reason alone,” Kailmax finally sighed. “To do so would admit this council did not make its own decisions, but was governed by men long dead and gone."
"Then for what reason will you keep us here?" Braedan asked. "You can't believe Dorad or I would ever disclose Brimcohn's location?"
"I believe you think you would never do that," Kailmax sighed. "But someday, somewhere, something might happen that would change your mind, and our secret would be lost."
"Your secret is lost every time one of your ships leave these islands." Braedan pointed out. "Someday, somehow, something will happen that will lead to your discovery."
"That is true," the admiral admitted sadly. "In fact, I am sometimes amazed the Brotherhood has remained hidden here for so long. But it is still a poor argument to let you leave. Can you under-stand the council's dilemma? This is something we've never had to face before."
"But you see my point, don't you?" Jack asked.
"Do you see mine?"
"Yes," he admitted with a sigh. "I hate to admit it, but I do. So where does that leave us?"
"I think that leaves us at dinner," Kailmax said as a knock sounded at the library's door. "Shall we go?" he asked, finishing his wine.
The Admiral led Braedan back through the library. Jack had to restrain himself from glancing over at the book again. He had paid particular attention placing it back on the shelf. Fifth row from the top, forth book from the left. He could find it in the dark if he had to. Jack instantly decided that if the admiral would not let him “borrow it,” he would steal it somehow.
Exiting the library, they entered the estates’ dining room. In the center of the room was a large table of polished oak surrounded by twenty straight backed chairs of the same wood; simple, yet comfortable looking. A candelabra in the center of the table provided the room with light and at the table's head, fine china, silverware and crystal goblets had been set for three. There was a mammoth stone fireplace with fragrant logs burning within and above its mantle was the mounted head of a stag with an equally impressive rack. Hunting spears, bows, and the heads and skins of other game animals adorned the walls. It was a place where warriors dined.
Kailmax walked to the head of the table and motioned for Braedan to take the place set on the left. He then nodded to the servant and the man left the room. The admiral remained standing and Braedan followed his example, guessing the reason. The servant returned quickly with Thessa on his arm. He smiled at the young woman, then bowed to the admiral and left, closing the door behind him.
The female servant who had taken charge of the countess had certainly known her job, working wonders in the short time she had been allotted. Although Thessa had been beautiful even in the old, borrowed clothes scrounged on the Seawolf, she was nothing less than radiant now. She was dressed in a flowing burgundy gown trimmed in black and her ebony hair had been combed to a lustrous sheen and woven into a bun contained by a weave of pearls. Her piercing blue eyes were accented by just a touch of cosmetics, and a pearl necklace lovingly embraced her slender throat.
Smiling, Braedan walked over to the countess and took the arm, escorting her to Admiral Kailmax. "Admiral, this is Countess Thessa Arthol of Brythond. Countess, Admiral Jon Kailmax of the Free Brothers of the Sea."
Kailmax took her offered hand and kissed it. "Welcome Lady Arthol," he said, seating the countess on his right, "I see now why Captain Kaiddra is so upset with our Jack. Your beauty humbles my poor estate."
She blushed demurely then graced the Admiral with a dazzling smile that would have melted an iceberg. "You are too kind sir," she replied. "Though I am sure your servant did her best, I fear these pearls and this beautiful gown do little to disguise the frightful mess I have become these last few months."
"You are mistaken countess," the Admiral smiled. "I think no amount of hardship could dim your beauty."
She blushed once more and bowed her head at the compliment. Admiral Kailmax lifted a small silver bell from the table. Before its last note had faded servants entered carrying trays filled with all manner of delicacies. The three were served generous portions of roast duck and pheasant, along with sides of wild rice, new potatoes, carrots, baby corn on the cob and three different types of soup. There was also baked rolls hot from the oven. Wine was poured then the servants left as quickly and efficiently as they had entered.
Admiral Kailmax engaged Thessa in polite conversation as they dined. He directed all his attention towards the young woman, having apparently learned all he needed from Braedan. The countess answered questions about life in Brythond and her family and friends. She recounted for the admiral the harrowing tale of her capture by the Kadinar, and her trials at the hands of the Norgarthans and her rescue from Kreel Ess by Braedan. An hour later she looked down in surprise to discover that she had eaten everything on her plate and had finished all her wine. "Please excuse my manners," she blushed.
Kailmax smiled at her embarrassment. "I trust you enjoyed the meal my Lady?"
"It was delicious sir," Thessa replied.
"I will inform my cook," the admiral laughed. "He will be most pleased. And now if you will both excuse me," he continued rising. "I have a few things to see to before the night is done."
He rang the servant's bell and they entered to begin clearing the table. "Margarete," he said, motioning for the servant who had taken care of Thessa earlier, "will direct you to your rooms."
"This way," Margarete said bowing, and Thessa followed without question. Braedan started to speak, but Admiral Kailmax interrupted him.
"I'm afraid I must insist," he said, low enough that only Jack could hear. "You will be my... guests until this matter is settled."
"Your prisoners you mean?" Jack asked sarcastically.
"Let's not ruin a delightful evening with an argument yo
u cannot win," Kailmax sighed. "It will not help your situation."
Jack knew for certain now, he was no longer in control of what happened to them, not unless he wished to take Thessa and try to escape the Felnors on the Seawolf.
Kailmax seemed to read his thoughts. "You will of course, have a squad of the council guard at your disposal if you need anything before I return." Braedan knew exactly what the Admiral meant. There would be no chance for a heroic escape.
"You are meticulously attentive sir," Jack replied bitterly.
"I do my best," Bloody Max bowed. "I have much to think upon. Until tomorrow Jack Braedan."
He and Braedan joined Thessa and Margarete who were waiting at the door. "Good night countess," Admiral Kailmax said, kissing her hand once more.
He left them in the care of the pretty servant.
"This way if you please," she smiled.
There was nothing left for them to do. He took Thessa's arm and they followed Margarete.
"He's a nice enough man," Thessa whispered quietly as they followed the servant girl. "For a pirate, I mean. He reminds me somewhat of my father. Courteous but a trifle abrupt sometimes. Do you think our meeting went well?"
"It's difficult to say," Braedan replied in the same low tone. "I do know he was thoroughly impressed with you. You had him wrapped around your little finger from the moment he laid eyes on you." He thought it best not to mention the admiral's parting words to him, especially the fact that they were for all intents and purposes prisoners until the council decided what to do with them.
"It seems I have some small talent in that area," the young woman admitted with a mischievous smile.
"So, I've noticed," Jack laughed quietly. "What would your prince say if he knew you were manipulating men so shamelessly?"
Thessa grew quiet and Braedan realized he had made a mistake mentioning her fiancé. "Sorry. I wasn't thinking."
"Apology accepted," she sighed, squeezing his arm and resting her head on his shoulder.
Margarete stopped, arriving at the room prepared for the countess. "This is yours m'Lady. Lieutenant Braedan's is just across the hall."
