The Sea's Rough Magic

by Alicia C Graybill

  Aaron's eyes met his. "Nay, Jamie. I'd never do that. But I heard 'bout Ike an'-an' all those horrible things they said he done! If I'd only--."

  Without warning, James grabbed Aaron by the elbows and pulled him close for a hard kiss, not releasing him until he looked slightly dazed. At that, James tugged lightly at a lock of his hair that had slid forward over his shoulder. "The past is done, Aaron, and we cannot undo it. Since Ike Stern is so determined to spread misery and pain throughout the Caribbean, we must do our part to foil him by spreading joy and pleasure, n'est-ce pas?"

  Aaron didn't answer, just gazed at him as if he had gone mad. When James opened his mouth as if to speak again, it delighted him to have Aaron press a demanding though tender kiss to his own lips. Joy and pleasure, my Raven, that's all we owe the world, James mused gratefully.

  )O(

  Chapter 61:

  Invasion

  Over the next weeks, nearly into summer, Aaron made a conscious effort not to think about Ike Stern or his father. At one point, he went so far as to take the ruby ring off his finger. What startled him most when he did so was that James noticed. More importantly, it was James who fetched the ring from the bureau and slid it back onto his finger.

  At Aaron's look of surprise, James merely smiled at him. "It comforts you, love. I would never deny you that."

  As for James, it wasn't long before he was able to walk, though it was painful and he required a walking stick if he was to go any distance. Due to the nature of his injury, horseback riding was no longer available to him except in rare instances. As a result, the carriage and driver saw a great deal more use.

  Aaron sensed that James was, in some measure, disappointed that he would never go to sea to fight again. Aaron understood that. He still missed the feel of the ship under his feet, her response to his hands on her wheel and the thrill that ran through him when sails appeared on the horizon. But Aaron could have kissed Dr. Howe when he told James he should no longer go to sea. It made Aaron feel vaguely ashamed at how happy he was.

  So it was on a bright, sunny June day that Aaron was alone in the house. Beatrice had gone to town to do her marketing and James had returned to his duties as Commodore, though he was desk-bound. Aaron was writing a letter to James' mother--the woman had begun to write to Erin a few weeks after the "miscarriage"--and Aaron felt obligated to fulfill his role as the dutiful daughter-in-law. What was more important to Aaron, however, she was willing to share stories about James as he was growing up. To Aaron, who had grown up in a family that struggled to make ends meet, the stories of country picnics, horseback riding lessons, and private tutors were fascinating. He was sitting in James' study when he heard the sound. Following it, he went to the kitchen and peered out the window.

  In the harbor which he could see from the kitchen window, there was a battle going on. Three ships, all of them flying the Jolly Roger, engaged the naval ships that were docked there. When Aaron heard the roar of the fort's cannons, he turned and fled to James' study. He knew James had a loaded pistol in his desk. Though James had the key with him, Aaron knew he could probably pick or break the lock.

  "I'm safe," He told himself as he sat down at the desk and tried the drawer handle. When it didn't open, he seized the letter opener and began to pry at the mechanism. "They're more interested in what's in town than what's out here. 'Sides, James should be here any minute--."

  "Aaron!" Henry's voice was terrified and caused Aaron to rise, his heart suddenly pounding.

  Henry rounded the corner into the study on the run. When he saw Aaron, he threw himself into the man's arms. Aaron dropped back into the chair and hugged the boy hard. "It's all right, love. Don't worry."

  Henry managed to straighten and look Aaron in the eye. "I saw 'em. Don't know how many but there's a man comin' up the lane. I-I don't like the look of him."

  "All right," Aaron said softly. "I need t' get this drawer open, mate. You head t' the kitchen, savvy? Hide in the pantry there and don't come out 'til James or I tell ye to. Do ye understand?"

  Henry nodded but his face had grown serious. "I'm not gonna leave you, Aaron. I want to stay and keep you safe."

  Aaron pulled Henry back into his arms again then set him away. "What a sweet lad, ye are. Truth is, I've got t' do this meself. Now, go do what I say."

  Henry sighed then, reluctantly, left the room, casting a final glance back at Aaron as he left. Aaron returned to working at the lock, confident that Henry had done as he was told. When he heard the front door of the house open, he caught his breath and stepped to the door.

  “Where is the bitch?” Aaron heard the sound of flesh slamming into flesh.

  For a moment, Aaron shivered but he realized, after a few seconds, that the only person in the household besides himself was Henry. Drawing a breath to encourage himself, he grabbed the letter opener and stepped through the study door.

  The pirate—for there was just one man to Aaron’s relief—stood with his back to the study. He held the point of a cutlass at Henry’s defenseless neck as the boy lay, face-up, on the floor. The child’s hand nursed his cheekbone where Aaron could see a bruise forming even from across the room.

  “Well?” He barked and poked the boy with the toe of his boot.

  Aaron deliberately shut the door hard and the pirate spun about. They stood staring silently at one another for several minutes. Aaron cursed mentally when he realized the man before him was Ike Stern. He saw the golden eyes narrow and knew Ike was probably putting things together.

  “Ah, the delicate Mrs. Dunbar herself has deigned to join us. Get up, boy, and get out! Be grateful I’m lettin’ ye live t’ tell the tale. The Commodore’s lady here won't be so lucky,” Ike was glowering at him now with such a furious look of lust that Aaron wanted to call the boy back though he wasn’t sure how that would help.

  “They said you were maybe the prettiest thing in the Caribbean,” Ike’s voice had gone to a seductive hiss. “Prettier ‘n me, even. An’ they ain’t far off the mark, hmm?” Ike chuckled and began to pace closer to Aaron, who managed to get far enough away from the

  closed door that he could retreat into the parlor.

  “C’mon, love, let’s not make this difficult, eh? Yer Commodore’s busy playin’ hero, I imagine, so there’ll be no interruptions, savvy?”

  Aaron kept the letter-opener hidden. Ike was obviously stronger than he, his face and body having filled out since the last time Aaron saw him. A scar curved down his left temple and followed the contour of his cheekbone. The eyes, though, were what saddened Aaron. Like his father, Ike had eyes of pure gold. Unlike his father, those eyes gleamed with madness and rage.

  Aaron continued to retreat from Ike until he ran into the back of the davenport. At that, Stern pounced, trapping Aaron. He slid one arm around the slim waist then grabbed Aaron's jaw in his other hand.

  This close, Aaron had to look away from Ike. Despite the fact that he hoped Ike would recognize him--which it seemed he hadn't--he also feared it. I don't want to die, He thought, and if Ike recognizes me, he might be so upset that he makes sure of it.

  "Ye know, pretty one," Ike purred. "Yer man don't really love you. He married ye 'cause you look like Aaron. Same pretty eyes, same hair, even the shape o' yer face. Did ye know that yer husband loved a pirate? Same as did I. But yer husband stole him from me. Killed him with some concoction put together by a witch. So I've come to return the favor, as it were. When I leave here, darlin', you'll be jus' as dead as Aaron Johnson an' the great Commodore Dunbar will hurt jus' like me."

  Ike paused and pressed his hips hard against Aaron's. When he received no response from Aaron, he raised Aaron's face to look him in the eye. "What's the matter, love? Cat got yer tongue?"

  That phrase brought back all of the memories and nightmares Aaron had of McSwain. For what seemed an eternity, Aaron stared into those golden eyes as it all rushed over him again. It was only when he remembered James' voice, hoarse with pain, saying, "He treated her like McSwain treate
d you" that Aaron understood what he had to do.

  Shivering as if cold, Aaron yanked the arm holding the letter opener free and swung it as hard as he could. He aimed for Ike's neck, knowing that he wasn't strong enough to drive the mostly dull blade into Ike's ribs. Instead, Ike easily caught his wrist. Aaron gasped as Stern twisted his arm and forced him to drop the opener.

  "Feisty, aren't ye?" Ike chuckled and kicked the weapon out of reach. Then, very deliberately, Ike backhanded him. "That was a stupid move, love. Now, give us a kiss, hmmm?"

  Aaron pressed back as Ike moved closer. It was at that instant that the front door opened.

  "Aaron? Are you here?"

  It was James and Aaron shoved at Ike to free himself. Ike, however, was having none of it. He jerked Aaron back and slapped his hand over Aaron's mouth. It was only then that Ike lifted the pistol and placed it to Aaron's neck. A sharp glare into the blue eyes held him silent. With an abrupt tug, Ike revealed Aaron's right forearm where the tattoo remained. At the sight, the golden eyes returned to Aaron's face and he lowered the gun. He opened his mouth as if to speak just as James entered the room.

  )O(

  Chapter 62:

  Finale

  Isaac looked up and Aaron broke away. He didn't escape as Ike seized his hair and dragged him back to the couch.

  "Sit," He hissed.

  James halted abruptly when he glanced up to see Ike glowering at him. "You!"

  "Commodore," Ike's voice was hard and his grip on the back of Aaron's neck was bruising. "Thought you'd be busy fightin' pirates."

  James' eyes went from Aaron back to Stern. "No need. My men handled the situation with no problems. Surrender your arms. You are under arrest."

  Ike laughed suddenly and dug his fingers into Aaron's hair, dragging his head back so he could look into Aaron's eyes. "He don't understand, does he? Pompous arse thinks he's got the situation under control but I got the most important chip t' bargain with, don't I?"

  "You're being foolish, Stern--"

  "Captain Stern t' you, Commodore," Ike sneered.

  "Captain," James said snidely. "Do you really suppose I would allow you to escape?"

  Ike leaned down and spoke into Aaron's ear. "Ye want t' tell him, Cap'n, or should I?"

  "Tell me what?" Aaron noticed James was looking around as subtly as possible for a weapon of some sort.

  "Yer lovely 'lady' is comin' with me, Commodore," Ike kissed Aaron on the cheek. "Only he won't have t' be a lady no more. He can be captain of the Masked Lady--."

  "That might be difficult to do since she was taking on water seriously the last I saw of her," James rumbled with a slight smile on his lips. "As were the others in your 'fleet.' I suggest you--."

  "You suggest nothin'!" Ike snapped. "Once I kill you, Aaron is free t' come with me, savvy? Get up, Cap'n."

  He dug fingers into the back of Johnson's neck to lift him to his feet. Aaron met James' eyes apologetically. He was about to do something that he was afraid would mean he would never see James again. Ike sighted down the barrel of the pistol toward James, his hand steady as a stone.

  “An’ now t’ finish what I started,” Ike’s voice was gleeful as he pointed the pistol at James’ heart.

  “Aim true,” James said quietly, his eyes on Aaron. “I love you, my Raven.”

  “Isaac Stern, by God and the lady o’ the sea, if ye do this, I’ll never forgive ye. Spare ‘im an I’ll go with ye willing-like,” Aaron was suddenly between the two and had pulled the barrel of the pistol to point to his own chest. “Please?”

  Ike’s eyes narrowed and his lips twitched as if he longed to say something. When Aaron laid his hand against Ike’s face and his thumb stroked Ike’s cheek, Ike blinked. Then he nodded.

  “Only fer you, Cap’n,” Ike whispered the words then grabbed Aaron’s wrist to drag him out the door.

  Aaron stumbled as Ike pulled him off the porch. Ike paused and lifted Aaron by the arm back to his feet. They started down the road at a pace that had Aaron gasping for breath in just a few yards. Instead of heading for Nassau harbor, they were headed the opposite direction. Aaron remembered James mentioning a beach about a half mile up the coast. His lungs began to burn and the ache started again in his chest. The pain’s familiarity was almost a comfort now. Perhaps without James to intervene for him medically, this would be the end.

  The path down the side of the hill to the beach proved rocky and treacherous. Aaron barked his knees badly at least twice and twisted his ankle as well. Every time he fell, Ike used harsher methods to get him back on his feet. Just as Aaron saw the rowboat grounded on the beach ahead, he stumbled again and dropped to his knees. This time, Ike had lost what little patience remained.

  “On yer feet! Do ye take me fer a fool?! If the Commodore comes t’ save ye, he’s as good as dead, savvy? Now get in the damn boat!!” Ike’s cruel hand twined into Aaron’s hair and dragged him upright before shoving him hard in the direction of the little craft.

  Aaron tried to catch himself but the lack of air and the pain he was feeling made it difficult. He went down into the sand beside the boat, his cheek and temple bouncing off the craft’s prow. For a moment, he lay still, not quite sure he was conscious. He heard Ike approaching and placed the forefinger and thumb of his left hand on the ring he wore. If I ever needed you, Henry, now is the time, Aaron prayed.

  )O(

  The instant the door shut, James was on the move. He visited his study first to fetch the loaded pistol he kept in his desk. His next choice was to seize his sword and wrap the belt about his waist. Aaron’s presence would slow Ike some but probably not enough. Steeling himself, he stepped out the back door of the house and went to the stable.

  “Henry? Are you here?” He called, worried.

  The boy appeared, his eyes angry but frightened. When James saw the bruise on his face, he shook his head. “Are you all right?”

  Henry nodded. “Did you need me, sir?”

  “I do,” James sighed. “Red Ike Stern has kidnapped Aaron. I need a horse so I can go after them. Moreover, I need you to ride to town and fetch back some marines to take him to gaol when I’m done. Can you do that?”

  The boy looked terrified briefly then asked, “He took Aaron?”

  At James’ calm nod, the boy took a deep breath. “Yes, sir, I’ll go to town. Let me fetch ye a horse.”

  Thankfully, Henry was very skillful in catching and tacking up the roan gelding for James. James rode off in the direction he’d last seen Aaron and Ike as Henry was saddling the little bay mare for himself. James arrived at the top of the hill to see Ike throw Aaron toward the boat. He heard the impact as Aaron’s flesh collided with the wood and gasped as he saw Aaron fall and lie motionless. He kicked his heels into the horse’s sides and the warm-blood tossed his head then started picking and sliding his way down to the beach below.

  )O(

  Ike’s heart stopped when he saw Aaron hit his head then fall. He’d seen men fall like that before—mortally wounded or at the least badly injured men. Aaron had to be unconscious as he made no attempt to stop himself. His only thought was to get to his Captain.

  “Aaron? Aaron, are you all right? Aaron!” He gathered Johnson into his arms and shook him by the shoulders. “Aaron, wake up.”

  Slowly, as if it was the hardest thing he ever had to do, Aaron’s eyes opened. His left cheek was already abraded badly, the swelling would probably encompass the eye before the hour was up. Guilt gnawing at him for having hurt Aaron, Ike reached to touch Johnson’s face. The sight caused Aaron to cringe away from him.

  “Aaron, don’t do that. You know me! I’m Ike, sir. I’d never hurt ye,” Ike fell silent as he realized the lie he was speaking. His fingerprints were bruised purple and black into Aaron's wrists and he could make out more bruises on the back of Aaron's neck beneath his hair. How could he say he’d “never” hurt Aaron when he already had? It was at that moment that he heard the voice.

  “Ye’re not a bad boy, son, but ye ne
ed t’ let things go,” He hadn’t heard that voice in nearly seven years but he remembered it as though he’d last heard it yesterday. He glanced up to see the Lash crawling up onto the beach. He was crawling because his back half was that of a fish.

  “Father?”

  "Henry," Aaron broke away from Ike and struggled toward the new arrival.

  Ike jumped to his feet. "This can't be! You-You're a man!! And ye should have died when McSwain broke that curse. What the hell is goin' on?!"

  Ike, who had been moving closer, stepped back abruptly as Henry's fish-tail became a pair of human legs and he stood unsteadily. He reached down and helped Aaron to his feet, drawing Aaron into his arms and kissing his Captain with tender devotion. Briefly, he muttered something to Aaron, who buried his face into Henry's collarbone. The Lash glowered over at his son.

  "It's a long story but the gist of it is that I was offered the chance t' live but only if I agreed t' become a mer-man. I can't stay on land but a few minutes at a time an' so I've come here t' be close should I be needed," When Ike saw his father's hand rest against Aaron's upper back, he understood that it was Aaron who kept the Lash in these waters. "Ye done some horrible things, son. I want ye t' do the right thing. Give yerself over t' the Commodore an' face yer punishment like a man."

  Ike's eyes widened and his jaw set. "Ye're a fool, old man. Maybe you've given up on havin' Aaron fer yer own but I haven't! He's comin' with me."

  "Nay, lad, Aaron's stayin' here where he belongs. His James is a good man and can keep him safe. If ye ain't gonna face justice, then ye best be on yer way. The Commodore's comin'," Henry jerked his head toward the hill that overlooked the beach then leaned down to kiss Aaron, this time on the lips. "I need t' be on my way now, love."