The other women fussed over her. The oldest one led her to a trunk where she could sit, while two others rushed off and quickly returned with a bowl of water, a towel, and something to drink. They care about her. And if she cared equally for them, it might be something he could use against her.
He tucked the spyglass under his belt, then positioned his black mask over his eyes. His forehead and most of his hair were already covered with a dark-red scarf tied in a knot over his right ear. He plopped a large hat on his head and adjusted the black, shoulder-length, horsehair plaits that were glued to its inside brim. With this hat on, everyone assumed he had black hair.
With this hat on, he became the most infamous pirate that the world had ever known. And after nineteen years, he would finally have his revenge.
* * *
“Are ye feeling better, child?” Mother Ginessa asked.
“A little.” Brigitta passed the goblet of wine back to Gwennore, then rubbed her still-aching stomach. “How can I be a … a princess?” She certainly didn’t feel like one.
Mother Ginessa sat beside her. “Yer father was King Garold. He sent ye to the convent when ye were barely four months old.”
“Why?” Brigitta asked.
“I suppose he meant to keep ye safe.” Mother Ginessa glanced away with a guilty look.
She’s still hiding something. Brigitta’s mind raced as she tried to recall everything she’d learned about Tourin from her studies at the convent. Civil war had plagued the kingdom for centuries. A long line of dukes from the south had rebelled against the northern kings from the House of Trepurin. Nineteen years ago, Duke Garold from the House of Grian had finally defeated the northern king and taken over the country.
I was a baby then, Brigitta thought. Had the Tourinian Royal Navy come here because of her? Did her father want her back? But no, King Garold had died five years ago in a battle against the Norveshki.
A pang of grief struck her, not just because her father was dead, but because she had no memories of him to mourn. He’d never sent for her. Were her fears correct and he’d rejected her? What about the rest of her family? “Is my mother still alive?”
Mother Ginessa shook her head. “I’m sorry, child.”
Brigitta’s shoulders slumped. She would never know either of her parents.
“Then the current king, Gunther, is her older brother?” Captain Shaw asked.
Mother Ginessa grimaced. “Half brother. He was born from King Garold’s first mistress. I think he’s about twelve years older than Brigitta.”
The captain glanced over the portside railing, then ordered his first mate to oversee the arrival of their guests. “They’re tying the dinghy off now. If King Gunther has sent for his sister, we can hardly refuse—”
“But we must!” Mother Ginessa jumped to her feet. “Do ye not know how Gunther became king? He killed the legitimate heir, Brigitta’s younger brother.”
Brigitta gasped. She’d had a younger brother? And her older brother had killed him? Her stomach twisted again.
Captain Shaw frowned. “Surely he wouldn’t send for her just to harm her.”
Mother Ginessa shook her head. “We dare not take that risk. ’Tis not safe—”
“I don’t want to go.” Brigitta eased shakily to her feet. “Can I not refuse?”
“Aye!” Sorcha moved to stand beside her. “She belongs with us!”
“The Tourinian officer is asking permission to come aboard,” the first mate called from the main deck.
“I’ll deal with this,” Captain Shaw said quietly, then shouted as he proceeded to the main deck. “Permission granted!”
Brigitta’s heart pounded. The fate of the Telling Stones was unfurling around her. Would she be taken to Tourin against her will? How could she even face Gunther, knowing that he’d killed her younger brother? And what if she never saw her sisters again?
“Goddesses, help us!” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons.
Brigitta pressed a hand to her racing heart. It felt like she’d suddenly been flung into one of her overly dramatic stories. If so, wouldn’t this be the perfect time for the dashing young hero to make his appearance? After all, the blue-and-gold part of Luciana’s prophecy was coming true, so shouldn’t the part about a tall and handsome stranger also come true?
She turned toward the newcomer who was climbing a rope ladder to the main deck. A striking blue hat with gold trim came into view, but then Captain Shaw stepped in front of the newcomer and blocked her view.
“Welcome aboard. I’m Captain Shaw.”
“Thank you. I’m Lieutenant Helgar,” the Tourinian officer responded in the Eberoni language. He stepped onto the deck and removed his hat.
Good goddesses! Brigitta gasped in unison with her sisters, then quickly squelched the expression of horror that must have flitted across her face. The lieutenant’s face was scarred with burns. He had a patch over one eye, and half of his mouth was twisted in a permanent sneer. Instead of an upstanding naval officer, he looked more like a notorious pirate.
She glanced over her shoulder at the pirate fleet that was rapidly approaching. Holy goddesses, they could look even worse.
“Your Highness,” the lieutenant said, and it took her a moment to realize he was talking to her. She turned back to him as he bowed. “I bring greetings from your esteemed brother, King Gunther.”
Captain Shaw motioned to the three ships. “You’ve gone to quite a bit of trouble just to extend greetings. May I know the purpose of your visit?”
“Of course.” The lieutenant’s smile looked strained, as if it pained him to move the muscles of his damaged face. “The king regrets being separated from his dear sister all these years. He invites her to join him at the royal court in Lourdon.”
Brigitta winced. This lieutenant intended to take her against her will. She should have known dashing young heroes only existed in the stories she made up. There would be no one coming to her rescue. This was real life, and she would have to protect herself.
She squared her shoulders and attempted to look regal. “How kind of my brother to offer such a lovely invitation. But I fear I must respectfully decline.”
The lieutenant’s smile faded as his expression grew harsh. “Perhaps Your Highness doesn’t understand. No one refuses King Gunther.”
Captain Shaw cleared his throat. “My good man, this young woman didn’t even know she had a brother until a few minutes ago. She has only now learned her true identity. Since I have orders from King Leofric to deliver her to the royal court in Ebton, I propose we let her continue the journey while she adjusts to her new—”
“No,” Lieutenant Helgar interrupted. “She’s coming with us.”
As the tension mounted, Brigitta fought a growing sense of panic. When the dog, Brody, stalked toward the lieutenant and growled, Captain Shaw lifted a hand to calm him.
She should at least be as brave as the dog, Brigitta thought. She steeled her nerves and descended the steps to the main deck. “My sister, Queen Luciana, is expecting me to arrive this evening. I will gladly visit my brother at a later time. Surely he would not want the king and queen of Eberon upset with him.”
The lieutenant gritted his teeth. “King Gunther will not allow foreign rulers to hold his sister hostage.”
Was this situation going to endanger Luciana? Brigitta hesitated, but when Brody positioned himself in front of her, she felt encouraged. “Queen Luciana is a sister who is dear to my heart. I would be her guest.”
“She is not of your blood. Your only family is King Gunther, and you must do as he commands.” The lieutenant raised a hand, and a thundering noise emanated from the three Tourinian naval ships as cannons were wheeled into open gunports.
Brigitta gasped.
Captain Shaw stiffened. “I suggest you reconsider, Lieutenant. Your actions are tantamount to declaring war on Eberon.”
“There will be no need for war if you return our princess,” Lieutenant Helgar growled. “Need I remind
you, Captain, that you are outmanned and outgunned? If you wish to keep your other guests alive, you will do as I say.”
A chill ran down Brigitta’s back. She couldn’t allow any harm to come to her sisters. Or the captain and his crew. She would have to go with this awful lieutenant.
Good goddesses, but the fate of the Telling Stones had seized her in a firm grip. Was there no escape?
“Heavenly goddesses,” Sister Fallyn cried. “We must pray for a miracle!”
Suddenly the sky grew dark as large gray clouds covered up the sun.
As a shadow fell over the ship, the crew huddled together, whispering. Her heart thudding, Brigitta glanced up at the sky. The clouds raced by them on either side of their vessel, yet directly overhead a dark cloud hovered, eerily still. A strong wind whistled past their ship, headed straight for the Tourinian navy.
The ships floundered as the gale-force wind struck them hard, tossing them about. Shouts and screams echoed across the water as the Tourinian sailors fought to control the cannons that reeled back and forth. Several broke free from their chains and crashed through the sides of the ships to plummet into the sea.
“Dammit, no!” The lieutenant watched from the portside railing.
The powerful wind continued to slam into the damaged Tourinian ships, eventually turning them until the wind filled their sails. With a great whooshing noise, the wind swept all three ships north.
“No!” the lieutenant shouted.
“Sir!” His two crewmen who had remained in the dinghy scrambled up the rope ladder to join him on deck.
“What’s happening?” his first crewman cried in the Tourinian language.
“Holy Light, save us!” the second crewman yelled.
Brigitta ran to the opposite side of the ship to peer over the railing. The water surrounding them was strangely smooth, while in the distance huge waves and screeching winds were carrying the Tourinian navy far away.
As the ships faded from view, Lieutenant Helgar continued to pound his fists on the railing and bellow with rage.
Sister Fallyn fell to her knees. “The goddesses have answered my prayers!”
“Don’t be a fool!” Lieutenant Helgar hissed at her. “Your silly female gods could never—”
“Don’t ye dare insult our beliefs!” Mother Ginessa yelled.
Captain Shaw gave the lieutenant a stern look. “You will treat my guests with respect, sir. You and your men are now my guests, too.”
The lieutenant stiffened. “You’re taking us prisoner?”
Captain Shaw snorted. “Our countries are not at war. You will be treated well. But for now, we have another concern.” He motioned toward the fleet of pirate ships. “They will be surrounding us soon.”
Brigitta followed Captain Shaw back onto the quarterdeck. The pirate ships were steadily approaching. Somehow, the wind behind them was much milder than the one that had pushed the Tourinian navy away. “Why is the wind behaving so strangely?”
“Why, indeed?” The captain narrowed his eyes as he studied the pirate flagship in the lead. “I’ve heard rumors about him over the years, but I always assumed it was nonsense.”
“It is true,” the lieutenant grumbled as he joined them on the quarterdeck. “He’s a bloody monster who can control the wind.”
“What?” Brigitta blinked. How could anyone control the wind? As the nine ships closed in, she could see the black crossbones on their sails. A shiver ran down her spine. Had they escaped one dilemma to only land in a worse one?
“Who is this pirate?” Mother Ginessa asked.
Lieutenant Helgar’s mouth twisted. “Rupert.”
Brigitta and her companions gasped. Even on the Isle of Moon, they had heard of the notorious pirate Rupert.
“He’s Embraced, so he has the evil powers of a sorcerer,” Lieutenant Helgar spat out. “He should have been murdered as a child.”
Brigitta exchanged a wary look with her sisters.
“So he can actually harness the wind,” Captain Shaw murmured. “I never would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
“Let the monster try to board this ship,” Lieutenant Helgar growled. “I’ll rip him to shreds.”
Captain Shaw looked askance at the Tourinian. “This is my ship, Lieutenant. I’ll make the deci—”
“He did this to me!” Lieutenant Helgar lifted his hands, curling them into fists.
“He set yer face on fire?” Sorcha asked.
The lieutenant turned, aiming a fist at her, but when Brody growled at him, he lowered his hand and took a deep breath. “It was five years ago. The bloody sorcerer had only four ships then, and we went after him with a fleet of twelve. Sneaked up on him in the fog, but when he noticed us, he blew the fog away. Just as we were preparing to fire our cannons, the bastard turned our ships on each other. Our entire fleet, blasted with our own guns! The ship I was on burst into flames. I survived…” He heaved a sigh. “Like this.”
Brigitta winced. The lieutenant’s story was definitely tragic, but she had a hard time feeling very sympathetic when he’d almost hit her sister. She glanced back at the pirate ships. They were spreading out as if they planned to surround the Eberoni ship. What on Aerthlan did they want?
An arrow whizzed over their heads and struck the mainsail mast with a thunk.
“There’s a message attached.” Captain Shaw motioned to one of his crewmen to retrieve the message.
“How did they manage to shoot an arrow so far?” Gwennore asked.
“Rupert must have done it,” Lieutenant Helgar grumbled. “He put a strong wind behind it.”
The crewman dashed onto the quarterdeck to hand the message to Captain Shaw.
He unfolded the paper. “It says, ‘You will deliver Princess Brigitta to our flagship or suffer the consequences.’”
Brigitta’s heart lurched in her chest.
Mother Ginessa grabbed her arm. “How do they know she’s the princess? I never told anyone.”
“The Wind Sorcerer must have discovered it by using his evil powers,” the lieutenant muttered.
“Rupert?” Brigitta asked. “Why would he want me?”
“No doubt he means to force King Gunther into paying a ransom,” Lieutenant Helgar replied as he glared at the lead pirate ship. “The bloody monster.”
“We cannot let her go.” Mother Ginessa held on to Brigitta. “She couldn’t possibly be safe there!”
Captain Shaw gave the pirate flagship a wary look. “If they seek a ransom, they would have to keep her safe.”
Mother Ginessa gasped. “Ye mean to hand her over?”
“I don’t believe we have any choice.” With a grimace, Captain Shaw crumbled the message in his fist. “They have nine ships. We cannot evade them or outrun them, especially with this Rupert fellow controlling the wind.”
With a sinking heart, Brigitta watched as the nine ships formed a circle around them. “What are the consequences if I don’t go?”
A horn blasted from the pirate flagship, then crewmen on each pirate ship lined up with arrows aimed at the Eberoni vessel. One by one, the arrows were quickly lit.
“Damn,” the lieutenant muttered.
Brigitta spun about. Good goddesses! They were completely surrounded by flaming arrows. One word from the horrid Rupert, and the arrows would set their ship on fire. Her sisters would either burn to death or drown.
Tears stung her eyes. “I have to go.”
“Nay!” Maeve grabbed her.
“I have to go now!” Brigitta pulled away from Maeve and Mother Ginessa and ran down the steps to the main deck. In a panic, she turned toward the captain, who had followed her. “How? How do I leave?”
“The dinghy is still tied off to port.” Captain Shaw motioned for two crewmen to come forward. “My men will row you to the flagship.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. “No, thank you. Your bravery is saving everyone on board this vessel. But please be assure
d that Rupert will not dare harm you, not when you can earn him a hefty ransom. As soon as we reach Ebton, I will inform King Leofric so we can mount a rescue.”
Brigitta nodded. “Thank you.”
While the two crewmen climbed down to the dinghy, Brigitta’s sisters rushed forward to hug her.
“Fear not, child.” Mother Ginessa touched her cheek. “I will come with you.”
Brigitta shook her head. “Nay, ye mustn’t. Luciana needs ye more than I. Ye’re the best midwife around.”
Mother Ginessa frowned. “I dare not send ye to those ruffians without a chaperone.”
“I’ll go with herself,” Sorcha declared.
“And I,” Gwennore added.
“Nay!” Brigitta cried. Here she was trying to keep her sisters safe, and they wanted to endanger themselves?
Mother Ginessa scoffed at the two girls. “Absolutely not! How can ye chaperone yer sister when ye’re a year younger than she is?”
“Oh, heavenly goddesses,” Sister Fallyn wailed. “What will become of our poor Brigitta?”
Mother Ginessa turned toward the other nun with a speculative look. “You.”
“Aye.” Sister Fallyn nodded as she made the sign of the moons. “I will pray for another miracle.”
“Nay,” Mother Ginessa replied. “Ye’ll go with Brigitta.”
“What?” Sister Fallyn squeaked.
Mother Ginessa grabbed the nun by the shoulders. “Ye must keep Brigitta safe. I’m counting on you.”
“Holy goddesses!” Sister Fallyn turned pale.
Brigitta winced. How could she ask anyone to share this ordeal? “Perhaps we shouldn’t—”
“Nay, she will go with you.” Mother Ginessa gave the nun a stern look. “Ye can do this, Sister. Ye must be strong for Brigitta’s sake.”
Sister Fallyn nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “Aye, I will not disappoint you.” She hurried to Brigitta’s side and latched on to her arm. “Fear not, child. I will not let any harm come to yerself.”
Brigitta smiled through her own tears, for she could tell the nun was as terrified as she was. “Don’t worry,” she told her sisters, who all had tears streaming down their cheeks. “I’ll see ye again. I promise.”
So I Married a Sorcerer Page 3
