by Shawn Sodman
“I do,” replies Lyra. “But first, I want to get out of this dress.”
Back at the docks, Fidelma is aboard the Sea Griffin, preparing to depart. She and Samantha are the only two on the upper deck at the moment. Fernando walks up the plank and boards the ship.
“Buenas noches, Fidelma,” he says as he steps onto the deck of the ship.
Fidelma looks up from a map she is reading. “You really aren't good at taking hints, are you?”
Fernando smiles. “I understand subtleties, Captain, but tend to look beyond what a person is saying and focus on what they really want.” He approaches her and adds, “You can say you are not interested in me, but you and I both know that, deep down, you are curious.”
Still feeling infuriated by her argument with Ariella, Fidelma says angrily, “I really don't have time for this.”
“Are you going somewhere?” he asks.
“Yes, we’re heading out before the orcnea's storm overtakes the city again and my ship is torn apart.”
“Where are you heading?”
“What difference does it make to you?”
“I am sorry, Fidelma, I did not mean to make you upset. Is everything all right?”
“No!” Fidelma snaps. “Everything is not all right. These last few weeks have been terrible. Your bounty has turned out to be a complete waste of my time and I may lose my ship because of it. I am sorry I ever heard your name.”
Fernando nods. “I am sorry you feel that way. If there is anything I can do to help...”
“There isn't,” she replies coldly. “Sam, please escort Mr. Greythorn off my ship.”
Samantha smiles. “It will be my pleasure, Captain.” She begins to approach Fernando in a menacing fashion.
Fernando puts his hands in the air. “There is no need for violence. I will go peacefully.”
“But I want you to resist,” Samantha says, ready to fight.
“I am sure you do,” Fernando says he backs up to the edge of the ship. He steps onto the plank and says, “Samantha, beneath all that anger, I know you just want to be with me, as well.”
Samantha lunges at Fernando and tries to grab him, only to miss as he leaps from the plank onto the docks below. He looks up at the antagonized blonde and says, “If I do not see you again, I will miss you both.”
Fidelma stands at Samantha’s side as Fernando walks away. “Sam, I have a very important job for you. Unfortunately, you aren't going to like it.”
Chapter 48
Drowning Sorrows
Later that evening in the King's Shield Inn, Lyra and Yentroc are searching for Sven. The room is crowded, making it difficult to find anyone in particular. They are making their way through the men and women when they come across Chance. Lyra nearly runs right into him. Without realizing who she almost collided with, she instinctively looks up and says, “Excuse me.”
“Lyra,” Chance replies. “I am glad to see you. I have been meaning to talk with you.”
Unsure if Chance is still upset with her, Lyra nervously says, “I’m sorry about the other day. I shouldn’t have interfered.”
Chance shakes his head. “There is no need to apologize. I know you didn't understand what was happening between myself and Va'leen, and I know you were just trying to help a friend. I, however, overreacted, and owe you an apology.”
“No, you don't,” replies Lyra. “But I do appreciate it, nonetheless.”
Chance smiles and says, “You ladies have a nice evening.”
“Wait,” Lyra says before Chance can turn to leave. “Have you seen Sven?”
“No,” he answers. “I have not. He has a room here now. Perhaps he is there.”
Yentroc says, “We just came from there. No one answered the door.”
“If I see him, I'll let him know you are looking for him,” Chance says. “Goodnight.”
Chance merges with the crowd as he leaves. Lyra says, “I will talk with him in the morning.”
“We can wait for him here,” Yentroc replies as she flashes a smile towards a man looking in their direction. “I don't mind.”
“No,” says Lyra. “We have no idea when, or if, he will return. We should go back to camp.”
“All right,” Yentroc says, disappointed. “If that’s what you want.”
Across town, in the more secluded tavern of the Rusty Dagger, Sven is sitting at a table alone when a familiar man sits next to him. Fernando says to Sven, “If there is one thing I know, it is the look of a man with a broken heart. I take it that things did not go well between you and your rose.”
Sven looks at Fernando and replies, “While the rose did smell sweet, it was not meant for Sven.”
“Well then,” Fernando says as he motions to a serving wench, “I would suggest that you continue on your path and do not dwell on it any further.”
“That is easy to say,” Sven replies as the serving wench approaches. “It is much more difficult to do.”
“Yes, it is,” Fernando says. He turns to the woman who has come to take his order and says, “I'll take an ale.”
She nods and as she makes her way to the back to fetch Fernando his drink, Samantha enters the poorly-kept tavern. Fernando eyes her and smiles. He pats Sven on the shoulder and says, “I am sorry, my friend, but I must leave you now. I have a flower of my own to experience.”
Sven's only acknowledgment is a nod as Fernando stands up and walks over to Samantha, who stands by the door waiting. She says to Fernando, “I thought I might find you here.”
Fernando smiles and replies, “And here I was about to give up on you. I thought you were leaving.”
“We’re leaving in the morning,” Samantha replies. With a mischievous grin, she continues, “I didn't want to leave without giving you a proper goodbye.”
“So, you don't hate me after all,” says Fernando.
Samantha sighs. “I hate to admit this, but I am a bit curious about you. I’m sorry for the way I treated you before. Why don't we go back to the ship so I can make it up to you?”
The serving wench brings Fernando his ale. He takes it and hands the woman a silver coin. He says to her, “The rest is for you.”
“Thank you, sir,” the wench says with a smile.
Fernando hurriedly drinks the entire mug of ale as Samantha watches. He sets the mug down on a nearby table and says to Samantha, “Let's not waste any more time.”
Samantha and Fernando exit the Rusty Dagger as Va'leen enters. She looks around the room until she spots Sven. She starts to make her way over, but when she is about halfway through the tavern, a man intercepts her.
With slurred speech he says, “Hey there, pretty lady.”
Va'leen looks past the man at Sven before saying to the drunken man, “Excuse me.”
She tries to walk past him, but he continues to block her path. He says, “Come on, girl, let me buy you a drink.” He then calls out to the serving wench, “Bring me an ale for my pretty friend!” He puts his arm around the raven-haired Amazon.
Clenching her fist, Va'leen prepares to strike the drunk when he is pulled away by Sven. “Is this man bothering you?” Sven asks as he holds the man by the neck.
Va'leen smiles, and while acting shy, she says with a soft voice, “Yes, sir, he is.”
The drunk man looks up at Sven, terrified. Sven says to him, “Leave now.”
The man nods as Sven gives him a light push towards the door. Va'leen stands next to Sven and takes his arm. The drunk man nervously makes his exit as Va'leen, says meekly, “Thank you, sir. I fear what he might have done if you hadn’t helped me.”
Sven, doubtful of Va'leen's apparent lack of confidence, replies, “Sven thinks you would have been fine, if you are truly Amazon of Silver Moon.”
Va'leen, realizing that Sven is not fooled by her act, says in her usual voice, “You’re right, but still, I should at least buy you a drink to show you my appreciation.”
Sven walks back over to his table and sits down again. “Thank you for offer, bu
t Sven will not be drinking tonight. It would only make matters worse.”
Va'leen sits next to him. “How would it make matters worse?”
Sven replies, “When Sven drinks alcohol, it makes him do things that he regrets.”
“I see,” she replies. She motions for the serving wench and says, “In that case, how about I get you something else to drink?”
The serving wench asks Va'leen, “What can I get for you, ma'am?”
Va'leen replies, “Do you happen to have black grape juice?”
“Yes, ma'am, we do.”
“Excellent,” says Va'leen, “My friend here will have a black grape juice, and I'll take a glass of black wine. Also—if you have any—I would like a few black grapes in a bowl, please.”
Though she is puzzled by the unusual request, the serving wench says, “Of course, ma'am. I'll be right back.”
The wench goes to retrieve the requested items when Sven says to Va'leen, “You must really enjoy black grapes.”
“I do,” she replies. “So tell me, what has you so troubled?”
Sven, unsure if he should discuss his problems with a stranger, lies, “It is nothing.”
“Oh, come now,” Va'leen says as she strokes his arm. “Don't take me for a fool. It’s clear that something awful has happened to you. I’m good listener, if you want to talk about it.”
Before Sven can reply, the serving wench returns with two mugs and a bowl of dark grapes. She places the bowl on the table and says, “We only have mugs for the wine, ma'am.” She sets one of the mugs before Va'leen and the other before Sven.
Va'leen says to her, “Thank you. That will be all.” As the wench leaves, Va'leen turns her attention back to Sven. “So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or do I have to guess?”
Va'leen sips her wine. Sven shakes his head and answers, “It is woman problem.”
She laughs and says, “Surely a man as handsome as you doesn't have a problem with women.”
“Just one,” Sven replies. “She is Amazon, like you.”
“Who is it?” Va'leen asks, as if she doesn't already know the answer.
Sven takes a drink of the juice in his mug. He sets it back down and says, “Her name is Lyra.”
Va'leen, speaking as if she and Lyra are good friends says, “Yes, I know her. She is so sweet. You know, Lyra is going to be an exceptional sorceress someday. That is, of course, if she doesn't get too distracted from her studies.”
Sven replies, “Yes, Lyra is very smart.”
“She broke your heart, didn't she?” Va'leen asks.
“Yes,” he replies, “but it is Sven's fault. When Sven was guiding Lyra and her friends in the north, Lyra would read to him. Sven already knew how to read, but he let Lyra believe that he could not so that he could be close to her.”
“Is that all?” Va'leen laughs. “That isn't bad.”
“Lyra would not agree,” he replies.
Va'leen puts her hand on Sven's back. “I think it’s a silly thing to be upset over. After all, you just wanted to be close to her. There are worse things you could have done.”
“Sven should have been honest,” he says.
“Perhaps it’s for the best,” Va'leen says. “After all, Lyra is barely a woman.”
Sven replies, “Lyra is mature.”
“She is mature for her age,” Va'leen corrects him, taking a grape from the bowl. She sits on his lap and rolls the grape around between her thumb and finger. “Lyra is like this grape. She’s fresh, ripe, and ready to be plucked from the vine and juiced.” She bites the grape in half, then tries to feed the remaining portion to Sven. He reluctantly allows her to place the other half of the dark fruit in his mouth as she continues. “It is sweet, isn't it?”
Sven nods but does not answer. Va'leen puts her arm around his neck and says, “There is something to be said about the taste of an unspoiled fruit. Women are much like grapes. We are sweet when young, but, much like the juice from grapes, women get better with age.”
Va'leen takes Sven's mug. “I have been a mature woman for longer than you have walked these lands. In that time, I have learned much about life, love, and desire. Much like a well-aged wine, I have acquired a certain bite that a man like you can appreciate.” She takes a drink of the black grape juice. “If you want to continue to drink from this mug, I won't stop you.” She places Sven's mug back on the table. “But if you wish for something a bit stronger...”
Sven eyes the two mugs. “Are you talking about wine or you?”
Va'leen grins seductively. “Both. In all my years, I have never been with a Goliath. You would be my first.”
“Sven should go,” he says as he stands up with Va'leen in his arms.
He sets her down on her feet. Looking up at him, she says, “Just look at the size of you. I can only imagine the things you could do with me. Don't tell me that a big strong man like you is afraid of someone like me.”
“No,” he answers shortly.
Sven tries to leave, but Va'leen stands in his way. She asks, “It's Lyra, isn't it?”
“Sven cannot stop thinking about her,” he replies.
Va'leen reaches out and takes his hand. “Then, please, sit and have a drink with me—a real drink—and allow me to help you take your mind off her. Lyra has already made her decision. Now it’s time for you to decide.” Va'leen reaches over to the table and picks up the two mugs. She offers them both to Sven., “So, what’s it going to be? Juice or wine?”
Sven ponders for few moments. He sits back down in his chair and says, “You know, with all of this talk of wine, Sven has grown rather thirsty.”
Va'leen smiles as she sets the mugs back on the table. Once again she sits on his lap and says, “Good, I was hoping that it might.”
Down at the docks, Samantha has taken Fernando back to her room on board the Sea Griffin. It is a small room at the very stem of the ship. Her bed is on the port side, and a small desk is on the starboard side. Fernando is sitting on her bed as Samantha returns from the galley with two glasses of wine.
“I hope you like it,” she says as she hands him a glass. “We made it ourselves.”
Fernando holds the glass below his nose and breathes in lightly to smell the wine before taking a drink. “It is very good.”
Samantha quickly drinks her wine and sets the glass down on the desk. “I find that it heightens my senses.” She stands before him and continues, “Now finish yours and we can get started.”
Fernando hurriedly finishes his wine. He stands up and places his glass on the desk as well. He puts his arms around Samantha's waist. “I am not so sure it is improving my senses.” Fernando stumbles back before sitting down once again on Samantha's bed. “In fact, I am not feeling so well.”
“Lie down,” Samantha suggests.
Fernando nods and lies back on the bed. He looks up at Samantha. “Everything is going dark.”
“Fernando?” she says as she shakes him. Fernando does not move. Instead of showing concern for her guest, however, Samantha smiles and says, “That was too easy.”
Day 20
Chapter 49
Third Dawn
In the brig of the Sea Griffin, Fernando wakes on a small bed within the confines of a familiar iron cell. Realizing that he has been tricked, he sighs. “I should not have drunk the wine.”
Sitting at the table, Faye looks up from a book. “Good morning, Mr. Greythorn. I was wondering when you would wake up.”
She stands up and opens the door. “Wait,” Fernando calls to her. Standing at the door of the cell, he asks, “Where are you going?”
“To get the captain,” Faye replies.
Fernando nods and sits back down on the bed within his tiny prison. A few moments later, Fidelma walks through the door, followed by Samantha. Fernando stands once again and says to the captain, “You know, if you really wanted to be with me that badly, all you needed to do was ask. There is no need to take me captive.”
Fidelma replies, “I
’m sorry it had to come to this, Fernando, but your sister, Ariella, has forced me to use extreme measures.”
“I don't understand,” says Fernando. “I thought the two of you had everything sorted.”
“We did,” Fidelma sighs. “At least, until yesterday when we ran into my former fiancé.”
“I have heard the stories that she slept with him the night before your wedding,” Fernando says.
“The stories are true,” Fidelma replies. “And last night, her past actions caused a problem between her and Chance. I found it entertaining, so Ariella got angry with me and broke our arrangement.”
“So now you are going to turn me in at Bastion and get my bounty,” concludes Fernando.
Seemingly offended, Fidelma asks, “Do I look like a monster to you?”
Fernando replies, “While I have seen some beautiful monsters, you would be the fairest.”
“Save your flattery, Mr. Greythorn,” Fidelma says. “While you are worth a lot to those brothel owners in Bastion, you helped a lot of women escape from them, and for that, I could never—in good conscience—turn you in to them.”
“So, what do you plan to do with me?” Fernando asks.
Fidelma walks around the table in the center of the brig as she explains, “I am sure that Ariella will be willing to pay a hefty price to get her brother back.”
“I see,” Fernando nods. “And if she does not?”
“Then I may have to turn you in to Bastion after all,” Fidelma replies. “Even if it goes against my 'good conscience.' But don't worry, I’m sure Ariella will be reasonable. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”
Fidelma walks out the door as Samantha begins to follow her. Fernando says to the tall blonde, “I hope we had a good time last night.”
“The best,” Samantha jests with a smile.
Fernando lies back on the bed behind the bars. “If you find yourself longing for more, you know where to find me.”
Amused by his relentless pursuit, Samantha laughs before exiting the brig.
Back in the castle of Sheathelm, Chance is eating breakfast in the main dining hall along with Isen, Princess Kianna, and Ya'leigh when Ariella enters the room. She is visibly distraught and heads straight for Chance.
