The other sailors had formed a loose chain and were currently transferring the wealth of the pinnace, ironically named Royal Ransom, to Viceroy's hold. A commotion from the hatchway grabbed his attention, and he looked in that direction.
Manuel and a few of the other pirates were leading people up from belowdecks.
A tall older man with sandy blonde hair wrenched his arm out of Manuel's grasp and walked with considerable dignity to where Esteban stood. Behind him, an older woman, whom Esteban assumed was his wife, followed and hurried to his side, clutching his arm like grim death.
Next came two women. Well-dressed, young and pretty, they were obviously sisters and both terrified. They huddled against the woman, who the husband had successfully pried off of his arm, and she gathered them in.
Lastly, the sailors dragged forth a young man, struggling and fighting. He was no older than twenty, tall, handsome and arrogant.
The pirates laughed as he stumbled and fell forward onto his face at Esteban's feet.
Immediately he scrambled up, turned and glared at those laughing. “You filthy Silanian pigs!” he nearly screamed. “How dare you! Do you know who we are?"
He made a step forward and Esteban took him by the collar dragging him back. It was for his own safety, although Esteban did it with none too little regret.
"Easy, young master,” Esteban said. “Do not do something you or your family will regret.” He tugged the boy by the scruff of the neck until he backed up a few more steps.
"Let go of me!” The young man twisted himself free of Esteban's grasp, turning on him. “Free us at once and I will see you do not suffer when you are executed."
"Oh, you will?” Esteban replied mildly, stifling a grin.
"You had no right to attack us,” the boy blustered. “You'll all hang for this!"
The men made a loose chorus of outrage at his comment and they moved uneasily toward him.
Seeing a bad situation about to become markedly worse, Esteban turned the boy to face him once more. “Boy, I suggest you close your mouth, for your own safety."
"You can't tell me what to do, you bastard,” the boy spat.
"Varnet, for God's sake, shut up!” The older man spoke now. “Do not say another word. I mean that."
The young man, Varnet, looked at the older man, open-mouthed. “Father?” The older man glared at him and he made a frustrated sound before he snapped it shut.
Esteban turned to the man. “Wise advice, sir."
Varnet, unable to tolerate any more insult, flung himself upon Esteban. He caught one good strike upon the pirate's jaw making him take a step backward, numbed slightly from the blow.
Angered more from the boy's arrogant stance and refusal to comply than he was from being hit, Esteban quickly regained his composure. He took the boy by the shirt and punched him hard, knocking him to the deck, then placed a booted foot upon his neck.
"That was unwise."
Esteban drew his second pistol and aimed it at the boy's head. “Apparently you need a lesson in manners,” he said. “Now get up.” He removed his foot from Varnet's neck and the boy scrambled to his feet, drawing up when he saw the pistol pointed at him. “Rather than simply obeying my orders and joining your family in relative comfort, you've chosen to be defiant. This is how we deal with defiance: You will be flogged and sent to my brig with the sailors from this ship."
The women made a collective wail of sorrow and the older man stood stock still, jaws clenched tightly. Esteban guessed he wanted to strike the boy himself. The two men locked eyes for a moment.
"Captain,” he said at last. “I beg you be merciful. He is only a foolish boy."
Esteban looked at him gravely then nodded slightly. In truth, the thought of flogging the young man made Esteban more than slightly ill, but he knew that since Varnet had dared to strike him, his reaction must be swift and severe, else he risk losing the respect and obedience of his own crew.
The sailors in the meantime had hauled Varnet across the deck and tied his arms around the stump of the mast. They stripped away his fine shirt and bared his back. Manuel leaped across the gap to Viceroy and returned with a cat o’ nine tails, which he then handed to Esteban.
The pirate shook the cat and slapped it against his leg, then flexed his jaw where Varnet had struck him. “I think ten strokes will do."
"Go to hell!” Varnet yelled back over his shoulder.
"Captain, I beg you, please. I'll take his place.” It was the older gentleman.
Esteban blew out an exasperated breath, grateful that the man had stepped in. He truly did not want to hurt anyone, but couldn't risk appearing soft either.
"Cut him down and bring him here.” He gestured toward Varnet. When the men dragged him before Esteban, he lifted his chin defiantly. His long hair obscured his eyes. “You would let your father stand in your stead?” he asked quietly.
Varnet had enough sense to look down, but didn't answer.
"You have no honor.” Esteban turned to the older man. “You, sir, do have honor. Your son will not be flogged, but he will spend his time in my brig."
"Manuel,” Esteban said and the first mate turned. “Strip this tub, then scuttle her."
"Aye, sir."
Esteban approached the older man. “You will come aboard my ship and I will see you after I tend my own."
Without awaiting a reply, Esteban leaped the span between the two ships and made his way below. He knew one of his men would lead the Andalosian below to him soon enough.
He hastened to his quarters and found the door open. Aria was seated upon the floor with Katherine's head in her lap, holding a cloth to her head. The young sailor whom he'd sent below to check on her lay dead upon the floor, a huge chunk of wood from the gaping hole in the wall protruded through his chest.
"God!” he said, shocked at the sight. “Katherine?” Esteban threw himself upon the floor before the women.
"Esteban ... I'm fine,” Kate said quietly, her eyes fluttering open briefly, and then sliding shut once more. “I whacked my head on the ... thing."
He looked up at Aria.
"Your desk,” she replied. “She has been this way since she fell. I'm afraid to let her sleep. There was nothing I could do for him.” She gestured toward the dead sailor.
He could see the sorrow and fear for her friend in her eyes.
"I will take her, go and find the surgeon."
Aria stood and moved out the door after a quick look back at Kate.
Esteban lifted Kate from the floor and carried her to his bedroom. He placed her on the bed and sat beside her. Looking up and to his left, he could see another gaping hole in the wall and shook his head.
"Oh look, a sunroof...” Kate murmured.
"Don't try to speak,” he replied.
"I'm fine; I just have a terrible headache."
Esteban knew she would be all right; he could hear the note of irritation creeping into her voice now. Kate struggled to a sitting position and he helped her.
"Where is Aria?"
"She went for the surgeon.” He stood to get her some water, but the decanter had fallen and smashed upon the floor.
Kate was quiet for a moment; she could hear the others aboard who'd been injured. “I don't need the surgeon.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed, gaining her feet unsteadily. “I've got to go and help.” She took a step and leaned hard into Esteban who'd moved back to her.
"No, you must lie down and rest until the surgeon sees you."
"I'm fine,” she said firmly. “Please let me help?"
With a sigh of resignation, he nodded and she moved away from him, pausing to regain her balance against the doorframe before moving into the corridor where she met Aria along with the ship's surgeon, who looked at the bump on Kate's head. He glanced at Esteban and nodded then together all three moved off to aid the injured.
Esteban summoned two of his men to remove the dead man from his wardroom, watching silently as they carried him out. He mad
e a mental note of the repairs needed, and shook his head. Most of the damage had been to this area of the ship. It was a miracle that Kate and Aria hadn't been killed.
Esteban bent and picked up his chair, which had been knocked over, then set to righting things in his wardroom.
A few moments later, there was a knock upon his open door and he looked up to see Manuel escorting the nobleman from the Royal Ransom.
"Sit down,” Esteban ordered and the man sat in one of the leather chairs across from the pirate.
"Thank you for your mercy to my son."
Esteban waved it off. “Who are you?"
"My name is Lord Solomon Richter. I was en route with my family to Carador. I am the new regional governor."
"You are an Andalosian. How are you the regional governor of Carador?” Esteban asked with more than a little interest. “Carador is a Silanian protectorate, not Andalosian."
"Andalos has annexed Carador, Silania no longer has any say. The port of Diamánde holds great value for Andalos,” he replied coolly.
"I see,” Esteban commented.
"What do you intend to do with us?” Lord Solomon asked.
"Ransom,” Esteban replied, watching the Andalosian.
"I guessed that ... and my son?"
"He'll be allowed to join you after a few nights in the hold. Perhaps he will be a bit wiser for the wear?” Esteban suggested.
"Somehow I doubt that. He is an insufferable little bastard.” Lord Solomon sighed. “I nearly asked you to let me beat him myself."
Esteban laughed in spite of himself.
Lord Richter and his family remained as Esteban's guests for three weeks. He had cautioned Kate to remain out of their sight. It would not do for anyone to know he kept his woman aboard his ship. Should anyone find out she was here, they might be tempted to use her as a weapon against him. Kate was so stunning and memorable, he knew anyone who saw her would not easily forget her appearance.
Esteban had requested letters be written in order to procure the ransom, and Lord Richter had complied. The two men had formed a strange sort of friendship, strengthened by the pirate's assurances that none of Lord Richter's family would be harmed if he complied. Esteban liked the man, despite his office. He was intelligent and knowledgeable regarding the Andalosian government. He'd learned that Andalos had taken Carador in order to profit from her ports, and also to build a ship building hub. Carador's unique placement between the northern and southern seas was seen as a gateway to trade, and also an excellent point for launching warships.
The letters had been dispatched by mounted messenger from the first port they had encountered. When the ransom of seventy thousand peks was delivered via return messenger from Andalos, Esteban had Manuel release each of the members of the family one at a time, upon several small but connected atolls.
Upon returning to the Viceroy, Manuel delivered a message to Esteban. The Lyrosian galleon Sea Dancer and her commander, Admiral Fargut, was due to dock in the port of Dolcit in the next few days. There they would take on water and supplies and any sailors interested in becoming members of their crew. That meant anyone who was unlucky enough to be kidnapped and pressed into service and Esteban warned his men to remain aboard Viceroy.
There were still a few sailors from Lord Richter's ill-fated Royal Ransom aboard, and Esteban planned to lay the offer before them. Sign onto Sea Dancer, or travel on to the Tarkir slave markets.
Two days later, Viceroy made port in Dolcit. As expected the Lyrosian flagship was in port as well.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 7
Esteban summoned Aria to him.
She entered his wardroom and bowed low. “Yes, my lord?” she inquired.
"Aria, you will be leaving my ship today. You will go to your new master, Admiral Fargut,” Esteban stated.
He glanced at Kate who was seated beside him upon a small ottoman. She was drawing a sketch of him in profile as he spoke. She had already done several sketches of him in various poses, two nudes and one of just his face as he slept. She'd told him it was her favorite because he looked vulnerable and innocent in sleep, a striking contrast to his waking self.
On Earth, she had explained to him, she had been a graphic artist. She did layouts for advertisers in magazines. That of course had led to a lengthy conversation about advertising, and what exactly a magazine was.
Of course when she was in her world, she'd wanted to be a “real” artist, but unfortunately, art didn't pay the bills, at least not the way she wanted it to.
Esteban knew she was extremely talented, and by now he'd become accustomed to her constant sketching and drawing.
One of his favorite sketches was one she had done of him as he posed for her, sitting at his desk.
He had been leaning across the desk on his elbows holding a pen. It had started out innocently, with him explaining something to her, and had turned into them making love upon the floor of the wardroom.
Before he'd gotten up and gone to her, she had managed to capture the look of pure desire upon his face, right down to the glint in his eyes.
His other favorite was a self-portrait she'd done from the mirror. She was lying in his bed, her breasts were exposed, but the sheet covered the rest of her. He could see the seductive set of her face and the alluring gaze in her eyes looking up into the large mirror. The angle she'd drawn it from made it seem as though the viewer was standing above his bed looking down upon her. She had done it early, after he'd arisen, and she still had the look of sleep upon her face. To him, she looked tumbled and satisfied, and it moved him deeply.
He kept that sketch in his desk drawer, and would look at it from time to time, enjoying the way it made him feel.
"It is very important to me that the admiral be pleased, Aria.” He continued and she nodded gravely. “Do you have any questions?"
"What is he like?” she asked quietly.
Kate heard the fear in her voice and looked up from her sketch, watching Esteban now to see what he would say.
"Admiral Fargut is older than me, he is perhaps forty years. He is a stern commander and an excellent seaman, but I am told he is kind to his servants. He was married for almost twenty years to a Silanian woman, and I'm told he prefers dark beauties like yourself.” He grinned and Aria smiled at his compliment. “He is widowed now, and lonely. I know if you endear yourself to him, he will treat you well."
Aria nodded. “Thank you,” she said in a quiet voice.
"You may go and prepare yourself."
Aria turned to leave but not before glancing at Kate, who gave her an encouraging smile.
"Are you seriously giving her to a man for his sexual pleasure so that you can be in good standing with him?” she asked Esteban when they were alone.
He had turned back to a stack of papers upon his desk, and glanced up sharply. “Well, yes."
"And you don't find anything wrong with that?” she asked a bit more incredulously.
"No. Should I?"
"Never mind.” She exhaled loudly and closed her portfolio. If he didn't see it then she wasn't going to point it out to him. The contrasts in this world often stopped her in her tracks. Just when she thought she was becoming accustomed to life here, something would happen that would make her realize just exactly how far from home she really was.
"Katherine?” he said as she stood.
"Mmm?” She looked at him briefly then turned back to putting away her pens and charcoals.
"Tell me,” he said quietly.
"I ... We come from different worlds, Esteban,” she said, shaking her head. “Women aren't considered currency or chattel in my world."
He sat back in his chair and crossed his hands over his flat belly, steepling his fingers as he considered his thoughts before speaking. “So, you are telling me that in your world, women never use sex to gain power or position?” He raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Well...” she began.
"So, they do?” He grinned.
&n
bsp; "Yes, but it's their choice. We don't enslave each other."
"Then it is the idea of slavery which makes your stomach turn?"
"Yes. It's wrong to own another human being,” she said with conviction.
"It is customary in almost every land on this continent to own slaves."
"Custom doesn't mean morally correct."
"Morally, hmm...” he said. “You are a moral lady, my Kate?” He called her by her shortened name when he was being playful.
"Well, yes."
"Yet, you let a man, who is not your husband, make love to you nightly, without benefit of marriage.” His blue eyes flashed mischievously. “You risk the scourge of bastardy for any child that might come from those encounters. Does that not offend your morals? Perhaps I should I marry you?"
At his words, her face paled and she looked down at her hands. “That isn't a problem,” she said quietly.
"Why?” He softened his tone.
"Because I can't have children, so there's no risk.” She forced her reply to be light, then cleared her throat. “Excuse me.” She stood up and moved to their bedchamber.
Shocked at her words he sat for a moment, and then got up to follow her.
"You cannot have children?"
"Yes. I'm sorry if that bothers you. If you were looking for the mother of your sons, then you've got the wrong girl.” She looked up at him. Her eyes were bright and wet and a shaky smile crossed her face.
"Why can't you have children?” He took her arm gently and led her to sit upon the bed.
"When I was young, I was sick. I had ... I had parts ... female parts that needed to be removed in order to become healthy again.” She didn't think he would understand what ovaries and fallopian tubes were, and that she'd had one removed.
He looked at her closely. “I'm sorry. I did not wish to hurt you,” he said quietly.
"No harm done, Esteban, unless of course you were thinking of marrying me and fathering a dynasty.” She smiled.
"No, not a dynasty.” He grinned. “I do still wish to marry you."
"What? Why? I just told you I can't have babies, so it doesn't matter that we're not married."
He turned her to face him. “I am not interested in you because of your ability to breed. In all honesty, Katherine, this is not the ideal environment to raise a family, wouldn't you agree? But, I must make an honest woman of you, to satisfy your ... morals."
Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] Page 9
