Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel]

by Camryn Cutler

  "I love you,” she said quietly and slowly he felt her relax into sated sleep. Esteban loved the feeling of her lying across him, and he stroked her arm gently. He noticed her choker was still tied about her slender throat and smiled, pulling the ribbon slowly, removing the jewel and setting it beside them on the table.

  He thought about what she had done, taking him within her mouth the way she had and he could scarcely believe she'd done it. He thought perhaps he would have to instruct her, but it was clear she needed no tutoring there. The idea made him smile; he was thrilled and incredibly ... somewhat aroused by it. What he most wanted to do now was curl up with her and fall into sleep himself, but he knew he must speak with Collin.

  When he was certain Kate slept deeply, he moved away from her and found his clothes. Abovedeck, he heard three bells and hastily dressed, pulling his boots on in the hallway outside their quarters.

  "I will return shortly, make ready to take the tide,” he said to Manuel, and then made his way to Sea Dancer once more.

  Esteban climbed to the deck and spoke directly to an ensign who nodded and then left him.

  After a few moments Collin emerged through the hatchway door grinning widely.

  "Esteban, my friend,” he said. “Never could I have imagined such a delightful bedmate. I cannot thank you enough."

  Esteban smiled at his friend, even though he was completely exhausted. “I'm glad you are pleased. Aria will suit you perfectly."

  "What can I do to repay you?” Collin asked. He bent and lit a thin cigar offering one to his friend.

  Esteban knew Collin would guess his motivation behind the gift of the slave girl. “My intention was to petition Lyros for a position for my ship and crew within His Majesty's merchant fleet."

  Collin looked at him for a long moment. “And you want me to endorse the request?"

  Esteban shrugged. “I wanted Fargut to do so. I did not wish to impose upon our friendship. Now, however, it seems I have no choice.” He looked out at the dark water and smoked, quietly considering how he wanted to approach this.

  "May I at least ask why?” Collin continued.

  "Because,” Esteban exhaled, “I already have the Andalosians and the Basaltics hunting me. I deal with them to stay safe, but none of my crew or myself like doing so. If I had the pennant of Lyros, I could stay safe within southern waters. The Minalosian, Tarks and Silanians would not dare pursue me, or at least they would honor their peace treaties and not turn me over to the highest bidder."

  Collin nodded as he spoke. “Do you wish to gain the pennant, but still continue your piracy? You know I cannot do this thing for you under those circumstances."

  Esteban faced his friend and smiled. “Collin, piracy is an ugly word. Merchant ships bring more profit than privateers, and it would benefit both myself and Lyros were I to have her protection. Naturally, as a good subject, I would be required to destroy any Basaltic or Andalosian vessels I encountered. I'm certain that King Samuel would have little worry over any salvage recovered from warships which I may sink ... if a generous portion was sent to his coffers."

  Collin grinned. “Naturally.” He tossed the stub of his cigar over the side.

  "I know the Condé du Diamánde would also be more than willing to aid Lyros in whatever endeavors she may have as well,” Esteban added meaningfully. He took Collin's hand and placed a velvet bag full of jewels in his palm. The young admiral turned his hand over and felt the weight of the bag then slid it into his pocket.

  "In that case, I shall send word of your request to my father at dawn.” Esteban nodded and Collin looked at his friend. “I can't help but wonder that the lovely Lady Katherine might have had a great deal to do with your sudden reformation?"

  "I have been thinking about it for some time,” Esteban answered honestly as he looked out at the gently rolling sea, thinking of what he'd whispered to her earlier. “But yes, she was the deciding factor."

  "Good. I'm happy for you ... Diego,” he said quietly. “Have you told her who you really are yet?"

  "Not yet. I shall when we reach Carador. For now, she loves Esteban Magalia. Santiago Cristóbal means nothing to her, and where she is from, I am positive, no one knows of El Condé du Diamánde."

  "Aria says you bought them from a Tarkir slaver?"

  Esteban nodded. “I was merely searching for a body servant for Fargut and for what reasons I cannot tell you, I bought them both. Perhaps it was fate."

  "My lord?"

  The two men turned and saw Aria standing at the hatchway door wearing a long blue robe. Collin raised his arm to her, and she rushed to his embrace.

  "Forgive me for interrupting, I did not realize Captain Esteban was here,” she said.

  "Do not trouble yourself. I was leaving,” Esteban said. He shook Collin's hand. “I thank you for everything, Admiral."

  "It was my pleasure, Captain.” Collin grinned.

  "Captain? Please give Katherine my love?” Aria asked.

  "Yes.” He bent and kissed her cheek softly. “You also have my thanks."

  She smiled and watched as Esteban made his way from the ship.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 9

  In the port city of Mantilla, Katherine waited for Quima and the other women to leave the ship. They were off to explore the shops and stalls of the merchants, as they usually did when Viceroy made port.

  Esteban had forbidden her to go with them. He maintained that it was too dangerous.

  Kate had collected a little bag with coins in it and she wanted to buy him something. She had never given him a gift for their wedding. She had no plans to sit by while the other women left, and when she was certain no one was watching, she slipped from the ship and caught up with the other women.

  She was wearing a pretty dress that came to her ankles, which had an indigo bodice with onyx buttons and a white shift beneath; the full skirt was dark gray cotton. She had braided her long blonde hair. She wasn't as comfortable as she felt when she wore breeches, but the skirts made her look feminine and pretty, and Esteban seemed to like them, so she humored him.

  In the city, she'd been amazed at the variety of goods available. She told Quima she wanted to find a nice gift for Esteban, something useful and beautiful. The older woman had been shocked that she had defied Esteban, but agreed to help her, knowing that if she was with Kate, Esteban might not be too angry.

  Together they'd explored the shops and finally Kate decided upon a desk set. It was box of ivory pens with metal nibs and a silver inkwell that sat in a swinging cradle, making it perfect aboard the ship. It came with a blotter and shaker done in filigreed silver. They were beautiful and heavy and ideal for him. She had the shopkeeper wrap the gifts while Quima went to check on the other women.

  The shopkeeper gave her the packages and she smiled her thanks, then exited the shop, looking around for the older woman. She hadn't gone more than a few steps when a blow to the back of her head dropped her to the ground, unconscious.

  When Kate came around her head throbbed sickly.

  There was a man sitting near her.

  "Esteban, what happened?” The last thing she could recall was arguing with him over something.

  "I am not Esteban. My name is Davich."

  She moved to sit up and discovered her hands were bound above her. “What the hell is going on?” she demanded.

  Davich moved closer to her. “I made a deal with Esteban,” he said. “You were given to me, and I released him and his ship. I didn't want to, but you are simply delectable. I could not resist."

  "Esteban would never do that. He loves me."

  "Oh, he does? He was quite eager to save himself from the gallows ... It didn't take him long to offer you."

  "I don't believe you,” Kate insisted.

  Davich grinned, a feral, lustful sneer that lit his scarred face. “Believe whatever you like, but you're the one who married a pirate ... The man is a lying murderer, and the next opportunity he gives me, you can
be sure I'll see to it that he swings at the end of a rope."

  He stood over her and she began to thrash, trying to free herself.

  "You've never seen him mistreat a woman before? Perhaps you simply decided you were somehow better than them, and he would never do such a thing to you?"

  "No, that's not true!” But her thoughts turned to the first night she'd been aboard his ship, when he'd spanked her. It was possible that that the only reason he hadn't done it again was because she'd complied with his orders ... what if she'd kept refusing him?

  "No? He is a killer, is it such a difficult leap to believe that he would betray you?” He reached out and caressed her face.

  "Don't touch me!"

  "You really are quite a little handful aren't you?” He leered, ignoring her struggles. He touched her breast, moving closer until his scarred face was plainly visible.

  Oh God no! Kate realized then who he was. It was the man from the slave market, the one who'd scared her so badly. Now she was in his control. “Please, don't do this..."

  "Don't? I plan to do this quite often. You belong to me now,” he said and kneeled upon the bed, taking off his jacket. “I've been told you were a hellcat in bed. Let's see what you can do."

  * * * *

  Kate reached out and picked up the heavy wine bottle by the neck. She took a deep drink and then poured the rest out onto the floor. When she heard Davich in the hallway she moved behind the door and waited. She knew she would only get one chance.

  He unlocked the door and pushed it open. “Katherine?"

  Kate had been Davich's captive for almost a month, and as the days had turned into weeks with no sign of Viceroy or Esteban coming to save her, she became more and more convinced that Davich had been telling her the truth. Unbidden she recalled the times that Davich had beaten her, taunting her by asking, “Where is your husband? Why hasn't he come to help you? Where is the man who supposedly loves you so?"

  Now was the time to make her escape. If she did not take the chance, she might never get another opportunity. She had overheard him say they were within a mile of the coast, a place called Salgren, and she recognized the name from Esteban's charts.

  Davich, as usual, had ordered supper served in his rooms and the cooks had already set up the table before he arrived.

  She'd been wracking her brain trying to think of a way to get off this damned floating prison, when her gaze rested on the wine bottle upon their dinner tray.

  Davich would kill her if she failed to knock him unconscious.

  Kate rushed from behind the door and smashed the wine bottle down as hard as she could upon his head.

  She couldn't have hoped for a better reaction.

  Davich, never expecting her to assault him, fell to his knees then flat onto his face, unconscious. In the total silence that descended after she hit him, it was all she could do not to scream in triumph.

  She dropped the shattered bottle, quickly closed the door and rummaged through his things, stealing a pair of breeches and a shirt. She then snatched a pouch filled with gold pieces from his dresser, and her gaze rested upon the bonds he had so often used upon her.

  She hogtied him with the heavy metal shackles, the ones that had pinched and cut her wrists raw, then threw the key out the porthole window. When he groaned she stuffed a gag into his mouth. She hoped he choked.

  Kate stood then spat on him and turned away. Silently, she made her way to the upper deck, and seeing no one close by, she flung herself over the side, landing with a quiet splash in the sea.

  Sputtering, she surfaced and began to swim for the shore.

  * * * *

  The town of Salgren was a bustling port filled with sailors from several different countries. She saw some she instantly recognized as Lyrosian; light-haired and fair-skinned, they spoke a language close to Andalosian.

  There were the customary Tarks, Minalosians, and Silanians as well as a few of the loud, rough and rude Andalosians who crewed Davich's ships. She'd learned quickly why the people of the southern lands disliked the Andalosians so, but the ones which both frightened and intrigued her by far were the Qasslian sailors with their strange reptilian eyes and their cool demeanors. They were inscrutable and almost Asian in their quiet dignity.

  "Speaking of dignity,” she muttered quietly. She had spent the night in a lean-to with a goat and a sheep and a few fat chickens. She had hay in her hair, and other ordure adhered to her, but she didn't care. She was away from Davich, and closer to the man who could help her get home.

  She cleaned up at a public well as much as she could, warily keeping an eye open for any of Davich's sailors who might be on shore leave, or worse, sent looking for her. She decided she needed to find something to eat, and then get out of this town as soon as possible.

  She scanned the harbor, looking for Davich's ship, praying he'd simply left, but she was not so lucky and her heart leaped into her throat when she saw not only the Eleana Aru, but also Viceroy in port.

  "Oh my God...” she whispered. “I've got to get out of here!” She looked all around herself. Panic tightening her chest, she felt as though she were surrounded. Her rational side took over then, and she stopped and closed her eyes. “What you need to do is get control of yourself this minute!” she admonished.

  She took a deep, shuddery breath, trying to calm herself. When she opened her eyes again, she looked around and saw there were several shops and open stalls where she could purchase any number of goods. As she scanned the booths, she noticed no one looking at her at all. Her stomach growled ferociously and she decided it was safe enough to eat before she left.

  She moved closer to one of the vendors selling some sort of roasted meat. It smelled delicious and the vendor, a woman with bright, black button eyes, told her it was lamb. Kate bought three pieces then added two thick slices of bread which she wrapped around the meat, making a delicious if somewhat messy sandwich. She paid the woman with one of the gold pieces and received several silver pieces in return.

  She ate and walked, trying to blend in. She paused outside of a tavern and realized at once that standing here in plain sight was a terrible idea.

  At least fifty men crowded the bar, drinking and smoking, fighting and laughing. A pair of Silanian sailors made a few dirty comments about women in breeches, wanting to act like men, then laughed and half carried her, struggling and kicking through the door and into the tavern.

  She turned, thinking to leave and saw four sailors from Eleana Aru entering. They had not yet seen her, but she couldn't risk going back that way and was forced farther inside.

  Fortunately, Kate was small enough to avoid being noticed by the men, but she nevertheless was jostled, like a salmon in a brook, to the bar where she stopped and looked about, terrified.

  Her eyes came to rest upon the man directly across from her. “Esteban!” she said in a gasp, and the man beside her looked around.

  "Esteban? Where?"

  He was seated alone at a table near the back of the room facing the door.

  When Esteban heard his name, his blue eyes cast about and landed where she stood, then grew wide when he recognized her. “Kate!” He leaped to his feet and rushed around to where she stood. Kate hesitated for a moment then ducked under the bar and ran for the back of the tavern to escape.

  Nearby, three bounty hunters who had stopped to drink had overheard Esteban's name. They drunkenly decided it would be a good idea to detain him. They were mistaken.

  Two of the men grabbed him by the back and arms. Esteban struggled against their hold, his only concern was getting to Kate. Why did she run from me?

  When the first man swung a heavy fist at his face, Esteban automatically ducked and the man swung over his head. Self-preservation warred with his urgent need to reach his wife.

  Esteban was an excellent fighter. Trained by a ship's captain when he was a young boy, he was quick, graceful and skilled at fighting in close quarters.

  Before the man had a chance to steady himse
lf for another shot, Esteban managed to bring his feet up and kick him in the chest, driving him backward then forcefully drove his forehead into the face of the man on his right.

  Around the four brawling men, the other sailors had taken notice. Some were wagering, but most were watching intently. When the man on the right let go of him to grab his broken nose, Esteban swung hard on the captor on his left, making contact, but that one didn't release him. Esteban reached to his belt and pulled his knife, planning to instead fillet the bounty hunter. This man, who was not quite as drunk as his companions, let go of Esteban and managed to leap back at the last second, sparing his intestines from being spilled upon the floor.

  He held his hands up. “I don't want any trouble,” he sputtered, backing up slightly.

  "Too late,” Esteban growled, taking a step forward, enraged at being kept from Kate. They'd made the choice to detain him, now they would pay the price.

  Behind him the first man had gotten to his feet and jerked Esteban around by the shoulder. This time his huge fist made contact and knocked Esteban to his knees. His knife skittered across the floor into the crowd.

  His nose bloodied and his vision blurred somewhat, he didn't see the third man close in near enough to kick him in the ribs.

  He groaned and rolled to his right, trying to avoid being stepped on. They dragged him to his feet but failed to notice the old sailor who silently slid his own dagger into Esteban's hand. Esteban gripped the heavy weapon and brought it around in a clear arc slicing deeply into the belly of the man who'd punched him.

  Gutted like a fish, the bounty man fell to his knees with a shocked grunt. Blood gushed from his severed organs, around his hands and down his front. The second man, his brother, dropped beside him and tried vainly to hold everything in, but it was futile. The third man, now feeling entirely sober, turned and struck Esteban in the face again, furious over the loss of his friend.

  Esteban fell back onto a long trestle table, and then rolled to the floor. The man overturned the table and kicked Esteban in his already bruised ribs, then grabbed a handful of his hair. Esteban bent his head and reached up. He threw the man over his shoulder, quickly regaining his feet and driving his boot into the man's throat, crushed his larynx. While he gasped his last breath Esteban moved back quickly to regroup, mentally calculating how long it had been since Kate fled and whether he'd be able to find her. The second bounty man, crying and swearing, dropped his brother's body and stood, searching for the pirate.