Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel]

by Camryn Cutler

  "I think we both know that isn't going to happen."

  Davich stepped closer to the bars. “Would you like to hear how it was with your woman? She screamed, Magalia, and it only made me want to fuck her more."

  This time, despite the Andalosian's taunts, Esteban managed to choke back his rage before it boiled to the surface. He could see the light of insanity in Davich's eyes and knew the man was going to shoot him no matter what. Still he thought he might have a slim chance if he could just get him to come a bit closer.

  He hung his head as though defeated, then looked up. “You'll release me if I say it?” His words were quiet, hesitant.

  "Say it."

  Esteban nodded and Davich tucked his pistol into the waist of his breeches once more. He stepped to the bars in order to hear more clearly.

  "Please...” Esteban began.

  Eagerly Davich anticipated the words the pirate was about to utter. He planned to kill him anyway, but forcing him to beg would complete his humiliation.

  "Please...” Esteban began again, then swiftly reached through the bars of the cell, dragging Davich forward, slamming his face into the bars and breaking his nose. “Please die, slowly and painfully,” Esteban growled the words through clenched teeth.

  Davich, taken entirely by surprise, gasped and struggled as blood flew from his nose and teeth. Esteban reached up and grasped the chain still attached to his left wrist, sliding it up until it was around Davich's neck, then used both hands to tighten it.

  Davich flailed madly and managed to turn himself around until his back was to the pirate whose grip was relentless.

  Davich was weakening. Esteban could feel him beginning to slouch against the bars, and God help him, but he was enjoying strangling this monster.

  With the last of his dwindling strength, Davich raised his pistol and pointed it at himself. He cocked the hammer and squeezed the trigger. The discharge was thunderous in the small room and seemed to silence everything else. Davich heard Esteban inhale sharply, and ever so slightly loosen his grip, then increase with more pressure than before.

  The shot had gone directly through Davich and into Esteban's abdomen.

  The ball ripped into his body and he felt the searing burn which followed. He gasped in pain, then violently yanked the chain tighter, more determined than ever in his task.

  "I'll see you in Hell, Davich."

  Before the bullet wound could take away Esteban's pleasure, Davich Romanov died at his hands. The pistol slid from his hand into the water, and his body crumpled slowly to the floor alongside it. Esteban released the chain and backed away, clutching his abdomen. He looked down at his bloodstained shirt and groaned.

  He was going to die, but at least Davich was dead as well—Consuelo and Kate were avenged.

  Esteban bumped into the barrel behind him and sat heavily upon the floor. The water was now at least two feet deep and covered him past his waist. He felt the sting of the saltwater in his wound and sucked in a pained breath, then laughed ruefully. Apparently his death would not be quick and painless after all.

  * * * *

  The battle was in its full fury when Kate and Doctor Hill left the surgery to begin aiding the wounded. As they hurried through the corridor, Doctor Hill asked her, “Are you familiar with the word triage?"

  "Vaguely,” Kate breathed as she hurried to keep up.

  "When we triage, we put the patients in order by the severity of their wounds.” Kate nodded. “Most severe get a red ribbon, head wounds, severed limbs and such. I'll see to them first. Non-life-threatening but serious, deep cuts, burns, blast shocked, get a yellow ribbon. Flesh wounds or anything else gets green. Black ribbons are for the mortally wounded or dead. The chaplain will see to them."

  He thrust a handful of colored ribbons into Kate's palm, and then climbed the stairs to the upper deck.

  Kate examined the ribbons, then swallowed the lump of dread in her throat and followed.

  When the two ships came together, several of the Andalosians leapt the gap and began the attack. The ferocity of the battle shocked Kate, who up until this time had only seen minor skirmishes which made her think of the pirate movies she'd seen.

  The wounds were ghastly and tragic. Severed fingers and limbs, deep saber strokes to neck, face and chest, burns and blasted away appendages.

  Valiantly, she kept her composure, aiding those she could, and briefly mourning every dead sailor she encountered. She was thankful for even the little bit of first aid training she had.

  It took several more violent exchanges between the two ships before the Lyrosians were victorious.

  Kate had no idea how many men she'd aided or how long the battle had raged, but she knew for certain she'd tied eleven black ribbons.

  She sat upon the blood-soaked deck, cradling a young sailor's head in her lap. She raised a shaky hand and lowered his lids to cover the vacant blue stare, then dropped her head and wept. Slowly she reached for yet another black ribbon tying it around his wrist, then gently laid his hand upon his chest.

  First Mate Sanders was number twelve.

  She looked up and saw Collin Masters leap the gap between the two ships, landing nimbly upon the deck of Eleana Aru, and as gently as possible she lowered Sanders to the deck, and followed. She took a running start and leapt to the other ship herself, stumbling briefly, and coming to a halt near where Collin stood.

  The admiral started briefly. “Dammit, woman, do you ever listen?” he demanded. He was cut across his uniform coat, a thin bloody line traveled up his handsome face from his neck to his temple, and several more were visible upon his arms. His hands were bloody and cut, and more blood crusted his white cuffs.

  Kate could definitely see his hard side now and wondered briefly why she'd ever thought him foppish. “Not when it comes to my husband,” she replied. “Please help me find him."

  Collin sighed and shook his head. “That was my intention, you know."

  "Then the two of us should find him in no time."

  He smiled in spite of his exasperation with her. He'd seen her several times during the long battle and admired her courage. She was dirty, tired and bloodstained, and yet she'd never broken down, never shied from aiding those who needed it. Collin knew now what it was that Esteban loved about her.

  "Well, come along then.” He helped her over the fallen rigging and several dead Andalosian sailors. “Let's find him before this bitch sinks to the bottom."

  Together they searched the top decks. Kate's dread mounted by the minute and she was convinced they would find him among the dead.

  "I think he must be belowdeck,” Collin said finally. “You go to the hold, I'll check the cabins, then meet you below.” He left her at the entrance to the hold. “And for God's sake, be careful."

  She descended the steps and waded through thigh-deep water, calling to Esteban and shoving aside floating debris. When she made it to the door at the end of the corridor, she pushed it open and entered.

  Immediately she shrieked at the sight of Davich Romanov's dead body floating upon its back. His face was bloated and blue, bruised to nearly unrecognizable proportions. Around his neck she could see the marks of a chain, and she let her gaze travel down to the burned hole in his waistcoat where the bullet had entered.

  Behind him, she found her husband, slumped to the floor.

  "Esteban!” she cried and moved as quickly as the water would allow to the bars of the cell. The blood which had pooled around him and mixed with the seawater was plainly visible. The water was nearly to his chest, and she watched as his head drooped into it and then came up momentarily when he jerked upward.

  Esteban opened his eyes at her voice. Kate stood at the bars with the most terrified expression he'd ever seen. His head drooped tiredly.

  "Esteban, God damn it! Don't you dare die on me!"

  He forced his eyes open again and focused on where she stood yelling at him. He looked over her shoulder and saw the water now pouring in from above, they didn't have mu
ch time left.

  With all of the strength he could muster, he spoke. “I am dying. Leave me now and get off this ship before she kills us both."

  "The hell I will!” Kate shot back. She turned and began searching for something to break the lock.

  Weakly, Esteban crawled through the rising water to the door of the cell, leaning upon his shoulder against it.

  Kate returned with a large wooden mallet and pounded upon the lock, but it simply would not break. She began to cry as she hammered against it.

  "Cariña, it is no use. Please leave me and save yourself,” Esteban spoke quietly. “I've been shot."

  Katherine sank to the floor beside him and clutched him through the bars.

  "Oh God ... I'm not leaving you alone to die! It's not right, I love you...” She sobbed now, unable to finish.

  Esteban reached up and stroked her hair. “Please...” he whispered. “I love you too, but please save yourself."

  "No! If you're dying then I'll die with you. I'm scared to be alone.” She searched his eyes and brought her hand up to his cool cheek.

  Esteban laughed, a short, pained bark. “You are not afraid of anything."

  His vision was clouding and he felt so cold—he knew his time was short.

  "Excuse me for interrupting this loving scene, but I suggest we get off this tub before she goes under,” Collin Masters spoke behind Kate.

  "Collin! Thank God!"

  He stepped around Katherine, placing himself between her and the heavy door lock, then set his pistol against it. He turned his face away and pulled the trigger. The lock shattered and fell to the water beside Davich's body with a plunk.

  Collin examined Davich for a moment, then shoved his corpse out of the way to pull open the cell door. “Whichever of you it was who killed Davich gets a medal when we get home.” Collin bent and took Esteban's right arm, pulling it across his shoulders, and hoisted him to his feet. He then bent and hauled the pirate over his shoulder. “Lead on, madam.” He spoke now to Kate who rushed ahead of them and held the door.

  Collin rapidly made the top deck and passed Esteban's unconscious body across to his men who rushed him below to the surgery. He helped Katherine to cross, then finally spanned the gap himself.

  "Sanders!” he shouted as he stepped onto the deck of his ship.

  Kate stopped and retuned to him. “Collin, I'm so sorry. He was killed earlier. I never had a chance to tell you."

  Collin stopped and his face fell revealing his shock at her words. He took a breath attempting to recover his poise, then cleared his throat. “He was a fine young man."

  Kate nodded, torn between going to her husband and comforting her friend.

  "Go to him, he needs you more than I do.” Collin saw her conflict and smiled sadly, then watched as she hurried below. He turned to a passing sailor, grabbing him by the arm. “Place a dozen charges in her hold and send her to hell."

  "Aye, sir."

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  Chapter 16

  Kate made her way down the stairs to the surgery, dread filling her with each step and by the time she reached the door, she was convinced she would find her husband's dead body awaiting her.

  She stepped in and watched as Doctor Hill stood, his back to her, working upon Esteban's prone form.

  "If that is you, Lady Katherine, I could use your help now."

  "Oh, yes...” Kate was surprised into action and stepped up beside him.

  "Your husband has been shot through the abdomen. He's lost a great deal of blood and he may very well die. Right now, the lead ball is lodged beneath his rib. I can feel it, but I cannot reach it because I must stop the bleeding—put your hand here.” He took her wrist in his gore-soaked hand and pressed it to an open spot in Esteban's gut. “Press down firmly while I tie this off."

  Mercifully, Kate could feel the warmth of him still. A sudden spurt of blood made her vision gray for a moment, and she locked her knees against the urge to faint.

  "Sorry...” she whispered, swallowing the bile that had risen in her throat.

  The doctor continued repairing the damage to Esteban's body and instructing her as he would a nurse. He looked up at her and spoke after a lengthy silence. “Is there any chance you know your blood type?"

  Her gaze flew to his. Numbly she answered, “O positive."

  He was from Earth! No one here had that sort of knowledge yet.

  "Good, we'll need to relieve you of a pint or two, then you can do me; I'm also O pos. That should be enough to get him through. I've tied off all the bleeders and repaired the damage. All that remains now is to remove the ball—and there it is.” He dropped the lead ball into a metal dish beside him. The metallic clink sound surprised Kate.

  "How did you know?” Kate demanded.

  The doctor smiled as he finished stitching up the incision he'd made. “I guessed when you said breeches were common where you were from, and you had no use for titles. Besides, you have a cute little Yankee accent.” He smiled.

  Kate's emotions were stretched taut and she burst into tears.

  "Come here and sit. It's all right, don't cry.” He led her to sit upon the chair near where Esteban lay, and turned to get the things he needed to draw her blood.

  He placed a tourniquet upon her arm and she looked up at him. “You didn't get that here."

  "Let's just say I have my methods.” He smiled again and moved to bar the door. Once he had her hooked up to an intravenous bottle, he pulled a curtain around them, then left her to check on his other patients.

  Above, Kate heard the detonations and knew Eleana Aru was gone.

  When the doctor returned he began to administer the whole blood to Esteban. “Just stay there for few moments,” he said.

  Katherine watched him treat her husband and wondered how it was that he came to be here. At last, she mustered her courage and asked.

  "I passed through a portal, nearly ten years ago."

  "So you were pushed over like me?” Kate interrupted.

  "Oh no, I came through on my own. You were pushed?"

  "Yeah, on a hiking trip through the foothills of the Alps."

  He shook his head. “I know there are groups on both sides who periodically attempt to open the portals. This one must have gotten lucky."

  "So, how did you get here?” she pressed.

  He washed his hands in the basin, then pulled a chair up to where she sat. “Since I was a boy, I've always known that this world existed. I often dreamed about it, and I strongly suspect that my imaginary friends were in fact Calthracians. When my wife and daughter were killed in a car wreck, I spent several years emotionally lost, simply going through the motions of life, but numbed. After a while, I spent all of my time daydreaming of this simpler world. It had become an obsession for me, a safe haven. When I went to my bed one night and awoke in a field in Lyros, I thought I'd truly lost my mind, and willed myself back. I was frightened, but intrigued as well. Eventually, I found it was possible for me to move between the worlds freely. The last time I was there, I stocked up on medical supplies and medicine, which is why Sea Dancer has the healthiest crew upon the ocean. Most of them think I'm some sort of sorcerer, and to them, I suppose I am."

  Kate nodded, recalling her dinner with Esteban and how she'd shown him her camera.

  "I could probably take you back, that is, if you wished to go."

  She looked at Esteban lying there so helplessly upon the bed, and her heart clenched. Less than four hours ago, she'd been ready to die with him. She was madly in love and she knew that wherever he was, was where she belonged as well.

  "Can he come with me?"

  "Technically he can, but Calthracians weaken and die quickly in our world. It's toxic to them."

  If returning to Earth meant leaving him, she would never go.

  "No thanks.” She smiled. “I'm home."

  He nodded and smiled knowingly.

  Esteban regained consciousness late the next day. He gasped in pain and tri
ed to sit up but Kate held his shoulders, keeping him from moving too much.

  "Be careful, you'll open your sutures,” she scolded.

  He lay back weakly and she brought another pillow to bolster his shoulders.

  "Are we dead?” he croaked.

  "No, we're not,” Kate replied with a tired smile. She hadn't slept a full night since Esteban had been captured. “What were you trying to do?"

  "I hurt so much I feared perhaps I was dead and had ended up in hell. But then I saw you and knew I could not be."

  "You're full of it."

  "Do I charm you?” He wiggled his eyebrows but she could see his fatigue.

  "You still look tired,” she said.

  "You look very tired as well, my Kate. Have you not slept?"

  "I'll go to sleep soon.” She lifted his hand and kissed it. “God, I was so worried about you."

  "I am sorry for that.” He didn't miss the emotion in her words and turned his hand, caressing her cheek. She bent to place a soft kiss upon his dry lips. “May I have some water?"

  "Not yet,” Doctor Hill interrupted. “Let me examine you first, then you may have some."

  Kate hastily wiped her eyes. “Esteban, this is Doctor Hill. He saved your life."

  "I am in your debt, Doctor,” Esteban said.

  Doctor Hill began his examination and was pleased to see Esteban healing well. He'd given him a huge dose of antibiotics after the blood transfusion to ward off infection, and saw no signs of it now.

  When he finished he looked to Katherine. “You should go and get some sleep. Your husband is doing fine."

  "I'll go, but I want you to call me if he needs anything."

  "I will."

  Kate nodded, kissed Esteban, then left the surgery.

  When she closed the door, Esteban looked up at Doctor Hill. “How long do I have?"

  "How long?"

  "Yes, before I die. How long?"

  "Oh ... I'd say you have forty or fifty years if you take good care of yourself and quit pirating,” the doctor commented.

  Esteban stared at him. “What?"

  "What makes you so certain you're dying?"

  "Doctor, I was gut-shot. One does not recover from such a wound, so please do not humor me."