by Anne B. Cole
“I owe you my life, Kadir Haty.” He shifted to conceal Gretchen.
Kadir swiveled and faced James. “Jabir didn’t fight fair. I shot him because I refuse to duel a cheat.” Kadir bowed dramatically. “I’ll kill you in a fair and noble fight.”
“I refuse to fight a man who saved my life. You are deserving of the entire treasure. Take it all. I desire only the safety of my wife and will leave you in peace.”
“I give you my word, your wife will be safe and I will personally tend to her every need.” Kadir raised one brow before he leaned to ogle Gretchen’s backside. “The fight will be fair. Winner take all.” He withdrew his gun from his belt and waved it in warning before returning his attention to the chest.
Gretchen slipped her freed hands to her ankles and began cutting the rope. James sat on the ground and started rocking her in his arms to hide her movements. When the rope fell loose, Gretchen smiled and tucked the dagger in her belt.
“Become annoying, whiny, anything but desirable,” James whispered.
She jerked her head up. “What?”
“Kadir is attracted to your defiance, your courageous attitude, your beauty. We must—”
A blinding flash stopped James cold. Lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a deafening crash of thunder, as Kadir cowered in front of the unopened chest.
James studied the clear, starry sky in disbelief.
Gretchen clung to his coat. “Understood. I don’t have to pretend being terrified.” Taking a deep breath, she whined, “James, I’m tired and cold. You know how I don’t like being cold. Take me back to the dreadful ship. I will promise to vomit over the rail rather than in your bunk or on your boots.”
Another slash of lightning lit the skies. Thunder rolled for many seconds.
Kadir frowned, tugged his hat, and peered into the night before he turned the key. He raised the squeaky lid.
All three stared. Gold coins slipped from the chest to the ground. Several bolts of lightning flashed, yet thunder didn’t follow.
The pirate’s laughter broke the eerie silence. He tossed his gun on a stone ledge and dug into the gold. Coins fell through his hands in a cascade of sparkling showers. Ringed fingers studied one before his teeth bit into it, verifying the value.
“You’re a rich man, Kadir. We must return to our ships before the storm hits.” James nudged Gretchen.
“Oh, look at all of the pretty gold, James. It will buy many dresses and shoes from Paris and hats from London. How I love hats, especially ones with bows and fancy trim.” She placed her hands together in front of her. “There’s more than enough gold for diamond bracelets, necklaces, and rings for every finger.” Holding her hands in front of her face, her eyes rounded. “Jaaaaaames, I broke a fingernail.” She melted into a hysterical fit of tears.
“My dear, I will buy gloves to hide your flaw until it grows back. Come, let us be on our way.” He picked her up as if her arms and legs were still bound.
A bolt of lightning hit the remains of a statue no more than twenty paces from them. It exploded into pieces, garnering Kadir’s attention from the gold.
But only briefly, as he turned and snapped, “Not another step. I intend to fight you. The winner will claim the gold and Mrs. Longworthy.” Kadir locked the chest and placed the key next to the two guns resting on the wall. He unsheathed a second sword and pointed it at James. “Let her go and fight.”
“I will not duel the man who saved my life, neither will I part with my wife and child.” James placed Gretchen on a rock and caressed her abdomen.
“A child?” Kadir’s face wrinkled in horror.
“Oh yes, I’m several months along. We’ll use the gold for blankets, bottles, and diapers. I can’t imagine where to dry the diapers on your ship. I know, we’ll lower the sails and raise—”
Lightning crackled across the sky, illuminating Kadir’s shocked face. Thunder rumbled as if in laughter.
“Enough of this mindless chatter.” Kadir stepped to James’ side and lowered his voice. “If you forfeit the duel, I receive the gold.”
“Give me your word that you will allow us to leave in peace, and I will forfeit the chest, the key, and half of the gold.”
“Peace? Around a woman?” Kadir snorted. “Doubtful.” He placed his thumb against the blade of his sword. “In the future, you will never fire on my ship or make an attempt to reclaim my share of the gold, for I won it fairly.”
“I swear on my unborn child and pledge my word as a gentleman and Greek naval officer.” James offered his hand.
Kadir shook it firmly and James breathed a sigh of relief.
An eerie glow emitted from the pirate’s vest pocket which made James step back. Kadir tensed when the key to the chest floated and suspended in the air between them.
“It’s a trick, James,” Gretchen warned.
Kadir shook his head slightly, mesmerized by the hovering key encompassed in a blue-white light.
James gripped Gretchen’s hand. He, too couldn’t take his eyes from the jeweled key. A blinding flash of lightning struck the ground behind the chest. He shielded himself and Gretchen from the settling dust. Again, no thunder sounded.
“Three strangers fight, a favor done. In return a treasure won.”
James whirled to the body of the Ottoman pirate. He could have sworn the voice emitted from him. He’s dead. I must be imagining things.
Gretchen drew closer to his side with her eyes trained on the body. Did she hear the voice too?
He shook his head in dismissal and turned to Kadir. The key remained suspended several inches above Kadir’s head, enveloped in a sparkling mist. When the pirate attempted to touch the key, it floated beyond his reach. Kadir rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
“What is going on?” Gretchen whispered into James’ ear.
“I don’t know. I don’t think Kadir does either.”
The key slowly made its way above the Ottoman pirate’s body. “Get ready to run back to the ship,” James whispered.
Chapter 17
The Roar of Thunder
Sam Entwined Within James
Knowing they should leave, James tugged on Gretchen’s arm. Yet mesmerized by the key, his feet remained firmly planted.
Mist swirled around the dead man, expanded, and formed into an image of the Ottoman pirate. The ghost-like apparition plucked the key from the air and let out a sinister laugh.
“Sacrifice of two, you must make. If not, the gods will forsake,” the apparition warned. Drifting to the chest, he placed the key in its lock. He opened the lid and gestured to its contents. “A powerful god placed a curse on this treasure. He demands a sacrifice before it can be rightfully claimed.”
“I don’t believe in ghosts or curses,” James murmured.
Deafening thunder shook the still air.
“A god placed a curse on my treasure?” Kadir seemed disbelieving.
“Your situation amuses the Immortals. They desire the entertainment to continue. You must fight.” The ghost looked from Kadir to James. “A sacrifice of two must be made.”
“Which god placed this curse?” He felt foolish talking to a ghost, but James persisted.
“Zeus, of course.”
The skies lit with fantastic streaks of lightning along with a deafening roar of thunder. James’ body shook in reaction.
Kadir’s gaze moved from the spirit to the shimmering gold.
James stepped to his side. “Take all the gold. It’s yours.”
Kadir tentatively stretched his hand to the chest. The lid snapped shut and the key twisted. He stumbled to his knees in surprise.
James gaped as the key floated out of the lock and into the air above the wooden chest in a dazzling display of crackling green sparks.
“You take the gold,” Kadir spat.
“No. We made an agreement. I don’t believe in any of this curse nonsense and neither should you.” James urged Gretchen in the opposite direction.
The cock of a gun in his ear stopped his progress.
“Take my gold and leave this island. In the meantime, I keep the woman. An exchange will be made in Mykonos.” Kadir grasped Gretchen by the arm.
“I’ll not allow you to take my wife anywhere. Nor will I fight you. You cannot possibly believe the gold is cursed. Take it all, Kadir. I promise to protect you and your ship from future harm.” Out of the corner of his eye James watched the pirate consider the offer.
The gun’s trigger clicked back into place. Even as Gretchen escaped from Kadir’s grasp, a strange bluish light swept her into the air. James gasped as she struggled against the swirling light. Though her lips opened in a cry for help, no sound emitted.
The light placed her gently at the foot of the middle column and swirled around her.
“The gods are not happy with this truce,” the ghost intoned.
Diamond bracelets, various gemstone rings, and necklaces suddenly graced Gretchen’s arms, fingers, and neck. Her eyes rounded in awe.
A scream pierced the air. “Those are mine!”
A striking woman in a flowing white gown appeared from behind the first column. James’ fear dispersed when the woman flicked lovely strawberry-blonde hair off her shoulders. His attention centered on her and stirred a deep desire within him.
Elegant hands reached for the necklaces on his wife’s neck. Brilliant white sparks crackled at her fingertips. A musical scream transpired from the goddess’s luscious lips. She retreated to the first pillar in defeat.
James strode forward to offer assistance.
With a hard shove to the shoulder, Kadir elbowed his way in front of him. James shook himself out of the love-struck trance and forced his mind to focus on Gretchen, who pounded her palms against the light barrier, unable to escape.
“Allow me to collect your precious jewels from this simple woman. Your hands are much too delicate for the task.” Kadir doffed his hat and performed a dramatic bow to the goddess. He stumbled with haste to retrieve the jewelry.
Lightning struck in front of Gretchen. The force blasted Kadir into the air and deposited him at the feet of the goddess.
“Get my jewels,” she hissed at Kadir.
“It will be a fight to death. Only the one who has killed two will have the power to remove Aphrodite’s jewelry,” the Ottoman’s spirit announced.
James frowned and glared at Kadir.
A smile spread across the pirate’s face.
“I’ve killed one. It will take mere seconds to kill another.” Kadir winked at Aphrodite.
“What kind of game is this where I have no chance to win? There is only one man for me to kill,” James demanded.
“The Ottoman doesn’t count. Duel first.” Aphrodite giggled. “The winner will then kill her.” She pointed to Gretchen.
Before James could protest, a giant wave crashed on shore. The ensuing sea mist gathered into the air at the first column, forming a magnificent god with a huge trident in hand.
“This man has spent his life on my seas defending the Greek cause. I forbid you to place such demands on him.” He held the trident high and tilted his head to the heavens. “I request for the sacrifice to be of one. Winner of this duel may take all.”
“I agree with Poseidon,” a new voice thundered from the third pillar.
James diverted his attention to another god who held a rod with a serpent twined around it. Several inches shorter than Poseidon, he stroked a curly gray beard.
“Captain Longworthy’s intentions are noble, for the treasure he desires is not gold. He placed his own life in danger on several occasions and has saved the lives of many—”
“Enough, Asclepius. I don’t care about the frivolous lives of mortals. I want my jewels back,” Aphrodite screeched.
Lightning struck the fourth pillar. To James’ surprise, nothing appeared.
“Zeus waived the second sacrifice. Kadir Haty, you may select your weapon from either Poseidon or Asclepius,” the Ottoman spirit instructed.
Kadir narrowed his focus on the massive trident.
Thunder rumbled. The weapon sparkled with a mystical green tint and floated to Kadir’s hand.
“Zeus, you cannot be serious. My trident in the hands of a mortal?” Poseidon roared.
“Zeus approves this choice.” The Ottoman’s spirit motioned to James. “Your turn.”
James had studied Greek mythology and remembered Asclepius as a lesser god, yet he had a penchant to help humans. He respectfully approached Asclepius and bowed. “Healer of mortals, I request the use of your weapon.”
Asclepius withdrew a jewel-handled dagger from his robes and placed it into James’ hand. “Use this wisely for it has more power than many can handle.”
James felt the dagger warm as it glowed with a golden hue.
“Zeus approves. Winner takes the gold, the mortal woman, and all of the jewels.”
“What? The jewels are mine.” Aphrodite screamed.
Thunder rippled through the night, silencing all.
“Zeus, your terms are unacceptable.” The goddess stomped in Gretchen’s direction. “Remove this shield at once.” She grabbed a stone and heaved it at Gretchen. The rock bounced off the invisible barrier and landed at the goddess’s sandals.
Poseidon grabbed Aphrodite by the wrist and removed a second larger stone from her grasp.
“Join me to watch the mortals fight, beautiful one,” Poseidon soothed in a mocking tone.
Asclepius caught her other hand. “We may ask to reclaim your jewels when the winner is decided,” he added.
“Mortals, prepare to fight,” the Ottoman ghost commanded.
James kept a sharp eye on the impressive trident as he scanned the others. Aphrodite continued her tantrum in between the two gods as Gretchen remained trapped within the gleaming force. The silent ‘I love you’ her lips formed tightened his grip on the dagger.
A giant bolt of lightning slammed into the ground between them. Blinded by the light, James held the dagger in front of his face in defense.
“Gentleman, begin,” the spirit cried.
Chapter 18
Challenge of the Gods
Sam Entwined Within James
Sharp tines of the trident flashed before James’ eyes. He ducked and swiped the dagger at Kadir’s chest. Neither weapon hit its mark.
James straightened and sidestepped to the left. This created space and granted him a few precious seconds to strategize. Five times the length of the dagger, Kadir strained under the trident’s massive weight.
Speed and agility are in my favor.
James shuffled backward a few paces.
“Get me my jewels,” Aphrodite cried.
Kadir’s attention snapped in her direction. A dreamy smile played on his lips.
James charged forward. He plunged the blade at Kadir, but it merely snagged the pirate’s coat. He spun on his heel and freed his weapon. Knocked off balance, Kadir’s hold on the trident loosened. James boldly gripped the staff of the trident with his left hand and slashed the dagger at Kadir.
Missed.
“Your dagger is too short, Longworthy,” Kadir hissed and yanked the trident from James’ grasp. With a flick of his wrist, a tine sliced James’ upper left arm.
An intense burn surged through his body. He writhed in agony even though the wound appeared superficial.
Kadir laughed. “Exquisite goddess of love, I will kill this pathetic man and return your precious jewels. Will it please you more if I kill him through the heart or shall it be the neck?”
“Just. Kill. Him.” Her shrill voice rose with each word.
Kadir aimed at his chest.
James pressed his wounded arm to his side, tucked, and rolled to the right. Despite excruciating pain, he uncurled and sprang to his feet.
“Excellent move, Longworthy,” Asclepius encouraged.
“My trident has yet to lose a battle,” Poseidon sneered.
“In your hands, yes. In a mortal’s hands? Today may be the weapon’s first defeat,” Asclepius retorted.
Lightning streaked across the sky. Hunched in pain, James focused on Kadir despite blood flowing down his arm. He pressed his hand, still holding the dagger, to the wound. The edge of the blade hissed upon contact with his torn flesh. Warmth radiated through his arm and diminished the throbbing pain. He removed his hand as ripped skin fused together.
Stunned, James adjusted his stance. Facing Kadir, he rotated the shoulder of his previously wounded limb, wiggled his fingers, and squeezed his hand into a fist.
Incredible. I’m completely healed.
Options raced through his mind. Adjusting his clutch on the dagger, he wondered if the blade could heal again.
“What are you waiting for? Kill him,” Aphrodite commanded.
“As you wish, lovely goddess.” Kadir bowed to her.
With the pirate enamored, James stabbed the dagger into Kadir’s arm. The tip of the blade ran clear through his wrist and embedded into the staff of the trident.
Kadir roared in pain, but kept a firm grip on his weapon. James yanked the blade free and darted to the right. From this position James no longer had his back to Gretchen and the gods. Careful not to look at Aphrodite, he glanced at his wife. His desperation to rescue her burned deep inside his soul. He refocused on his opponent.
“Advantage, Longworthy,” Asclepius announced.
