Bonded by the Sea

by Victoria Mercier

  “A word reached even me that things in the seven seas are… rather hectic.” Club rumbled as he assessed the damaged made to his desk. “Some whispers your name, Pembroke. You’re quite a troublemaker for a marine.”

  Pembroke nodded thoughtfully, then he half-turned toward the door. Things were on his mind. As usual. But today more than ever.

  “This boy has a curious fate ahead of him,” Pembroke smiled.

  “I would call it…”

  Pembroke waved him into silence. “Just shake my hand, Club.”

  The master sergeant glanced at a young marine with doubt, then extended his hand toward Pembroke.

  When their hands grasped each other. The master sergeant’s usual grumpy expression had melted, and its place took bewilderment.

  “Pembroke… why?”

  “Farewell, Club.”

  Pembroke turned and left.

  *

  Pace

  Pace needed to catch a breath. What was wrong with these marines? Crashing an inch-thick desk with a single blow? What kind of a monster the master sergeant was? And did Pace heard correctly, the man who interrupted the meeting was no one else, but the infamous captain Pembroke? Well, the only reason he knew his name was because Pace’s father has cursed it on a daily basis. Something to do with new restrictions introduced thanks to the said captain. Pace wasn’t into his father’s fishing business and so he knew nothing.

  Now, that his pulse returned to normalcy, he began rethinking the events in a more composed manner. So, the master sergeant Club’s strength wasn’t a rumor. Interesting. Pace didn’t expect to ever meet anyone as strong himself. Good. Maybe, they even would let him spare with the geezer? Who knows?

  Pace was tired of fighting the local thugs. They were good until the first punches started flying. Anyway, he had enough trouble already. Some big fishes targeted him now. And maybe he could hit with a horse’s kick strength, but against bullets, nothing of this mattered.

  I better get back to the inn before the infamous captain Pembroke changes his mind. Crap, this would suck.

  He returned to the inn where he was renting a room. Pace lived with his grumbling father on the other side of the island. A week of traveling by a horse to the capital of the Wild Peaks, Flatrise. But Pace hitched a ride on the train’s roof. Two days of a wild ride. Unfortunately, the arrival caused a bit of a stir. Happens. After all, Pace was too young to think like an adult.

  Pace didn’t really have a choice. His father would catch him if Pace tried a horse ride. He had attempted to join the Navy a year ago, his plans were ruined by no one else, but his sweet old man. Now, Pace better understood his own reaction to the display of the master sergeant’s strength. He was as strong as his father, and he knew how to put fear in Pace.

  The doors swung inward as Pace stepped inside. Tension in the room assaulted him. Was there an argument going on? It didn’t seem so. The inn was quiet as a morgue.

  There were around twenty men inside, but two of them caught his attention right away. Everyone gawked at them. They wore worn-out cowboy jackets and hats. They looked like bad guys.

  What’s a drill now? Should I intervene or leave them be? In fact, Pace didn’t know if he was a marine already or some tests awaited him.

  No time for overthinking. “What’s up, fellas?”

  Audible gasps sounded among the gathered folks. Pace glanced at them. They had these sheepish faces that told him they were ready to shit their pants.

  A sort of bad news this was.

  “Hey, kid,” one of the gawkers whispered. “These are Cabara brothers.”

  Aww shit. Here we go again.

  Cabara brothers frowned at the mention of their name. They had a pretty solid hearing if they heard that. Why they missed his greeting, then? Maybe that’s good that they did, though.

  They were the big fish that have been chasing him for a while now. That entrance two days must tip them off.

  “Who ya wil be?’ one of them asked. He tapped the round table with a long bony finger. ‘Huh?’

  Pace raised his hands up, trying to impress the gangsters with a beaming smile.

  It didn’t work.

  “He be familar,” the second one noted, showing crooked teeth.

  Their slurred accent started to grow on him a bit but messing with these fellas wasn’t the smartest idea. “Sorry to bother you, I’m just a nobody. I’ll get my things and I’m gone.”

  “Wait a second, who’r ya?” the first brother asked. His ginger mustaches twitched as he struggled to remember Pace. They’ve never met, so there was nothing to remember.

  “Be it that brat, who messed with our boyz?” the second one nodded satisfied.

  Crap, I need to play it nicely from now on.

  Could pace beat them? They seemed scrawny beneath the jackets.

  Swallows, scraping of boots and tension mixed together created an eerie atmosphere of terror. I’d stay longer and enjoyed catching up with these guys, but accidentally, I was in a hurry.

  “You got the wrong guy,’ Pace acknowledged, faking a sadness. But Cabara brothers didn’t buy it, and they were fast.

  Two barrels pointed at Pace in the nick of a second.

  This escalated quickly. No foreplay. They’re like lasses from the Pink District in Flatrise. Shit.

  Pace’s muscles managed only to twitch before the guns went off.

  Thoughts fled him. He froze expecting pain, death, something. And yet, he felt just fine. Did they miss?

  He blinked.

  Cabara brothers blinked.

  The crowd of gawkers blinked.

  A man was sitting at the empty round table. There was a lot of space left between the Cabara brothers and the rest. No one wanted to mess with them. And a hundred percent, the seat wasn’t taken a second ago… what the fuck just happened?

  The captain Pembroke rolled two bullets between his fingers. He leaned at his chair so much it creaked.

  “Wut?” the Cabara brothers slurred at the same time.

  Pembroke’s brows knitted together. “My apology for interrupting the party, but I need to take that boy with,” he pointed Pace.

  Wait a minute, I’m not a boy.

  “You aren’t much older than me!” Pace sulked.

  “Indeed,” Pembroke agreed. “Now, go get your things. We don’t have much time left on this island. Vacation’s over. Time to get back to work.” Master sergeant must be over the moon.

  The ginger mustached Cabara stood up, his revolver trained at captain. “Who’r ya, blu?” The bandit’s voice trembled.

  Pembroke’s fingers ceased the movement, for a moment, then a loud snap had rung in the inn, and Cabara’s revolver dropped on the floor.

  Everyone seemed to conserve air in their lungs.

  “Are you still here?” captain asked Pace after the silence stretched.

  Pace scrambled to the stairs. His mind reeled. First, his father, then master sergeant, and now this. Pace’s brain had been dismantled, and he missed the door to his room, thrice. Had captain Pembroke saved him by snatching bullets, and then shot one back without a gun? Was this some kind of a circus trick or what?

  Eventually, Pace got to the door and after a minute of fumbling with the lock, he stepped inside. Excitement entangled with terror coursed in his veins. The Navy was cooler than he had thought.

  He didn’t possess much in terms of belongings. A couple of old shirts, a pair of good jeans and some stolen food cans. Pace crammed it all into a leather bag. As walked down, he had many expectations, but nothing had prepared him for captain drinking with the two scumbags. They chatted quietly while the rest of the people still stood as far as possible. Pace couldn’t stop himself from laughing. Commoners were such cowards.

  Pembroke heard Pace’s laugh and his head swung in the direction of the stairs. “Did you know that these fellows’ bounties are a thousand black pearls each?”

  Pace had no clue, but a thousand black pearls were a tidy sum. Enough to buy a horse
or two. Some sneaky thoughts crossed his head. If they arrested them, then Pace could claim half of their total bounty.

  A thousand black pearls.

  “Captain…”

  “I see, you’re ready. Good. Head directly for the port and find my ship.”

  “But—”

  “No questions, marine. You’re dismissed.” Pembroke had lost any interest in Pace and turned back to Cabara brothers. Bastard is going to take the reward for himself. He’d considered ignoring the first order, then decided to wait a day or two before spicing up their little fellowship.

  Chapter 3

  Ines

  The Inherited city spread for miles.

  Most of it lay in ruin. Once Karu population had started dwindling, the suburbs were abandoned because of the safety concerns. Karu might die on their twenty-first birthday, but some showed keenness to claim other’s lives earlier.

  A different matter was the disappearance of essential construction skills. All high towers in the city crumbled due to negligence. Bridges have been poorly patched. The Inherited city was a caricature of something that once must have been a wonder.

  Ines didn’t complain though. At least, she and Marus could move quietly toward Macharat. The place where all the six important Karu Houses lived. The only district that preserved walls.

  From time to time a lone child darted from their path.

  Orphans.

  They lived like animals without families and understanding what was awaiting them in the future. The Karu council closed its eyes on them.

  Ines brooded. All to forget that her fateful birthday was tomorrow.

  And so was her death.

  She walked a few steps behind Marus. Until they reached the Inherited city, she’d mused escaping from him. But now she no longer cared. And of course, Marus tied her up. He didn’t trust her. Nothing new.

  Older Karu who began appearing closer to Maharat, watched them with amusement and curiosity. This place was boring, after all.

  “Untie me,” Ines murmured. She didn’t want to spend her last day on this plane tied and locked.

  “No,” Marus replied. Sometimes, after their second sex, he’d lost any interest in being nice to her and showed the true face. “An example will be set to show young Karu what happens when they abandon the Inherited Codex.”

  “Oh right, that’s why you’ve fucked me?” Ines asked aloud. Those who had heard her, dipped their heads, hiding from Marus.

  He whirled. Fury distorted his face.

  “Shut the fuck up,” Marus growled quietly. “Not a word of this to anyone or you will meet your end sooner than you think.” His threat amused her. What was the difference if she died today instead of tomorrow?

  “Whatever,” she murmured. “Just deliver me to whoever ordered you to kidnap me… like a good lapdog you are.”

  Yes, this stung his ego. Marus the strongest warrior of Karu called a lapdog. Ines’ sharp tongue has only improved with time. Marus fumed with anger, but his orders seemed clear. Ines could not be hurt. At least until he delivered her.

  “I warn you.”

  “Who wants to see the bravest Karu, Marus?!” Ines yelled to gain attention. They weren’t far from Maharat, so this district was rather populated.

  She was right. Karu began coming out of the hiding. Most just wanted to find out what the commotion was about. None the less, some sought the attention of Marus. Karu revered him.

  “You’re a fucking slut,” Marus whispered as he juggled between scowl for her and fake smiles for everyone else. It told her something. He’d gained popularity since she left the Inherited city and he was forced to make a good face. How did Hakima manage to keep such a tight grip on his balls?

  *

  “It took longer than we had anticipated,” Hakima said with a scowl. Ines knew why her ex-best friend looked so pissed off. Her twenty-first birthday was only three weeks away.

  What Ines didn’t have the slightest clue about was the fact that Hakima gained the seat of the Governess of Karu. The highest power on the island. She ruled the Inherited council and interpreted the Inherited Codex. But still, tomorrow it’d no longer matter to Ines. Not that she would happily part with this world, but at least these fuckers could go fuck themselves. They had nothing on her. No leverage.

  Marus stood motionless. Before him, the wide steps to the seat of Karu were blocked by the six light-armored guards. Only half of the council was present. Was this her faction or a simple ignorance and negligence on the part of the rest of the councilors. Ines didn’t care. The tiles of the chamber were cold. The rags she wore didn’t help.

  Some councilors wrung their noses. They were considered the oldest and noblest among Karu. Though, Ines didn’t know the dates of their last birthdays. They weren’t far off. Their fancy clothes and hairdos would mean nothing then. Ines was not sure where they found such good tailors and hairdressers. Upon her departure two years ago, a new trend emerged. Young Karu didn’t want to follow rules anymore. They desired the freedom to decide what they wanted to do with their short lives.

  “She’s tried to run away,” Marus lied.

  Hakima frowned unconvinced. A desire to demand from Ines a confirmation burned in her eyes. She couldn’t go that far without undermining Marus’s position in the council. It makes sense now. Marus had used me, then roughened me up to present his wife an unappealing version the most beautiful woman of Karu. Smart fucker.

  Once she had been breaking the hearts of other men until Marus crushed hers. The legendary Belle of Karu had vanished that day and her place took a lost heartbroken girl, which wanted to hide for eternity.

  Ines steeled herself. She wouldn’t cry before these despicable people. No matter what Marus aimed to achieve. Ines was Ines, end of the story.

  “Why?”

  “I don’t… think she’s sane,” Marus replied, but everyone in the chamber knew; Hakima had caught him off guard. Was it the sign of her melting confidence in her husband?

  Marus must think so because he stepped forth not hiding his emotions.“Are you suspect me of betrayal?”

  At that moment, Hakima wasn’t his wife. She was the governess of Karu.

  “Watch your tongue,” she warned him coolly. “I’d hate to see my husband behind the bars for the reminded of my time in Karu.” So, she accepted her impending death. That was surprising.

  “This would be hilarious. Seeing the great Marus locked like a wild beast,” Ines couldn’t help herself and she blurted out.

  Councilors murmured. Marus turned back to Ines, scowling; ready to charge her.

  Hakima stopped him.

  “Do you have anything to say?” Oh, so this is your play. Finally, you have the chance to find out if your dear husband is a cheater and liar. Dream on.

  Ines looked away. She couldn’t exactly pinpoint the reason why she saved his ass. He didn’t deserve it; she didn’t fear him. Then why?

  Councilors stirred because her behavior was an obvious disrespect toward governess.

  “Should we punish her?”

  “No,” Hakim said. “Tomorrow she meets her end. I can see it in her eyes. She fears it.”

  “In three weeks, Hakima,” Ines hissed. “In three weeks.”

  Governess gave her cold, merciless stare. If only Marus managed to bring her earlier… yes, Hakima would take pleasure in delivering a sophisticated punishment. That much said governess’ eyes.

  “I’ll take her to the cell,” Marus offered.

  “Not you,” Hakima snapped losing her cool. “Tod, get her out of here. Everyone, except Marus, is dismissed.”

  *

  Marus

  “If you and her…” his wife growled. “I don’t need to explain, do I?”

  She didn’t. Since the day Hakima has become governess of Karu, she has ruled ruthlessly.

  “Things between me and her are dead.”

  Governess nodded. Despite her earlier words, Marus knew that Ines had nailed it. Hakima sensed her impending death a
nd it showed. Would he miss her? Perhaps, though his love for had never fully bloomed. He blamed Ines. How could he look at any other woman after being with a goddess like her?

  “How many Karu saw you?” she changed the subject without a warning.

  She would find out if lied, so spoke the truth.

  “Many.”

  “That’s for the best. At least the message will spread faster.”

  Too many Karu saw Ines as some sort of a pioneer of a new lifestyle. Karu wanted to follow her into the wilderness, abandoning the Inherited city. They needed to see her traditional death. With this, her status would die.

  “Shall we share a bed tonight?” Marus asked. He starved for sex.

  Hakima turned away from him. “I had another visit from the strangers in the hazmat suits.”

  Marus shivered remembering the first time they approached Hakim and him after she had ascended to the position of governess. Their faces were masked. They revealed nothing of their age or origin. The only trail led to the Gleaming Tower. Deep in the Northern Grave.

  “What did they want?”

  “The impossible.”

  Chapter 4

  Pace

  All the way down to the port Pace was thinking about captain Pembroke’s trick with bullets. The magnitude of it didn’t fit in Pace’s head. Snapping an inch-thick desk was one thing, catching fucking bullets another.

  Pace wandered into the port then walked out of it, without realizing that he was returning to the inn.

  Six marines hauling two unconscious Cabara brothers passed him. Pace pressed ahead until he faced the inn once more.

  What the fuck?

  Now that bandits were gone, the local drunkards came back to siege the inn’s entrance. Pace’s nose had lost most of the sense of smell because of his father’s occupation, but the drunks showed Pace a new notion of stench. Pace felt slightly bad for the owner, though they weren’t hostile or anything.