by Kari Edgren
“That’s not it,” Justine said, dismissing my protest with a flick of her hand. “Something’s off about the man. I can’t quite put a finger on it, but he sets my teeth on edge.”
James gestured toward the river. “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, our options are currently limited to either the Sea Witch or swimming. You may choose for yourself, but I assure you I will be on that ship before it leaves the dock today.”
Our small huddle fell silent while Julian and Justine decided what to do. My presence on board was a foregone conclusion, so I spent the time instead fuming over James’s insult.
Untrustworthy, my foot! How dare he make such a broad statement? As though every Englishman were devoid of that particular trait. I decided right then to be extra nice toward Master Calhoun for the sole purpose of annoying James and disproving his backward opinions of all things Irish. We might have made progress of late, but Mr. Roth obviously had a long way yet to go.
The rain pinged against the roof before running in streams to the ground. Puddles crept over the soles of my boots, seeped past the seam to find the stockings within. I curled my toes against the cold, anxious to be inside the snug room the man had mentioned.
Justine spoke first. “How do we even know the little wretch and Nora aren’t hiding in Bristol somewhere? Chances are they weren’t able to secure passage so quickly.”
James scrubbed a hand across his forehead. “Because Master Calhoun saw them board a ship a few hours ago at high tide.”
I inhaled a sharp breath. “Are you sure?”
“He recalled a beggar child of Deri’s description accompanied by a young woman with dark brown hair and dressed in a gray gown.”
Even in a town of Bristol’s size, the chances were narrow that two other people would fit such a description.
“Why didn’t you say so from the beginning?” Justine demanded.
“I don’t know.” He shook his head as though trying to clear it. “There were other matters that demanded my immediate attention. I would have spoken sooner if I’d known there was a chance you’d refuse passage.”
A loud whistle pierced the air. We all turned at once toward the dock, where Master Calhoun waved his arms like a madman. “It’s now or never!” he yelled.
Desperation filled James’s eyes. “We have to catch this ship, or wait until the storm blows through. And by then Nora could be...” His voice cracked with emotion, and he fell silent, unable to finish the sentence.
But there was no mistaking what had been left unspoken. In a day or two, Nora could be dead.
Justine blew out a heavy breath. “Let’s go,” she said. “And damn that man if he tries anything funny.”
Chapter Six
An Immortal Truth
Master Calhoun hustled us across a wide plank that extended from the dock to the Sea Witch. Wind tugged at the rigging overhead and nearly stole James’s hat when he turned to help me onto the deck. With both hands in his, I descended the makeshift stairs over the rail, bracing myself for the inevitable sway underfoot. Memories of my last voyage jumped between my nerves, yet this distress inevitably paled to the dread James must have been experiencing. Even in the fairest weather, he suffered from severe seasickness that began the very moment his feet left dry ground. Safely planted on the deck, I glanced up at him to see that he had turned a chalky white. No doubt his inner ear had already detected the watery surface, and it wouldn’t be long before the pallor grew tinged with a sickly green.
“This way,” Master Calhoun said, guiding us to a canvas overhang to shelter from the rain. “We’ll just wait here for Captain Lynch.”
The space was insufficient for five adults, let alone the accompanying bags, though Master Calhoun managed to gain full cover. James and Julian stood on the very edge, their backs still exposed to the elements.
“We’re soaked to the bone,” Julian protested. “Any introductions can be made in the cabin once the captain has completed his duties on deck.”
Master Calhoun chuckled. “Captain’s orders, me lad. Not a soul goes below deck without first being inspected.”
“You can’t be serious!” Julian said. “Does he really consider us such a threat?”
James remained silent, his mouth clamped tight against what I assumed to be an onslaught of nausea.
Something dark flitted through Master Calhoun’s one good eye, lending a sinister touch to his otherwise jovial appearance. “Captain Lynch don’t take kindly to strangers on his ship, mind you. Caution be his best mate, and I don’t reckon he’ll be changing any time soon to spare a spot o’ rain on your backside.” He nodded toward a hatchway in the deck. “If’n you don’t believe me, try to scuttle down and see what happens. Me guess, you’ll be bobbing in the river afore you’ve made the first stair. And that’s assuming the captain be in a fair mood today.”
Julian gave him a bland look. “Are you trying to frighten us, Calhoun?”
“Not at all, me lad. Only accounting for the captain’s strange ways. I’ve sailed on the Sea Witch many o’ times, and seen a few fellows cut their voyages short for disobeying the rules.” Smiling, he winked at Justine and me, which looked rather strange with the other eye covered. “You’ve nothing to fear from the captain. He’s a true gentleman with the ladies.”
“How reassuring,” Justine said in a wry voice.
The air changed on the deck, growing uneasy with a sense of impending danger. My shoulders tensed, and I darted a glance past the canvas to catch sight of a large man bearing down on our location.
“Ah, there he be,” Master Calhoun said. “A few minutes is all now.”
My breath caught as the captain stormed past us, glowering from beneath heavy brows and a mop of fair hair tied at the nape. “Weigh the mark!” he hollered once the plank was hoisted clear of the railing. “Curse this damnable mud! I’ll know what treachery awaits us below!”
A scrawny sailor stepped forward, his thin, pointed face reminding me of a rat. “Fifteen feet and droppin’, Cap’n. We be steerin’ a tight course to get through this time.”
Captain Lynch clasped his hands behind his back. Near Henry’s height, he towered over the other men, and with such light coloring, looked every bit a Viking. “The wind be in our favor, Donal. Think ye the devil has our backs today?”
“Like we was his own sweet babes, sir.”
A smile thinned the captain’s wide mouth. “Make sail then and we’ll race the tide to the sea.”
Donal saluted, gleeful from the prospect. “Aye, aye, Cap’n.” Turning, he held a wooden speaking horn to his lips. “Make sail!” he yelled, “afore the mud swallows us whole!”
Men scurried every which direction as sails unfurled from two masts. A rope dropped directly in front of me, and I yelped in surprise from the sudden appearance of a young boy. He landed lithely on two feet before dashing off to the far end of the ship.
A strong gust of wind filled the sails. The captain watched, barking out occasional orders as the ship launched forward in a masterful weave past a dozen large vessels. To my amazement, many of these tilted to one side rather than sit upright like the Sea Witch.
“Deeper drafts,” Master Calhoun said, jerking a thumb toward one of the ships. “Our Sea Witch be a shallow lady, or we’d be stuck fast like these till the next tide come in and lift us out of the mud.”
When we neared the middle of the river, Captain Lynch stomped over and glared at our group. No one spoke at first as sky blue eyes slid over us. A calculating stare took the measure of both men before moving to Justine and me. His look instantly changed, from cold calculation to heated admiration.
Julian cleared his throat. “We are much obliged to you, sir, for offering passage at such short notice.”
The captain dipped his head, and rain streamed from the corners of his hat. “Welcome abo
ard,” he said, in a soft cultured voice that belied the previous hollering. “It is my pleasure to be of service.” His gaze rested on me. “The value of your company surpasses any previous expectations I had for this voyage.”
Master Calhoun chuckled again. “Rightly so.”
The captain cut him a sharp look that served to silence any further comments.
Justine moved forward half a step and curtsied gracefully despite the tight space. “Thank you, Captain. Will we be sailing straight to Wexford?”
The heat leapt in Captain Lynch’s stare as he openly admired my aunt’s beauty. “Yes, my lady. God willing.” He looked to Master Calhoun. “Escort our guests below deck. I’ll send a lad to see to their needs.” With another bow, he turned and strode off to bark more orders.
Master Calhoun emerged from under the canvas. “This way,” he said, nodding toward the hatch.
We shuffled behind him. Rain spattered my face anew, and I pulled my hood forward for additional coverage. A gust of wind howled down the gangway, billowing the thick wool around me.
Selah...
My feet came to an abrupt halt as though latched from below.
Justine tumbled into me. “What’s wrong? Not wet enough for one day?”
“Shh.” I waved a hand to quiet her. The next gust of wind grabbed the edges of my hood and yanked it back.
Selah...
My heart leapt as I whipped my head toward Bristol and the river’s edge. “Did you hear that?”
Justine moved beside me. “Hear what?”
“Someone called my name.”
We stared at the docks, searching amongst the barely distinguishable forms. The foul weather had thinned the crowds somewhat, but there were still scores of people out for a day’s work. Rain ran in my eyes, and I swiped a hand across to clear them. Squinting hard, I caught sight of what appeared to be a man holding something black high in the air.
“There,” I pointed. “Do you see him? I think he’s waving a hat.”
Justine stared for a moment longer. Then she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Selah. We’re too far away for me to see anything clearly.”
The wind strained in the sails, pushing us even farther downriver. I blinked again, but everything on shore mixed together into an incongruent mess.
Justine looked at me closely. “Are you sure you heard your name? Could it have been a trick of the wind?”
“It could have been anything,” I admitted. The wind, a seagull, Henry...
“Well, there’s nothing to be done now other than wait and see.”
I gave my head a quick shake to clear it. Exhausted and worried beyond reason, it was no wonder my imagination was spinning like a pinwheel—first a ghost in Brigid’s garden, then my name through the midst of a storm. Would mermaids be next? Or perhaps Poseidon himself. Though he hailed from warmer waters, and any spotting would most likely be of the Celtic god Lir—
Oh, dear Lord, I’ve gone daft in the head.
Another hard shake put my thoughts to right. Sean was dead, Henry was aboard a ship bound for Wexford, and there would be no godly sightings from the Sea Witch.
With a sigh, I turned to go, only to run straight into the captain’s chest. Glancing up, the sigh stuck in my throat from the nearness of his face. “Hurry below, ladies,” he said softly. “Your good health is of the utmost importance to me.”
Justine put a protective hand around my waist and pulled me close. “Your concern is most appreciated, Captain. We shall not dally a moment longer.”
He dipped a shallow bow, taking in the length of my aunt as he moved aside to allow us by.
Julian waited at the hatch, a watchful eye on Captain Lynch. “Everything all right?”
“Just a noise in the wind,” I said. “How’s Mr. Roth?”
The captain stormed away amidst a string of orders. Julian turned to me, his sharp gaze protective to the point of possessive. “Not well. We’ll need a bed and a bucket if he’s to survive the voyage in one piece.”
The sound of retching came up from below. “Aah! Not there! Not there!” Master Calhoun bellowed as liquid splashed on the floor.
“Oh, dear. Here we come, Mr. Roth.” I descended the stairs with Justine and Julian close behind. At the bottom, my aunt retrieved a linen kerchief to help filter the stench of vomit that had mixed with the heavy scents of coffee and spices.
“Mind your steps,” Master Calhoun called, rather irritably. “Your friend’s after heaving on me boots.”
I went to James, who was bent over, his hands propped on his knees for support. He groaned when I touched his shoulder. “Sorry to be such a nuisance.”
“Nonsense,” I said, helping him to stand upright. “You’ve nothing to apologize for.” Calhoun grunted something unintelligible. Julian supported James’s other side, taking much of the weight from me.
A girl appeared out of nowhere, a lantern held close in one hand. The circle of light illuminated a plain heart-shaped face and mousy-brown hair as she stared silently at Master Calhoun.
“About time, me lass.” He took the lantern from her. “Clean up this mess afore the captain lays eyes upon it.”
She nodded, her face set in a blank stare.
“Come for me boots when you’re done.”
She nodded once more, then slinked back into the darkness, I assumed for a bucket and brush.
Master Calhoun held up the lantern and jerked his head to the side. “This way, if you will. Let’s get that lad off his feet.”
We followed him past stacks of crates, down a narrow passageway to a low wooden door. Fumbling with the latch, Calhoun moved aside when the door swung open and he handed the lantern to Justine. “Here you be, nice and snug just like I promised.” We filed one by one into the small room, comprised of four bare wooden walls, low ceiling, and no window. “You’ve two bunks and a bucket in the corner for any calls o’ nature. A lad will be by shortly with fresh water.”
James groaned again. We helped him to one of the bunks where he curled to one side, giving no thought to his wet clothing or boots. I sat beside him, removed my gloves and waited.
“Thank you, Master Calhoun,” Justine said. “We shall be fine from here.”
“You’ve fifteen hours to port so you best get some rest.” He began to pull the door closed, then stopped. “I’ll not advise wandering the ship. If’n you need anything, send a lad to fetch me.”
“Yes, of course,” Julian said brusquely, without inquiring as to which lad we were to send. “We must see to our friend now.”
“Good luck to you.” Master Calhoun chuckled, and the door clicked shut.
Justine removed her wet cloak and flopped down on the other bunk. “That man gives me the willies,” she said in a low voice.
Julian sat beside her. “Didn’t he claim to be some sort of master apothecary?”
“More like a master charlatan, if you ask me. Our Master Calhoun is just the sort to playact the knowledgeable doctor as he peddles fake remedies onto the most desperate and gullible.”
“All the same, we may well have asked about something for seasickness.”
He made to stand when I waved him back down.
“Let the man keep his cures. I’ll have Mr. Roth sorted out in no time.”
“Even better,” Julian said, dropping back to the thin mattress.
I removed James’s hat and brushed back the hair that had fallen over the side of his face. Then placing my fingertips above his ear, I located the smooth skin that covered just the right spot on his skull. Brigid’s fire opened a channel between us, revealing the cochlea and several semicircular canals embedded in the temporal bone. Having no need to conceal my gift, I bathed the affected area in a steady stream of warmth.
James tensed beneath my touch. “What are you doing
?” he asked, his words slurred.
“Setting your inner ear to rights, Mr. Roth.” Another stream of power flowed through his skin into the labyrinth of canals necessary for balance.
He sighed, and I felt him relax. Half a minute passed when he uncurled from his side to stretch the full length of the mattress. My hand fell away as he opened his eyes and looked at me.
“Feeling better?” I asked.
His gaze slid to the side, and he appeared to engage in an internal inventory. “Completely restored,” he said after a moment. “Thank you, Miss Kilbrid. You have my most sincere gratitude.”
“You’re very welcome.”
James pushed up and swung his feet over the side of the bunk to sit next to me. “Tell me, did you do something similar when we sailed from the Colonies?” he asked unexpectedly.
“To a lesser degree,” I admitted. “When you couldn’t keep down the ginger long enough to help, I eased your nausea. I had to be careful, though, since you already suspected me of being different.”
“And the headaches?” he asked.
“I eased those as well.”
He nodded. “It makes sense now, as the return voyage was significantly easier than the first. At the time, I assumed either the remedy had worked, or I had finally found my sea legs.”
I stifled a laugh. “Don’t waste any time searching for those sea legs. Your inner ear does not take well to sailing.”
He studied his knees for a moment. “It’s most curious,” he said softly.
“What is?” I asked
“There are those who would have left me to suffer as payback for my rude behavior.” He tilted his head to look at me. “But you didn’t.”
“I... I don’t like to see people suffer when I’ve the ability to help.”
“I misjudged you from the beginning, Miss Kilbrid, and for that I am truly sorry.” He exhaled a slow breath, then smacked his tongue in distaste. “My mouth tastes like the dickens.” Sniffing, he glanced at the lower half of his greatcoat and wrinkled his nose in disgust. “And it appears my clothing is worse for the wear. Any chance we’ve fresh water about?”
