by Lisa Adams
Abagail rubbed her stomach. “We need you. This child will need family.” The wind caught her straight chestnut hair and strands of it blew across her face.
Mowriyah patted Abagail’s stomach. “You better wait for me to get back, little one.”
Abagail turned her head and met Mowriyah’s gaze. “You won’t be gone that long, will you?”
“Of course not.” Mowriyah reached her hand to Abagail, pushed the blowing hair out of her face, and tucked it neatly behind her ear. “The plan is a month. But if things are different from what we expect, or if something happens, it may take us a little longer.” She wiped a tear from Abagail’s cheek. “I’ll be back, Abby, and with Leihla. We will all be together again soon, and this baby will have all the family he or she needs.” She moved her hand back to her sister’s belly.
A loud, sharp whistle assailed Mowriyah’s ears. She stood and looked toward the ship. Septimus was on deck waving her to him. “I guess it’s time to go. Walk with me?”
They walked together to the dock in silence. Decimus met them at the ship’s ladder. Mowriyah saw worry in his eyes as his gaze darted between Abagail and herself. Abagail pulled her hand, jerking her back. She hugged her tightly and Mowriyah felt like she couldn’t breathe, not from Abagail’s strength, but from a sneaking fear that suddenly clutched her throat.
Mowriyah tried to calm her breathing and remain strong. “I’ll see you soon.” Unfortunately, a quiver in her voice released the dam and she gave way to a stream of tears.
She straightened her shoulders, determined to look more confident for her sister’s sake. “When I escaped from the palace, I swear I saw Leihla. I’m sure I can find her there.”
“You saw her? And you never told me?”
“I told you I knew she was alive. I just didn’t tell you everything. And you know Leihla, she’s stronger and more stubborn than either of us. She’s going to be fine, and I will find her.”
She glanced over her shoulder to Decimus. “You are so lucky. He truly loves you, to not only marry you once, but also choose to marry you again in God’s eyes. He is willing to stay behind with you and protect you. Everything is going to be fine here. And everything will be good for us on our trip as well.”
Septimus shouted down from the bow of the ship. “Let’s go, first mate!”
Mowriyah reached forward once more and hugged her sister. “Okay, Abby, I have to go.” Suddenly filled with excitement, she stepped back and winked.
She walked to Decimus. “You take care of my big sister.” She grabbed him around the waist and hugged him as well. “And take care of that baby.”
Decimus patted her on the back in reassurance.
“Hey!” Septimus shouted.
Decimus gave a hearty chuckle and released her. He bent down to her ear and whispered, “He really does care for you. Give him time.”
Mowriyah backed up and pushed her lips together in a thin line. “Time? I don’t think that’s the problem. Septimus wants me to be his, but he also wants every other maiden he sees as well.”
“I will admit—”
“No. Let us simply say goodbye.”
Decimus nodded. “As you wish.” He bent forward and hugged her again, then released her and helped her climb the rope ladder to the deck. She had to admit, the shorter tunic and long breeches made it far easier than climbing in the gown she had worn earlier.
Septimus grabbed her hand from the top and helped pull her over the ledge. “Welcome aboard. I’m the Captain and you’re my first mate. Time to start your training.” Septimus grinned and motioned to Decimus, who cast the mooring lines off from the pier.
Septimus pointed to the rope that was far aft. “Start pulling that one up and laying it on the deck,” he said to Mowriyah. “We’ll stow them later after they dry some.”
Mowriyah trotted back to the aft of the ship and reached for the line. She strained at the weight of the wet heavy rope, and cursed silently beneath her breath. She looked to Septimus, who was laughing loudly as he yanked the lines up with ease and coiled them on the deck.
Frustration rose within her and she tried to quicken her motion to no result. She continued through the pain that was forming in her upper arms and looked down at Decimus and Abagail one last time. Decimus was holding Abagail and the pair were waving.
Septimus joined her and helped her finish the line. “Next, we set the sail.” He quickly showed her the rigging lines and told her how to pull and tie them off. “I will go aloft, and wait for you to lift the sail.” He scaled the mast pole and waited for the cloth to meet its halfway point.
Mowriyah pulled and tugged on the rope, steadily making the sail rise. Septimus grabbed its hook and bound it to the mast. He scurried down with a shuffle and Mowriyah couldn’t help but think he was making her work this hard on purpose.
She rubbed her arms at the burning sensation that spread from her shoulders down to her wrist. Septimus passed her with a wide grin across his face and headed for the rudder stick. Grabbing hold, he pulled it hard left. He yanked on a line and the sails shifted to catch the wind that would take them away from the dock. As they drifted toward the open water, Mowriyah joined him at the aft of the ship, anxiously awaiting her next instruction.
She looked over the rails once more and saw Decimus wrapped around Abagail, who was obviously sobbing into his chest. Everything will be all right, Abby. She breathed in the last smell of home, wild onions and salty air filling her lungs.
She swallowed and then turned to Septimus. “So, Captain. Do we have a plan?”
Septimus raised his eyebrows and playfully grabbed at her breeches, pulling her close to him, with only the wooden pole in between.
“Well, every Captain has a first mate. Your training has begun.” He kissed her nose and then her lips.
Mowriyah shivered with anticipation, but could only think of two words to say. “Yes, Captain.”
Chapter Two
Mowriyah and Septimus navigated the ship together for six days and were now only a day from the Mediterranean Sea. He had trained her on almost every aspect of the ship. She was a fast learner, and she grew her sea legs easily.
The sun was setting in the west and millions of sparkles reflected on the water’s surface. Septimus’s instincts had him wary and on high alert. He walked around the ship’s deck several times, looking out in every direction. The air felt thicker. The scent of rain mixed with the saltiness of the ocean had him panicked. On the eastern horizon, the clouds darkened and thunder rolled across the sky.
Septimus turned to Mowriyah, who had joined him on deck. “This is not the time for Jupiter and Neptune to fight. We must hurry.” Septimus raised the sails to full open and pointed toward the rear of the ship. “Stay steady on the rudder. The waves are beginning to conspire against us.” He watched her jump to the rudder stick and hold tightly as it started to shift under the crashing of the waves. The wind was rolling in and Septimus cursed the howling that followed.
Septimus ran to the swan neck, perched himself on the rail, and peered out into the distance. The waves on the horizon were much larger and the darkness was now enveloping the whole sky. He wiped the sweat from his brow. How could this storm have happened so fast? There was hardly any warning, and with his inexperienced first mate on board, he was unsure of its outcome.
He looked back toward Mowriyah again, whose hair beat at her face. She stood battling the waves at the rudder pole and actually smiling. “Are you okay?” he shouted over the crashing thunder to the aft of the ship.
“This is wonderful!” She raised her face to the sky.
He knew they were traveling fast, and with the storm getting worse, he had to change his plans of outrunning it. They really were out of time.
Septimus ran to Mowriyah. “To prepare in time, we will simply have to let it float and work to untie the sails.”
She nodded and a crack of lightning belted overhead. “What do you need me to do?”
“See the mast? I need yo
u to climb the ladder and unhook the sails. Once you do, I can pull them down quickly and we can stow them below deck.”
She eyed the mast and another wide grin covered her face. “On my way, Captain.” She slid past him and gave him a pat on his backside as she walked by.
Amazing. She fears nothing. Septimus followed her to the rigging and tried to help her onto the ladder, only to receive a scoff. He retreated and allowed her to go on her own.
Small, pestering drips of rain had begun to fall and cover the deck. She scurried up the ropes like a monkey, swinging her legs wide and using her upper body strength to ascend. He stood below and watched with anxiety as she shimmied to the top of the mast and grabbed the sail ring with her right hand.
He saw her struggle with its weight. “Pull, love! You can do it!” Then, horror struck deep in his chest as he saw her release her other hand and lean in to remove the ring with both hands. Thunder boomed directly above the ship. “Mowriyah! Stop!” But she didn’t react to his words.
He tried waving from below and still received no response. He could only watch as Mowriyah held tight in this rough sea with only her legs. He cursed himself repeatedly for putting her at risk. If something happens to her, it will be my fault. Decimus and Abby would never forgive me and I would never forgive myself.
Suddenly, the sails dropped. She had managed to remove the ring and was already climbing back down the ladder that blew heavily in the wind.
Septimus heaved on the lines and allowed the sails to tumble quickly to the deck. Mowriyah was at his side before the top of the sail was completely down, and working the fabric into folds as if she were a seasoned sailor.
The rain poured harder now and the ship was tossed about by the waves. Together, they managed to push the sail below deck without losing their footing. Septimus closed the hatch and turned to see Mowriyah back navigating the rudder, a wild look in her eye and her hair wet and plastered to her face. He rushed to her side and grabbed the stick from her.
“Go down below and wait this out,” he shouted.
“No. This is wonderful!”
Septimus shook his head. “Please!” He knew the storm would get worse; he could feel it in his bones. He had to make sure she was safe. “As your Captain, I command you to go down below!” He set his jaw and squared his shoulders.
Mowriyah’s wide grin and shiny eyes suddenly vanished and were replaced with a cold, hard look that turned Septimus’ stomach. Through clenched teeth, she answered, “As my Captain wishes.”
Septimus watched as she released the rudder and stomped to the stairwell. She descended with the ease of Neptune’s water nymphs. Then she disappeared.
***
Mowriyah stood below deck tightening her fists and releasing them again. Her breathing had elevated and she could feel the warmth in her cheeks. That man!
The drumming of the heavy rain on the deck above carried throughout the room. The boat’s gentle rocking had turned into bucking and more than once Mowriyah found herself grabbing the side of the wall to steady herself.
The thunder rang out like a gong in her ear. Her fury quickly subsided as worry crept up from her stomach.
As the heavy rains seeped down from the deck through the hatch, she paced the floor to ease her worry and stumbled when the ship jerked side to side with the waves. When she tried to regain her balance, the boat bucked again, slamming her down on her backside.
From above, she heard an ear-splitting crack followed by Septimus yowling. Gripping the hull’s sideboards and wedging her feet between supplies to maintain her balance, she pulled herself upright. Using the hull as her guide, she made her way up the stairs and reopened the hatch, allowing a stream of water to enter the cargo hold.
Seeing Septimus gripping the rudder stick, she pulled herself onto the deck and crawled on all fours to him.
“Go back downstairs,” he screamed through the pounding of the waves and the thunder. A look of anger was evident on his face.
The rain and ocean’s overspray felt like sharp needles stinging her skin as she made her way to Septimus. The lightning flashed so brightly above her, she swore that the sun was high in the sky instead of falling below the horizon. She matched his fevered gaze with her most stubborn look. “I can help you!”
Another large wave crashed against the port side of the ship and Mowriyah clutched at the deck. Inches of water washed over the bow and Mowriyah’s grip slipped with the rushing tide. She pressed her weight into her hands and continued to make her way to Septimus.
When she reached him, he grabbed her by the arm and brought her to her feet, anchoring her to the rudder stick with a line of rope. His eyes were narrowed and his nostrils were flared. “I told you to stay downstairs!”
Mowriyah grabbed the rudder stick tighter and helped Septimus gain control. “We do this together, Captain!”
He let out an aggravated growl. “Curse you, woman!” He shook his head but made no further attempts to make her leave.
Mowriyah watched as the waves rose and fell before her. It looked as if the ocean would simply swallow the ship whole.
The two battled the ocean together for what seemed like hours, manning the rudder and relying on each other’s strength to carry them through.
Once the rain finally stopped, the wind died down, and the waves subsided. Mowriyah looked at Septimus, her body sagging from exhaustion. She allowed herself to crumble to the floor. The last thing she remembered was Septimus picking her up in his arms and carrying her to the cot down in the cargo hold. He kissed her forehead, and told her to sleep.
***
Septimus stood over Mowriyah, worshipping her slender body. She had bewildered him with her strength and tenacity. Now, she dazzled him with her beauty. Even after the horrible night above, she looked angelic with her shoulder-length hair spread across the tattered woolen blanket. He hated waking her, but the crew he had hired were about to begin repairs and they needed to resupply the ship.
He bent forward and nudged her shoulder. “Good morning.” She shifted and fluttered her eyelids. “I know you’re tired, love, but we have much to do.”
Mowriyah stretched and yawned. “Good morning.”
“ I trust you dreamed well.” Septimus reached his hand forward and waited for her to take it. When she finally did, he saw her wince as he noticed the rips on her palm. Immediately he flipped her hands in his and scrutinized every little scratch. “Mowriyah—”
“It’s nothing that won’t heal.” She withdrew her hands and looked around. “Are we moving?”
“No, we’ve arrived in Rome. We took some damage last night in that storm and we need a few minor repairs and some new supplies. Luckily, they felt the storm here as well, and allowed us to dock. It was a perfect cover.”
She heaved herself up from the cot and smiled, straightening out her tunic. “Let me change. I still feel soaked from the rain.”
Septimus withdrew a leather satchel from behind his back. “If you’ll forgive me, I must ask that you wear this.” He pulled the Roman toga that Abagail had once worn from the bag. He saw a look of disgust stretch across her face.
Septimus withdrew from the Captain’s quarters and made his way through the cargo hold and up to the deck. He surveyed the ship once again. The mast was undamaged. The sails below were soaked but would dry out quickly once they were set again. Unfortunately, the railing to the port side of the ship was badly damaged. A five-meter section had been completely torn away by the waves, and from the looks of their supplies below, they would have to throw some out due to the water that had covered the cargo hold’s floor.
He heard the hatch creak and he turned to see Mowriyah emerge in pure Roman elegance. Her hair was spun up into a braid and tucked against the back of her head. She had donned the Roman toga as requested, and filled it out in every imaginable way.
His heartbeat skipped and he felt lightheaded. He couldn’t believe that she could make him feel this way simply by being in his presence. He shook his
head, trying to dismiss visions of their shared passions that were suddenly overwhelming his mind.
She walked over to him and batted her long eyelashes. Bending in a small curtsy, she held out her arm. Septimus took it in his and guided her off the ship.
Septimus smelled the lavender that she had rubbed on her skin, and he was in awe of her ability to blend into the Roman streets without any official training.
They walked down the pier and onto the cobblestone roads that weaved through every aspect of Rome’s housing and market. He remembered this place easily. It was familiar and until this moment, he hadn’t realized he had actually missed it.
He guided Mowriyah through the streets, whispering names of places into her ear. She simply kept her poise and walked beside him in a typical Roman carefree way.
“Here.” He pointed to an inn on the right and then led her up the steps and through the door. He surveyed the main area, noting the diverse group that had gathered there, and headed to the counter. “We wish to rent a room for six days.”
The chubby, small man barked out a price and Septimus spoke with him in leveled tones to barter a lower price. The innkeeper agreed to the trade that Septimus suggested and came around the counter to direct them to their quarters.
Septimus placed his hand in the middle of Mowriyah’s back and pushed her ahead of himself. He watched the crowd with great pleasure as every male eye studied Mowriyah’s petite yet curvy frame. The main hall began to disappear from his view as they followed the clerk toward a long hallway. From the corner of his eye, he spied a beautiful blonde sitting at the far end of the room who was staring at him as he walked away.
A hitch caught in his throat as he left the crowded room behind. Surely he hadn’t seen who he thought he had. Paranoia filtered through his body. But if it wasn’t her, why had she been staring at him looking so surprised? He tried not to think of her golden hair, her ivory skin, and crystal blue eyes. She left Rome years ago. It can’t be her.
Entering the room, Septimus dismissed the owner, his thoughts focused on the woman in the main hall.
