“Bentley, you say?” The guard stroked his beard. “Is Charlie Daley with you?”
“Aye. This is Daley standing here beside me. We’ve come to see Lady Zenzebe.”
The way their eyes lit up over Sterling’s introduction gave me hope for a warm welcome. “You wait while I send notice.”
Their extremely fast running boy darted across the rocks of the jetty to inform their leaders of our presence.
While waiting in the beating sun, I looked around to enjoy the scenery. After what seemed like hours had passed, I saw another group of natives line the shore below the canopy of trees. Hearing a trumpet sound from their direction, I assumed the message of the melody assured the guards that we were safe to enter, for the zebra man said, “Enjoy your visit, Charlie Daley and friends.”
Excited to be on our way, the crewmen sang jolly shanties as we sailed in. Laying anchor in the turquoise water of the deep, crescent-shaped bay, we began loading our longboats with barrels to fill with fresh water and plunder to trade for goods and services. Sweating like a pig in the heat, I was happy to finally board a longboat where I instantly dipped my hat in the salty water and put it back on my head to keep cool.
The next group of painted natives met us at the shore, shaking hands and even hugging some of the pirates who had been here before. Among them I noticed there were also a few Englishmen who were now dressed and painted like the natives.
Finding Mary in the crowd, I darted in her direction. Squeezing her arm, I said, “What an interesting visit this will be.”
“I know. Everyone is so colorful.” She smiled as she looked around.
“I want to make a headdress like that.” I pointed to the man who had a long tail of feathers hanging from his headscarf.
“Oh, and look, I love her outfit.” Mary nodded at the woman walking towards us. “That is how I imagine mermaids would dress.”
Shells, seaweed, and leaves decorated the thin white skirt draped around her generous hips. Her brown belly was on clear display, and her breasts were only hidden because her long, black hair—laced with beads and shells—just happened to be hanging over them.
Laying eyes on Sterling, her bright smile widened. She provocatively swayed in his direction. “Sterling Bentley. I thought I’d never see you again after your defiance to my reading.”
Taking shelter behind me, Sterling snipped at her, “I defied and conquered, so don’t bother me with your witchcraft, Narrah.”
“Narrah!” I interrupted their humorous reunion. “You are Zenzebe’s sister.”
“That is correct.”
“Zenzebe told me so much about you. And I remember your name because I love it so much.”
Her smile lifted on one side. “Might you be Charlie Daley, the pirate who freed my sister from that wicked Jezebel?”
“That’s me,” I answered proudly.
“I never liked that woman. The way she used my sister’s powers for her own personal gain and locked her away like a prisoner, upset me greatly. I had thought of killing her myself, but Zenzebe insisted that they were truly good friends.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyhow, I hear you offered a permanent solution to the problem, and I thank you greatly. Zenze has spoken highly of you, and since she is now our esteemed healer, the respect she has for you will be expressed throughout the rest of our tribe.”
Pleased by Narrah’s greeting as much as I was happy to hear Zenze had found a nice place to live, I smiled. “It is my pleasure to be among you. Do you know where Zenzebe is? I would love to see her. And, well, I’ve also come to share some news with you.”
“She is assisting with a birth right now, but she should be done soon. I will send one of my men to inform her of your presence, and with her, we will discuss these matters you speak of in my suite, over a tasty lunch. Let me welcome the group and then we’ll be on our way.”
After blowing her trumpet to grab everyone’s attention, Narrah said, “Welcome to Silverhook. Named after the hook-shaped jetty that protects our precious bay, Silverhook is a small but powerful village. Like you buccaneers, we have taken life as our own and staked our claim on this beautiful piece of earth to uphold our freedom. Our people are joyful, but proud, and we are happy to share what we have, but you must show respect. Please be courteous to our land and our people, and enjoy your visit.” Narrah welcomed us into the forest.
Not far up the trail, we came upon a clearing in the trees. With blue sky shining through the opening overhead, I eyed the fantastic little tree houses built into the canopies. Wooden pathways sprawled across the massive branches, and thatched huts and pavilions were planted in various strong spots near the powerful trunks. The village below was no less of a scene. Surrounded by a few tents and huts, the open area was bustling with jolly islanders. Tables were lined with baskets of fruit and vases filled with flowers. Colorful sheets hung from the tents, and happy children ran around the low burning fire. Everything was beautiful, unique and adorable in every way.
While the men dispersed into the crowd, Narrah led me and Mary into the room she called her suite. The walls of the ground level tent were covered with colorful sheets, and the long table in the middle looked like something that would be seen in a captain’s cabin. The other furnishings and trinkets were just as fanciful.
Just before I sat down, Zenzebe entered the room. The instant I laid eyes on her pretty face, I leapt in her direction and threw my arms around her. “It is so good to see you again, my friend.”
“You as well.” She kissed my cheek.
“How is everything?” I played with one of her curls.
“I am so happy here, Charlie. I can’t thank you enough for setting me free. Rather than being holed up like a prisoner and abused for my powers, I am now revered for my knowledge and respected like a princess, or even a goddess.” She giggled. “I owe it all to you, my friend.”
“It was my pleasure. How are things going with Hank?”
“Hank.” She scowled. “He was nothing but charming when he helped me make my escape, but after sharing our hut for a couple weeks, it became dreadfully apparent that he loved the rum and wenches much more than me.”
“That dirty dog! I could slap him for betraying you.”
“Well, you’ll soon see that love is not sacred around here.” She looked annoyed. “Everyone sleeps with everyone.”
Narrah rolled her eyes. “And why wouldn’t we? We are free people, aren’t we?”
Zenzebe crossed her arms. “We are. And I am free to think it is disgusting.”
Narrah laughed. “The prudent witch who is stingy with her virtue. Yes. Just one of the many unusual characters in our lovely little village. There is never a dull day among our diverse little group.”
Once the table was set with platters of colorful fruits and savory meats, and the servants were well out of range, Narrah asked, “So what was it you wished to share with me, Charlie?”
While picking at the tasty foods, Mary and I took our time explaining what we’d seen at the other end of the island.
Narrah lowered her head. “I knew the day would come. It looks like we will have to prepare for war.”
Looking out of the canopy door at the simple village, I said, “War? But there are so many of them, Narrah.”
“What else can we do? They will take our land and make slaves of us if we do not fight.”
“I can respect that,” Mary said. “But how do you plan to hold them off?”
“We have been collecting many weapons over the years. Near the coral reef we set up a lighthouse to lure in the ships so that they will wreck upon the shore. We then collect all the goods aboard and house the sailors who survive. It is a treacherous game to play, but our tribe has thrived because of this tricky tactic, and we are more than prepared for such a feat. Now, I will inform the warriors and we will have a great feast tonight to celebrate their courage. I do hope you will join us for the celebration.”
“We certainly will.” Mary raised her glass.
I lifted mine as well.
After taking a drink, Narrah looked at me. “For saving my sister and warning my people, I wish to offer you the great room while you are here now, as well as anytime you may visit in the future.”
I enjoyed the evening’s festivities as much as the men enjoyed their whore-hut. The food was tasty, the music lively, and the rum flowed like river water. Letting myself get caught up in the sound of the fearsome beat the drummers were pounding out, I danced along with the villagers until I was short of breath and covered in sweat. By the time I had exhausted myself among their jolly company, I fully understood why Narrah wanted to fight for this place.
Tired as could be and ready to call it a night, I asked Sterling to walk with me to the treehouse where our quarters were. By the light of many torches, we slowly wandered along the creaking wooden bridges which served as the pathway from tree to tree. Finally alone with my lover, the mythical setting seemed extra dreamy. While holding tight to his arm—inhaling the scent of the sandalwood oil he wore—I sighed, “I think I love this place.”
Entering the room we were granted, I looked around at the walls and furnishings made of mismatched pieces of wood. “I bet all these things were taken from the shipwrecks the happy tribe has caused.” I pulled back the eccentric fabric draped over the open windows.
“That’s a nice tactic they have,” Sterling said as he plopped down on the big bed. “If the Diegos don’t burn it down, I’d like to visit again sometime.”
Staring out the window onto the fire-lit party below, I sighed, “I’m sure this place would win a vote every time.”
“Well, right now my vote is in favor of you undoing my belt with your teeth.”
“No.” I patted my thighs where I wore the rags to keep my monthly blood from flowing down my legs. “There will be no such fun for either of us tonight.”
Looking at me with a nasty face, he said, “I don’t know how you deal with that shit on top of all the other things you do.”
“It certainly isn’t pleasant, but a week of bloody misery each month is better than a life with a child to care for.”
He sat up and pulled me near him. Looking at me from where he sat, he asked, “So you’re all right with the fact that we aren’t making babies?”
“Even if I wanted to, and even if it were possible, where the hell would we raise them? You are wanted by the English law and the Devil only knows what the hell kind of trouble I will be in now that I killed that rapist. Tortuga is a terrible place and Silversand is being overtaken by the Spaniards. Though these people are proud, I have a bad feeling that Silverhook will also be burned to the ground before we know it. The world is caving in around us, and it’s all we can do to keep ourselves alive. It’s better that we don’t have children to worry about.”
Pulling me down onto his lap, Sterling hugged me tight. Though he didn’t say a word, the love in his embrace assured me that somehow, he and I would fair just fine on our own.
After the heartfelt hug, he tipped his flask to take another shot. Finding it empty, he pouted dramatically. “It’s gone.”
I laughed. “Well, go get more.”
“And leave you here?”
“Yes. I’m just going to go to sleep like a tired old hag, so I won’t even miss you.”
“All right.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll be back soon, though.”
Once he left, I crawled into that big comfortable bed and watched the firelight from below lighting the ceiling of the room. With laughter and song filling the night air, I enjoyed peace of mind until I fell asleep.
X
My dreams of violent storms and vicious bolts of lightning were interrupted by a roaring rumble of thunder. Sitting up in a sweat-covered panic, I heard raindrops beating against the palm frond roof—which was so well thatched that it wasn’t leaking. Getting up, I changed the rags around my legs and splashed my face with the cold water from the washbasin.
Feeling refreshed, I walked to the window to take in the view. The fire had long since burnt out and other than the sight of a couple men passed out facedown with rum bottles in their hands, the village was still. Hearing Sterling, Faron, and Mary talking quietly outside my door, I thought about joining them, but enjoying my solitude as I was, I went instead to the window facing the forest to admire the view alone.
The moon was full, and though the sky was covered with clouds, there was a mystic glow beaming from behind the thinner layers. Every now and then lightning would strike, illuminating the forest and the ground below with a daylight level of brightness. Enchanted by the sound of the raindrops pounding against the ground and leafy rooftops, I stared blankly at the scene below—admiring the way the wet ground lit up between the clearing of trees when bolts of lightning flashed across the sky.
In the darkness, I listened. Thunder roared across the cloud-covered sky, wind whipped through the tree-lined valley, and the thinner branches snapped and snarled in the wild weather. But the tree my little room was perched in only swayed lightly. In a dreamlike state, I waited for the next electric strike to illuminate the scene.
When it finally hit, a ghastly human-shaped shadow stretched across the clearing. The image disturbed my peace entirely.
It could have been anyone, a guard, a pirate, or even a witch, but the angle of the feathers on the hat was eerily familiar. With my heart frozen stiff in my chest, I stared at the terrifying shadow until darkness once again claimed the scene. The next crash of thunder trembled through my bones. Gone was the shadow by the time the next flash of light came and went, yet the threatening picture remained seared in my mind.
It was Doubloon.
He was here.
The terror striking my heart sunk deep into my gut. With chills running up my spine, I forced myself to spring towards the porch to tell Sterling.
“He’s here!” I whispered with panic ringing in my voice.
“Who’s here?” he asked with a serious expression.
“Voodoo Doubloon. I saw his shadow when the lightning struck.”
“You saw him?” Sterling stood up.
Suddenly feeling unsure of what I had seen, I twiddled my fingers. “I did. Well, I guess it could have been anyone. But the feathers. Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it was just my imagination.”
He grabbed my shoulders. “Listen. We’re safe here. There are guards standing watch at every end of the forest, and Flynn and I are going to be up all night keeping a watch of our own. Lie down and get some rest.”
Mary came in, dropped her weapons on the nightstand, and flopped down upon the bed. “How about I snuggle up with you and keep you safe?”
“Very well.” I curled up beside her.
“Are you going to be all right?” Sterling asked.
“I’ll be fine,” I answered.
He kissed me on the cheek before he went back out to stand guard with Faron.
“I do feel better being up high in this tree,” I said to Mary as I covered myself with the sheet.
“Me too.” She yawned as she fluffed her pillow. “You know, Charlie, I think I want to live in a treehouse when I retire. Yes, a treehouse overlooking the beach.”
I told her how I had been daydreaming about the same thing. We talked and talked about how we would design and decorate our treehouses until we finally fell asleep.
X
With morning light beaming through the grey clouds covering the sky, I did my best to encourage the groggy men as they headed for the ship. “You knew this was going to be a quick visit. Get your minds geared up for gold! Mariposa de Oro is waiting for us.”
A small handful of men hooted, but the majority only grumbled inaudible grunts. As they began boarding the longboats, I headed back to the village to get Sterling and say goodbye to Zenzebe and Narrah.
My jolly strut to the village was brashly interrupted when I heard a loud, angry roar raging through the canopy. Stopping in a panic, I cocked my head, but before I had a chance to gauge the degree of danger, I saw it with my eyes.<
br />
A small group of villagers—including Narrah—were chasing after a few of our men. Faron and Mary were among them, but Sterling was running ahead of the bunch with Narrah’s trumpet in his hand. In shock, I watched her chuck her spear at him. The blade bounced off his shoulder but didn’t slow him down for a second.
Mortified and confused, I took note of the increasing number of villagers and turned to run with my men. I nearly shrieked like a little girl when I heard an arrow whiz past my head. While thanking the Lord for letting me go unharmed, I watched a spear slice through the chest of Alex, skewering him like a pig on a spit. Right in front of me, the man who had been teaching me Dutch, fell dead. I wanted to cry out for my friend. I wanted to stop and grab him and drag him along with us, but all I could do was leap over his dead body and keep running before an arrow hit me.
With fear propelling me, I helped to push the longboat into the water. Just as we jumped in, an arrow plunged into Sterling’s hat. Unmindful of his near death encounter, he commanded me and Mary to lay low, then shouted to inform Faron that we were fine.
“Should we fire?” I asked, preparing my gun before he answered.
“No. We need silence.” He kicked the trumpet which lay at his feet, assuring me that he had taken it so Narrah couldn’t warn the guards at the tower. Escaping the range of the roaring men on the shore, we reached the ship without further injury, but once I heard the sounds of their gunfire, I knew we’d have hell to pay at the guard tower.
“Ready the guns and make sail faster than you’ve ever made it!” Sterling shouted as he rushed through the anxious crowd of men who had already begun preparations to flee.
Endless Horizon cleared the dreadful exit ahead of us, but while we breezed past the tower—where the guards were wildly scampering about to fire their guns—it felt like we were being held back by an anchor.
Not wanting to lose any more men, I roared, “Clap on more sail! Handsomely, men, handsomely!”
The guards fired before we got the chance. We were far enough ahead that only one ball bashed through the stern as we cleared the way.
Gunpowder & Gold (Justified Treason, Book 4): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories Page 14
