The Death Dealer - The Complete Series

by Katie Roman

  Eventually her resilience paid off and her feet stepped out of the jungle onto a dirt path. To her left the path emerged some ways off from the jungle, and to her right it led into a large port town.

  If she would have had the energy, she’d have shouted and cried tears of joy, but her mouth and eyes had no more fluid to waste. She turned to the right and stumbled along the path.

  ~*~*~

  Kay was born and spent most of her early years in the port town of Dagnian. It was a stinking little pit, but it was home. It was also where His Most Royal Pain in the Neck Prince was meeting his allies from Sera. While he and his noble band of fools met privately on an unmarked merchant ship, Kay and her men took to Dagnian.

  Unlike Glenbard, Dagnian didn’t sport fine gambling establishments or good ale houses, and as such, it was harder to wreak havoc upon. A few men leered and whistled as Kay walked by, looking for a place to quench her thirst and drown her annoyance. She merely flashed the hilt of her sword in answer and kept walking. Five steps behind, her first mate, Quinn, ambled along.

  “You’re a sailor,” she scolded over her shoulder. “You should be used to Nareroc’s heat.” Kay halted her progress so Quinn could catch up.

  He wiped his brow. His entire face dripped sweat. “It’s too hot to be out.”

  “You’re like a child! Go find some shade and leave me be.”

  Suddenly Quinn stopped looking at Kay, fixing his gaze up the street. “What are you looking at?” she barked, the heat making her temper flare.

  Quinn pointed to a group of three men who were circling around a shaved boy. “So?”

  “Look closer, Captain.”

  Kay shielded her eyes with her hand and looked again. It wasn’t a boy; it was Grace Hilren. Kay signaled for Quinn to follow and they strode up the road.

  As they drew closer, they heard one of the men call Grace a whore and he flashed a bit of coin at her. Grace looked too weak to fight back when he took her by the arm, but she clawed at him, hissing and spitting like a feral cat. She dug her feet into the dirt when he attempted to drag her away.

  “You!” Kay drew her sword. “Leave my girl alone!” No one deserved to be dragged off against their will, not even a self-righteous brat like Grace Hilren.

  The man paused and looked her over. “Your girl?”

  “Aye! She keeps running off and thinks I won’t find her. Unhand her or I’ll unman you.”

  The man didn’t let go of Grace; instead retorting, “I dare ya, woman.”

  “Finch, that’s Captain Lansa,” one of his fellows said quietly.

  Finch looked her over again. “Of the Fearless Dawn?”

  “The very same,” Kay snapped. “Now, unhand my wench!”

  Finch threw Grace into Kay and stalked off, his friends following closely on his heels. Grace turned her sunburned face up to Kay in amazement. Her gray eyes were sunken and her lips were cracked, looking almost brittle. The woman had gone far too long without water and even longer without a decent meal. Her shaved head was covered in little red bug bites and she wore a dirty, drab tunic and no shoes.

  “Kay,” she rasped and threw her arms around Kay’s neck, hugging her closely. For such an emaciated human, her hug was strong.

  Kay gently wrapped her arms around Grace, pressing her cheek into the rough stubble of her head; their past rivalry and hatred momentarily forgotten as Grace’s body shook with tearless sobs.

  ~*~*~

  Kay dragged Grace back to the Dawn, where she ordered her first mate to locate a healer in Dagnian. She then ordered a little bit of food and some water to be brought to her cabin, but while they waited, Kay allowed Grace to drink straight from her water pitcher. Grace ate a small portion of stale bread and cinnamon spiced porridge, but Kay refused to give her more than a small bowl of porridge.

  “Not until we’ve had you looked over completely,” Kay stated when Grace asked for more.

  An ancient healer arrived. She spoke only the Nareroc native tongue, and as she rasped words to Kay, the captain only nodded. The healer poked and prodded Grace with a bony finger, and after half an hour under her inspection, the healer said a few hurried words and left.

  “She’s going to get some salve for those bites and the lash marks on your back. You’re a bit dehydrated, but that can be remedied easily enough. Old Kya marveled that one not raised on the islands survived the jungle at night and off the beaten path. I am a bit astounded myself.”

  Grace shrugged, not wanting to say she was god-touched. Not everyone viewed such things as a blessing; some viewed the claims as crazy talk from zealots.

  “Maybe Angroa, the Nareroc goddess of good luck and fortunes, followed you.” It was Kay’s turn to shrug. “People say strange things happen in the jungle. I’m sure Kya will tell the whole damn island you survived the jungle with the aid of some demon.”

  “What happens now?”

  “You heal and rest. I suppose we can take you back to Glenbard when we return, though you’re officially listed as a traitor of the crown, and with the Duke of Escion overzealous in rounding up disturbers of the peace, you may as well enjoy Nareroc for a while.”

  “Marcus said as much.”

  “So he is here.” Kay’s eyes sparkled with girlish innocence. It was not a look Grace had ever seen in her before.

  “He is.”

  “And you just left him?” Kay’s eyes hardened almost as quickly. That was a look Grace knew well, as she’d been on the receiving end almost since the two women met. Any goodwill that had been built up since Kay brought her aboard the Dawn was suddenly in danger of crumbling.

  “I saw an opportunity to run and took it, but it’s not as though I’d flee these islands without trying to get Marcus.” She waited for Kay to threaten or berate her; essentially she waited for Kay to be Kay.

  The pirate captain rubbed a hand over her tired eyes. “I suppose I can't blame you. It's not like you are in any shape to mount a prisoner rebellion. But if you expect passage back to Glenbard, you better be prepared to go back for Marcus.”

  “Of course. He needs to return more than anyone.”

  Satisfied, Kay left her cabin so Grace could have a nap. She returned at one point and rubbed salve onto Grace's bug bites and whip marks, but the encounter was a blur. When Grace woke again, the cabin was dark.

  Grace peered out of the little porthole. The sun had mostly set, but a few rays of light maintained their hold on the waking world. No one moved about on the deck or below and it made Grace uneasy. It wasn't like Kay would abandon her precious ship, but Grace expected someone to be about when she woke.

  Feeling sore and hungry, Grace crawled from Kay's bed, opened the cabin's door, and peeked out. Above her, a few steps led out onto the deck where two torches were lit to illuminate the stairs. Grace headed up them cautiously.

  Kay stood at the bow of the Dawn, looking out over the black water. “My men are out carousing in Dagnian,” she said without turning to face Grace. “You and I have been summoned. I've been waiting for you to wake.”

  “Summoned?” Grace padded up and leaned on the railing next to Kay.

  “Aye. The prince and his Serish allies wanted to see you.”

  “The prince?”

  “I spirited him away from Arganis and brought him, along with that fussy duchess and knight, to meet their allies from Sera. They've been shut up on a trade ship plotting since we arrived. Your little friend Donald serves them. I sent my first mate to the ship, alerting them you had broken your chains and run into me. His Highness wanted you brought at once, but I refused him.”

  Grace didn't doubt for a moment that Kay would dare tell a noble no. “Thank you.”

  “But now that you're awake, we have no choice.” Kay pointed over the side and Grace followed her finger to a small boat tethered to the Dawn. “His Highness has provided us an escort. He's been pestering me about waking you up for hours, but I imagine he'll redouble his efforts now that you're awake. You!” Kay yelled down. “Yon l
ady is awake. You can take us to the prince.”

  A mumbled retort sounded from the boat, but Grace didn't catch much but “ungrateful cow.”

  ~*~*~

  The man rowed them from the Dawn to the large merchant ship anchored in the bay. Unlike the Dawn, it didn’t see fit to be tethered at the docks. If the prince was truly aboard plotting against his father, he'd not want to risk someone sneaking onto the ship.

  A ladder was lowered when Kay and Grace arrived, and Kay scrambled up first. With a bit of a struggle, Grace followed. The deck was lit and men stood around regarding the women. They were dressed like normal sailors, but they stood rigid, on their guard. Although they tried to look aloof and uninterested, they failed miserably.

  “They're soldiers,” Grace said under her breath. Next to her Kay nodded, but didn't make a comment.

  The pirate guide led them to the stairs that went into the belly of the ship, where two men stood guard at the door at the bottom. These men didn't try to hide their ranks. Though dressed as sailors, they stood at attention, hands hovering over the blades they wore at their sides. They blocked the door from entry.

  “Well, she's here. May we enter?” Kay purred.

  “Mistress Lansa,” the one on their left said.

  “Captain. Pox and rot, you fool. I am a bloody captain. Show some respect!” she retorted, though a smile tugged at the corners of Kay's mouth. The guard looked uncomfortable at the reprimand, which obviously filled the captain with joy.

  “Captain Lansa,” he corrected. “Allow us to announce you.” He nodded to the other guard, who then disappeared into the cabin.

  Grace felt her head swim. Anxiety rose in her chest at the thought of this meeting. She had saved the prince from an assassin's blade at their last meeting, but she didn't want to sit and accept the thanks. Not now. Not when there were far more pressing things to be done. Drake could at least have waited until morning.

  The second guard reappeared and held the door for them to pass through. Many candles had been lit in the cabin. To Grace it seemed a terrible idea for a wooden ship to be so careless with candles, but at the same time she was thankful because it allowed her a decent view of the assembled people.

  Drake sat between Katherine and Tristan. The prince and duchess looked relieved to see Grace, but Tristan scowled. Donald stood behind them, looking uncomfortable in the prince's livery, but equally excited at the sight of her. He smiled, and in the candlelight Grace saw a few tears glisten down his cheeks. Three people sat with their backs to Grace and Kay; two fair haired men and a steel haired woman. None took the effort to turn and acknowledge the newcomers. Two other servants stood against either side of the door, bowing as Kay and Grace entered.

  Drake rose from his seat, looking older than when they last parted ways. His face was unshaven and his hair hadn't been combed in some time. Katherine and Tristan looked no better, though. Out of habit and respect, Grace curtsied. Kay snorted with a poorly concealed laugh, but still bowed to the prince.

  “Rise, please! You saved my life. Do not stand on ceremony with me.” He crossed the cabin and hugged Grace, and she returned the gesture before he took her by the arm and led her around the table. “I am glad you have found your way back to us,” he said, pulling a seat out for her next to Katherine.

  Grace noted that Kay was left to stand by the door. The captain curled her upper lip and narrowed her eyes at the slight. Once the prince sat again, there wasn't a free seat at the cabin's table. “Donald, please show Captain Lansa out, thank you,” Drake commanded.

  Donald spared a moment to squeeze Grace's shoulder as he passed. With an audible grumble from Kay, the two left the cabin, closing the door softly behind them.

  “You look exhausted, Grace,” Drake remarked.

  “I'm actually quite hungry. I slept plenty this afternoon.” Her eyes darted to the three strangers who watched her with keen interest.

  The men had a similar look; pointed chins, cool green eyes, and broad shoulders. The woman between them had a scar that ran from her hairline to her jaw on the right side of her face, with hard lines etched around her mouth. She looked neither happy nor angry at the interruption of their meeting. She looked entirely unmoved by anything.

  “Reggie,” the woman said, snapping her fingers, bidding one of the servants against the wall to move to her side. “Miss Hilren requires food. Fetch her some and fetch drinks for the rest of us.” Her voice was hard and strong, but sweet and lyrical at the same time.

  “Yes, Ma...” he stopped himself momentarily. “Yes, ma'am.” And Reggie left them as well.

  Grace stared at the woman again. She wore a simple faded green tunic over a white long sleeved chemise, but plain clothes couldn't hide her bearing any more than sailor costumes could hide that of her soldiers. Grace pushed back from the table to stand, but Katherine grabbed her wrist and held her in place.

  “Majesty,” Grace murmured and bowed her head.

  “Not today, Miss Hilren,” Queen Elanor of Sera said, or rather she commanded it. “I am supposed to be en route to our holdings on Uhn Struet, not floating off the coast of Frederick's Nareroc holdings.”

  Uhn Struet was the largest of the Nareroc Islands, and it was the only one controlled by Sera. Frederick would probably have traded his own children for the rich resources there, but was forced to settle for the four smaller islands instead.

  “She has come all this way to meet me,” Drake said. “And to supply us with men.”

  “Men?” Grace asked.

  “My cousins, Jestin and Aeron,” she said, indicating the men on either side of her, “and their personal guard will accompany the prince back to Cesernan. It is a small force, but they will at least be able to provide a base for him.”

  Grace said nothing. She wasn't sure why she was even present. She had no part in plans to overthrow Frederick, but Diggery sent her there, so there had to be a reason.

  “I understand His Grace, the Duke of Actis, is being held prisoner where you escaped from?” Drake asked. “We have been discussing ways to storm the beach and take him back. Since you managed to get away, I thought you could help us.”

  “You won't be storming the beach at Traitor's Bay,” Grace said quickly. “The duke works down there with his men and a few others. I escaped through the jungle path, but they have archers positioned everywhere.”

  Drake took a map from the center of the table and slid it in front of her. She pointed to the bay and said, “There's a sheer cliff face where they are positioned. There is a path leading down from the top, but you would be shot down before you reached the top. That means that the entirety of the prison guard would already be alerted to your presence, even if you managed to get to the top.”

  “But we can bring a greater force up the beach. We can't very well land at the prison docks,” the queen's cousin, the one Grace thought was Aeron, said sharply.

  “You could, if you had a few people inciting the prisoners.”

  “How many prisoners are there?” Katherine asked.

  “I couldn't say, but I came in with a hundred or so. There are a few from Glenbard who would fight for a chance at freedom,” Grace continued. “Offer them freedom, and they will fight.”

  “Prisoners!” Jestin shouted.

  “Peace, Jestin,” Elanor said quietly. “We knew taking the beach was not a good enough plan. Now, here this young woman gives us another plan and you are aghast.”

  “If we consort with this rabble, we will tarnish our good names,” Jestin continued.

  “And if we land in Traitor's Bay, they'll shoot us from the cliff and we'll never take the prison,” Elanor countered.

  “Then I say we return this Grace person to the prison and let her gather us support,” Jestin growled.

  Grace gasped. If they returned her to the prison, the guards would beat her or even kill her. She shook her head involuntarily at the thought.

  “Don't be stupid,” Elanor snapped. “An escaped prisoner isn't going to be all
owed back amongst her fellows. No, someone will have to be 'arrested' by a guard and brought there.”

  “Do you have someone in mind?” Drake asked.

  “Jestin can act as our guard.” She gave him a withering glance from the side of her eyes before continuing, “And we'll need someone the prisoners are likely to trust to get them on our side.”

  “Donald lived in Glenbard, didn't he?” It was the first thing Tristan had said since her arrival. Tristan was intent on punishing Grace for her past, so why should he want any different for her friend? “Send him.”

  “Or that contemptible pirate,” Katherine sniffed. “For enough coin, she'll sell her own mother to slavers. She's notorious around Dagnian, and I'm sure the guards will be happy to have her locked up. She's your friend, Grace. Can you talk her into it?”

  “Kay will be hanged the moment she arrives. You are right; she is notorious, and there is a lot of coin to be made turning her in, dead or alive. Dead, at least she can't try to escape. Perhaps you should just send me back.”

  “Don't be stupid,” Elanor said with more hardness to her voice than she had shown toward Jestin. “What of her first mate? If they think he'll sell her out, they may keep him alive.”

  Grace didn't know Quinn very well, but he stuck fast to Kay and Grace had never heard of Kay selling out her men.

  “We just need to convince him to do it,” Drake said, sounding almost gleeful with their plan. “We plant him at the prison with select information on our plans, and then he rallies the prisoners and they start a riot.” He became more excited with each word. “When they begin fighting, we land on the docks and join in with them.”

  “Assuming you can even convince this first mate to go along,” Aeron said.

  “He will be made to go if we must,” Elanor breathed with a certain air of finality. “Thank you, Miss Hilren. Your help is no longer required for the evening. Clive, help her find Reggie and have her fed. Speak with your friends about that first mate's role. We will call for them in the morning.”