The Sea's Rough Magic

by Alicia C Graybill

  "There are rumored to be no survivors of any of these attacks, aren't there, Captain?" The prosecutor was wrapping up his testimony as it was nearly past tea time.

  "Yes, sir, those are the rumors. But if there truly were no survivors, I doubt we would know of the attacks at all," James answered and was slightly shocked at the scattered laughter from the audience.

  "Order," Robbins rumbled and tapped the desk before him with the gavel. "Please make an effort to be less amusing, Captain."

  "Yes, sir," James replied with a little nod. He hadn't been trying to be amusing, let alone funny. Truth was, he just wanted to be told he was free to go home. "My apologies to the court."

  "No further questions for the good Captain," Squire Greene said with a pointed look at the Governor.

  There was a brief discussion between the Governor and the bailiff then Robbins seized the gavel in hand. "Captain Dunbar, you are dismissed. The court will adjourn until ten o' clock tomorrow morning."

  James was already nearly out the door when the gavel banged onto the bench. He stepped into the witness room and found Ike Stern pacing the floor. The young man looked up at him when he entered. "Is it my turn yet?"

  James shook his head. "No, that will be tomorrow, probably. They've adjourned court for the day so we can go home. Have they brought any news about Aaron?"

  Ike shook his head negatively. "None. What did the physic say this mornin'?"

  James couldn't look at Ike anymore. He shrugged. "I would prefer to discuss this at home, Ike. The carriage should be awaiting us."

  Ike's face darkened angrily but he made no comment, just preceded James out the door then to the exit. As Dunbar had predicted, the carriage was waiting to take them to the house. The ride was silent and Ike seemed especially sullen. It occurred to James that Stern might be feeling excluded but he didn't want the boy to make a scene in public. He suspected that what he had to say to Ike would be problematic at least.

  They arrived at the manor and entered, still silent. Rodney met them at the door.

  "Good evening, Captain, Mr. Stern. Rosemarie has tea prepared, should you wish to take it now."

  James shook his head, as did Ike. "I believe we would both like to visit Captain Johnson first. He's?"

  "Upstairs, sir, in his room. I was just with him a moment ago," Rodney's face paled, which Ike saw and he dashed up the stairs without waiting for any additional information. James watched him go then looked back at Rodney with a question in his eyes. Rodney shrugged. "There's no change."

  James sighed and nodded. "If you would, please bring tea upstairs? I'm not certain that either of us will be capable of eating but we do need to take some nourishment."

  Rodney nodded, "Of course, sir. Shall I bring some of the Captain's rum?"

  "What?" James met Rodney's eyes with a grim smile. "What harm can it do? Please. I will be upstairs."

  He turned to the stairs before Rodney bowed to him. He didn't want to do what he was about to do but he truthfully had no choice. The door to Aaron's room was open just slightly and he stepped in feeling apprehensive. Stern sat on the bed next to Aaron's silent figure. Stern held the former pirate's hand and spoke softly to him. The expression on Ike's face as James came around was heartbreaking. He was trying to keep a brave face but the reality of Aaron's condition made his lower lip tremble and his eyes come dangerously close to leaking. James let his gaze travel to Aaron's face--so still and so pale. It seemed so wholly unnatural for that face to be without expression. Again, James found himself praying to God that he hadn't made the worst mistake of his life.

  "Ike, I need to tell you something."

  The young man turned to look up at him. James felt his stomach twist within him as he gazed at Ike Stern. The boy’s eyes had gone very dark with grief. He wanted to confess the truth to Ike then and there but he didn’t know how skillful Stern was at hiding truths. He swallowed audibly.

  “The good doctor offered to tell you but I persuaded him that it would be better if I did. Dr. Hudson tells me that Captain Johnson—Aaron, likely, will not recover.”

  Ike had glanced back at Aaron but when he said those words, Stern looked up at him. “You mean t’ say Aaron’s—dying?”

  James nodded seriously and walked to the window to gaze out at the harbor. “If he doesn't wake up, we will not be able to get him to take any nourishment. If we try to give him anything, broth or juice, he may choke on it or take it into his lungs. In this condition, Aaron will be gone in a few days at most.”

  A moment passed then Ike leaped to his feet and advanced on him. “Ye’re lying! You just want t’ keep Aaron for yourself!!”

  James lowered his head. “If I were to say that I haven’t considered such a thing, that would be an outright falsehood. But Aaron will be lost to me as surely as he will be to you—it’s only a matter of time, Ike.”

  Had anyone told him what would follow, he would never have believed it. Instead, he witnessed it with his own eyes. Ike Stern collapsed to his knees and doubled over as sobs of utter despair were wrenched out of him. For several breaths, James just watched the young man grieve. He longed to offer comfort to Ike but feared that his offer would be misconstrued. He was spared the decision when Rodney arrived with the tray of food and drink. The manservant shot James a questionable look--part anger, part query--then set the tray aside before kneeling beside Ike.

  "Ike, lad, it's going to be all right," Rodney slid his arms around the young man and pulled him into an embrace. Briefly, Ike resisted, the wariness on his face almost exactly like that on Aaron's the first time they had embraced after he had been rescued. James grew sick. Of course, McSwain would have no hesitation or qualms about taking the boy either. That was probably why Ike was so devoted to Aaron, James realized. If Aaron had protected and cared for young Stern as he had James, there was nothing to wonder at. James, despite his desire to stay with Aaron, turned and left the room.

  )O(

  It was just after midnight when James, more inebriated than he usually allowed himself to become, stepped into Aaron's room. On the bed, Ike Stern snuggled hard against Aaron, his face buried in the black hair. James approached the bed then knelt beside it. Cautiously, trying to avoid waking Ike, he leaned in to kiss Aaron. The lips that met his were cool and dry. It made it nearly impossible for James to speak.

  "Raven, my love, forgive me. I only meant to do what was best for you as I saw it," He drew the bottle of Alma's potion out and gave it another shake. He took a spoon from his other pocket and poured some into the bowl.

  He had to fight himself to get the liquid between Aaron's lips then he tenderly stroked his hand down Aaron's throat to encourage him to swallow. When it happened, James had a tiny thrill of hope. He prayed to see Aaron's eyes open or to hear him say his name but there was no response. With a final kiss to Aaron's forehead, he rose and walked away.

  )O(

  Chapter 25:

  Ike

  When Ike woke the next morning, the sight that greeted his eyes was Aaron. He leaned closer to him and spoke. "Cap'n? Aaron, are you awake?"

  There was no response, not even the twitch of an eyelid. Ike drew a breath and swallowed with difficulty. He wasn't sure what was worse--the pain in his chest or the sickness in his stomach at the thought that Aaron might be gone forever. It can't be, He pressed his cheek to Aaron's shoulder and buried his face against the former pirate's neck. I have nothing left if Aaron is gone. I might as well--. Ike found himself at a loss. What would he do without Aaron?

  A knock at the door woke him again and he lifted his head from Aaron's shoulder to look around. The door opened slightly and he heard Rodney's voice. "Master Stern? Captain Dunbar wants to see you."

  Ike pushed himself upright but couldn't answer. It was at that moment that he felt Rodney's hand rest on the back of his head. "It's going to be all right, Isaac. We have to have faith, do we not? Captain Johnson is a strong man. He'll pull through."

  Ike shook his head and glanced up at Rod
ney. "I don't think so, sir. He-Aaron weren't well on the Maid. He kept coughin' up blood. What am I gonna do without him?"

  Rodney let his hand rest on Ike's shoulder as he smiled tenderly. "Let's hope you don't have to find out. Come along. Captain Dunbar wants to speak to you before you go to testify today. It will be terribly important that those villains are disposed of when Aaron recovers."

  For a moment more, Ike contemplated the man's gentle grey eyes then nodded and stood. He followed Rodney down to the dining room after only a single glance back at Aaron. He entered the dining room to see James picking listlessly at the breakfast he had been served. When the Captain looked up, he indicated for Ike to join him at the table. As soon as he did, Rodney placed a plate of eggs, ham and scones before him. The food smelled delicious but he wasn't sure he could swallow the food, let alone keep it down. He sat for several minutes poking at the food but not actually consuming any.

  Finally, Dunbar spoke. “Mist—Ike, you should eat. Aaron will be most distressed if he wakes and you have made yourself--.”

  “Don't lie!” Ike snapped then reined himself in, lowering his voice. Dunbar never listened to him when he yelled. He dropped the fork onto the table and turned to glower up into Dunbar's eyes. “We both know Aaron ain't goin' t' wake up. Ye don't have to treat me like a child 'cause I'm not. I want t' see them sons o' bitches swing so ye have my word I'll be at the trial but I'm in no mood fer victuals. Thanks very much.”

  With that, Ike rose and headed for the front door. As he reached for the knob, Rodney appeared, his mouth open as if he was about to speak. Ike shook his head and escaped as quickly as he could. Aaron was as good as gone and it hurt worse than he could imagine possible. It hadn't hurt this much when his mother died. But I thought Aaron would come back for me, Ike sighed and turned toward the docks.

  The sails were being unfurled on the Intrepid when he arrived. She was a pretty little ship and he caught himself thinking that she would be the one he'd steal for Aaron. Yet now he knew Aaron was never going to be his captain. He was staring at the ship when a voice came from behind him.

  "Mr. Stern? It's good to see you up and about."

  Ike turned and saw Lieutenant Chambers standing behind him. The sailor's face went from amused to saddened at the expression on his face. Ike swallowed hard and tried to speak but ended up shaking his head and looking away. Carefully, Chambers rested his arm across Ike's shoulders.

  "My condolences. I know the Captain is very special to you," Chambers murmured. "If you need to speak to someone, I would be honored."

  Ike remembered all the visits the Lieutenant had made to the Dunbar household, often stopping in to speak to Ike briefly. Ike managed to find his voice. "Thanks very much, sir, but I jus--I don't know what t' say or do anymore. I'm--."

  When Ike broke off, Chambers turned the young man to face him and held him gently by the shoulders. "Give yourself some time. There's no shame in mourning a good man honestly. Don't do anything drastic until after the trial is over, hmm? Aaron would want the best for you, as do Captain Dunbar and I."

  Ike shrugged and a bitter little smile touched his lips. "Cap'n Dunbar'll be glad t' see the backside of me. Might as well become a pirate, eh?"

  "No," Ellis said quietly and lowered his head to look into Ike's face. "That's not a wise decision, Ike. I ask you, just take some time to think things through before acting, all right?"

  Ike sighed, "I suppose. Guess I should be off t' court now, eh?"

  "If you don't mind, I'm supposed to meet Captain Dunbar there. I'll walk with you, if I may," Chambers gave him a slight smile and turned them both toward the fort when Ike nodded.

  )O(

  Ike couldn't keep his mind off of Aaron as he sat in the witness box. He answered the questions bluntly, neither coloring them to make the mutinous animals look worse nor spinning them to make Aaron or himself look better. There was no point, was there? With Aaron as good as dead, it wouldn't help anything. So he told the unvarnished truth, including the fact that McSwain had tried to force Aaron to rape him and that he had, in fact, been raped by McSwain more than once.

  "Now, there's no call for becoming vulgar, Master Stern," The Governor said as he banged the gavel to restore order after Ike revealed that piece of news. At least one of the fine ladies in the gallery had swooned at his words. Ike thought they were probably acting. "Please stick to the facts of your kidnapping and detainment--other than the vulgarities, that is."

  Ike looked up into the man's eyes and glared at him. "It ain't a 'vulgarity,' it's the truth! Aaron always did his best t' protect me but he wasn't strong--or well. An' now, he's--."

  Ike broke off abruptly, aware that if he said one word more, the word he most dreaded, he would sob like a baby. He heard, dimly, the prosecutor informing the Governor quietly that Aaron Johnson was in a coma and likely at death's door. The words twisted into his heart. He put his head down on his arm for just a moment, just long enough to calm himself.

  When he woke, he was back at Dunbar's house in his own bed. He sat up abruptly and Rodney was there in an instant. "Easy, Ike, not so fast. You've had a long and trying day. Don't endanger your health, son."

  "But the trial," Ike pushed at the covers though his head swam with the effort. "I've got t' finish tellin' 'em . . ."

  "You don't," James Dunbar's voice from the doorway made both youth and manservant look up. "The court deemed the testimony it had received sufficient to find the crew of the Saucy Maid guilty. The hangings will begin tomorrow and continue for the next fortnight. You did it, Ike."

  "I did it?" Ike felt as though he was an overtightened bow line, now gone to slack. "But I never told them about the other things . . ."

  "Dr. Hudson and the Venture's surgeon testified as to your condition," Dunbar moved a bit closer, his eyes resting gloomily on Ike. "It's over now."

  "Over," Ike repeated then looked at Rodney. "Can I see Aaron, please? Just--."

  He noticed the look in both men's eyes and realized without either of them speaking exactly what they were doing here. They were here to tell him that Aaron was dead.

  "No!" Ike shoved Rodney out of his way and staggered from the bed. When Dunbar reached a hand out to him, he slapped it away and ran for Aaron's room. He arrived to see the room empty, the bed neatly made. "Where is he? Where's Aaron?!"

  Dunbar's hand seized his elbow at that second, his grip like a kraken's tentacle. "I was trying to tell you, Mr. Stern, that Aaron is in the parlor. He died this morning while we were at court. The undertaker laid him out downstairs."

  Ike looked into the green eyes and tears sprang to his own. This couldn't be right. Aaron could not be dead. He had known it was inevitable, had understood there was no stopping it, but the very idea that it had happened before he'd had a chance to say a final good-bye, to hold Aaron in his arms one last time, caused a whirlwind of emotion within him. Without thinking, he balled up his fist, broke free of Dunbar and punched him as hard as he could across the jaw. To his credit, Dunbar did not fall down but the blow staggered him enough that Ike was able to flee down the stairs. He stepped into the salon and there was the plain pine box, lined with soft linen. Aaron lay on a pillow someone had placed in the box, his hands folded across his stomach. Ike noticed Lieutenant Chambers standing nearby, his face pale and eyes pained. Without a thought, Ike launched himself atop the casket.

  )O(

  Chapter 26:

  The Rub

  He heard the sound but had trouble understanding what it was at first. It was only when he felt the weight on his chest and the callused hands stroking his face that he realized it was Ike. The sound was young Stern weeping. Confused and disturbed, he wanted to open his eyes, to tell Ike things would be all right, but it just wasn’t possible. He tried to move a hand, hoping to touch Ike to reassure him, but nothing responded. He felt Ike kiss him, on the cheek at first then the lips but there was nothing he could do. It was then that he heard another sound.

  “Ike, please, Aaron�
�s gone,” The voice was familiar but he didn’t remember who it was. “Please don’t do this to yourself.”

  “He did this, din’t he?” Ike snarled suddenly. Aaron felt a flare of terror. “He did this jus’ so I couldn’t take Aaron away from here. I’ll kill him!”

  “No, you won’t,” The voice, even and rational in the face of such fury, comforted Aaron. “May I remind you, Mr. Stern, that dead is dead—whether you are the one who lost Aaron or James is, the point is that neither of you will have him again. This behavior is unacceptable. We will all miss him.”

  At that, Aaron felt Ike rise though his hands still held tight to Aaron’s shirt. “Only thing I ever wanted was t’ be with him. I have nothin’ left, Lieutenant. Aaron was the only one I ever cared about. An’ now-now . . .”

  “It’s all right, Ike. Everything will be all right,” Chambers muttered gently then Aaron felt Ike pulled away from him. A moment passed then the darkness and silence were returned. Aaron’s heart ached dully at the pain Ike was going through but unconsciousness slipped up on him.

  )O(

  "You need to tell him," Rodney said as he applied a cold compress to James Dunbar's jaw. He couldn't help but be a little pleased that Ike had done the deed. He had been wanting to do it for days ever since his employer hatched this little scheme but revealed that the Stern boy wouldn't be told until everything was settled. "He loves Aaron Johnson. He would never do anything to harm him."