Tristan (Pirate Lords Series Book 1)

by Elizabeth Rose

“I agree. We’re pirates. We don’t need to stick to our word,” said Aaron.

  “Never say that!” Tristan shook his head. “We stick to the code.”

  Mardon laughed. “Well, in that case, I guess you’ll need to be put to death, dear brother. Or did you forget number six of the code says that anyone found seducing a woman aboard the ship, or bringing her to sea in disguise is subject to death?”

  “In my defense, I thought she was a boy when I decided to bring her on board,” said Tristan. “However, I admit I had a good suspicion she was a girl before she set foot on the ship, and could have left her on shore after all. But the map was at stake and she was our only hope of finding it. She still is. So, don’t mention it again. After all, we’re all guilty of breaking the code because we brought Nairnie on board.”

  “Oh,” said Aaron, looking down to his hand. “Well, we couldn’t leave our own grandmother to die.”

  “He’s got a point,” said Mardon. “I suppose sometimes the code needs to be broken.”

  “Do you think the crew is going to agree with us?” asked Aaron. “We could have a mutiny on our hands because of the wench.”

  “The wenches,” Mardon corrected him.

  Tristan raised his hand. “Both of you, stop worrying about it. The crew is not going to find out about Gavina. I told her to stay in the cabin. Her secret is safe.”

  “Oh, really?” Mardon looked down to the main deck where the men were relaxing and drinking and getting ready to sleep for the night. “Well, I don’t think she heard you.”

  “What are you talking about?” Tristan turned around to see Gavina sneaking out of the cabin, almost tripping on her trews since they were so long. She walked awkwardly, only wearing one shoe. She was heading toward the galley and probably going to talk to Nairnie. However, before she could make it that far, she was stopped by some of the crew.

  “Damn it, why can’t she listen?” growled Tristan, knowing there was about to be trouble. The men were well in their cups. They started surrounding her in a circle. He heard raucous laughter and words that weren’t fit for a lady’s ears as they tried to provoke her. Even if they didn’t know she was a girl, he didn’t like them treating another crewmember in this manner. Only he, as the captain, was allowed to discipline others in ways that he felt were needed. “We’d better get down there quickly. The fool wench is going to get herself killed coming out on the deck at this time of night,” said Tristan, taking off at a near run.

  Having been bored just staying in the cabin, not to mention feeling a little seasick, Gavina snuck out and headed over to Nairnie’s quarters in the galley meaning to visit with her. Right now, she felt like she needed to be around another woman. However, the crew saw her and now she wished she had stayed put. As they closed in around her, she noticed their angry faces in the light of the lanterns hanging from the railings. She could also smell the strong stench of alcohol and knew they’d been drinking heavily.

  “I dinna want any trouble,” she told them, holding up her hands and backing away. “I’m just on my way to the . . . to the head,” she said, remembering what Tristan had told her.

  “The head is over there,” said Noll, stepping forward with his sidekick, Wybert, at his side. He pointed across the ship, on the opposite side of the galley. These two men seemed more frightening than the rest, most likely because they were filthier. Noll had already shown no respect to Tristan so she expected trouble.

  “There’s no need to use the head. Just pull out your snake and do it over the side like the rest of us,” said Wybert, motioning to the side of the ship.

  “What? Nay, I’d rather no’,” she said, backing away from them as they continued to come closer.

  “Blimey, I think the lad needs a little help gettin’ it out,” said Noll, laughing. “Boys, shall we give him a hand?”

  “What the hell is all the noise out here?” complained Nairnie, walking out from her small enclosure with a lit lantern in one hand and the oversized ladle in the other. She wore what looked like one of the men’s oversized shirts, using it as a nightrail. Around her shoulders was wrapped a coarse woolen blanket. She waddled up next to Gavina.

  Gavina moved closer to Nairnie for protection, hoping that the men would back off now and not try to rip off her trews. Nairnie was a crusty old woman and, hopefully, these men wouldn’t want to make her angry.

  “Get out of the way, old woman,” said Wybert, proving Gavina wrong. “The lad needs a little initiation as a welcome to our crew.”

  They continued to move closer, all of them staggering as if they were very drunk. Gavina eyed several barrels of wine on the deck as well as some empty bottles.

  Aaron swung over on a line and dropped down from the rigging next to her, facing the men. “What’s going on?” he asked the crew.

  “We’re just givin’ the boy a little welcome to the ship,” said one of the men, sniggering. “Want to help us?”

  “I don’t think so.” Aaron looked over at her, and then at Nairnie, trying to decide what to do.

  “Clear the way for our captain and quartermaster,” shouted Ramble, pushing the men aside, making a path for Tristan and Mardon.

  “What’s the trouble?” asked Tristan.

  “Yer puppet has come out of hidin’ and we’re just givin’ him a little welcome to the ship, that’s all,” said Noll, holding his hand out as if to keep Tristan away. “Or are ye goin’ to protect the milksop again and hide him in yer cabin?”

  “Aye, if he’s part of the crew now, quit treatin’ him like a wench,” said Wybert.

  “Mayhap he’s really a wench in disguise,” said one of the men, laughing. “Let’s get his trews off and find out for ourselves.”

  “We always strip the new members and throw them in the sea,” Goldtooth agreed. “Cap’n, ye’re usually the one to do it. Why don’t ye take the honors?” Goldtooth stepped aside, holding out his arm.

  That suggestion only wound the men up more. Gavina could see that she’d put Tristan in a very bad position. She had to do something fast before Tristan’s crew turned against him and she was the one to blame.

  “Yer captain said he wanted me to play some music for ye,” said Gavina, lifting her flute and bringing it to her mouth. Before anyone could object, she started playing a lively tune.

  “That’s not bad,” said Mardon with a nod.

  “Good enough to dance to,” agreed Aaron, holding his hands out to Nairnie. “Dance with me, Grandmother.”

  “Nay, get away,” scoffed Nairnie, putting down the lantern, trying to shoo him away with her ladle.

  “I’d like to see this,” said Mardon, snatching the ladle away from Nairnie. “Go on, dance.”

  “Now, boys, I’m an auld woman and can barely stand on the deck without fallin’, let alone dance,” Nairnie protested.

  “Go on, Nairnie. Dance with Aaron,” said Tristan. “That’s an order.”

  Nairnie sighed and took Aaron’s hands. “Och, I had hoped to someday dance at my grandchildren’s weddin’s, but no’ with drunkards on a pirate ship.”

  “So consider this practice,” said Aaron, taking her by the hands and spinning her around as he danced in his bare feet. Nairnie’s blanket fell from her shoulders and landed on the deck. All the men laughed and more alcohol was brought out for the occasion. To Gavina’s relief, they forgot all about stripping her, and instead all started dancing with Nairnie and laughing and falling down drunk.

  Tristan walked over to Gavina, standing behind her as she continued to play her flute. He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

  “If you want to stay a virgin, you’d better not stop playing that damned flute until every last one of them falls down and passes out.”

  She started to play the flute even faster, her heart beating so rapidly that she thought it would burst right out of her chest. It was a close call tonight and now she realized it was crucial she get off the ship as soon as possible. How many more times would Tristan be able to save her?


  Hours later, when all the men seemed to finally fall down and sleep, Gavina lowered her flute, feeling ready to pass out herself.

  Nairnie sat down on a wooden box and rubbed her feet, trying to catch her breath. “They’re tryin’ to kill off the auld woman, that’s what they’re tryin’ to do,” she scoffed.

  Gavina’s hands lowered. She felt as if she could not play another note. It was an effort just to keep her eyes open. The only reason she hadn’t already fallen asleep was because Tristan had told her to play for her life and so she had.

  Tristan finally relaxed when all of his crew was sleeping. The only ones still awake were Aaron and Stitch who were on the first night watch.

  “Nairnie,” said Tristan, picking up the blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders. “It’s time for bed. I hope the men didn’t wear you out dancing tonight.”

  “I only did it to save Gavina and ye ken it,” she told him in a low voice. “Now, ye’d better come up with a plan to protect her from these bluidy curs, because I canna go through this again. If I have to, I swear I’ll beat every one of them with my ladle.” She scooped up the ladle from the ground and held it high in the air to prove her point.

  “There will be no need for that, Nairnie,” Tristan told her, helping her to stand. “Now, keep the ladle for cooking instead of hitting, and get some shut eye. Morning comes quickly around here.” He handed her the lantern and directed her toward her quarters.

  She had a pallet in the corner of the small galley to sleep on. The enclosed space was deemed Nairnie’s room so she wouldn’t have to sleep on the deck with the men.

  Nairnie stopped and turned around. “Gavina’s comin’ with me.” She put down the lantern and reached out to take the girl’s arm, still clutching on to her ladle with the other.

  “Nay,” said Tristan with a quick shake of his head. “The boy will sleep in my quarters where there is more room and I can keep an eye on him.”

  “Oh. The boy,” she repeated, yawning, now realizing her mistake. “All right,” said Nairnie, stifling yet a second yawn. “Guidnight then.” She disappeared into the galley, holding the blanket tightly around her.

  “Let’s go,” said Tristan, grabbing Nairnie’s lantern, the only light that was still lit this late on deck. The rules were that they had to save their resources, therefore the lights were usually put out an hour after nightfall set in.

  “Am I really sleepin’ in yer cabin tonight?” asked Gavina, yawning as well.

  “You are, unless you’d rather sleep out here on the deck with the men.”

  Her hand shot out and covered his that was atop her arm. “Nay, I’ll go with ye,” she answered quickly.

  “Smart decision – not that you had a choice.” Tristan led the way to the room, pushing open the door and stopping in his tracks when he heard the guttural roar.

  “What’s that awful noise?” asked Gavina, peeking out from around him into the darkened room.

  Tristan knew exactly what it was, but held the lantern higher so she could see. “It’s my brother, Mardon. He drank too much as usual and, once again, has passed out in my bed instead of his.” Tristan put the lantern down on the table and walked over to his hanging bed by the window. “Mardon, get up,” he said, shaking his brother by the shoulder.

  “Mmphf,” mumbled Mardon. “Is it two o’clock already?”

  “Nay, not yet. But you’re in my bed.”

  “Why did he ask if it’s two in the mornin’?” she whispered from behind him.

  “That’s when his shift starts for night watch.”

  “When is yer shift?” she wondered.

  “I take the morning shift, starting at five o’clock. Dammit, Mardon, get out of my bed.” He shook him again, but Mardon just rolled over and started snoring.

  “Why dinna ye just sleep in his bed?” she asked, pointing to the net bed hanging across the room. Tristan hated the netting since he could never get comfortable inside it, and usually ended tangled up by morning. That’s why his bed was made of canvas.

  “You take Mardon’s bed,” he told her.

  “Me? Where will ye sleep?” she asked, muffling a yawn with her hand.

  “I’ll sleep on the pallet below it. It’s Aaron’s bed, but he won’t mind. It’s a nice night and he’ll most likely sleep in the lookout after his shift anyway.”

  “If ye say so.” She walked over to the hanging bed, putting her hands on the sides. She started to lift her foot but the ship swayed and knocked her off balance. She almost fell over, having to grab on to the nettings, being pulled back and forth with the ship. It almost made him laugh. She looked so helpless. The bed was too high for her to get into without his help.

  “Take off your shoes and I’ll help you up,” he offered.

  “Ye mean shoe. I only have one unless ye’ve forgotten. Ye promised me shoes and a change of clothes.”

  “Tomorrow,” was all he said, putting his hands around her small waist and lifting her up.

  She giggled, and flopped down into the hanging bed, making it swing back and forth. “I’m sure glad I didna drink too much or I think I’d retch right now.”

  “Close your eyes,” he told her, reaching over and taking off her shoe and throwing it to the floor. “Let the rocking lull you to sleep like a babe does in its mother’s arms.”

  “Mother’s arms,” she repeated softly, as her eyes drifted closed. In a matter of minutes, she was sound asleep. If only he could fall asleep as easily as these two. Having to sleep with one eye open, he wasn’t sure he’d get any rest at all.

  Tristan blew out the lantern and got undressed, settling himself atop Aaron’s pallet beneath Gavina’s bed. The creaking of the ropes above him as the bed swung back and forth only reminded him that a woman he desired was sleeping right above him and in arm’s reach.

  He tossed and turned and realized this was never going to work. Map or no map, he couldn’t keep Gavina on the ship any longer. It was too distracting. He had a crew to manage as well as duties, being captain of the ship. He’d already stuck out his neck for her more than once. If he continued to do so much longer, he swore his crew was going to know something was not right.

  “She goes back tomorrow,” he told himself softly. When they returned to the Crooked Crow to continue looking for a copy of the map, he decided Gavina was going to stay there and not return with them to the ship. He’d pay someone to look after her, and get her somewhere safe. It pained him to even think of leaving her behind, but he had no choice. It was for her own good.

  No matter what, he couldn’t bring her back aboard the Falcon because it was getting much too dangerous for her to stay here. And unfortunately, the one she should fear the most, whether she realized it or not, was not Noll or Goldtooth or any of the rest of the crew. The one she should fear over all the others was none other than him!

  Chapter 8

  Tristan finished his shift on night watch and headed back to his cabin while Stitch took his place on the sterncastle. Tired, and worried since he’d left Gavina alone in his cabin with Mardon, he wasn’t sure what he’d find when he returned. Only Mardon’s sincere promise not to touch Gavina put his mind at ease. His brother had never lied to him yet, and Tristan trusted him completely.

  Slowly opening the door to his quarters, he could hear Mardon snoring again from his bed. Gavina occupied Mardon’s bed, sleeping on her back with her arm thrown over her face. Hoping for a few more minutes of sleep, Tristan settled down atop the straw pallet directly under Gavina.

  Lying on his back, he looked up at her, barely able to see something odd in the scant light streaming in from the small window from the rising sun. “What the hell is that?” he said to himself, looking harder and realizing just what he was looking at. Gavina’s large tunic had ridden up and exposed her back while she slept. Tristan could see the slight curvature of her spine and also her milky white smooth skin. As much as that took his interest, there was something else that caught his eye even more. It was a big black X just
above her buttocks.

  “The map!” he exclaimed, bolting up to a sitting position, bringing his face closer to her. Sure enough, through the holes in the netting of the hanging bed, he was staring at some kind of treasure map inked right on to Gavina’s back. He reached up and poked his finger through the netting to touch it, making her jump up in surprise.

  “Dinna touch me!” she cried out, still half-asleep. “Leave me alone!” The bed swung back and forth as the ship listed and Gavina fell out of the hanging net bed, landing right on top of him. She was face down against his chest.

  “Oomph!” The weight of her body slamming against his knocked the breath right from him.

  “Tristan!” she gasped. With his arms around her, she looked up with those sparkling, magical eyes. Her face was so close to him that all he wanted to do was reach up and kiss her again. “Why did ye poke me?” she demanded to know. “What were ye tryin’ to do?” She pushed away from him and hurriedly stood up. He got to his feet as well.

  “What was I trying to do?” he asked, his anger growing. “Mayhap you should be the one answering that question, not me.”

  “I have no idea what ye’re talkin’ about.” Her bare shoulder was exposed since the tunic was twisted from sleeping in it. When she noticed Tristan looking at her bare skin, she yanked her tunic back into place.

  “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. Take off your tunic. Now!”

  “What? Nay, I willna do that.” She gripped the neck of her top tighter. “Ye want me to undress with ye and yer brathair in the room? What kind of a lass do ye think I am?”

  “A dishonest one. There’s no doubt about that.”

  “What’s all the yelling about?” grumbled Mardon, sitting up in bed and rubbing one sleepy eye. “Can’t a man get a little shut eye around here? All this noise is hurting my head.”

  “Mardon, leave. Now,” growled Tristan.

  “What? Why? Egads, Tristan, are you still sore that I slept in your bed again?” He swung his feet over the side and hopped out of bed in one quick motion. Raising his arms over his head, he stretched and yawned. He wore naught but a small pair of braies.