Within A Captain's Soul

by Lisa A. Olech

  Blood pumped through the veins in his neck. The sweat rolled past his temples. No, not this one. Try the next. No…next. No…next. Yes.

  The key hit its mark. Will felt the lock click open. Adrenaline rushed through his limbs. He was free. Keeping his bearings, he turned and walked toward Griffin’s cell until his foot hit bars. A hand met his. In the dark it could have been any of the three, but he passed the keys along and followed the line of cells to the door. Will didn’t wait. He eased the latch, and opened the door a crack. Ah, blessed light.

  Hills joined him, and then the others. Together they made their way toward the galley way leading to the upper decks. All of Will’s senses—those that worked—were on high alert. He felt naked without a weapon and cursed himself every time he reached for one. What he wouldn’t give for a blade. He made a move to start up the steps, but Griffin pulled him back into the shadows seconds before one of the guards started down the stairs.

  Higgins was quick to strike, snapping the man’s neck in one swift motion. The man was dead before his boot heel hit the last step. Hills relieved the dead man of his pistol. Higgins claimed his sword. Griffin nodded to them and jerked his chin up the stairs. They’d now take the lead.

  Popping their heads above deck like some odd band of rabbits coming up from their hole, the four men moved unseen from the head of the stairs to a cluster of barrels lashed to the port rails.

  Will looked over the side. It was a long way down to the black of the water. The lights of the village danced on the tips of the waves, but Dowd had been right. They were in for a bit of a swim. The problem wasn’t going to be getting them to shore, the challenge was going to be getting them all into the water without so much as a splash.

  Farther down the deck was a perfectly coiled rope, beyond that stood another stack of crates. Will waited for his chance, then stepped out of the shadows and moved unhurriedly past the rope, grabbed the top spiral, and threw it behind his back and over the rail.

  Ducking behind the crates, he watched as the rope quickly unwound, gravity pulling its length over the side. Bits of hemp clouded around the edge of the rail. To his relief the rope’s end was cleated halfway up the mast. The rasping of the hemp against the side had caught the attention of one of the crew, however. The man approached the odd positioning of the rope to investigate.

  Hills and Higgins struck once more. A barrel pressed to a temple followed by a slash of a blade and the man wouldn’t be investigating anything else ever again. This man carried no pistol, but his cutlass and short boarding ladder were gratefully accepted by Griffin and Will. A body in a pool of blood was sure to be discovered sooner than later. It was time they were away.

  Will was the first over the rail. Winding one leg around the rope, he was able to descend one handed rather than holding the boarding blade between his teeth.

  Cold water filled his boots as he eased himself into the gentle waves. Damn it to hell. He just bought these boots. After a soak in saltwater, they’d never be the same.

  Kicking off away from the ship, Will made his way along the shadowed side of the junk before heading directly for the village. They could come ashore a few yards up the beach into the undergrowth. He’d figure out their next move from there.

  Luck was with them. Dowd had been right. Ships of every description crowded the docks. Given a running start, Will could have crossed the harbor and never hit water. The junks were packed in tighter than salted herring in a barrel. That meant the village was full as well with all manner of strangers. Still four westerners were bound to cause unwanted interest, but just then Griffin pointed back to the ship they’d left and signed ‘Alarm. Found the guards. No time to debate. Let’s move.’

  The commotion caused by the alarm was the perfect opportunity for the group to slip through the crowd rushing toward the beach and make their way to the north side of the palace.

  Adrenaline pumped through Will. He practically danced with impatience. Where the hell was Dowd? No sooner had Will had the thought when the man stepped from the shadows. Will jerked his head telling him to follow him. Griffin, Hills, and Higgins would wait and cover them from the back.

  Will found the row of shrubs Qi had shown him. He pulled Dowd after him. The branches caught in his hair and snagged on his clothing. He was a hell of a lot bigger than a five-year-old. Getting through Qi’s secret tunnel might be harder than he anticipated. He clawed his way through the narrow passage.

  Peering into the garden, no lanterns burned. Rock and brush scraped at his skin as he forced his way in. Once there, he waited for Dowd as he scanned the garden for any signs of life. The difference in the look of the gardens with the long dark shadows reaching through the plantings chilled his damp skin. Had it only been a single day since he’d been here with Jun? Dread clawed at his belly. If Peng had done something to hurt her…or Qi and Ting.

  Dowd joined him. Blood ran from a scratch down his cheek. He smeared at it with the back of his hand before signing, ‘Where do we go?’

  Will tipped his head then led him closer to Jun’s private chambers. He paused and gestured to Dowd, ‘Do you hear anything?’

  Dowd shook his head. When Will turned to continue inside, Dowd stopped him with a hand to his arm. ‘You made a mistake. Said Qi told you about getting into the garden.’

  Will nodded.

  Dowd frowned at him. ‘You meant Ting.’

  ‘No. It was Qi.’

  Dowd shook his head. ‘Impossible. How?’

  ‘No time to explain.’

  ‘Try.’ Dowd’s stare was intent. Something had indeed happened to this man when that little girl came into his life. Will could read the love he had for the child in his gaze.

  “Qi is kind. Sweet. Smart. Doesn’t speak because she cannot hear.’

  For the second time that night, Will watched the man’s jaw go slack. He nodded to him when Dowd looked at him with a million questions reflected in his eyes.

  ‘Later. Let’s find her.’

  Will moved up the path. Cold water still squished between his toes and wet the stones. He watched for any clue that would tell him what happened. Where they could be. Maybe Peng had moved them. Jun’s new pipa sat exactly where she had left it the night before. The table was clear. If they’d left they did it in a hurry. They’d taken nothing with them.

  When they reached Jun’s sleeping chamber, Will noticed the blankets piled on the floor in the corner. Had the bed been stripped, wouldn’t the covers be closer to the bed? Why were they clear across the room?

  Candle smoke. Will lifted his nose and sniffed. The smell lingered in the air. The candle Jun lit last night sat in the same place, yet the wax was still warm, and liquid at the top.

  Will crossed to the corner of the room and lifted the blankets from the floor.

  Ting clutched a wide-eyed Qi to her chest. The child flew into Will’s arms when she saw him and buried her head into his shoulder. Relief flooded Will as he held tight to the shaking child.

  Dowd was beside him in a minute, pulling Ting to her feet and into his arms. The woman wept on his chest. He held her tight, kissing the top of her head, stroking her hair.

  The chill of dread was quick to douse the relief Will was feeling. He searched the room over Qi’s shoulder. Where was Jun? He lifted Qi’s face from his chest and wiped at the tears from her cheeks. ‘What happened? Where is Jun?’

  Qi’s face scrunched up. She didn’t understand. In his rush, he’d used signs he hadn’t taught her yet.

  ‘Jun.’ She knew that sign. He shrugged his shoulders and scanned the room as if looking for her and shrugged again. Qi was quick to scramble out of his arms and out of the room. Will interrupted Dowd and Ting.

  ‘Ask her what happened? Where’s Jun?’

  Before Ting could answer Qi returned with a stick and berries. She mashed them and smeared their juice on the stick.

 
Peng. The purple berries on the stick were Peng. Qi threw the stick across the room and peered up at him with worry.

  An icy hand of fear reached into Will’s gut. Peng took Jun.

  Dowd confirmed what Qi had already told him. ‘He has her. Peng told her three hundred ships were coming for her. Sailed away on her junk. Hours ago. Soldiers poured in and took control of the village. Peng followed Jun away. They could be to Singapore by now.’

  ‘They’re not in Singapore. Bet my life on it. Assure them there is no attack coming.’ There was a reason Peng hadn’t killed him yet. Why Hills and Griffin and Higgins still lived. He didn’t know what twisted plan Peng had in mind, but there was no chance he simply sailed off with Jian Jun.

  Will’s hands curled into fists. He’d find her or die trying. Will turned to Dowd. ‘I’ll need your help. I don’t know the first thing about sailing a junk. But I do know a thing or two about stealing one.’

  Chapter 24

  Hunger gnawed at Jun’s belly. Her thirst made her tongue feel swollen in her mouth. The oppressive heat in the closed cabin rose through the long hours of the afternoon, but now that the sun had set, the coolness against her sweat drenched clothing was making her teeth rattle.

  Perhaps Peng’s plan was to kill her slowly.

  She curled into the side of the ship and shivered. Dying wasn’t the worst thing. Jun hadn’t lived this dangerous, violent life without facing death on more than a few occasions. Death didn’t frighten her. There were even times in her life she’d wished for it.

  But dying at Peng’s hand, because of his treachery, that would not be a death she would willingly embrace.

  Jun ran her fingertips over the dryness of her lips. Tears pinched the backs of her eyes when she remembered the feel of Will’s kisses. The way he would angle his mouth and brush his lips over hers for a single stolen breath before capturing them. She could have kissed his beautiful mouth forever.

  One tear slipped from the corner of her eye, Jun swiped at it in anger. Tears made her weak. If she was going to die, she would scratch and claw to her last breath. She feared for Will more than herself. At least she would see him before Peng did his worst. She’d be able to tell Will she loved him even if they couldn’t find a way to beat Peng. Somehow, she’d tell Will that she’d loved him from the moment he gazed up at her with those stunning topaz eyes. She’d find a way to say the words even if she had to write it in her own blood. He would know her heart before either of them left this world. She’d make him understand.

  Jun pulled her knees to her chest and shook with a mixture of heartache and determination. Peng could have it all. Her empire. Her palace. Her world. But he would never have the one thing he proclaimed to covet. He’d never have her heart.

  Chills continued to wrack her body. By the time Peng returned, Jun thought her teeth would splinter from their constant chattering.

  “Did you enjoy your afternoon?” Peng’s lantern cut through the inky darkness.

  Jun glared in response as her eyes fought to adjust to the flame’s assault.

  “No comments? I’m shocked. You usually riddle me with questions.” Setting the lantern at his feet he stood with his hands on his hips and scowled down at her. “Aren’t you even curious to know what is happening back on Pandang?”

  Jun got to her feet. Her shoulders rounded against the cold. “Where is Captain Quinn?”

  “Hundreds of ships have crammed their way into your harbor, and he’s your only concern?”

  “You said you were bringing him here.” Jun notched her chin and fought against the trembling in her jaw. “I want to see him.”

  Peng leaned forward and stared. “You bloody well care for the man.” The peak of his eyebrows heightened. “I knew you rutted with the bastard, but I never imagined you could have feelings for him.”

  “Where is he?” Jun ground the words between clenched teeth.

  “Most unfortunate news, I’m afraid. He’s escaped.”

  A ray of relief warmed her heart. “He bested you.” Pride in Will’s innate skills made her grin.

  “No,” Peng snapped in defense. “He bested your men. Killed two of them in the process and disappeared into the night.” Peng stroked his beard and laughed. “Evidently, he didn’t share quite the same feelings for you. One whiff of freedom and he was happy to get as far away from you as he could.”

  “I’m glad.” Jun crossed her arms over her chest. “He’ll live, and you can spend the rest of your days constantly looking over your shoulder. Wondering when he’ll return.”

  “Don’t you mean if he’ll return? Another nice fantasy, Jun. But with nine hundred ships and more than forty-thousand men at my disposal, I’m sure we’ll find him before too long. Westerners don’t hide well in this part of the world.” Peng tipped his head. “Did I tell you about the others? You know,” he tapped the side of his chin. “I’m sure I haven’t. In all the excitement, it must have slipped my mind.”

  Jun straightened. The mental tug of war with him was making her weary mind stumble. What the hell was he up to? He was toying with her like a spider with a fly. She had to focus.

  He hadn’t drawn a weapon on her yet, but he was heavily armed. His always-present pistol. His side cutlass. Jun had witnessed that blade’s deadly edge. And, of course, the amethyst bejeweled dirk he carried in his boot, more a fashion accessory than a weapon. If she could just keep her wits about her and get her hands on the hilt of that sword. “What others?”

  “Survivors from his ship. Three more of them.” Peng shook his head. “I’ve held them prisoner since I scuttled what was left of their ship. I had such plans, you see. I wanted to surprise Captain Quinn with our famous Dragon’s Fire hospitality before bringing him here. I’m sure he would have enjoyed watching what was left of his crew lose their heads one by one.”

  “You really are a vile bastard.”

  “Of course I am, you trained me to be the best.” Peng bent to pick up the lantern. “I must be honest, I’m a bit disappointed. Now knowing how deeply you feel for him, it would have made killing him in front of you so satisfying.”

  Peng never took his eyes from her as he stepped backward to the door. The smile on his face sent an uneasy fear down Jun’s spine.

  He knocked on the door and continued, “But you know, ruling an empire this size takes nothing if not the ability to adapt to every situation that arises. Not being able to enjoy the look on your lovely face as you watch me end Captain Quinn’s life, it only made me adjust my plans slightly.”

  The door opened and Peng broke eye contact with Jun long enough to grab someone from the darkened galley way and haul them into the room.

  Ting and Qi clung to one another as they fell in a huddled mess at Jun’s feet.

  Jun rushed to help them up. One of Ting’s eyes was almost swollen shut. Qi’s grip on her mother was so tight, Jun couldn’t separate them. Both of them looked at her, their eyes filled with terror.

  “You bastard!” Jun lunged at Peng. Her hands curled into claws. She’d tear his eyes from his skull.

  Swinging the lantern, he caught her across the cheek with the heavy brass base, knocking her to one side while he pulled one of his pistols and leveled it at Ting and Qi. “Stay back or I’ll shoot them both with one shot!”

  * * * *

  Anger drove Will to be the first man over the rails of Jun’s ship, followed closely by Dowd. For the twentieth time in as many minutes, he thanked whatever fates had brought his old crewmate to him again. Will could sail the Scarlet Night practically one-handed, but a junk was another ship entirely. Had it not been for Dowd, Will would still be spinning in a tight circle trying to navigate his way out of Pandang harbor.

  With so much traffic, they hadn’t had any trouble “borrowing” a small two-masted vessel. Even with its squared hull and a direct head wind, they had flown over the waves.

 
They spotted Jun’s ship not too long after losing sight of Pandang’s shores. There was little question that the grand, gold-tipped ship was hers. As Will suspected, Peng hadn’t traveled far, just far enough to move back and forth from Pandang and keep Jun out of sight of the rest of her men. They were anchored in one of the deep coves off the western coast of Salahnama. The steep cliff shores of the island rose straight up from the sea. Had anyone tried to escape the ship, they’d have nowhere to go.

  On the way, Dowd had drawn the odd setup of the decks below. Junks weren’t a series of decks like a western ship. They were set up more like a ship of boxes so that if one section was damaged in a fight and took on water, the rest of the ship would remain tight, but this meant navigating bulkheads and ladder ways that had little similarity to the Scarlet Night.

  Will didn’t care. All he wanted was to find Jun. Slit Peng’s throat in the process, but find her…safe. They’d come in dark to swing in as close to Jun’s ship as they dared. Climbing the anchor chain had been easy when fury burned in your belly.

  He pulled the boarding sword he still carried and crouched in the shadows until he was joined by the others. He held up three fingers and pointed toward the ship’s bow, indicating the three men at their posts there. Four more guarded aft. All were heavily armed by what Will could see.

  He tapped Hills and Higgins to take out the forward men. Will, Dowd, and Griffin would tend to the four. Will signed, ‘No pistols.’ Gunfire would alert any men below. They were already outnumbered, but these were good men, and Will trusted them to secure the upper deck.

  They stuck all at once. Will swung his boarding sword low across one man’s knees. The poor bastard didn’t know what hit him. Will delivered the killing blow and swung to engage the next. Dowd had another man on the ground, his boot threatening to crush the man’s windpipe. Dowd had inflicted a killing slice across the man’s chest. Griffin was dancing with the other two, his back against the aft mast. He didn’t have to dance alone for long. Hills and Higgins had made short work of their dance partners and came to his rescue.