Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “You didn't!” John says astonished.

  Jacob adds, “You are lucky she wants that map so bad or you might be dead already.”

  They laugh and Fernando asks them, “So, are the rumors true?”

  Their laughter is cut off with the question, and Jacob says, “What kind of question is that? How would I know?”

  “Well, I can't say for sure,” John says, “but she does fancy the company of men when we are at port,” John smiles and adds, “and sometimes women.”

  “Don't tell him that!” Jacob yells at John. “Why would you say that?”

  “Well, it's true,” John whines.

  “Yeah, but you don't need to tell him that,” Jacob says.

  “So does she mix business with pleasure here on the ship?” Fernando asks.

  “No! Never!” Jacob snaps.

  “Not with the crew,” John adds. “Never.”

  “Well, except maybe...” Jacob says before pausing and looking at John.

  “Right,” John says. “Except for him.”

  “Who is 'him'?” Fernando asks trying to get as much information from these two as he can.

  “None of your business,” John answers. “We have said too much already.”

  “Come now,” Fernando says with a smile to assure them. “Surely, what we discuss will remain between us. I am only interested to know who my competition is.”

  “Well, I don't know about competition,” Jacob says to him. “It's not like she is in a relationship with him or anything.”

  “So she is just using this man for pleasure then,” Fernando concludes.

  “No,” John replies. “I didn't say that!”

  “I am sorry,” Fernando replies. “I did not mean to put words in your mouth. Please explain what you meant so I do not have to ask the Captain myself.”

  John sighs then walks over to the door and opens it to check to see if anyone is outside. He closes the door and walks back over to the iron bars of the cell. “Alright, I'll tell you,” he says quietly, “but you did not hear this from me. You see, some believe that something is going on with her and her cabin boy, Allen.”

  “The cabin boy?” Fernando asks.

  “I guess he is a bit old to really be a cabin boy—he's twenty I think—but most everyone on board calls him that,” John explains. “Every once in a while she will call him into her quarters. Sometimes she says it's because he missed a spot while swabbing the deck. Other times she don't say why. Either way she calls him in to her quarters and punishes him. The thing is though, Allen listens well. I ain't ever heard him talk back to the Captain or ever treat her with any disrespect.”

  “But she still punishes him?” Fernando asks.

  “Yes,” John answers.

  “Does she treat others the same way?” Fernando asks.

  “Not like that, no,” Jacob answers. He looks down and takes a deep breath before continuing. “First you have to understand something. We are all loyal to the Captain, Mr. Greythorn. As I said before, she is fair to us. Almost everyone on this ship served her father. We respect her, but if we are ever out of line, she makes sure to set a good example to the rest.” Jacob lifts his shirt reveling his chest.

  Fernando looks at Jacob's chest and sees a scar in the perfect shape of a small hand. “Fernando asks, “The Captain did this to you?”

  “Yes,” Jacob explains, “I once got really drunk on shore and lost my temper with a bar maid, and while I am not proud of it, I slapped her. Well, anyways, the Captain saw it all, and right there on the spot she made an example out of me.”

  “How did she leave such a mark?” Fernando asks.

  “Magic,” Jacob says as he puts his shirt back down. “She made her hand as hot as an ember.”

  “So the rumors of her magic are also true,” Fernando says.

  “Aye, that they are,” Jacob says. “As for young Allen, I wouldn't worry too much about him. Like I was saying, there are a few of us who thinks that she gives him more than just punishment.”

  “I am not so sure,” John interrupts. “If you listen close you can hear her using the cat-o-nine on him.”

  “'Tis true,” Jacob says. “But that only lasts about five minutes or so, and he is in there for much longer than that.”

  “Personally,” John says, “I think he just passes out from the pain.”

  “Either way,” Jacob continues, “none of us knows for sure. You can ask him but he doesn't say much. I have seen him leave her quarters though with more than just welts on his back. Sometimes you can see him smiling.”

  “I see,” Fernando says. “Thank you, gentlemen, this conversation has been most enlightening.”

  Just then Drake and Leon enter the room. Unlike the bald head of Drake, Leon has long brown hair to his shoulders with some gray. The two of them walking side by side is enough to intimidate almost anyone. They approach the cage.

  Jacob says to Fernando, “I think you are being summoned.”

  They open the cage and Leon says to Fernando, “You are to come with us.”

  “And if I decline?” Fernando asks.

  Leon backhands Fernando knocking him down. Drake steps in between them and says, “Remember what the Capt'n said. No one is to hurt him except her.”

  Leon gives a grunt and grabs Fernando off the ground. Blood runs down Fernando's lip as they drag him up the stairs and take him to the Captain.

  “Do you think he will be alright?” John asks Jacob

  “Only if he has the map,” Jacob answers. “And only if he is smart enough to give it up.”

  Chapter 2

  Just to be Clear

  Fernando is brought up onto of the quarterdeck of the ship by Ariella's two enforcers. From there they enter what was once designated as the navigation room. It now doubles as a personal dining space for Ariella and her officers, and is referred to as the Captain’s lounge. The men bring him in as he sees a small round table in the center of the room. Places to eat have been set for two. The room is well lit with small enchanted stones. Each shining with the brightness of a small torch. On the port side is a portrait of a dwarf with a thick red bead. Next to the portrait is a desk with a map laid out and a compass. Above the desk is shelving stuffed with scrolls and parchments—presumably maps. Along the back of the room are beautiful and intricate stained glass windows with a doorway in the middle. To the starboard side is a doorway that leads to a small private galley.

  “So, Mr...Greythorn is it?” Ariella says as she approaches them.

  “Yes, ma'am, but you can call me Fernando,” he replies with a confident smile.

  She gets closer and stops when she sees the blood coming from Fernando’s lip. She turns her attention to her men. “Which one of you is responsible for this?” she asks as she grabs Fernando’s face and turns his head to them.

  Leon stands there cold faced as if at attention and explains, “I am sorry, Captain, but he would not come willingly.”

  “I see,” she says calmly. She removes her left glove and says, “Are you saying the two of you couldn't handle him without hitting him? After all, you both seem to be fine to me. He must not have been too much trouble.”

  “My lady, I am fine,” Fernando says as he takes a couple steps away from them. “I assure you, your boys did not harm me. I did not even notice that I was bleeding.”

  Leon, infuriated by the slight, takes a step towards Fernando, but the Captain gets in his way. She holds her left hand in front of his face as sparks of electricity crackle between her fingers. Leon stops immediately. “Please, Captain,” he says sounding a bit nervous. “I am sorry, but he mocks me.”

  With her right hand she slaps him with the glove and says. “Control yourself or so help me the next time I will not hit you with my glove.”

  Leon stands back at attention and says, “Yes, Captain, I understand.”

  “Good,” she says as she dissipates the energy in her hand. “Now leave us.”

  “Ma'am?” Drake asks sounding confused. �
��Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” she says confidently, “I can handle myself, but just so we are all clear here,” she grabs Fernando's chin and continues, “If Mr. Greythorn here tries to harm me or escape, then Leon, you may do with him as you wish.” Leon smiles as she turns to Fernando and asks, “Are we clear?”

  “Crystal,” Fernando answers.

  She turns to the two hulking men and motions them to leave and as they do, Leon stares at Fernando, who calmly smiles back at him.

  The door closes behind them as Ariella says, “Sit, Mr. Greythorn, let us discuss business.”

  “Of course, my lady,” he says taking a seat. “What business shall we be discussing?”

  “Do not play coy with me, Mr. Greythorn,” she says as she walks to the other end of the table. “You have something that belongs to me.”

  “Oh, and what would that be?” Fernando says sounding not at all convincing.

  “Mr. Greythorn, do not mistake my kindness for weakness,” she warns. “I will get what I want. One way or another. Now, how I obtain it is up to you. We will try to do this the easy way first. If that does not work then,” Ariella pauses and takes a drink from a mug, “well, we can come back to that later. I hope you like seafood, Mr. Greythorn.” Ariella rings a small bell.

  A cute young woman wearing a black corset with white lace trim comes out of the small galley. Her white ruffled skirt covers her legs down to her knees. She is carrying a silver platter. She sets it down on the table before removing the lid. There are two large fillets of fish on the platter and she proceeds to serve them. She glances at Fernando who smiles at her. She brushes back her long black hair and smiles before shyly turning away. Then to Ariella she asks meekly, “Will that be all, my lady?”

  “Marie,” Ariella says introducing the two of them, “I would like you to meet Mr. Fernando Greythorn. Mr. Greythorn, this is my personal assistant, Marie.”

  Fernando stands and walks up to Marie. She curtsies and says nervously, “A pleasure, sir.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Fernando says as he takes her hand and kisses it. She smiles and looks nervously at Ariella.

  “Thank you, Marie,” Ariella says. “That will be all.”

  “Yes, ma'am,” Marie replies. Fernando watches her as she exits to the galley and closes the door behind her.

  Ariella stands up and says, “Mr. Greythorn, it is not polite to undress the help with your eyes in front of your host.”

  “I assure you, Ariella,” Fernando says, taking her hand and kissing it, “that you are the only one my eyes are undressing.”

  “My, you are a silver tongued one, aren't you?” Ariella says with a smile, then she slaps Fernando across the face. “Rule number one, Mr. Greythorn, and I already warned you once, nobody calls me by my first name. You will address me as ma'am, or Captain, do you understand?”

  Fernando nods and answers, “Yes, ma'am.”

  Ariella continues, “Good. Rule number two, when you are with me, your eyes will remain on me. Marie is a pretty young thing, but Mr. Greythorn, she is a bit young for you.”

  “Forgive me,” Fernando replies. “I meant no disrespect.”

  “That is good,” Ariella says as she walks behind him and runs her hand across his chest. “Because if you ever disrespect me...I will make you regret it.”

  Smiling, Fernando responds, “Of that I am sure.”

  She walks back around in front of him and as she slowly runs her fingers across his chest she says, “Don't think for a moment that I am just some simple bar wench that you can have your way with before leaving the next morning. I require a bit more attention and I demand respect. If you treat me well I will return the favor.”

  Fernando smiles as he places his hands on her hips and pulls her close. “My lady, I will treat you like a queen, and you shall want for nothing,” he says softly as he leans in for a kiss.

  Just before their lips meet however, Ariella turns and walks away. While he is left standing there, she sits back down in her chair. Fernando grins as he ponders what has just happened. He slowly walks back to his chair and sits.

  “No more games, Mr. Greythorn,” she says as she begins to cut her food. “Where is my map? I know you have it somewhere. So what did you do with it?”

  “Very well,” Fernando says as he cuts the fish on his plate. “What if I told you that I destroyed the map?” he asks as he takes a bite of his food.

  “And why in the world would you so something as stupid as that?” Ariella says angrily.

  “Well, allow me tell you what happened in Sheathelm,” Fernando explains. “I had heard rumors of a map that belonged to Red Beard would be exchanged at the Silver Gauntlet. I watched for weeks for someone who I thought may have it. Finally, a goblin appeared who I figured might be the one with the map, so I simply pretended to be a member of your crew. I gave him a small sack of coins and bought myself a map. Then as I was leaving, your men arrived. They gave chase to me, but I lost them without much problem. I then studied the map and memorized the location of the treasure and then I burned it. I went down to the docks to find a ship who was willing to take me when your men found me and took me captive.”

  “I see,” Ariella says as she stands up and wipes her face with a napkin. “So now I have no map, but something even better.” She walks over to Fernando as he finishes eating. “I have a guide. You, Mr. Greythorn, are going to lead me to my father's treasure.”

  “And if I refuse?” he asks with a grin.

  Ariella walks behind him and as he sits in his chair she begins to rub his shoulders. She asks, “Tell me, have you ever heard a man cry out in such pain and agony that he begs to die? Or on the other hand, cry out a woman’s name while he is in pure ecstasy? Mr. Greythorn, I assure you that I can make you cry out either way. Now, how you will cry shall be entirely up to you.”

  “Well then,” Fernando says, “since you put it that way. I am certainly up for some pleasure.”

  “I thought you might be,” Ariella says. “If you take me to my father's treasure I will give you all kinds of pleasure.”

  “That certainly sounds more appealing than the alternative,” Fernando says. “Captain, you may have your men fooled but I can see the kind of woman you really are. I can tell by the look in your eyes you have no desire to hurt me.”

  “Of course I don't want to harm you,” she says as she removes her glove. “But as I have said before, do not mistake my kindness for weakness.” Instead of electricity arcing through her fingers, this time her hand glows with a gray mystical energy. Fernando is unaware of what is happening behind him. She places her hand on Fernando’s shoulder and her touch makes him fall asleep.

  When he awakes moments later his ankles are bound together and his wrists are tied behind his back. When he realizes his situation he says to her, “My lady, if you wanted to have your way with me, all you needed to do was ask.”

  Ariella laughs and says, “I know that, my darling, however I think I need to make it clear to you that no matter how charming you are, I will do whatever is necessary to make sure that I have your cooperation.”

  “I see,” Fernando says calmly, trying not to show his fear. “So you plan to burn me with your magic? Perhaps leave a scar on me like Jacob?”

  “So,” she replies, “you are getting to know my men. What else did they tell you?”

  “They only warned me that if I did not cooperate that I may suffer,” he answers.

  “Make no mistake that I can and will leave a mark if I have no other choice, but I have a way to cause pain without actually harming you. Unless of course you have a weak heart. In that case it probably wouldn't have worked out between us anyway.” She then stands behind him and says, “You will have to forgive me, Mr. Greythorn, but I have a reputation to uphold here.” With that, she casts another spell, and her hand takes on a dark and ominous aura. She then places her hand on Fernando’s chest.

  Fernando feels pain like he has never felt before. He collapses to the
floor and lets out a loud agonizing yell that can be heard throughout the entire ship.

  Below deck, Jacob looks at John and says, “That poor Mr. Greythorn.”

  Elsewhere, the big enforcer Leon sits sharpening his knife. He smiles when he hears Fernando's suffering.

  In his hammock below deck, lies Allen. He lies awake staring at the overhead, and when he and the others hear Fernando's pain, one of the others jokingly says, “Hey, Allen, maybe the Captain will stay off your back for a while.” The others laugh as Allen gives him half a smile but as he looks back at the overhead above him it quickly fades.

  Back in the Captain's lounge Fernando is on the floor writhing in pain. Marie opens the door just enough to peer into the room. When Ariella sees the concerned look on her face she ends the spell. “It's all right, Marie,” she says to her. “He will be fine.”

  Fernando's cries of pain stop as the spell ends. While catching his breath, Fernando is left on the floor. Ariella says to Marie reassuringly, “See, the spell is only for pain. He is not harmed in any way.” She then kneels down and says to Fernando, “Mr. Greythorn, consider that your only warning. You will lead me to my father's treasure, then I will make sure that the only screams from you will be that of pleasure.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Fernando says as he regains his composer. He gets to his knees and continues, “You do not need to demonstrate your resolve to me any further. I will do as you ask.”

  “I am glad we have an understanding,” she says with a sly smile. “Now let me untie you.” Ariella begins to untie the thick rope that binds Fernando. When she is done she says to him, “It is late, Mr. Greythorn. We shall begin our search in the morning. For now, though as much as I want to take you to my bed, I need to make sure you don't try to sneak away in the middle of the night.” She then walks to the door and opens it. Standing outside the door is Drake. “Take Mr. Greythorn to back to his cell,” she orders him.