Privateer (The Five Kingdoms #1)

by Robin Roseau

  She turned away, then came back and moved into my arms. I held her for a minute. "Are you all right?"

  "I will be. Stressful day. I think this is going to be a bad one, Captain. I am going to ask Glora to strap me in tightly. Do you think she will forgive the things I tell her?"

  "I know she will. If she can not do this, send her to me and I will come."

  "Thank you, Sorri."

  Rani pulled away, and I watched as she descended the ladder, then watched her disappear into the forecastle.

  "She wanted you to do it, Sorri."

  "I know. I can't tonight. I can't hear her hate tonight."

  "She needs you to be stronger than this."

  "I will, any other night, Radha. But today I almost died."

  "I know. I'm sorry. I couldn't turn until I cleared the deck."

  "I know. You did everything you could."

  "You were magnificent, you know. And that is why we follow you."

  "That and I have made all of you very wealthy."

  She laughed. "Yes. You have."

  "Will they still be following me in a year?"

  "Most of them would follow you into the mouth of hell, Captain. Those that won't, well, you don't want them anyway. We'll make money. We'll make good money as long as the lords are foolish enough to wage war. And if they stop waging war, you'll find new ways to make us money. Besides, as far as I am concerned, governors are legitimate targets, and we don't need to take them on a luxury beach vacation."

  "Hardly luxury. We do the beach vacations because it is a pleasant place for everyone. The crew would miss them if we stopped."

  I studied the sky. "I wish the clouds would break. I do not like approaching the coast this way. Ironic that our ensign's guess for our location was so much better than our navigator's studied coursework."

  "Even a broken clock is correct twice a day, Captain."

  "I do not believe she is a broken clock. I think she knows exactly where we are."

  "I don't see how, Captain. It would take a wizard."

  "Aye, it would, and she's no wizard."

  "She is many things, Captain, but you are right. She's no wizard. She would have sunk us that first night."

  My thoughts were a jumble. "Any of the crew who wish to be released from their contracts may leave at the next friendly port."

  "A few will accept, but everyone will want their cut from these hostages, so we're safe until we return to Southgate."

  Radha and I stood quietly after that, each lost in her own thoughts. When a half hour had elapsed and Rani hadn't returned, I began to grow nervous.

  "She's fine, Captain. Even if the sister-in-law didn't care to brave the deck, she could poke her nose out of the forecastle. I know you've had your eyes locked on the door. It hasn't moved."

  "I know. I'll give it another half hour then I am sending you."

  "Trust her, Captain."

  I sighed. "I guess."

  "Captain, you know she's not going to simply throw herself into your bed."

  "She's already in my bed."

  "She's shown a great deal of interest in the operations of the ship, but I do not believe she is considering a career change. What does she do, anyway?"

  "She doesn't want me to know."

  "You have her papers. Look."

  "I do not want to lie to her about it."

  "She would make more working for us. She learns everything the first time, as long as you explain it clearly and let her ask questions. She'll be in the rigging as soon as we're in calm water."

  "I know. How about Minori?"

  "She learns just as fast, but I haven't offered her the rigging. I would not want to face her mother."

  "Almost as fierce as the aunt."

  "She was dismissive of her daughter at the start. After we became friendly with Rani, I watched the sister-in-law. She was everything Rani said she was."

  "She has had her eyes opened. Just as we have."

  "Aye. Captain, is Minori a wizard?"

  "Do not ask that again, Radha. She is not. And do not even hint at that question around Rani. Minori is just very precocious and a good judge of people's reactions. She not only asks questions, but she studies people and is exceedingly perceptive."

  "In other words, both you and Rani think Minori is a wizard."

  "No. Just perceptive. Radha, I mean it. We are returning our hostages to their homes, not haggling for thousands of crowns for a wizard, or turning her over to the Grey Wizards for no money at all."

  "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't think of that. She is just very perceptive."

  We stood quietly, and I was ready to send Radha to the brig, or go my self.

  "Captain, does Minori know what she is."

  "Yes."

  "Does Rani?"

  "Yes."

  "If it runs in the family..."

  "Radha, her bond is ten crowns. No one is going to pay for her. No one. Everyone hates her. If she were a wizard, don't you think they would be sucking up to her? We are her only friends."

  "And we're her kidnappers."

  "What does that say about her?"

  "It says she should consider a career change," Radha suggested.

  "Aye. Keep teaching her."

  * * * *

  Rani Karden

  It was horrible. I was horrible. I made Glora secure me very tightly, and when they weren't tight enough, I told her tighter.

  And then she told me she couldn't possibly let someone like me ever see Minori again.

  That was all it took.

  I screamed at her. I accused her of the worst things.

  She continued to bait me. She called what I did with women "unnatural". She accused me of using my body to secure favors with the captain. And over and over she told me I would never see Minori again. She blamed me for her daughter going overboard. She blamed me for her daughter almost dying.

  I screamed, and I screamed.

  I can't write the things I screamed. They were truly horrible.

  I didn't know how long I screamed. Glora had long stopped baiting me, but she didn't try calming me, either. She held my gag, and she didn't gag me. She let me scream.

  She flinched at the things I said to her. The color drained from her face I don't know how many times. But she stood there watching me.

  And then, suddenly, it was over. I took a fresh breath to scream more invectives, and instead I found myself sobbing.

  Glora stepped closer and she began petting me. I was drenched in sweat. She found a towel and some water, and she washed my face. And she told me over and over it wasn't my fault, and offered to get Minori so I could see her.

  "No!" I yelled. "Don't let her see me like this, Glora. Oh, I'm so sorry."

  "Rani, I want you to move to Southgate. I want you to move into our house. It is a big house. We have a wing shut down. You can have an entire floor. It is far more space than you currently have. We have stables. And there is a wine cellar that is only half full."

  I stared at her.

  "We can make a rack like this, for the times you think it will be bad."

  "Glora?"

  "You could see Minori every day. She could see you every day. You will have a big, beautiful room. And another big room for your office. They will look out over the gardens. You love the gardens."

  "You would do this for me?"

  "Perhaps the captain would visit. We would have room for her officers, too. We will let you maintain your own household in that wing, if you like, although we may occasionally need to house guests in your space. I would need to discuss things with Dinor, but I believe we could give you the entire wing, if you need it. Three floors, three big floors. But that is a lot of space, probably more than you need, and I would rather keep it locked up if you aren't going to use it."

  "Are you just trying to calm me down, Glora?"

  "No. I want you to accept. My daughter wants you. And now that we know how to manage your, um, curse, my brother will want you. He loves you, you know. A
nd I admire you a great deal."

  "Until this voyage, you hated me."

  "Not hate, but I certainly didn't enjoy your company. And I was envious. You made your own choices in life. I wouldn't have made the same choices, but I wished I were brave enough to have made a few of my own."

  "You wouldn't have married Dinor?"

  "Oh of course I would have; I love him to pieces. And he treats me exceedingly well. He is not as attentive a father as I would wish, but he has many obligations. But there are other things, small things, perhaps, that were important to me. I was never brave enough."

  "You are very brave, Glora."

  "No. I am a coward, and I know it. I take the easy way. Taking you in, that is not the easy way. This was hard, Rani, but it was necessary, and I will do this for you whenever you need me to. I hated saying those things to you, and I hated hearing the things you said to me. Worse, most of them are true. Even when you were out of your mind with rage, every word was true."

  "I called you a horrible mother, and you aren't."

  "I have been a poor mother to Minori, Rani, and we both know it. I have not nurtured her gifts. I do not even know how. You know how. And your captain knows how. I want you in her life. I need you in her life, Rani. Will you at least consider it?"

  I nodded. "If you ask again, I will consider it, once we are home, safe and sound. This is a stressful time, and we are perhaps not thinking clearly. And perhaps before you offer again, I should stay for a month or so, and you shall see if you really want this responsibility."

  "I do not want it," she said. "No one would want it. But it is the right thing to do, and in between this responsibility, I would have you. I do not have friends, either, and I think we could be friends. I would like that. Wouldn't you?"

  That was when the door opened. "I don't hear screaming," Commander Halfheart said. "How are things going here?"

  She stepped into the room. "Oh my. Did you have to torture her, Ms. Karden?"

  "Only with words," Glora said. "It was a bad one, but she is fine now. I was about to unstrap her, and then we will clean up a little before she goes to her captain."

  Radha smiled at that but said nothing. Instead, the two of them gently unstrapped me, and I fell limp into Radha's arms. She steadied me until I could stand on my own.

  "Glora, I would hug you, but I am ripe."

  "Ewww. Maybe later."

  I chuckled weakly.

  Glora handed me the gag she was holding, and I put it away. "Who do I give this key to?" she said, holding it up.

  "Me," said Radha, taking it from her. She paused. "I can not keep this room unlocked. We store things here that we do not want moved. But the two of you may use this room as needed. See me or Captain Westmere for the key."

  "What will we do on the island?" I asked.

  "Island?"

  "Oops." I turned to Radha. "Um. Did I say something I shouldn't?"

  "Probably, but it is no matter," she replied. "Everyone will know in a day or three, anyway. We will think of something. Glora, I believe you and I should take this responsibility, if you are willing."

  "I am."

  "I will find you to discuss options, then. Not tonight. If you will take care of our patient, I will lock up here and let the captain know she will be along shortly. Do not take long, please. There is not time for a shower, but perhaps you would like to wash and braid your hair and change your tunic. I left your spare with Minori."

  "Thank you, Commander," I said.

  "For this, if you like, my name is Radha."

  "Thank you, Radha. I am Rani."

  "And I am Glora."

  "To be clear, Ensign, you understand when Radha is proper?"

  "Yes, Commander."

  "Very good."

  * * * *

  Glora's elder children didn't want to look at me. Even behind the thick door of the brig, my screaming must have been heard.

  "It's not her fault," Glora told them.

  Minori crossed the small cabin and pulled me into a hug.

  "I'm smelly," I told her.

  "I don't care," she said. "I love you, Aunt Rani."

  "I love you too, Minori."

  I pulled Glora closer and whispered to both of them, "If I am bad in uncontrolled situations, you must still gag me. It makes the next spell worse, but it calms me down for now."

  They both nodded. Minori pulled the gag out and showed me she still had it. "It got wet," she whispered. "But Commander Halfheart returned my pouch to me. She didn't even take my money."

  "She wouldn't," I said. "These are very honorable kidnappers."

  "Minori," Glora said. "You will wash, dry, and braid your aunt's hair for her. Do you know how?"

  "Yes, Mama."

  "Be quick. The captain is waiting."

  "Yes, Mama."

  * * * *

  Captain Sorri Westmere

  I set my eyes on Rani as she crossed the deck. She appeared moments later at the top of the ladder, and as they always did, her eyes found mine. She waited for me to nod, even though she didn't have to.

  She crossed to me and stopped. Her hair was bound in a towel, and she had a fresh tunic. The cloak I had given her was over her shoulders, but her feet were bare, and the deck was chilly. I would need to do something about that. The crew was used to the cold, but I did not think she was.

  I held my arms out, and she folded into them.

  "It was bad, Sorri."

  "I know. I'm sorry I couldn't help this time."

  "Glora was very kind. I think we are becoming friends. She told me amazing things. She asked me to come live with them. She also said she hopes you will visit."

  "Really? I would not have expected that."

  Rani talked to me for a while. Not everything she said made sense, but I listened and was happy to have her in my arms.

  "I forgive you for kidnapping me. I forgive you for my ten crowns."

  I wasn't expecting that, either.

  "Why?"

  "Because I would have paid anything for Glora to say the things she said tonight, and this wouldn't have happened otherwise. Even if I don't move in with them, I know I am welcome now, and I know she will never withhold Minori from me."

  "You love her so much."

  "She is the only person alive who loves me back, and who couldn't love her, anyway? Glora says Dinor loves me, but I do not think so. I am his annoying little sister who always caused such grief for him and so much pain for our parents. He tolerates me out of duty, and it is grudging."

  "And yet he turned to you when he needed help."

  "It was a small favor," she replied. She burrowed tighter against me. "You may have my ten crowns, but you are still a kidnapper, so do not get any fresh ideas. Beyond holding me."

  "Tease," I accused her.

  "I am not teasing. I have been exceedingly clear. If you choose to hope for what can not be, it is not because I have been unclear."

  "True. You have been clear."

  "At this beach, you said the water is warm."

  "Yes."

  "Are there to be duties?"

  "Not many. Some. We still must eat. And I do not believe you wish to be idle."

  "I can swim, but not very well."

  "Is this something you wish to change?"

  "Yes. Will you be too busy to teach me?"

  "No. We will have lessons three times a day. We will invite anyone who wants to learn."

  "Will you explain why it will be warm enough to swim? I would not like to swim in the sea at Southgate."

  "The water is only a little warmer, but the sun shines and warms your body. I do not wish to tell you more."

  "All right," she said. She turned around in my arms and leaned against me, her back to my front, and wrapped my arms around her.

  "Why is your hair bound?"

  "It is wet. I do not want to become chilled, and I did not want to worry I was giving you damp spots against your chest."

  She sighed. "Captain, I may have said someth
ing I was not to say."

  "Radha already told me. It's fine."

  "I'm sorry."

  "No, it's fine. If I tell you something you should not share, I will make sure you know. Please do not share anything you know about our exact location."

  "Do you expect me to remain quiet about where we have been, once I am home?"

  "Should I expect you to advertise?"

  "I wanted to know what you expect."

  "You may tell your navy whatever you want about where we were," I told Rani. "I do not want you to tell the other passengers-"

  "Hostages."

  "Fine. Hostages. Because they may think they can escape. They can't, but they could get hurt or lost."

  "I think you're afraid we'll stumble into a settlement and then you would have to declare war on Candora to get us back."

  "You wouldn't. I haven't left anything like that to chance, Rani. Please do not tease about this."

  She grew quiet, but then she wriggled her bottom against me.

  "Stop it!"

  "I just wanted to know if you still desire me."

  I brushed my lips across her neck, and she immediately shivered.

  "Stop that!" she said fiercely.

  "I just wanted to know if you still desire me."

  "I told you, no escalation of the affection."

  "And wriggling your butt against me isn't escalation."

  "I make the rules. I may break them if I want."

  "I am the captain!" I told her firmly. "I decide who makes the rules."

  "All right, Captain. Who makes the rules?"

  I sighed. "You do, Rani."

  "As long as we're both in agreement, Captain." And damn if she didn't wriggle again.

  "Stop that!"

  "You don't want me to stop that, Sorri," she said. "You want me to give you permission to respond to it. That isn't going to happen. Enjoy what I give you and be happy. If you are that hard up for sex, I'm sure there is someone amongst the crew who idolizes you."

  "And you aren't hard up for sex, Rani?" I asked her.

  "No, I'm not. I am hard up for friends I can count on. I am hard up for love. I wouldn't mind sex. In fact, I would like sex. But not with you."

  "Liar."

  "Are you going to tell me what the conversation over dinner was about?"

  "I haven't decided."

  "Liar."

  "All right. I haven't decided how."

  "All right," she said. "I can believe that. Are you going to tell me tonight?"