Privateer (The Five Kingdoms #1)

by Robin Roseau

  We set ourselves upon them, driving them off, but we now had two men who were two wounded to assist with our fight. We assigned two more men to them and the four of them began making their way back to the ship. Instead of twelve men, we now had eight. Commander Halfheart took one of my three men from me, so instead of taking the mistress with four people, there were three of us, and she would have five instead of eight to take the pewter smith's wife and children.

  We finished our trip to the pewter smith's house, collecting just around the corner. Commander Halfheart directed me towards the mistress's apartment, and her group went around the corner towards the Bittermore household. There, Commander Halfheart encountered the next problem, but I wasn't to know it for twenty minutes. My group of three proceeded the additional two blocks to the home of the mistress.

  We moved to the proper building, and everything was as expected. We had a rope with us, with a grappling hook on the end. Three times I threw the hook, attempting to latch onto a venting pipe on the roof of the house. The first time, the hook bounced off the side of the house. The second time, I made it to the roof, but then it fell back down without catching on the pipe. The third time, I broke a window.

  "Oh shit," one of the men said.

  To make it worse, the hook passed into the window and then became lodged on the sill. Try as I might, I couldn't pull it back down.

  But we got lucky; no one investigated the noise. Finally I shrugged. "Bengo, up you go." Bengo was the smallest of us, even smaller than I was, and very lithe. He proceeded up the rope and worked his way into the window. A few seconds later we saw him waving for the rest of us to join him; I went up and then Tenny followed along behind me. The three of us were in the apartment.

  I moved quietly to the inner door and listened. We heard nothing through the door, but as soon as I cracked it open, I heard muffled laughter.

  We had been told to expect her home alone. "She has company, perhaps Mr. Bittermore."

  We slipped out of the room with me in the lead. I listened, and the laughter was coming from the left. I turned left and followed it.

  The laughing was coming from a mix of female voices. We came to an open door, and there were several voices, all female. I drew my sword and dagger, gesturing for the men to do the same, then I counted very quietly, "One, two, three!" and on three, I burst through the door saying, "Nobody move!"

  I'm not sure who was more surprised: us, or the occupants of what appeared to be the mistress's bedroom. There were five women waiting for us, all lounging on the bed, dressed in pajamas, eating junk food and drinking margaritas. The five of them turned to us and, instead of screaming like we may have expected, or failing in a faint, which would have been fine, they began laughing.

  My two men fanned out, all of us not quite pointing our swords at the women on the bed. "Quiet!" I hissed. "This is a kidnapping. Which of you is the mistress?"

  One of the women climbed off the bed and then stretched in front of me. She wasn't wearing much, and my men and I all watched her. She laughed again and then stepped straight towards me. At the last moment, I raised the point of my sword until it came to rest against the center of her chest.

  "Why don't you put that away and join us?" she asked, staring into my eyes. "It will be a lot more fun than trying to kidnap us."

  "No, thank you," I said. "And we're not kidnapping all of you, just you."

  "Just little ol' me?" she asked. "Are you sure I'm the one you're after?" She looked over her shoulder at the other women on the bed, none of whom seemed nervous to see us. "There are five of us. Why me?"

  "Because... um..."

  "Do you even know my name?" she asked me. She licked her lips and smiled.

  I was young and, well, still a little stupid. I hadn't planned on facing five women, all of them awake, but instead one woman in her bed. We would have had her trussed up by now, gagged, and halfway out of the house, but instead I wasn't even sure which one we were supposed to take.

  "All right," I said. "What is your name?" She was obligated to answer me; if she refused, then we could take her and weren't obligated to offer her parole.

  "Nura Tranville," she replied. "Does that name mean anything to you?"

  "Quiet," I told her. "I'm the one asking questions."

  "Says who?"

  "Says me! I'm the one with the rapier at your breast."

  "Oh, put that thing away," she said. "It's not like you're going to use it." She stepped a half step away then used her hand to brush the point of my sword aside before stepping closer to me. "What is your name?"

  "I am Lieutenant Westmere of the privateer Western Wind," I replied. "You are my prisoner."

  "Am I?" she asked. Behind her, the other women tittered. "Lieutenant, your plan seems to have gone awry."

  "It's not my plan," I said.

  "The plan you were following seems to have gone awry," she said. "I take it you weren't expecting to find five of us waiting for you."

  "No. Which of you is the mistress?"

  "Which mistress is that?" one of the other women asked. "Perhaps I am someone's mistress."

  "Are you?" I asked her, looking past Ms. Tranville.

  "I do not believe I am obligated to answer that question," she replied. "You may ask me my name, who my parents are, and who my husband is."

  "All right," I said. "What are your names?"

  They each gave their names, which meant nothing to me. I had been told to get the mistress; I hadn't been given her name. When I asked who their parents were, they gave me more names, but I didn't recognize any of the names, and I couldn't tell if any of them were legitimate targets. None of them admitted to being married, and when I asked them to show me their hands, none was wearing anything that looked like a wedding ring.

  "That was a freebie," Ms. Tranville told me. "We aren't obligated to help you. Tell me, did you come prepared to take five of us?"

  "No," I admitted.

  "How many gags do you have with you?"

  "I don't have to answer that."

  "Come, come, Lieutenant," she said. "I am trying to help you here. How many gags?"

  "Two."

  "And bonds for two?"

  "Yes."

  "I imagine it would be somewhat problematic for the three of you to take five of us when you were only prepared for two. I am sorry, Lieutenant, but whoever planned this raid of yours isn't impressing me very much. What are you going to do?"

  I didn't have a clue.

  "If you pick two of us, you would leave three behind. Those three, of course, will report you to the city guard before you get four blocks."

  "We can tie up the other three," I said.

  "You could, but if you tie us too well, we could die before we escape, and our lives would be your fault. The Grey Wizards would be very unhappy with you. If you do not tie us well enough, you may find we are very clever at escaping, and we might be free before you have gotten a single block."

  "We'll take all of you," I said. "Get dressed."

  "The three of you are going to manage the five of us?" she asked. "I don't think so. I have a proposal, Lieutenant. Do you care to hear it?"

  "No."

  "If the three of you surrender to us, we will bind your two men with the bonds you have so conveniently brought for us, and the five of us will be free to do anything we want with you." She looked me up and down and smiled. "We'll let all of you go in the morning, and we won't report you to the guard."

  "You're all coming with me," I said again. "We'll sort you out later."

  "No."

  "What?" I waved the sword at her again.

  "You aren't allowed to take anyone who isn't a legitimate hostage. None of us are legitimate hostages."

  "One of you is the pewter smith's mistress, and she is a legitimate hostage."

  "That is pushing it," Ms. Tranville said. "But let us say that is true. Which of us is the mistress?"

  "The one who lives here!"

  "And which of us lives here?
"

  "You are each obligated to tell us where you live," I said triumphantly.

  "I live with my parents," Ms. Tranville said immediately.

  "So do I," said one of the other women. Then the other three chimed in and all admitted to living with her parents.

  "One of you is lying!" I said hotly.

  "Are you sure? If this is the home of the pewter smith's mistress, perhaps this home belongs to the pewter smith, and none of us claim to live here."

  I growled. "Get back on the bed," I told her.

  "Why should I?" she asked in a rough voice.

  "Because I told you to," I replied.

  "And if I refuse?"

  "You can't refuse!" I said. "You must do what I tell you."

  "No. I am under no such obligation, but if I do not, you are allowed to use additional force to make me."

  "Get back on the bed, Ms. Tranville," I told her again.

  "I don't think so."

  I stepped closer to her and lifted my dagger to her cheek. She didn't even flinch. "Get back on the bed or I will cut your pretty face."

  "Wow," she said. "Would you really?"

  "Yes."

  "You're in over your head, Lieutenant," she replied, stepping away from me. I followed until she bumped into the bed and sat back down.

  "If any of them leaves the bed," I said, "assume it's an attempt to escape."

  I backed away, watching the five of them carefully. They all watched me as I backed away to the closet on the far side of the room. When I arrived I opened it, then, while still watching the hostages, found a pair of shoes from the closet. I put my weapons away and picked up the shoes.

  "Clever," said Ms. Tranville. "What are you going to do if they fit more than one of us?"

  "Take whoever they fit."

  "And with the rest of us?" she asked. "We discussed this already."

  I sighed, not having an answer. But I approached the bed. Immediately all five of them sat up and tucked her feet underneath her.

  "Seriously?" I asked. I stepped in front of Ms. Tranville. "Give me your foot."

  "Make me."

  "Do you really want to go down that path?" I asked. "Are you going to make me force you?"

  She sighed. "No, I guess not." And she offered her left foot. I was holding the right shoe.

  "Other foot, please," I told her, and she gave me the right foot. The shoe was way too small.

  All five of them let me try the shoe on them. It fit three of them, although was a poor fit on the third.

  "Fine," I said. "We'll take you two."

  "And the rest of us?" Ms. Tranville asked.

  "We'll tie you up and tell the pewter smith what we've done. If he chooses not to free you, it won't be because we didn't give him the opportunity to do so."

  "All right," she said. "What are you going to tie us up with?"

  I smiled. "If they move from the bed, assume it's an escape attempt," I said again. I ran from the room and returned with the grabbling hook and rope. When Ms. Tranville saw it, she shrugged. "Got enough?"

  "I've got enough for you," I said. "I know you aren't the mistress. Get up and turn around."

  She obeyed, which surprised me. I tied her hands behind her back, then told her to lie down on the bed on her stomach. I bound her ankles together, then used a little more rope to tie her wrists to her ankles, hog-tying her.

  "That should take care of you for a while," I told her. I had tied people up before. I knew what I was doing.

  "Don't forget to gag me," she said. "I am going to start screaming the moment you are gone."

  "Oh, I won't forget," I said. "I am going to enjoy it."

  I stepped to the dresser in the corner of the room and rummaged around. I found underthings in one drawer and scarves in another. I brought back a pile then held a pair of the underthings in front of Ms. Tranville's mouth. "Open."

  "May I say one thing before you gag me?" she asked. "I believe you want to hear this."

  "Fine. Say it," I said.

  "There is at least one pair of shoes in that closet that fit my feet."

  "What?" I yelled.

  "Look around," she said. "Do you think all of us arrived barefoot? Are you sure the shoes you picked out belong to the pewter smith's mistress and not one of her guests?"

  "The guests' shoes would be at the front door."

  "Are you sure?" she asked. "Your captain is going to be very upset if you kidnap the wrong woman."

  "I don't have time for this!" I wailed.

  "I imagine not. I imagine you are already well behind schedule. I am not lying. There are shoes in that closet that fit my feet. I'll even tell you of one pair if you untie my ankles and do not retie them unless you are absolutely sure I am not the woman you want."

  "Are you?"

  "I don't have to answer that."

  I growled.

  "Lieutenant, if you leave now, we'll give you ten minutes before we inform the city guard you are here."

  "No!" But I untied her ankles. "There. Your ankles are untied."

  "Help me up," she said, "and I'll help you find the right shoes for my feet."

  I helped her stand then led her to the closet.

  "There," she said. "The gold heels with peep toes."

  I pointed to one pair and said, "These?"

  "Yes. Those fit my feet. They may or may not be mine, but they fit my feet."

  I picked them up and brought her back to the bed. They fit her feet as well as that of one of the other women.

  In the end I tried ten pairs of shoes from the closet, managing to fit at least one pair on each of four of the five women.

  I turned to the last one. "Your feet seem particularly petite, and all of these shoes are too large for you. This is not your bedroom."

  "You are correct," she said. "It is not." She sighed dramatically. "So I am to be tied?"

  "Yes."

  "I will cooperate if you promise to be kind."

  I nodded. She immediately rose from the bed. I tied her carefully, and she did not struggled. Soon I had her fully trussed on the bed, but I didn't stretch her more than necessary. I checked all the bonds, and I was sure she wouldn't free herself.

  "Lieutenant," she said when I was done. "Does it bother you that you haven't found shoes to fit my feet?"

  "Not so much," I said.

  "Perhaps it should," she said. "Perhaps you should attempt to find my shoes. You may find it illuminating."

  "Are you going to help with that process?"

  "What am I offered?"

  "I won't be cruel when I gag you," I told her.

  "That isn't much," she said.

  "I won't cut your clothes from your body and leave the window open."

  "Now that's a nasty threat," she said. "I am not inclined to help you."

  "Fine," I said. "I am not worried about your shoes." I turned to the rest. "We'll take the four of you."

  The shoeless woman sighed. "Lieutenant, you really should find my shoes. Offer me something and I'll help you."

  "What do you want?"

  "When you take any of us outside, you promise we will be fully and properly clothed for the weather, and you will bring sufficient clothing for our trip."

  I sighed. "I will bring as much clothing for you as we can bring and still manage the number of hostages you are requiring me to bring with me. If I am left bringing all five of you, then I will not have any capacity to carry clothing, as we will need to focus on managing you."

  "All right," she said. "There is another bedroom directly across the hall. You will find shoes in that room that fit me."

  I ran out of the room, and sure enough, there was a door nearly directly across from this room. I stepped into that room, located the lamp, and turned it up. In the closet, I found three pair of shoes and one pair of boots. I brought all of them back with me. Everyone was where I had left her, with four of them watching me when I returned. The fifth, trussed on the bed, couldn't see me from where I had left her on the bed
. I crossed the room to her and immediately tried one of the shoes, slipping it onto her foot. It fit perfectly. I tried the other two pairs, and they also fit. I didn't try the boot, as I wouldn't be able to pull it over the bonds around her ankles.

  "So you are the mistress!" I said. "We have four of your shoes, and that is your bedroom across the hall."

  "If you untie my ankles and allow me to sit, I will offer a counter theory."

  I sighed, untied her ankles, and allowed her to sit up. I lifted her chin with my hand and forced her to look at me.

  "I could be visiting. Wouldn't a mistress have more than four pairs of shoes?"

  "Damn it!" I said. "I have to tie you up again. Why are you wasting my time?"

  "Or," she said. "That could be a spare room where I store seasonal clothing. There may be another bedroom around here with more shoes that fit me."

  "That's it!" I said. "We're taking all of you, and you're all staying in the brig for the entire trip."

  "You can't do that!" Ms. Tranville said. "It's against the rules. We've answered the questions we are obligated to answer, and you have not identified which of us you are here to take. Your information was poor, and it is not fair you take it out on us!"

  "I am only a lieutenant!" I yelled at her. "You have all taken too much of my time. Someone else can figure out how to get answers from you."

  They didn't struggle as I bound their wrists behind their backs. Then we took them downstairs. Tenny and I took two of them and made them sit on the floor, then I left him to guard the first two while I went back upstairs for the third. I made one more trip, and Bengo and I brought the last two downstairs with us, also bringing the supply of gags. We got them all seated, then I began gagging them. When I got to Ms. Tranville, she asked, "Will you bring our clothing?"

  I sighed. "Cloaks, and I will raid the two bedrooms for other clothing. Where are the cloaks?"

  "Front closet," she said. "You're going to take us through the streets in our pajamas?"

  "You could have cooperated."

  "If we tell you who you came for, will you leave the rest here, and make sure you bring the woman you want with enough clothing to be comfortable?"