Privateer (The Five Kingdoms #1)

by Robin Roseau

  "They probably want to stay a while." I admitted grudgingly. "As long as we suffered through a kidnapping and cruise to get here. But I haven't seen your island, Captain, and perhaps there's nothing here but sand and sun. I do hope you have some nightlife planned for us, and I do not mean the type that flies or crawls on six or more legs."

  "And you. Are you anxious to be returned home?"

  "No." I looked up at her. "Passengers."

  She grinned. "Thank you."

  "But we're hostages, too. We were hostages first, and we wouldn't be here if we weren't. I also believe if we wanted a cruise of this nature, we could have hired one for less than you will be charging our families."

  "Those are true statements. But yet, none of you have ever been on a trip like this, unless it was under similar circumstances. Why is that?"

  "I can't afford one. I can't answer for anyone else."

  "Passengers," she said again. "Say it."

  "Passengers." I looked up into her eyes. "Happy?"

  "Getting there." She grinned at me. "Let us go see if everyone is ready to see our new home for the next few weeks."

  "Is that how long it will be?"

  "Twice word has gotten to us before we've gotten here, but that was because we were forced to take a circuitous route. We sailed here quite directly, so that won't have happened for this trip. But word could arrive immediately. Discounting the times our negotiator has taken ill, the longest we were here was three months. But two or three weeks is the most common."

  "I would think it would be most profitable to you to negotiate quickly so that you can return immediately. And I would think the families would be anxious to get their loved ones back, and thus would also negotiate quickly."

  "And yet, we sail away for a week and a half, and will have a six day return. I wonder why that is."

  I sighed. "Passengers."

  "Yes. Passengers. Shall we?"

  I led the way to the mess. We were missing two of the passengers; everyone else was waiting. Minori saw me from where she was sitting with her mother. She looked like she wanted to come to me, but something stopped her, and she looked away. I was disappointed. Maybe she was in trouble with Glora for something; I could ask later.

  Sorri counted passengers. "We're short a few," she said. "Where are the last three?"

  I counted. "We're short two."

  "Three. We have nine here, but there are twelve total."

  I counted out loud, ending with "Ten" and touching my own chest.

  "Oh hell," Sorri said. "I didn't count Ms. Karden." There were chuckles at that. I beamed at her. It was silly. I should still hate her, but I didn't. Even with the way she picked on me, she made me happy, very happy. I wondered if it could last.

  "They were afraid there would be no facilities, and they went to the head," Yora Handareen explained. Yora was one of the younger women.

  "I will admit the facilities here are somewhat simple," the captain explained. "There are no permanent structures. Much of the crew is already ashore, constructing our temporary home. Some of you may choose to sleep under the stars; I have done so here many times and never been consumed by rampaging insects, but it can grow chilly at night. But those who choose will have a roof over their heads and sleep on beds. The beds are not luxury, but they are comfortable enough. There is ample fresh water, although you should only drink what we filter. But you may all use all the water you like for bathing, if you do not mind cold baths and showers. We will not be able to heat more water than what is necessary for cooking and washing afterwards."

  At that point, our missing passengers returned. Sorri repeated much of what she said for their benefit.

  "Now, there are rules."

  "Why are we not surprised?" Henny Mismeet asked. She earned some laughter.

  "We are anchored off shore in water deep enough to hold the Fleetwind even at low tide. We will go on deck. There is time for you to get a good look at your home from on board the ship, then we will proceed to land via the longboats. We will travel in an orderly fashion; I do not care for accidents. The island is not small, but it is not large, either, and we are a very, very long way from the mainland. Even if you could swim or construct a raft and somehow navigate to land, you would find an arid, inhospitable location. We get rain here due to unusual geography I do not understand, but the mainland is dry, with very, very little to eat and absolutely no water."

  "In short: do not attempt to escape?" Yora Handareen asked.

  "Yes. Also, you may not wander the island alone. That is for your safety. There are no dangerous creatures here, and there are no other people. But accidents happen. You are not required to bring a crewmember with you, although I recommend it. But if you choose to leave the immediate area of our home, you must do so in groups of at least four."

  Sorri proceeded to discuss safety for a while.

  At the end, she said, "There will be punishment for breaking the safety rules. Do I make myself clear?" She went around the room and asked each person to promise to obey the rules, ending with me.

  "I will obey the rules, Captain. I promise," I told her.

  "Even if you and I have a fight?"

  "Yes, Captain."

  "Captain," Jorek asked. "What happens if someone breaks a rule?"

  "I do hope that question is hypothetical, Mr. Karden," she said. "It will depend upon the severity of the infraction. The most I have had to do in the past is confine someone to camp, and when I confine someone, he knows he is confined. Do you catch my drift?"

  "Yes, Captain."

  "Any further questions?"

  There weren't any.

  "You may ask more questions later, if you like," the captain said. "You may ask me or any crew member. We will answer any questions we can except those that could give you additional clues where we are. Please do not ask questions of that nature."

  After that, she ushered us up to the deck, leading the way. At the door to the deck, she stopped everyone, several of us still on the stairs.

  "I would like you to each close your eyes until everyone is on deck. That way, no one gets a first view before the others. We have crewmembers ready to help you find a good place on the railing, and then you may all open your eyes together. As you arrive at the top of the stairs, close your eyes and wait, and someone will help you outside.

  I was at the back, so I could hear the captain's request, but I didn't see what happened right away. As it grew closer to my turn, I saw the ship's officers step in, collect the next person by the arm, and escort her outside. Once I arrived at the top of the stairs, but before I could see out the door, I closed my eyes gently.

  I knew it was Sorri who took my arm.

  "Rani," she said to me quietly. "I will be very upset if you make a crude sextant."

  "I won't."

  "Thank you."

  "If I make a sextant, it won't be crude."

  "Rani!"

  I grinned. She pulled me out onto deck, placing my hands on the railing. She moved behind me, wrapping her arms around me.

  "Open your eyes!" she announced.

  We all opened our eyes, and there was a collective gasp.

  The ship was anchored in an inlet, the island reaching around us like the arms of a mother. There was a beach directly in front of us, and I could see the crew constructing our home.

  Around us, the island rose in steep cliffs and towering mountains, and the slopes were lush with vegetation. To our left, a waterfall descended from the mountain, the water dropping into the ocean below. It appeared to be about a mile away.

  "Are those sheep?" Glora asked, pointing.

  "Yes. We imported sheep a few years ago. They would quite overrun the island if we didn't come frequently enough to keep their numbers down. We have made arrangements that if we stop coming here, men from Candora will come and remove the animals."

  I turned in Sorri's arms and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. She hugged me, kissing me back enthusiastically. I broke the kiss and turne
d around to look at the island.

  "The beach here is small, but there is ample room to swim. The exterior of the island contains more beaches, but as you can see, our location is mountainous. You can not circle the island easily. I would rather no one attempt it. There are fish, and you can fish from the boat or off the rocks. You will find the men doing so quite a lot, although I ask them to pick the more isolated places."

  "It's beautiful, Captain," Kindari Linewest said.

  "So, Rani," Sorri whispered into my ear. "Hostages?"

  I leaned my cheek against hers. "Passengers," I said.

  She nibbled my ear. "Thank you."

  "And hostages."

  "Brat."

  "The truth hurts."

  "Bitch."

  "You knew that when you seduced me."

  She pinched me. "Stop that."

  "The truth hurts," I said sadly. I turned to look at her. "How soon until you get tired of that part?"

  "Never."

  I turned back, not saying anything. "It really is very beautiful. Will you teach me to fish?"

  "Yes."

  "Will you take me exploring?"

  "Yes. But not alone. I follow the rules, too."

  "We can take Glora's family."

  "And four seamen."

  "Why so many?"

  "To carry our picnic."

  I laughed. "All right."

  * * * *

  It took another half hour before we landed on firm ground, although it felt like the ground was moving. Sorri assured us that land would feel normal by tomorrow.

  The crew had erected a number of canvas tents on top of simple wooden platforms. Radha was waiting for us and assigned each group to it's own pavilion. There wasn't one for me, and neither Radha nor Sorri seemed intent on telling me where I would be staying.

  The crew dispersed what luggage we had; I had very little, and I had no idea what happened with it. I saw it brought ashore, but then Sorri distracted me, and I didn't see where it went.

  There was another large pavilion set up for the kitchen and another as a mess. "In nice weather, people can sit outside if they like, but it rains. This also serves as a meeting room, and I suppose we can play cards here as well." There wasn't enough room for the passengers and entire crew all at once, but I knew we would make do. I presumed either the crew would eat elsewhere or in shifts. And I knew much of the crew would be needed to take the ship to collect supplies.

  The crew continued to offload supplies, storing them in a separate pavilion set up as a storage room behind the kitchen. An hour later, watching from shore, the Fleetwind raised the topgallants and slowly made its way out of the inlet.

  We were stranded, and it was very intimidating.

  "Hostages," I muttered, watching the ship sail away.

  "Oh honey," Sorri said, standing next to me. "You're going to have a good time. I promise."

  "Most of us are going to burn under this sun. A bunch are already burnt from yesterday. What if the ship doesn't come back? What if there is a storm, and she is wrecked. What if there are pirates? What if the quartermaster decides she wants her own ship? What if someone gets hurt? Our doctor just sailed away." I looked over at several of the women playing in the water. "Those who are married may only care a little. Those like me who no one wants, well, it doesn't matter. But the young ladies are going to come away from this with chapped, raw skin. Even when you take us back, the young men aren't going to want anything to do with them for the rest of the season. Minori is too young to care, but Lindora is not."

  "Rani," Sorri asked me, "what is really wrong?"

  I refused to look at her. "What is going to happen to me, Sorri? I wasn't necessarily happy, but I knew what my life was. What is going to happen to me when you're tired of me?"

  "That isn't going to happen."

  "I am a cruise fling for you."

  "No. You are far more than that."

  "We can't be together. We shouldn't be together now. You're going to crush my heart."

  I stormed away from her and watched mournfully as the Fleetwind caught the winds outside the inlet and raised the rest of her sails. Soon, she was out of sight behind the mountains.

  Minori approached me a while later.

  "Come on, Aunt Rani. The water feels really good."

  "Hey. How are you this morning? You ignored me earlier."

  "I-" she started to say. "I'm sorry. I didn't sleep well and was out of sorts." I turned to her. She was wearing a floppy hat and holding another. She pulled it over my head and secured it. "It's not very stylish, but I think looking silly is better than burning."

  "Why isn't everyone else upset?" I asked her. "We're kidnap victims, but they're playing in the water and laughing, and the ship just sailed away. We're stranded."

  Minori was quiet for a minute, but when I looked at her, she had the expression I knew meant she was working on questions. Finally she asked me, "Has the captain broken any promises to you yet?"

  "She's a kidnapper, Minori. She'll keep the promises that are convenient for her. Keeping us complacent makes her job easier."

  "Answer my question, Aunt Rani," Minori said sternly.

  "No, she hasn't broken any promises."

  "Did she promise to keep me safe?" She had. "Did she risk her life to keep that promise?" She had. "Has she promised the ship will come back?"

  "She doesn't control that!"

  "Does she seem incompetent?"

  "No."

  "Do you really think the ship isn't coming back?"

  "No. You're right. It will be back, and it will be carrying fresh supplies and probably everything on everyone's list. And the captain probably arranged more surpries for us, too. Surprises your father is paying for."

  "Is that what is bothering you?"

  "A little."

  "What do you think is going to happen to me?" Minori asked.

  "Your father will pay your ransom, and you will be safe and sound in your own bed a week after we leave here, which will not be very long from today."

  "Are you worried about me?"

  "No. I think you are going to be great, Minori. If you avoid following in my footsteps, I think you are going to be just fine."

  "There are some of your footsteps I very much intend to follow, Aunt Rani."

  "I don't want you to be alone like I am, Minori. You are stoic about it when the kids won't play with you, but you aren't meant for my life."

  "You aren't meant for your life, either, Aunt Rani." She paused. "I am sorry your parents couldn't understand you. I am sorry you didn't have an aunt as great as I do."

  "Oh honey," I said, hugging her.

  "My parents don't understand me very well, either, but I think Mama is beginning to. She's begun answering more of my questions. And I catch her looking at me. Is she proud of me, Aunt Rani?"

  "I think she didn't know what to make of you. But I think her eyes are opening, Minori."

  "Would that have happened if we hadn't all been kidnapped together?"

  "I don't know."

  "Please never lie to me, Aunt Rani."

  "Something else could have happened."

  "Do you believe that?"

  "No."

  "I never told you this. I used to cry at night because I didn't think Mama loved me."

  "When did you outgrow that?"

  "The last time was ten days ago. I asked if you would let me run away with you, and you said 'no'. I knew you loved me, but I knew I couldn't go with you when I asked."

  "Oh honey," I said, pulling her to me.

  "I won't be crying for that reason ever again, Aunt Rani. So I hope you won't mind if I am happy."

  "Of course I don't mind. But-"

  "You have a problem to solve, and you don't know how."

  "Yeah."

  "Do you love her?"

  "Yeah."

  "Is it just because she is kind to you when no one else is?"

  "I am sure that is part of it, but I love almost everything about her."<
br />
  "Except when she drops you from the crow's nest?"

  I laughed lightly. "Yeah. And stuff like that."

  "Do you think you can teach her how you like to be treated?"

  "Yes, but I think she will always enjoy teasing me."

  "Tease her back."

  "I don't know how."

  "Do you think anyone is an expert the first time they learn something? Is teasing a skill someone learns over time?"

  "She'll always be ten steps ahead of me, Minori."

  "Why does that bother you so badly?"

  "It's embarrassing."

  "Why?"

  I looked over the inlet. "I don't know. And I am always being embarrassed."

  "What embarrasses you?"

  "Dangling helplessly from the drop rope was embarrassing."

  "Why?"

  "Because-"

  "Because you needed her help to get you down?"

  "Yes."

  "Why is that so bad? She didn't let you stay up there. She got you down as soon as you stopped trying to kick her."

  "I don't like depending on anyone like that."

  "Why not?"

  "Because I have learned I can't depend on anyone! Everyone has betrayed me eventually."

  "Everyone?"

  "Well, you haven't."

  "But everyone else has."

  "Yes."

  "Everyone? Who on the ship has betrayed you?"

  "Minori, we know I am very difficult to live with."

  "That isn't your fault."

  "It is still true."

  "I think the captain is willing to deal with that."

  "She'll grow tired."

  "I do not believe she will. I believe she feels you are worth it. And I do not believe she is one who breaks her promises. Ever."

  "Do you think we have a chance, Minori?"

  "I think you have difficulties to solve. I think she is trying to solve them. I think they are solvable, but you both may not be willing to pay the price."

  "What price?"

  "I don't know. I only ask questions. I rarely have answers."

  "Have you been asking the captain questions?"

  It was Minori's turn to look away.

  "You have! What did she say?"

  "Please don't ask me. I promised not to tell you."

  I narrowed my eyes. "Tell me."

  She turned back to face me. "Aunt Rani, I do not ask important favors from you very often. I am asking you now. Please do not ask me, and do not ask the captain. Please drop this. I will ask the right questions in front of you, and you will see her responses."