Black Heart

by Justin Somper

  “A private sailing vessel,” said Lady Lockwood with a smile. “Now look, you’re drenched and your poor charges are shivering. Angelika, would you go and fetch some towels and blankets? And Marianne, I think we’d better have some more of your famous tea!”

  “We don’t want to impose,” said Commodore Kuo.

  “It’s no trouble,” answered Lady Lockwood, her voice as clipped as her vowels. “We like to look after our guests aboard the Vagabond, don’t we, ladies?”

  “Aye, aye, Captain,” answered Angelika and Marianne in unison, before departing to perform their duties.

  “Come,” said Lady Lockwood, leading them to a seating area that was sheltered from the breeze. “Let’s sit here and wait while the girls sort out your things. I’m sure they’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  As Zak sat down, he saw more of Lady Lockwood’s crew arrive on deck. “Captain, are all the members of your crew women?” he asked.

  “Yes, indeed,” said Lady Lockwood. “I’m afraid that you and Commodore Kuo are quite outnumbered!” She laughed lightly. “But don’t worry. Though no men are allowed to join the crew, we welcome them as guests.”

  Zak smiled. He could think of worse things than being rescued from icy waters by a crew of beautiful young women, who even now were hastening to his side with towels and blankets.

  But as Angelika arrived, Lady Lockwood raised her hand. “On second thought, Angelika, these two youngsters are soaked through. Why don’t you take them inside and find some dry clothes for them?”

  Varsha stood up gratefully, but Zak shook his head. “Thanks all the same, but I’d rather stay wet than put on a dress.”

  Lady Lockwood laughed again. “Very amusing! But don’t worry, my dear. I’m sure Angelika can find you something suitable. As I say, we’ve welcomed men as guests onto the ship many times before.”

  “Okay then,” said Zak, following Varsha and Angelika, who were already setting off inside.

  “I’m sorry, Commodore Kuo,” said Lady Lockwood. “I’m sure we can find some clothes for you, too, if you’d like?”

  He shook his head. “I’m fine, thank you, Lady Lockwood. But it’s kind of you to look after the students. I’m afraid they are a bit shaken up by what we’ve been through.”

  “Of course,” said Lady Lockwood. “Quite understandable. But a man of your years and experience is made of stronger stuff. It takes more to rattle your cage, I’m sure.”

  “Well, yes,” said John Kuo with a smile.

  “Look,” said Lady Lockwood. “Here’s Marianne with our tea. Thank you, my dear. You can leave it and I’ll pour. Now, let’s see. Do you prefer milk or lemon, John?”

  “I drink my tea black,” he said.

  “Very good,” said Lady Lockwood, lifting the tea strainer in one hand and the pot in the other.

  Commodore Kuo watched her as she poured. “You know my name,” he said.

  “Yes.” She passed him the cup and saucer. “You introduced yourself to me earlier.”

  “I introduced myself as Commodore Kuo. But you just called me John.”

  Lady Lockwood laughed. “Well, perhaps that was a little informal of me. Though you are quite welcome to call me Lola.”

  “You misunderstand, Lady Lockwood.” Commodore Kuo scanned her face. “How did you know my name was John?”

  Lady Lockwood blushed. “You’ve caught me.” She raised her hands. “Mea culpa! I knew who you were. The exceedingly famous Commodore John Kuo, former captain and now headmaster of the academy and leading light of the Pirate Federation. And if I’m not mistaken, you’re carrying your legendary sword, the Toledo blade.” She nodded her head toward the hilt of the sword, which poked out from its scabbard. The distinctive stingray bindings on the hilt shimmered in the moonlight.

  Commodore Kuo was wide-eyed. “You knew all this?”

  “You’re a very famous man,” she said. “I’ve seen pictures. Though, if I may be so bold, they don’t quite do you justice.”

  Commodore Kuo smiled. “I’m sure I’d say the same if I’d seen a painting of you,” he said. “How come I haven’t heard of you, Lola?”

  “I’m a very private person, John. I’ve led quite a colorful existence, so I suppose now I naturally migrate to the shadows.”

  “Hmm,” said Commodore Kuo, sipping his tea. “A rare bird of prey such as yourself should not be caged up, shrouded in darkness.”

  Lady Lockwood smiled, stirring her teacup. “Are you flirting with me, John? How sweet!”

  Commodore Kuo grinned and took another sip of his tea.

  Suddenly, he noticed that she hadn’t touched the tea herself.

  “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you drinking?”

  “Oh, I had a cup not long ago,” she said. “Besides, tea’s not my drink of choice.”

  “No?” he said, his interest piqued.

  She shook her head. As she did so, he saw her eyes change. It happened in a moment. At first he thought it was the fire beacon reflected in her dark brown eyes, but turning, he saw that there was no beacon in range. The fire was in her eyes, as if it burned in a very deep well. For once in his long and illustrious career, Commodore John Kuo was speechless.

  19

  MERCY

  “This tea,” Commodore Kuo said. “You put something in it, didn’t you?”

  Lady Lockwood nodded. “A mild sedative. Something to take the edge off your troubled mind.”

  “My mind wasn’t troubled. But now it is. You’re a vampire, aren’t you? This is a Vampirate ship.”

  Lady Lockwood smiled. “Names, John. I was christened Lady Lola Elizabeth Mercy Lockwood, but I’ve been called many names over the years. Adventuress. Highwaywoman. Pirate. So yes, why not add Vampirate to the list?”

  “What do you want from me?”

  The fire burned in her eyes once more. “It’s quite simple,” she said. “I want your blood. I’m sure it has a powerful flavor. Full-bodied and dry would be my guess.”

  Commodore Kuo blanched, then stammered. “You w-w-want my blood?”

  “That’s right, John. You’ll fill a half case. And it will be highly prized, you being such a famous pirate and headmaster and leading light, and so forth.”

  “You’re mad,” he said, though words were no longer easy to come by. “You’re quite mad.”

  “Say what you will, John. As I said before, I’ve been called many things.”

  Commodore Kuo slumped in his chair. The sedative was taking a deeper hold on him. He had little fight left, but with an obviously great effort, he pulled himself upright again. “What about the students? Zak and Varsha.”

  “What about them?” asked Lady Lockwood. “Oh, look, here they come now!”

  Sure enough, Angelika was leading them back across the deck. They were dressed in dry clothes and were laughing and joking with Angelika and a couple of other members of the crew.

  “Spare them,” Commodore Kuo said, his voice filled with urgency. “Do what you want with me, but let them go free. I’ve had my years of glory. Theirs are still ahead—”

  “Yes, yes,” said Lady Lockwood, cutting him off in midsentence. “Of course I’ll spare them if that’s what you wish. Besides, young blood is a little too coarse for my palate, though others of my crew might disagree.”

  “Others…” The words died on Commodore Kuo’s lips as he saw Angelika’s eyes burn with the same hellfire as Lady Lockwood’s. Thankfully, Zak and Varsha appeared oblivious to this.

  “Are you all right, Commodore Kuo?” Varsha asked.

  “You look a little pale,” said Zak. “Maybe you should change clothes? Look at the sharp suit they found for me.”

  Utterly oblivious, thought John Kuo. In spite of everything he had taught them about zanshin—the samurai warrior’s heightened sensibility to danger in every situation. But then, he himself had been slow to identify the danger here. And now he would pay the price.

  “You must go,” he rasped. “Lady Lockwood and I have business to conclu
de.”

  “Go?” said Zak incredulously. “Where?”

  “The skiff sank, Commodore Kuo,” said Varsha. “Don’t you remember?”

  “Yes,” he said, but his voice was distant, disconnected.

  “He’s right,” said Lady Lockwood. “You two really should leave.”

  “We can’t leave without Commodore Kuo,” said Varsha. “He looks terrible.”

  “You must,” Commodore Kuo said. “Swim to shore. Wait at the beacon for the next crew. They’ll fetch help, and you’ll go back to the academy.”

  “Swim?” protested Zak. “In my new suit? But why?”

  “No more of this!” announced Lady Lockwood. “Angelika, remove them from the ship.”

  “Aye, Captain.” Angelika turned and beckoned to three of her comrades. Between them, they led Zak and Varsha toward the edge of the deck.

  “Jump in, little fishes,” Angelika hissed, her eyes flashing fire.

  Zak caught sight of it, but Varsha missed it. In a flash, he realized what was happening. He grabbed Varsha and pulled her away from the ship, plummeting with her into the icy waters.

  Angelika led her comrades back across the deck. “They’re gone,” she informed Lady Lockwood.

  “Free?” Commodore Kuo rasped.

  “Yes,” said Lady Lockwood. “As per your last request. That was your last request, I trust?”

  “Yes,” gasped Commodore Kuo, slumping to the deck.

  Angelika glanced at Lady Lockwood, awaiting orders. The captain rose from her seat. “Take him to the pressing room,” she said. “But be careful with him.” She smiled. “I want the corpse in prime condition later.”

  “Aye, Captain,” said Angelika, turning once more to summon assistance.

  As she turned her back, Commodore Kuo seized his opportunity. In one seamless motion, he rolled forward, withdrew the Toledo blade from its scabbard, and lunged directly at Lady Lockwood. He had no idea if a blade through the heart would destroy her, but at the very least it must inflict a deep wound.

  But Lady Lockwood was faster than him, and as he lunged she stepped backward. “My, my, Commodore Kuo,” she said. “You appear to have made a remarkable recovery.”

  Commodore Kuo wielded the blade menacingly in the direction of her heart. “Your sedative had no impact on me. I drew on the samurai’s skills of willpower to overcome its effects.”

  Lady Lockwood smiled. “The samurai’s skills of willpower and some decidedly hammy acting,” she demurred. She folded her arms across her chest. “So what’s the plan now, little man? Are you going to slay me and my crew single-handedly?”

  Commodore Kuo looked her in the eye. “It wouldn’t be a first,” he said.

  “Well, bravo!” Lady Lockwood said. “Full marks, John. I’m starting to see how you built your impressive reputation. You do have a few tricks up your sleeve.” She unfolded her arms. “But unfortunately for you, so do I.”

  She began circling one hand about the other, first slowly, then gaining pace. As she did so, Commodore Kuo felt the Toledo blade vibrating in his hand. It was as if Lady Lockwood was exerting some kind of magnetic field, drawing the sword free from his grip. Using every last grain of determination, he gripped the stingray-skin hilt.

  Lady Lockwood’s hands spun faster and faster until it was impossible to separate one from the other.

  Commodore Kuo could feel his grasp on the sword loosening, but even he was not prepared for what happened next. The Toledo blade came free, but instead of dropping to the floor, it remained hovering in midair, a little distance from him. Then, as Lady Lockwood continued to spin her hands, the sword spun around so that its blade was threatening Commodore Kuo himself. He stood transfixed. Was this the end, then? Felled by his very own sword? When they spoke of the great pirate Commodore John Kuo, was this the story they would tell?

  Lady Lockwood’s clipped voice cut through his thoughts. “You said before that you had the skills of a samurai, so why not choose to die like one? Fall on your own sword. Isn’t seppuku the most honorable way for a samurai to die?”

  Commodore Kuo watched as the Toledo blade threatened its master. Now he knew what his hundreds, perhaps thousands, of victims had felt in the very same position. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps this was the best, most honorable way to die. He found himself hypnotized by the glittering hilt of the sword, made all those years ago by the master craftsman of Toledo.

  “I’ve known samurais, John Kuo,” said Lady Lockwood. “And you’re no samurai.”

  He thought of Zak and Varsha, swimming their way to freedom. He thought of the other captains, racing home to the academy. He thought of Cheng Li, who had just assumed the rank of captain. His work was done. The glory that had once been his was passing to the next generation. This was the fitting end. He felt a sudden surge of adrenaline as he threw himself toward his sword.

  Lady Lockwood beckoned her crew around her. “Take him below,” she said. “I don’t want a drop of his blood wasted.” As they lifted him, she took the sword and drew it from his flesh. It was coated in blood. She touched a finger to the blade, then lifted it to her lips. She let the taste roll around her mouth before declaring her verdict. “Complex and exquisitely well-balanced. Explosive, sweet, with an exotic pomegranate note in the finish. Delicious.” She passed the sword to Angelika. “Have this cleaned. It will make a nice addition to my collection. I’m going to my cabin. I want some time to myself.” She began walking away.

  “Captain,” Angelika called after her.

  “Yes,” Lady Lockwood said, turning.

  “The two students. Did you really want them to go free?”

  Lady Lockwood considered for a moment. “I don’t really care,” she said. “I shall leave that decision, my dear, in your very capable hands.”

  Zak and Varsha swam toward the island.

  “We’ll never make it,” Varsha cried. “It looked close, but it seems to get farther and farther away.”

  “It’s because we’re tired,” said Zak. “But we’re doing well. Keep swimming! There’s the beacon. Keep your eyes fixed on that. We’ll wait there for whichever crew comes next.”

  “What if they attack them, too?”

  “It’s over,” Zak said. “Put it out of your head.”

  “But what they did to Commodore Kuo—what they’re doing to him…”

  “Stop!” Zak said. “He wouldn’t want you to think about that. Remember his lectures. Zanshin and all that. We need to be strong and direct our entire focus on getting home safely. It’s what he’d have wanted.”

  Varsha heard his words, and as she watched Zak swim on, she thought perhaps he was right. Perhaps they could make it.

  Just then, there was a popping noise in the water. A head bobbed up a couple of meters away from them. A woman’s head. Then another, a few meters to the other side. Then two more. Then another two. And two more.

  Zak and Varsha found themselves surrounded by Angelika, Marianne, and six other members of Lady Lockwood’s crew.

  “Hello again,” said Angelika with a smile. “How are you enjoying your swim?”

  “Leave us alone,” said Zak. “That was the deal. Commodore Kuo sacrificed himself so that we could go free.”

  “We’re just swimming,” said Angelika.

  “It’s a free ocean,” added Marianne.

  “Come on,” Zak said, pushing Varsha forward. “Keep swimming.”

  The two students pushed on toward the shore. Lady Lockwood’s crew kept pace, maintaining a perfect ring around them. It was almost as if they were protecting their young charges.

  “It’s no good!” Varsha said. “I can’t do this, Zak.”

  She stopped. Zak had no choice but to pause and reach out for her. “Rest your arms a moment, here,” he said. “But keep treading water.”

  The eight women had stopped with them. Suddenly, they began swimming around Zak and Varsha in a perfect circle. Their beautiful faces were smiling. Perhaps this was some strange game, one that migh
t not necessarily end in danger. Zak wondered how long it would last. His legs were growing numb in the icy water. He could sense Varsha’s remaining strength sapping away.

  Suddenly, Varsha let out a sneeze. Then a second. And a third.

  The women giggled. In unison, they began singing as they swam around and around.

  “Ring around the roses,

  A pocketful of posies.

  A-tishoo! A-tishoo!

  We all fall down.”

  As they finished the last line, they laughed and shot down under the water, out of sight.

  Zak was taken by surprise. He and Varsha were alone again. It was over. The island was only ten meters or so away, maybe less. He felt a fresh jolt of adrenaline rising. He smiled reassuringly at Varsha. “Come on,” he said. “Not far now.”

  But as he tried to pull away, Zak felt a pair of hands clamping around his ankles. There was a brief moment of terror as he realized the fate about to befall him and Varsha. Then he felt a merciless tug from below, and he was utterly powerless to resist.

  20

  WINNERS AND LOSERS

  “Here they come!” Excitement spread like wildfire as the first of the returning skiffs was sighted entering the academy harbor. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Captain Platonov!” Connor exclaimed. “Way to go, Jasmine!”

  “Better watch out,” Cheng Li said. “There’s another skiff coming through the arch now. It must be Commodore Kuo.”

  “No,” Connor cried. “It’s Captain Singh. And he’s gaining fast on Platonov.”

  Another two skiffs approached the arch, barely a length separating them. “I don’t believe it!” said Connor. “Captain Solomos and Captain Moscardo are still neck and neck after all this time.”

  Cheng Li lowered her glasses and frowned. “That means Commodore Kuo’s in fifth place. That’s a low ranking for him.”

  “He isn’t in fifth,” Connor cried excitedly, pointing. “It’s Captain Quivers and Jacoby.”