Jineva didn’t remember standing. “Abdicated?” She could feel the anger building. “ABDICATED?” Heads turned at other tables.
Diego took one look at his daughter, and grabbed the admiral’s arm. “I think you’d better come with me, Hernando.” The admiral staggered but came, looking confused. A fuming, ready-to-explode Jineva followed the two men into a small private sitting room. Diego quietly shut the door behind her. “Thallia, I think that you had better get all three of us out of here before things get noisy.” Diego said quietly into the air.
“As you wish.” Hernando Para frowned at the soft voice coming out of the empty air, just before he vanished. Silence settled in the empty room.
~~~
Diego prudently stood between his daughter and Admiral Para. With her temper, the poor man didn’t stand a chance.
“Move aside, Diego.” Jineva’s teeth were clenched and the fists at her sides showed white knuckles.
“Calm down, Jineva.” Diego’s voice was soothing. “It’s not his fault.”
“He’s handy.” She reached a hand out. “In this case, I’m going to take it out on the messenger.”
“No, you’re not, Dama, now calm down.” She tried to push past her father, but it was like trying to push past an oak tree.
Admiral Para looked from one face to the other and slowly shook his head. “Do I know the two of you?”
Jineva shot one last scathing glance at her father before she turned on the admiral. “You ought to admiral, but perhaps the disguises are a little too good. Please turn around.” It wasn’t a request, and the admiral turned.
“You can turn around, Admiral Para.” The man turned and his weathered face paled. Recognition only took him a moment.
“Jineva Barillo? Is that really you?”
“Yes, Admiral, it really is me. As you are probably beginning to suspect, my family never abdicated. My father’s ships were attacked just off the coast of Isla del Diablo, and everyone was killed but my Uncle Diego and myself. We were both injured and took some time recovering at my uncle’s estate on Isla Lemuy.” It was an easier story than explaining the highly improbable reality.
“Isla Lemuy?” Admiral Para’s eyes widened in surprise. “That island is all swamp and jungle.”
Diego chuckled. “I spent a lot of money spreading that particular story in all the right places.”
“You mean...”
“Yes admiral. You could easily anchor your half of the fleet there and nobody would think of searching for you in such an ‘inhospitable’ environment. At last census the ratio of women to men was about three to one, and the harbor is also defended by the Krathaa.” At Para’s frown, Diego explained. “You know them as the sealkies. The people of Prosperidad, all of Isle Lemuy for that matter, have a treaty and trade with the Krathaa. They are excellent and well-mannered partners, allies and friends.”
The admiral shook his head, and seemed to see the room they were standing in for the first time; smooth seamless white walls, white ceiling and soft white light that seemed to come from everywhere at the same time. There was also no door. “Where am I?” There was an edge of panic in the man’s voice.
Jineva sat down in a stiff backed chair that hadn’t been there a second before. “You’re not in Soledad any more, if that’s what you want to know.” Her voice was sympathetic. “You might as well sit down. This could take a while.”
Hernando glanced over his shoulder, and his left eye began to twitch when he noticed the chair sitting behind him. He didn’t so much sit, as collapse into it. “Where am I, and who are you, really?”
“I really am Jineva Barillo, if that’s what you want to know. It also might make things easier to understand if you realize that I’m associated with the Goddess Selene, and that crowd.”
“But those are just children’s stories, dreamt up to keep the feeble minded happy.” Whatever else he’d been about to say died when Jineva handed him a steaming cup of café caliente. The admiral sipped with shaking hands. “For the moment...” His voice was strained. “For the moment let us pretend that I believe what you’re saying.”
“Drink your café, Hernando.” Jineva’s voice was flat. The admiral sipped. “According to your story you need a place to hide half a fleet.” She glanced at Diego, who gave her the briefest of nods. “I offer you the harbor at Prosperidad on Isla Lemuy. In return for this offer of safety you will assist the citizens of Prosperidad and their allies the Krathaa, in defending the island if it is attacked.” She set her empty cup down on a low table that hadn’t been there a second before. “There is fresh food and water available to the fleet and, within limits, shore leave could be authorized. Your assistance may be required on a few other small tasks.”
Admiral Hernando Para ran a hand through his gray hair, slowly sitting up straighter in his chair. “You have just proved yourself the true daughter of Vitor Barillo. On behalf of my crews and myself, I accept your offer, as wild and improbable a story as it sounds. For some reason I feel that I must believe you.” She could feel her shoulders sag in relief.
“Tell me the military situation in the castle, Admiral.” It was her father’s turn to grill the poor man.
A look of anger passed over Hernando’s face. “Carlos has several thousand armed soldiers housed in that fortress, along with their families, servants and camp followers. Groups of drunken men from the castle roam the streets at night, and no women in the city are safe.” His bloodshot eyes swung to Jineva. “Two nights ago a young bride was raped in front of her own house, while her husband was held down and forced to watch. When they were done the soldiers dragged the poor woman off to the castle. The husband slit his wrists that very night. This happens every week.” He finished his drink and set the cup down carefully. “You mentioned that you were associated with the Goddess Selene.” Para let out a tired chuckle. “Carlos plans to take Isla de la Luna, just as soon as he finishes with the sealkies... the Krathaa.” He corrected.
“I don’t believe he would survive a confrontation with the goddess.” Diego murmured quietly.
Hernando Para looked down at his uniform and rubbed a hand lightly over his stubbled chin, and then he stood. “With your permission, Dama Jineva.” He gave the young woman a short bow and a rueful smile. “I believe I’ll go back to my room, clean up and put on a fresh uniform. I will have my half of the fleet out of the harbor and on their way to Isla Lemuy by midnight.”
“Hasn’t Carlos posted guards on your ships and crews?” Diego asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hernando’s jaw tightened. “They won’t be a significant problem.”
Standing, Jineva put her small tanned hand on the man’s arm. “Thank you, Hernando. I remember you as a friend and supporter of my father. I am lucky to have your support also.”
The admiral’s back straightened noticeably. “You are saving our lives, little Jineva, and are giving us back our pride. We will follow you.” He looked around the small room. “Now, how do I get out of...?” He was gone.
Jineva sat back down, rubbing her tired eyes. “Now what do we do, Father? We’re looking at a war that will engulf the entire archipelago, and destroy all the Krathaa. I’m beginning to think that Thallia had the right idea. We could tell the Krathaa to leave, and load all the men, women and children on Isla Lemuy into Para’s ships and evacuate to Pangea. Let Thallia and Medin sterilize everything else.”
Diego wiped a tear off her cheek with a finger. “Mi hermosa hija, my beautiful daughter. We will work it out; you are not alone in this. We can’t just run. What about the innocent people on Isla de la Luna, or the nice folks we met in Desafortunado? We can’t just abandon them, can we?”
Ji
neva was weeping openly now. “No, I suppose we can’t.” She sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “It’s just so unfair, that’s all.”
“I know it is.” Diego helped her to her feet. “I think we should go now. I don’t want to overstay our welcome here.”
There was a low, feminine laugh that came from the air around them. “Not likely, Diego.” Thallia’s voice was soft and slightly husky, and for some reason it seemed to make her father very nervous. “You seem to forget that this place is your home now, and you still owe me a dinner.”
She saw Diego swallow. “I haven’t forgotten, Thallia.”
“See that you don’t.” The room flickered around them, and they were back in the small private alcove of the Dancing Cat.
Diego opened the door, and a wash of sound swept over them; laughter and talk from the filled tables, and music from a young man playing a bright guitar tune while a younger woman danced. The long red skirt she wore was slit almost to the waist, and her castanets kept the heart-pounding beat while her booted feet blurred. Jineva found herself tapping her own feet without realizing it.
She looked up at her father. “That’s the flamenco, isn’t it? Could we stay for a while and listen to the music?”
Diego waved to the passing barmaid. “I don’t see why not. The night is still young.” They sat back down at their table in the corner, and shortly the barmaid brought them two mugs of sweet mead. They sipped and listened. Three sets of songs later, while most of the patrons were clapping their hands in time with the music the door banged open, and five drunken soldiers in orange and black livery stumbled in. The music faltered and died.
“AYYY!” The first of the soldiers shouted, banging on a table with his chipped ceramic sword. “Wot appened? Keep playin!” The other soldiers roughly cleared patrons from two tables and sprawled out, bellowing for ale and music. The youthful guitar player looked for assistance from the innkeeper, but the fat brown-eyed man was cowering behind the bar, too afraid for his own skin to take a stand. The boy strummed a chord, giving the dancer a pleading look. The girl’s face that had been flushed with laughter was now pale with fright as she started to dance. “Well now.” The first soldier sheathed his sword and gave the girl a long appreciative look. He reached up and grabbed her arm. “Mebby ye could jes do a little lap dance fer me, dearie.” The girl’s blue eyes were wide and frightened.
“Let her go.” Jineva’s voice was hard, and her fingers pressed the nerves in the soldier’s elbow.
“Ow!” The soldier jerked his hand back, rubbing his elbow, unwillingly releasing the girl.
“Run!” Jineva said more calmly than she felt. The dancer shot her a grateful look and disappeared through the crowd and out the door, the young guitar player hot on her heels.
The soldier was flushed with anger as he reached for his sword. “I’ll show ye...”
The palm of Jineva’s hand struck the point of the soldier’s jaw, lifting him off his feet and catapulting him across the tables of the other four soldiers.
“Remember what I taught you.” Diego called out, leaning against a wall, arms crossed casually across his chest. He gave his daughter an encouraging smile.
“You’re such a comfort.” She called back as she prepared herself. The second soldier growled and lunged, arms outstretched. Jineva just stepped aside, pulling his arm slightly, just enough to propel him headfirst into the foot thick beam that held up the ceiling. The soldier’s ceramic helmet split with a sharp crack, and the man slid to the floor.
The last three men had drawn their swords now, and were no longer smiling. They were in a mood for killing. The other patrons swarmed for the doors, and Jineva took the opportunity to move to the center of the room. The three men closed, but instead of running Jineva charged, dropping to the floor just as the third and fourth soldiers thrust with their swords. The sword of the third passed cleanly through the fourth soldier, who collapsed to the floor with a sigh. Jineva swept the legs out from under the fifth soldier, striking him in the neck with the blade of her hand. He gurgled once and was still. The last soldier was still trying to pull his sword out of his fallen comrade when Jineva’s ax kick caught him in the back of the head, collapsing him across the body of the fourth soldier.
Diego stood against the far wall clapping softly. “Bravo, my dear.”
She gave him a long glare, and then began to laugh. “You taught me well, Diego. As soon as that soldier started to draw his sword I acted automatically.” There was a small noise, and she glanced over her shoulder at the cowering innkeeper.
“What should I do now?” The fat man was trembling visibly.
“Put their bodies in a cart and dump them in the harbor.” Jineva said coldly. “Unless, of course, you would like to explain how one unarmed youth defeated five armed soldiers?”
The man looked at her, and then at Diego. “I’ll get a cart.”
“Wise move. We won’t be here when you return.”
The man nodded gratefully. “But what should I do if they are still alive?” She gave him a flat look, saying nothing. “Ohhh...”
“I think that we should go now.” Diego was heading for the stairs and their rooms. “I’ll find us a better place to stay.”
“No more dancing girls.” Jineva commented with a crooked grin.
Diego just laughed.
Chapter 11
The street was suspiciously empty when they emerged from the inn a few minutes later, bags slung over their shoulders. Smelling of refuse and poorly maintained cesspits, cold damp air stole around their legs, making the young woman shiver. Diego frowned and turned up a dark side street, Jineva following his stealthy lead. She heard the hiss of her father’s sword being drawn when a dark shape detached itself from a darker shadow.
“I am a friend.” Jineva recognized the voice as belonging to the long-haired dancing girl from the inn. “You must come with me. It is not safe for you on the streets. Soldiers will arrive soon, checking on their missing comrades. Come!” Jineva glanced at Diego, who just gave her a noncommittal shrug.
“We will come.” Jineva replied, after a moment’s thought.
“I am called Maria.” The dancer said over her shoulder, as she turned up the darkened alley. After the fourth turn in the dark Jineva lost her sense of direction, and was on the verge of panicking when Meara’s soft mental voice calmed her.
Jineva replied a little sheepishly.
What felt to her like miles later, a doorway blossomed light in a dark alley. Jineva couldn’t make out the girl’s quick whisper, but she motioned them forward. “This way. This is where I live.” Diego followed the girl warily, Jineva on his heels. The door closed quickly behind them, and she heard the sound of a bar being dropped into place. Light bloomed in the room. An older man and woman were watching Diego and Jineva warily as the young dancer hung her damp cloak on a peg by the barred door. The warm air smelled of fresh bread and lavender soap. She suddenly realized that the older couple saw them as two young men, not an older man and his daughter.
“Mama, Papa.” Maria was saying softly. “These two men saved my life. I was dancing at the inn and soldiers came in. They were about to carry me off when he, “ she glanced pointedly at Jineva. “Saved me.” Maria’s gaze lingered a moment longer on Jineva’s male face, and the disguised young woman felt herself redden under the scrutiny. Maria reached out and touched Jineva’s tanned male arm. “Thank you.” Maria’s golden hazel eyes were making her very nervous, for some reason.
Jineva swallowed. “You’re welcome, but no thanks are necessary.” Maria still hadn’t removed her warm hand. “I couldn’t stand by and watch a beautiful young woman dragged off to the castle and...”
“Sooo.” Maria interrupted. “You think I’m beautiful?” A
small smile was playing with the corner of her full lips. Jineva turned a desperate look to her father, who was wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
“I think that you had better explain things to Maria.” He gave his daughter a level look. “A picture is worth a thousand words. Do you understand?”
Jineva nodded and sighing, turned back to Maria. “We need to talk, privately, now.”
The dark-haired dancer looked surprised but pleased. “We can use my room, if you like.” The implication wasn’t very subtle.
“That would be just fine.” Jineva clenched her jaw and followed the swaying hips of the dancer.
Diego heard a brief exclamation from the other room, and a giggle. A few minutes later the door opened and a satisfied looking Jineva exited, followed a moment later by Maria, who wore a thoughtful expression on her face. She stood in silence, arms crossed under her breasts as her parents bustled about, getting tea for their guests. Finally a small smile crept back across her face, and she sat down at the rough table, across from Jineva and Diego, her eyes intent on Jineva’s face.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman. Love is still love. I am a woman and the drunken guard was a man. Would he have treated me with love? I think not. You, a woman, rescued me, treated me with love.” She reached over and poked a finger into the center of Jineva’s chest, letting it rest for a second on the bony sternum. “Love is in here.” She glanced at Jineva’s crotch, and the young woman flushed crimson. “Not necessarily there. You saved me, and you will have my love, like it or not, whatever your name is.”
Vale of Tears: A Thalassia novel Page 14