Harissa smiled weakly. “It seems his aim was quite good after all.”
Kidd collected a knife from one of the fallen guards and cut the ropes around her wrists and ankles. “It was a lucky shot.” He helped her to her feet.
“How so?”
“Lucky because I didn’t get to him first.”
Kidd stripped a robe from one of the Frenchmen and helped Harissa to disguise herself as quickly as she could manage. They crept out of the house and down the street. Esperanza had strayed, but they found her in a nearby alcove munching contentedly on someone’s pot plant. Kidd detached the mare from her meal and helped Harissa onto her back.
“You weren’t really going to let him shoot me, were you?”
Kidd helped her with the reins. “Never. You’re the only friend I have left. I have gravely underestimated my enemy. I was aware he had an informant in the French camp, but it seems he had more, including one in my own. The one man I thought would never take his side.”
“Tom Flint. Damn his eyes,” hissed Harissa. “So, while you were busy searching for The Tears, Rush was sitting pretty, waiting to strike.”
“Yes. How did you come to be in French custody anyway?
“As part of Rush’s web of deceit. He had some replicas of The Tears which he distributed to every interested party through his informants. They were delivered with an interesting story, that you hadn’t recovered The Tears at all, and that you planned to sell a set of fakes at a tidy profit.”
“Good enough to cast doubt amongst your enemies and to make a discreet departure without being followed.”
“Except for the French,” Harissa continued. “They didn’t believe a word of it, at least not until Rush arranged to have me taken into their custody with a fake in my pocket. You know the rest.”
Kidd watched her mop her split lip on her sleeve. It made Flint’s betrayal all the more bitter. “Do you know how many days have passed since we were poisoned?”
“Three and a half I think.”
“Where’s the Masala?”
“I told Ramiro to weigh anchor and flee if we didn’t return from the tower in three days. He’s a good man and knows not to put lives at stake for a lost cause.” She looked across the harbour with tears in her eyes. “They’ll have gone now. I’m grateful for the rescue, but you should leave me here if you wish to pursue your quest. No ship in these waters will tolerate a woman on board. I’m the essence of maritime misfortune.” The stern look in her eye faded and gave way to despair. “I dearly hope you have some money or we’re going to be stuck here for a long time.”
Kidd had no time for the superstition that women made the seas angry and doomed ships. “I’m not about to abandon you over an old sailor’s myth.” He scratched his beard and thought about the ring in his pocket. “Don’t give up hope yet.”
~ Chapter 35 ~
A MATTER OF TRUST
Kidd finished explaining what he intended to do.
Harissa looked back at him, wide eyed. “Are you insane? They’ll slit your throat before you even reach the gangplank.”
“I have little to lose. Find a place to hide, and with luck, I’ll be back soon.”
Harissa reached into her pocket, withdrew her green scarf and tied it over her nose. “Well, I’ll wish you good fortune. It sounds like you’ll need it!” She concealed herself behind a boulder and sat down to wait.
Kidd turned and strode along the shore to the dock. He took a deep breath, sighted the Mano Del Dios against the jetty, and quickened his pace. The sailors didn’t give him a second look as he walked up the boarding plank with an air of purpose. Glad to be rid of his Turkish disguise, he removed his turban and wrap, knelt down, and placed his arms behind his head in a surrender pose. “My name is William Kidd, and I’d like to speak to the captain of this vessel!” He was surrounded by dozens of Spaniards wielding sabres and pistols. One of the Warriors of God leapt on him, and pulled his head back to expose his neck. Kidd didn’t resist, even when the man pressed the point of a barbed knife to his throat.
“Iron William Kidd! What an unexpected pleasure. Indeed, I will arrange for the captain to see you. He will want to see you hang from the rigging!” They bound Kidd’s hands behind his back, and threw him to the deck. “Kill him if he tries to stand!”
Kidd didn’t have to wait long for the captain to appear. He was a deeply-tanned wiry man, with a well groomed beard. He stood over Kidd with calm assurance and looked him up and down before clearing his throat to speak. “Only a man who craves death, or who is a fool, would step foot on this ship, Iron William Kidd. And you are neither, so I trust there is some other reason for your sudden appearance.”
“There is.”
“Excellent.” The captain motioned for the guards to bring Kidd to his feet. “You may tell me what it is before we hang you.” A noose was lowered from the rigging, and fitted around Kidd’s neck. Three men held the other end, ready to pull Kidd’s boots from the deck. They gave the rope a tug and he felt the coarse fibres scrape against his skin. “I can lead you to The Tears,” he said while he still had air.
The captain eyed him warily. “Yes, we know about your little ruse, and I’m afraid we’re not interested in the exchange of coloured glass for a king’s ransom.”
“Then your informant is easily misled.” Kidd held the captain’s gaze. “I’ll wager he even bragged about the ease with which he obtained that information... from deep within the English camp, from Hamilton Rush himself.”
The rope tightened around his neck as the sailors prepared to haul him skywards.
“Wait,” said the captain. “How did you know that?”
“Because every step of the way, he has been playing all of us off against one another and feeding us lies,” Kidd gagged.
The captain stared Kidd in the eye without blinking. “Give me one reason why I should believe you!” He raised his hand, ready to order the execution.
Kidd gasped for air. “Reach into my right-hand pocket.”
The captain did so and withdrew Philip’s engagement ring. His eyes flashed. The future King of Spain had access to the finest gemstones and precious metals, and the best jewellers in Europe, but most significantly, Philip’s heraldry was included in the design. It was a royal ring, intended for the hand of a queen.
“I return this ring to Philip as I was commissioned to do, along with the names of those responsible for taking it. I do this with no expectation of reward. You may accept it for Philip as a token of my good faith.”
“Cut him down,” said the captain, “escort him to my study, and provide him with food and water.” The sailors seemed disappointed to hear there would be no hanging, but followed their captain’s orders.
Kidd was led to the study, and invited to sit opposite the Spaniard. He waited patiently while a servant set a jug of water and a tray of salted meat, cheese, and bread on the table. Although Kidd was hungry, he took care to cut the food into manageable slices rather than stuffing his mouth full. The captain was a refined man, and although Kidd had gained his ear, he was still a long way from winning his trust.
The captain sipped a glass of water and watched Kidd. “I am Fiel,” he said at last. “Philip’s ring would have earned you enough money to live comfortably for a very long time. It gives your story some credence, but I do not trust you, Iron William Kidd, especially as you have slain several of my countrymen.”
Kidd rested his knife on the table. “I have done many things in the past months that I regret, but if my intention were solely to earn gold, there are many easier ways of going about it. I went to a great deal of trouble to find Lawrence’s temple, and to find the man who stole The Tears from him. I had The Tears in my possession until Hamilton Rush took them from me. This story about coloured glass has been a ploy to escape with the prize.”
“Why come to me?” asked Fiel with an equal measure of passion. “I will not help you recover The Tears. My purpose is to protect them from men like you.”
“It would be disastrous to allow them to remain in Hamilton Rush’s custody.”
Fiel leaned back and considered Kidd’s statement. “On that fact we agree. What do you propose?”
Kidd clenched his fists tight. “That we join forces and stop him.”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” mused Fiel. He examined the hallmarks on Philip’s ring once more. “If you hadn’t given me this token, you would be hanging lifeless in the rigging. I accept your proposal, but if you refuse to surrender The Tears to me, that will be your fate.”
Kidd nodded. “I understand, and I have one further request.”
Fiel raised an eyebrow.
“I know a sailor of considerable skill.” Kidd took care to protect Harissa’s gender as he spoke. “He knows these waters better than any man alive. We’ll need his talents to find the Excalibur.”
“Perhaps you should ask your friend if he is willing to help first. The same conditions apply to him as to you. My crew enjoys a good hanging every now and again.”
“He’ll be loyal.”
“Then go get your friend. We must make haste as the Excalibur has a head start.”
Kidd took his leave under the watchful eye of the Spanish sailors, and ran hard until he reached Harissa’s hiding place. She emerged looking worried. “I hope you’re not running because you’ve a mob of angry Spaniards at your heels.”
“Come on,” Kidd gasped, “I’ve negotiated passage for us both. We’re going after The Tears.”
Harissa pulled her dark ale-brown locks back and bound them tight. With her long coat buttoned she looked like a young man once more. “What price did you have to pay for this reprieve?”
“If we are successful, the Spanish expect me to relinquish The Tears.”
“Then, any way you look at it you’re a dead man,” said Harissa, her voice cracking.
Captain Fiel looked Kidd and Harissa up and down on their return. “Rules,” he said. “While you stand on this deck, your lives are subject to my whim. This is my ship and you obey my orders at all times.” He turned to his First Mate. “Weigh anchor and set sail. Gather the charts in my study. We must determine the fastest course to England.”
“Wait,” said Kidd. “Rush is no fool. He knows Suleiman will send the Ottoman Navy after him. He’ll take the safest route, even if it’s slower. He’ll want to dictate the terms of any engagement.”
“There’s only one passage of water the Ottoman fleet doesn’t sail in great numbers,” added Harissa, “past the islands loyal to the Venetian Republic and into the Adriatic.”
“They won’t need to set down for supplies,” said Kidd. “From Venice they can travel overland to Calais. Yes, that’s what the Spymaster would advise. Captain, that’s the course you must take!”
Fiel eyed Kidd. “Your argument is convincing, but I remind you there are rules. My men never disobey my orders, and neither shall you. Now, go man the sails or I’ll have you both lashed.”
They set about their duties. Fiel watched them like a hawk, as if he were still looking for an excuse to string someone up in the rigging, but he soon noticed Harissa’s skill. Without undermining the Spanish captain’s authority, she spotted obstructive eddies and currents, and sought new puffs of wind whenever the sails grew limp.
“I had a good look at the Excalibur while she was berthed at Beirut, and we’ll catch them up if our course is true,” she told Kidd while trimming the mainsail. “Spanish ships are big and slow, but this one was built for speed.”
Kidd caught a hesitation in her voice. “And what else?”
“I don’t fancy our chances against the English in battle. We’ll be outgunned two to one. Ah, I hope Fiel has seen some action. He seems inexperienced to me.” She secured the brace. “If you thought the Masala was outmatched fighting the Invincible, then you’d best prepare yourself for the Excalibur. The English built her for one purpose alone, to obliterate her enemies.”
~ Chapter 36 ~
THE EXCALIBUR
The Mediterranean Sea, west of Cyprus
Kidd could do little but wait nervously with every passing day. They encountered a number of other vessels on the water, but none with The Cross of Saint George emblazoned across her sails.
Finally, Fiel spied a lone warship in the distance. He mobilised his sailors with strict efficiency. Bay doors were opened and cannons armed. Pistols and muskets were loaded, and every man with a cutlass was instructed to make use of a sharpening stone.
As soon as the Excalibur became aware of pursuit, she came about in the water. She bobbed in the ocean like a giant cork and showed her battery of cannons.
Kidd stood ready. “Rush is confident. That’s an aggressive posture, even for him.”
“Understandable,” Harissa replied. “He has the upper hand. Fiel would be a fool to attack him head on.” She shook her head. “I don’t like this much. We should use our speed, circle, and whittle away at them.”
Kidd nodded. Harissa was accustomed to dealing with superior foes, but this battle was not in her control. Fiel was the master of the vessel and they were not to question his orders.
The Mano Del Dios sailed headlong to engage the Excalibur. “Master at the gunnery!” bellowed Fiel, “stand by to fire!” The Mano Del Dios entered cannon range. “Hard to port!” The ship veered left. Kidd braced Harissa for the exchange of artillery fire. The guns thundered. Cannonballs splashed into the sea around the Excalibur. At least half found their mark, shredding a sail and damaging the upper deck.
However, the English were fully prepared for the engagement and returned a volley. Kidd ducked and covered Harissa with his arms as cannonballs shattered the deck. As the smoke cleared, he saw they had lost both guns and lives.
“Ready about,” ordered Fiel, unperturbed. The Mano Del Dios was lighter and faster in the water and completed the turn before the bigger ship could come about. “Fire!” The gunners aim was true and a number of shots battered the Excalibur, puncturing her hull. Kidd joined with the Spaniard’s cheer.
Harissa continued to wrestle with the sails. “Don’t get too excited. That’ll cost us.”
Their momentum had been slowed by two successive tacks. While the Spanish hurried to reset the sails, the Excalibur swung around and unloaded a second round. The stone balls ripped through the Mano Del Dios, smashing wood to splinters and breaking structural beams. The rear mast toppled like a great tree and fell into the sea. The ship lurched heavily as the weight of linen and wood dragged through the water.
Kidd sprinted across the deck, grabbed an axe, and joined the deckhands hacking away at the shrouds and lanyards. As the final rope was cut, the mast drifted free and the ship righted in the water, but too late. The Excalibur had had ample time to reload and sink the floundering Spanish vessel.
Kidd waited for the volley to come, but the Excalibur did not come about. “Why don’t they finish us off?”
“Ship ahoy!” cried Harissa forgetting to lower her voice.
In the heat of battle, the appearance of a third ship had gone unnoticed, but now it gave the English pause. The anonymous vessel sailed out of the sun, and bore down on both combatants to join the fray.
Harissa ran up the stairs to the rear castle. “Lend me your spyglass.” She snatched the instrument from the First Mate, focussed it quickly and handed it back. She grabbed a sheet line, swung amidships to the main mast, and ripped the scarf from her face. She tied it to a rope and began to hoist it up the flagpole. Soon the Mano Del Dios was flying Harissa’s scarf under her colours.
Fiel was red in the face. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Saving your damned ship!” retorted Harissa with equal ferocity. “Now pick up your bones, Captain, and get this bucket moving.”
Fiel stared at her, shocked to see a woman, and by the way she had spoken to him.
Kidd’s attention was held by the unmarked ship bearing down on them. He realised Harissa had given them a fighting chance. The sight of oars and sails
was very rare on the high seas, and could belong to only one ship, the Masala.
“That’s my ship, Captain,” Harissa cried, “and seeing how we’re shot to pieces, I thought you’d like to make some new friends.”
“All friends are welcome, even women,” said Fiel with amazement. “Make ready the guns and fire at will!”
The Masala altered course, angling her bow to target the Excalibur. Realising the galley was hostile, the Excalibur unloaded her battery. The Spanish gunners also fired, smashing the Excalibur’s rudder above the waterline. The English vessel’s firepower finally told on the Mano Del Dios, splaying the hull open and cracking her spine. With amazing speed, the ship began to fold into the waves.
“Abandon ship!”
Those lucky enough to survive the barrage leapt into the freezing water and swam for their lives to avoid being sucked into the depths with the remains of the ship. As soon as Kidd’s head broke the surface he looked around for Harissa. She stood tall aboard the sinking vessel, holding onto the mainmast as it toppled over. Fiel lurched to her side holding a sheet line. He grabbed her about the waist and swung them into the sea. Kidd kicked his legs, and spied the Excalibur, adrift with her broken rudder. Until it could be repaired, the mighty warship would be unable to swing around and train her guns.
The Masala set about crippling the larger ship, destroying her starboard armaments one by one without presenting itself as a target. On the third cross, the Masala broadsided the Excalibur, rendering her cannon useless. The old galley circled back for the Spanish survivors, casting ropes into the water. Kidd locked an iron fist on one and was hauled from the ocean, dripping and breathless onto the familiar deck.
Harissa and Fiel were also brought aboard, shivering and soaked, but alive. “This is my ship,” said Harissa through chattering teeth, “and I expect you to follow my orders at all times.”
Iron William and the Carpenter's Tears Page 26