Читать книгу Captive on the High Seas - Christina Rich - Страница 12

Chapter Four

Brison’s words were mumbled beneath his breath, but she understood the tensing of Nicolaus’s jaw. Whatever news Brison had brought with him wasn’t good. The front of the ship lifted, and Ada gripped the edges of the bench to keep from tumbling to the floor. However, her gaze remained on Nicolaus as he braced his palms against either side of the entryway and swung his legs outward before jumping to the deck.

Once the boat dipped and then settled, Ada pushed from the bench and stumbled to the window. Rain stung her cheeks, like when her sisters had pelted her with pebbles whenever they had wanted her to leave them alone. She swiped the water from her face and shielded her eyes. Dark clouds mingled with the angry sea, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other. The dark wood of the boat was all that broke the dullness of the scenery. That, and the broad shoulders of Nicolaus, who stood on a platform at the front of the ship. His mass of dark curls, soaked from seawater and rain, clung to the contours of his corded neck. His tunic molded to his broad shoulders and arms as wide as a large earthen jar.

The man standing next to Nicolaus lifted his arm and pointed. Ada caught site of a dark spot looming on the horizon. What it was she could not tell, but by Nicolaus’s stance, she could only imagine. She’d heard the tales from merchants at her father’s table. Some from her father who had personally encountered the ruthless warriors of the sea. Could it be a ship on the horizon? A ship filled with thieves?

She turned and slid down the wall. The violent rocking of the boat churned her stomach. Hugging her knees to her chest, she buried her face against her forearms. An unbidden tear dropped from the corner of her eye and merged with the salty water soaking her tunic. What did it matter if the ship held thieves? She’d been traded by her sisters for a gold armband to one master only to be sold to Nicolaus.

What did one more mean to her?

Nothing. Her future had never truly been hers to determine, and now it seemed even less so. She’d be thankful to have known a mother’s love, which she’d hold in her heart as long as she breathed. She’d also known the spite of siblings who despised her for who her mother was, for who she was. A Hebrew.

Drawing in a shuddering breath, she lifted her face and looked at the rafters sheltering her from the storm. It seemed as if God had forgotten that she was supposed to be one of his. “Lord, have You no mercy? Who will protect me now?”

“I will protect you with my life.” Ada glanced up at the man who spoke her language in broken pieces. Nicolaus firmed his jaw, and determination shone bright in his eyes. “As will every man under my command.”

As much as she did not trust these men who’d taken her from her home, she believed this one. Believed that this man would do as he said and protect her with his life. However, the fact that he felt the need to reassure caused her pulse to rise.

“Are we in danger?”

A shout from below deck was stolen by the roaring of the wind and the crashing waves. Nicolaus crossed his arms over his chest, and his gaze shifted out the window. It seemed he preferred to be on deck with his men, and for some reason she wished for his presence right where it was, with her. As much as he angered her, he brought her comfort, made her feel secure.

“There is always danger at sea.”

She pushed from the floor and gripped the window. The sea churned, swishing and swirling like the desert sand in the midst of a storm. The brush of fabric whispered over her nerves as Nicolaus moved closer. Although he had to be as soaked as she was, warmth radiated from him, inviting her to shift closer. She tried to focus on the activity on the deck, on the waves washing over the railing, but his scent drew her gaze. He leaned his forearms against the window and lifted his face to the rain as if accepting punishment from the sky. His eyes were hooded in such a way she could not tell if they were open or closed. Did it matter? She could blame her stare on curiosity. Sure she’d seen Greeks like him. Many had sought out her father’s house for trade, but she’d never seen a man such as him. One that exuded a quiet strength and kindness. A rivulet of rain slid down his brow, down onto his cheek. An instinct to wipe it dry left a knot deep in her chest. What was she thinking wanting to touch this stranger, one who’d thus far proven kind, but a stranger who could command her death at any moment if he were so inclined.

She pulled her gaze from his profile and looked toward the object that now began to resemble a ship much like Nicolaus’s. “And what of them?”

“It depends.”

She tilted her chin and looked him in the eye. “On?”

“Whether they are friend or foe.” His chest rose high and fell deep, much like that of the waves surrounding them. The warning in his voice and the concern in his gaze caused her knees to wobble. “I imagine they intend to port at Ashkelon and wait out the storm, but they are hours from land.”

Ada drew her brows together. “We have not been at sea long. How can we be hours from land?”

Laughter rumbled from his chest, hitching her breath at the joyous sound. “We are farther than you think, Ada. The wind is now at our back pushing us while they fight against it. If they are friend they will most likely continue to fight toward your home. Although—” he squinted an eye as his lips pressed into a thin line “—it’d be easier for them to find refuge in another port such as Joppa.”

“They are foe, then?”

“Possibly, and if so, they will head toward us as they seem to be doing. However, there is no certainty. We must wait to see what happens. Whatever be the case, Ada, you must hide and remain hidden. Do not make yourself known lest you wish to borrow more trouble. Even friends can lose their heads at the sight of a pretty maid.”

Gasping, she pressed her lips together to keep from arguing. The idea that she had borrowed trouble was absurd, especially if he thought that sort of trouble had landed her on his vessel. She moved away from his commanding presence and flung her arms out to her sides. “Where is it you would have me hide, Captain? There is very little here to shield me.”

The corner of his mouth twitched until he gave in and smiled. Strange how the turn of his lips broke the severity of the harsh contours of his jawline. Strange how such a thing caused a tickle of lamb’s wool to fill her chest. It made her want to laugh, to dance like the village women when word of their bridegroom’s approach met their ears. “I would see you belowdecks with the merchandise, but that is the first place anyone with nefarious intentions will look. You will remain here. Brison has brought you a dry tunic.”

He moved toward the bench and slid a panel from the end of it. He pulled out two leather scabbards and attached them to the wide leather belt around his waist, and then he pulled out a torn piece of leather with pictures and strange letters scribe onto it. He tucked it beneath his tunic. “Once you are changed, hide in here. When they have left I will come for you.”

He grabbed her shoulders and lifted her chin until she looked at him. “Ada, do you understand the importance of why you must remain hidden?”

She blinked. The crook of his finger against her chin was something she had never experienced. The warmth and gentleness made her want to follow him across a stormy sea. Even though she didn’t quite understand what it was he meant, she nodded.

“It is unlikely any man sound of mind will try to board my ship in such weather, but we must be prepared. I’ll not risk—”

A shout, followed by another halted his words, but she did not need to hear them to know he would not risk losing costly merchandise. After all, he’d risked his life to save her when the wave had swept her off the deck. Nicolaus glanced out the window. The color of his cheeks deepened in anger and his nostrils flared before turning his attention back to her. He held her firm as a wave smashed against the side. “Your vow, Ada.”

It was not a question. She’d heard that same tone in her father’s voice when he demanded obedience. She was fortunate Nicolaus did not sweep her off her feet and shove her inside the bench as her father would have done.

“Ay.” It was the only word she could form before he’d left her to tend to his duties. His commands to his crew cut through the howling wind, causing her to hurry in the task he’d given her. It took her very little time to change into the dry clothing, and then she tossed the discarded pillows back onto the cushioned bench. The hollow darkness of the hidden space glared at her. Oft times she sought out small spaces, places she could hide from the animosity of her sisters, but the danger pressing upon them caused her fear to overwhelm her thoughts. What if aught should happen to Nicolaus? What would happen to her then?

The ship seemed close enough that Ada could make out blurred shapes of people on the other deck. Inhaling a deep breath of salty air, she gathered her wet clothing and scooted feetfirst into the empty space beneath the bench before sliding the panel closed until there was not even a sliver of light. She would do as he asked, and then pray God would rescue her from any seafarer warriors, and more important from falling in love with a man who would surely sell her as soon as he reached his destination. After all, she was no more than a possession, one that he’d paid a handsome price for.

* * *

Nicolaus climbed the ladder to the command post, stood next to Xandros and noticed the winds had shifted against them. He drew his hand down his beard. Could the situation worsen? “How does it look?”

“They are fighting against the wind as much as we are now.”

“Aye, but something doesn’t look right. Why would they head toward Ashkelon when Joppa is closer? Their sail is unfurled in a storm. A seasoned seaman would know that to be a deadly mistake.”

“Unless they are bold in their attempt to overtake us.”

Nicolaus narrowed his eyes. “It gives me the mind they are thieves, yet their vessel seems to be nothing more than a simple fishing boat, not one made for warfare as thieves are wont to sail.” Nicolaus lifted his face toward the sky. “If only this storm would give way.”

He felt more bound than he had when he’d been taken captive all those months ago, and he blamed it on Ada. Her innocent beauty had called to him, luring him to rescue her from the ways of men. If he hadn’t rescued her, he would not care whether or not ten ships surrounded him, but something about her tempted him to live again, to breathe. He’d even smiled at her antics, a smile that warmed his innards, and that was something he hadn’t done in a long while.

“We’d still need the wind behind us, not pushing at our side. Mayhap we should head due north.”

Nicolaus shook his head. Although his ship was lighter than most vessels and could possibly outrun the one approaching once he unleashed his rowers he would not risk the consequences if he failed. Again. “I do not wish for them to think we are avoiding them. If they are about nefarious deeds they’ll only give chase.”

“Do you think they will attempt to board us in this storm?”

“I’ve seen men steal bread from a child while their bellies were full from a king’s feast.” Nicolaus twisted his lips. “Aye, if they are thieves a storm such as this will not halt them.”

“If they attempt to board us?”

Vivid memories ambushed him. A day hadn’t passed that he did not recall the events and wondered what he could have done to save his sister. He hoped this day would end differently, one where he didn’t lose an innocent maid to a band of thieves and where he did not end up in shackles. “We will not raise arms unless their actions warrant such. We will not resist their efforts to steal our merchandise if they so choose.” Nicolaus swallowed; the lump forming in his throat near choked his next words from him. He would not allow his emotions to sway him this day. “Xandros, if they require me for ransom you are to allow it. Take the maid to my father’s house, ensure her freedom at all cost and care for her.”

Xandros held his position without so much as a blink of his lashes, for which Nicolaus was grateful. His second-in-command would carry out his orders, not because Nicolaus was his captain, but because they were the best of friends and if anyone understood the battle weighing on his shoulders it was Xandros. It would not be easy for his friend to stand down and watch his captain once again be removed, just as it would not be easy for Nicolaus to allow another man to step foot on this boat after his last encounter with an approaching vessel.

The boat tossed upon the waves like a leaf in a creek after a heavy rain shower and as they moved closer Nicolaus could tell something was amiss. Whoever captained the ship had not been at it very long. “Do you notice something, Xandros?”

His second-in-command squinted. “Ay, I see women, lots of them now.”

Tension knotted Nicolaus’s shoulders as needles pricked his nape. He leaned his palms against the railing. He hadn’t been able to make out man or woman, only shapes of bodies, bodies that seemed to be clinging to the rails. “What do you make of it?”

“A ruse?”

Thieves of the sea often consisted of ruthless women as well as children. Merchant ships, unless carrying slaves, did not.

Nicolaus drew his hand down his beard. “Could be. Tell the Haemon and Argos to stay on guard. It wouldn’t do to be caught by trickery.”

Patience was one thing his father had oft praised him for, but now was not one of those times as he waited for the confrontation to come. Were they friend or foe? Even though he was alert to the possible danger, instinct told him these people meant no harm. Given the way the women clung to the sides he was beginning to suspect they were a village in need of rescue. If so, what sort of danger had they encountered for them to be desperate enough to face the great unknown of the sea?

“Bring us to the right a little and toss the small anchor overboard to slow us down.”

“You cannot think... Nicolaus, we’ll head straight for them.”

“Aye, be ready to reel it back in.”

Xandros shouted his orders to one of the men. The helmsman shifted the steering oars and the ship turned just as Nicolaus had commanded. An order to anchor cried over the roaring of the storm and the vessel began to steady in place. As the single boat approached he could see the pale and sunken cheeks of her occupants. “They do not look well.”

Although the words were more for himself than Xandros, his second-in-command grunted. “Still a ruse?”

“I do not believe so, my friend. We’ll soon know the full of their adventure, and if not then we’ll know their mischief.” He rested his palms on the hilts of his daggers and hoped he would not have to use them. After the amount of torture he’d endured during his captivity, he didn’t relish causing anyone harm, but if these people posed a threat to his brother or to Ada he would. His only comfort was that she was safely hidden. As for Brison, he’d grown up beneath two brothers and knew how to hold his own in battle.

He glanced over his shoulder and looked at the window of the captain’s quarters just to ensure she’d done as he’d requested and breathed a sigh of relief when he found it empty. A small part of him was surprised, especially given her feisty nature when he’d brought her aboard.

“Toss another anchor to slow us even more.”

In a matter of moments, the other ship neared enough for them to yell over the crashing of the waves. The condition of the approaching ship was not all right. It was obvious Xandros knew this, as well.

“What is it you wish to do, Captain?”

Nicolaus drew in a slow breath. Instinct told him these people held no danger for him or his crew. Yet, fear tried to grip hold of him, tempting him to order the anchors pulled and his rowers to reverse course, leaving the broken vessel to the mercies of the sea. Given its battered condition, it would not take long for it to completely splinter. Could he allow his fear to leave these people to certain death?

“Prepare the planks.”

“You cannot think to bring them aboard.”

“What choice do we have, Xandros? There are not that many of them. We cannot leave them to the mercies of fate. They’ll die.”

“They are not your responsibility.”

“If not us, then whose? They are in need of rescue and we are able.”

“The ruse?”

“Even I can see these people are in desperate need of help.” Ada’s lyrical accent curled around something in his chest and lifted his lips into a smile. Xandros growled and stalked away to do as bid.

Nicolaus kept his gaze focused on an old man waving in a frantic manner. “I thought I asked you to stay hidden.”

She leaned against the rail, her hair blowing behind her like a sail in the wind. He could not recall seeing any woman as lovely as she, not even his sister and she had been a coveted prize among their neighbors as well as abroad. “I did hide, but...” She pressed her lips together, and he could only guess that she’d succumbed to another bout of sickness. “Besides, they look harmless.”

Ay, they did. But could he be for certain? Once the ships were close enough his crew began throwing ropes to the other boat and began laying planks between them. What he saw on the faces of the occupants of the other boat left bile rising in his throat.