Traveler (32 page)

                The man lifted a hand to silence her, his blue eyes resting upon her.  He gave Brileia a kind smile.  “You may call me Ghost, little bird.  As for where you are...we are currently in one of my old hideouts.  I brought you here to find you some clothes before I find a safe place to leave you.”  He walked over to a cabinet, opening a door and pulling out a brush and a leather thong for her hair.  Handing them to her, he continued speaking calmly.  “Rahim is...taking a different route.  But he will find us...once we’re safe.”

                Blindly she took the brush and thong from Ghost, her thoughts racing wildly.  “Where are you going to take me?  I can’t go to my family...they will just give me to Cedric...” Just the thought of that happening made her shudder visibly.  “And I don’t know anyone else...other than Luc...”

                Ghost thought for a moment before nodding slowly.  “I can bring you to Luc.  I know he cares for you...and he would lay down his life for Rahim.  He’s loyal. Yes...that will be the best place for you.”  Seeing she was a bit distracted, he took the brush back and deftly pulled her long dark curls into a ponytail.  “Come now...the sooner we set out, the sooner we will find Luc, and the sooner you will be reunited with Rahim”

                Brileia started in surprise before simply allowing him to do as he wished.  She had no problem staying in Luc’s care until Rahim found her.  But she really wished that this man would just bring her back to her husband.

***

                After Rahim had been taken, and after Bri had been killed, Luc had taken command of the ship.  Someone had to do it, and if Rahim wasn’t there to run his own crew, Luc would do it for him.  They had sailed and sailed, though Luc had one particular destination in mind.  He needed to get to the pirate lord...he needed to acquire pardon and protection for Rahim  and Bri...if they were still alive.  He hoped they were alive.  They had to be, didn’t they?  

                Four days later, they pulled into port in the island sity of Dabricci.  The pirate lord’s court was rumored to be here.  Rumored, of course, to anyone who didn’t know where to look.  Thankfully for Luc, being a pirate had its advantages.  As he got into the port and his crew were given leave to explore the city, disturbing news hit his ears.  Rahim, they said, was dead.  Killed by Silvertongue himself, and that he had the cutlass of the pirate to prove it.  Bullshit, in Luc’s opinion.  With a scowl on his face, he pushed open the swinging doors to the inn called the Gilded Lily, his green eyes scanning the crowd for a face who would know how to get him an audience with the pirate lord.

                Amidst the riotous laughter and gambling, there was one table set back in the corner that was occupied by only one person, sitting halfway in the shadows.  Booted feet were propped up on the table as the figure took a long drink from the wine glass held in slender delicate fingers.  Firelight reflected off eyes the color of rich amethysts before being obscured by the brim of a hat.

                Luc walked towards the bar, his solid booted feet making muffled sounds on the wooden floor.  The bartender was a hard man, with one eye and an eyepatch over the one he’d lost.  He had gray hair tied back into a braid.  “Barkeep!” Luc called.  “I need to see....a man about a meeting,” he winked.  “If you know what I mean.”  He slid a gold piece across the bar.  “Please.”

                The barkeep took the gold piece and slipped it away into his pockets faster than most men could blink.  “That woman in the back, there....she’s the one you’re looking for.”  

                Luc glanced back to the bar proper and saw the lone table with its occupant.  “As you say.  Thank you much.”  He walked away, his eyes bright, set and determined on the woman in the corner.

                It didn’t take much intelligence to realize that the barkeep had sent yet another petitioner in her direction.  A faint smile was briefly seen before being hidden by the half-empty wine glass in her hand.  She would wait and see just what this man wanted before she made a decision on whether to grant his request or not.

                Luc sat down in the seat across from her, sitting down with a mug of ale at her table.  He couldn’t distinguish much from what she was wearing, but if she was a representative of the man he sought then a good impression was key.  He touched his forelock to her lightly before jumping straight into his request.  “I need an audience with the pirate lord.  It’s a matter of life or death.”

                Letting her feet fall to the floor with a muffled thump, the woman leaned forward from the shadows, resting her elbows on the table.  Now fully in the firelight, she was revealed to be a young woman with the most stunning jewel-colored eyes and silvery-blonde hair tucked securely beneath her hat.  She peered at Luc for several moments before speaking in a soft, musical voice.  “Why exactly are you seeking our lord?  Many people seek him out for matters they claim are life or death.  Speak and I will know if you are truthful or not.  Convince me...and I will help you to gain an audience with our lord.”

                Luc nodded, gritting his teeth a little.  He had expected nothing less.  This was going to be difficult.  “I need shelter and succor for two enemies of the state.  These two would fetch a hefty ransom if Silvertongue ever got a hold of them.  They also may be the key to his destruction.  My Captain, one of the few who need the protection....they call him Captain.”  His green eyes were solemn, but then he winked at her.  “And I’m sure you’ll find I can be very...persuasive.”

                “I see...and who is the second person?”  She asked curiously, peering at him from beneath full lashes.  “Long has our lord desired the end of Silvertongue...but not at the cost of everything we hold dear.  Should the benefits outweigh the risks, I am certain that your request may be granted.  But then again, I cannot claim to know our lord’s mind.  However I think he would wish to hear your news at the very least.”

                Luc smiled a little.  He had won, already.  “The second person is a young woman.  She goes by Bird, here.  She is the wife of this Captain.  They are...shall we say, Bonded to each other.  If one falls, so does the other.  And if she falls...so does the resistance against Silvertongue.”

                She nodded slowly in understanding, a faint frown gracing her face for a moment.  “Hm...I see.  A Captain and his wife...obviously there is more to this story than you are sharing.  But I applaud your restraint in holding your tongue in such an open forum.  One never knows when there are spies of the snake slithering about.  I will see about arranging an audience for you...tomorrow at the earliest.”

                “There are spies everywhere,” he said somberly.  “Even on my own ship, I fear...but thank you, for the audience.  Now...what is it that you are doing for the rest of the night?”  He smiled roguishly at her.

                A delicate eyebrow arched as she observed for a moment, an amused look on her beautiful face.  “My only plans for the evening involved having a drink...and I’ve already done that.  Why do you ask?”

                “Curious,” he said mildly.  “It’s my first night in town...and I think I’d like some company to allow me to get to know it better.”  His eyes were laughing.  “Of course, if you think you’re too busy....then I’ll just have to find a companion elsewhere.”

                Amused laughter spilled from her lips as she lifted her glass towards him.  “You are quite...interesting.  I suppose that I could spare some of my evening showing you the town.”  Setting her empty glass down on the table, she rose gracefully to her feet.  In the light, her clothing became more much obvious, the white silk of her shirt and the tight-fitting leather of her breeches clinging to every curve like a second skin. “Provided that you can keep up with me...should you be too slow, I will leave you behind.”  She remarked cheerfully before walking towards the door, her hips swaying with a seductive grace.  

                Luc laughed and watched her hips appreciatively for a moment, letting out a low whistle.  She was spectacular.  This was going to be a fun chase.  Even if nothing became of it, he would at least have fun with the chase.  “Oh, I think you’ll find I can keep up with you just fine,” he remarked with a smile, swiftly moving up behind her.  “On all things, I move...very quickly.”  Light but he wanted to properly acknowledge her presence.  It would help him distract himself over Bri, too.  Bri was Rahim’s now.  There was no use dwelling on something he could never have.

                “Do you now?  Forgive me if I require proof of such a claim.  I do not trust another’s words on blind faith.”  She glanced back at him over her shoulder, obviously amused by the entire situation.  Stepping out into the night, she languidly wandered down the street, easily making her way around the people still wandering around.  If he truly wished to follow her home, she didn’t mind too much.  After all he was rather handsome, in her opinion.

                Luc grinned a little wider at her comments, finding that he was beginning to enjoy chasing this woman.  And if she put in a good word with the pirate lord for him, so much the better.  He kept to her side, winding through the groups of people in the streets.  “Then I’ll just have to show you the truth of my words, won’t I?” he asked, winking at her with a grin as they walked.  “So.  Where are we going?”

                “Do you always follow strangers into the night?  That might get you into trouble one of these days.” The woman commented with a sultry laugh, briefly glancing towards him.  A smile played on her lips, her eyes dancing with amusement.  “This is a dangerous town to wander in.  Filled with pirates, it is...but you are safe enough with me...for now.”

                “Usually,” Luc admitted, winking again.  Gods, that laugh... “But usually they end up dead, not a companion.  Oh no...pirates!  How scary!  I don’t know what I will do if I come across pirates,” he teased with a grin.  “And when does the situation where being with you becomes dangerous for me?” He arched his eyebrow.

                She burst into laughter, clearly amused by the tall man at her side.  “Didn’t you know? It already is.”  Turning away from him, she walked to the front door of a stone building set back from the others.  Pulling out a set of keys, she easily unlocked the door before glancing at him over her shoulder.  “Are you coming or not?”

                Luc’s eyebrow climbed higher on his forehead as she opened the door and glanced at him.  Gods, this woman was an intriguing puzzle.  “Of course I’m coming,” he said hurriedly, following her into the house.  He had to be wary, though.  Who knew whose loyalties were true in this day and age?  “So then, mystery pirate woman....where do we go from here?”

                The woman paused for a moment to close and lock the door behind them before leading the way into the parlor.  There was already a fire roaring in the fireplace, warming and illuminating the room.  It was filled with richly carved antique furniture and different throw pillows scattered around.  Pale blonde locks tumbled free to her waist as she pulled off her hat and tossed it on a side table.  “You may call me Siren, if you need to call me by a name.  And that, my friend, depends entirely upon you.  You are...interesting...”

                Luc followed her into her home, watching her closely as she milled about doing her daily routine.  She lived lavishly, that was for certain.  So either she was a lucrative pirate, or she knew people.  And, judging by their meeting in the inn earlier, Luc could guess that she knew the right palms to grease.  Her hair tumbled down her back and Luc bit back the urge to let out a low whistle.  She was gorgeous.  “Fine, Siren,” he said, eerily thinking how fitting the name was.  “Most people around here call me Rogue.  And how am I interesting, pray tell?  I’m just a lowly pirate...trying to protect his friends.”

                Standing at a sideboard filled with crystal decanters of various alcohol, she glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips.  “Ah Rogue, is it?  Fitting moniker for the man who took command and safely brought his crew to port after your Captain was taken captive.  Would you care for a drink?” She murmured as she picked one of the bottles and filled a wine glass halfway.  

                Luc chuckled.  “Yes...that’s where I got the name from.  Exactly.”  He offered her a grin and walked towards the decanters.  “I would love a drink,” he commented.  “There isn’t nearly enough alcohol in my system.  And I should have been able to take care of the ship; I was its first mate, after all.”

                “It seems to me that you are a Captain now, rather than a first mate,” Siren replied with a faint smile as she reached over to grab another empty glass.  She thought for a moment, glancing at the bottles before picking one filled with a rather potent rum.  “Here...I think you might like this one.  It’s rather strong.  But I’m sure that you can handle it, right?”

                Luc laughed and twisted his lips.  “A temporary captain. Authority never suited me, truth be told.  Too many eyes watching my moves.  So I left it to the Captain.”  He took the glass of rum from her with a thankful smile and slung it back, downing it in one gulp.  “Ah, it burns like fire, but damn that’s good...” he murmured, his eyes alight.  “A good quality rum you have here, Siren...where’d you get your hands on it in this place?”

                “It was a gift...from another person seeking an audience with our lord.  Have as much as you like.”  Wine glass in hand, she leaned against the sideboard, observing him with growing interest.  “Do you have so much to hide that you don’t like the eyes upon you? Or do you just not care for the responsibility?”

                Luc poured himself another shot of rum, taking it as quickly as the last.  “So all of these things...they are gifts?  From attention-seekers?  Or suitors?” he winked at her, grinning.  “No.  Personally, I have nothing to hide.  Just your run of the mill pirate.  I just don’t care for the responsibility.  It chafes me, you might say.  It’s why a pirate like me isn’t hooked to some land wife yet.”  He poured another shot.  “Cheers.”