Pirates!
Sleep eluded me that night as my mind wandered down a thousand roads. Why would anyone want to kill me? Had I wronged someone? Was the man at the inn the same person who placed the Tibetan Ankle-Grabbing Death Vine outside my estate? I saw Andelbert tossing and turning and knew he must be having similar thoughts. So I asked him.
“Andelbert, do you have any idea who would want to arrange my murder?”
“I am as baffled as you are,” he replied. “Who does your estate go to if…”
“If I die? You can say it. Actually, I hadn’t considered it before tonight. I suppose it would go to my father as he is my only living relative. Now I fear for his life also. His sword was stolen, so someone has already been in his house. I must get word to him somehow to warn him.”
Morning came around slowly, with neither of us getting much sleep. Andelbert and I went to help the cook as usual, but everything seemed different. Everyone looked suspicious now, and I felt as if the crew was reading my mind. I fought back the feeling. I knew my only real hope was that the other crew members felt the same way as Moubray.
The crew arrived for the morning meal along with Captain Desmet, who usually dined in his cabin.
“Good morning, Baron,” he said.
“Good morning to you, Captain. It is a pleasure to have your company for breakfast.”
“Don’t get accustomed to it,” he replied, causing me to inhale sharply. I prefer to work or read while I eat, but I feel obligated to show myself occasionally so the crew will remember what a handsome man looks like.”
At this remark, the whole crew burst into laughter. Apparently, the Captain had a sense of humor, after all. And the men were obviously comfortable enough in his presence to appreciate the joke.
When the laughter stopped, he looked intently at me and said, “Baron, you appear a little out of sorts. Is the sea getting to you?”
“Not at all, Captain. I am simply suffering from a lack of sleep.”
“Ah. Is there something troubling your mind?”
“Perhaps a slight case of homesickness. I have never been away from Kapri for any real length of time.”
It wasn’t exactly the truth, but Kapri suddenly seemed far more appealing than this conversation.
“It is common enough for first-time sailors. It will diminish with time. You have no official duties. You may sleep whenever you like.”
Then he turned and looked directly at Andelbert. “But you are not so fortunate. The crew has grown accustomed to your bread, and you wouldn’t want to disappoint them, would you?”
Andelbert quickly replied, “No, sir. There will be bread this evening as usual.”
The Captain chatted with a few other sailors, finished his food, and left without another word.
As tired as I was, I dared not risk going to go to my cabin alone to sleep. I would remain alongside Andelbert as planned. We helped the cook clean up and headed up to the main deck. It was a warm sunny day, and the men were singing as they worked. We sat and watched the men for a while, and then I gazed off into the horizon with my thoughts. Soon, I started to nod off. I could feel my eyes getting heavy, and then I was asleep.
Andelbert, being the excellent companion that he was, allowed me to sleep as he kept watch, although it wasn’t a very restful sleep. All I did was dream of being hit over the head. Or gagged and tied up or stabbed with a knife. Each attack ended with my body being tossed overboard. I woke up wondering if I managed to survive the voyage alive, would I end up mad?
I was not sure Moubray had done me a favor by telling me of the possible danger when I could do little to avoid it. I told Andelbert to grab a quick nap before we needed to start making the evening meal’s bread. He dozed quickly, and I wondered if his dreams were as hopeless as mine.
Andelbert’s rest came to an abrupt end when we heard a call from the crow’s nest.
“Ship! Ship! Stern side.”
We went to the ship’s railing and saw a sail in the distance heading our way. The Captain grabbed his spyglass, pulled it open, and took a look.
A few long seconds later, he shouted, “Prepared to be boarded, lads. It’s The Jellyfish.”
“Who is The Jellyfish?” I asked the Captain.
“She is a pirate ship,” he replied.
“Pirates? Are we not going to flee? Or will we fight?”
“There is no advantage to either. Once you see The Jellyfish, there is no outrunning her. Fighting would cost us lives. But fear not; no one will be hurt today. The Captain of The Jellyfish is a pirate Captain like no other, and we have a standing agreement with him. He takes a portion of our cargo, and we live to sail another day.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Don’t look so surprised, Baron. The Sea Merchant II is a merchant ship, lightly armed. Only a warship would stand a chance against such a foe. The Grand Duke counts his raids as a burden of doing business.”
