Malspire (9 page)

"You could say that of any man who wins a duel."

Opening my eyes, I had to blink away some water. When I could see again, she was close. So close, I could have kissed her. Then behind here, I noticed Harl together with Jodlin. Both men seemed unharmed. Harl nodded and Jodlin just grinned. I tried to ignore them.

"What's your destination?" I asked her.

"I am travelling to Norlan together with my father," she said with a big smile. "He wishes to find a wealthy husband for me."

"He has high hopes for the city?"

"Yes, but I don't. To be honest, I'm not ready. I am young and I have yet to see the world!"

"Not much to see."

"Oh?" she mimicked my stern expression. This made me smile. "We're farmers. My father owns a stretch of land on the western shores of Malolia. We're not poor but my father thinks he can find a better match in the city. At least that is what my father hopes for," she said. "I just want to see the city and its attractions that I have heard of for so long."

"There is little worth seeing in Norlan," I said. "It's big, cramped and smells funny." The city was to my liking, but these days, I yearned for the sea or country whenever there.

"What about the theatres, museums, libraries? Culture? Surely as the very heart of the Empire it is overflowing with art and architecture and music?"

The city had all that, it was true, so I just shrugged, then winced when she placed her hand on my bent back, not from pain but the shame. She did not seem to care though, or at least she did not show it.

Veinara had finished cleaning and bandaging me when Captain Crosp reached the forecastle of the merchant, carefully stepping over the pools of blood. He was escorted by two marines who took up position behind him as he stopped in front of us. "I wanted the captain alive!"

looking up, I fought the urge to point out the bloody obvious which was that the man was trying to kill me. "My apologies, sir. I had hoped he would yield but I made a clumsy stroke and took his life."

"A clumsy weapon in clumsy hands, Ardalrion! Stand to attention when I speak to you. Damn your manners man!"

I reluctantly and painfully got to my feet and found the captain watching Miss Havlon.

"May I present Miss Veinara Havlon of Malolia, Captain Crosp of the Imperial and Ardalrion Navy frigate Sea Huntress," I said.

"Charmed, m'lady." Crosp bowed and I saw his gaze fall down to her breasts, more drool forming at the corner of his mouth. "I trust the dogs did not hurt you?"

"They did not get the chance Captain, thanks to your brave officer and men."

Crosp ignored the comment. "We shall be sailing in convoy to Umuron. Can I offer you my cabin for the short trip?"

"That is very kind of you Captain Crosp, but my father and I have a cabin and I am sure we will be safe enough now that you are escorting us."

"Your father?" said Crosp, looking disappointed. "Of course."

Crosp left us and an elderly man, probably in his late sixties or early seventies sidled up to Veinara. "Was that the captain, my sweet?"

"Yes father. It was." She then stepped aside and said, "This is Malspire Ardalrion, father. The officer who saved us."

We shook hands. "Lord Ardalrion at your service." I rarely used my title, but suddenly felt I should.

"Lord?" said both Veinara and her father.

"Yes. I am the son of Duke Ajorion Ardalrion."

The old man quickly forgot the captain. "I've heard of you. Read about you in the papers."

"Nothing bad I hope."

"Can't remember. I am Guthan Havlon and this is my daughter, Veinara Havlon. She's not married and not a bad cook. She don't mind a bit of honest work, but she can be stubborn and has a taste for fine clothing and expensive books."

"Father!"

I could not suppress a smile, liking the honesty of the old man.

"Please forgive my father. He has no sense at all."

"I'm getting old my darling. I have to marry you off soon or I'll not have done my duty before I feed the worms."

I waved it away.

"Our thanks, Lord Ardalrion," said Guthan. "I fought as best I could but to be honest I was left to reload the pistols mostly. No strength left in these arms. No speed."

"You did well, father," said Veinara proudly.

The old man shuffled off to find a task. There was not much more Veinara could do to help me. I decided that my ribs were not broken as the pain was abating and had no trouble breathing.

"Well, I must return to my duties. Thank you for your kind attention."

"It was a pleasure, my lord."

"Please, call me Malspire."

She smiled and I forced myself to turn and return my attention to the pirates. Making my way over to Captain Yorlwig’s cabin, I had a good look around. The cabin was tastefully done with fine furniture, and charts as well as a wine cabinet that had already been ransacked. The draws had all been pulled out of the desk, and any valuables taken. The paperwork and maps however were left strewn across the floor. Captain Crosp would undoubtedly send men to gather it up for the Secret Servants, the agents whose task it is to gather information and intelligence. I, using my cutlass, began sifting through it. There amongst the piles of paper, and scrolls was one particular scroll, with a fine looking ribbon and broken seal. Plucking it up, I unravelled it to discover that it was the marque of the enemy navy granting Captain Yorlwig rights as a privateer. I quickly rolled it up and put it in my inside pocket just as Qenrik entered the room with two marines. Qenrik never liked me, but got on famously with the captain. Qenrik was just a snivelling turd in my eyes. The officer was quick to bully the enemy captives once they had surrendered but had been nowhere in sight before the fight. I ignored them and left the cabin with my token, imagining one day hanging it on a wall to tell of this day's victory.

Eventually, together with the pirate vessel as prize, the Sea Huntress took the tall ship in tow, and set sail for port. The captain of the sailing ship had been killed in the fight, so it fell to me to stay aboard her, and insisted that Veinara and her father join me for dinner each of the three nights it would take to reach port. When I had told Captain Crosp that I needed experience aboard a tall ship, the captain agreed and seemed only too pleased to be rid of me. If Crosp had suspected that my wish was to be with the lady, he would never have approved, but the captain was thinking only of his prize money and the little extra status the capture would bring him.

To my surprise Veinara seemed to enjoy my company and I tried my best to be the city gentleman women expected of a naval officer. I felt clumsy and unintentionally rude, but she laughed at my gaffs and made light of my fumbling attempts at etiquette. Now, for the first time in my life, I wished I had listened to my tutors regarding such things. I wished I could take a leaf from my brother's book and effortlessly charm my guests with polite banter and topical conversation.

"So you have a twin brother?" Veinara asked. She was dressed in a simple light green dress with a dried cornflower at the neckline.

The three of us had eaten well and were now enjoying a dark wine that Willan had found in storage.

"I do. His name is Ajator. He is the heir to the Duchy of Ardalrion and an officer like myself aboard the Grand Oak."

"Are you close?"

"Yes. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he is not only my brother but also my best friend. Probably my only friend," I added.

"Not your only friend." She smiled. "If I may be so bold."

"And a good cook," Guthan added hopefully. Veinara shot him a glance.

I did not know what to say. I had made a female friend. It was a new experience for me. She made me smile, and I made her laugh. We talked long into the evening and I never once thought of touching her or approaching her in any manner other than gentlemanly. Of course her father was ever present.

That night I could not sleep and ended up taking the watch until the early hours again. In my mind, I kept going over the evening's talk and felt childish for letting my imagination run wild with ideas of sweeping the striking Veinara off her feet. Something about her was exciting. Was I falling in love? The more I saw her, the more beautiful she became.

The next evening was much the same. The old man sat mostly quietly while Veinara and I talked of anything and everything under the sun and moon. It transpired that Veinara's mother had passed away some five years past leaving Guthan with six sons and a daughter. All the sons were married off, and now Guthan just had Veinara to deal with.

On the last evening before reaching port, I felt sad that the perfect arrangement was soon coming to an end. I was enjoying the sensation of commanding a ship and enjoying even more the company, and so forced a brave face and entertained my guests as best I could, even having Willan clean himself up.

"You're a rogue, Lord Ardalrion," Veinara said with a laugh after I had told one of the lighter tavern jokes I had heard – the one about the moon fish and the lost hermit crab.

"Malspire. Please, you must call me Malspire. If I am a rogue then you are maiden warrior of old. I saw how you handled those pistols up on deck."

"My brothers taught me. I can handle a sword too if need be. They thought I should be able to protect myself."

"And I agree with them whole heartedly."

Veinara thought for a second. "My brother's would like you. They're land workers. Farmers at heart with hands like shovels and chests like barn doors. They like the simpler things in life. They have little time for lords and ladies, but you I think they would like. You're not like any lord I have ever met before."

"No? What do you think, Miss Havlon? Am I to your liking too?" I asked tentatively.

"Of course. You are my knight in shining armour, come to save me from sea monsters and pirates."

"I thought I was a rogue?"

"Oh that too," she smiled.

Her father sat snoring in his chair at the dining table. The lanterns cast deep shadows around the captain's cabin. The food was good with fresh fish, meats and vegetables as well as another fine wine. The previous captain liked to dine well. I knew I had been clumsy in my manners. I knew I had the looks of a mongrel and the clothing of a boor, but perhaps this woman could see through such things. Perhaps she had seen something in me that she could learn to love? I felt foolish for even thinking it, but never before had a woman, so striking and handsome shown me any form of affection freely and so happily. The night ended very late. Mister Havlon had to be woken, and in his sleepy daze thanked his daughter by kissing her on the cheek and saying, "Goodnight Falinda, dear."

With a tear in her eye, Veinara explained that Falinda was her mother. "He dreams of her at night," she said.

Not knowing what to say, I felt guilty, for all I could think about was embracing this last private moment with Veinara before the night ended.

"Thank you," I said clumsily.

"For what?"

Her father left the cabin to find his own bed. Veinara wanted to go with him but she hesitated. I felt the need to say something noble or clever or intelligent; anything that would leave a lasting impression on her. Anything that would make her think well of me.

"I mean. Thank you for your company," was all I could think of.

"It is we who should thank you."

There was an awkward silence which ended when Mister Havlon opened the wrong door to some other cabin. Veinara could wait no longer. She quickly kissed me on the cheek, and thanked me one last time before leaving the cabin for her own. That kiss struck me like a hammer and I would remember it forever. I remember it now like it was yesterday.

***

When the Sea Huntress, at the head of the small flotilla made port, I helped Miss Havlon and her father with their baggage as well as find lodging in the town. Although the better inns were always full, I simply used the weight of my name and gold to have them put up in a finer establishment, and when the old man asked about the price, I told him the Imperial Navy would pay for it. That was a lie which cost me two gold heads, but Veinara was making the fool of me as women so often do with men. A harlot could be made to dance naked all night long for a couple of coppers, and yet I expected nothing for the riches paid so that the pair would sleep in comfort and safety. They were very grateful to me for my services and insisted that I should visit if ever I was in the region of their farmlands. I assured them that I would.

As they left me in the street outside the inn, carts trundling past on cobble roads, people about their business, I stood for a while and wondered what to do. I forced myself not to think of Miss Havlon. It was hard. There was a sudden emptiness mixed with a joy I had never known before. What should I do? Should I pay her another visit? When? How long should I wait? I breathed deeply and looked round. There were so few civilians and so many sailors and marines and officers. Umuron was a base for the Navy in this region, and used as a striking point for attacks against the rebels.

Winter was coming, and my breath misted in the air. I took out my watch to see that is was mid-day and so turned to report back to Captain Crosp who would undoubtedly be wondering where I was. Tomorrow, I decided I would visit her. That would be a respectable amount of time to wait and in the meanwhile, I could find some better clothing and perhaps a gift for the young lady. That was the answer. Just then a voice called to me and looking up I saw Ajator coming up the street from the harbour with a wide grin on his handsome face.