Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (76 page)

Another of his crew carried an old man whose eyes seemed not to see. Perhaps, it was fear that left him with a blank stare. “It is a mercy these were left alive.”

“Ay, a mercy indeed. They've been left to fend for themselves with no one to care for them.”

Nicolaus clenched his teeth together. “Will their vessel make it to Joppa for repairs?”

“There is little left to repair.”

“Will it make it to Joppa?” There was little room for the rest of the people to board his vessel. He didn't relish throwing merchandise overboard but would if need be.

Xandros must have read his thoughts. He nodded his head, and said, “Are you thinking of purchasing another boat and bringing them to our village?”

Nicolaus glanced at his second. “I cannot very well leave them at Joppa if they do not wish to stay. They've nowhere to go. No men to support the needs of these people. Our island is large and prosperous. My father has never rejected those in need and would not do so now.”

He had not rejected Nicolaus when he'd arrived after months of captivity a weak and broken vessel with the shame of losing his sister bearing down on his shoulders.

“In that you are correct.”

“And I do not think any of the ports we'll stop at for provisions will accept them.”

Xandros heaved in a breath. “What of the challenge? If you determine to take them with us, we will not move with the swiftness needed to win. We could be days behind Jasen's arrival. And what of their provisions? The cost will be no meager sum, my friend.”

Nicolaus bowed his head and closed his eyes. He risked losing. It did not matter if he lost his ship and all the merchandise he'd acquired during the voyage, but if he lost the race he risked the means to move away from his family and the shame of having disappointed his father. He'd lose the ability to search for his sister without his father's constant watchful eye. And what of Ada? “This I know. What choice do I have? I cannot allow them to continue to a fate unknown.”

“There is no other choice, my friend.” Xandros clapped him on the back. “The sacrifice is much, one not many would give up. Your uncle would be proud.”

Yes, Oceanus would be proud, but what of his father? Would he be proud as well, or would Nicolaus once again see disappointment crinkling the corners of his eyes?

“You have yet to answer my question, Xandros. Will the vessel make it to Joppa?”

White teeth showed through Xandros's thick beard. His eyes twinkled with mischief. “It is unlikely. However, with me at the command, it has a chance, as slight as it may be. In the event it does not make it, I have no doubt, you will champion us.”

“Order the men to move enough water and cakes of bread for those left on board before we break planks.”

“I fear that may deplete our resources.”

Nicolaus tugged on his beard, and then nodded. “Take what you need. We've rationed before. Let us port at Joppa and renew our provisions.”

An alarm from Brison drew his attention. Nicolaus left Xandros and climbed onto the command post. The sea rose on the horizon, rushing toward them. At their current angle the wave would roll them. “Break the planks, now!”

Xandros ran across to the other ship as the men removed the planks bridging the vessels. If they had moved all the women and children there would be no need to save the other boat, but they'd only transferred a few. “Euclid!” he called to his helmsman. “Turn the ship toward the south until we are facing the wave. Raise the anchors.”

The cry of an infant reminded him that Ada, along with several of the women and children, remained on the deck. If the boat rolled... “Brison, move them all below, huddle them in the center around the mast. Go with haste.”

He tied a rope around his waist as did his two armed warriors, Haemon and Argos, standing guard on either side of the command post's platform. Nicolaus glanced at the other boat. A few of his men remained with Xandros.

Nicolaus could only hope his friend's natural ability with the sea would keep them well. “Tell the rowers to push forward. We must get in front of the other boat in order to take the brunt of the wave.” He clenched his teeth together knowing he risked the lives on his vessel to protect those on the weaker, but it was his duty. They were all under his protection. Nicolaus glanced at the other boat and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a few oars maneuvering it backward in order to fall in line behind him. Nicolaus wouldn't question the appearance of the oars or the providence that had left several of his men on the other boat. He was thankful that there was hope for the other ship's survival, if it held together against the wave.

Even with the cry of the babe and the soft cooing of Ada's voice as Brison ushered her toward the back of the ship, an eerie silence settled over them. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the blue wall as it rushed toward them, daring it to crash over the bow. His jaw twitched in irritation. Could their situation possibly get worse? Ay, he knew it could, but he hoped it wouldn't. “Almighty God of creation, my uncle believes in Your existence, I dare not test You lest You see us all washed into the sea, but if You are real, if You are living and breathing as Oceanus believes You to be, as Ada believes You to be, then I beseech You, save us.”

The bow rose, lifting the bronze battering ram toward the murky sky. Nicolaus gripped the rail in front of him and dared the sea to take his ship, his crew and Ada from him. He would not see defeat this day. He would not. Could not. Assurance flooded his being, puffing out his chest. He held on to that thin thread of confidence as the wave lifted them high.

Chapter Six

A
da handed the babe down to the waiting arms of a gruff-looking sailor standing on the stairs, her queasy stomach forgotten in the face of a greater need. She glanced toward the other boat. The arms and faces of the men in the small fishing vessel, including Nicolaus's friend Xandros, strained with each push and pull of the oars as it moved backward. Nicolaus shouted out a command, and Ada grasped hold of the rail to keep from falling as the force of their own vessel moved forward.

She brushed her hair from her eyes and stared at their captain. With his arms crossed, Nicolaus stood like a sentry near the city gates. Yet, he was much bigger for he hadn't the thick walls to offer him protection from the enemy. Nor had he an army to stand beside him. Only two warriors with shields at their backs and swords at their sides. Daggers hung from Nicolaus's leather belt. What kind of man stood against the sea as if to do battle?

An honorable one, no doubt. One who fought for those under his protection. Including the strangers in the hold. Including her, a mere slave. Had her father cared for his slaves in such a manner? Considering how he left her mother to die at the demands of his wife, she did not think so.

“Ada, you must get below.” Brison's words must have carried on the wind for Nicolaus turned his head. The hard set of determination etching his jaw stole her breath. If the raging sea were a man it would, no doubt, beg for mercy. “He's a good sailor, Ada. You've no need to worry that we'll all drown.”

She was fortunate to have Nicolaus as her protector—her master. After all she was no more than a slave. She bit down on the inside of her lip to keep it from quivering. A slave held no honor. Her own mother had been proof of that fact, working from before dawn until after dusk to keep her father's household as he'd expected, to do his wife's bidding until her fingers bled from the work she'd demanded of her. Ada recalled the anger of her sisters' mother at her father's distress when her mother had died. Was it possible that he loved her?

“Ada.” Brison poked his finger against her shoulder. “We've no time to tarry.”

Drawing in a breath of air, she descended the stairs and sat next to the other women. She squinted, peering into the shadows in search of the children. A whimper drew her gaze deeper into the shadows. The boy who had maneuvered these women to safety had his arm wrapped around the young girl. The babe, swaddled in soiled linen, lay at the children's feet. Looking from the group of women to the children and back again she had the feeling they didn't want anything to do with them.

Why?

They were children, innocent of any crimes. Ada rose from her spot near the mast and stumbled toward the children where they sat on the bare planks against the lattice. From all she could see it was one of the few spots that did not hold amphora jars. She scooped the babe into her arms and cradled it against her chest. Tufts of dark hair stood straight from the infant's head. Ada smoothed them back, before kissing the brow and then sat beside the girl child.

An elderly woman leaned forward, her finger pointing at the babe and then at the girl. Her toothless grunts caused Ada to scoot toward the girl as her arms gathered the babe closer. The rest of the women began to mumble among themselves. Their sneers left her chilled and heartbroken for the unwanted children. It was good Ada did not understand their words else she'd more than likely wish them back to their broken fishing vessel to face the angry sea on their own.

The old woman reached her arms out as she began to rise from her seat. Gray light streamed down upon the woman. The cruelty in her black eyes along with the angry tones spewing from her lips renewed the sickness in Ada's stomach and she pulled back.

“What is it you want?” Ada trembled as the woman wavered from side to side.

“They believe the child brings terror upon us.”

Ada glanced at the young boy whose arm was wrapped around the little girl in protection. “What sort of nonsense is this?”

The old woman poked her finger in the air toward the young girl and released a mouthful of angry words.

The boy pulled the girl closer. “The mountain caught fire when she was born, as it did when the babe was. They believe them to be cursed. She says we should throw them to sea to appease the gods.”

Ada flinched. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. How could these women hold to such superstitions?

“What is it they call you?”

“Galen.” He tilted his head toward the girl child. “Edith. She and the babe are my mother's children.”

Ada was about to respond when the hold creaked as it lifted, rocking her forward with the force of the sea. Ada clutched the babe and settled her cheek against his chilled flesh. “Hold tight to the lattice. Do not let go.”

Galen murmured something to the girl, and then swiveled around and stuck his feet and arms into the square holes. Edith squeezed herself between him and the lattice. Ada was about to do the same when the boat shifted, knocking her over. She righted herself and prayed. “Abba God, save us.”

Ada slid away from the children and was flung against one of the women, crushing her against the mast as the boat continued to rise. Piercing screams filled the boat, echoing off the sealed planks and all the merchandise. Those closest to the mast clung to its thickness, the others grasped hold of the women anchored to the round piece of wood. The boat rocked left, and then right. Ada reached out with a hand to steady herself against the mast, but water rushed through the hole above them, sweeping her and the infant away from its solid strength and toward the back of the boat.

She grabbed hold of a piece of moored timber and clung to it with all her strength. The quivering cry from the baby tore at Ada's heart, but before she could adjust her perch and find a more comfortable seating a wave crashed against the side, tipping the vessel to its side with a loud crack. No sooner had they rolled one way than they were rolling the next.

Agonizing cries rose above the roaring of the sea, filling her ears with the terror. They were all being tossed around like leaves in a storm. It seemed as if her prayers had gone unheard. They were all going to die if the madness did not soon halt.

And what of Nicolaus? How was he enduring in the elements? Last she'd seen him he had been standing on the platform. Had the wave swept him into the sea?

As sudden as the violence had begun, it quit and the boat settled into a steady rocking. Ada closed her eyes. “Thank You, Lord.”

She tore off a piece of her outer tunic and swaddled the babe inside before tying the ends around her neck. She peeked between the folds of the fabric. Innocent eyes peered up at her as the babe sucked on its fist. She couldn't help but smile at the warmth filling her heart, and she knew she would do anything to keep the infant safe. “Shall we see to our captain?”

Keeping her knees bent, she stood and on wobbly legs started to make her way toward the stairs. It was then she noticed the source of the cries and she nearly choked on her gasp of breath. The mast had severed. While the bottom half where the women had been remained intact, the top half laid at an angle pinning two of the women. Right where she and the babe had been. If the water hadn't rushed into the hold and shoved her toward the stern with its force, she had no doubt she would have died. She and the babe.

Ada rushed forward and tried to lift the wood, but it was no use. Even if it wasn't too heavy, the mast had fallen in such a way that it was wedged beneath a support beam.

“H-help me, please,” one of the women croaked. Ada was surprised that the woman no longer spoke in little grunts but rather in Nicolaus's tongue.

Ada glanced into the pain-filled eyes of the old woman who had been determined to allow the babe to fend for itself. A gash split across the woman's brow and one of her legs was trapped beneath the mammoth wood. As much as she wanted to walk away and ignore her pleas for help, Ada's conscience just wouldn't allow it. Even if she couldn't move the mast, she could offer comfort.

* * *

Nicolaus pulled himself to his feet and peered over the railing. Although the skies remained gray and the waves washed over the deck, the turbulent sea no longer raged. A fortunate thing for his warriors since Haemon currently bobbed with each wave as Argos tugged on the rope tied around his waist. It was no surprise one of his men had fallen overboard. Nicolaus untied the rope from his own waist and glanced toward the helmsman's perch. However, the sight of his mast snapped in two stopped his search and left him speechless. The welfare of his helmsman and the men on smaller fishing vessel forgotten. His only concern was for the people below the deck. One woman in particular.

“Drop anchor!” Nicolaus rushed forward and pressed all his weight against the wood blocking the stairs into the hold. This was something he'd remedy when he designed his father's next ship. A woman's cry filtered through the broken debris. Nicolaus felt as if he'd been slammed in the chest with a battering ram. Had Ada been hurt? He should have kept her with him, held on to her...so that he'd know, know for sure if she was well. “Ada!” He shoved his palms against the mast and was met with an agonizing scream.

“Halt, you are hurting her.” Even though he didn't like the thought of anyone in distress, the sweet sound of Ada's voice settled the panic in his blood.

Lying down on the deck, he looked through the opening and spied Ada's beautiful tear-streaked face staring up at him. “Are you well?”

“Ay. However, the mast has some of the women trapped.”

“What of Brison?” If he could get his younger brother to lift the mast from below they might be able to free the women.

She turned her head as if to look around. Nicolaus hadn't seen his brother since he'd ordered him to take Ada below. “I haven't seen him.”

“Did he not follow you down? What of the rowers? Are they free to move about?” Nicolaus prayed none had been swept from their positions. All of his rowers had been seated in the outriggers and susceptible to the elements. He hoped they'd not been washed away.

Ada nodded. “I will see to their condition. At least the ones I'm able to reach.”

“Captain?”

Nicolaus lifted his head to find Euclid standing at his side and he relaxed a little more, thankful the helmsman hadn't been swept away in the waves as had Haemon. He rose to his full height and took in the damage to his ship. Besides the broken mast all seemed well enough. He hoped there was very little damage below deck, as well. “We need to lift the mast.” He drew his fingers down his beard, wishing Xandros was on board, and yet hoping his friend was faring much better. “I am uncertain of the condition of the crew below and there are women trapped beneath the weight. Seems it is only the four of us once Haemon returns to the ship.” He motioned toward Argos leaning over the rail. “And even then the mast is heavier than we can bear. Was Xandros able to shelter behind us?”

Euclid nodded. “They seem to have weathered much better. Seeing the damage, I have motioned to them our distress. I've no doubt Xandros will find a way to assist us.”

The boat rocked a little, causing one of the women to cry out. His sea-hardened helmsman paled at the sound. “We may not have time. We've heard the cries of dying men before, Euclid, but coming from women it is much worse. We must free them posthaste and see to their injuries. We also need to reach Joppa with great speed, but I dare not order the rowers until we free the women and see if there is damage to the hold.”

“Nicolaus.”

He crouched down and peered down into the hole. Her wet hair clung to her shoulders and down her back, forming to her curves. A sling was tied around her neck with a lump cradled next to her chest. He had no doubt it was the babe wrapped against her. A darkening bruise began to form on her cheek beneath her eye and he wanted to reach down, pull her onto the deck and look her over for any other injuries, but more important the state of her attire told him there was water where there should be none, giving him a greater sense of urgency in his gut. “You are certain you are well?”

The corner of her mouth slid upward and she nodded. “I've found several rowers, and Brison.”

A sigh of relief escaped his lungs. He did not wish to tell his father that he had lost another sibling to the sea.

“They did not realize the damage.” Of course the rowers wouldn't have noticed the damage to the interior hold. In order to be a more efficient merchant, Nicolaus had walls built to form compartments throughout the center of the hold for merchandise. The rowers sat on the outriggers. “What of the children?”

Ada glanced over her shoulder and then lifted her beautiful face up to his. “They are well.”

“Good. Take the infant and find a safe place until we can get the mast moved.”

Nicolaus turned his attention out to sea, and then to Euclid. “I need you to take command—”

“Captain.” Euclid shook his head. “The guards and I can manage.”

“Euclid, it is a command.” His helmsman's shoulders drooped. Someone needed to keep watch on the sea, and Nicolaus needed to be right here until the mast was removed from the stairs. He needed to be right here until he could fully see Ada. Until he could see for himself that she was truly well.

“Captain,” Brison called up to him. “It does not look good. I don't mean to worry you, but the water is up to our ankles. I have a few of the men looking for holes.”

“How are the women?” He knew what Ada had told him, but he didn't trust that she would tell him the truth, not because she meant to deceive him but because he didn't think she'd tell him if she was truly injured. Her concern being more for others than herself. He saw that admirable trait in her character when she pushed aside her seasickness and cared for the women and children they'd brought on board.

Nicolaus caught sight of Brison's lips twisting before he glanced away and then back again. “Two are trapped. One seems to be sleeping, her leg does not look good. The other...she's just staring like she's seen a sea monster.”