Innocents of Marbella by R.C. Mogo

Author:R.C. Mogo [Mogo, R.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Historical Romance, medieval romance, historical fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Publisher: Romans One Sixteen Publishing
Published: 2024-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Hundreds of dead fish washed onto the shore, paving their return to the palace. Stephen prowled silently alongside her. The unguarded gate hung open. They made their way onto the grounds, wind kicking up dust on the wide limestone pathways lined with citrus trees. It was deserted.

Voices filtered from up ahead. They came to the edge of a crowd packed into the Court of Wolves. The agitated people fought for a view. They cried out for answers about the bleeding ocean. It looked to be most of Marbella crammed outside the assembly hall where the king judged on civil matters. Slender white columns supported the awnings framing the courtyard.

A man’s Portuguese shout caught on the wind. “We searched far and wide for the princesa.”

“Da Gama,” whispered Zahra as they approached the back of the crowd spilling around the corner. They could not yet see Diogo, but Sohrab interpreted loudly in Arabic.

“We all mourn her loss.”

Stephen gripped her arm before she could barrel between the people and announce her presence. She shot a sharp look up to him. He shook his head. Perhaps she owed him a moment to think, for all the hasty judgments she had made in recent days.

Men in the crowd called out, angrily.

“If it is answers you seek, then that is an easy task.” Diogo crooned. “Prosperity? It is yours.”

She could only see Diogo’s black hat and Sohrab’s fly-bitten scalp. Stephen tipped toward her and whispered. “His men are passing out wineskins.”

The angry voices dissipated. Several cheers rang out. Diogo’s tone changed, deepening with warning. “A solution to the blight on the Alboran Sea? That might prove a bit more difficult.”

A woman at the back bobbed a sleeping baby against her chest. Her husband spoke to her in hushed tones. Then he caught Zahra staring. He spared her a brief glance before noticing Stephen towering beside her. He shook his head and murmured to his wife, “If the amira is dead, why is her slave still allowed to roam our village freely?”

Zahra had forgotten how she looked. Her untended locks, lavender maidservant dress, and bare feet. Patting her baby’s back, the woman gave Zahra a small smile, and a wary glance to Stephen. A wineskin passed over head to the man, and he asked for a second one for his wife. Wine vapor drifted on humid exhales.

“Let us show our gratitude.” Jabir’s voice rose above the exultation of the people. Zahra could only see his gold crown, inlaid with rubies—one he wore only for ceremonial purposes. “As we grieve, take solace in knowing Marbella’s future is safe. Master da Gama has promised that he can cure our ailing ocean.”

The people cheered and held up their wineskins. Diogo’s voice rang out. “As the ocean bleeds, drink this wine to remember the day that I saved Marbella.”

Zahra looked to Stephen, whose brow furrowed.

Jabir raised his hands high above his head. “Allah has inspired me to give Master da Gama heirship, should anything happen to me or my brother, Yusef.

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