Paxton and the Freebooters by Kerry Newcomb

Author:Kerry Newcomb
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504001229
Publisher: Open Road Media

Chapter XV

The wind sang in the rigging and the whole ship resonated in harmony. The sails, taunt, snowy expanses of canvas, thrust the Ravener into a repetitive procession of watery blue summits. Gracefully, the bowsprit pointed to the sky, then slid into the following trough as the stern rose to let the blue Caribbean pass underneath. Like a mote of dust on a shimmering sapphire, the queenly craft kept to her course.

Occasionally the tip of the rigging of a distant ship was sighted on the rim of the ocean. Then, their eyes alight with the fire of adventure, Ned Sly, Spanish Jesse, or young Shelby would plead to give chase, only to have their enthusiasm dampened by their captain’s gentle but adamant refusal. Now that she was bound for Mysteré, Marie had become one obsessed. No course but the one they held would do. Once she overheard Ned grumble to the small gathering of shipmates that “Captain Raven was immune to the fever brought on by Spanish galleons crammed with silver and gold.” Which, he added with a sigh, was a malady he hoped never to be cured of.

Night sounds. The creak of spars as tightly wound ropes chafed against wood. The whispered hush of a dreaming sea. A melancholy restlessness drove Marie to pace the deck and wrestle with troubled thoughts engendered by almost forgotten faces. Murcia, a gentlemanly countenance hiding his cruel nature. Captain Solia, his horribly mottled face a leering mask as he bent to inspect his captured prize. The dead of Mysteré, littering the burning paths and blood-soaked sand. Ashes swirl and settle. Ashes of the dead, for the end of dreams.

But I still dream. Of what? Marie drew the cloak about her, forced aside the relentless flow of questions before they led to the inevitable outcome—a shock of flaming hair, handsome, guileless eyes, nose, mouth, the hardened strength that had been her pleasure … and pain. Ardent promises unfulfilled left a bitter residue insoluble in time and loneliness.

Companionship was the remedy prescribed for introspection. Escaping the solitary confinement of her cabin, she sought fresh air on deck. Tom Gunn’s massive silhouette loomed behind the wheel. “Evenin’, Captain.” His deep bass was a balm for troubled spirits.

“Tom. You were drilling the men on the guns all day long. You’ve no business here, but should be below, asleep.”

Tom shrugged. “It’s better to be awake this night. Too many memories below. Too many dreams.”

Marie nodded, understanding more than he could guess. “Then keep to your post, my friend. But see you rest tomorrow.” From her vantage point, she spotted another familar figure strolling toward them. Giuseppe ascended the steps and stopped at the rail. “What? Is the whole crew awake tonight?” Marie asked. “What brings you topside, doctor? Change your mind?”

“Change his mind?” Tom’s grip tightened on the wheel. “He’s too damned stubborn to change his mind.”

“I’m disappointed in you, Giuseppe,” Marie said. “You’ll miss a fair share of the gold. You’re with us, why not accept it?”

“I do not want to hang,” came the dogged reply.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.