The Knight's Redemption by Ethan Bale

Author:Ethan Bale
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
Published: 2024-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Joris Smout had been true to his word. Two hours after the sun had risen, the Artemis creaked and complained as the warps pulled tighter on the river side of the vessel. They were being towed away from the quay by oarsmen in a large wherry, into the swiftly flowing current. The bow of the vessel swung out and men on the quay helped give her stern a push. Hawker steadied himself as the ship listed a little, moving slowly in the wide Scheldt. Master Smout shouted and his sailors scampered and attended to lines and sails.

Jacob bounced across the main deck and joined him at the rail, having checked the horses were secure.

‘Does my heart good to be in harness again, Sir John. But can’t say I am glad to be going to sea again.’

‘We will bear it, Jacob.’ Hawker rested his elbows on the railing and looked towards the bow where Ellingham and Dieudonné stood conversing.

Jacob leaned next to him and looked out onto the river. ‘And we’ll need to get you and Sir Giles more armour from somewhere. Before things get too hot. Breast and back are not enough for pitched battle. But I don’t have to remind you of that.’

Hawker followed his gaze. ‘We have our helms too. The rest we shall find somewhere.’ He paused for a few moments. ‘What will happen to Jack?’

Jacob sighed loudly. ‘I thought he was contented for the moment. Learning more sword craft. I swear I never expected him to run away.’

‘He is young. Impatient for war. I should have foreseen it.’

‘He has a good head on his shoulders. He’s strong and able. And it is his life.’

Hawker looked down into the rippling brown water. ‘I failed him. I was the father he never had. But, maybe, not the one he deserved.’

‘Your paths may cross again, Sir John. He is bound for the same war as we. God willing, we will find him.’

Hawker clapped Jacob upon his back warmly, the Fleming’s armour jangling.

‘I only pray we will not need to turn pirate before this voyage is over,’ said Jacob quietly. ‘If this master wants to go to Yarmouth and nowhere else… well.’

Hawker looked at him and smiled weakly. ‘Pirate? Why for? We have plenty of gold now to buy his loyalty. Enough to sail to Cathay if we choose!’

‘And if he says no?’

‘As you say. We have our swords.’

The Artemis picked up speed rapidly once they caught the ebb. The sailors climbed into the ratlines and began to unfurl the sailcloth, first upon the foremast. After half an hour had passed, they were well out into the main channel, sailing north by north-west, the spires of Antwerp becoming smaller in their wake.

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