laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Watching as the foreign vessel slowly left the harbor of Henares, his dark eyes noted that his quarry was now outside of their protective realm as the sea would leave nowhere to hide or run. He smiled to himself as his own crew pulled on ropes, raising the sail to his own ship as well as that of his companion's sleek man-of-war. Each sporting the emblazoned red crescent and five stars within which billowed with the stiff breeze.

"My lord, all is prepared," his trusted assistant confirmed from the left and slightly behind.

"Good," his deep voice pleased that his plan wasn't totally thwarted by Gadil's failure. "Ensure that they remain in their meditative state until the time is right. We can't allow another mistake," he half turned and glanced to his understudy sternly.

"It will be done, master." With a stiff bow, the younger bearded man in red silk whose borders were modestly decorated in golden thread turned and headed downstairs. Nearly glowing in the waning daylight, he had always admired the ostentatious show of his title and position and felt that all of those under him should do the same. Honor was paramount, he thought as he returned his gaze to the bobbing caravel ahead. Soon, the prize would be his and all those within their secret society would envy Nuri for his victory.

He soon turned and followed his lieutenant down into the lower deck. Passed bowing, shirtless men he made his way to the second stair and climbed down into a small accessway. Right hand went into his pocket and retrieved a set of keys, then pulled them out. Fingering through the small collection, he found the right one and directed it into the lock and turned it, then opened the door. Within, he noticed his special surprise for the demon's magic which he had been studying through oracles and visions of his own. He stepped into the darker hold and smiled as their quiet breathing ensured that his plan would succeed. They were still alive.

Concentrating, his finger ignited and he mused on the scene: Twelve young women all lay atop their modest, thinly padded mats within the confines of the room.

"My lord," Omar interrupted from behind. "Is it wise bringing them with us? The slavers said..."

"Leave the strategy to me, young one," he quietly corrected. "I know how to command in battle and I've ensured that they will be compliant when the time comes."

"Of course, wise one. I only wished...."

"That witch using them previously was as selfish as she was stupid. They will gladly protect us during the fight. I have assurances from the Great One himself that we will be victorious." He turned to eye his apprentice. "Now, to my room and prepare my bath. I will be presentable for the fight to come."

"Right away."

* * *

Tess soon walked out into the corridor, closed the door behind her and allowed Kailee to meditate for a while. She needed to get something to eat and knew that now that they were away from Macau lands, they should be safer. Although, few things turned out the way they had planned in the past. Voices from the berthing room announced that the remaining crew not on watch or duty were enjoying their downtime, bragging about their conquests while in port during dinner. Some things never changed, she thought as she neared the cook and grabbed a bowl full of hot stew from him and a wooden spoon. Once gathered, she headed up to the main deck to enjoy the evening breeze.

Sunlight, low on the horizon colored the few wispy clouds a brilliant pink which contrasted against the shadowed sides now in darker greys and deep blue. She ate and walked to the rail as the calmer seas barely complicated her balance. Perhaps she was getting used to the open sea finally. Enjoying the stew, she glanced back towards the east and picked out the pair of white lateen sails in the distance. Blue eyes studied them for a long moment as the first mate walked by.

"Excuse me," she called out, gaze still fixed on the trailing ships and gained his attention with a motion of her head. "We escorting or being escorted?"

He glanced back towards the pair of vessels, low in the water. "Not that I know of. Probably just a couple of merchants headed to Bailesti also. It's a popular port with traders," he grinned, then moved on. "I wouldn't worry about them."

His surface thoughts confirmed otherwise and she began to wonder how successful their escape from Henares had been after all.

For the next two days, Brendan politely gave her space to roam and be comfortable without more than a passing nod or 'hello'. He was keeping his eyes on the pair that never seemed to be out of sight though and she finally moved to his side at the top of the sterncastle that morning.

"You think they're after us," she asked concernedly.

"Perhaps. I would imagine that they would've moved on us by now though. Those ships are considerably faster than we are if they choose to be, which makes me wonder," he turned his eyes towards the west. "Don't worry though," he returned to her as she studied their pursuers. "My crew and I have been in some hairy fights before and the Chelsea has always gotten us back home."

She smiled and straightened. "And where is home?"

"Sauqira."

Tess nodded. "Thought so."

His eyes narrowed in surprise. "Why?"

"No other sailors could travel these seas without special permission with a war going on. Only makes sense that their allies would be allowed to enjoy this kind of freedom," a realization that created a wider rift between them.

"I've enjoyed this freedom because of past affiliations, that's true," he straightened defensively. "But, that also allows me to help those I deem worthy of fighting for and staking my reputation on. To prove that, I've never delved into why you and Anita are traveling these lands or why you're being hunted."

"You're sure they're after us? Why?"

He grinned. "Give me some credit. I hear the ransom being paid to wealthy champions of the sultanate for the heads of two women and you two happen to step onto my ship looking for passage out as well as secrecy. Doesn't take much to put two and two together."

Alysia grinned, then leaned on the rail as she looked back out across the wide blue expanse between them and the distant sails. "Okay. Then since we've gotten you in this mess, let us get you out." She straightened, turned and headed down the ladder onto the main deck.

"How," he asked in pursuit as she led him back below and towards their room.

"We have our ways," she stated as she glanced to him while opening the door, then looked inside. "Hey, we have a problem."