Chapter 65: The Gates of Hell Part 4

Bundo looked ready to attack the man by the cart filled with what might have been melons, except they were bright pink. After three days of watching the man bargain, Cal didn't worry about either of their lives.
Cal nodded to Jorges, who stood on the dock at the bottom of the gangway.
"The usual place?" Jorges asked.
"Yes, I'll send a runner if things change." Cal adjusted satchel on her shoulder and then headed toward the market Bri had shown her. Being with someone who was neither a relation, crew member or suitor felt good. She had no doubt he was up to something, but then Lord Sifton, who'd disappeared with two of his team into the interior, had plans of his own.
Cal placed herself in the shade of a rug merchant's tent and took out her sketchbook. They'd come to an agreement. She got shade, and he got a portrait of him and his large family. Apparently, as a wealthy member of his clan, he was expected to have several wives. Cal never saw any of them without a smile on their face.
She drew people at random, paying careful attention to the challenge of getting the dark skin right. The challenge helped her let go of her anger at Sifton. The man honestly couldn't see what he did wrong. Cal vowed that next time, she'd let him drown.
As they had for the last two days, a crowd of children gathered around Cal. The merchant didn't mind as long as they stayed off his rugs. Cal handed out stubs of pencil and scraps of paper. The children giggled as they drew. If their faces were anything to go by, Cal kept a very serious expression while drawing. At least she didn't stick her tongue out anymore... most of the time.
As the shadows moved across the pavement, a few people gathered up the courage to ask her to draw them. Most were content to peer over her shoulder for a time. Cal looked up when her flock of children scrambled away.
"They told me I'd find you here." Lord Sifton looked down his nose at her. "I expected a Captain to be with their ship. We sail at dawn." He turned and stomped away, people dodging out of his path.
Cal sighed and packed up her gear. She fingered a tiny rug hanging from the side of the merchant's tent.
"Very rare," the merchant said. "Silk from the east. Comes from worms they tell me. You want?"
"It is beautiful." Cal tried to figure how much coin she had in her berth. Surely not enough to purchase such a treasure.
"The third prince had it brought in but didn't like the colour. He won't buy it, but no one can buy something the prince ordered. It would be disrespectful to think one was entitled to own a royal carpet."
Way out of my league. Cal regretfully turned away.
"Thank you for your hospitality." She bowed to the merchant, then bumped into a man as she left the tent. The man might as well have been a tree for all the effect she had on him. Cal staggered back to fall on a pile of carpets.
"Help the Lady up, Chiza." Another man, in pants and shirt of canary yellow, which had the same sheen as the tiny rug stepped around the tree and frowned. A massive hand reached down to take Cal's. With surprising gentleness, the huge man lifted her feet, then knelt before her, his drab robes contrasting with the bright yellow. "Chiza is waiting for you to punish him for his clumsiness."
"It was my fault," Cal gazed into the man's brown eyes. Was that humour glinting behind his blank expression?
"Nevertheless, as a servant to royalty, he must not collide with anyone, particularly not a person of your stature, Lady Shillingsworth."
Cal stared him in shock.
"My apologies," the man in yellow said, bowing slightly. "I heard a lady captain had come to port from Anglia. The only such woman I could imagine in that role is you. I had the privilege of attending the Royal Society for Science when you brought in the sea serpent's immense tooth. Ever since I have wanted to meet you. But even princes can't barge in to speak to a Lady, especially not one favoured by the Crown Prince of Anglia himself. Imagine my delight at the possibility of meeting you here. The clansman on your ship was kind enough to tell me you were accustomed to spending time in this market. Surrounded by a mob of children I'm told. Sadly, disease has left many young ones fending for themselves. It is a shame to our country. I hoped to offer schooling and shelter, but history has made them distrustful. Perhaps encouraging art will open the door to their hearts."
The big man still knelt in front of Cal, still as a stone.
"Oh get up." Cal slapped his shoulder lightly. The man stood smoothly and gazed at Cal.
"Chiza doesn't feel his punishment is sufficient." The prince shook his head.
"How about this then? Your punishment is that you will aid the next person who asks you for help regardless of their station, or the nature of the task."
Chiza tilted his head slightly, still holding Cal's gaze with his. Then he nodded and bowed deeply to Cal.
"It appears you have impressed him. A most difficult task." The prince in the yellow suit nodded at her.
"Surely, your Highness, he is impressed by royalty."
"He works for royalty; thus he knows we are only human." The prince smiled, and his face lit up. "I have been remiss." The prince bowed to her. "I failed to introduce myself properly. I beg your forgiveness."