Chapter 66: The Gates of Hell Part 5
"Don't tell me I'm supposed to punish you as well." Cal let the satchel settle to the ground and rolled her shoulder. The prince laughed and Chiza's lips bent into what might have been a smile.
"How delightful. I will accept the same punishment you gave Chiza. It should be fun." He straightened and the blank mask fell over his face. "Lady Shillingsworth, I am Roger Hrona Xanichi, third prince of the Congu nation." He took Cal's hand and kissed it. She'd always been uncomfortable with men kissing her hand, but he made it as natural as a handshake. "Please call me Roger, it is the name I used in Anglia."
"Well, Roger, I'm sorry to say we are to sail tomorrow at dawn. I have work I must do. However, why don't you and Chiza walk me to the Kestrel and I can give you a brief tour?"
"If only I'd heard sooner." Roger heaved a sigh. "Shall we?" He held out his arm in the Anglian fashion. Cal took it as if she weren't dressed in a captain's working uniform. She must look a sparrow next to his canary.
They chatted pleasantly on the way back to the Kestrel. Roger had been sent by his father to get a full Anglian education. He'd only just arrived back in Congu and was trying to fit back in place.
"It is as if I changed shape while away." Roger's hand trembled under hers.
"The point of going was to change. Don't pretend to be who you were, your country needs who you are now."
Roger walked examining the sky as if it held a map to his life.
"I believe you have given me two gifts beyond price. If ever there is something I may do for you, ask and it will be done or I will die trying."
Cal guided him up the gangway and introduced him to the crew. Most nodded politely, but Bundo knelt before the prince in the same way Chiza had knelt before her.
"You left without the King's permission." Roger's voice cut like a knife. "He had no choice but to exile you."
"My prince, to stay would have meant shedding blood I have no desire to shed."
"And if he'd found you in this place?"
"The Captain takes care of her crew."
"Even against the king of this nation?"
"No one boards the Kestrel without my permission. She is my domain and I hold life and death in my hands." Cal didn't know why she butted into what was clearly a private argument. All three men stared at her while she kept her gaze level.
"I believe that is the solution to my problem." Roger relaxed and his voice returned to the bantering tone he'd kept with Cal. "This is Captain Shillingsworth's domain. I have no power here, but I can't ignore that you returned against the King's edict. Your life belongs to Captain Shillingsworth. Wherever she goes, you will follow. You will be my hand to protect her." Roger turned to Cal. "Shall we finish the tour?" He guided her away from the man weeping silently behind her. By the time they'd visited the bridge, been given a glimpse of the Captain's quarters, and returned to the deck, Bundo had moved away.
"I would dearly love to see the engine." The prince looked ready to bounce on his toes with eagerness.
"This way." Cal led them into the depths of the ship. Joliu started and looked uncertainly at the Prince.
"I am aware the Sombi were the ones to settle Finches Harbour. That was so many generations back, no sensible person can hold you responsible for their enmity. I visited your home. It is both a beautiful and peaceful place."
Joliu breathed out in relief and proceeded to give a detailed explanation of the steam tank and the engine. The prince grinned throughout, then to Joliu's shock shook his hand and thanked him.
At the top of the gangway, Roger once again kissed her hand, then walked away with Chiza following.
"Visiting royalty?" Paul leaned on the rail and watched them as the crowd parted in front of them.
"The third prince. His name's Roger."
"I thought I was joking." Paul glanced over at her. "I want to thank you for not busting my chops at the White Moby. I about died when you walked in."
"You were on shore leave; I wasn't about to interfere with your fun." Cal turned around at looked up at the stack. "I enjoyed your story." Her stomach twinged, the prince had hinted at someone who would be glad to kill Bundo. "Pull up the gangway. We'll let the rest board with the ladder. I want the watch doubled until we sail." Cal left Paul with his mouth open and climbed back down to the engine room to tell Joliu to build the steam to full readiness.
She went to her cabin to change into her uniform and found the tiny silk rug lying on her bed. Cal laughed in delight and ran her hands across the beautifully dyed, finely-woven surface before rolling it up and stowing it safely.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
