The Founding Sisters #1 The Damned

Chapter 16

SHIPWRECK COVE, DECEMBER 1697

For the first time in her life, Venegaza didn't know what the right course of action was. She had no hesitation when her squadron fell ill, assisting them as best she could and doing everything possible to ease their suffering. She didn't even hesitate when Koldunya had offered her a way out. A chance to start a new life. Nor did she hesitate when Moonlach, after those first couple of nights, had hesitantly asked her to join her pirate fleet.

But now she was filled with indecision and fear. Moonlach hadn't woken since she'd finished her story. That had been three days ago. The younger ship was deep in the throes of her fever, still clinging to life but Venegaza recognized the signs of impending death. She still remembered vividly how each of her squadron had looked as the disease took hold of them. Seeing it in Moonlach now was a reminder she could have gone without.

Venegaza had never been the most open of ships. Being betrayed by your command and having your entire fleet die tended to do that to a ship. Venegaza's entire world was uprooted and had never settled since. Not even when she found stability with the Brethren had she truly been able to find peace. Not until Moonlach arrived did she even consider it was a possibility.

Moonlach, poor sweet Moonlach. She deserved better. Not for the first time Venegaza cursed herself. Moonlach and the other pirates could disagree as much as they wanted but Venegaza knew she had essentially indoctrinated a shipling. Moonlach at least had a choice in her upbringing, the other youngster in the group Barnacle did not. It made Venegaza feel even more responsible.

Once again the frigate cursed her lack of good fortune. Moonlach was the first ship since her Royal Navy days that Venegaza could now confidently say she loved. It had taken her this long to realize it. And almost as soon as she'd come to terms with her feelings, she faced the very real possibility of losing her.

The hourglass on the shelf indicated it was time to check on Moonlach, as Venegaza had done every hour since Moonlach slipped unconscious. Despite her constant vigil and the exhaustion it brought, Venegaza had no intentions of slowing down. She hadn't even felt the need to eat which was odd. She had barely even drunk anything and her head was pounding with what she thought was a dehydration headache. Still, she plowed on even as her hull trembled from the effort.

Venegaza now placed a fresh cold cloth over Moonlach's head, trying to bring her fever down or at the very least stabilize it. It had swung wildly the last 24 hours, disappearing almost completely before coming back with a vengeance. A wave of intense nausea came over the frigate and she was forced to abandon her position, racing to the chamberpot. She gripped its sides with shaking rigging as her stomach emptied itself. Having not eaten for three days, there wasn't much to bring up and instead dry heaves rocked her hull.

Exhausted and weak, it took Venegaza several minutes to lift herself off the chamberpot and make her way back to Moonlach's side where she resumed her work. Her head was pounding, she was seeing double, and her stomach was still staging protests that sometimes made her retch but Venegaza ignored it all.

The curtains rustled and Carolina poked her head in. "Still no change?" She asked. Still fighting with her stomach and not risking words yet, Venegaza shook her head, shifting back only minutely as the healer checked Moonlach. "She has a strong heart. Have faith in that." Carolina said.

"I'm trying. But it's difficult." Venegaza admitted, forcing her stomach back out of her throat.

"Being in love can be difficult, yes." Carolina replied, purring as she rounded on her in surprise.

"How-" Venegaza breathed, struggling to keep an even keel.

"It's not hard to guess. You're terrible at hiding your feelings, Venegaza. And everyone around you could see you adore Moonlach even if you yourself can't. Suppose this means Misty Lady wins the pot now. Bugger, I'll have to tell her." Carolina pouted.