Temptations

ɎChapter♠FourɎ

 It'd been two weeks since that woman had broken into his home. Roger had checked every nook and cranny of that house but there were no openings. He hadn't dropped his rates. That woman, so bold as to think she could threaten him into undercharging, hadn't shown herself since that first night. Her threat never fulfilled. Two weeks and not a word from Gaspar. His smirk fell when one of his sailors barged into his commons.

"Sir, we have a problem." They ran out to the front deck, pulling out a telescope. In the nearing horizon were two ship of the Royal Navy. Roger's heart sank.

"No matter, we have a permit for most of the items. Hide the contraband beneath the rest of the cargo, under the wood." The sailors quickly got to work and hid the jewels and goods beneath hollow wood, just as the Royal Navy slowed beside them on both sides.

Without waiting for an invitation, the soldiers boarded the ship, walking in single file over the wooden planks until the whole crew was surrounded. "It seems we have a problem after all." Roger muttered as he saw the Rear Admiral step onto the main deck. He looked too young to be a Rear Admiral, most likely around 24 years old, with a gruff for a beard and short brown hair. But his green eyes held age, age that couldn't be faked.

"Captain?" His voice, low and smooth, deep and rich, seemed to flow over the increasingly nervous chatter of the crew.

"Aye." The Admiral pulled out a paper from his coat, handing it to Roger and walking past him towards the Captain's Quarters.

"Her Majesty has reason to believe Gaspar is on this ship." With furrowed brows Roger scanned the paper.

"Blasphemous! I'd never have a pirate on my ship!"

"An anonymous tip said otherwise." His voice held authority, swiveling on his feet as he faced Roger once more.

"Look here, boy," Roger was easily 20 or more years older than the Admiral. "This here is a legal ship. We have permits for our merchandise and I would never risk it with a pirate." He spit out the word like venom.

"I care not for your reputation or opinion. We are hereby permitted, by Her Majesty the Queen, to search this ship. Every nook and crany. Check it all!" The soldiers burst into action, knocking over crates, kicking aside tarps and covers.

"Hey! Hey!" Roger went to stop them but the guns cocked around him, forcing the crew to stay still.

"In loyalty to Her Majesty you will remain quiet." He stepped towards him, his foot feeling the sinking wood beneath him. "Everyone stop." He didn't have to yell, they all stopped on command.

Slowly, the Admiral crouched down to the floor, eyes shifting over to Roger and the crew in suspicion. Using the bayonet of his gun, he pried open a wooden plank, revealing all the contraband. The Admiral pulled out one of the jewels, inspecting the emerald in it. "This is contraband." He stood from his crouch. "Arrest them and commandeer the ship."

Roger hissed in a breath. This was no accident, he knew. That woman had made good on her promise. "I hereby place you under arrest for the crime of illegally smuggling goods. You will be taken back to England and prepped for trial." The soldiers chained Roger and the crew, leading them onto the Royal ships. With one last glance before going down the stairs into the cellars, he knew it would be the last time he'd ever see the open ocean.