New Beginnings

13. Carmilla

1873 Unguja Island, Zanzibar

The sandy beach is picturesque under the Zanzibar sun as the small row boat slowly made its way over the gently rolling waves to the coast line. The British warship it came from easy to spot from the beach in the distance, a monster of metal floating idly like an African lion taking a nap it knows nothing would be brave enough to interrupt.

Gustav took the last of the crates off the horse drawn wagon and stacked it on top of the others. He let out an appreciative whistle once he took a better look at the warship.

"Ironclad and a new one at that, doesn't even have have any sails. Corvae really does get all the best toys."

Other than him, the crates and the horse drawn cart the beach was deserted. Some crabs tangled in a fight over something or other to his left. But he knew that rarely resulted in bloodshed so that was boring. The bird of prey that circled above showed more promise but it was taking its time set up its attack.

Gustav looked up at it.

"Coward, just get in there and get the the job done already if your hungry." He said to it.

He vaguely thought about taking out his pistol and doing the deed himself but the noise might startle whichever one of his benefactors was on the incoming boat. They were a skittish lot, not a backbone among them. But they had been good to him so better not cause a fuss.

Instead he waited patiently, leaning with his back on the wagon, arm on top of the crates. The boat finally reached the shore. Three people were on it but clearly only one was important. A woman garbed totally in black despite the pounding sun sat in the middle. She did none of the work and sat perfectly still until the two men to her front and back finished rowing and helped her up and over the wet sand so her shiny boots remained immaculately clean. She barely gave them a glance as they did so and ignored them once she was on firm land.

Instead she strode towards Gustav, now standing she was quite tall and lithe. High cheekbones and a perfect posture giving her a regal aesthetic. She smiled but it didn't reach her dark eyes.

"I was told that there would be a few more of you, Mr. Gustav."

"Gustav, its just Gustav. I'm no gentleman. As for the rest of my team, in short, we ran into some difficulties down in the Stone City's catacombs. Not to worry though, the artifacts have been recovered in perfect condition."

In response the dark woman walked over to the crates. She opened the first one up and took a look inside.

"You know lady, most foreigners who take an interest in Zanzibar are after the spices, cloves and whatnot. Not too many Europeans care about the Stone City. Or its catacombs for that matter."

"Very soon a lot of Europeans are going to take a lot of interest in every single nook and cranny of this hell hole of a continent. Corvae is simply making sure it acquires certain items before less knowledgeable individuals get their grubby paws on them."

Gustav laughed, it was a bark.

"Whatever you say lady, Africa is pretty big. Even for guys with metal ships on their side."

"Not much for the big picture are you Gustav? No matter, not many humans are and at least you've made yourself good for something. That's more than most can say."

She pulled one of the artefacts out of the crate, a wooden talisman covered in carvings.

"You've done your job satisfactorily. Though to be honest these are mere trinkets, hardly worth my time."

"Then what are you doing here lady?"

She put the talisman back and looked directly at him. For the first time in his life he felt small regardless of his physical stature, like a greater being was staring into his soul.