Temptations

ɎChapter♠TenɎ

 Elias had interrogated nearly all the soldiers in the castle, and all the soldiers in the city. He'd found a small web of soldiers whom Gaspar had bribed, and it was only a matter of time before they stood trial and hung for treason.

His coat swayed as he walked, hands clasped at his back. He was tired, and his walk showed it. With sluggish steps, he took his time making his way around the castle. He'd stayed up all night, interrogation after interrogation, with no break in between. He needed to neutralize the threat as fast as possible and find a way to keep it from happening again.

"Rear Admiral!" Elias groaned internally. He wanted peace for the day. The sweet quiet of the empty halls. Instead, he had to deal with a prissy noble with an appetite for something he didn't want to give. But he put on a smile and faced her anyways.

"Lady Delphi, how are you this morning?" Lady Delphi smiled warmly at him, lust rolling in her eyes. "I hope you slept well." He bowed slightly, and she curtsied in return.

"I feel I'd sleep better with you by my side." She told him, a husky tone to her voice. He only let a slow smirk appear, letting the Lady think what she wanted. With brown hair pinned up in a lower pouf and small tendrils hanging at her cheeks. The golden dress was huge, a show of wealth but utterly ridiculous. A hoop of sparkles, gems and embroidered with jewels more expensive than 6 years of service for a commoner.

"My Lady, such sweet words to hear. But I fear your father wouldn't be too happy, neither would your husband." She looped an arm around his, forcing him to walk with her. He tisked to the side in annoyance.

"Seems you forget I'm not married yet. And there's a lot my father doesn't know about." Her hand started stroking his arm, and he felt somewhat of a shiver of disgust.

"But you will be. To a wealthy merchant or Noble, and you'll have to be pure for him otherwise your father would hunt me down. And I do enjoy staying alive."

"Perhaps, but a Rear Admiral would do just fine, I think." She purred.

"If only." He sighed, hiding his excitement as he reached the castle's gate. "Forgive me but I do have business to attend to." He pulled away from her and bowed slightly. "Until next time Lady Delphi." She giggled, curtsying.

"Until Next time, Rear Admiral." He watched her leave with great release.

"Amazed you haven't taken her to bed yet. I would." Elias groaned aloud that time, as Archer Davis came around the corner, watching Lady Delphi leave, but his gaze slightly lower than Elias'.

"I do have some dignity, you know."

"What dignity would you lose by sleeping with one of the richest Ladies in the castle?"

"Considering how active she is with the other nobles and high ranking officers, I'd like to avoid any interaction with her. Every word out of her mouth revolts me." Archer laughed and clapped Elias on the shoulder.

"My man, if you can't accept a good woman such as that than I fear you die alone."

"Lady Delphi is anything but a good woman."

"And what would be a good woman, by your standards?" Archer asked as they began walking into the town. Elias didn't answer right away. He knew what he wanted, but it was slightly outside the norm.

"Fire. Someone I can have a real conversation with. With a reason for everything she does. Someone moral, and understanding, but does what she has to do without hesitation. A good woman is someone who wouldn't give in, for any reason. Who'd never apologize for having an opinion, or who'd never stay quiet for fear of offending someone when the truth needed to be heard."

Archer became silent, and Elias found him gaping at him like a fish. "I know, I'll never find such a woman within the walls. My father would most likely marry me to a prissy woman. But I still like to hope my future won't be as dull as it is expected to me."

"N-NO!" Archer shouted, then realizing how loud he was, cleared his voice and continued. "No. Don't let go of that woman. She exists. She has too. But she will not be favored by society, and you must be ready to confront the consequences of loving such a woman." Elias looked away, finding this side of Archer slightly unnerving. "I think that is the kind of woman all men want, but are too afraid to say. We like a challenge, don't we?" he grinned at Elias letting his perverted insinuations do his will.

"On more important matters," Elias rolled his eyes at Archer. "We will be setting sail in one week.

"Do pray tell, what for?"

"No one has told us our destination, but we've been stocking up on resources and supplies for days. The Duke of Hanover had a council with the Queen some time ago, and ever since he's been running through the Nobles and charming them out of money. The Queen assigned him a fleet, for whatever project this is. And we're part of it." Elias scowled to the side.

"I see you've met the man." Archer laughed.

"Obnoxious oaf of a man. Loud, and so sure of himself even when he's making a fool."

"I think, I'd like to meet such a man who can get under the skin of Elias Keen!" Elias rolled his eyes at his friend. "Either way, I'll have to visit the brothels and get whatever I can within the short span you've given me. Weeks at sea with not a woman in sight. The curse of the navy." Archer's voice broke as his body deflated with sadness, amusing Elias further.

"You'll live."

"But perhaps not! What if we run into a hurricane! Or into the legendary Gaspar! He leaves no survivors you know." He taunted.

"And neither will I," Elias growled, silencing them for a few seconds until Archer broke it.

"I wonder if Gaspar has women on his ship..."