Blood of the Righteous

Stories of Life at Sea

"And Karinga was all 'Hell no, Tanner! I won't have that crazy, hairy bastard aboard my ship!' Then the orang raspberried him! I swear, if Hollinger sells me Angel's Reach, I am going to send for it right away."

Gabriel and Eleenia both laughed at David's stories. "You've had quite the adventures!" El said. "What's it like being at sea?"

David leaned back, put his hands behind his head, looked up and sighed. "El, it is the closest thing to Heaven I'll see this side of that final breath. I needed it, to help clear my head after what happened. The gentle rocking, the feeling of safety, the salt spray while at the jib... It healed me. I was broken. Now I'm not. I'll tell you what, after I get reestablished, come with me on a cargo run! I'll charter Karinga, Fyke, or Armstrong and we'll all go."

"Ship some goods on the church's behalf and I can request assignment to protect it," Gabriel stated.

"You'll have to introduce me to Avonshire's Master of Coin then!"

El smiled. "You already know him. It's Bishop Malachi!"

David frowned. "That's too bad. The fact that we were close will make it harder to negotiate with him."

"David," Eleenia said, "could we take Liam Branvold with us too? He hasn't been right in the head since the attack. If it did wonders for you, it may do wonders for him."

"I hadn't even thought about Liam. Of course! If he wanted to, I could probably get him on as a Yeoman on Karinga or Fyke' ship. He was trained by Master Cohen and is pretty bright. Although once I get set up I'm going to offer him a place in my household."

"Little brother, I am so impressed with how well you've done for yourself," Gabriel said. "Tell me, as a sailor, did you ever partake of pleasures of the flesh? You fellows have a reputation."

"Oh, Gabriel!" Eleenia said, blushing.

David laughed. "I assure you, dear brother, I am still as pure as the driven snow. I have had a number of opportunities, and I'm sure the other crewmen laughed about it behind my back, but I always figured I would someday retire from my life at sea and take on a wife. I want to marry a virgin, so I thought I should offer her the same courtesy."

El smiled. "David, that is lovely."

"You should introduce him to Janelle Argos," Gabriel said.

"So, you're secret is out," a voice said from behind them.

David turned. "Steward Thomas! It is good to see you again."

He came over and shook David's hand. "Good to see you, especially without having to explain to Lord Eddington why his wine order cost us so much of the household funds. I assume you will be at the banquet my lord has planned in honor of your sister?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. El has done what no man has ever done in the history of New Portsmouth."

Eleenia tried to suppress a smile at David's subtle ribbing at the men in Eddington's employ.

"Yes, well, Lord Eddington has turned in, otherwise I'm sure he would want to meet you again. Lady Eddington is slowly gaining her strength, so she has gone to her chambers early. Tell me, David, would you happen to be available for employment? I could use a good negotiator like yourself."

Gabriel stood up and stepped between them. "You are addressing the rightful Lord of Lystra, my good man. He is not a mere commoner who you can 'use'."

El rolled her eyes.

"It's okay, brother. I took no offense. I am flattered at the offer, in fact. However, I intend to go into business for myself."

Gabriel sat back down.

Thomas looked around to make sure no one was watching. "Could you use the services of a good household steward? I can provide references."

"I'll keep that in mind. You may hear from me sooner than you think," David said.

Thomas gave a big sigh of relief. "I would be eternally in your debt if you got me out of this hell hole. Well, I think I'll turn in, too."

After he was out of earshot, the three started to laugh. "Will you hire him, David?" El asked.

"I just might! He is very good at what he does, and he learns quickly. Every time I came back, it was just a little harder for me to shake him down. With a few good lessons, I could make him the envy of Avonshire."

"Tell us about the night you met Captain Karinga," El said, leaning in.

"Well, it all started when I met these four sacks of vomit working for the guild..."