THE DEAL ROUND ROBIN

By Maril

~~~~~

"I may have to change my mind about women who wear men's pants," he said as she bounded up the steps toward him. His grey eyes warmed as they slid over the shapely legs encased in the tan trousers. 'Of course, a woman wearing a man's shirt and vest is also quite enchanting,' he added to himself. His lips barely curved as she strode across the deck, seemingly unmindful of its pitching or the slippery salt water washing across it like a frothy river. 'An admirable woman, a law unto herself at sea,' he thought.

Her eyes were bright and keen as a cat's, constantly moving, missing nothing. Now they watched him with barely concealed impatience, as she propped her booted foot on a wooden crate and leaned toward him. He almost wanted to flinch away from her unwavering stare, but schooled his features into a bland look.

Finally, she said curtly, "So what's this about, Montoya? This secret meeting at sea. What do you want?"

Montoya moved away from the taffrail, staggered with the rolling of the ship, and reached out, nearly falling. Mary Rose grabbed his arm, shaking her head. "No sea legs, Montoya? Better hang onto the rail, or better yet, let's go below." She smiled at his wan look at that suggestion. "You're right. It's worse below for landlubbers. So, while you can still talk, and have control over your stomach, tell me what you want."

"I'd like to hire you to take a shipment to Monterrey and bring something back." He waited while that information sunk in. Her wary look bespoke her mistrust. He expected that. "My gold shipments are constantly being waylaid and stolen by the Queen of Swords. I need you to see the next shipment safely to Monterrey."

Her eyes swept over him and a curl of dislike twitched at the corners of her mouth. "Why should I do anything for you, Montoya? You were going to hang my son."

"Money, my dear pirate queen. You need money. I will pay you handsomely to see that the gold is delivered to the municipal offices in the capitol. On the return trip, you will bring me a special package that is waiting in Monterrey. And..." his eyes became as dark as the seas tossing the ship, "... if you do not, I may have to take your hacienda for non-payment of taxes." He smiled at the sudden anger, like lightening, that flashed in her blue eyes. He relaxed against the rail, abstractedly twirling the diamond pin in his cravat ...and waited.

After several seconds, she replied, "What makes you think you can trust me? I might just take the gold myself. For all you know, I could be the Queen of Swords."

Montoya burst out laughing, unable to control the sudden fit of mirth. "Is this an impromptu confession?" Regaining his composure, he said, "You couldn't be the Queen. I have been close to her many times. She has black hair, you are fair-haired..."

"A wig can cover the hair." Mary Rose smiled roguishly, a merry twinkle in her eyes.

"And the eyes? Hers are dark, like the pit of hell, while yours are the clear blue of the eternal sky. Not even a lace mask could disguise your eye colour. No, Mary Rose, you could not be the Queen of Swords. You should be satisfied being the Queen of the Sea, Neptune's bride." He held onto the rail while taking her hand and placing a reverent kiss on the back. "Now about our deal..."

"And what if the Queen waylays me on my way to Monterrey?" Mary Rose asked.

"I harbor doubts that her horse is equipped for aquatic pursuit," Montoya said, his humor still sharp, despite the nausea he was feeling. "In any case, should she pursue you, you may deal with her in any way that you see fit - provided that the shipments make it to their intended destinations," he qualified.

Senora Rose thought it over, and agreed to it. "One question, Colonel," as said man was starting to leave. "If you hate being on the water so much, how did you ever get around to this corner of the world?"

Mary Rose was fuming after the meeting with Montoya. After he left the ship, she slipped ashore to visit Maria Teresa Alvarado.

Marta answered the door as Mary Rose pounded on it. Marta indicated the parlor.

"Why Mary Rose, what a surprise. I would get off this chair but Marta is hemming my dress and I am afraid I will get stuck with a pin." Mary Rose looked at Marta and traded evil grins.

"What brings you to my Hacienda?"

"That sea cum Montoya had the audacity to tell me that I must deliver his gold to Monterey on my ship so the Queen of Swords won't steal it. Then I am to bring him a package."

"What will happen it you refuse?"

"He threatened to take away my hacienda for overdue taxes."

"Then by all means take the gold and deliver it. By the way, do you accept passengers?"

Mary Rose glanced at Tessa. "Are you planning a trip?

"Not me, but a friend might."

Two nights later Mary Rose's ship slipped out of Santa Helena. Montoya watched it go. Let's see if the Queen of Swords can stop this shipment.

A few miles up the coast, a rowboat made contact with the ship, and a black garbed figure slipped aboard.

"Welcome aboard Reina. I heard you might like a vacation." Mary Rose grinned.

"Thanks for having me. I think we need to talk below."

As they entered the cabin, Mary Rose turned to the Queen. "What did you have in mind? If you rob the ship, Montoya will take my hacienda."

"What if you deliver the gold and get the package. Your job is done and mine starts. Now, This salt air is hard on my sword, I need to treat it."

Mary Rose indicated a wooden crate. "There are some items that you can use. It's what I use."

Monterey came into view a day later. The sun had set when Mary Rose had tied up to the wharf. A man met the ship. He was just as swarthy as Montoya. "You are Mary Rose? You have something for me?"

"My employer indicated that you had a special package for me also."

"Indeed. My men will bring it aboard."

As Mary Rose watched, several men loaded a canon aboard the ship. Then they left. Mr. Swarthy grinned at Mary Rose. "Give Colonel Montoya my compliments." He turned and left.

Mary Rose boarded her ship. "Cast off, we need to be gone now before the tide turns."

Men scrambled to their posts and the ship slipped out on Monterey.

In the town, Mr. Swarthy was whistling to himself when a sword hilt crashed to his head and knocked him out. A calling card was left nearby.

As the ship rounded a jetty a figure dove into the water from land.

Mary Rose walked into her cabin.

"Reina, I hope you brought a change of wardrobe. You are getting my floor wet. Here, I have a pair of pants and a shirt you can borrow while yours dry."

"Gracias, I usually don't go swimming at night, fully clothed."

"I can see where the sword would get in the way." The ladies laughed as Mary Rose poured two glasses of wine. "Missions accomplished." She toasted.

"Only one more item. Can I get to the canon?"

"After it has been delivered to Montoya. However, in my experience, some canons have failures due to cracks that show in the salt air.

Two days later Montoya met Mary Rose. "Congratulations, Mary Rose. Your hacienda seems to be safe for now."

"I did your dirty work Montoya and delivered your "special package" now get off my ship. You think your threat to my hacienda is hanging over my head, don't you? Colonel, you for get that I am a pirate and you know what pirates can do when they get pissed off. Don't piss me off."

Montoya grinned as he walked down the plank. "I will let you be the first to see what my "special package" can do. Corporal load the canon and aim towards Mary Rose's ship."

Mary Rose scrambled her men and they prepared to sail. Then she instructed that the port guns be brought to bear. "If Montoya's canon comes within five feet of this ship, you will level Colonel Montoya's office. Only his office." She told her first mate.

Montoya smiled as he lit a torch and handed it to the Corporal. Montoya stood some ten feet behind.

The corporal lit the fuse and the flame hit the gunpowder. The canon exploded, flinging the Corporal and Montoya to the ground. He heard Mary Rose's voice.

"Colonel, you said deliver, I did not inspect it. You friend has your gold and you have nothing, She laughed as the ship caught the wind and sailed out of the harbor.

Montoya was furious. He stormed back to the town as a rider came racing in. He handed a note to Montoya. "Damn her! Grisham where are you when I need you?" Inside the envelope were a letter and a tarot card.

LATER...

The Queen Of Swords smiled as she looked at the confiscated box. Having watched the shiphands load it onto the rowboat she'd taken, she was positive it was a canon - what else could be so heavy?

Using a prybar she'd lifted from Dr. Helm's residence, she broke open the lid to it...and looked inside. No canon. Just lots of big bags.

"Gold?" Tessa wondered. "Isn't that what you're supposedly sending to them, Colonel?" She reached a hand in an opening in the nearest bag.

Quickly, a pain shot through her hand. Tessa pulled it out, and looked at her stuck finger. Angrily opening the bag, she found out what Montoya had tried to import.

The crate was full of roses!