telescope. "Sighted it a few minutes ago. She seems to be heading in
our direction."
Stoner grimly viewed through the glass and then strode to the
helmsman. "Change course. See if she follows." Stoner paced the deck
as the ship turned away from the land toward which it had been
heading, and back out into the open ocean. He slid the glass open
again, watching the other ship with trepidation. She was taking an
oblique course heading towards the Avenger. Stoner studied the other
ship closely as it followed his course change. He sucked in a quick
breath as he recognized the ship.
"Damn her eyes!" he shouted. "It's the Mary Rose II. We've played cat
and mouse on the Atlantic. I thought she had given up the sea. Curse
her for the she-devil she is!" He wrung his hands in agitation. "No
point in trying to outrun her. She'll catch us eventually. Our best
chance is to stand and fight."
Blake's eyes brightened and he licked his lips, his whole body
trembling with anticipation of the battle and the killing. "Your
orders, cap'n. Should I arm the men?"
The captain was taken aback as always by the naked bloodlust in
Blake's eyes, the sheer brutishness of the man. He had picked Blake up
adrift in a small boat on the Pacific five years earlier, an escapee
from a convict ship bound for New South Wales. At first, Blake had
been pathetically grateful for his rescue, but of late, he had been
challenging his captain for leadership of the men. Stoner hesitated,
then said, "We'll wait and see if she wants a fight. They may just
want to parlay. Have the helmsman resume our course to the pick-up
point." With that, he left the first mate glaring after him as he went
to the galley for his breakfast.
Entering the galley, Stoner found Tessa finishing a meal. She glanced
up questioningly and said, "Is there a ship nearby, Capitan Stoner? I
thought I saw a sail earlier."
"I suppose there's no harm in telling you, Señorita Alvarado. The Mary
Rose II is pursuing us." He raised his eyebrows at the sudden look of
hope on her face, and the smile that flitted across her lips briefly.
"Don't get your hopes too high, señorita. Mary Rose is just as much a
pirate as I am. For a price, she may just give up the chase. You don't
know this woman as I do. She is motivated by greed and the lust for
gold. If there's a profit to be made, she is on your side."
The captain turned away to hide his smile. In spite of his words, her
eyes radiated a sudden fire and he knew she was already planning
another escape attempt. *What a woman!* he thought admiringly.
*********
"Wycombe, arm the men. And station the cannons." Mary Rose addressed
the first mate, standing by her side on the quarter deck, then turned
to the rest of the crew which was assembled on the lower deck. In a
loud voice, she said, "They've resumed their original course which
means they want a fight. So let's give it to them!" She raised her
fist and the men cheered, then scrambled to their positions. The first
mate distributed guns and ammunition to the marines, while the rest of
the crew scurried about their tasks, some ascending the rigging to
unfurl the sails.
Under full sail, the Mary Rose II was a beautiful sight, like a bird
on the wing. But not to the crew of the Avenger, now also unfurling
all of its sails, preparing to manoeuvre for the battle.
The Mary Rose II had the windward tack and took full advantage as she
plowed the waves toward the Avenger, which had come about, slowly
picking up speed as it turned toward its pursuer. Several miles
separated the two vessels as each captain watched the other's sails
and direction, trying to determine the most advantageous manouevre to
gain a good firing position for the broadside cannons.
Aboard the Avenger, Tessa stood by the rail on the starboard side
watching in fascination as the Mary Rose II bore down upon them, her
white sails billowing like clouds. The captain strode to her side and
took her arm, trying to drag her away from the rail. "Get below," he
ordered. "You'll be safer there."
She shook his hand off and planted herself more firmly. "No! If I'm
going to die on this ship, at least I want to see it coming." With
that, she turned back to watch the pursuer closing on them, almost
near enough now to distinguish the sailors scurrying about her decks.
Where is Mary Rose, Tessa wondered. Is Marta also aboard, she thought
worriedly. Surely not. Mary Rose would not let her risk her life in
this sea battle.
A sudden splash off the starboard bow followed by a loud boom
signalled the beginning of the engagement. The captain moved swiftly
to the upper deck to direct the crew, leaving Tessa to fend for
herself. The captain handed his keys to Blake and the first mate
hurried to the weapons locker, and began to distribute the swords and
guns. She watched the cannons being primed and positioned, then a
flare and a thunderous burst roared from their mouths. The cannonballs
fell short of their mark and the gunners repositioned the cannons
while other sailors prepared another charge.
Tessa heard a loud whine and an explosion, then part of the canvas and
rigging fell toward the deck as one of the Mary Rose's cannons found
its mark, taking out part of the foremast. The Avenger's sailors
quickly moved the canvas off the deck but another broadside from the
Mary Rose II slammed into the bow, demolishing the bowsprit. The stays
snapped off and whipped madly then dangled having become detached and
useless for the sails.
The Avenger's cannons flashed and the cannonballs roared across the
deck of the Mary Rose II, destroying part of the rail and sending
several sailors into the air. Tessa's fascination turned to horror as
she looked on the devastation wrought by the cannon. As the ships
closed the distance, the crackle of gunfire added to the din of the
cannons. Guns flashed and men fell. Another cannonball toppled the
Avenger's mainyard and the sails and yard arms crashed onto the deck,
narrowly missing her. Tessa moved away from the rail and stepped
carefully, avoiding the snarled rigging and canvas on the deck as she
dashed up to the upper deck where the captain stood.
He barely glanced at her, his attention fixed on the Mary Rose II, now
only a hundred yards off and closing. Without his sails, Captain
Stoner had little control over the ship. He set a course straight for
the other ship, hoping to divert her so he could deliver a direct
broadside at her, but her captain matched him move for move. Grimly,
he watched as the Mary Rose II evaded all his attempts to lure her
into giving him a good target, while slamming his ship with
cannonballs that demolished his masts. She was after his ship and
didn't want to destroy it, just disable it. It was what he had hoped
to do as well. A good ship was worth a lot of money, a sunken ship
worth nothing.
"Perhaps you should surrender," Tessa suggested, leaning close to the
captain's ear, to be heard over the din of battle. Stoner glared at
her, then turned away without a word. She staggered, nearly falling as
yet another cannonball hammered the Avenger, blasting part of the rail
and taking out one of the broadside cannons. The gunners lay still and
bleeding, covered by debris from the explosion.
As the ships closed in for the final engagement, the cannons were
silenced, and the rattle of musket fire drummed on her ears. The Mary
Rose II hove to within a cable length and her sailors hurled grappling
hooks over the Avenger's rails, hauling the two ships close enough for
boarding. Several sailors laid gangplanks between the ships and Mary
Rose's men rushed across, brandishing their swords to meet the
Avenger's sailors.
Tessa now saw her chance. She ran down onto the main deck, and picked
up a sword laying near a fallen seaman. She grabbed his gun, but it
had been fired so she left it and rushed into the fray. She planned to
fight her way to the gangplank and help Mary Rose overcome the
pirates. The fighting was fierce and bloody. She slipped several times
on the blood-greased decks as she made her way through the melee.
Seeing her with a sword, one of the pirates arced his blade at her,
and died, surprised by a quick parry and thrust. She moved past him,
wary of another attacker, searching for Mary Rose. Two pirates came at
her, attempting to stop her from reaching her rescuers. *Afraid of
losing their share of the ransom,* Tessa thought as she downed one
with a blow to the jaw with the hilt of her sword. The other slashed
his rapier at her and she easily dodged his thrust and stabbed him in
the gut. He fell screaming, but Tessa could hardly hear him for all
the other moans and yells around her. *So this is what war is like,*
she thought. *A vision of hell.* She shuddered as she rushed past an
disembodied arm, her stomach churning at the stench of gunpowder and
burnt bodies.
Finally, she saw Mary Rose, hacking her way through a phalanx of
pirates, just barely keeping them at bay. Tessa saw one of the men
lift his pistol to aim at Mary Rose. Tessa slammed her sword hilt into
the side of his head and he toppled. She grabbed up his gun, then
waded into the melee, fighting her way to Mary Rose's side. The pirate
queen gave her a quick grin, then concentrated on the three men who
were trying to prevent her getting any further onto their ship. Tessa
dispatched one of her attackers with a thrust to the neck, and Mary
Rose disarmed another. The third dropped his sword and raised his
hands. Mary Rose signalled to one of her men and he rushed to her
side. Breathlessly, she said, "Take charge of the prisoners. Put them
below and lock them up."
"Look out, Mary Rose!" Tessa shouted as a small group of pirates, lead
by Blake, rushed them. Against Blake's fierce mad energy, Tessa had
all she could do to fend off his hammering sword blows.
"Now, I'm going to teach you that lesson the cap'n interrupted,
señorita." He laughed insanely and lunged at her with his sword.
He slashed and stabbed, one of his thrusts catching her on the lower
rib as she nimbly kept out of his reach. The sudden pain sent a
shockwave of fury through her and she turned the tide quickly, no
longer defensive. A volley of rapid thrusts drove him back toward the
broken rail, and as he neared the edge, he lost his balance, and
screaming, fell between the two ships. Tessa spared him no thought as
another pirate attacked and she was once again fighting for her life.
Her sword arm was tiring, and her lungs hurt from the effort to
breathe in that smoke-laden air. Almost staggering, Tessa gave up all
pretense of style, just parrying and thrusting, looking for an opening
to finish him. A quick stab to the chest ending the duel. Looking
around, she saw Mary Rose joining some of her men fighting with the
remaining pirates. It was almost over.
A thought occurred to her. Where was Capitan Stoner? She hadn't seen
him since the fighting began. Stepping past the combatants and over
the wreckage on the deck, Tessa made her way to the captain's cabin.
Opening the door, she saw him rapidly filling a pouch. He heard the
door open and spun around, a pistol levelled at her. Without relaxing
his grip on the gun, he said, "Get in and close the door." He lifted
the heavy bag and thrust it toward her. "Take this. And now open the
door carefully. And do as I say, or I'll shoot."
Tessa opened the door and stepped out onto the deck. The clashing of
swords and grunts and yells still filled the air, and smoke from
several fires on both ships blanketed the decks. Her eyes burned and
she coughed. A prod from the gun in her back forced her to move.
"Where are we going? You're outnumbered and defeated, Capitan. Why not
just surrender?" Another rough shove propelled her toward the rail
nearest the Mary Rose II. She realized what he was doing.
No one noticed them as Stoner pushed her toward the gangplank that lay
athwart the two ships. "Get across and be quick!" Stoner rasped. Tessa
stepped upon the boards and crossed easily, jumping down onto the deck
of the Mary Rose II, followed closely by Stoner. Still, there was no
one to challenge them. All hands were fully occupied fighting fires
and pirates. "Over to the ship's boat on the port side," he said,
gesturing with the gun. As they neared the boat, hanging from the
davits, Stoner said, "Untie that rope," nodding toward one of the
ropes holding the boat up. Tessa untied the rope and Stoner took hold
of it. "Now untie the other one and let the boat drop." She did as he
directed, letting the rope slide through her fingers, and the boat
landed with a loud splash.
"Give me the satchel, and move back." For a moment, Stoner studied her
face, an unreadable expression on his own, then he said, "Just stay
where you are until I'm gone." With that, he climbed over the side
onto the rope ladder and descended to the boat.
Tessa turned as Dr. Helm rushed to her side with a pistol in his hand.
His face was contorted by rage as he aimed at the captain now taking
up the oars, preparing to push off from the Mary Rose's hull.
"I saw him, and couldn't get here any faster. I thought he was trying
to take you! The bastard!" Helm's hand shook as he squeezed the
trigger. Tessa quickly pushed the gun away and the shot flew
harmlessly over the ocean. "Why did you do that? He deserves killing!"
Helm shouted, his flushed face very near hers.
"Only God decides who lives and who dies," she said calmly, taking his
hand. Tessa glanced at the retreating boat, and added, "Justice has
been served finally. Leave him to his fate."
Helm stared as if he couldn't believe his ears. "He kidnapped you,
placed you in mortal danger, and you let him go? Are you mad? He's a
bloody pirate – there's a price on his head!"
"Believe me, Dr. Helm, he has already been punished enough." Tessa
suddenly gripped her side as a spasm of pain erupted in her wound.
"You're hurt!" Helm shook his head ruefully. "I was so concerned with
vengeance, I didn't notice." Taking her arm, he began to lead Tessa
toward the lower deck. "I'll take you to the captain's cabin. We'll
clean it and bind it there." As if becoming aware of her for the first
time, he noted the torn blouse, soiled with smoke and soot, bloody
where she was wounded. But what disturbed him most was the sword she
clung to, the red stain drying upon the blade. He was shaken by the
revelation – she was in the fighting and the killing. How many of the
casualties he had tended had she felled with that sword? Who was this
woman really?
Entering Mary Rose's neat cabin, Helm helped Tessa to a chair. He
filled a basin with water and began to look for some clean cloths.
"I'll need to cleanse the wound so it doesn't get infected," he said
as much to himself as to her. She merely watched in silence as he
prepared to bandage her side. *It doesn't really hurt that much,* she
thought, warmly amused by his concern. Still, it was comforting to be
in this quiet cabin, away from the death and turmoil on the decks.
Safe for the moment.
Helm seemed a little flustered as he returned to her side. He
hesitated, cleared his throat, then said, "You'll have to remove your
blouse, so I can clean the wound." Tessa noted with a slight smile,
his face was flushed to the roots of his hair. *A doctor, blushing.
Now that is funny,* she thought.
"But, Dr. Helm. I have nothing else to wear but this," she said,
indicating her soiled shirt. She felt her own face warming in the
intensity of his gaze. "Perhaps Mary Rose has something," she said,
standing up abruptly, feeling somewhat flustered, to go toward a trunk
near the far wall. Lift the lid, she rummaged through the contents and
finally pulled out a white blouse. "This should do."
Turning away from Helm, she undid her blouse and carefully pulled it
away from her wound where the blood had dried and the material had
become stuck. With a harsh indrawn breath she removed it, then covered
herself as modestly as possible with the ruined blouse. She returned
to the chair and sat down, awaiting his ministrations.
At first, his fingers were clumsy as he tore up strips of cloth from a
bolt he'd found, and rinsing them in the water, dabbed at the long cut
on her rib. He sucked in a deep breath as he saw the angry weal in her
side and shook his head in disbelief. Soon however, the doctor lost
his ineptness as his efficient hands carefully cleaned the wound and
staunched the bleeding. He tied a long strip around her ribs to hold a
pad of cloth over the wound. "That will have to do until later when I
can get to my medical bag," he said, standing up. "Try not to move
around too much so you don't reopen the cut." He turned away so Tessa
could put on the clean blouse.
"Thank you, Dr. Helm," she said, touching his arm and turning him to
face her. "You have very gentle hands." Taking his hand in her own,
she pressed it warmly. The touch seemed to startle Helm as his hand
closed around hers, and he drew her closer, finally enclosing her in
his arms.
"Tessa," he breathed against her hair, "I can hardly believe you're
all right. I had such horrific thoughts. I was sure you were dead. And
now, here you are, safe." He gazed into her eyes, and seeing the
warmth there, lowered his head, brushing her lips gently with his.
That gentle touch ignited the fire he'd felt with her before, its
intensity making him shudder, as he pressed her lips harder, and felt
an answering passion in her. He gathered her closer. He felt her soft
breasts against his chest, their peaks hardening and he longed to
touch them, but dared not. He was losing himself in her and if he
didn't pull back soon, it would be too late. Rather shakily, he pushed
her gently away, his breathing loud and ragged. "It would seem we are
destined to always kiss at sea," he laughed shakily, his own voice
sounding unnaturally deep to his ears.
Tessa turned away, touching her heated cheeks, embarrassed by her
passion which he seemed to be rejecting. *Once again, he pushes me
away.* "You must have other patients needing your care, doctor. Please
do not let me detain any longer." She held onto the chair for support,
her legs trembling and weak, but she refused to let him see it.
A discreet tap at the door prevented Helm from speaking as he went to
open it. Mary Rose entered her cabin with a purposeful stride. She
looked gloriously triumphant; her eyes blazed with a vivid passion,
the thrill of victory. Her clothes were bloodied and besmirched with
dirt, but she radiated energy and joy. "We carried the day," she said
heartily. "The ship and the pirates are ours! There is a fine reward
waiting for us in Monterey."
Sensing the tension in the room, as she glanced between Helm and
Tessa, she said, "Did I interrupt something?" Since neither responded,
she came further into the room and striding to a side cabinet, pulled
out a bottle of brandy and some glasses. Filling her own, she quaffed
it down with a quick gulp, then gestured to Helm. "Want a drink,
doctor? It might make your task out there a little easier."
He shook his head and left without a word. Mary Rose watched Tessa for
a long while as she refilled her glass, sipping it slowly,
reflectively. Finally, she went to the girl, and touched her shoulder,
making Tessa start. Obviously, her thoughts are far away, or perhaps
just walking away, Mary Rose mused. Aloud, she said, "You fought well
today, Maria Theresa. A true comrade-in-arms. If ever you get tired of
playing the spoiled aristocrat or, " lowering her voice, "The Queen of
Swords, there is a place for you in my ship's company." Tessa moved
away without answering. If she was surprised by Mary Rose's deduction,
she hid it well.
"Does Helm know?" Mary Rose asked, gesturing toward the door.
Tessa nodded briefly, then murmured, "But he doesn't like either of
us."
"That isn't the impression I got." Mary Rose gave Tessa a shrewd look
and added, "That shirt looks familiar. Isn't that one of mine?"
"Yes. I needed to borrow one as mine was ruined. I shall return it as
soon as I get home." Just that little phrase, 'get home' began to
restore Tessa's spirits. Beaming a wide smile at Mary Rose, she said
with great feeling, "I want to thank you for coming to my rescue. I
don't know why you came, but from the bottom of my heart, I am
grateful."
Mary Rose guffawed loudly. "I had no choice really. Marta came to ask
for my help, and you know how persuasive she can be. I didn't dare
refuse her." The two women laughed. The pirate queen sipped at her
glass, then suddenly said, "Where is the captain of the pirate ship?
Captain Stoner, isn't it? I didn't see him anywhere. Wasn't he
aboard?"
Tessa looked away, guiltily studying the sea charts tacked to the
cabin walls. "He escaped."
"How in the name of Hades did he escape?" Mary Rose moved closer to
Tessa, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"In your ship's boat." Tessa drew a deep breath, and turned to face
Mary Rose. "I helped him."
"What! You helped that blackguard escape? There's a handsome reward
for his head, and you let him escape?"
"You can take it out of my share of the reward for the pirates and the
booty on their ship," Tessa said coolly, watching Mary Rose grip her
brandy glass convulsively.
"Your share! What nonsense is this? I rescued you. You owe me, girl,
not the other way around."
"If not for me, you wouldn't have all this extra gold. And I helped
you defeat the pirates and am entitled to a share. Don't you agree?"
Mary Rose scowled at Tessa, her cheeks reddening and her blue eyes
brilliant with rage. Then, a small smile began to crook in the corner
of her mouth, and finally she laughed heartily. "And they call me a
pirate!" she crowed. "You're a bigger pirate than I am!"
