Obey Your Captain

Bringing the child up closer, long fingers grasped his pointed ears. “No, child, these will not be yours.”

Baron reached the ship with a small package in his breeches to find Kaliyah pouring over her books again as if she hadn’t moved since he left her in the morning.

“Have you been to the market?”

“I will go tomorrow. Did you do all you needed?”

“Mostly. I have something for you.” He pulled out the wrap, setting it on top of her book.

“You will have to stop spending gold on me.”

“Accept the gift your future husband bequeathed to you.”

She huffed, but opened the wax seal to display the oak box. “What is this?”

“My vision does not go through wood. Open it.”

She did so, displaying the three hair beads connected with a delicate chain keeping each bead separate by an inch. Each with a different stone. “A trinket of our union?”

“Indeed. I have one also.” He turned his head to show the silver bead just above the leather tie keeping his hair in place.

“They are lovely.”

“I know it is customary for jewellery, I felt this would be better than an armlet or ring.”

“It is, I like it better than an armlet, that would only get in the way.”

“I’m glad you agree, Pouco. May I?”

She nodded, turning her head so he could place them on her left side within the braid against her scalp.

He sat heavily, keeping his chair pushed out. “Come here,” he directed firmly.

“I’m busy, I don’t want to make a mistake if we are-”

“It was not your fault. It was ingenious to think to destroy their ship. It is your communication rather than your spells that need work. Now. Here.”

She huffed with more exaggeration than was warranted before walking around the desk, folding her arms impatiently. He pointed to his lap and, with an eyeroll, she straddled him.

“I went to see my father today.”

Her head cocked to the side. “You did? I didn’t think you got on.”

“I don’t get on with Lord Torlar, no. I went to announce our coming union.”

“Lord?”

“You have not heard of my family?”

“No. I just knew of you… you have a fine reputation as a Captain.”

“Thank you, Pouco. Yes, my father lords over land. He has a homestead an hours ride from here”

“Oh… I did not know.”

He gave a low chuckle, “It is of no consequence, merchants know merchants, lords know lords. Societal standards mean little to me.”

“True. Was he well?”

“Hmm… I suppose so.”

“And… the union?”

“He has not changed. My life choices have never been something he is agreeable with. I will not be going back.”

“He did not feel I was a good suitor?”

He wrapped his arms securely around her, settling her to his chest, “He thinks no one is an acceptable suitor unless he made the choice. You are mine regardless of his thoughts.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me-”

“My father’s title is not mine. I am a Captain, nothing more.”

“I wasn’t going to say you are a lordling,” she bit, knowing that was what he thought. She knew that wouldn’t be a title he wanted. Baron was a man to earn his position, not be born into it. “All I was going to say was I can’t believe you did not tell me you were visiting your father today.”

“I did not wish to bother you. Or make you worry. He would not have been kind to you.”

“You think I cannot take a little criticism?”

“I did not want to worry you. I also didn’t want to take you for him to be his usual ways. I would never forgive myself if his beliefs were to cause you pain.”

“I’m not fragile.”

“No, you are a flickering flame. Unfortunately, Lord Torlar has a habit of keeping a bucket of water by his side. He would make it his mission to extinguish your flame. I would never wish to be the reason for such destruction. Now. Enough about him, I do not wish to wallow. Do you wish to eat at a tavern tonight?”

“I think very little of tavern food.”

“You will like this tavern. Dress in the silk shirt I gifted. I wish for you to have a reason to wear such finery.”

“Will I not be overdressed?”

“Of course not. Go dress, Pouco, I’m hungry.”

Setting out into the warm night air, Kaliyah did wonder where they could be going that warranted her dressing up. She knew of no taverns that would care for cleanliness… let alone finery.

He encased her hand within his own, tugging her a little closer to him while they walked. Baron had also dressed in a crisp white shirt, it even looked freshly pressed.

Leading her further into the town, she happily took in the scenery around, the houses hung over their heads, enclosing the space until the stars above were obscured by buildings. The houses felt so close together she began desperate for fresh air, it felt she was cramped in the cabin, but she was outside.

Finally, they burst from the cramped houses, continuing along cobbled streets, the houses gradually grew further apart. The moon shone down, allowing her to see Baron again. It was strange walking along, her hand warmed by his, it was like they were a true courting couple… she supposed they were. They were intended. She hadn’t truly let it sink in.

“Where are we going?” she queried, she couldn’t see any taverns being in the area they found themselves in. It was clearly the merchants’ quarter… or whatever this town’s version of that was.

“We are nearly there.” He squeezed her hand with somewhat reassurance.

Walking a further five minutes brought them to their destination, it looked like a tavern like any other… maybe a little cleaner than many she had seen, but a large wooden cabin nonetheless. Lanterns hung either side of the door, windows showed a warm glow from within.

Ushering her through the door, she was surprised to see a very civil affair. Individual tables decorated with cloth dotted the space. Some tables held four people, others just one. Candles were lit on each table, a few lanterns hung between paintings on the walls. “Captain, just the two of you?”

“Aye, by the window would be nice.”

“Of course.” The woman in a long skirt and leather vest ushered them to a table with two chairs. “We’ve run out of venison, but still plenty of honeyed buffalo and tiger fish.”

“Do you still have lotus leaf wine?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Bottle to start.”

“Certainly, Captain.”

“I’ve never heard of a place like this,” she whispered, feeling as if she would disturb the other patrons.

“There are some being opened now. This one has been going for years, however.”

“I like it.”

“I thought you would. What would you like?”

“The buffalo sounds nice.”

“Indeed. I haven’t had buffalo for a while.” He fiddled with a three tined fork on the table. “Have you written to your mother?” he asked.

“Yes. I hope she isn’t disappointed.”

“With your suitor?”

“No!” she protested instantly. “Marriage was never on the cards for me. You know… with..”

“Ah, I understand. We will work through any bumps together. I promise.” His eyes crinkled, the promise something she knew he thought he would keep. A promise she knew he couldn’t possibly have knowledge of.

“You do not know what the future holds,” she countered. “There is much we do not know.”

“I know that you will be tied to me for eternity. I will not let you go,” a possessive look entered his eyes.

A small smile tugged on her lips, a warmth in her belly she never thought she would feel. “I shall make the same promise, also. I worry for mother’s opinion. I worry she will try to dissuade you.”

“I can never be dissuaded.” He smiled as the server came back, passing them a bottle of lotus leaf wine and asking for their orders.

It was nice to be on dry land, she hadn’t really allowed herself the luxury to spend time on land for a year. Keeping herself to the boat. Even when they were home, she rarely spent longer than a few days visiting her mother and sister before getting back to the ship, ready for the next voyage. Her fingers grazed along the cloth, it was soft under her fingertips. Comforting to caress. Maybe she could persuade Baron to place a cloth on the table when they ate. It felt special. Luxurious.

“Have you thought more about moving your mother?”

“Yes.”

He rose his eye brow in query, clearly wanting her to elaborate.

“I feel it is best… if she wishes to. She may not want to leave her home.”

“She can only make her choice, but we can give her the alternatives,” Baron stated kindly.

“That’s true. Thank you.”

Baron opened his mouth to speak only for the server to interrupt, she filled the table with their meal. It smelt delectable as well as looking mouthwatering.

She never believed she would eat such fare again. She didn’t even wait, her fork speared a steak of buffalo, a meat that when she bit into melted. It was sweet, aromatic. All the finest flavours, some she’d never had before. A noise left her throat that sounded as if it was in the depths of Captain’s cabin rather than this tavern.

Baron chuckled, “It is beyond what we usually feast upon.”

She wanted to devour everything before them, and in truth, she did eat more than her fair share, which Baron encouraged.

Getting back to the ship that night, the same moans left her lips, but it wasn’t food she was feasting upon.