Obey Your Captain

Regardless, the fear of being caught would always be there. Changelings were killed on sight.

Kaliyah rocked in her hammock, it was her sixth night having her own private room. They were docking at Farina the next morning, hopefully before high sun. She’d only been to Farina once before, she looked forward to getting off the ship, but wouldn’t spend long away. While the rest of the crew would go to one of the many inns of ill repute to drink overpriced grog and pay for company to warm their beds. Kaliyah always came back to the boat at night. Feeling uncomfortable spending the night on land in a strange port.

She hadn’t spent much time with the Captain since she had her own space. It was a bitter sweet fact. Part of her was glad he had not pestered her. Another, deemed he had thrown her away. She had had her use; she had warmed his bed. She sighed to herself, deciding sleep was futile, she rolled from the cotton covered sisal. She’d spent an awful lot of time in her private cabin, maybe the cool night air was a good idea. She donned her boots and unlocked her door, padding silently onto the dry deck.

Unconsciously glancing to the Captain’s door, she made her way across to stare out at the still smooth sea. Resting her forearms on the taffrail, the night sea breeze ruffled through her braided hair. She breathed deeply, tasting the salt, there was something else on the air, something other than the salty sea air. Leaning over to look towards the bow, she spotted lights on the horizon. Port. Land would feel good under her feet.

“Beautiful night.”

“Captain!” She flung around to see him a mere few paces from her.

“Did not mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t,” she replied dismissively, ignoring the sudden pounding in her heart from fright. She had not heard him.

Vieling her shock, she turned back to the water. “Are we making good time?”

“Aye, I want to make port at sunrise.”

“So early?”

“Indeed.”

“I fear you should be in bed, Captain.” It was a cheeky statement that was probably highly ill-advised.

His heat suddenly pressed against her thin shirt. She couldn’t understand how he moved so silently. She gulped. “What was that, Pouco?” His breath tickled over her neck, his rough jaw stuck to her hair, tugging subtly. The pet name she had not heard for near a week sent a shiver down her spine. She had not expected to miss a word so dearly.

She debated repeating herself. Thinking the punishment he would devise…

Shaking her head, she scolded herself, what was she thinking? The sea air must have been addling her mind. He would likely tie her to the mast than anything that could be construed a punishment she’d enjoy.

The ridiculousness in her mind needed a sharp telling off.

“Not repeating your words?” he growled.

“No, Captain.”

“Funny. It sounded like you ordered me to bed.”

“I do not feel they were my words.”

His arms caged her as he clamped his hands on the taffrail. “Lying to your Captain?”

She could only shake her head as her stomach lurched like a ship hitting a reef.

“It’s late, Captain. I think I should turn in.” She hadn’t even realised her head had relaxed against his. Unconsciously relishing in the contact. She should not feel this way for Captain Baron.

“I think that is true. All hands on deck when we make port.”

“I know the routine. There is no need to remind me.”

While one hand braced against the taffrail, his other slid over her belly. “Are you looking forward to dry land?”

“It will be nice for boots to meet dirt.”

“And the market in Ferina is large and varied.”

“I believe it is bigger than I remember.”

“It has increased in recent years. The port is now a main route.”

“It will be nice to peruse the wares.”

Both his hands landed on her belt at her hip. She felt movement before looking down to see a leather coin pouch. “It is always more enjoyable with a weighty coin purse.”

“What is this?”

“The wage owed for your previous voyages sailed under me.”

“But we agreed a cut only until-”

“Are you able to state you were of a sound mind when you agreed to come on my ship?”

“Of course!” she protested.

“Your father had just died. Your life upturned. It is to be expected for you to make a rash decision.”

“Let me go,” she whispered, referring to his hands rested on her hips.

“You run when I talk of your hardship. Why?”

“It is not of your concern.” She moved to untie the coin purse, however, his hand was firmly over her belt.

“What deal did you make to the city?”

“None of your business.” Her teeth clenched while her foot moved, ready to release herself.

“I do not wish for you to fight me. If I can right a wrong done by your father’s death. I will. No one believes the death taxes are fair.”

“Please, Baron,” she murmured, feeling unwanted tears pricking at her eyes.

“How much do you owe?”

She shook her head, her hands landing on his arms, both to pry him from her, and hold on. That had been all that was in her head since her father died. Hold on. Not that she had much to hold on to.

“Is your home in danger?”

Nodding her head, she knew he wouldn’t give up until she gave him answers. While blasting him away had a certain merit… she did not want to hurt him.

Fickle heart.

“The ships?”

“Owned by the city,” she whispered. “Until I pay.”

“And taking all the profit,” he concluded gravely.

She hung her head with shame and regret. “If I could have paid the day of his funeral… it would have been fine.”

“Have you thought to move your mother… elsewhere?”

“W-why?”

“Blackwater is not known for its kindness on elves.”

“We have never had a problem.”

“I can understand your hesitation. It is a thought. The city will not chase if your family were to move. The tax would cease to exist if you are not citizens.”

“But our home, daddy’s ships?”

“Surrendered to the city. But your possessions will be yours, your gold, yours.”

Her lip wobbled. She’d been burying her head about what was occurring back home. It were easier to ignore when at sea. Ignore the tax, the debt. Ignore that truly… the tax was exuberant, more exuberant than she had ever heard before. She’d been running from the fact she knew the city had hiked the tax… and that was before she had increased it to save her family home and prevent her mother from being destitute.

“I cannot,” her voice cracked with an unwanted sob.

“Your mother will live. She’ll enjoy being with her own kind.”

Kaliyah could only shake her head, tears splashed down her front with the thought of moving her mother, her sister. Telling them to pack in the middle of the night and get them passage on a ship.

“Think on it. I will help when the time comes.”

“Why w-would you help?”

“I told you. You are my woman.”

Shaking her head again, she felt she had never shaken her head so much in one conversation. “You cannot say such things. Y-you do not wish for me.”

“Why? Because you are a changeling?”