In Search of Spice (29 page)

“Well, that’s a start. Mactravis, your department. Starting tomorrow, I want all the crew on an exercise regime.”

He nodded. “What about the women? Not sure they need it.”

“Use any you need to help, I’ll use the rest to run the ship. Sara, you’ve laid the basics out for them, you carry on the negotiations with the islanders. You are released from other duties.”

Sara nodded, thinking.

“Bosun, I want the crew checked and re-organise the watches. How are the craftsmen getting on?”

“Dwarves, no problem, the masters are pretty much recovered, as they are younger than the captain and they all have their wives along. We got them off girls and onto their wives.” She grinned. “Nancy hasn’t had such a good seeing to in years. Now they’ve screwed it out of their systems, they are getting back to themselves, but I think some exercise will be good for them!”

“Right, well get them sorted and I want reports on each of their departments, and staffing levels. Sara, how are the Spakka doing?”

“It’s hard to tell. They have withdrawn into themselves, spending all their time in their wardroom. They seem to be able to work, not well, but they can do it. They are clearly under a lot of shock at having something like this overcome their discipline. You know they were screwing each other? Their blasted honour doesn’t cover this.”

“Well, make sure they join Mactravis’ exercise regime. She looked round at them. “One last thing. Perryn, I want Taufik and Walters working on a chart soon. Anything else?”

“We need to survey the land,” said Sara. “I want to know what is available here, whether there is any metals.”

“Do we have anyone who can?”

“I don’t know.”

The Bosun heaved herself to her feet. “I’ll go and ask the dwarf.” She went down the ladder and was back shortly.

“Well, that was simple. He just said ‘Pat.’ He could do that instead of exercise, take Grey Fox with him.”

Suzanne spoke low to the Bosun. “Bosun, get somebody up to clear Lieutenant Stevens old cabin. We’ll give it to the Princess now she is an officer. And get her kit up from the fo’c’sle. I don’t want her to go down there to get it herself.”

“Good idea, Cap’n. Will sort it out. You got the watch, Sara? Your cabin will be ready tomorrow. Want me to take the dogwatch Cap’n?”

“It’s alright, Bos’n, I”ll take it.”

“Beggin’ yer pardon, ma’am, but you shouldn’t. Officers stand watch, Captain doesn’t. He turns up when he feels like it and keeps us on our toes. You leave it with me, ma’am, and I’ll set up a roster with the Princess, Lieutenant Mactravis, Master Taufik and myself. We’ll teach that bloody soldier how to sail, sure we will.” The Bosun smiled widely and slipped away before Suzanne could come up with an objection.

“I’d feel a damn sight more like the Captain if I had his cabin! Now, I will make off to my little cubby hole and get some much needed sleep. You take care, Asmara.” With a squeeze of her arm, Suzanne left her there and went to her room.

It was dreadfully hot and stuffy in there, she opened the tiny window to get some breeze and stripped off her clothes, reviewing the day’s events. She felt quite pleased with herself at the way she had managed, especially at getting the Princess in control, ruling, where she should be. She had a pail of water in the cabin, and now she washed, dipping a cloth into it and rubbing it over her body, getting rid of the sweat. It felt glorious and cool. She took a while longer than usual enjoying the simple pleasure.

She was aware of the magic in her blood, and it thrummed as she washed herself, particularly when the cloth went between her legs. But she stamped down on it firmly, stroking her amulet where it stuck out of her shirt. Must get some exercise tomorrow. Wouldn’t do for the captain to do anything naughty with the crew, would it? She felt quite pleased with herself - all this way and she’d only been to bed with one man, Mactravis, and that just twice. She laughed quietly to herself, thinking she was acting like a nun.

Her hair was a mess, but she untied it and a quick brush through had it crackling and shiny, though it was very hot in her little cabin. She climbed onto her cot, pushed her hair up and away from her body and face and pulled a sheet over her nakedness. She took off the amulet and put it on her shirt nearby, letting the magic strum through and relax her as she prepared to drift off to sleep, still feeling very pleased with herself.

Just as she began to drift off, something aroused her. A gentle tap on the door. Irritated, she dragged herself out of bed, clasped the sheet to her breast and went to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Pat.”

“What the hell do you want, Pat? I am trying to sleep.”

“I’m sorry, Suzanne, I’m having trouble with the magic, and wondered if I could borrow the amulet. I don’t really want to ask the soldiers.”

She sighed and opened the door. A woebegone Pat was standing there in his shorts, looking utterly delicious. She started slightly and slapped the thought down. “Come in, I’ll get it for you,” she said without thinking and turned to get it from by the bed.

Pat felt like he had been hit by both Husk’s fists at once. He staggered into the room. Suzanne had opened the door half asleep, her hair up in a magnificent mane behind her and trailing down to her shoulders, her big blue eyes wide and sleepy as they blinked innocently at him. Clutching just a sheet to herself, exposing disquieting bits of flesh, her breasts pushing out past her hand and one side exposed. He’d always thought she was taller than he was, but now he realised she barely came up to his eyes.

Now she turned away from him, forgetting she was naked and he was treated to the sight of her bottom swaying in mesmeric fashion as she went over to the bed, bending over exposing a tuft of hair, which caused his knees to tremble.

She came back, one hand clasping the sheet to her chin, and one hand wasn’t nearly enough, the other holding up her shirt. “It’s in here somewhere,” she said, waving it vaguely.

The door closed behind Pat as she waved the shirt at him. He reached for it, not looking at it with the distraction she was giving him, biting his lip to try and keep control. Suzanne let go of the shirt, Pat missed it and it dropped. Suzanne grabbed for it with both hands, missed and the sheet fell away. She stooped and picked up the shirt, forgetting about the sheet, and her breasts swung forward, swelling magnificently in Pat’s entranced eyes.

Suzanne picked up the shirt and proffered it to Pat again, smiling triumphantly at this little accomplishment, and admiring Pat’s bare chest. To her astonishment, Pat knocked the shirt and the amulet from her hand, sending it skidding across the floor. She looked at him, wide-eyed. Pat took a step forward and she felt her nipples touch his chest. Something ignited inside her, and she lifted up her mouth to him as he crushed her to his chest, and pushed her back on the bed urgently, desperately seeking for him with her hips. Scrabbling with her hands to drag down his shorts. Sighing with pleasure as he sank into her and the magic took her, raising her up to a constant rush of sensation.

A couple of hours later, she awoke, Pat underneath and still inside her. She smiled, and worked her internal muscles, feeling him become rigid again. Gently she leaned forward and woke him, watching his eyes as he looked up and found his world bounded by her face, circled by her hair and breasts, resting on his chest. Delighted by his reaction, she resolved to somehow acquire this spell; it put such strength into men it would make her very, very wealthy on return to Harrhein.

Sitting up, she put her hands behind her head, brushing out her hair, knowing full well the effect it would have on Pat, and smiled as she rode his immediate frantic lunges. Rolling her hips with the motion, she cast her thoughts outside, oh, yes she was the Captain and would need to go on deck soon to make sure all was well. No hurry, the Captain could go when she wanted. She thought she would see how many times the magic could raise him before burn out, biting her lip with anticipation, then having to reach down and arrest his progress as she felt him tense. Didn’t want him going too early. Now who had the watch, ah, yes, Sara, that was fine, she was capable...

Sara! Oh no, this was Pat under her! In her confusion, she lost control and Pat pulled her down, kissing along her jaw and stroking her back. He started to whisper in her ears, telling her his feelings and how she looked and felt. The magic thrummed hard and she forgot all about Sara for a few hours.

She next awoke to find a smiling Pat kissing her gently. He was dressed, and whispered in her ear. “My watch will be called soon. I must go. Thank you. Till tonight.” He kissed her again, gently with closed mouth, and slipped out the door. Suzanne smiled with pleasure, her heart swelled with love and she slowly writhed in the bed, savouring the smell of him. Damn, that had been good. Now, how to explain to Sara? She felt guilty for a moment, but then thought she hadn’t chased him, Pat had come to her, Pat had chosen her. Damn, if it hadn’t been for the magic, it would never have happened, but now it had, well, she might as well enjoy herself.

Honeymoon

S
uzanne came up to the poop deck after dawn, and found Sara sitting on the deck talking with Rereau and an old woman, who she introduced as Rereau’s grandmother, Poema.

“How are the negotiations going?”

“We’re just about there. They need to send for the principals of the other villages, but it won’t be a problem.”

“Good. I need to check on the injured and see if Perryn got anywhere.” She left them and went to the galley. One of the injured had died, but the others were stable. Suzanne was actually quite impressed with the way the island girls were nursing them. She was concerned to realise none of the injured had recovered from the magic.

The ship was quiet, she prowled around finding most of the crew either asleep or having sex, usually with another crew member but also with the island girls. The same went for the soldiers, and she left Mactravis alone after finding a girl in his bed. She gave the Spakka a wide berth as well. Pat, she noted, was eating, ready to go watch. She smiled at him, which he returned. As she turned back, she saw Sara had noticed and was giving her an odd look.

The bell rang for the watch change and Suzanne went up to the poop to see the Bosun take over from Sara. The island women had gone. Sara said Rereau was with the Captain and Poema back to the village.

“Did Perryn speak with her?”

“Not exactly, she can’t speak the complicated Belada needed to explain. It wasn’t much use; they don’t know how to get rid of it. It does pass, and exercise and sex helps. That’s only with young people; older people like Rereau have it a bit harder. We’re seriously worried about the Captain and Walters.”

“Bosun, please inform Mactravis I want a word with him. He is to start the exercise program for the entire crew this morning. I want everyone on parade immediately after breakfast. Including the Captain, Walters and the cook. Walking wounded can join us, leave the galley doors open so the others can hear. I’ll be back to speak to Mactravis in five minutes.”

She strode off, ignoring Sara who started after her and set off on another circuit of the deck. She could just hear the conversation behind her.

“She’s acting a bit strange, Bosun? I wanted to talk with her.”

“Leave her alone, Princess. She’s finding it tough as Captain. She don’t have your training but she’s got good instincts. She’s worried about everyone, and discovering more things to worry about all the time. Besides, she needs to get rid of the magic, and as Captain she can’t go round screwing the crew. Mactravis is what she needs, and he’s got an island slut in with him. I’ll have a word with him when he comes on deck, selfish bastard.”

Suzanne paused round the corner of the cabin, where she could hear more, out of sight.

“Whatcha gonna do about the magic, Princess? You need to get young Pat into bed, and he’s on watch now. Don’t keep slapping him, neither”

“What do you mean?” asked Sara sharply. “He was being obtuse and horrible.”

“You can’t tell strong young men what to do all the time, Princess. If they’re no good, they’ll stay and take it. If they are any good, they’ll piss off. You’ve got to be careful, too, because some of the little bastards will try and thump you when they can’t take it anymore.” There was a noise Suzanne interpreted as Sara spluttering and stamping her foot. The Bosun continued.

“You need to lead them, get them to do things by letting them think it is their own idea. Always pretend to be thicker than them. Let them think they’re boss till you’ve got them tied up and ship shape.” The Bosun gave a chuckle that was quite evil.

Even early in the morning it was already hot. The crew lined up raggedly on deck, waiting while the last of the men who thought themselves too important to join were dragged protesting from their cabins, Captain Larroche the last. The Spakka formed up to one side in a sullen group, with Sara in front of them where she could ensure they understood. Suzanne spoke to them from the poop deck.

“The magical attack has affected you all badly. We don’t know exactly how it was done or what it means to you. Perryn is talking with the priestesses to try and find a solution.”

There was a commotion as Walters tried to get back to his cabin on the grounds he should help Perryn. The Bosun grabbed him firmly. “He’s not in your fucking cabin, Bishop, and you’re not getting off to go shagging.” Walters was shocked, never having been spoken to in this fashion. He subsided and hid himself amongst the rest of the men.