Lost at Sea Bk. 01 Ch. 13

"Rousing me from my sleep is quite irregular, sir. Is there an emergency?" Lord Morant asked as he sat down.

"Yes, sir, there is," the balding man said.

"Lord," Lynch corrected as he set a pair of glasses between the two sitting men. "Viscount Morant is Imperial Nobility, and as you are a loyal citizen on the Empire you will use his appropriate title."

The balding man looked briefly angry but held it down well. He did not look like the sort who was used to being corrected, or subordinate. "Apologies, Lord Morant. We do not have nobles in Bas-" the man cut himself off and cleared his throat. "In Princes Cove very often."

"I accept your apology. Now, please tell me who you are and why you are here," Morant said calmly.

"I am Jules Kidd," the balding man said. "Tonight, the captain you arrived with stabbed my son. My family is looking for her to bring her to justice. I had hoped she would be here. When I was told she is not, I felt it necessary to speak with you about the matter."

Morant's mind was whirling. "Kidd. You would be one of the sons of Augustus Kidd, the Imperial Explorer who colonized this island?"

"That's right, my lord," Jules said.

Mister Lynch poured each of them a glass of water. Morant used the interruption to think.

"You are certain this was not simply a misunderstanding, or a brawl gotten out of hand?" Morant asked.

"She stabbed my son in the face. He very nearly died and will be disfigured for life," Jules said fiercely.

"I can see why you are angry. Any father would be. Unfortunately, I do not know where Captain Vex is. We are not scheduled to leave for a few days, so I have had little contact with her," Morant said, keeping his tone neutral.

"If she comes to you, my family would consider it a personal favor if you were to hold her and turn her over to us. We can be strong allies to those who aid us when we ask," Jules said, with hint of edge to his voice.

"I have no desire to employ dangerous criminals," Morant said. "Thank you for bringing the matter to my attention. You may go."

Jules blinked, and slowly stood. He was clearly unused to being dismissed in that manor. He gave no word of thanks or goodbye. He simply left. As soon as he was out the door, Morant stood.

"That insufferable cretin will have left at least one of his miserable family behind to watch the inn. Find them and get rid of them," Morant said. Lynch nodded and headed for the back door. "Wake Miss Hunter first. Send her down to me." Lynch changed direction and headed for the stairs without a word.

________________

When Will opened the door to his bedroom, Janie was wearing her Acolyte's cassock again. She was sitting on the edge of his bed with a worn look on her face. "Sorry," she said, "I shouldn't have stomped away like that."

"I'm the one here to apologize," Will said. "I've put you under a lot of pressure lately, in a lot of different ways. It isn't what you signed up for. These are all my problems and you shouldn't have to be dealing with them all."

"I want to," Janie said looking up at him. "I actually really love all this. I'm dreading you leaving because I don't want it to end."

Will was surprised. "I thought-"

"That I was jealous? Will, I know you're leaving. I came to peace with that before I dragged you up here and into bed. I... can't be jealous. Not when Bella and I... are... are lovers also." Janie moved over on the bed. Will sat down next to her. They both stared at the floor for a moment. She took his hand.

"Bella really thought you were jealous," Will said.

"Bella has a talent for picking up on sexual feelings, but when it comes to understanding where people's emotions are coming from or what their motivations actually are, she's a little off," Janie said. "She thinks everything has to do with sex."

"So she was wrong?" Will wanted to be sure.

"Well... not completely. I had the... impulse, I guess. But I can't hold onto it. Not anymore. It's just... habit. And it wasn't really jealousy. It was more like surprise... and envy," Janie said, giving Will a sidelong glance.

"Hard to tell the difference sometimes. Either way you seemed pretty upset," Will said.

"I'm just so tired. I haven't had a lot of sleep in the last few days and all this adventure is exhausting." Janie put her head on his shoulder. He squeezed her hand.

"It can be," Will agreed.

"If I'm being honest, walking in on you with Bella on the table, and then both times earlier tonight, they were exciting. I wanted to just keep watching, or join in, or just be the one with you. Or be in your position. Or to join you. I'm just so conditioned to think that seeing other people having sex is wrong that I just get so flustered and embarrassed, and then my embarrassment makes me even more embarrassed." She sighed. "I don't want to keep acting that way. I wish I was more like Bella or Captain Vex. They're so confident."

"You're confident also. I saw you handle Timmonds' goons," Will said.

"That's different," Janie disagreed.

"What, danger is easier to deal with than sex?" Will snarked.

"Well, yes," Janie admitted. "To me."

"That's... a little silly," Will said gently.

"I know," Janie shrugged.

They sat in silence for a minute. Then Will put the red bag in her lap. "I meant to give this to you earlier."

Janie took it, her face slowly losing it's grim and tired cast.

"Sorry it's wet," Will said.

Janie giggled. "I guess that's kinda my own fault."

"Bella picked it out. She said it was your color," Will said.

"She's right," Janie said, opening up to look inside it. "I love it. Thank you. I really needed a new one."

They were quiet for a monet.

"I rely on you too much," Will said eventually. "And I don't tell you enough how much I appreciate you."

"Until this week, that was fine. You were a perfect employer," Janie said.

"It isn't enough anymore," Will said.

"No, I suppose it isn't," Janie said. She leaned closer into him. "It's amazing how fast things can change."

Will put his arm around her shoulders. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Have a dryer home," Janie smiled.

"Or possibly a more on fire one," Will laughed.

Janie turned toward him and was about to give him a hug, but looked at his burned chest. She gave him a sympathetic wince. He laughed again and leaned down to kiss her. She melted into his lips and gave back as good as she got. When he pulled away the burned spot on his lower lip hurt a bit, but he didn't care.

"Even if we could go back to the way things were last week, I wouldn't want to," Will said.

"I wouldn't either," Janie agreed.

"We're going to have to deal with this eventually though. Things will be different when I get back. If I get back," Will said, trying to be realistic.

"Don't even say that," Janie said fiercely.

Will smiled wistfully. "Alright then, when. You might have found someone by then. Or you might have decided that maybe this strange non-exclusive situation isn't really what you want."

"Oh, I don't think that will happen. I'm bad at finding lovers," Janie shook her head.

"Maybe before. The new Janie seems to be doing just fine," Will teased.

"The new Janie is really looking forward to having Bella teach her all about what three people can do in bed together." Janie's eyes lit up.

"Oh, old Will is too," Will said.

"I'd hoped that was going to happen before you left, but now I don't think so. Not with you all burned and leaving in a few hours," Janie scowled. "So you have to come back. That's worth waiting for."

"Alright," Will laughed.

"I really wish we could... be together again. Before you leave," Janie said, frustrated. "Doesn't Bella know any witchy healing spells?"

"I don't think so," Will laughed. "She's patched me up before and at best she uses herbs and poultices to help the process. Nothing magical." Janie scowled. "You can always have a last hoorah with Bella?"

"I think making you burn yourself again pretty much killed that idea," Jaine huffed. "Sorry about that, by the way."

"Sorry I interrupted you two," Will smirked. "It felt like you two were having a lot of fun."

"Should have let her do me first like she wanted to," Janie squeezed her knees together tight. "I'm all worked up still."

"Well, my hands aren't burned," Will said, wagging his eyebrows at her. "I'm not as good as Bella, but I'm willing to help you out."

Janie flushed. Her eyes lit up again and a small smile crept over her face. She nodded and pulled off her cassock in one quick motion.

There was a pounding at the door.

They both just sat there and stared at each other for a moment. Their emotional reactions to the sound of the door seemed to cancel each other out.

"It isn't fair," Janie said numbly.

The door pounded again.

___________________

"Sterling!" A rough voice from outside yelled. "Sterling, get your ass out here!"

Will stood up, his mind racing. Janie pulled on her cassock again.

"If anyone found out I showed up to Mary's with Belita, they might be here looking for her," Will said.

"I'll get rid of them," Janie said. By the time her arms had pushed through her sleeves, her determined, poised, competent presence was back in full force.

Bella and Belita ran up the stairs toward the bedroom just as Janie went down. The look on Janie's face had both the other women pressing into the wall of the stairwell, letting Janie pass without a word. They glanced at each other, then ducked thorugh the door into the room. Belita had grabbed her coat, hat and weapon belt off the rack. "Smart," Will said when he saw her carrying them.

"This innae my first time," Belita smirked.

Will beckoned them over to the corner of the room next to the tallest book case where the old ladder was. "This is where the floor creaks the least." They all huddled in the corner, quiet.

Downstairs, Janie began opening locks.

_____________________

"Where's Sterling?" the stocky man in the overlarge suid demanded. His whole head was a mess of angry bruises, and one of his eyes had a bloody ring around the iris. He stood directly in front of the door. He held a pry bar on his shoulder. Behind him were a dozen other men. Two of them were on horseback. They all carried heavy tools like weapons.

"Not that it is any business of yours, but he is not here," Janie said coldly, looking out from behind the chain lock she'd left secured. "Whatever you want, it can wait until morning." She started to shut the door but the beat up man put his boot in the way.

"Open the door," he snarled.

"I can't. The chain is in the way." Jaine looked at him like he was a grease stain.

"So get rid of the chain," the man explained slowly, like he was talking to a dimwit.

Janie replied in the exact same slow tone. "I can't release the chain without closing the door."

"Well I ain't movin' my foot," he sneered.

"It appears we're at an impasse," Janie shrugged.

"Like hell," he repeated. He looked over his shoulder "Hook."

Someone handed him a large hook on the end of a thick length of rope. The other end of the rope was given to one of the men on horses. The man with his foot in the door hung the hook on the length of chain.

Janie's heart sank. Still, she kept her control and poise. Danger was much easier than sex. "This is a very bad idea," she said flatly.

"Fuck you." The man stepped back and waved his hand past his head. The horseman behind him turned his mount in a tight circle and went the other way. The rope went taught. The horse leaned further. The chain strained and then popped. Janie flinched.

The man in the overlarge suit pushed the door open. Janie didn't fight him. She just stepped back.

"I am a Sister of the Magistrate," she said calmly.

"Sure, Sister, and I'm the Sultan of Malahara," the bruised man snorted.

"Not lyeen," came a rasping, muffled voice from on top of the other horse.

The man in front of Janie looked behind him. The man on the horse had a massive blood-stained bandage that covered the lower left quadrant of his face, and half his mouth. He was holding a hand to the bandage, obviously in a great deal of pain. His speech sounded awful.

"You're fucking kidding? She's Magistrate?" the man in front of the door asked incredulously.

The man on the horse nodded in a very small motion. "Sterlins asisstent. Sposed t' be Mashistrate."

"If you set foot into this building, I will be forced to act. You will be Bound by Law," Janie said firmly.

"Ask me if I give a fuck." the bruised man laughed. "The Magistrate's got no power over us,"

"Move," the man on the horse said trotting his beast closer. The bruised man in the oversized coat was shoved aside.

"What the fuck, Jakob?" the walking bruise sneered.

"Shud up, Cal," the bandaged man replied.

Janie suddenly found a pistol pointed at her.

"They goin in," the bandaged man named Jakob rasped. "I'm not. Anythin appens t' them, I shoot you. Git out ere."

Janie walked outside, stone faced. She felt helpless, but she was not about to show them that. A dozen men flooded into the lighthouse.

___________________

"Why's it all fucking wet in here?" Cal Kidd asked. He and his brothers and cousins were standing in Will's library wondering what they were seeing.

Turner Kidd looked at the big gaps in the shelves. "Looks like some stuff's missing."

"Bullethole," one of the cousins said from the table. "Looks new."

Boots were tromping up the stairs.

"Half full steamer trunk in here," a Bill Kidd said from the office. "Wood stove is still burning. Hell, the kettle's still warm. He must have just been here!"

"Or his assistant was making tea," Cal sneered. "Don't be stupid. Just look for him."

"Cal! Get up here," a voice shouted from the stairs.

Cal took the steps two at a time, coming into Will's bedroom like an angry bull. "Fuck," he said, looking at the state of the room. "What, someone tossed the place already?"

"It's mostly clothes," cousin Sammy said. "I think he tossed it himself. Grabbed what he needed and bolted."

"There's a bunch more wet clothes in here," his brother Victor said from the washroom. "Looks like women's clothes."

Cal stuck his head through the washroom door and looked at the pile in the tub. He hooked a multicolored dress with his pry bar and lifted it. It dripped a steady stream of water. "Who the fuck is this guy? What's he got a bunch of soggy girl's clothes laying around for?"

"I heard he's cursed," Sammy shrugged.

"I heard he summoned a demon at Mary's tonight," Cal's brother Victor said while he poked through the mess on the floor.

"That ain't what happened, I was there," Cal said. "He fucked a couple of whores and then they... I don't know, blew up or something."

"How do you know that's not how he summoned the demon?" Victor asked.

"Huh. Don't know," Cal said.

"Magic's weird," Victor said. He'd wanted to be a wizard when he was a kid. Most kids did at some point, but Victor actually tried. It didn't work out, but he was still the one the Kidd family went to when they wanted to know about magic stuff. "It would explain all the water downstairs. Might be part of his curse."

Something flickered past the window, blotting out the starlight for a moment.

"Hey! Anyone else see that? Cal asked. He stuck his head out the window and looked down, then up.

"What?" Victor asked.

"I thought I saw something outside. Like a shadow," Cal said. "Don't see anything now though."

"Maybe a bird?" Sammy said.

"Think they can shapeshift into animals?" Victor asked.

"If they can then this is pointless," Cal said. "So let's just assume they can't." He was rifling through Will's stuff at random. "What the hell?" he muttered to himself. "Why would he leave a bag of gold and jewelry behind?" He shouldered the bag. "At least tonight won't be a total waste."

"Isn't this what you said she was wearing?" Sammy said holding up Belita's wet trousers.

Cal took them. "Sure is. Weren't many women wearing trousers. She was here."

"So he's probably with her," Victor said.

"They might still be here somewhere, hiding. Keep looking," Cal said.

"Not many places left to look," Victor said pulling open Will's wardrobe. No one was inside it.

"Check up that ladder," Cal said.

"It's locked from down here,' Victor pointed.

"So? This guy's all tangled up in magic. He might be fucking invisible. Check everywhere. Touch everything. Kick shit around. We can't just trust our eyes," Cal snarled. He hooked the lock with his pry bar and tore the entire hasp off the wood with one strong yank.

Victor started up the ladder.

_____________________

The three of them did not fit inside easily into their hiding place.

They'd climbed up the ladder and Jack the Monkey had gone back into the room through the window to re-lock the hatch. Then it had climbed up onto the lighthouse roof to hide.

The top level of the old lighthouse wasn't very safe. The catwalk around the edge on the seaward side wasn't sturdy anymore. Part of it had broken away at some point. The whole light mechanism had broken years ago also. At one point the lens array had been a marvel of precision craftsmanship. Brass fittings in concentric circles with radial lines bisecting them, fitted with dozens of carefully formed and ground panes of glass. It had looked like a huge multifaceted glass egg with large circular windows set into it all around its widest point. It used to turn. It didn't anymore.

Over time the brass frame had badly corroded and the hundreds of glass panes that made up the lens were all clouded over and stained.

Getting inside it was a tight squeeze. One of the arcing multifaceted panels was a door, but not a big one. It was there so the lighthouse keeper could clean the inside. It was never meant to hold three adults.

The lamp had been hung from a chain inside. It was still half full of long-rancid oil. It weighed as much as Will did.

It had taken all three of them to carefully wrestle it off it's hook and pull it out of the lens array. They'd tossed it off the edge, hoping it missed no one had seen it fall past the window, and that it didn't crash on the rocks below. They were lucky. It had only splashed, indistinguishable from the lapping tide.

Then they climbed inside and closed the door of the lens array behind them. Will was tallest so he was in the center. There was actually plenty of room around the middle of the array, but at the top and bottom it narrowed considerably. Bella was pressed in behind Will, her chest against his back and her arms reaching under his and up to hold onto his shoulders. Belita was crouched, essentially sitting on the floor of the lens housing, on top of her coat, right between Will's legs. She was leaning back against the brass lattice hoping it was still strong enough to support her, but the space was so tight that her head was essentially resting on Will's thigh. When he shifted, his erection sometimes bumped her in the head. Any other time that might have been amusing, but right now it was just a strange footnote to the tense situation. The Captain's hat and belt were leaning on the lattice next her in easy reach. Will was trying not to think about what a pistol shot would do to their ears if Belita had to shoot from inside the array.

The faint moonlight was being caught and amplified by the array, so inside it they could see surprisingly well. Even with the glass stained and clouded over from years of neglect, the marvel of engineering was still doing its job at least partially.

"Won't they be able to see us in here?" Bella whispered.

"No," Will said. "Remember how we couldn't see the lamp inside until I opened the door? The lenses are slightly concave. They're trying to throw the light out. It's hard to see through them even when they aren't covered in grime. With all the clouding, no one outside will be able to see a thing unless we move around."