Captive on the High Seas

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“In that you are correct.”

“And I do not think any of the ports we’ll stop at for provisions will accept them.”

Xandros heaved in a breath. “What of the challenge? If you determine to take them with us, we will not move with the swiftness needed to win. We could be days behind Jasen’s arrival. And what of their provisions? The cost will be no meager sum, my friend.”

Nicolaus bowed his head and closed his eyes. He risked losing. It did not matter if he lost his ship and all the merchandise he’d acquired during the voyage, but if he lost the race he risked the means to move away from his family and the shame of having disappointed his father. He’d lose the ability to search for his sister without his father’s constant watchful eye. And what of Ada? “This I know. What choice do I have? I cannot allow them to continue to a fate unknown.”

“There is no other choice, my friend.” Xandros clapped him on the back. “The sacrifice is much, one not many would give up. Your uncle would be proud.”

Yes, Oceanus would be proud, but what of his father? Would he be proud as well, or would Nicolaus once again see disappointment crinkling the corners of his eyes?

“You have yet to answer my question, Xandros. Will the vessel make it to Joppa?”

White teeth showed through Xandros’s thick beard. His eyes twinkled with mischief. “It is unlikely. However, with me at the command, it has a chance, as slight as it may be. In the event it does not make it, I have no doubt, you will champion us.”

“Order the men to move enough water and cakes of bread for those left on board before we break planks.”

“I fear that may deplete our resources.”

Nicolaus tugged on his beard, and then nodded. “Take what you need. We’ve rationed before. Let us port at Joppa and renew our provisions.”

An alarm from Brison drew his attention. Nicolaus left Xandros and climbed onto the command post. The sea rose on the horizon, rushing toward them. At their current angle the wave would roll them. “Break the planks, now!”

Xandros ran across to the other ship as the men removed the planks bridging the vessels. If they had moved all the women and children there would be no need to save the other boat, but they’d only transferred a few. “Euclid!” he called to his helmsman. “Turn the ship toward the south until we are facing the wave. Raise the anchors.”

The cry of an infant reminded him that Ada, along with several of the women and children, remained on the deck. If the boat rolled... “Brison, move them all below, huddle them in the center around the mast. Go with haste.”

He tied a rope around his waist as did his two armed warriors, Haemon and Argos, standing guard on either side of the command post’s platform. Nicolaus glanced at the other boat. A few of his men remained with Xandros.

Nicolaus could only hope his friend’s natural ability with the sea would keep them well. “Tell the rowers to push forward. We must get in front of the other boat in order to take the brunt of the wave.” He clenched his teeth together knowing he risked the lives on his vessel to protect those on the weaker, but it was his duty. They were all under his protection. Nicolaus glanced at the other boat and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a few oars maneuvering it backward in order to fall in line behind him. Nicolaus wouldn’t question the appearance of the oars or the providence that had left several of his men on the other boat. He was thankful that there was hope for the other ship’s survival, if it held together against the wave.

Even with the cry of the babe and the soft cooing of Ada’s voice as Brison ushered her toward the back of the ship, an eerie silence settled over them. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the blue wall as it rushed toward them, daring it to crash over the bow. His jaw twitched in irritation. Could their situation possibly get worse? Ay, he knew it could, but he hoped it wouldn’t. “Almighty God of creation, my uncle believes in Your existence, I dare not test You lest You see us all washed into the sea, but if You are real, if You are living and breathing as Oceanus believes You to be, as Ada believes You to be, then I beseech You, save us.”

The bow rose, lifting the bronze battering ram toward the murky sky. Nicolaus gripped the rail in front of him and dared the sea to take his ship, his crew and Ada from him. He would not see defeat this day. He would not. Could not. Assurance flooded his being, puffing out his chest. He held on to that thin thread of confidence as the wave lifted them high.

Chapter Six (#ulink_4308f025-79bc-50d5-bc76-3b1ab228e80a)

Ada handed the babe down to the waiting arms of a gruff-looking sailor standing on the stairs, her queasy stomach forgotten in the face of a greater need. She glanced toward the other boat. The arms and faces of the men in the small fishing vessel, including Nicolaus’s friend Xandros, strained with each push and pull of the oars as it moved backward. Nicolaus shouted out a command, and Ada grasped hold of the rail to keep from falling as the force of their own vessel moved forward.

She brushed her hair from her eyes and stared at their captain. With his arms crossed, Nicolaus stood like a sentry near the city gates. Yet, he was much bigger for he hadn’t the thick walls to offer him protection from the enemy. Nor had he an army to stand beside him. Only two warriors with shields at their backs and swords at their sides. Daggers hung from Nicolaus’s leather belt. What kind of man stood against the sea as if to do battle?

An honorable one, no doubt. One who fought for those under his protection. Including the strangers in the hold. Including her, a mere slave. Had her father cared for his slaves in such a manner? Considering how he left her mother to die at the demands of his wife, she did not think so.

“Ada, you must get below.” Brison’s words must have carried on the wind for Nicolaus turned his head. The hard set of determination etching his jaw stole her breath. If the raging sea were a man it would, no doubt, beg for mercy. “He’s a good sailor, Ada. You’ve no need to worry that we’ll all drown.”