keys of captivity

Captain Richard Morgan!

Rick rolled over in bed, still sleepy. Heavens! Anyone arriving this early… The woman should have thrown someone out of bed. He looked at the window and the day that dawned. And finally woke up. It was too soon.

More insistent knocking on the door. Muttering, he already awake, got up. He hadn't slept much after the mugs of wine. Nausea had opted for beer. Bad combination. His head was throbbing with a nice hangover.

-But who...?

The door opened unexpectedly. And the most unexpected sight possible was before him. Rhine Guards? There? Just for what reason?

-I have orders, my lord...- The man in the uniform looked quite uncomfortable.

Richard looked with some curiosity at the papers he was carrying.

-Do you have orders, soldier?

The officer cleared his throat tensely.

-You must understand, captain... It's just a formality... You know how these things are. There were some comments...

The captain sighed, imagining another promising night lost. He had hoped to occupy his time now, which was available with the attentions of female companionship. Even more dissatisfied, he reflected on women in general.

Or maybe specifically about one. She just wasn't better than girls... That was one of the reasons Rick never got emotionally involved. He knew full well that he couldn't expect anything but nights of pleasure. Cassie had only reinforced his point.

Money!

He despised disingenuous and characterless people. Most girls did not work for money or to enjoy ambition or luxury. Most were of humble origins and without resources. Once again he thought of that night in annoyance. That girl had made a fool of him in front of the whole world. Damn the Council.

-May I know the charge, gentleman? he asked angrily.

Intuition... ah, hell! Fatih believed Cassie was in Chabone. The clever little devil set up another one of her own to get money easily.

-I have informants and witnesses that my lord... well... Note that they are just witnesses. About a young girl who...- The officer shifted uncomfortably again.

Rick smiled sarcastically. So her money was probably gone. She should have asked the Council more. If she was able to spend that much and that fast...

-The accusation would be...- he began ironically, reaching for his jacket and boots.- let me help you. A young girl dishonoured by a freewheeling man?

Rick shivers with rage. heck! When he got his hands on her... Go... Go...

-Sir, it's just some information and...

Richard didn't even pay attention to the rest of the words. He asked him to call his younger brother. Would have to call the Succession and inform him that the beautiful and dishonoured young woman was his wife who had run away. Of course, after extorting a fortune from their coffers.

How long would it take...? Curse! Did that little rascal's family finally show up demanding her share of the booty?

-I just need to give some orders and we'll be off gentleman.- he warned coldly.

-Where's the girl? - an old man shouted more excitedly, his voice altered by the drink.

Philip sighed again with dismay.

The night would be amazing, to say the least. Why the hell did he care so much about that particular girl? Money was tempting…to know that he would take Rick's wife…that was priceless for his pride. He smiled, imagining Richard's terrible temper in trouble with the local authorities after an innocent tip-off about a dishonourable affair. He needed reassurance to keep Rick away from Cassie. At any cost. It couldn't take that much longer for the damn girl to give in to so much trouble he was creating, could it?

And what a girl... Silly.

She didn't even suspect. Was still hurt and betrayed without even suspecting that her husband was being held for investigation because of her.

-Patience, my dear. Patience is a virtue! - Garro arrived at the salon with a very satisfied smile.

There was enthusiastic applause at the innkeeper's arrival.

Philip's gaze met Garro's reserved and resigned one to the man's astonishment.

Garro was a descendant of Spanish emigrants. A poor childhood and without resources had left a character of dubious principles. He was a pale, short man apart from a few extra pounds brought on by his sedentary life. After a few years with the lucrative activity of piracy, the man had managed to settle in Chabone without leaving his old life completely forgotten. The illegal pirate trade was always profitable. Mainly in the illegal slave trade.

-Perhaps the question is indeed a virtue! - someone commented rudely bringing more laughter.

Shaking his head, the privateer went back to drinking, hiding his contempt. That girl couldn't be so naive as to believe that monsieur wouldn't take advantage of her beauty. He'd been in awe of the opening bids made on the young woman's first night. And when Rick knew... Philip wanted to laugh.

Green eyes. Another not-so-old and rich merchant between smiles commented on the shade of green eyes. Philip Morgan cursed annoyed. He hated women with green eyes. Oh, how he hated it. They were treacherous, lying and false. No exception. That damned bastard couldn't see anything but Rick in front of her, even heartbroken.

-I always offer exotic and quality goods. Never less than that. I can assure you that she is a maiden. - Monsieur was offended.

New laughs. Hardly.

Philip smiled.

Rick should have been more careful with his wife.

-Then it should be exposed on the platforms. - A rich farmer complained. -I heard comments that she is a new girl indeed. Come on, Garro! He could put up the sale and not start an auction by the girl. A beautiful red-haired nymph, so they said?

If the brother even suspected what would happen? Phil could laugh. Revenge. No woman refused his attentions. The damn one would not be the first. No one there suspected him. A perfect citizen. He respected the law and had his knowledge. He carefully attended Mass on Sundays to socialize with the local people. Keeping his orgies, drinking, and gambling a secret always paid off.

Philip stared at the dazed old man as he choked on his drink. He was suddenly uncomfortable. Oh, also hated redheads. He shook his head again, savouring the wine with a sour taste in his mouth. He could only imagine the exorbitant amount the Council of Ancients would offer to release Rick... He despised red-haired, green-eyed women.

The issue was now only personal.

Rick wasn't going to come out of this all and well as a hero.

-I'm a businessman, John. There is a price for everything. I just doubt you're willing to pay. - Garro joked, pouring himself a drink.

-Now, Garro. - Another merchant provoked between laughter. You are ambitious. She's a beautiful girl as far as I know. Perfect breasts and a beautiful, wonderful ass. You'll trade her virtue, but I've been able to verify that your guards keep an eye on the girl. I can't believe you're going to dump such a beauty in your bed.

Monsieur smiled silently. The girl had been working for a few weeks in her tavern. The cook at her request had tried to convince the girl to live somewhere close to work to no avail. It was lucky not to have a family. It was always easier to corrupt an innocent young woman without a father willing to claim the honour. He was beaming. There was only one reason, however, that delayed the negotiations.

Philip Morgan! What the hell was Philip up to? Ah, she had been exiled. The mark on her body...

- I hope then that you are generous in your offers, gentlemen. I was able to verify that the girl is innocent. She is top quality merchandise. There are still magnificent eyes. They would undoubtedly be valuable talismans. They say the eyes of these people are like emeralds. It has fantastic powers.

Philip's eyes narrow with displeasure.

Innocent?

Why work in a brothel? Talismans with fantastic powers? It was a curse! The night hadn't even started.

Was Lili thinking she was going to be able to help Rick or Cassie? She sighed, keeping Mary Jane's glare watching him. That woman was not easy to fool.

But until word came from Muir about the case...

Rick would be away from the girl.

There was no way to protect the wife.

-We will! The woman's voice was demanding. You have your orders, captain.

She was a beautiful woman and used to controlling and giving orders. She knew how to keep everything under control. When Lili had asked for help...

-Are you sure about the whole unfortunate story? Involve the Armada in a case like this... What are you waiting for? That Muir orders all businesses here to be closed? The city and the people...

She sighed impatiently.

The small island... Everyone there depended on the local trade that the Armada guaranteed. Without them... Madame had no idea what the city would be like...

A scandal.

The news that an Armada captain had been detained for a week was slowly starting to spread through the streets.

-But he's the girl's husband, isn't he? - she still wanted to know and be sure what happened.

MaryJane smiled.

Of course, she had. Lili had been very clear on her information. Philip's betrayal threatened everyone in Chabone. Not only had he reported Rick to the local authorities, but had also hoped to make a fortune from that girl.

-He is the girl's husband for sure. family quarrel. The younger brother is miserable. He arranged with the Council through favours to have the girl thrown out of the house in disgrace. The girl...

-Yes, the girl... after all, why doesn't she look for her husband?

-Courtesy of Monsieur Philip, I believe. I heard the girl complain about his insistence on getting closer. She managed, together with Mayra, to create enough confusion for these two to walk away hurt.

Madame sighed.

Unbelievable.

Family quarrel? There were people and a city that depended on the Armada.

Damn Philip Morgan...

-He is the girl's husband. And the girl is pregnant.

-Pregnant and in this disease working around the streets and in a tavern? That damn pest...she's gonna end up killing herself and the baby.

-Free Richard Morgan. He's been in detention for a week without being able to attend to his duties... Release and let him settle accounts with Philip on his own.

Madame took a deep breath, holding the key in her hands.

At the moment their best chance of escaping Muir's wrath and maintaining control of the Armada was to have Richard Morgan on the loose. Only he could stand up to Philip and settle the unhappy feud.