“Signore Dragotti.” The captain offered a low bow. “I was just arguing with Spini and his brother over the fact that my ship is ready to depart with its glass for France, the tide will be leaving soon, but half of my crew is still in the city. Lying drunk between a woman’s—” Ermacora glanced over Gaspar’s shoulder and choked. “That is to say, they are the most slovenly of my men, and of little use. My error was in thinking one of the brothers could be spared to gather them up. But that hardly matters now.” He waved his hand as if to wave away everything he’d just said. “My ship and what men I have are at your disposal, Signore. I would be happy to act as captain, if you wish, and take you wherever the patriarch has ordered you. I have no fear allowing a woman aboard my ship as long as God’s Dragon is in attendance. The good luck of one will reverse the ill luck of the other, no?”
Gaspar watched the man closely, but there was no sign he thought much more than what came from his mouth. Ermacora’s greed was famous, but his loyalty to the church was unquestionable. He’d simply confirmed his own reputation.
“I appreciate your willingness to serve His Beatitude, Ermacora. Your leadership is appreciated. Let us make all haste.”
Each minute passedlike her days in the tower while Isobelle waited for the ship to start moving. Every man who glanced Gaspar’s way added a weight to her stomach. Boats came and went, and more boats arrived at the quay. And any of them, from a distance, might have been carrying the patriarch’s men. Only there was no telling, without an eyeglass, until the boat grew close enough to see its occupants.
After a while, she couldn’t bear to watch any longer.
A few of Ermacora’s overdue men tried to climb aboard, but the theatrical captain pushed them back into the water as a lesson in punctuality. Eventually, the ship began moving and in her excitement, Isobelle glanced at Gaspar, hoping to share at least a silent bit of relief, perhaps even joy. But the handsome man was turned away, as he’d been each time she’d looked to him. In appearance at least, he’d turned back into the controlled, unapproachable man who had arrested her.
“Dinna worry so,” James whispered in her ear. “He has to wear the dragon mask for the now, aye? Dinna put words in his mouth, or guess his thoughts.” He chuckled. “But ye can take comfort in the fact he’s being eaten from the inside with jealousy, because I hold yer hand.”
She was ashamed by how much comfort the idea did give her. In fact, it brought a cheerful smile to her face, but she was careful to turn that smile on the waters, and not where anyone would see it. She’d kept her head down and her hair covered well, looking no one in the eye since they’d boarded. Ossian would not know her if he were standing right beside her, and not just because she was lighter an armful of hair. She was that changed. Her old self would have started frightening the sailors the moment she’d stepped on board.
To Gaspar’s great relief,the ship was a two-masted caravel that traveled much faster than the larger Spanish carrack, even when riding low in the water with a cargo of glass. There were only eight oars to each side, but there was much less ship to move. Another few minutes and they would near thePorto di Lidoand leave the islands and lagoon behind.
The captain barked an order and suddenly the oars lifted from the water and hovered above it. Isobelle willed them to lower and resume their work, but her will had no effect. The ship slowed quickly while the captain descended the few steps from the upper deck. He strode directly to Gaspar and leaned close.
“Twolanchasapproach, Signore…filled with the patriarch’s guards. I wonder…if you would prefer to wait for them. They seem most anxious to stop us. Perhaps they are hoping to be of assistance to you.” The Italian captain’s eyes watched Gaspar closely. “But if your business is too urgent to delay…”
The side of Gaspar’s jaw jumped, the man unable to sit quietly within the beast. And Ermacora saw it. But there was no time for chess moves. They were about to be boarded, and he couldn’t allow that, for it would mean Isobelle’s death. Capitulation was vital.
“You are quite right.” Gaspar gave a nod. “My business is too urgent. I shall have to manage without their assistance.”
The captain turned and shouted for the oarsmen to resume, and the wooden blades dug back into the water like the claws of a single animal. Grasp, release. Grasp, release. And the ship moved.
Another man called out from the bow. After a warning look to Gaspar, Ermacora ordered the oars up again. “It seems thepatriarch’s guards are well motivated, Signore. They move to block our escape, risking their very lives.”
Gaspar was tempted to look, but there was still a chance those in the small boats did not yet know Gaspar and his party were aboard. However, if the caravel was searched…
The captain moved closer still. “The damage to my ship will be minimal, but the damage to my soul might be expensive indeed.” The man glanced at the old trunk at James’ feet, then back to Gaspar.
He didn’t know if James spoke Italian or not, but the big man seemed to sense the danger and reached for something at his back. But Gaspar shook his head. James could not use his small black weapon now. Those young men in black uniforms would not die because of him. And it seemed the captain had not surrendered just yet.
Gaspar nodded again to Ermacora. “Unquestionable compensation, Captain.”
The man frowned, wasting precious time. “Is it your money, or does it belong to The Patriarch of Venice?”
“Mine.”
Ermacora smiled. “Then I have no qualms about taking it.” He strode quickly to the port side and shouted over the rail at the unseen boats. “Stay back, my friends, or we will send yourlanchasto the bottom of the lagoon! I was warned at Murano that the patriarch’s guards carry the Black Death. Even now, you come too close.”
A denial came from the distance along with a command to allow them to board.
Ermacora laughed. “You leave me no choice. I hope your men can swim.” He then ordered the oars back in the water and for the crew to brace themselves for impact.
Gaspar translated for James and Isobelle.
Ermacora walked back to them. “I suggest you and your friends go into my cabin immediately.” He gestured to a set of steps that led beneath the upper deck. “And decide how much I am to be compensated.”
Gaspar gave the captain a grateful bow and led the others away before they might be noticed. James brought the trunk and Gaspar took the opportunity to take Isobelle’s hand to pull her along. Icarus followed.
“And consider carefully, Dragon,” Ermacora said to their backs, “the worth of a soul.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Edinburgh, two weeks later…
