Authors: Lynelle Clark
pure Almaida blood, tough enough to face anything.
Later Rosa-Lee lay in her bed, eyes wide open. She
had to swallow hard as the enormity of what she was about
to face strike her and tears ran down her cheeks. She
allowed them to run freely.
Come tomorrow morning, fear would be the last
emotion she had the luxury of giving into. Her life would
depend on her skill and alertness.
†††
January 4, 1624
Last night I was awakened by Qonchita once again.
She panicked and moaned uncontrollably in her sleep. It
took me awhile to calm her enough for her to realize we
were safe.
The turmoil of our journey plagued her. Last night
she dreamed we were back on the beach where Kayla tried
to seduce me. The slave girl had pretended to sleep with me
so that Qonchita would desert me. The mere fact that
Qonchita did not speak to me for a few days almost killed
me.
Because of her I had the courage to do what I did to
get us out of that place. Faro's attempt to rape her terrified
her. I wish I could take those haunting images away. Every
time after such an ordeal she melted into my arms, looking
forlorn and lost. My heart ached for her and for what we
were going through.
The image of her feet, skin worn away to a bloody
pulp from walking, her slippers torn, is engraved in me.
Those first days were terrible, when we realized help was
not coming and we would have to walk. People fell down
from exhaustion because the captain refused to stop. The
lack of food and the constant rain stalled us over and over.
I still hear the screams as wild animals captured people
and dragged them into the bushes. I carried Qonchita for
days through that brush with Rosa-Lee on my back. Faro
never attempted to help them. Not that I would have let
him.
The man was more interested in the slave girls that
travelled with us. There were times that I had to bite my
tongue when I caught him in the act. The man was simply
arrogant in his dealings, but those women loved him.
Those days were hard on my lady. But she never
complained. She took everything with her head held high, a
true lady to the bone.
I swore to myself that I would keep her save, protect
her. I did not care what any one said as long as she was
safe. Those days when I carried her, I knew without any
doubt that I loved her but I never said a word, although I
wanted to. That kiss was the only one we ever dared to
share, so I kept my distance as much as I could.
It was hard to watch her, yet she had this strength
in her that made her to stand up and go on, no matter what.
Now, to have her in my arms every night is a
blessing. I can kiss her all I want. I make love to her and
she simply melts in my arms.
She is my joy, my delight. I will love her always.
3
January 15, 1624
Today was an exceptionally cold day and we spent
it indoors. I love days like this where we can sit around the
hearth and read, talk and enjoy each other's' company.
Rosa-Lee was on top of Cisco most of the time. She loves
her daddy so much. Her laughter fills the castle. I can
hardly wait for this little one to come. My protruding
tummy is a joy for Cisco. He simply cannot keep his hands
off me.
Today I think back to the many days and weeks we
walked through the grassy plains of Africa. I remember the
exhaustion, the heat, and the insects that bit us day and
night. Then in the afternoons the rains would drench us
completely so that the nights were miserable. We faced
hunger for days on end because Captain Breno refused to
let us rest and get the required food. I learned to eat
anything in my walk, from tree bark to grass and leaves.
Anything would do just to get the hunger pains under
control.
There were days that I did not know how we got at a
certain point. My body and soul were so tired for lack of
everything basic.
After two months we finally arrived in an empty
stad,
a town. No one was there and as we searched the
empty huts in the hope of food, we were once again faced
with nothing. A lonely dog barked, seeking attention from
the Captain. He shot it.
People scrambled to get to it first. In disgust I
watched as they ate it just like that.
Someone found rotten maize. Again, people ate it
and got stomach cramps. Two people died afterwards.
The one thing that would always remain in my
thoughts was the face of the pregnant woman we found shot
dead by our captain and left to bleed to death. He was a
cruel man. He wanted to punish me when I hit him out of
pure rage after the death of that young woman. Her death
was senseless.
Cisco thought it wise to take me away. In the
process we were attacked by savages. We ran, Rosa-Lee in
Cisco's arms, me right behind him and Kayla, who was
never far behind, followed us. In the confusion we were
separated from the group. Two days later when we found
them we were charge with mutiny. It was the first time I
saw Cisco completely lose his temper.
He is a big man, taller and more bulky than most.
He towered over Captain Breno and for the first time I saw
fear in the Captain's eyes.
Cisco was captured by some of the Captain's
followers but the rest of the group attacked them and
eventually they let go of him. From that day forward the
Captain was not so hostile toward Cisco.
Those were trying times. Our endurance was
pushed to the limit.
†††
Commotion filled the harbour early the next
morning. The sun tinted the sky in an orange-gold, a few
featherlike clouds floating in the heavens.
Captains barked out commands to their scurrying
crews. Sailors raced around to get all the cargo onto the
ships, walking the plank in swift long strides laden with
luggage, crates or chicken pens. While men scaled the
tackle works, hollering to each other, a few already
swabbed the decks with Holystone and salt water, whistling
a cheerful tune.
The whole place looked alive and festive. Festivity
was the last thing in the hearts of the Almaida family. With
sombre faces, they watched sailors carry Rosa-Lee's trunks
up the plank of the
Contra O Vento
. The small, streamlined frigate lay waiting in the calm water.
Cisco and Qonchita stood next to Manuel, who
watched the activities with interest. Rosa-Lee knew his
heart was not with the sea. This was his life, here, working
the land. She would miss him, her big bear of a brother.
She bravely smiled at her family and they held her
for a moment in silence. They had said all they could. Now
they all had to believe that this voyage would not end in
disaster.
Rosa-Lee was just hugging her mother when they
heard a stern, brisk voice behind them.
'Very touching, but it is time.'
Rosa-Lee saw the pirate looking at her from the
ship, the same amusement from the previous evening in his
eyes. He looked menacing, unwavering in the same dark
clothes of the previous day. She met his gaze in the same
manner; unwavering, defiant. His chuckle sent fury into her
eyes.
Roberto saw the fury and it drew him.
This will be
an interesting time with her aboard the ship. The Falcon is
definitely going to know her, but there is no harm in having
some fun.
Ochre eyes roamed over the enticing body wrapped
in green taffeta. The dark braided hair lay over a creamy
shoulder. Her bodice clung to the small frame in the latest
fashion. Her perky breasts looked ripe for the plucking. He
grinned at the picture he knew he will enjoy.
She stepped away from her parents with anger still
visible on her face. She gathered her dress in her hands and
walked up the plank with a steady gait and a rigid back,
small shoulders straight, showing no fear, to where the
pirate waited. She looked at him, eyes locking his with
defiance. His guffaw rumbled up his throat, mocking her.
She pulled her chin up. Without a word, she turned to wave
to her parents.
Rosa-Lee Almaida definitely has some backbone,
Roberto smiled.
Backbone I would like to break and bend
to my will. Yes, I am definitely going to enjoy this voyage.
He turned his attention back to the ship and barked
orders still aware of Rosa-Lee at the railing.
She stood there until the white sails were set high
above her, the breeze filling them with snapping sounds.
Wood creaking, the ship started to sail away from the
harbour. They moved farther and farther over the blue
depths, small waves tossing against the hull, until she could
not see her parents any more.
Refusing to give in to the emotions which swept
over her, she finally turned away from the rail. Two men
stood with buckets filled with sea water and splashed it
over the wooden deck. Some were up in the tackle of the
sails, the watchman in his crow's nest.
Many of them watched her with curiosity, toothy
grins on their faces, talking to one another. Some of them
looked at her like a morsel they could sample as dark,
lustful eyes followed her.
The captain stood on the bridge next to the
boatswain looking down at her with his mock expression,
an expression she intended to have the pleasure of wiping
from his face. The man on his right-hand side was rather
good looking, with a smile on his handsome face. His eyes
followed her and he gave her a light nod. She nodded back
in greeting, which caused Roberto to frown, looking at his
second in command with a stern gaze. He muttered
something and the man looked away with a smirk.
Looking around, she wondered where she would be
sleeping when she heard a young male voice next to her.
'Señorita Almaida, I will show you to your sleeping
quarters.' His voice was pleasant to her ear and she smiled,
glad to finally see a friendly face.
'I will be your chamber boy for the duration of the
trip. Please follow me.'
He could not be more than sixteen years old, very
small in posture. Big brown eyes had an easy smile in
them. He was quite likeable, considering the predicament
she was in.
Well, I am here now. I might just as well make the
best of it.
When she looked up, her father's flag, their
family crest, had been replaced with a black pirate flag and
a purple flag with a falcon underneath it. She sneered in a
most unladylike way at them and followed the young man.
'What is your name?' she asked as her eyes swept
over the ship, refusing to look at the defiant man on the
bridge.
'I am Enrico, Señorita.'
'Well, Enrico, show me the way.'
He took her below deck to the stern of the ship to a
large cabin with rich, purple velvet curtains and bed drapes.
Surprised at the richness she looked around and took in the
sparse furniture. She expected a bunk but to found a bed in
there was so much better. A small dresser and table stood in
the one corner with a chair next to it, next to the port.
'These will be your cabin, Señorita. If there is
anything you need, you can pull this cord and I will be here
to assist.' He showed to a golden cord which hanged in the