Bebo

Przeczytaj rozdziały

	Kelleen.
	"Down!" Hissed Isar, dragging Oswyn nand Kruk beneath some bushes. They had travelled upriver to Lord Hempt's manor, where the air was fresher than most of Jeilk. A servant was coming out of the trees that marked the path leading to the manor's entrance. "How are we going to get in?" Kruk asked quietly. Isar didn't even turn to face Kruk. The servant girl had noticed rustling in the bushes, so Isar used this to his advantage. The Captain sprang out silently, grabbed the girls arm, pushed her to the floor, then covered her mouth. In an instant Kruk had joined his Captain, holding the girl as well. She mumbled something, eyes wide with horror. Isar regarded her with calm, casual authority, as if he had every right to do anything he wanted to her. "Do not scream. If you do, we'll cut your tongue from your throat." He told her gently, as if his tone somehow masked the threat. The girl's breathing slowed. She blinked a couple of times. Isar guessed she was used to men forcing themselves upon her, so, trusting her fear, he removed his hand from her mouth. For a couple of moments, she was silent. "Pirates." She didn't say it accusingly or angrily. She was just stating it, knowing it was truth. "You'll hang if you're caught." "What makes you think we'll be caught?" Isar raised an eyebrow. "How can we get into the manor without being seen?" The girl glared, almost shocked at how blunt he had been. "You think I'd tell you?" Kruk laughed. Oswyn edged closer, watching her, and Isar kept a straight face. "Yes," He replied. "Why should I?" "Because, servant girl, we will kill you if you don't." Kruk knew it was his cue to get out his rapier. He prodded the girl's neck with it. She inhaled sharply at the cold blade's touch. "There. That going through your throat isn't going to be comfortable, is it?" Isar was still speaking calmly, but more menacingly now. "I'm Kelleen. I work for the cook. There's a small door on the east side of the house that leads straight into the kitchen. If you let me do my duty and don't kill anybody, I won't tell." She seemed suddenly confident. Unfortunately for her, Isar was a very experienced negotiator, and a pirate. He was not going to be swayed by her demands. "Oh, I know you won't tell." He smiled. "Off you go, Kelleen." Isar used her name appropriately. Kruk released her and she hurried off toward the town. "Captain was that really necessary?" Oswyn's gaze met Isar's squarely. "Of course it was. Now that we know how to get in, all we have to do is wait until Kelleen gets back, then ask her about the manor's layout. I won't go in as if I were a blind man." Oswyn shook his head, but he knew better than the question the Captain's tone. They didn't wait long for Kelleen to be back. She carried a basket, which she nearly dropped as she squeaked with terror. "You're still here!" The girl gasped, shaking her head. Her mousy brown hair fell over her eyes. "Hello Kelleen. Tell us about the manor…" Isar began, moving toward her. "No. Go away, leave me alone, no!" She stepped back, glancing nervously toward the manor, as if expecting someone to come running to her rescue. None came. "Kelleen, don't be silly." Isar focused on her. She trembled under his gaze, and her hand went absent-mindedly to her throat, as if she was considering her death. Isar looked at Oswyn. The navigator stepped back onto the path, looking thoughtfully at Kelleen. She was small and looked too fragile to be stood beside Kruk. "Kelleen," Oswyn spoke, putting every effort into binding her with her name. Her brown eyes swivelled to him. Oswyn wondered why Isar had chosen to reveal himself so foolishly, she would have to die. "Oswyn!" Snapped Isar. Kelleen clamped her mouth shut. "Captain." Answered he, still not taking his eyes off of the girl. "What do you think you're doing?" Oswyn didn't answer. Let Isar wait, he almost had the girl. Her hands were shaking, her little heart would be beating so quickly, a helpless little rabbit caught in the predator's path. "Kelleen, you don't want us to hurt you, do you?" Oswyn whispered eventually. Kelleen, unblinking, didn't say anything. Until she did blink, and gasped. "No." She breathed, defeated. "Go left up the stone steps, find the black door, then go right, down those steps. There is only one room that way. It'll be locked." Her tone was so empty Kruk felt he had to stand back. Oswyn smiled triumphantly. "Thanks, Kelleen." She blinked again, moved her hand, and dashed up to the manor, basket swinging to and fro about her side. Isar turned to Oswyn, jaw set firmly. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked again. "It worked, did it not, Captain?" Oswyn dared to smile. Isar sniffed. "Barely. We'll wait until night before going in." "Captain there was no offence intended. I just know how to deal with servant girls." Oswyn added to his vague explanation. "Odd," Kruk cut in. "Well you would, Oswyn. But we're pirates, not landlubbers that talk their way through everything. We'll speak no more about it. The charts we've heard about don't bother me much, I want that chest… I think the girl knew what we wanted, so we'll try what she said first. We have to be out by dawn, no doubt she'll gossip with other servants." Instructed Isar, looking at the manor. "We'll have to be quick." "Aye Cap'n." Both Oswyn and Kruk replied.
Sprawdź tę historię >>>