Chapter 2
It was worse than Katarine had expected when her personal attendant, Lila, brought word. Twelve survivors, mostly in chains, and only three crew.
“In chains?”
“Adviser Jeffers says they must have been on their way to the slave market in the City of Tents. The captain refuses to hand over the keys to Freen.”
Katarine’s spine straightened. “No one remains bound in these lands. Clearly, the queen is needed.”
Katarine strode through the palace, and her staff leaped to attention.
“What can we do for you, My Queen?”
“My horse. Summon my guardsmen as well. We go to the beach.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Within minutes, Katarine rode at the head of a contingent of men through the jungle path to the beach. Kataria was not a large land, but it was a peaceful one. And slavers, shipwrecked on the way to sell their slaves, did not make the laws here. She did.
The waterlogged sailors and slaves were huddled on the beach while Freen stood toe to toe with a man who was two heads taller than him.
As soon as she rode up, Freen backed away and bowed. “My Queen,” he said.
The man with whom he’d been arguing glared as he turned his gaze to her. “What is the meaning of this?” he said with rage dripping from his words. “This man demands I free these slaves. It will not happen. It is theft!”
Katarine dismounted, and her guardsmen were at her side as she walked forward.
“You are in violation of the laws of this peaceful land. Either you free these people from their shackles or you will be arrested.”
The man’s face wrinkled in disgust. “I have no keys. They went down with the ship. I cannot free them, laws or not.”
“Then you will be given one night’s respite and a hot meal, under guard. Tomorrow, a boat and supplies for you and your crew will be provided, and you will be escorted out of our waters immediately.”
His expression changed little with her generous offer.
“Or you will face justice under the laws of Kataria.”
He jerked his head back. “I didn’t ask to be shipwrecked here. But I’ll take your offer and my slaves, and we will be gone on the morrow.”
Katarine lifted her chin. “You may sail with only those who choose to leave with you of their own free will. The rest remain here, in Kataria, as our guests.”
He took a step forward, his chin jutting out and angry fire blazing in his dark gaze. “That’s theft!”
Katarine’s guardsmen stepped between her and the man instantly.
“You will approach our queen with respect, or you will be chained,” Leander, her head guardsman, said.
“Queen?”
The question came from a soggy sailor to the slaver’s left. The two men dropped their gazes and bowed.
Those still enchained all dipped their heads, except one man, slumped over, who appeared to be unconscious.
“Get the blacksmith. Get their irons off. Bring the wounded and the ill to the palace. See the captain and his crew to secured lodgings. Get more assistance for the rest. Take them to the new barracks. Get them blankets, food, and water.” Katarine’s orders came fast and with unquestionable authority.
“Yes, My Queen, immediately.”
Leander began to shout his own orders, and her dozen guardsmen moved in harmony to begin carrying them out.
She knelt in the sand in front of the unconscious man.
“You’ll regret this,” that horrible voice said from behind her. “Your people will suffer if you let them stay here. There are savages among them.”
“The only savage is him.” A soft whisper met Katarine’s ears from the small boy clinging to the unconscious man.
The slaver did not hear the child, for which Katarine was grateful.
“Get the healers ready! Bring a cart!” she called behind her to Leander.
She placed a hand on the boy’s bruised cheek. “Are you okay, darling?”
“My friend—he needs help,” the boy said. “Please, ma’am.”
“We will help him. Fear not. You are both safe now.”
“You really … you really gonna set us free?”
“Yes, my child. All is well. Let us help you.”
Tears spilled down the boy’s bruised cheeks. “I prayed for help. Didn’t think anyone heard me.”
Katarine dipped and pressed a kiss to his head. “There is always help. Now, be very brave and let the blacksmith remove your chains. I am taking your friend to the palace for his help. I will have you brought to him very soon. Okay?”
“On your word? You won’t let them get me?”
“I promise,” she said as she brushed his tears away. “They will never touch you again.”
“He’s a good man. He saved me. Almost died doing it. They almost killed him. But he saved us both.”
The cart rolled up behind Katarine.
“He sounds very courageous. Now, it is our turn to take care of him and for you to be strong, okay?”
She finally looked closer at the man who appeared to be all bronzed skin and dark hair. Blood dripped from his face down his chest. His bruises were still forming, but he looked like he’d been beaten—and not just by the shipwreck.
Leander came up behind her. “My Queen, what can I do?”
“Get this man on the cart. As soon as this boy is freed from his irons, have him brought to the palace. Check for more injured. Bring them all to the palace. Arrange more carts if necessary.”
“Yes, My Queen.” He called, “Men! I need your hands.”
As they came forward at Leander’s call, she said to him, “Keep that slaver captain and his crew members under lock and key—discreetly. Do not let any of them roam free. We cannot trust them. Make sure they are followed until they are out of our waters and double the watch after they leave. Give my orders to all. Be vigilant.”
Leander met her gaze and nodded. “Yes, My Queen. It will be done.”
“I will ride in the cart with him. Have someone bring my horse back.”
“Yes, My Queen.” If he was surprised by her choice, he did not show it.
Guardsmen surrounded the unconscious man.
“Gently lift him into the cart,” Katarine said as she climbed into it first.
She read the look on more than one of their faces, and she could swear it said, She needs a husband to tame her wild ways.
Her people feared something would happen to her before she bore the princess who would take her crown. Katarine loved them, and only for the safety of the people would she do so.
She sat in the cart, her skirt fanning around her. “Bring him here. I will hold his head as we drive.”
“You care for all as if they were your own, My Queen,” Leander said.
“They are now,” she said as they lifted the heavy man carefully into the cart.
Katarine cradled his head in her lap. His dark hair was thick and long, with braids mixed within it. As she brushed it away from his face to check his wound, his emerald eyes opened. Her breath caught when his irons clanged as he yanked at the metal chaining his hands together.
“Shh … it is okay. You are safe.” She stroked his cheek. “Calm yourself. We are here to help you. The boy is safe. I promise.”
The wildness in his eyes faded as he comprehended her words about the boy.
“You’re sure?” he whispered in a gravelly tone.
“I promise. He will be brought to you. I promised him too.”
His body relaxed into her lap as she stroked his hair out of his face.
“What happened to you? Where does it hurt most? I need to tell my healers everything I can to help you.”
He flicked his eyes shut before meeting her gaze once more. “I am fine. Just get me out of these chains.”
“We shall. In all due haste. But you are bleeding, sir.”
The cart began to move, and he tensed again.
“We are going to the palace. You are safe. We will care for you. For all of you.”
He lifted his large chained hand to his head, where blood seeped from his hairline. He stared at the rusty red on his fingers as he lowered them.
“I will live. Just let me go.”
The cart rolled over a bump, and he groaned.
“As soon as you are healed, sir, you may go and do as you please.”
His eyes closed, and his body went limp.
“Hurry!” she yelled to the cart driver.