Chapter Twenty-Five
After several days of walking they reached the northern coast of Gaul, but they knew that they had to keep going. They would never be safe from the Romans on the mainland. If the gods were willing they might be able to return to Briton where news of their acts had not yet reached the regimens stationed there. It had also been rumored that many were being pulled out of Briton and sent eastward to Asia. Roman governors were being left in Briton to set up law and tax systems for their newly conquered lands. Therefore the sisters should be safe, if they stayed out of trouble once they returned to Briton. This thrilled Corra and Ariana, but Gwynn was worried. She didn’t know why. Perhaps it was because she felt that fate did not intend for them to ever be free or safe. Gwynn had no clues as to what would happen next so she went along with Corra and Aryan’s hopes of returning home. Gwynn booked passage on a merchant ship bound for north Briton. Other than the crew the girls were the only people on board. The rest of the cargo consisted of wine, pottery, jewelry, clothing and such. As much as Gwynn wanted to be on deck to watch the waves and breath the salt air, but she knew that they were still not safe. It wasn’t the Romans that she feared now. It was the ships crew that she feared. She didn’t know why, but she knew that their troubles had not ended.
Two days into the voyage a storm began. For five days the sky was black with rain clouds. The only light came from bolts of lightning that flashed every few seconds. The ocean’s waters leaped onto the ship’s decks as the crew attempted to keep the ship on course, but it was no use. The winds blew so fiercely that the men were literally blown overboard into the churning waters below. By storms end three men had been washed overboard and six were injured. Along with the loss of man power the captain had to determine where they were so that he could set a new course in the direction of land, and not a course that would take them further out to the sea and into the hands of death. Gwynn heard a rapping on the door. She hurried to open it to keep whoever it was from waking Cairo and Ariana. Gwynn stepped out into the clear night air with the captain.
“If you would care to join me Ms. Gwynn, I would like to speak with you about our situation.” They walked to the Captain’s quarters where he kept his maps and instruments.
The girls slept like angels and had looked so inviting to the crew when they first boarded so many days ago. Now they were east of Briton by seven days or more. Jauqce and his brother Claude did not want to spend the next week or so alone. They could think of nothing but the two luscious looking girls that had unwittingly boarded the Jeanne. Jauqce and Claude watched the cabin door close as Gwynn left with the Captain… A loud knock echoed through the room. Ariana groggily went to the door not knowing who was waiting on the other side. The door slowly creaked open to a two-inch crack so that she could peer out…
“Pardon us, but my brother and I were lonely and thought that you lovely ladies might also be lonely and want some company.” Jauqce stood with is cap in his hand as if he were a gentleman asking a lady to dance. His black hair shimmers in the moonlight. Claude stood to his left, red hair and beard drenched with moisture from the sea air. Their bodies were bulky from the rigorous strains of working on a large ship. Jauqce’s height reached at least 6’6” , while his red headed brother only reached 5’11” . Ariana had seen them upon boarding the Jeanne. That first day she had felt that they were trouble. She could feel then staring. It wasn’t only at her. She sensed their intense gaze on Corra as well. Yet they rarely looked at Gwynn. It was as if they feared her.
“We don’t feel like seeing anyone. We would rather be alone,” Ariana spoke softly and began to close the door, hoping that they would go away.
“Oh come now, I haven’t heard your sister say. I’d bet she’d love to have some friends in.” Jauqce had pushed the door open wider.
“Corra is sleeping.” Ariana tried to shut the door.
“Well then, we’ll just have to wake the sleeping beauty then won’t we.” Jaucqe threw the door open, knocking Ariana onto the floor. “It seems we’ll waken the little sleeping princess, Claude.” Jauqce was reaching for Ariana. “I guess we’ll just have to find something to entertain them eh Jauqce?” Claude, who had been silent until now, said as he walked to where Corra was beginning to sit up.
Before Claude could reach Corra, she was on her feet to confront him. “I think that you should both leave.” Corra’s insides were shaking but her voice was as calm as the sea had become after the storm. “Now what fun could we have if we left, and what fun could you two girls have if we left you all alone.” Claude grabbed Corra around the waist. At the same time Jauqce’s hand went from Aryan’s wrist to her breast. The girls began screaming for help…
Screaming for their sister Gwynn. Simultaneously the brothers slapped the sisters. Their screaming stopped abruptly, but not before a few other sailors had came to the cabin to see what all the commotion was about. “That’s a lot better.” Claude exclaimed and then proceeded to kiss Corra. “There now… Look what you girls have done. Your screaming has brought the whole bloody crew here. Well, I guess after we four have had our fun, you two will just have to entertain our traveling mates.” Jauqce nodded to his companions outside the door, then slammed it shut.
The sailors didn’t bother to interfere. They thoughy that when Jauqce and Claude were finished they would get their turn at some “companionship.” Like Jauqce and Claude, none of them wanted to be completely alone for the rest of the voyage when there were three beautiful girls on aboard, so they returned to their posts without alerting the captain of the incident that was currently taking place.
On the other side of the ship the screams went unheard by Gwynn and the captain. They continued their discussion of the new course and how long this would delay they arrival in Briton. “You see Ms. Gwynn, the storm has pushed us to the east of Briton, here.” The captain pointed to their approximate location on the map. “If we can avoid anymore squalls we should be able to make Briton in seven days or so. I hope this does not inconvenience you and your sisters.” The captain was a gentleman, even though his crew were not.
“That’s quite all right, Captain. As long as we reach home, we will be quite happy, no matter how long it takes.”
“Would you care for some tea or perhaps some wine?” the captain was not really trying anything; he was just attempting to be a good host. “Some hot tea would be nice.” Gwynn was glad at the thought of hot tea after the long cold nights of the storm that they had been through…
“Why don’t you just relax, little lady. Things will be a lot gentler if you’ll just give in.” Jauqce was getting agitated at Aryan’s stiffness. Ariana and Corra both resisted, but had ceased their screaming. Every man on board neither could not hear their pleas for help, did not care, or had the same thoughts that Jauqce and Claude had. They had in idea where Gwynn was and why she was gone.
Corra began to kick and then tried to slap Claude, but it was useless. His strength was far superior to hers. With one shove Claude pushed Corra to the floor and held her arms above her head with his left hand, while his right hand began to rove her body. Claude’s touch was making her sick, yet there was nothing that she could do. So she turned inward and cried for Gwynn to come back.
Ariana was crying as Jauqce tore her tunic. She could not fight someone as strong as Jauqce, so she, like Corra, turned inward and began to cry for Gwynn to come and save them…
As the water for the tea began to boil Gwynn’s head began to swim and her heart sank with the cries that resounded from her sisters. The captain turned to tend to the tea as he continued to tell Gwynn of his last trip to Carthage. When he returned to his seat Gwynn was gone…
A gust of wind and bright light circled through the room. With a loud crash of thunder the door of the cabin, which had been locked by Claude, swung open. Many of the sailors that had investigated the screams now returned to find out what was making all of the thunderous noise. Outside the cabin Gwynn stood surrounded by the bright light, her l
ong golden hair transformed into writhing snakes by the wind…
“NO!!!!!!!!!” Was the only word that could be heard over the roaring wind. Another crash of thunder and the light disappeared leaving only the moonlight and stars. As the two men attempted to stand, and clothe themselves, their insides began to burn and their screams of agony began.
The Captain, wondering where his guest had gone, arrived just in time to see the demise of Jacque and Claude. Suddenly their screams ceased, and their bodies imploded, just as the Roman soldiers in Gaul.
All was quiet, as the blood of the two seamen ran down the walls and dripped from the ceiling. The crew was momentarily stunned, but soon they recovered from their stupor and began to move towards the cabin. Corra and Ariana slowly came out of the cabin to stand with Gwynn. Their faces and clothes torn and tattered were streaked with the blood of their attackers.
“HALT!!!! The captain shouted as he walked to Gwynn’s side. “Who here can explain?” The captain attempted to find out exactly what had just happened. No one came forward and Ariana and Corra stood quietly. “Captain, it appears that after I left with you, two of your men entered our cabin and attacked my sisters.” Gwynn was trying to explain, even though she had not actually been there. “Their WITCHES!!!” Came a cry from the back of the crowd. “HANG THEM!!!!!”
Another man shouted.
The crew quickly grew into a hostile lynch mob, shouting for the deaths of the sisters. Shouts stating that they were “… born of the evil gods that sought the lives of all who sailed the seas…” Screams that the only way to rid the ship of this evil was to kill the Briton born witches.
“Hurry Ms. Gwynn, into your cabin and bolt the door.” The captain commanded as he stepped on top of a large crate filled with pottery from Carthage. “Who among you has not at some time committed a crime or sinned?” The captain bellowed to his men. There accusing shouts quieted and their oncoming steps began to cease. “Which one of you can truthfully say that you are sin free? Therefore, can it not also be said of you that you are the workmen of the demons. These women may have killed. True I do not know or even pretend to understand how, but I can see that it was done in their own defense, in order to keep them from becoming defiled by the likes of Jaqcue and Claude. I do not condone the acts of these girls, nor do I condone the act of my crew against our passengers. But as owner, Captain of this ship, and your Commanding Officer, will I not allow them to be murdered in revenge. Is everyone understanding what I say?” A quiet ‘aye’ echoed from the crowd. The crew knew that on sea a Captain’s words were law and if they attempted a mutiny their only choice would be to turn to piracy. Many of the men had families to support and could not afford the chances of a failed mutiny, which would mean walking the plank or hanging, nor could they risk their lives as pirates, where every man’s life was his to protect with no help from others.
“Pierre, Jean, and Dionne, stand guard while Isaiah and I return to my quarters to discuss the fate of the women. If one of the men comes nears this cabin you have my permission to dispose of him as you see fit.” The captain turned to the crowd of men as he gave his orders to his top three men. The captain then dismounted from his perch high a top the crate and walked solemnly to his cabin with his first mate.
They spoke for over three hours before a decision was made. Although the Captain did not want to do anything to them, he knew that if he did not do something, then the crew would slowly began to speak of mutiny and perhaps even go as far as taking over the ship. Thereby killing the women and himself.
“Then you agree Isaiah, that the only way to possibly spare the women's lives was to set them adrift and hope that another merchant ship will find them.”
“It’s the only way Captain.” Isaiah stated with no emotion. He wanted them hanged, but as first officer he had to support his commanding officer or face being thrown in the brig at the least. Even worse, if he did say anything the captain would throw him overboard, personally.
“Prepare one of the boats with as much food and water as it can hold. I’ll bring the ladies along in half and hour for their departure. Dismissed.” The captain spoke quietly now, regretting everything that had transpired on this voyage.
A knock rang through the quiet cabin. They had not been able to sit idle while waiting for the Captain’s decision, so they cleaned the bloody room. Gwynn answered the door. “Ms. Gwynn, I’m sorry, but the only way to keep you and your sisters alive is to set you adrift at sea and hope that another vessel finds you. I have instructed Isaiah to fill one of the small crafts with food and water. Your chances are four ways; a merchant ship finds you before you run out of food and water, a Roman ship finds you and you will be hanged for the murders that you committed when you left Rome, you’ll run into another squall that a small ship will never survive, or you will simply run out of supplies and die from either starvation or dehydration. If you do run out of water before you are rescued, I warn you, do not drink the seas water for it is poison and will bring about a horrible death. The other alternative is to stay her aboard the ship and risk the crew’s mutiny and death by hanging. I’ve been able to contain the men so far, but I will not be able to keep them for a week’s time while we journey to Briton. The choice is yours.” The captain paced, waiting anxiously for their reply.
“It seems that we have no choice if we are to continue to live. Yet there is no guarantee that we will live out there on the open sea in a small craft. Our choice is made Captain. We are ready to leave, let us not delay any further for the risk of mutiny is high.”
Aryan and Corra stood as Gwynn’s side ready to depart, thanking the gods that they had at least a remote chance to live.
“Here is your passenger fee. I cannot keep it, and if someone should happen to find you, they will want some type of payment for your voyage.” With these last words the captain turned to escort them to the boat, which awaited them. Almost two weeks at sea passed. The food supply was low and would not last for many more days. The water supply would last only a day or so longer than the food, even though they had rationed all the supplies from day one. They spent their time in prayer, song, quiet meditation, and sleep.
For two days they had gone without food, which was done easily enough because they often fasted for holidays, but now they were out of water. It was surly the end. They would become lost souls without the proper burial, but they still prayed that somehow they would be saved.The next day Corra heard a faint horn, but she put it off to the hot sun and lack of water. A few moments later Ariana saw a ship, but she also thought that it was just a hallucination. Then Gwynn heard the loud horn and saw the ship coming towards them. From this distance she could not tell what kind of craft it was. She only hoped that after all this time it would not be a Roman vessel.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“AHOY!” Came a shout from the ship. “HERE… OVER HERE!!!” The girls shouted, ecstatic that they had been found. “Lower the ladder!” Came a call from the captain. “Can you ladies climb aboard, or will you be needing assistance?” The first mate called down to them.
“I think that we can manage.” Gwynn replied as she rowed the boat to the ship’s side with renewed energy. They climbed the rope ladder slowly to keep from getting dizzy, for they had not gotten much exercise throughout the last two and a half weeks, and the “fasting” that they had endured over the past two days, the lack of water in the hot sun of their rescue day. After what seemed like an endless climb they reached the ships deck where they were gently helped aboard.
“I’ve got a few questions for you ladies, but I think they can wait until after you've gotten some food and drink in you.” The captain said as he escorted them to his cabin. “Llew, have some food and water sent to my quarters and prepare a room for our guest.”
“Aye Captain.” The first mate acknowledged as he hurried to the galley.
They reached the Captain’s room. Unlike the quarters of the other captain, which was cluttered with navigational instruments and maps, thi
s room was immaculate. On the walls were paintings of seascapes and beautiful women from far away places. In the center of the room was an intricately carved table with six matching chairs. Each chair was covered in the finest red silk. to the right of the table a shelf held a dozen cask of wine. The other side of the cabin also had a shelf that held carved statues of stoned, jewels and wood. To the back of the room were two doors. A couch sat between the doors and a chair was placed near the casks of wine.
“Please have a seat ladies. Llew will be here soon with some food. Perhaps one of you would like to tell me why you were adrift out this far from land.” The captain sat in the chair and motioned for them to sit on the emerald green couch.
“We had some problems on the ship we were on. We were blown of course and some of the crew attacked my sisters. The men were killed. The captain only had two choices, hang us or set us adrift. We understood that his men would not allow us to live if we stayed on board, so we left. We have money if you will take us to your next port.” Gwynn opened the pouch around her waist. “After what you ladies have apparently been through, I insist that you keep your money and be my guest.” The captain reached out to Gwynn’s hands to assure her that no money was needed to ensure them safe passage aboard his ship.
“Thank you Captain. Your generosity and kindness is very appreciated and I’m sure that the gods will reward you greatly, not only in this life but in the next.” Gwynn said as she and her sisters clasped their hands in thanks. A loud knock sounded throughout the cabin. “That’s Llew with the food. You ladies can cleanup in the door to the right. Come in Llew. I’ll help you set up while they are washing.”