Obey Your Captain

“Kaliyah?... Kaliyah?” Baron’s voice finally penetrated a fog that had descended over her mind. His fingers snapping in front of her face made her blink. “There you are. Did you hear Jeremiah?”

“I… Daddy didn’t have debt?”

The tearing of paper had her looking back to the Lord, seeing him picking up another piece of parchment and tearing it in two. “No. He did not. He bought his ships outright. These are lies. Even the tax. It’s a lie. Five percent is the tax rate at death.”

“He said fifteen percent… then it was increased because I-”

“Lies. Miss Warren. I must go through all the deaths since I took over, ensure others have not suffered the same fate. I can only say that I’m so very sorry.”

“The ships?” She turned to Baron almost on instinct.

“Yours, Pouco. All yours.”

“I will have Nillid’s apprentice calculate what is owed to you. It will be placed back in your family’s vault. Warren Manor will be restored to you.”

“I think our time at Blackwater is over,” she stated slowly, thoughtfully.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I think we will still trade here, but I will be relocating my family.” She nodded, the decision made in her mind. “Is it possible for the gold to be given of the value of the home?”

“Yes. Of course, if that is your decision.”

“Would you like to discuss it with your mother?” Baron asked gently.

“Oh… I suppose I must… yes.” She hadn’t even thought, her mind still felt as if she were in a dream or a dense fog.

“I will go and fetch her, stay here,” Baron directed, squeezing her shoulder before he left her alone with the dejected looking Lord.

Kaliyah didn't truly know how to feel. She felt she should have been overjoyed. She felt she should have felt like a weight had been lifted from her but she didn’t. She just felt… empty.

She was deep in her head and Lord Neverember seemed to be the same. Both were silent, almost not even realising the other was in the room.

Did she feel relief? It just hadn’t sunk in. It wouldn’t sink in. It couldn’t.

By the time Baron walked in with her mother behind him, Lord Neverember was busy writing, looking at the parchment he had ripped up.

“Mrs Warren, please take a seat,” he stated without looking up.

Baron pulled a chair from a corner, offering it to Mrs Warren. “What is this about, my Lord?”

“It appears I have had some… deceitful staff working for me. Some taxes and debts were fabricated and unfortunately your family were one that have been a victim in this heinous crime. I will be rectifying this by restoring what is rightfully yours, including the gold Miss Warren paid the city and the possessions we seized. I must, of course go through the inventory and invoices, however, I can guarantee everything will be restored to your family. As part of this, Warren Manor of course, can be yours again. However, I understand if you wish for a fresh start elsewhere, if that were the case, I will reimburse the amount we sold Warren Manor for, plus some extra.” He fished out a paper from the pile, “I calculate for the house I will offer you fifteen-thousand gold. Or, of course, Warren Manor is yours again.”

Mrs Warren looked to Kaliyah, a confused, yet relieved look on her face, “It’s true? It was a mistake?”

“Yes, Mrs. Warren, a grave mistake. There was no debt and the tax was highly, highly inflated. However, I wish to completely waive the thousand gold tax that would have been placed upon the family. In fact, I am waiving the death tax entirely. It is not a fair or just tax to bestow upon a grieving family.” He took a breath, “The council will probably disagree, I do not much care for their opinion. This is what I will do.”

“How will you be able to afford it? I don’t feel it was your treasury that grew from what I heard.” Kaliyah stated, her mind slowly coming into focus.

“Alas, those that were involved will have their assets seized.”

“I wish to leave Blackwater,” Mrs Warren announced suddenly. “We will start afresh elsewhere.”

“I understand Mrs Warren. I will make the necessary arrangements.”

***

Kaliyah stood in the middle of one of the guest rooms in Neverember Manor, unsure what would be in store next. She honestly thought she should be overjoyed, all her worries and stress from the past year was gone. But she just felt deflated.

Baron sat heavily in a chair by the stoked fire, tugging off his boots. “Pouco?”

“Yes?”

“It’s all going to be alright now.”

“I don’t feel it is real.”

“It is. It was all a plan to destroy you. That was all.”

“What happened after I left? Why did the Lord leave his office so suddenly?”

“We had word that Nillid was dead. When I came to the hall after I couldn’t find you Lord Torlar’s men had arrived on business. We heard much of what was going on through the door.”

“We were watching in the servant’s corridor. Marybel hated me and I’ve never done any-”

“Pouco, think what you are about to say through.”

“OK, I set him alight once but he ripped my shirt!”

He patted his thigh, sighing, “Oh Pouco, what am I to do with you.”

She sat astride his lap like she had many times. It felt different now. It felt she always wanted to sit there. Always be connected to him in some way. “Marry me?”

“Aye, tomorrow. But now?” He dug his fingers into her backside before landing a heavy slap. “Now, I’m going to have my way with you.”

***

Baron had excused himself the next morning, needing to arrange the ceremony. Standing before a mirror that had been dragged into the room she stayed the night before, she couldn’t believe her mother had managed to sew something so quickly… and so perfectly. Her fingers trailed over the laced satin before trailing to the neckline that lay straight across her chest and arms, leaving her shoulders bare. “Thank you,” she breathed.

“It suits you. The blue looks good.”

“Mother said she’ll set up a dress shop in our next home, didn’t you mother?”

“Well… I don’t think it’ll be anything to shout about.”

“It’s a wonderful idea,” Kaliyah supplied. “Your dressmaking skills are impeccable.”

“It is just a simple dress, child. Most ladies want something much beyond my skill level.”

“That’s not true. Many ladies are wearing dresses such as this. It makes for easier movement.” She gestured down to her dress, swishing from side to side.

Her mother sniffed, “Well, we’ll see. I may not need to work, with the profit from your father’s ships.”

“Mother,” Kaliyah sighed. “You cannot depend on that. With this union they will be Baron’s ships. Even if they weren’t, you wouldn’t know how to manage a fleet of ships.”

“Captain Torlar has stated that he will look after this family.”

“And he will, but mother, if you are able to make your own money, wouldn’t that be good? You wouldn’t have to wait for gold to be sent to you? You may even be able to afford a butler.”

“It is not becoming of a woman to earn money. That is for the poor. We are not poor!”

“Until yesterday we were destitute. You are still destitute!”

“We may have no home and little gold right now. We will never be destitute.”

“Mother, please listen to Kaliyah. If we can have our own shop, a dressmaking shop, we are only reliant on ourselves. Isn’t that the best? I want to do it.”

“Your father would-”

“Think it’s a great idea. He would want you happy, healthy.”

“We’ll see.”

A knock broke their disgruntled glare at each other. “Jeremiah found this.” Baron produced a small carved wooden box, making her mother suck in a breath.

“My jewellery!”

“We are locating as many of your possessions as possible.” He handed the box to Mrs Warren. “I will ensure everything will come with us.”

“Thank you, Captain, you’re very kind.”

“It was Kaliyah that recognised the fraud.” His eyes turned to hers and sparkled. “You look beautiful, Pouco.” Holding his hand out, she took it gently, letting him pull her closer. “Truly beautiful.”

Her cheeks grew warm under his complement. “Just a dress,” she mumbled.

“Hush. It looks perfect. Are you ready?”

“Almost,” her mother spoke up, opening the box before drawing out a necklace. “You should wear this. No woman should go to her union without at least one jewel.”

Kaliyah inspected the pendant that her mother held out, a beautiful sapphire encased in thin, ornate silver. “Elvish?” she breathed in surprise.

“Yes. My mother gave it to me the day I joined with your father. It’s fitting.”

Kaliyah could only nod as her mother placed it around her neck. “It’s beautiful.” Her fingers glided over the silver. “Thank you.”

“It’s perfect,” Baron announced, offering his arm to her. “There’s a carriage waiting to take us to the shore.”

“I thought we were walking?”

“Not today,” Baron replied warmly. “Today’s special.”

“You’re special,” she whispered as they walked through the corridors of the Lord’s home.

“You are more special, Pouco. Also, I need more excuses for you to be in a dress.”

“It does make a difference, it’s nice. I didn’t think I missed dresses.”

“Then you shall wear them more often.”

A snorting laugh left her nose, “It is not exactly practical on a ship. Dresses can get in the way.”

“You are the ship’s mage. There’s no reason for you to do manual labour.”

“But you like all hands on deck.”

“I do. Your position will now be above that.”

“Don’t treat me any different. I’ll just keep defying you.” She shrugged before leaning into his arm, a small, soft smile on her lips.

“Please do.”