A Pirate's Wife

Chapter 7: A demand from Falcon King.

Cisco, the man who always steps up when the situation calls for it. He was the one who acted when the ship was splitting into pieces on that fateful day when our lives changed forever. He took charge of a panic-filled crew, all the while his back was still healing. When the crew started to drink all the whiskey to soften the blow of death, he kept calm. When slaves drowned in the whiskey in their attempts to get there first, he kept us safe.

He made a harness for Rosa-Lee and me on that fateful day when eighty-nine people died during the ship's demise. He simply put me on his back and Rosa-Lee on his chest and jumped into the swells of the foaming sea. He swam to the shore where he made sure we were safe before he helped anyone else. Of course, once Captain Breno was on land he took it out on Cisco. Jealous because he did not save everyone, and the people admired Cisco.

Those first days on the beach, stranded on the East Coast of Africa were terrifying. But that was only the start of our journey.

Cisco built us a hut to shelter us from the continuous rains. He was the one that made sure there was food enough for everyone. The people trusted him more and for that he was punished again. Again, flogged like an animal when he shot a deer to feed the many mouths.

But we would have died if not for him.

He saved me when Faro wanted to rape me. He saved Rosa-Lee when a lion wanted to kill her. He never complained; he did what was necessary and everyone benefited from it, including my husband and the captain. Those days were filled with horrific scenes of death and survival. They would always stay in my mind.

†††

“Cisco, you have called for me. Where's the patient?"

Cisco Almaida visibly shook for the first time in his life. His whole family was endangered by one man's insanity. Wrapping his arms around his wife, he caressed her back and in return, tiny hands held his broad back, caressing him.

Watching his daughter over on the settee, he could see raw emotions running over the youthful face. Then at last he followed the familiar voice to his friend and family doctor. He swallowed at the bile in his throat, got his voice back, and said,

“Doctor Vasco, please come in. It is Jean. He was wounded." Cisco turned to Captain Jean, still holding his wife around the shoulders. The captain was still sitting on the chair, as white as a sheet, miserably in pain.

“Is there somewhere we could lie him down so that he can be more comfortable?"

“Yes, Doctor, please follow me," said Rosa-Lee, who had come to her senses, lifting her eyes and wiping the tears away. Her mother was still distracted. She did not hear anything else around her. Tears streamed down her face, but she made no sound.

Straightening herself, Rosa-Lee walked to the injured Captain Jean, helping him to his feet. With the aid of the doctor, supporting him between them, she got him to the nearest bedroom, where they laid him down. Rosa-Lee helped to remove his jacket. They saw the gaping sword-wound clearly, his shirt and trousers on the right side drenched with blood.

“I will go get some warm water, Doctor. Please excuse me."

“Thanks, Rosa-Lee." She walked out, the anger she felt earlier was building inside of her. Who do these people think they are, this pirate Roberto, son of the Falcon, using Pedro and myself shamelessly, and wounding our friend in this manner?

I will go, but if they think that I will stay as their female companion, they have another thing coming! She sneered unwomanly.

I will show them! She was filled with outrage.

She knew how to defend herself. Her father had taught her the skill of the pistol and the sword. I will give them hell. For now, I will play along. But the moment I get an opportunity, I will take revenge for this blatant arrogance.

Her hazel eyes spat fire and with a very fierce posture, she walked to the kitchen to get the warm water and then speak to her father. They had to know that they could count on her to bring Pedro back.

†††

“Mother, Father, please let me go. I will bring Pedro back safely." Her father had refused to give in to the demands of the pirate.

“I will not send my only daughter to that place. I have heard many things about this pirate and Isle of Saint Marie. I will go and get him!" Cisco raised his voice in frustration and anger.

“But Father, the letter states plainly that I must go. We must do as they say, else they will kill Pedro."

They argued for a long time about this. Even Manuel said he would go, but his father just looked at him with a glare and refused. He had to tend to the farm.

Finally, when it was already late that evening, her Father reluctantly gave in. Mother walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pleading and crying, but they all knew there was nothing they could do. They had to give in to the demands of the pirate or lose their son. However, the thought of their daughter in the hands of those brutes terrified them.

Cisco knew what they did to women, how they treated them. Rosa-Lee was as good as dead once she was there.

How would they live with themselves?

“Please, Father, you have taught me all you know, and I can defend myself. Don't worry, please, I will be fine."

“Trust that what you have taught me will save me and Pedro." Her eyes were wide with determination as she stepped closer to them. Cisco gathered her closer, her face pressed into his shoulder. He held her for a very long time, shaking.

Her mother rubbed her back and said, “We love you, dear, please come back safely."

“Yes, mama." She kissed Qonchita's soft cheek, still beautiful after all these years, her back rigid as she composed herself.

“I will let you go, Rosa, but you need to let me know as soon as possible what is going on so that I know if I have to come looking for you," Cisco said gruffly.

“Yes, Father." standing on her tip toes, she kissed his handsome face. “I need to pack still, and it is late."

“Yes, dear, I will bring the coins to you in a moment." He hugged her once more before he let her go. Mother and father stood at the door for a while and she could hear him mutter something to her and Manuel, who walked away, angry at the whole situation. This was not the time to be a hero.