Part 19 (2/2)
Lock shook his head. ”They'll be going. There's nothing of profit for them here. Just stay out of their way, if you can. They've been known to take slaves.”
The villagers dispersed, and Sparrow glanced at him. ”Do they really?”
”Of course. Many pirates do.”
”Did you?”
”Slaves are too expensive to keep. I prefer cargo that doesn't eat, drink, and s.h.i.+t.”
”Tactfully put as always.”
Lock winked at her before they mounted Sea Storm, pa.s.sed through the square, and headed for the city of Begonia.
Though small, Begonia was considered one of the loveliest port cities on the Western Continent. As Sparrow and Lock reached the crest of the hill, the sun bleached palace loomed in the distance, a long, rectangular building of white brick and marble.
”Unusual looking palace,” Lock said.
”It's nothing like the one I came from.”
”It's a fine tribute to men.”
Sparrow wrinkled her nose. ”To men?”
”What do you think of when you look at it, girl?”
She stared at the structure, tall, sword-like. She almost blushed. ”Honestly, Lock. Is your mind always in your trousers?”
He glanced over his shoulder and winked. ”So it reminds you of me, too, does it?”
She playfully slapped his shoulder as they continued toward the city.
The palace had withstood the storm, except for some minimal damage, but the city wall was ruined and dozens of workers scattered around it, making repairs. At the gate, the guards questioned Lock and Sparrow briefly and allowed them to pa.s.s.
Inside, some of the houses had been destroyed, but many still stood, and the market was open for business, as busy as Sparrow remembered. They dismounted Sea Storm, and Sparrow paid a boy to stable him for the morning.
”Let's have a look around the market before going to the palace,” Sparrow suggested. ”It's so much better than the one in the village.”
”Best markets in the world are in the Kennas.”
”I've heard about the Kennas but have never been there.”
”Once we're out of here and I have another s.h.i.+p, I'll take you there.”
Sparrow entwined her fingers with his and smiled. ”I'd like that. I speak their language.”
”You speak mine, too. How many do you speak?”
”Ten. It was my favorite area of study. I was training to be an amba.s.sador when my family was overthrown.”
”Never thought I'd be marrying a woman with royal blood,” he muttered. ”But I guess you never thought you'd be marrying a pirate, either.”
”Reformed pirate.”
He tossed her a look she didn't quite understand, so she chose to ignore it. Nothing was going to ruin their day. Even if she didn't receive her desired answer from the women at the palace, they could still enjoy the visit to the city.
”What pretty bracelets.” Sparrow's gaze swept a cart full of wide silver bangles carved with symbols.
The vendor, a skinny man with matted black braids picked up one of the bracelets and offered it to Sparrow for closer inspection. ”Imported from the Isle of Sole made by the tribe of Six Stars. The tribe is dying out and these trinkets are very rare. Worth twenty coins a piece.”
Lock glanced over Sparrow's shoulder at the bracelets and said, ”Those aren't from Sole and no member of Six Stars would create such messy work. Symbols are wrong, too. Twenty coins? Ain't worth two.”
The man glared at Lock, his teeth clenched. ”So a slave is supposed to be an expert on jewels?”
”I've been to Sole over a dozen times. I'll wager you've never so much as seen the coast.”
Sparrow returned the bracelet and tugged Lock away from the cart before he and the vender erupted into a full-blown argument.
”I should take you shopping more often,” she said.
”Most vendors are bigger thieves than I ever was. Made by Six Stars. Do I look like a jacka.s.s?” Lock raised his voice and glanced over his shoulder at the vendor who shook his fist in the pirate's direction.
”Would you try to behave yourself at least for the rest of the morning?” Sparrow lifted her eyes skyward.
”What did I do?”
His pale eyes looked so genuinely confused that she couldn't resist smiling. ”Come on, Lock. The palace entrance is just around the corner and...”
Sparrow stopped speaking suddenly and stared several feet away at a man seated on a black gelding. Tall, with a body of solid muscle and a face that looked as if it had been carved from a mountainside, Sparrow would never forget him. Eyes of such dark brown they appeared black riveted to her. Four white scars ran down his left cheek, and Sparrow remembered how he'd sustained the marks. Her heart pounded so hard her chest ached, and she forgot everything except the desire to see him dead.
”Son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h!” Sparrow shrieked and raced at the worst fiend she'd ever known.
Lock stared at Sparrow for a stunned moment before chasing after her. Had the woman gone completely mad after all?
He saw her pull a dagger from her belt before she flew at a large man-rough-looking even by Lock's standards-on horseback.
Lock grasped her waist before she reached her mark, just in time to protect her from the powerful kick of a booted foot. The man's kick caught Lock in the shoulder and knocked him onto the dirt so hard he grunted with the force of landing. He was glad he'd knocked Sparrow aside. The kick would have caused her serious injury. Lock felt like he'd been slammed by a horse. A guard who happened to be bartering at a nearby stall, held Sparrow who struggled in his grasp and bellowed, ”Murdering b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
Lock pushed himself to his feet. The man on horseback glanced at him and smiled wickedly.
”What is going on here?” a feminine voice called.
A blond woman in burgundy robes approached Sparrow and the guard.
”Sparrow?” The woman looked surprised. ”What's wrong?”
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