“What happened?” They both asked of the other Federation soldiers.
Several started to talk at once, then they all stopped and one stepped forward and resumed. “Percy, Sir, he figured he could get it open on his own and save you the trouble of an argument with their captain.”
“And?” Gedmun said, his glance spearing into the sailor.
“Well, he started to fiddle with the lock, he did, and then he stiffened up and his eyes roll back in his head. We all felt the cold then, Sir. It came outta that crate then Percy screamed like he was taking it all in himself,” he reported, glancing at the others for support. They were all nodding at the sailor’s recounting of the supernatural terror.
“Captain, I have to confiscate this box and put your ship and crew under arrest,” Gedmun said, turning to face Dexter.
Rosh started to move forward but Jenna stopped him with a hand on his arm. Dexter ignored them and focused on the Federation captain. “The wizard insisted the crate not be opened until it reached its destination. I told you the same. That your man tried to open it is his fault, not ours!”
Gedmun nodded and sighed. “So he did,” he admitted. “I can’t and won’t hold you accountable for his death, it being accidental and all.”
“What I must do,” he continued, glancing at the box and then back at Dexter. “Is hold it for magical examination. This was bound for the governor of Grafton, yet it killed the first man to open it. That says, to me, that it could very well be a magical assassination attempt.”
Dexter cursed. He had never considered that angle. Perhaps Ormitor had been willing to offer him whatever he wanted, knowing that he would be apprehended and killed after he delivered death to Sir Drayful. With Jarnella brokering the deal she kept his mind in the clouds enough that he never stopped to consider any alternatives, he was too focused on the beautiful woman and her sensuality.
The key! Dexter had a key. He looked to Jenna and Rosh. Jenna nodded, indicating she would follow him in whatever decision he chose. Rosh simply looked ready to explode into action.
“I can open the crate,” Dexter said, facing Gedmun again. “I will prove that there is nothing of the sort inside of it, or die in the attempt myself.”
Gedmun looked at him, frowning. Finally he nodded. “Very well, Captain, go ahead.”
Dexter took the key from his pocket, noting that it still felt as warm as it had when Jarnella had given it to him. He knelt down next to the box and hesitated. Turning back to the Federation captain he said, “If this be my final act, my crew and ship — and I — knew nothing of the nature of this box. Take it if you wish and return to Wizard Ormitor of Port Freedom with any grievances. But, let my crew and ship be on their way.”
Gedmun thought Dexter’s request over and then, at last, nodded. “If it is your last wish, I will honor it.”
Dexter turned back to the crate and took a deep breath. He felt a small hand on his shoulder then and, without turning, knew Jenna was offering him encouragement. He slipped the key in the lock and wondered, in hindsight, if anything happening to him would happen to her as well. He turned the key in the lock, feeling and hearing a resounding click.
Everybody save Jenna, Rosh, and Gedmun backed away. Kragor watched from the doorway to the hold, unable to enter due to the sheer number of bodies and plainly irritated by that simple fact. Dexter reached out, feeling no different, and lifted the lid of the crate, noting that it seemed more like a large chest than a crate all of a sudden.
Inside the crate mists swirled. They rose out of the crate, making some of the sailors curse or whimper in fear. They faded on contact with the air, however, and revealed their contents.
Laying upon silken sheets was a young woman who looked to be no more than twenty years old. She was dressed in a silken midnight blue gown, her wavy raven tresses framing an angelic face. She was a woman that bore only a faint resemblance to Jarnella and her fellow servants, for she possessed breathtaking beauty. Her eyes opened and beheld Dexter above her. She smiled and mouthed a single word.
“Master.”
Jenna’s hand on his shoulder clamped down, her fingernails biting into his skin before she retracted it. Beside her Rosh’s intake of air could easily be heard. Gedmun gasped beside him and stared at her. Dexter cursed, knowing that his life had just gotten more complicated.
“No, lass, I’m not your master, I’m just…” Dexter cursed, not knowing what he was.
“Yes, you are my Master and I am your servant, Keshira.”
“Captain, you know that transporting slaves in Federation Space is illegal,” Gedmun stated, his voice soft and respectful in spite of his pronouncement of doom.
“Don’t s’pose it helps me none that I had no idea she was in here?” Dexter said, turning away from the girl and back to Gedmun.
Gedmun continued to stare at the newly discovered woman. He glanced at Dexter finally and shook his head a bit. “What’s that? Oh… no, no I’m afraid it does not. She’s going to have to come with me, I’m afraid.”
“I cannot leave my Master,” she said, her voice silky, pleasant, and promising all sorts of hedonistic pleasures.
“Stop saying that!” Dexter said, turning back to her. He rose up and turned to his crew, his eyes pleading for help. Jenna’s gaze was smoldering with fury. He had no idea what had gotten into her, but he knew no help awaited him there. Rosh, on the other hand, had eyes only for Keshira, and it was obvious what was on his mind.
“Captain Gedmun, clearly this be no matter of slavery. I, we, none of us, had any idea she was in that box! There be magic involved in this, and we’ve got no wizard among us!” Dexter protested, clearly agitated by the turn of events.
“I understand that you were unwitting dupes in this, Captain,” Gedmun said, puffing out his chest and offering his hand to Keshira. “Which is why I will escort this young lady to a safe Federation port and let her be on her way back to her family or friends.”
When she made no move to rise, he lowered his hand closer to her. “My Lady, take my hand so I can escort you to my ship.”
“Half a minute there, Captain,” Dexter said. “This business is between me, this girl and Ormitor. If it’s all the same I’d rather head back to Port Freedom and have words with him over this. He assured me my cargo was legal. I’m not for smuggling flesh, I’ll have you know.”
“You may deal with your employer as you see fit, if the Lady will come with me, I’ll let you, your crew, and your ship go and naught will be mentioned of it,” Gedmun assured him, again gesturing for Keshira to take his hand.
Dexter glanced back down at Keshira and saw her still staring up at him patiently. Expectantly. He sighed and gestured at her while saying, “get up, already!”
“Yes, Master,” she said with a smile that would melt steel. She gracefully climbed to her feet from the box, standing up and presenting herself. She was even more beautiful standing.
Her dress clung to her body, accentuating her natural curves and making them so perfect as to seem almost unnatural. She stood just shy of six feet tall, only a hair shorter than Dexter. Her deep and expressive eyes were a sapphire blue, which was further set off by her dress. Her hair now fell about her shoulders, but it fell in curls that, when straightened, would probably allow it to fall to her shoulder blades.
Every man in the room, and the dwarf in the hallway, stared at her, momentarily spellbound.
“Lady Keshira, follow me to the Gavel… that’s my ship,” Captain Gedmun said, his voice showing signs of irritation that she was all but ignoring him.
“Stay where you are,” Dexter said, then shook his head when she replied, “yes, Master.”
Ignoring her he turned to Gedmun and made sure that Kragor, Rosh, and Jenna — who was glaring daggers into him — could see him as well. “The girl was on my ship, that makes her my responsibility. I’m not for being played a fool, Captain. If she wishes to go with you, I’ll let her…”