Voyage of Slaves

Joshua looked as though he were about to protest, his suntanned cheeks reddened. However, something in his grandfather’s eyes warned him that argument would prove fruitless. He bowed to the old man and marched off, stiff-backed, to the galley.

Eli murmured to Ben, “Just like his father, a true son of the House of Shimon, a fearless warrior. He has many lessons to learn yet.”

Ben smiled. “He is lucky to have you as a teacher, sir.”

Eli took Ben’s hand. “Come inside and enjoy our hospitality, Benjamin. Bring Ned with you. It is not wise to be seen out in the open by hawks, if you are a dove. I want to hear more about you and your fine dog.”

Ned trailed inside behind Ben and Eli. “Fine dog? Will you kindly inform our friend that I am the Magnificent Neddo!”

Ben tugged his ear gently. “If you don’t stop boasting, I’ll tell him that your real name is Bundi.”

Eli had a broad and spacious cabin at the stern of the White Ram. It contained a huge table and lots of chairs. There were cedar cupboards, shelves full of books and scrolled maps, and broad mullioned windows stretching in a long arc. It was more stateroom than cabin. Seated at the table with Eli, Ben watched as stewards cleared away charts and documents.

The cook and his helpers, one of whom was a red-faced Joshua, set out table linen, cutlery and dishes. They served a delicious chicken broth, followed by a dish of fresh fish with saffron rice and boiled chickpeas. There was orange juice, coffee or wine to drink, and baklava, a pastry filled with honey, nuts and raisins, for dessert. Ned was given a roasted shoulder of lamb and a bowl of water, to which he immediately gave his undivided attention. Eli raised a goblet of dark red wine to the boy and his dog.

“L’chaim,²⁷ Benjamin, to you, your dog and my Joshua. This wine is from our vineyards at Ascalon, where I live with my family and friends. Let me tell you about us.

“We have held that land safe for centuries, our tribe has defended it against many foes, and it prospers under our care. Our retainers are husbandmen, shepherds and farmers, but we of the House of Shimon are warrior merchants. We trade both on land and sea, though now I am retired. I spend my days giving counsel to my son Jacob and his wife Miriam, who manage all the business. Joshua is their only heir, I have devoted myself to his education.”

Here Eli gave a dry chuckle. “Though not always with great success, as you saw by today’s incident. He is head-strongand adventurous, as are you, Benjamin, I think. Tell me about yourself and Ned, how you came to be here, with your fair skin, light hair and northern eyes. You interest me greatly.”

Ned looked up from the bone he was gnawing. “Watch you don’t trip up over your tongue, matey, he’d never believe our true history.”

Ben helped himself to orange juice as he replied to the dog. “Leave it to me, I’ll give him the same story I told to Al Misurata, that I was the son of a ship’s officer, whose vessel was wrecked in the Gulf of Gascony, of which I have very little memory. Then you and I travelled the coasts for some years, until we were captured and enslaved by Al Misurata. From therein I’ll tell Eli the facts as they happened. Will that be alright with you, mate?”

Ned chewed on some roasted fat. “I suppose so, but I’ll be listening, to help you in case you slip up.”

Ben launched into his narrative. The old man listened intently, never speaking, but watching him avidly. The strange boy hurried through his fictional earlier life, but told the truth, chapter and verse, about events which had occurred since he and Ned were found drifting off the Libyan coast in their small boat. When he had finished, the patriarch shook his bearded head slowly.

“Al Misurata—who in these seas has not heard that hated name? You did well to escape him, Benjamin—he is a pirate, a slaver and lots worse things, I have heard. I know he is neither Jewish nor Arabic, a truly evil parasite. So, young fellow, what do you plan on doing to rescue your friends, the Rizzoli Troupe? How will you liberate them?”

Ben explained as best he could. “They are held captive aboard Misurata’s ship, the Sea Djinn. She’s bound for the port of Piran in Slovenija, sir. He promised to give them passage there, so that they could cross the border into Italy. But he plans on selling them as slaves. If I can reach Piran, I’ll form a plan to help them. Al Misurata will not expect me to show up there, so it will make things less difficult. If Ned and I could get passage to Piran, I’d wait my chance.

I’m sure the right opportunity would present itself sooner or later. When it does I’ll know what to do.”

Eli patted Ben’s shoulder. “I’m certain you will, Benjamin, you are a strange and resourceful boy. I hope Joshua grows up just like you. So, I’ll give orders for the White Ram to get under way to Slovenija as soon as possible.”