Voyage of Slaves

Ben heard Ned’s mental chuckle. “You’d better apologise in case you’ve hurt her maidenly feelings, mate!”

The boy shook Janos Cabar’s outstretched hand. “No offence, marm, I think the name suits you well.”

The woman had a grip like a vise. She winked at Kostas. “Hey, Krimboti, I like this one. He’s good-looking, and has far better manners than you. Hah, he owns a handsome dog, too. Hello, boy!”

Ben read Ned’s thoughts as he proffered his paw, which was shaken heartily. “Handsome dog, eh? At least she got my name right. Good grief, she could strangle a tipsy hog with that grip!”

Ben introduced Ned to Janos, then applied himself to his supper as Kostas and the woman talked together.

“Well, wild one, how does being a taverna landlady suit you?”

Janos played with strands of her long black hair. “Oh, good enough, I suppose. It keeps long-nosed officials off my back, seeing I’ve got an honest trade.”

The Greek dropped his voice. “But it’s only a blind, to hide your real business. Do you still run a gang?”

Janos Cabar coiled the bullwhip and hung it over her shoulder. “Ah, you rogue, I knew you wanted something the moment you walked in here. Yanni, bring the food and follow us, we’re going downstairs. Too many little pigs with big ears around waterfront taverns these days.”

They reached the basement by a trapdoor, set into the floor of a back room. It was a spacious chamber, with bales, barrels and chests stacked against the walls. There were about twenty women sitting at various tables, eating, drinking and gossiping. Every one of the women was garbed in men’s riding clothes, well-armed, too, by the sight of blades and muskets tucked into their belts. They fell quiet as the visitors entered, but at a nod from Janos they carried on talking. Ned did the rounds of the tables, and was rewarded with choice morsels from many plates.

Kostas clacked his gold teeth happily. “Aye, I see you’re still in the highway trade. That’s what I wanted to talk with you about, my friend.”

Janos draped an arm around Ben’s shoulders. “Go on.”

Kostas pointed at the boy. “He needs to get to Piran, and he wants to be there soon. That’s why I’ve brought him to you. I require passage for Ben and his dog.”

The woman turned to Ben. “You must have urgent business in Piran. Tell me, will it keep until just before dawn after tomorrow night?”

Ben nodded eagerly. “That would be marvellous, marm!”

Janos pulled him close, muttering with dark humour. “Just you marm me one more time, lad, and I’ll break every rib that you possess!”

By the strength of the hold she had on him, Ben never doubted her word. He forced a smile. “Not one more marm, I promise, Mrs. Cabar.”

She gave him a final squeeze as a reminder. “Call me Janos, that’ll do.”

Kostas interrupted, “What do I owe you, friend?”

The tough woman shook her head. “I don’t take payment from friends, you should know that.”

Ned nuzzled her hand until she stroked his ears. “This is a very wild and wonderful dangerous lady, Ben.”

Ben turned his attention to Kostas Krimboti.

“How can I thank you for all that you’ve done for us, Cap’n?”

The gold teeth flashed in a wide grin. “Me, helped you? It’s the other way around, Beniamino. You gave me the gift I have always longed for. Something my parents would not allow me to have—a puppy dog! Once I have the old Blue Turtle fixed up, I will be Kostas Krimboti, the man who got everything he always wished for. To be captain of his own ship, and to own a dog that will become the terror of all seagoing rats!”

Ben shook the big Greek’s hand fondly. “I’m sure he’ll be a fine dog for you, Cap’n.”

Kostas stood up. “And now I must go, my friend. You’ll need to rest up before tomorrow evening, and I must get back to my ship and heal her wounds. Janos, I’m taking the boy outside to have a final word with him.”

Ben and Ned followed Kostas and Yanni back to the boat in the harbour. Out of sight from prying eyes, Kostas held out his hand. “Yanni, my pocket money.”

From inside his billowing shirt, Yanni brought forth a heavy leather pouch.

Kostas instructed Ben, “Now listen to me, boy, if you refuse my gift I’ll be very sad, and angry, too. Here’s gold for you. Don’t look so surprised, did you think I was a poor man? I was a treasure hunter, you know. I’ve got gold and jewels that I’ll never be able to count. Janos Cabar must be paid, her business is risky. She won’t take money from me, so you pay her. Keep some for yourself, you may need it before you and your friends are safe. Now don’t argue!”

Ben accepted the pouch. “Thank you, Cap’n.”

Kostas stared long and hard at the strange boy with the clouded eyes, regretting that he had no children. “Should you get to the Convent of Santa Filomena, tell the Mother Superior that you are my friend. Say that I will deliver her supplies as soon as I can.”

Yanni was already in the boat, manning an oar. “Kostas Krimboti, are you coming? The tide’s beginning to turn. Good-bye, boy, good luck to you and your fine dog!”