Voyage of Slaves

He did not have long to wait. The faithful Labrador came bounding out of the drizzly curtain to his side. “Well, I know where the cart is, mate, just outside of town, by a stream in some woodland. Where’s our girl, then, have you seen her?”

Ben crouched by his dog’s side as he answered. “She’s inside somewhere, but there’s no chance of me getting in, I’d be ejected on sight.”

Ned shook himself vigorously. “Right, you stay here, I’ll sneak in the back way and see what’s going on!”

Serafina sat at a corner table in the salon with Al Misurata. Ghigno had gone off somewhere to carry out his master’s wishes. The beautiful black girl had allowed an attendant to take her cloak. Other diners stared openly at the man in costly Arab garb and the fascinating girl. Al Misurata ignored them, indicating a selection of small frosted tarts and an ornate pot of hot chocolate which had been served to them.

“Help yourself, girl. One as pretty as you should get accustomed to a life of luxury.”

Serafina stared miserably at the woven damask table covering. “I’m not hungry, sir, all I want is to go back to the Rizzoli Troupe.”

The pirate poured himself a dainty cup of the hot chocolate. “All in good time, miss. Ah, here comes Ghigno.”

The Corsair was accompanied by a sallow-faced man whose attire suggested that he might be a country squire. Ghigno introduced him. “Lord, this is the head steward and aide to Count Dreskar. Ferenc Kuvan!”

Al Misurata viewed the aide with raised eyebrows. “I was told I would be dealing personally with your master?”

The aide bowed formally. “Sir, I am here to do business with you on Count Dreskar’s behalf. He sends his apologies and regrets, but he has been called away on urgent matters of state.”

Al Misurata appeared to digest this information for a time. Then he turned to Ghigno. “Take the girl and wait elsewhere for me.”

Ghigno escorted Serafina away. Al Misurata beckoned the aide to sit in her place, noticing the way he had appraised the girl.

“A real beauty, that one—I think your master would agree?”

Ferenc Kuvan got straight down to business. “What about the others, did you not bring them?”

The pirate wagged a finger, smiling. “Piran has many eyes and ears, it would be foolish to bring them all. I am merely showing you the jewel of the collection. The others are safe enough, my friend.”

The aide’s face disguised the fact that he did not relish being called the friend of a Barbary pirate. He tapped a finger on the tabletop.“How many are they, and what about the fair-skinned boy your report mentioned?”

Al Misurata found lying as natural as drawing breath. “Alas, he was lost overboard in a storm. But the others are a worthy addition to the girl. There are six of them, including a German strongman, a prime specimen. Then there is a dancer and snake charmer, older than the girl, but very attractive, a real Nubian lady. There are two brothers, acrobats, clowns, Count Dreskar would find them immensely entertaining. Then there is an older couple, man and wife, they are very obedient and have many years service still in them.”

Count Dreskar’s head steward cut the pirate short. “I will take the girl, the Nubian lady and the German. The others would not interest my master.”

Al Misurata sat back. Making a tent of his fingers, he stared at Ferenc Kuvan over it, speaking levelly. “You will take them all, that is the deal I agreed with Dreskar. Or I can make you another offer—your master can forget any arrangements we made, and be satisfied to have you back, plus the gift of a dagger, which you will carry in your heart.”

There followed a silence, in which the pirate watched the aide’s Adam’s apple bob up and down several times. When he had regained some composure, Ferenc Kuvan spoke.

“Let us discuss the price of your wares.”

Al Misurata nodded casually. “I warn you, I drive a hard bargain, my friend.”

Ben wandered up and down the mudwashed path outside, cold and hungry. It seemed an age since his dog had slunk inside from the courtyard entrance. Late afternoon was sinking toward evening when Ned emerged into the street. Ben hurried to him. “Well, did you see her?”

The dog grabbed Ben’s torn trouser leg. “Come with me, hurry up. And don’t stand gawping at her, or the Scarface’ll see you. Come on!”

He led Ben around to the front entrance. As they passed the hall doorway, the boy found himself staring straight into the eyes of Serafina. Ghigno was studying one of the paintings on the wall, but he had a firm grip on the girl’s arm. Her almond eyes grew wide at the sight of Ben, who had only enough time to wink and nod reassuringly at her. Then the dog dragged him away, communicating urgently. “Don’t stand there like a lovelorn duck. Move yourself!”

Serafina felt as though she was suddenly hovering on air at the sight of Ben. Ghigno turned and looked at her quizzically.

“What’s the matter with you, girl, do you feel faint?”