Sea of Honor (Noble Heart Book 5) Read online

  “Jamie will take good care of him, Noble. There is not a better stable boy in Caernarfon, and Valiant knows and likes him. I’ll wager that black coat of his will be shinier than ever when we get back, for Jamie likes nothing better than to be caring for that great warhorse of yours! Knowing Jamie, he is probably pretending that Valiant belongs to him!” Sir Michael chuckled.

  Noble agreed and laughed along with his friend. Of all the other knights in the King’s Guard, Noble was glad the king had sent Sir Michael with him on this journey. The two had been friends from almost the first moment they had met, and had been through several adventures together already. Although the other knight was several years older than Noble, they got along well, and Noble knew Sir Michael was a loyal and courageous king’s man who would stand by him in any situation. He kept him laughing, as well, for although Noble was often thoughtful and serious, Sir Michael loved to tease and entertain his young friend.

  “If I could have brought Valiant along, I would have,” he admitted now. “We will need horses when we get to Brittany, after all. I doubt Valiant would have been any happier about being tossed about on the waves than I will be, though.”

  “We will hire a carriage, most likely, for the Lady Brynne and her luggage,” Sir Michael said. “If need be, we will hire additional horses, as well. In the meantime, your animals will be fine without you, and you will survive as well, I suspect.”

  “Yes, I know. I am not complaining. Just thinking of how different this is than our normal way of life. If I— Wait! Look! What is that?” Noble pointed.

  Sir Michael looked out to a spot in the water only a short distance away from the ship. A dark shape had risen from the sea. The waves were capped with gold as the sun sunk to the edge of the horizon, and in the midst of the golden patch a large black hump arched over the surface of the water.

  “It’s a whale!” Sir Michael shouted. “You see, there’s his tail!”

  Noble watched in awe as the huge animal lifted itself from the sea and slapped the surface of the water with its split tail as it plunged back beneath the waves. A few seconds later it emerged again, this time blowing water from its spout in a fine spray. “Look! Are those dolphins?” he asked in excitement, clutching Sir Michael’s arm. Several smaller, sleek silver-gray shapes had appeared alongside the whale, leaping and diving through the water. They watched in fascination for several minutes until finally the creatures disappeared for the final time beneath the sea.

  Several of the sailors working around them had stopped to watch, as well, pointing and shouting and obviously enjoying the spectacle. Once the whale and dolphins were gone they stood at the rail, still chatting and pointing out to sea.

  Sir Michael and Noble sat back and grinned at one another. “Truly you are blessed by the Lord, Noble!” Sir Michael exclaimed. “Here you sit, missing your animals back home, so He sends creatures from the depths of the sea for your amusement and joy!”

  Noble laughed. “Yes, that was a blessing I shall never forget, I think!”

  “What’s going on?” a voice roared. “Why are you men standing around? Get back to work!”

  Noble and Sir Michael looked up to see Captain Callice on the quarterdeck, scowling and barking orders at the sailors around them. Pyrs Griffith was with him, and now he came rushing down the stairs toward them.

  “Back to work! Back to work!” he screamed at the men. Then he turned his attention to the two young knights. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “Leave the men alone! Captain Callice kindly allowed you on his ship, but if you are going to be trouble we will leave you in Brittany for good when we get there!”

  Noble stepped forward. “In the first place, sir, your captain did not take us aboard out of the goodness of his heart,” he said sternly. “King Stephen paid him a great deal of money for our passage and that of the lady we will be escorting back. A great deal more money than our room and food are worth, as a matter of fact. And secondly, we did nothing to cause trouble on this ship or among the men. If your captain has a problem with us, he may come and speak to us directly about it.”

  Pyrs stumbled back a step. He had taken the young knight to be soft—young and simple. This person standing before him, with his eyes piercing through him and his voice determined and strong, was no mere foolish youth. And when Sir Michael stepped forward to join his friend, Pyrs realized he could not bully them as he did the men who served on board the Sea Eagle. “Bah!” he snorted and scampered back to the steps leading up to the quarterdeck. He was soon back with his captain, glaring at them and waving his arms wildly as he reported back to Captain Callice.

  “What was that all about?” Noble murmured to Sir Michael.

  “I don’t know, but both the captain and his man Pyrs seem to have taken a dislike to us for no apparent reason other than we are knights of the King’s Guard, I suppose. It makes me quite suspicious. There is something strange going on aboard the Sea Eagle, I’ll wager, Sir Noble. They are behaving as guilty men. Guilty of what, I wonder?”

  “I don’t know, but somehow I have a feeling we will find out before this journey is over.” Noble stared up at the men on the quarterdeck. Lord, give us wisdom, he prayed. And strength for whatever lies ahead.

  ___________

  CHAPTER THREE

  ___________

  Young John Roby

  Breakfast the next morning was not any different than supper had been the night before—the same porridge, the same bread and water. They sat on the deck once more—this time in the light of the rising sun.

  “We’ve passed through St. George’s Channel during the night and will soon be out in the open ocean,” Sir Michael told Noble.

  Noble looked out over the endless stretch of water surrounding them. He was glad for this opportunity to see a little of the world, but in his heart he knew the sea could never be a way of life for him. He liked having solid earth beneath his feet, being able to ride his horse, hunting with his falcon, being close to those he loved. He could not imagine how lonely the lives of these seamen must be, how they must miss seeing green grass and trees, and their families, most of all.

  He spoke his thoughts to his friend. “Yes, you and I would not be happy living aboard a ship, but for most of these men, Noble, it is their life,” Sir Michael said. “They love the sea the way you and I love the meadows and forests. Many of them do not have families or homes to return to, and of those who do, the sea has been so much a part of their lives, and their fathers’ and grandfathers’ lives that they know nothing else. They live at sea, and many of them will die at sea. It is a hard life, to be sure, but I’ll wager most of them would choose it nonetheless if they had a choice.”

  “You’re probably right,” Noble agreed. He looked out at the waves and the sea birds that still circled the ship. The water was rougher here than it had been the day before. He was relieved that he had not been affected by seasickness—yet. He scanned the water, hoping to see another whale or other sea life, but the ocean was empty as far as the eye could see—empty and lonely. There was power and danger there, though, he knew; a hidden menace that lay waiting for just the right moment to strike. He would be glad to see the sunny shores of Brittany.

  “What should we do today to pass the time?” he asked Sir Michael.

  The other knight took a bite of his bread, chewing thoughtfully before he spoke. “I am curious about this ship,” he finally said, “and about Captain Callice, as well. I would like to take a look around, down in the cargo holds, perhaps, and talk to some of the men. It may be we were too quick to be suspicious of him and his man Pyrs last night. Perhaps they are merely cranky and bad-tempered old men. But whether you call it suspicion or curiosity, I must satisfy this little itch and snoop—er, I mean, look around a bit.”

  Noble laughed. “It sounds like a fine way to spend the day to me! A word of caution, though: if the captain finds us snoo—looking about his ship, he will not be happy with us at all, I fear! Let us go about this carefully. I have no
wish to be dumped off here in the middle of the ocean!”

  They finished their breakfast and stood at the railing chatting and looking out over the water for a while longer. At last, when it appeared the men all around them were busy with their chores they moved away and approached the hatch in the stern of the ship. They had not seen either Captain Callice or Pyrs Griffith that morning. They took another quick look around them, and then slipped down the ladder into the blackness of the cargo hold.

  A few rays of light penetrated the dirty portholes. The light was very dim, but they had no torches so they did the best they could in the darkness. There was little to see, actually. The cargo hold was empty but for a dozen or so barrels near the foot of the ladder and some large stones used for ballast. They pried the lids off, only to see they held oats, and flour for the most part. “It appears to be the food supplies for the crew,” Sir Michael said.

  “Hmm, there is salted pork in this one,” Noble said. “I wonder when they plan to serve that. So far we have seen nothing but porridge and bread.”

  “They’ll probably bring it out when the crew gets so tired of the other that they are faced with a mutiny. I am sure Captain Callice and one or two of his favored men get better food than the crew.”

  “Well, let us move on to the other hold. There is nothing else to see here,” Noble said. They cautiously climbed out of the hold, looking around to see if anyone was watching.

  There were men on the ropes and sails above them, and others scrubbing the deck and mending sails, but no one seemed to be paying any attention to them. They casually strolled the length of the deck to the other cargo hold in the bow of the ship. Pyrs was upon the quarterdeck, but he had his back turned to them, so they quickly ducked down the hatch.

  This space was nearly empty, as well. Noble and Sir Michael peered through the dim shadows. They spotted a few crates pushed against the back wall, and a handful of trunks and chests were scattered around the hold, but there was not much else to be seen.

  “I don’t understand,” Noble said with a puzzled frown. “What happened to all the barrels and crates we saw them loading on the ship before we left? If this is a merchant ship, where is the merchandise they should be carrying?”

  Sir Michael shook his head. “That’s a very good question, my friend. Most ships would carry cargo both ways to trade. Think about it for a moment, though. How much did we actually see them loading when we came aboard? We got here just a few minutes before the Sea Eagle cast off and left the dock.”

  “You’re right. I don’t suppose we saw more than twenty or thirty pieces of cargo being hauled up the gangplank. I just assumed we were seeing the last of it being loaded. It could very well be that was all there was to begin with,” Noble said.

  “The question remains—why? What is Captain Callice’s business that he does not need to be fully loaded when he makes his trading expeditions? I have not heard of that before,” Sir Michael murmured.

  “Could it be that he needs his cargo holds empty, for he plans to fill them quickly, before he sails into any ports of trade?” Noble asked thoughtfully.

  “You are suggesting Callice has reverted to his wicked ways and is dealing in acts of piracy?” Sir Michael questioned, his voice low. He looked around the dark space as if he expected to find someone hiding behind a trunk, listening to them.

  Noble shrugged. “Perhaps. You said he was a pirate before Queen Elizabeth pardoned him. Does an old sea dog like him change his ways—especially when untold riches are at stake?”

  “What are you two doing down there?” a snarling voice suddenly echoed through the dark, empty space.

  They looked up. Pyrs was outlined against the sky as he stood at the edge of the hatch looking down into the hold. Noble glanced at Sir Michael and then stepped forward. “We’re just looking around. Taking the little tour of the ship we were supposed to get from you yesterday,” he said smoothly. He climbed up the ladder, followed by his friend.

  “Nice ship,” he said when he reached the top. “It appears there is plenty of room to carry a good cargo back from your journey.”

  Pyrs stared at him, his eyes narrowed. “Stay out of the cargo holds!” he finally hissed and stalked away.

  Noble shook his head. “He certainly is a bad-tempered fellow,” he said. “You would think the ship belonged to him.”

  “I wonder what his loyalty to Captain Callice and the Sea Eagle is. It scarcely looks as though poor Pyrs is fed, let alone paid a decent wage for the work he does, and yet he rushes to fiercely defend and protect them.”

  “I do not know,” Sir Michael said with a shrug, “but I am not surprised. If he has been with Captain Callice a long time, that could explain his loyalty. Pirates are a strange bunch. They are violent and vicious, robbers and killers, and yet to one another they are often loyal and abide by a strict code of conduct.”

  “Somehow I doubt these are men of honor, my friend.”

  “No, I would not call them that,” Sir Michael laughed. “There is no honor upon the sea for pirates. Oh, they may follow orders, but it is out of fear, not respect, for their captain. Men like Pyrs may be loyal, but it is because loyalty is their only choice for they have no other place to go, no other life to live. They have a code of conduct because they do not trust one another and without it they would soon destroy one another. It is a dangerous life.”

  “And a very sad one, as well,” Noble said thoughtfully. “I do not know how I would live if my grandfather had not taught me to honor the Lord and those in authority over me. Respect and obedience, loyalty and trust—those things mean nothing if they do not come from the heart, though. And only God can change the heart, for we are born rebellious and sinful.”

  “You are right, Sir Noble. Well, let us walk around the ship a bit longer, although we will stay out of the cargo holds since we have seen there is nothing in them anyway. We would not want our friend Pyrs to have another fit, would we?”

  Noble chuckled. “No, but I suppose if we try to talk to the other men and he catches us he will have a fit anyway, so let us hope we can escape his watchful eye.”

  The two friends walked around the Sea Eagle, taking in the work that was going on aboard the brigantine. They stopped here and there to have a word with the sailors who were swabbing the deck or untangling knots or mending sails, but most of them were tight-lipped and unfriendly. Apparently orders had been given to the crew to have nothing to do with their passengers.

  There was one exception. A young boy, slightly younger than Noble, it appeared, smiled at their approach. His eyes looked their armor up and down, and they could see admiration in his gaze. It was no wonder. His own clothes were nothing but rags, and so dirty and greasy they looked almost stiff. He was thin to the point of starvation and his breeches barely clung to his hip bones. Most of the men aboard the Sea Eagle were thin, but at least they looked muscular and strong enough. This lad looked as if a heavy wind could blow him overboard.

  “Ahoy, there!” he greeted the knights as they neared him. His voice was low, not attracting any attention from the men around them, but he could not hide the grin that flashed across his face. He did not stop his mopping. It was obvious he wanted to talk but was afraid of the consequences if he did. Noble noticed scars across the boy’s back where he had been whipped in the past.

  They walked a few feet past the lad and stopped near the railing as if to enjoy the view. Noble did not look at the boy as he quietly said, “Hello. What is your name?”

  “John, sir. John Roby.”

  “And what are you doing aboard this ship, John?” Sir Michael asked.

  “I’ve been here two years, sir. M’ parents died and I had no place to go. The captain took me in out of the kindness of his heart, sir.” John did not look at them but continued to swab the deck.

  Noble couldn’t help it. He snorted and said, “The kindness of his heart? We can see how kind he’s been to you. When was the last time you ate, John?”

  “Oh, I ate on
ce yesterday, sir. I missed my breakfast this morning. By the time they let me eat, all the food was gone. Maybe I’ll get some supper tonight, though.”

  “Why do you stay on this ship, John? Can you not get work elsewhere?”

  The boy’s voice was so low they had to strain to hear his answer. “I have nowhere to go, sir. There is no one left who cares about me.”

  Noble took a step closer to the other boy. Suddenly he did not care if they were seen or not. “I am going to tell you something I hope you will never forget, John. There is Someone who cares; Someone who loves you very much and who will never leave you or forsake you if you turn to Him.”

  The mop stopped. John looked at Noble and said, “You are speaking of God, are you not? My mother used to tell me the same thing, a long time ago.”

  Noble nodded. “Even in the middle of the sea, John; even when you are surrounded by the men of this ship and yet you feel all alone, the Lord is there waiting for you to call upon Him. The Psalms say, If I take the wings of morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If you call upon Him and ask forgiveness of your sins, John, He will be your Father and will always love you.”

  “Is that true?” John whispered, almost as if he was talking to himself. His eyes looked wistful. What this young knight was telling him sounded almost too good to be true, and yet had not his mother told him something like that when he was just a little fellow? “I wish…” he started to say, but suddenly a shout split the air.