Open Wardrobes

2,000 words today, whew! A little more than two-thirds of the way there.




Red returned to her earlier subject. "Do you know where this Gregan Mot may be found?"
Lemuel sighed. "I know where he lived, at least. Shall I draw a map?"
"No," Red said. "Stand up, you are coming with me."
Surprised, Lemuel obeyed. Red unlocked his cell as well as the chains that bound his feet. His hands she left fettered, but threw him a cloak to conceal them with.
"If the oaths on your Stone are so binding," Lemuel said as he struggled the wrap the cloak around his shoulders, "then why do you still not trust me?"
"If you are ready, then come," Red ordered, "and remember that I always shall have a pistol aimed at your back." Red pushed aside the cloak she wore to prove she did not bluff.
Lemuel left his cell and proceeded her up to the main deck and off the ship. Red wore a simple pirate's scarf around her head, better to conceal her identity as Captain Foxx, he supposed. Certainly had he not known he would have taken her for a young man, as he did on their first meeting.
Red let Lemuel walk ahead, better to keep him covered with the hidden pistol, but quietly directed him into the main square, at which point she allowed him to set the direction. It had been many years since Lemuel last visited Montegal. The port and town were far smaller than that at Harbarrow, but the isle held farms enough to have need of trade to and from other islands. And for those who preferred a quieter place to do business than the busy port of Harbarrow, Montegal was a welcome place to call. Lemuel remembered going to see Sir Gregan Mot when he had last come here with his father. The old knight had settled here to find a quiet life, knowing that if the Ruined Kingdom ever found its restoration he would not likely see it. The name was not one on Red's list, though Lemuel did not know that, but Lemuel thought Sir Mot likely indeed to know where many other of his countrymen could be found. He was the sort to enjoy visitors and treat them well and Lemuel had heard he often entertained such guests from long ago days. As such he would be unlikely to have the map, Lemuel suspected its protectors would wish for someone more apt to stay buried, but Lemuel feared he would indeed set them on the correct path.
Lemuel led Red away from the town proper and up into the hills, towards several of the island's farms. Lemuel though the young pirate brave indeed to pursue this mission with no other pirates behind her. Was it the foolishness of a young and untried leader? Or did she simply have no fear? Lemuel supposed that there were few places she could not go that the name of Foxx itself would not prove an effective weapon of fear.
They trudged up the hills for over an hour until they at last came to a set of old farmhouses. Gregan Mot had lived here once, and Lemuel was not sure if it would be better or not if he still did. As they approached the door Red whispered in Lemuel's ear,
"You shall go in alone and learn what you can. You can be certain that I shall hear all."
"You make a habit of eavesdropping then?" Lemuel asked.
"Be warned: if you try to seek help for yourself you may find that your countryman pays the price."
"I am aware of my position," Lemuel said angrily.
But Red made no further reply and when Lemuel turned around he saw no sign of her. She had vanished in the growing gloom. He decided it was too much to hope that this was an opportunity for his escape. He knocked on the door and hoped he could someone warn Sir Mot of the danger without doing so.
It took many moments, but the door at last opened and an old man peered out.
"Sir Mot?" Lemuel asked.
"Yes, that is me," the old voice creaked as two eyes squinted at him. "Why, it is young Drake, is it not?"
"Yes, sir, Lemuel Drake, son of the late Admiral."
"I am sorry to hear it," the old man answered. "About your father, that is. But do come in! I don't see as many visitors as I once did, but I always welcome the chance to talk about old times. Come in, come in!"
Lemuel accepted the invitation and entered the house, shivering slightly as a swift breeze followed him before Sir Mot closed the door. Lemuel kept the cloak wrapped tightly around himself and declined Sir Mot's offer to remove it. He noticed that all the windows to the house were shut fast and hoped that meant he might pass some hidden message along to Sir Mot without words.
Sir Mot started in at once on old times and Lemuel kept but half his mind on the conversation, thinking all the while how to use the situation to his advantage. When the opportunity presented itself he brought the subject around to other lords of the old kingdom, and in particular Lord Ward Brawn. Lemuel had hoped Sir Mot would know nothing of him, but instead Sir Mot exclaimed,
"How strange you should mention him!" Sit Mot looked delighted; Lemuel feared the worst. "He passed through here not even a week ago," the old man told him. "Wonderful to see him again after all these years, and honored that he should think to stop by and see an old farmer. Could not stay long, he said, and was on the next ship out in the morning."
Lemuel listened as Sir Mot started in on what sounded like one of many stories of Sir Mot and Lord Brawn from the old days. Lemuel had just decided to let the conversation drift elsewhere when he felt cold metal in the small of his back and an unseen voice hissed softly,
"Ask him where Lord Brawn went."
Lemuel nearly jumped out of his chair and he chains made a faint clanging sound. Sir Mot stopped in-between words and peered at him.
"Is something the matter, my boy?"
"Not at all," Lemuel assured him. "I had just meant to ask you..." He hesitated and the metal pressed in harder. "...meant to ask you, did Lord Brawn happen to mention where he was heading next? I had hoped to pay him a visit myself and let him know of the Admiral's passing." The lie tasted bitter indeed.
Sir Mot gave him a curious look and said, "Why yes, he did, but..."
"Yes?"
Sir Mot leaned in closer. "It's curious, my boy, but when he came I felt that I looked upon a hunted man. He said nothing or who or why, but I am not so sure he would want his whereabouts known just now."
"Yes," said Lemuel, "I can understand that."
"Not that I worry about who you would tell!" Sir Mot chuckled.
"Of course," Lemuel assured him, "and far be it from me to disrespect his wishes..."
The pistol gave another nudge, but there was no need. Sir Mot was not one for caution in these matters, which explained why he knew nothing of the map in the first place.
"I think you'll find Lord Brawn in the Ruby Islands, Peralmi I think he said."
"An obscure place, and not one much friendly to our folk," Lemuel said. If Lord Brawn were caught there, then there would be no helping him.
"He seemed to desire obscurity," Sir Mot said, "though I sought to convince him to remain here awhile. If he had, then this would have been a merrier reunion!" Sir Mot smiled and Lemuel thought Lord Brawn had shown the greater wisdom.
Lemuel continued the conversation for several moments and then sought an exit. He was glad that Red Foxx had so far left Sir Mot alone, but as he was about to seek an exit...
"I think you are lying, Sir Mot," said a voice from the corner.
Sir Mot started and gave a cry. Lemuel followed his gaze and saw Red Foxx sitting their, her pistol at the ready. How she had entered without notice, threatening him without Mot seeing, Lemuel could not guess, but his hopes of leaving Sir Mot in safety were dashed.
"Who are you?" Sir Mot demanded.
"I am Captain Red Foxx," she told him, "king of the pirates and I believe you are lying."
"I... I do not know what you mean," Sir Mot stammered.
Red leaned forward into the light. "I do not believe Lord Brawn makes for the Ruby Islands, nor did he tell you so."
"It is what he said," Sir Mot insisted.
"It is what he told you to say," Red stated.
"Captain Drake!" Sir Mot exclaimed. "I put myself under your protection!"
Red Foxx laughed harshly. "I do not think Captain Drake is in a position to be of much help."
Lemuel displayed his hands to further the point and Sir Mot shrank into his chair.
"You have betrayed me," he whispered to Lemuel.
"No, I swear I have not. Just tell us where Lord Brawn went to and Captain Foxx will leave you in peace."
"He's after the map!"
"I know," Lemuel admitted.
"But if the pirates find it..." Sir Mot insisted.
"It is a rock," Lemuel said. "Let them find it. It is not a secret you need to die for, Sir Mot."
Sir Mot wavered under the steady gaze of the pirate king. At last he said, "Lord Brawn has taken the map to Antilla. You will find him there in the house of Dain Melthew."
Red Foxx scrutinized Sir Mot carefully. "I believe you speak the truth this time." Red stood. "Come, Captain Drake."
Lemuel rose. "I am sorry, Sir Mot, but you must trust that it is best this way." He crossed to the door and waited for Red Foxx. She in turn stopped before Sir Mot.
"You will not tell anyone we ever came here," the pirate ordered.
Sir Mot looked up at the Captain with fearful eyes. "No, I shall not."
"Good," Red Foxx answered and fired once before leaving the farmhouse. Lemuel stood stunned on the threshold.
"Why?" he demanded.
"He lied again," Red Foxx said simply and began the trek back to the ship.
Lemuel stumbled behind. "There was no need for it!"
"Indeed there was," Red said. "I read in his face that he planned to do all he could to prevent us from reaching the map. He is not the coward he makes himself to be."
"There is little he could have done to you."
"We shall need several days yet to complete our repairs. There is much he could have done in such time."
Lemuel burned with answer, enraged at how he had been used, and for a moment at least he ceased to mind his oath to end the line of Foxx, even if its heir was she he had missed for so long.
"Answer me this," Lemuel said at last, "how did you enter unnoticed? And when I felt your pistol in my back, Sir Mot saw you not. Neither of us did until you spoke to him."
Red Foxx smiled secretly. "The pirate-folk possess many virtues, Captain Drake. If you but knew!"
She offered no further word on the subject and Lemuel followed Red the rest of the way back to the ship in silence, still disgusted at his own part in the affair. He found himself even tempted to cast himself upon Jat's mercy, rather than continue aiding Red Foxx in this manner.
As Red Foxx returned Lemuel to his cell, she gave him a grim smile.
"You have played your part well today," she told him. "I am convinced Sir Mot gave us the truth in the end. You shall have your freedom when the time comes, as I promised."
Lemuel spent the night awake and restless, seeking in vain for some escape from this situation.
Red Foxx returned to deck where Jat reported on the progress of the ship's repairs. Though the hour was now late the crew continued to labor.
"We'll be havin' a new mast day after tomorrow, Captain," Jat reported, "and give us but another day after that to have it in place. All else shall be done before that."
"Thank you, Jat," Red said, pleased. "And when we are ready to depart, our course shall be for Antilla."
"Well, I be glad to know Lemuel Drake has some use," Jat said sourly.