Chapter Three: The Pirate King

Tarren Cott and Luc Hailsaint sat at a table in a tavern with a woman on each of their laps. They had been in there for most of the night, drinking their fill of wine and eating their fill of food, without having to pay a single charge. Tarrren had an agreement with the tavern master and could stay there free of any fee whenever he pleased. It wasn’t the nicest of places when compared to other taverns of the Inner Circles of Ringland, but it was more than acceptable for the anonymity it provided. In this tavern, Tarren could be himself. No one here mattered enough for him to have to pretend to be a wealthy lord of the Inner Circles, as he would have to do in the First Circle of Ringland.

Luc had all but drowned himself on the drink in his hand, only giving a taste to the woman who sat upon his lap, and only if she asked in the most polite manner. Tarren, however, had given all his drinks to the woman on his lap. He was more than content drinking the water the servants gave him. Where he came from water was a luxury. There he could drink as much wine as he pleased, for there was never an alternative, but here clean water was plentiful, and he sought to take advantage of it. The two places were so different he always thought it surprising they were located in the same kingdom.

Ringland was the largest and wealthiest of the five kingdoms. The main port of Ringland was located in its largest city called Wainscot. Wainscot was where Tarren spent most of his days, for that was where the pirates held keep, and the Pirate Order could not function without its King. However, Tarren was not in Wainscot. He was in Ringland, the capital of the kingdom Ringland, drinking in a tavern in the Third Circle of Ringland, the outermost inner circle of Ringland. There were a total of eleven Circles of Ringland. They spread out from the Castle of Ringland like ripples in pond water. At their center was the Castle where the Queen held keep inside. Just beyond that was where the lords and ladies of nobility resided. This was called the First Circle of Rignland, and not more than a street beyond that was the Second Circle, and beyond that was the Third. These made up the Inner Circles of Ringland, where the wealthiest of the Ringlanders resided. There is no difference between the first and the third, but if you tried to make that argument to a noble man of the First Circle, he would think you a poor fool from one of the Outer Circles and dismiss you from his sight. Those Eleven Circles held more wealth than the entire rest of Ringland combined. The rest of Ringland, which was not a part of the Eleven, was deemed the Slums of Ringland. At the heart of the Slums, along the Aquil River, was Wainscot, the city where Tarren was from.

Tarren largely despised the city Ringland. There was an unspoken order that loomed above every conversation that Tarren had to obey. He could not simply threaten someone’s life in order to get what he desired, no, he had to sway them in his favor with his charm and his coin. But luckily he had Luc with him, who could do most of the talking, if he wasn’t too drunk at the time. The only reason Tarren even bothered to visit Ringland was for its Queen, and Tarren liked the Queen.

“Come on, lovely.” Luc gave the woman a squeeze of encouragement. She slapped him, gently, and then laid a sloppy wet kiss across his lips. Luc was a man of the ladies. His charm was infectious. He could give any woman a smile and a wink and they would be all over him before he closed his mouth and opened his one eye.

Tarren grinned at Luc and the girl on his lap. The people of Ringland love to pretend they’re better than the rest of the world, and in many cases they are, but give them a few drinks and the women become no less than the whores found in brothels, and the men no less than the homeless of Wainscot.

“You like that?” The woman on Tarren’s lap said, looking at Luc and her friend, and then she pressed her lips against his.

Tarren had tried his best to keep the woman at bay throughout out their time together, ignoring her advances and removing her hands from his chest, but she became more and more aggressive as the night went on.

“Stop.” Tarren said with a firm voice while he immobilized her hand from wandering too far in the wrong direction.

“What’s the problem? Have a wife back home do you?” The woman nuzzled against Taren’s neck.

“I’m afraid I do.” He didn’t, in truth. Not to the public’s knowledge, of course. Not even Luc knew of it, and he was Tarren’s greatest friend. Tarren thought if he didn’t lie now, he would only hurt the woman even more later on.

The woman hopped off his lap at once. “Well, I’m not going to play a married man’s mistress.” She pouted. “…Or his lady for the night?” She bit her lip, hoping Tarren would let her be his lady for the night.

Tarren grinned venomously through an almost bored expression. “Well, the way you rub me suggests you would.” At that she slapped him hard across the face. She walked over to Luc and joined her friend in sucking his face, looking at Tarren all the while, as if that would teach him manners. He laughed.

Tarren looked around the tavern as Luc enjoyed the pleasure of the two women. They had not moved since they took their seats, which was so long ago that Tarren figured it was likely close to morning. Most of the other tavern goers had passed out on the floor or stumbled home drunk to their wives after a night of infidelity. Tarren, Luc, and the women were the only people left awake, aside from the tavern master, who had kept their drinks and plates full throughout the night. The place smelled of drink and filth mixed with blood and perfume. The drink was from men spilling their goblets and mugs, mostly on top of each other, which lead to quarrels, which led to the blood. The filth was from the men too drunk to get outside before they messed themselves, and the perfume was from the women trying to mask the concoction of smells, largely for themselves, but it served everyone else just as well.

Several men dressed in deep-blue button down overcoats with truncheons at their waist came into the tavern, letting the morning light spark hatred in all who found themselves too drunk the night before to leave. They were the law enforcement of Ringland, the Regulate. Being not only a pirate but also the Pirate King, Tarren should have fled the scene the moment they entered. But he had no reason to worry, no one knew he was here, and he would be even more surprised if the Regulate could recognize him for the man he was.

Tarren sipped on his water. He knew he should not be worried, but something about how the men spread out and lined themselves against the walls, surrounding him and Luc and the women, made his heart race. He knew that no one knew he was here, and he didn’t recognize any of the Regulate’s faces, so they could not recognize him. One of the men walked to the tavern master, said something to him, and the next moment the tavern master left through the back door. Another man wearing a trifold hat stepped forward and took a seat at the table Tarren and Luc dinned.

“Tarren Cott, Luc Hailsent?” The man in the trifold hat said.

How do you know my name? Tarren eyed the man while Luc didn’t even turn his head. Tarren thought about his options. He could not fight them, there were too many. Perhaps if Luc wasn’t preoccupied they could, but there was no way to catch his attention. Tarren slid his arm beneath the table, ready to grab his sword if it came to that, but the moment he touched the hilt, he remembered he owned the Regulate. They were in his pocket, and he had no reason to fear. He had bought the Regulate some time ago. It was his last act before becoming King of the Order, and it was one of the main reasons he became King. The buying out of Ringland’s law enforcement paid great dividends to the Pirate Order. Namely, it made piracy legal.  “Yes, my good sir, what can I do for you?”

The man in the trifold hat rose his hand in the air, flicked his wrist, and suddenly three pairs of hands were on Tarren’s shoulders. “By order of her Majesty’s Regulate and the Council of Ringland you are charged with piracy, theft, and—”

“Last time I came to Ringland piracy was legal.” Tarren threw the men off of him, stood, drew his sword, and pointed it at the men who encircled him.

“—And for the assassination of the Queen of Ringland.” The man finished.

“The Queen?” One of the women said with an excited gasp, pulling herself away from Luc for the first time in ten minutes. “I hear she’s beautiful. Are we going to see her?” She was too consumed with the thought of the Queen that she had missed the first half of the man’s statement. Tarren wanted to kill her for how stupid she was.

A wave of heat spread over Tarren’s body. His jaw started to shake and his fingers began to twitch. Calm yourself, Tarren, he thought. He bit his lip and took a breath, “I believe you are mistaken. I have not killed anyone in sometime.” If the Queen was truly dead, Tarren would have already been made aware. He had many ears and eyes in the castle, and they would have been sure to tell him if something of this magnitude occurred. It cannot be true… but is it? The thought made Tarren feel sick.

“There is no mistake. You’re coming with us.” The man grabbed Tarren’s shoulder and tried to put his hands behind his back, but with one fluid motion, Tarren grabbed the man’s truncheon and clubbed the back of his knee. With a sick crack, the man was on the ground with a broken leg. The other Regulates were on top of Tarren at once. They forced his arms behind his back and put him face down on the table, knocking their drinks and an oil lamp to the floor. Luc finally got to his feet, and  made a decent attempt at fighting the rest of the men, putting one on the ground and another through a table, but because of his drunken state they over powered him almost at once.

“Take me to the Queen.” Tarren said as he tried to throw the men off of him yet again. “Take me there.” He spat the words. His chest heaved with emotion. He all but owned these people, how could they betray his coin.

The Regulates brought Tarren and Luc out of the tavern and into the street with little resistance from the two. Tarren wished he could have shielded his eyes for even a moment from the sun’s bright rays before they put iron shackles around his wrists and ankles, but it was too late. They were loaded into the back of an iron-barred horse-drawn carriage, and where on the way to the Castle.

“What’s going on?” Luc said after they were on the road for some time. The sounds of Ringland echoed around them. Horses whinnied, men shouted, women screamed, and on occasion children would shout with glee as they played their games of innocents, never knowing the trials of the world. “The Queen is dead?”

“It’s a ploy. I’m sure of it.” Tarrren hoped. The assassination of the Queen was a fierce rumor to start, even for the Council of Ringland, who was made up of high lords and ladies that loved to talk. Would the Council want to start this rumor? Tarren wasn’t sure. The people of Ringland adored their Queen, and would be lost without her. Why would the Council put them through this? Was the rumor started simply to bring me in for questioning? No. They had other means for that.

Tarren, the King of the Pirates, had begun a working relationship with Ringland not long after the War of the Waters. And the two had since been in close contact with each other, speaking on every mater of importance together. That could be of the shipyards in Wainscot, or of Ringland’s many trade posts on islands spread throughout the Tauskan Ocean, and on occasion there was even talk of forming an army of both Regulates and Pirates, but talk of that had never gone very far. Whenever Tarren visited the Castle of Ringland it had been in secret, and he had only conversed with the Queen and one of her advisors, so coming to the Castle should not have been a big deal, but now he was not coming there by his own accord. He was being dragged there like a prisoner set to be executed, like a prisoner who had just murdered the Queen.

If the Queen truly was dead, then her advisor would seek to find Tarren immediately. Which he has clearly done, but why the theatrics. Tarren could easily have snuck into the Castle later on in the day. Now, it was about noon and the Council would be in session. They would see him, and know who he was. Not many beyond the borders of Ringland know of the Order’s existence. Many believe it to have been destroyed during the War of the Waters, and it nearly was. But Tarren was bringing the Order back into presence, with the help of Ringland. 

“Have you heard from Cornelius?” Luc said, breaking the silence. “He and his crew should have arrived at Faorth this past week.”

“No, I have not.” Tarren said. He had sent Cornelius to recapture the island in name of the Pirate Order. He didn’t expect word from Cornelius to come for some time, and when it did, he didn’t know whether to expect good or bad news. Foarth was a major island for the Kingdom of Revus, and there was no way King Raquor would leave it to be taken without a fight. Tarren thought there was no way Cornelius could keep the island for any extended period of time. He was much too scared to stand up to a force as great as the Revian Navy, but if Cornelius was smart and kept his head about him, he could keep the island for a year, Tarren knew.

“But Cornelius has never been prompt at sending birds.” Tarren added to keep the conversation going.

“Perhaps he is scared of them?” And they laughed. He was happy Luc was here to keep his mind from worrying about the Queen so much. Tarren envied Luc’s carelessness. He wished he could be as care free, but it was not possible. He had a hundred things pulling at his attention, and none of which had been the assassination of the Queen. That was another thing to weigh down his shoulders, and there was no doubt it would take all his attention.    

They traveled through the Third Circle, and then through the Second, and then through the First, until they reached the Castle gates. There were six of the Queen’s Guards standing at attention, each with long swords at their sides, dressed in steel suits of armor painted a deep purple. Tarren hated the Queen’s Guards with all his heart. They were good fighters, and offered good protection, but that was all. Although they had sworn an oath to protect the throne, their words meant nothing. The Queen’s Guard could be bought by anyone, and Tarren didn’t like that.

However, there was something different about these Guards. They searched the carriage and took Tarren and Luc’s weapons, as well as the Regulates. They weren’t letting anyone inside the castle walls with even a dagger hidden in their cloak. They were either paid well to keep the Queen safe, or the Queen was actually dead. Tarren didn’t want to think that it could be true, so he pushed the thoughts from his mind.

Once inside the walls, Tarren and Luc were escorted to the Queen’s Council by another set of six Queen’s Guards and the Regulates were sent away. The Queen’s Council room was a large ballroom. The sun shined through the stained glass, leaving the Council and its advisors painted in the colors of Ringland: purple and red, the color of royals and the color of blood. Everyone was there, the Queen’s advisor and his advisors, the council members and their advisors. Everyone was there except the Queen. Tarren feared the worst.

“Rydell, what is the meaning of this?” Tarren said to the Queen’s advisor. He never liked Rydel, there was something about him that put Tarren off.

“Tarren Cott, Luc Hailsent.” Rydell Phaun said. “I thought you would have heard already, but in case you haven’t: there has been an attempt on the Queen’s life.”

An attempt. So the assassin was unsuccessful. Tarren let himself breathe easy for the first time. Thank the gods. “Yes I am aware, and I’m charged with the crime. Where is the Queen, Rydell?”

“We are not friends, Mr. Cott.” A flare of anger rose in Rydell’s voice. “You will call me—”

“I am here,” The Queen’s voice sounded from a distant corner of the room.

Tarren bowed his head low, and Luc did the same. Relief spread over him. She looked well… enough.

“My Queen you should not be out of your chambers, it is not safe. You need to rest.” Rydell rushed to her side.

“My chamber was where I was attacked.” The Queen ignored his outstretched hand. “I doubt it will be any more safe than here.”

“As you wish.” Rydell fell behind her as she walked to her throne. Tarren watched her with caring eyes. She looked small and hurt, but also tall and strong. Her hair was pulled back behind her ears, showing off the bruises and scratch marks across her face. Anger boiled in Tarren’s heart, he wanted to kill whoever did this. He would make it slow and painful, he vowed. 

 “Mr. Cott,” the Queen said, “you are Head of the Pirates. Is your Order responsible?”

Tarren grew even angrier. “My Queen, you insult me.” He said behind clenched teeth. The Queen knew Tarren and the Order wasn’t responsible, and he knew she was only asking for the sake of the Council, but still it made his face hot. The Council did not know of the extent of the Kingdom’s relationship with Order, only that they had an agreement, not that they were equals in their partnership, and they never would. None of them could be trusted. Not even a price so large it could buy their own children would be enough to stop them from spreading rumors to the common folk. “The Order is a humble servant to the Queen and her Kingdom. I assure you this unspeakable act did not come from me.” Tarren was on his knees, bowing before the Queen and her Council. He made his voice sound pitiful, like he was begging for his life.   

“Very well. Stand.” She said. “We have already sent a bird to Revus telling them of the attempt and its failure.”

“Do you think Revus is responsible?” Tarren was taken aback by the thought.

“No we don’t.” Rydel said. “We have only just ended our war. Neither of us wants the other dead, yet.”

“And what of the other kingdoms?” Tarren said, “Tausk, Amplet, or Casalt?”

“Neither Tausk nor Casalt is responsible. And Amplet is far too wise to start a war with us. That eliminates the Five Kingdoms, and now all that leaves us is the Order.”

“I have already given my word. The Order was not responsible.” Tarren said. “Now, I have already answered what you’ve asked of me, I see no reason for me to still be in your custody. I have committed no crimes. And you have no evidence to hold me.” Tarren knew what he said would hurt her, but she could take it. And it was necessary to fool the Council.

“We are dealing with the assassination of the Queen of Ringland, Tarren Cott. You will be released when we are convinced her safety is no longer at risk, and not a moment before.” Rydell said, anger rose in his voice as he spoke.

“Mr. Phaun is correct.” The Queen said. “We will release you when me and the Council are convinced you do not pose a threat to my life, and were not responsible for it being at risk. The Council will now convene to determine your fate.” Rydell and the rest of the Council gathered around the Queen’s throne. Tarren could hear murmurs and whispers. Occasionally he saw a frightened head look up from the circle of Council members at him, and when he would lock his eyes with theirs, they would dart back with a whimper of fear.

How will you convince the Council to release me, Alice? Tarren thought. He knew she would find a way, she always did. But most times he had an idea, but now he felt just as ignorant as the Council members who didn’t know the Kingdom of Ringland was in line with the Pirate Order. It was foolish to bring me here, Rydell. With so many witnesses. After several minutes of constant deliberation, Tarren started to fear he might not be released after all. He looked at Luc, and his face showed he was just as baffled as Tarren felt.

“Mr. Cott.” The Queen spoke at last. The Council members returned to their seats as the Queen revealed her plan. “We will release you, on one condition.”

“And what might that be, my Queen.”

“You and your Order are to help the Regulates and the Queen’s Guard find who did this. And if it is discovered in the process that it was you or your Order, you will be held personally responsible.” The Queen squinted her eyes and gave a sharp smile. Rydell grinned through his teeth.  

“I was not responsible for this assassination attempt, but I can promise you the Order will be responsible for the capture and death of this assassin. He will not escape us.”

“She.” The Queen corrected.

“A woman?” Tarren looked up. Judging by the Queen’s injuries alone he would not have guessed a woman could be so violent. It made him want to kill her all the more.                                                                  

“Yes. A woman. Find her and bring her to me.”

The Queen dismissed them, and Tarren and Luc were escorted outside the castle walls. Tarren’s fingers twitched as the Queen’s Guard removed their shackles. Once they left them and they were alone, Tarren turned to Luc and said, “I need you to start asking questions.” Luc looked back with a blank stare, “Are you listening to me?” Tarren smacked him, “Find out what’s going on. The Queen’s death could have thrown off everything we have planned. Go. Now.”

“Yes, sir.” Luc walked away. Tarren waited till he was out of sight before he walked around to the backside of the castle walls where he knew no one would be watching him, and that someone would be waiting for him. He stopped at a small stone door hidden amongst the overgrown vines. He pressed his shoulder against it with all his strength until it budged.

He stepped inside the hidden room and found the servant who always helped him sneak into the castle. “Miases. Take me to her.” Tarren said to the small old woman sitting on an equally small old wooden stool. She looked at him with a long face. Her skin was so stretched and warn by her many years of life that her lids hung over her eyes, her cheeks swayed when she turned, and her neck looked like that of rooster’s.   

Miases led Tarren down a dimly lit corridor. It was damp and the air tasted like moss and smelled like cabbage. He had taken this walk with Miases many times before. Never had they exchanged a single word and nor would they ever, because one night long ago Miases walked in on him and the Queen. Miases was shocked to find her Queen in such a state, having raised her since she was a babe. She was about to run off and tell the King of her findings, but Tarren could not allow it. This had been before anyone knew of his relationship with the Queen, and before anyone could know. He cut out her tongue that same night and she became forever his servant, keeping secrets that could ruin Ringland and the Order. He had grown accustomed to their silent walks. He may have even come to enjoy them. It gave him time to think about what he was about to do. Anticipation swelled in him, like the ocean waves at high tide swelled against the shore.

Through the wooden door at the end of the corridor Tarren found himself in a small circular room. There were three doors that provided exit. One room led to a set of stairs, which climbed to the tallest tower, the Queen’s chambers. The second led to the Council Room. And the third led back to the corridor from which he came.

Tarren walked to the door that led to the Council Room. Miases grabbed his wrist with surprising strength for a woman of her age, and tried to pull him back. She made an ‘x’ with her index fingers and shook her head ‘no’. She pointed to Tarren and then to the Queen’s door. Her eyes desperate and pleading for him not to enter the Council Room.

Tarren bent down to his knees so he was eye level with the woman. He grabbed both her wrists with a single one of his fists. A pain filled groan escaped from her throat.

“What was that?” Tarren said. “I can’t understand you. Speak up.” Tarren squeezed her wrists tighter. She tried to force him away, but it was no use. Her screams of pain were low and throaty like that of a toad. He released her, revealing deep bruises on both of her wrists. Tarren placed a finger to his lips, “Shhh.”  

He stormed into the Council Room with a furious rage. Rydell was the only person of importance there, if anyone else was present, any of the Council members, Tarren might as well have chopped off his own head, for that was surely his fate if any of the Council members saw him there after they had just released him.

“Rydell.” Tarren’s hands were around his throat before Rydell knew he’d entered the room. “If you have me arrested again I will kill you.” Tarren squeeze harder and harder, watching his face turn blue and his throat turn red. He could have killed him right there, and how he wanted to, but he knew the Queen would be furious. She had a strange affinity for the little rat. Tarren released him once his eyes started to burst from his sockets.

“It was necessary to avoid suspicions.” Rydell coughed as he pushed Tarren away. “If anyone finds out the Kingdom and the Order are in league neither will last. I know you do not care for your reputation, but the Kingdom holds higher standards.”

“Your Queen doesn’t.” Tarren knew the words stung. Rydell disapproved of him and the Queen’s relationship, but he could not stop it, just as Tarren could not kill him. They were at a standstill, both at mercy to the Queen’s wishes.

“A queen does not make a kingdom, Tarren.” Rydell massaged his neck.

Tarren looked at Rydell’s ugly face with hatred. He wanted to kill him desperately, but he had other plans for Rydell.

“How is she?” Tarren said softly. If there was one thing the two could agree on, it was the wellbeing of their Queen.

“A bit shaken. The would-be assassin came in through her chamber window… the same window you often passed through back in the day.” Rydell looked down at his hands and began twiddling his thumbs, knowing he was pressing buttons. But he was not wrong in his accusation, Tarren had climbed through the window the night he and the Queen had first met, and many times after that. She was only a princess then, but just a beautiful as she was now.

“For the last time: I did not have a hand in this.” Tarren’s temper flared.

“I know, but it does raise suspicions.” Rydell looked up from his thumbs, as if to catch Tarren in a lie. 

“I am handling it.” He was done with Rydell. He feared if he spoke too much longer with him, he would not survive it. “Where is the Queen?”

“She is in her chambers, of course.” A hint of condescension in his voice, but Tarren ignored it. There was nothing he wanted more than to be with his Queen. He left Rydell in the Council Room and went back through the door into the secret hall way made just for him. There, Miases was sitting on another equally small and equally old stool, rubbing her wrists and crying. Tarren didn’t give her another look. He went through the second door and began to climb the hundreds of steps to the tallest tower with a single window of the Castle of Ringland.

He reached the door, and was suddenly nervous. His palms began to sweat, he was short of breath, and he could not will his arm to push open the door. He wanted to see her, desperately, but he couldn’t bring himself to move. He’d never felt this way before. He’d always been so comfortable around her. This was even true from the moment they met. He could talk to her in a way he had never talked to anyone before. But now he was scared. Scared of what she would say, scared of whether of not she could handle the trials that lay ahead. He was scared of whether or not they could survive the trials that lay ahead. Tarren took a breath and forced himself to open the door.

He felt a strangeness in the air as he entered the room. It was a feeling that could only be felt the day after an intruder violated your home with their presence. It was the feeling of vulnerability. The window in the corner had been barred shut. No one would be able to come through it again, not even Tarren. Tarren moved to where the Queen slept in her king sized bed. It was fit for two, but more often than not slept one. She looked exhausted. Red scratches marked the sides of her soft face.

“Alice.” Tarren whispered. He ran his hand through her hair, “Alice wake up.” She woke with a scream. She started flailing her fists at him, landing one good fist on the side of his cheek before she settled down. “Hush my darling.” Tarren held her tight in his chest until the fear left her.

She shook in his arms. Tears started to stream down her cheeks like small creeks. She was so small in his arms. He could cradle her until the sun fell and rose a hundred times again and it would still not be satisfied.  

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” She pushed him away and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Do you want to talk?” Tarren said, taking a seat on her bed.

“About what? How I was nearly murdered in my own bed?” There it was again. The way the Queen snapped at him. It happened almost never, but when it did, it made Tarren question her strength. Alice was a weak queen, Tarren knew it, but instances like that made Tarren ask, do you hold strength beyond what you show me? Are you playing me for a fool?

“I will find out who is responsible.” Tarren said, remembering the trauma she had just suffered.

“You are so sweet.” She placed her hand on top of his, tracing the tattoos that spiraled up and down his left arm.

After a moment, Tarren said, “I should have been notified the moment it happened. Not brought in like some common thief.”

Alice began to cry, “I’m sorry. I told Rydell to find you. I… I didn’t know what to do.”

Tarren’s thoughts regarding Alice’s strength were always squashed we she began to cry, which was often. It made him see her as someone who needed protecting, not someone who was tricking the most powerful man in all of Ringland.

“Hush.” Tarren held her close again, “I am sorry. I should have been here. This wouldn’t have happened.” He kissed the tears from her cheeks. “But I’m here now, and I will never leave you again.”    

“We both know that not to be true.” She smiled as Tarren moved to her neck, her tears suddenly gone from her eyes again. “Not now at least. Not today.”

© 2016 Chase Collins

More chapters coming soon!