Legends of the Vengeance : The First Adventure (9781310742866) Read Free Page B

as he rolled up
the documents and sealed them back in the corked jar once more.
“Follow him to get his things, Giorgio. Thank you for your service
with us. May you be prosperous here.”
    By the time the man jumped ship and swam for
shore, the first rowboat full of men bounced across the water on
its way back to the boat. Jaime climbed aboard first. He strode to
the quarterdeck where Nicolo stood. “What happened?”
    “I was recognized.”
    “Who?”
    “ Signorina Lucia of Parma.”
    Jaime’s face drained. “We must leave
immediately.” Before Nicolo could continue, Jaime asked another
question. “Why is Sebastian not pestering us with questions?”

Chapter
Three
    The Search
    Nicolo raced from place to place on the
ship—every spot that the boy enjoyed, he searched thoroughly. It
seemed as though Sebastian had vanished. True and overwhelming fear
gripped the pirate’s heart. Was it possible that anyone could have
climbed aboard the ship and spirited away his son?
    Before he could question the crew as to the
last time they saw Sebastian, a shout from Jaime sent him racing to
the bow. “What?”
    “I think our lad has developed a new sense
of adventure. His boots are in his cabin and—”
    “You or me. Who should go? I could be
recognized, but you could take care of procuring more
supplies…”
    “Let’s both go. You know you need to hide.
They won’t expect you to return. You’ll find him faster, and I know
how to bargain.”
    Nicolo pointed to Giorgio. “Get me six of
the strongest rowers from below. Now.”
    Every second that ticked past increased his
level of fury a hundredfold. By the time they lowered the boat, his
insides shook with rage—and the overwhelming desire to throttle his
son. Nicolo’s fingers looked calm and steady to those who watched
as he stared across the water to the wharf that grew nearer with
each powerful stroke. It was an illusion borne of sheer willpower.
Inwardly, those fingers twisted, drummed, balled into fists, and
then drummed some more. He grew more
anxious—frustrated—terrified—with each passing second.
    “Jaime?”
    “Yes.”
    “We have to do it. It’s time.”
    “Yes.” The younger man’s eyes said what his
lips could not in present company. “We’ll take care of it as soon
as we are safe again.”
    “Will we run like we did three years ago?”
The muscular man, a former slave freed when they’d captured his
master’s ship, peered into Nicolo’s face for the answer he
sought.
    “We’ll run.”
    Fearful resolution washed over the dark
face. “Pull harder, men!”
    At the dock, Nicolo whispered something to
Jaime and then sprinted toward the town. Once again, he wove in and
out of merchants, shoppers, and townspeople. He’d learned to be
nearly invisible when necessary—to blend into crowds at a moment’s
notice.
    When a cursory stroll through the main
streets yielded nothing, Nicolo tried again. This time he spoke to
vendors, children, and women. He kept his tone apologetic—almost
differential. All traces of the commanding captain were gone. In
their place, a concerned father nearly begged passersby to consider
if they’d seen a boy with dark ruddy hair and a tall gangly
body.
    At each query, a regretful shake of the
head, “I’m sorry,” or other apology made him question his search.
Was the boy really on board ship after all? Perhaps he’d used the
rope to swing out over the water as he sometimes did. Then again,
no one had heard a splash or a squeal. That didn’t make sense.
    Try as he did to convince himself that the
search was wasted, Nicolo’s gut told him the boy was on land, but
where? A small road led from the town into the countryside. Surely
Sebastian wouldn’t wander that far, would he?
    Unsure what else to try, he half walked,
half ran up the road, occasionally calling. Just as he was ready to
give up and return to town, a woman stuck her head out of a
doorway. “Did you call for Sebastian? Tall, skinny boy with