Sail With Me (A Discovery Series Book) (24 page)

I put a hand on Daniel’s arm and a finger to his lips.

“Char—”

“Tizoc told Yaoti to go down to the kitchen. That we all heard him yell.”

I held my breath inside my room, Daniel standing as still as stone beside
me. His heart pounded beneath my hand as I rested it on his still-bared chest.
Retreating footsteps shuffled away as we sunk onto the edge of the bed, letting
the breath ease out of our lungs.

“That was incredibly close,” Daniel said.

“Cripes. Too close.” I stood and slipped on a pair of breeches beneath my
nightshirt.

“Charlie, I’ve been thinking…”

Something in the tone of Daniel’s voice made me stop dressing and turn to
face him.

“Well, I’ve been thinking I shouldn’t be in here with you anymore. This
morning only proves I’m right. We don’t want to disrespect Yaoti and Citlali.
They’ve been so kind, treating us like real family.”

As my head shook back and forth to disagree, my mind knew he was right.
Daniel took a step toward me and lifted my chin with his finger. His eyes
locked onto mine, and the thought of sleeping without him cuddled beside me
physically hurt.

“Just for now,” he whispered. “I have also been thinking about the
future. Our future, Charlotte. Once we’ve helped Tizoc protect this city, I
want to…” He paused and kissed me. I could live for days on nothing but his
kiss. “I want to make you my wife. Then there will be no need for either one of
us to ever be alone.”

I threw myself at Daniel, embracing him and raining kisses all over his
face, along his shoulder. He stumbled back a bit, falling onto the bed and
trying to stifle his laughter.

“I love you!” I kissed along his neck. “I love you so much.”

“You’ll marry me then?” He pulled on a long strand of my hair.

“Yes, of course. If we were in England, we’d be married already. We’re
both old enough. I turned seventeen two weeks ago.”

“Charlie!” Daniel clamped his hand over his mouth. Lowering to a whisper
again, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me your birthday had come? I would have
done something special for you.” He circled his finger around my cheek, and my
whole body quivered.

“A birthday seemed inconsequential compared to what we’re preparing for.”
I lost myself in the feel of Daniel’s fingers against my skin.

“Nothing about you, Charlotte, is inconsequential to me. Please remember
that, all right?” he whispered in my ear, his breath tickling my neck.

I kissed Daniel’s cheek. “I’m going to enjoy being Charlotte Connor.”

“We’ll both enjoy it.” He stood and pulled me to my feet. “We’d better
get downstairs and you’d better get rid of that smile on your face.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

****

It turns out I could get rid of the smile. When we arrived in the
kitchen, Yaoti and Tizoc were standing side by side while Citlali sat at the
table. Their long faces spoke volumes without a single word being uttered.

“What is it?” Daniel said.

“Aochmin has returned.” Tizoc’s voice was low and serious.

“What news does he bring?” I grabbed onto Daniel’s hand to keep steady.

“He says the outsiders are from a place called Spain. They are terrifying
with guns and a hunger for gold. Their leader, a man named Salazar, presented
himself as the ambassador of a king who ruled most of the world. He wishes to
speak to Dimazuno directly and sent Aochmin back to announce their approach to
our city,” Yaoti reported.

“They have cannons too,” Tizoc added. “Which they so boastfully let roar,
scaring Aochmin and the other Sunal with him. Some of them fainted during
demonstrations where the Spaniards shot at trees with the cannon causing
massive explosions.”

A wave of nausea crested over me as I lowered into a seat next to
Citlali. She put her hand over mine in a soothing gesture, but it had little
effect. Though we had been preparing, a small part of my brain never truly
believed it would come to pass.

“Aochmin said they have deer, but I think he must mean horses, along with
guns, swords, cannons, armor… who knows what else?” Tizoc threw his hands out
to his sides and paced around the kitchen.

“What does your emperor think now?” Daniel asked, a hint of anger sifting
through his voice.

“He has called for warriors to greet the outsiders when they come. He
still does not wish to keep them out. Still believes them to be gods that will
not harm us. Despite Aochmin’s fear, Dimazuno is honored these gods would visit
Ezenoch.”

What would it be like to fight gods? And could we possibly win such a fight?

Word of the Spaniards’ leader, Salazar, came streaming in daily as he
apparently conquered neighboring cities on his way to Ezenoch.

“He did what?” Daniel said as we sat with Tizoc by the armory after
another series of training sessions.

“Sunk his ships. Thought his crew was turning on him.” Tizoc waxed the
string on my bow.

“This Salazar,” I started, “he’s unbalanced, perhaps? Maybe we can use
that to our advantage somehow.”

“Not a bad idea.” Daniel poked me in the shoulder as he went into the
armory.

“Looks as if you’re a true warrior, Charlie,” Tizoc said. “You’re
thinking like one anyway.”

“I’ll fight like one too. You haven’t seen me angry.” I raised one
eyebrow at Tizoc.

“A
cihuapilli
who fights. I never thought I’d see such a thing,”
Tizoc said.

A sailor who fights. A sailor’s wife who fights. The thought of being
married to Daniel filled me with such light even in the shadows of what was
happening.

Tizoc’s eyes darkened as he narrowed them at me.
You’re going to marry
Daniel?

I hadn’t meant to think of being Daniel’s wife. It just popped in there.
Now it was too late.

Yes.

Tizoc’s eyes closed as his thoughts came to me.
I wish you only good
things, Cihuapilli.

I wish the same for you.

As Tizoc stood and walked away, our link was severed.

“What’s wrong with him?” Daniel asked as he came back outside.

“He knows about us getting married when our fight is done.” I cast a long
glance at Tizoc’s retreating back.  

Daniel and I sat together as night fell across the training circles. I
loved Daniel, loved him more than anything, but a piece of me couldn’t help
wondering what would have happened if I had come to this land without him.

Tizoc was kind, respectful, intelligent, brave, handsome, exotic.

He’d be just as easy to love.

****

That night, as I lay in my bed with only Ghost by my side, I thought of
Eric and Riley. Where were they now? Were they home in Southampton or off
trading goods somewhere else? Did they wonder where I was? Did my father? 

And what about Benjamin? Would he still want to be friends with me? Did
he miss me? I wanted to tell him everything about my adventure so far. He
probably wouldn’t believe half of it, practical as he was. If I did return to
England someday, with Daniel as my husband, what would Benjamin think of him?  

Spaniards heading toward Ezenoch filled my mind next. Rolling over to my
side, I pulled the quilts up to my chin, a sudden chill rippling along my body.
I closed my eyes, willing myself to sleep, but when it finally came I wished it
hadn’t. Nightmarish visions plagued me all night. Fire rained down on Ezenoch,
streaking across the black sky. Two-headed beasts on enormous horses galloped
into the city, brandishing their guns and slicing into the Sunal with their
swords as they trampled gardens. Hoof beats thundered in my ears as I tried to
scream out.

The entire scene froze and a single voice echoed in my mind.

“Charlie!” it shouted.

In the dream, I turned in all directions, seeking out the source of the
call. Dust clouds rose up from the ground, blurring my sight and disorienting
me.

“Charlie!” Louder this time.

I squinted through the haze until my eyes rested on Daniel. He was on his
knees in front of one of the beasts. I ran toward him, yelling for Tizoc to
stop the monster from killing Daniel. The beast turned at the sound of my
screeching, and I skidded to a halt. Its eyes, two sets of them, flamed red.
When it curled its lips at me, a nasty set of blood-soaked fangs beamed a
warning to stay away.

My eyes met Daniel’s, and as I took another step forward, the beast sank
its teeth into his throat.

I bolted upright in bed, my chest heaving in labored breaths. Crossing my
arms, I gripped my own shoulders and rocked back and forth as the vision still
lingered in my mind.

A nightmare,
came Tizoc’s velvety voice in my mind.

Not a prophecy?
I tried to smother the panic. These dreams were
getting to be too much to bear.

We are prepared,
Tizoc assured.

Perhaps the Spaniards are more so.

Go to sleep, Cihuapilli.

And then he was gone. Did his voice sound rattled? Was he merely trying
to calm me?

Easing back down on the bed, I brought my knees up to my chest beneath
the quilts. I wrapped my limbs up tightly, trying to protect myself. A few
flimsy quilts were not enough to combat that horrid vision and whatever was to
come along with it. I fought the urge to go to Daniel’s room next door. I could
deal with this. I could make it through a night on my own.

Couldn’t I?        

****

“The scouts have reported in. The emperor’s steward leads a small party
of Spaniards into the heart of Ezenoch,” Zolin was telling Tizoc and Daniel
when I came into the kitchen the next morning.

The temperature in the room dropped. Or was it the blood in my veins that
had gone to ice?

Zolin disappeared through the doorway and Tizoc turned to his mother, also
sitting at the table. “The time has come.
Nantli,
when
Tahtli
comes home, go to the chamber.”

Citlali’s smile faded, and with that one gesture, she appeared tired and
frail. “Be careful. All of you.” She hugged each one of us, charging us with
her love.

“Come,” Tizoc said to Daniel and me.

And with that one command, I feared the peaceful days in our Sunal paradise
were over.

****

In the armory, as both male and female warriors streamed in, we dressed
for battle. Vests of thin gold and silver. Feathered coats. Wooden helmets.
Daniel and I wore the garb of Sunal warriors as well so we would blend in
amongst them. I stood ready with my bow and arrows, Daniel with his spear. Our
plan for today was to make our presence known to the outsiders. To show them
the Sunal had a hearty army willing to defend Ezenoch if need be. We wouldn’t
start a fight, but we’d be prepared for one.

Dimazuno had taken Yaoti’s suggestion of quartering the outsiders close
to the palace so the warriors could keep an eye on them. The emperor stood firm
in his belief that the visitors were gods and had arranged to give them lavish
gifts in an attempt to appease the leader, Salazar. Dimazuno hoped the
Spaniards would see Ezenoch and deem his leadership of the empire acceptable.
Perhaps they would stay for a short time—
blessing
us with their presence—then
be on their way.

Tizoc and I predicted differently. Our dreams had shown us differently.

As the light of a new day spilled onto the stone streets, Tizoc, Daniel,
and I led the warriors into position. We formed loose lines along the main
avenue to Dimazuno’s palace where the emperor awaited his mistaken gods. All
the regular citizens of Ezenoch had been ordered to stay in their homes until
otherwise instructed by one of the warriors. The streets were strange without
small children playing, mothers keeping a watchful eye on them. No songs sailed
on the mild breeze as there had been every other morning since I had come to
this beautiful place. No women making ornate pottery. No men tending the farms.
No priests atop the temples.

Only warriors, ready to pounce.

From my vantage point in front of the emperor’s palace, I had a clear
view of the approaching Spaniards when they arrived. At the head of their
group, perched on a grand black stallion, was a man clothed in richly colored
fabrics. The morning sun glinted off the sword blade hanging from his horse’s
neck. My gaze connected with the pistol at his waist.

I see it,
came Tizoc’s voice in my mind.

The Spaniards rode in closer to the center of the city. As they passed,
the warriors lining the streets bowed as they had been instructed to do. We had
decided to let the Spaniards continue to think we believed them to be gods. We
would treat them as such and hope for mercy.

Behind us, robes rustled and feet shuffled. The emperor waited in the
shadows to meet the Spaniards, to welcome them. A hard knot formed in the pit
of my belly, bile stung my throat. My life had been so simple, so boring just a
few months ago. Now, I stood amongst warriors on the fringe of battle,
thousands of miles from England. If I had not been living it, I would not have
believed the turn of events.

The black steed came to a halt in front of Tizoc, Daniel, and me, and the
man atop the horse slid off. Holding our line in front of the palace, we
kneeled before the Spanish leader.

“Alonso Salazar,” he announced royally.

We rose to our feet.

“Where is your king?” he demanded.

When we did not respond, he clapped his hands together and a dark-skinned
woman emerged from the party behind him.

“Malina, translate for these savages.” Salazar yanked on the woman’s arm
until she stood in front of him.

I was reminded of my father for a single moment and his stories of
natives that were brutal barbarians incapable of intelligent thought. How
untrue that was of the Sunal. Cripes. They were far more advanced than many of
the people I’d known in Southampton. Far more cultivated than this Spaniard.

“Ask them where their king is. Now.”

Malina flinched then rattled off Salazar’s question in Tizoc’s native
tongue. Before Tizoc could answer, Dimazuno stepped out of the palace alcove
into the sun.

“Are you the king?” Salazar asked.

Malina asked the question, and Dimazuno nodded once. Walking regally toward
Salazar, the emperor waved over several stewards bearing flower garlands and
gold necklaces, which he had them drape around the Spaniards’ necks. Dimazuno
himself hung flowers and gold around Salazar’s neck, bowing deeply and
reverently. Taking in a deep breath, the emperor began his welcome speech which
Malina translated after he had finished.

“Great One, you are tired. The journey has been long, but now you are
here, back to see your city and your people. All the emperors that have ruled
Ezenoch since your leave have guarded it for your coming.

“This is no dream. You have returned to us. You have come down from the
sky and must rest in the accommodations I have set aside for you and your
court. Welcome home, Great One!”

When Dimazuno was finished, Salazar replied, and Malina again translated.

“We are friends.” He held his hands out beside him peaceably. I narrowed
my eyes. Evil seeped off this Spaniard. I could smell it. Friends did not need
pistols at their waists.

“There is nothing to fear. We have wanted to see Dimazuno for a long time
and now our hearts are contented.”

Salazar cast a glance around at all the warriors and grinned smugly. I
tightened my grip on the bow I carried as the Spaniards walked forward and
embraced Dimazuno, patting him on the back. Smiles abounded on their European
faces, yet I couldn’t ignore the visions of slithering serpents
that
crowded my mind.

Dimazuno turned back toward the royal palace, motioning for Salazar and
some of his men to follow. The Spaniards followed Salazar, their sneers mimicking
his, as they entered the emperor’s palace. Tizoc and I each led our own small
party of warriors into the palace as well while Daniel kept the troops outside
in formation.

“Be careful,” Daniel whispered to me before I left. He tapped his
knuckles on my helmet.

“You too.” The dreadful vision of Daniel dying in my dream flashed into
my mind, but I had to believe he’d be all right. Otherwise I’d grab him and run
for safety. Otherwise I’d be a coward. 

My group of female warriors, all dressed to look like men, followed in a
tight knot. They had been trained to look in all directions all the time.
Tizoc’s male warriors comprised the bulk of our escort of the Spaniards into
the palace.
 

Once inside, a strange moment of quiet fell upon everyone.

“Seize him!” Salazar roared to his men that bolted into action. Spanish
hands gripped onto the emperor while the rest of Salazar’s party aimed their
pistols at us.

One of the warriors lunged forward. Spear raised, he charged Salazar.
With an ear-splitting bang, the warrior fell before his spear tip got anywhere
near its intended target. Blood pooled beneath the warrior’s body as he lay
motionless at our feet.

“Drop your weapons,” Salazar ordered, Malina translating for him. We did
as we were instructed, not wanting any more Sunal blood to spill in the palace.

Salazar turned to Tizoc. “Call off the warriors outside as well.”

Narrowing his golden eyes, Tizoc took a step forward, and Salazar backed
up several paces. He had to crane his head up to meet Tizoc’s glare. Two of
Salazar’s men came to their leader’s defense, pointing pistols into Tizoc’s
gut. A scream worked its way up my throat.

Don’t, Charlie,
Tizoc said in my mind before I could yell.
We
must play their game if we are to turn the tides to our favor later. Getting
killed now will do us no good.

Such was my fear that I could not form a thought to respond to Tizoc.
Everything was progressing too quickly, and the Spaniards somehow had the upper
hand. All our training had been a waste. Arrows and spears were simply no match
for pistols.

Tizoc nodded to Zolin who stepped back outside. I could not hear what he
said to the warriors surrounding the emperor’s palace, but when he came back
in, his face was grim. Zolin said a few sparse words to Tizoc who then turned
to me.

Salazar’s men have turned their guns on the warriors outside as well.
They had no intention of easing their way in. Force is all they know.

I suppose Salazar didn’t plunder through all the other cities on his
way here with success without solid planning… and guns
, I said.