Once he had admitted his burgeoning feelings for the captain to himself, Adelard was finally able to go to bed, but his sleep was fitful, for he could not seem to fully turn his mind off. He awoke the next morning feeling foggy and uncertain, and he stretched out in his hammock, blanket pulled over his head, and let his thoughts wander to the circumstances that had caused him such a restless night. Although he was not completely surprised that he had developed an attraction toward his friend, for she was certainly one of the most wonderful people he had ever had the pleasure of knowing, he had been taken aback by how swiftly it had seemed to develop. It had felt as if his interest had come out of the blue, but, as he ruminated further upon the matter, it dawned upon him that he had been steadily developing feelings for her ever since their first face-to-face meeting, and that they had merely crystallized following their recent conversation regarding her past relationships.

Up until then, he had been uncertain whether she had any interest in romantic love at all, and the dialogue they had shared had made him certain that she was not only willing and able to love another, but might even be capable of loving someone like himself.

There were many parts of who he was that he had not yet told her of, things that had caused him shame for many years and that he had allowed to keep him distant from others he had cared for. Knowing Syndalle Scarre, he felt that, for the first time in his life, he had found someone who would not only be understanding regarding those pieces of himself, but who would fully embrace them and might even celebrate them. This realization was the permission he needed to fully admit that he was falling for his friend, and his heart swelled with joy as he at last openly allowed himself to celebrate finding the "soul mate" that he had not known existed.

Adelard resolved that he would go to the captain that very moment and would tell her how he cared for her and clear the air regarding his deceitful behavior, but she was not present in the bedchamber as he had expected. He figured that he had likely overslept and that he would find her on-deck poring over a map or compass, but, when he exited the room, he was surprised to discover her laughing and chatting with some members of the crew as the Silver Pearl rapidly advanced toward what appeared to be a sizable port.

When she spotted him, her eyes lit up. "Adelard, how good of you to awaken and join us!" she said. "You’d best prepare yourself, for we are at this very moment approaching Fermigon, the city Irmene had spoken of last night. We shall all go ashore and celebrate our victory against the sirens!" The crew broke into cheers at her words, and Adelard mumbled in assent before hurrying back into their quarters. As he rushed to make himself presentable for the excursion, he grumbled that of course the day he had decided to make his feelings known to his friend was the day when they might not share even a brief moment alone.

His spirits lifted a bit once the plank had been placed down and everyone headed ashore, for it appeared that, although Syndalle Scarre was planning on celebrating with the entirety of the crew, she was most interested in spending time with Adelard, for she walked alongside him as they headed into town, speaking to him ceaselessly about the trials of the previous night. Irmene soon joined the duo and livened the conversation further, and Adelard began to feel hopeful that he might get a chance to speak privately with the captain after all.

The group soon entered the city center, and the boatswain, who had been tasked with finding the appropriate premises for their revel, chose a large, cheerful-looking tavern with raucous music pouring out of its open doors. Adelard, always thrilled by the prospect of watching musicians play, was so eager to enter the establishment that he did not notice the strange luxurious black coach parked just outside the building. Those within seemed to take notice of him, though, for, after he had passed, a gloved hand reached out of the coach and beckoned to two men sitting in an open carriage just behind it; given this signal, they climbed down from their cart and trailed the oblivious duke into the building, while the black coach sped away.

Adelard was fortunate to find a table near the performers and to have Captain Scarre down next to him, and each enjoyed a drink and a meal while listening to the marvelous music. After half an hour there was a lull, and he decided that the time had come to speak with his friend regarding what had occurred the night before. He cleared his throat dramatically, and Syndalle Scarre faced him, eyebrows raised. "Yes, Your Grace?" she said, snickering. "Why have you chosen to summon me so theatrically?"

Adelard reddened. "I’d only wanted to draw your attention. Was my behavior that noticeable?"

"It would not have surprised me if the entire room had stopped to listen to you."

Adelard glanced around the tavern and saw that several people were staring at him, with two rough-looking men appearing particularly interested. He quickly turned back to the captain. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so loud," he whispered.

"It matters not, Adelard. Now, why don’t you say what you’d meant to?"

Adelard tentatively began, "Well, I’d like to speak to you regarding last night."

"You mean, regarding our battle with the sirens? Of course―it’s why we’re here, isn’t it?" Captain Scarre stared at him expectantly. "Go on, you."

The duke bit his lip nervously. "I wanted to discuss one thing in particular, the moment when you...provided a distraction to help me shake the sirens’ curse."

The captain looked confused for a second, then her eyes widened and she laughed. "Oh, you’re referring to the kiss! I know it was a strange way of handling things, but it was what the selkie had recommended. I was glad to help in any way I could."

"But, Syndalle, I must be honest with you...I’d been feeling all right. I hadn’t needed the distraction even though I’d lost an ear plug. I’d requested the kiss purely because I had wanted one, although I didn’t understand why at the time, and so I wanted to offer an apology for having been untruthful with you."

The captain peered at him quizzically. "You claim that you weren’t affected by the sirens? That is most unusual, Adelard, as their songs, as a rule, only lack effect on women and those in love."

"See, the thing is, Syndalle, I―"

His words were interrupted by a loud jangling, and he turned to find Irmene standing in front of the musicians, waving a tambourine. "Hear me, all!" she yelled to the audience. "I stand before you to proudly declare that the crew of the Silver Pearl, as fine a ship as ever there was, sailed through the channel and past the sirens last night with no lives lost!" Several in the crowd gasped, then there was a murmur of applause until the selkie waved her hand to silence it. "Although they had invaluable assistance that rendered their victory probable," she continued, winking, "they would not have been assured of success had they not been led by the greatest shipmaster I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, Captain Scarre!"

She gestured at the captain, and, with the encouragement of the audience, Syndalle Scarre stood to take a bashful bow. The crowd cheered, and Irmene ran over to the captain and grabbed her by the arm. "My friend," she said, "I feel your triumph deserves more than mere praise, so I have written a song to celebrate it that I shall now perform with the assistance of these fine musicians...and you shall have the best seat in the house for the performance!"

Captain Scarre’s eyes widened, and she frantically shook her head, but this did not stop the selkie from dragging her to the front of the room. Two of her strongest sailors had placed a plush chair there, and, at Irmene’s insistence, she sheepishly flopped down onto it. Once she was seated, the band started to play a lively tune, and the selkie related the captain’s adventures that had occurred over the years. Despite her initial discomfort Captain Scarre could not help but smile at the song’s contents, and she had soon grown relaxed and was clapping her hands and tapping her feet in time to the music.

Adelard sighed, for, although he was glad his friend was enjoying herself, he was disappointed that he had lost what had appeared to be the perfect opportunity to have a needed conversation with her. He watched Irmene dance around and found himself unthinkingly scowling at her, for he was a bit resentful of her interference, and, as he did not want to spoil the captain’s moment of glory, he decided to go outside, for he hoped that some fresh air would make him less sour.

He made his way through the throng, hoping that Syndalle would not notice his going, and he nearly ran into Robert Browne, whom he cast a brief wave to, before pushing the large wooden door open and heading outside. He walked a few paces from the building until he had found a stone clean enough to sit upon, and he placed himself on it, put his head in his hands, and tried to disconnect from the hustle and bustle surrounding him.

To his surprise, his meditation was interrupted by a firm hand being placed upon his shoulder, and he lifted his face to find the two dodgy-looking men who had been staring at him in the bar standing before him. One was tall and muscular, the other shorter and more weasel-like in appearance, but both gave off intimidating airs that made Adelard quite uncomfortable. "Hail, gentlemen," he said timidly. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Why, yes," said the smaller man. "We’d like to ’ave a word wif you." He grinned in a way that made Adelard shudder. "We was sent to fetch you, as our mistress noticed you when you climbed off that ship and went in wif the others. She wants to speak wif you. She says you’re much prettier than most seamen...and, come to fink of it, you talk prettier than ’em as well."

Adelard gulped, and, trying to recreate the voice he had used as "James Beckett," replied, "I’m not sure what ye mean by that, but why be it that yer mistress seeks me?"

The man peered at him curiously, then shook his head, muttered "no matter" under his breath, then continued, "M’lady wishes to talk to you ’bout a job. She’s lookin’ for a new servant for her home and finks you’ll do nicely. Come along, we’ll take you to her."

"I’m sorry, friend, but I already work on the Silver Pearl, an’ they won’t do without me. I s’pose ye must find another."

Adelard stood and made to walk back into the tavern, but was stayed by a strong grip on his right arm. He turned to find that the larger of the pair had grabbed him. "I’m afraid our mistress won’t take no for an answer," the man said.

"And...what if I refuse to go with ye?" the duke asked weakly.

"Then we force you to come."

Adelard glanced frantically around and, seeing no one that he knew might be able to help him, decided to try and make a run for it. He punched the large man in the gut, loosening his grip upon him, and attempted to dash into the tavern. The smaller man had unfortunately maneuvered himself behind the duke, though; Adelard slammed right into him and, before he could even cry out for help, the fellow had pinioned his arms behind his back and had placed a cupped hand over his mouth. "Not very tough for a seaman," he chortled.

Adelard attempted to scream, but any sound he tried to make was muffled by the man’s thick palm. He noticed that several Fermigon residents were watching the scene, looks of concern upon their faces, but none made any move to assist him as he was picked up, kicking and thrashing, by the two brutes and taken over to the open carriage parked near the tavern. The smaller man pulled a hood from his jerkin and placed it over the duke’s head, then the pair roughly pushed him into the cart. As he lay there in darkness he felt the vehicle start to move, and tears slid down his cheeks unbidden, for, in that moment, he wondered if he would ever again set eyes upon anyone or anything he cared for.

Captain Syndalle Scarre had enjoyed the song in her honor so much that Irmene had insisted upon regaling her with some of her favorite tunes before letting her leave her "throne." After thanking the selkie for the performance, she rose from her seat and traipsed over to the table she had been sharing with Adelard, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, for she had gotten over her embarrassment and planned on dragging him out onto the floor to have a dance. However, she was surprised to find the table empty, and she scanned the room but saw no sign of her friend.

As it was unusual for Adelard to disappear like that, she decided to walk around the building and ask each sailor she spotted of his whereabouts. Most denied having noticed his going anywhere, but a few reported that they had seen him weaving through the crowd a short while earlier. She finally came upon Robert Browne, who definitively stated that he had seen the duke leave the building, and she thanked him for the information and headed outside, certain that she would discover Adelard sitting near the tavern door.

When she did not find him where she had expected him, she grew concerned, for it was unlike him to just leave a place without telling others where he was going. She looked up and down the length of the street and, having not seen him, began to pace it, hoping to find him. She searched in alleys and within shops, all to no avail, and her concern slowly evolved into a cold fear that some sort of harm had befallen him.

She decided that she would check the ship to see if he had returned there before sounding any sort of alarm, and so hurried back in the direction of the Silver Pearl. As she passed the tavern, brow furrowed with worry, she heard a voice call out: "Pardon me, Cap’n, but you appear to be searchin’ for somethin’...or someone. Might I help thee?"

Captain Scarre turned to discover that the person who had spoken was a wizened woman standing before a vegetable cart, and she rushed over to her. "I am, in fact, looking for someone, as one of my crew has gone missing. You seem as if you might know something of this―pray tell me all that you know."

The old woman sighed. "I saw a pretty young man taken by two large men. They pushed him into a black coach and then hurried away." She shook her head grimly. "Those who might have stopped them dared not. They knew it would do no good and only place them in danger, for the men were...her agents."

"Her agents? Whatever do you mean by that?" said the captain. "Who is the woman you speak of, and why are the people here so afraid of her?"

"I don’t know if she can be called a ’woman,’ Cap’n―she’s more like...a thing." The old lady shuddered. "Many years ago, a baroness inherited the lands north of Fermigon and came to live in the hills there. I was a young girl at the time, and remember her comin’ into town to get what was needed for her home. She was a beautiful woman of about fifty years of age, with raven-black hair and sharp green eyes. In spite of her beauty I feared her, though, for she seemed cold and cruel to me."

"She hired four handsome young men to help her bring her things to her manor, and bade them stay on as her servants afterward. They weren’t opposed to this, for the work was simple and well-paid and she gave them fine foods to eat and fancy rooms to stay in, and for a while the four would regularly come into Fermigon to crow about their kind mistress and fine lives."

"As the months passed, though, their tunes changed, and they grew less happy, for they were not allowed to take lovers or wed or father children while workin’ for her―mind you, some didn’t mind as much, because she was givin’ them special attention―and were only allowed one day off per month. They also reported that some of their duties were quite strange, with the strangest one being that they..." She stopped, reddening. "I’m not sure if I should say it, Cap’n, for it’s not nice to hear."

"I’m sure I’ve heard worse," Captain Scarre reassured her. "Please, do go on."

"Well, every three months, one of the men was called to the Baroness, and was asked to provide her with some of his...seed." The old woman blushed furiously, but went on. "He was made to give her a small cup of it, which she would pour into a bottle she wore on a chain about her waist. The fellows thought the task odd, but, as it was not a difficult or unpleasant one, they did as she told them."

"As the years went by, the people of Fermigon began noticin’ that these men seemed to be agin’ faster than others; they had all been aged twenty to twenty-nine when brought on by the Baroness but, though not even five years had passed, all seemed to be almost ten years older than when they were first hired. A few of the braver folks in town confronted them, and the four admitted that, while they were all growin’ older quicker, the Baroness seemed to not age at all. Three of the men tried to leave her but soon returned, for those who had warned them of what was happenin’...disappeared. The Baroness said that, if they chose to break their oaths, the same would happen to their families, and they felt they had no choice but to continue on."

"The men were each kept on for ten years, and were then given the choice to leave the Baroness or to continue workin’ for her, earnin’ ever greater wealth. Three chose to end their servitude and enjoy their remainin’ lives as they could, but one stayed on with her and died a very rich man...although he died a very old man when he should have not yet been fifty."

"In the years since, many more have served the Baroness, usually endin’ their servitude after ten years. Most of these men have chosen their paths, as they feel the riches they earn from workin’ for her are worth the years lost, but, when she is unable to find those who want to serve, she sends her agents―rough men bound to her only by love of money and a desire to do evil―to capture handsome young men who might serve unwillingly. I believe your young seaman has met this fate." She smiled sadly. "And no one tries to stop the thefts, nor to rescue those imprisoned, for they know that they are at risk of bein’ ’disappeared’ by the Baroness’s agents should they do so."

Captain Scarre’s eyes were flashing. "No one has yet tried to rescue those captured, but I intend to be the first," she said. "How do I get to the Baroness’s manor."

"Her home is easy to find, for it’s the largest one on the tallest hill north of here. None have entered it other than those who have served her, and it is said to be a dreadful place."

"I’m sure I’ve dealt with worse," said the captain. "This Baroness shall regret the day she chose to take one of my crew. Thank you for your help, Mistress..."

"Carola," responded the woman. "And think nothin’ of it, Ma’am. My elder brother Thomas was one of those first snatched by the Baroness. I’d gladly do anythin’ I could to assist those who might bring harm to her."

Captain Scarre once again offered her thanks to the woman, then hurried away from her and into the tavern. Although she believed that she was indeed capable of saving Adelard from whatever awful fate the Baroness had in store for him, she knew that she would be more likely to experience success if she did not try to rescue him all on her own; all she needed to do was gather her forces, and then she might make her move against the nasty noble who had kidnapped her friend.

Next Chapter: Chapter 6: The Baroness