The Devil and the Dark Water

75

Arent left the cave and returned to the makeshift camp. Small fires had been lit under the tree canopy, surrounded by passengers trying to dry off. The rain was almost mist, but a few minutes in its company was enough to make everything dripping wet.

Musketeers were dragging bodies into piles, while others pried the lids off the salvaged casks and crates to make an inventory of their supplies. They called out what they found to the constable, who was adding it to a tally. Seeing Arent, the constable threw him a small salute.

‘A crate of cured lamb.’

‘Two crates of tack.’

‘Three barrels of ale.’

‘Four jugs of brandy.’

‘Two jars of wine.’

‘Tallow wax and twine.’

‘Hatchets, hammers and long nails.’

It was a pauper’s load, thought Arent. Enough to sustain them for days, not weeks.

Two yawls were crossing the rough water, returning from the wreck. Evidently Drecht had sent men out to claim the last of the Saardam’s supplies and whatever treasure was left.

Arent and Larme found Drecht sitting on a piece of driftwood, rain tapping on his hat, his legs crossed at the ankles.

‘Where’s your council?’ Arent asked Drecht.

‘We’re it, and now you’re here, I’ll call it convened,’ said Drecht, tipping the brim of his hat to dislodge the rain that had built up.

‘We should convene everybody,’ said Arent, frowning. ‘There’s few of us left and these matters effect everybody.’

Larme coughed. ‘You’ll want to hear what he has to say before you decide that.’

Drecht fixed his icy eyes on Arent. ‘Most of what we’ve salvaged will keep us warm and dry, but unless we can eat nails and drink tar, we’ll still be going to sleep with empty bellies.’ He ran a pink tongue around his salty lips. ‘Nineteen musketeers survived. Twenty-two sailors and forty passengers, including yourself. We can’t feed them all, which means hard decisions need to be taken about our resources.’

He gave that a moment to sink in, staring meaningfully at them.

‘The musketeers under my command are murderers and cutpurses, but they’re skilled at surviving, capable of hunting and tracking. These are the men who will keep us alive. My control of them is not absolute, especially when the rations start running low. Sooner or later, they’re going to decide to take what they want rather than wait to be given it. The clever move is to offer it to them in return for obedience.’

Drecht flashed a look towards the women, gathering firewood at the tree edge.

‘You’re offering rape as a reward,’ growled Arent.

‘Not them as married, or promised,’ interrupted Drecht quickly. ‘That wouldn’t be Christian. Come now, see the good sense before you, Arent. Sara and you have a bond, I’ve seen it myself. She’d be spared, as would Lia. And you Isaack, take your pick.’

Arent felt sick. Old Tom had won. It had sought to draw out the very worst of everybody on the Saardam, and, here, at last, it had succeeded. It didn’t even need to bargain any more. They were dreaming up their own sins, and their own rewards.

‘What about Creesjie Jens?’ he said witheringly. ‘I suppose you’ll make the sacrifice and wed her yourself?’

‘I have a wife in Drenthe. I don’t need another,’ said Drecht distantly.

‘What do you have to say on this, Larme?’ demanded Arent.

‘Why does that matter?’ Larme stared at them balefully. ‘I’ve a handful of sailors left. Most of them are injured, and none of them are armed. It’s his musketeers we have to worry about. I’m just here to make this seem fair.’

‘But what do you think?’ demanded Arent.

‘I think it’s the vilest thing I’ve ever heard,’ he said, glaring at Drecht. ‘And I think he’s going to do it whatever we say.’

‘He’s right,’ agreed Drecht, without shame. ‘I’ve got the strength, which means I have the power. And I know it’s the right thing to do. These passengers respect you, Arent. It would go easier if I could make the announcement with you at my side.’

‘What if I say no? Where will I be standing then?’

‘As far away from my sabre as possible, if you’re wise.’

They stared at each other, finding themselves right back where they’d started on the Saardam that first morning, waiting to see who’d run who through first.

‘I want Sara and Lia,’ said Arent solemnly. ‘And Isaack has to agree to wed Creesjie, though not touch her. She can’t be left to your men.’

The former guard captain searched his face for some hint of deception, but Arent had been withstanding the attentions of Sammy for years. He saw only irate compliance.

‘On your honour?’ He held out his hand.

Arent shook it. ‘Aye.’

Drecht blew out a breath in relief, unable to conceal his pleasure. ‘I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation, Arent, but I’m glad you’ve seen reason. We need to make sure we have all the supplies secured. Once that’s done, we’ll tell our plan to the passengers. I recommend tomorrow morning, after a hard night on short rations has made clear to everybody what we face.’

‘I’ll need one more thing before that happens,’ said Arent, as they got ready to depart. ‘I want Sammy on the rescue boat.’

Larme sucked his teeth. ‘It’s a fool’s dash that,’ he said. ‘We have no navigators left worth the name. Whoever goes, they’ll have few supplies and no bearing to guide them. They’re hoping for fine weather and good fortune, neither of which we’ve had in abundance.’

‘Sammy’s injuries are severe. He’ll die here, or he’ll die out there. I would have him away from this place, with the chance of rescue.’

‘If that’s your wish, then so be it,’ said Drecht. ‘I doubt anybody will object. Larme, I’m leaving you in charge of finding a crew for the rescue boat.’

‘Oh, aye,’ he said witheringly. ‘Reckon there’ll be a clamour for a berth on a doomed vessel, do you?’

‘No, which means you should start thinking about which men you’re happy to send to their death.’ His face was grave. ‘We’re in command now, gentlemen. There aren’t any easy decisions left.’