Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords series are copyright to Fireworks and Paramount. No infringement is intended nor revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, Maril.

VS Episode #227

Devil Moon
by Maril

Part One of Six (Parts 4-6 next week)

Prologue

An ephemeral form materialized from the cloudbank on the sunlit horizon. Tendrils of mist still drifted above the smooth ocean waves but the warm morning sun had cleared the haze from the land. Tessa paused in her headlong dash down the beach to watch in fascination as the shape became solid.

"A ship!" Tessa said aloud as she pulled her horse to a halt on the strand. Her palomino mare, Lindo, pranced impatiently at the sudden end to her morning run. Keeping the horse under control, Tessa watched as the ship glided ever closer under a full head of sail in the direction of Santa Elena. It was soon lost to her sight as it disappeared around a large rocky headland. In perhaps an hour, the ship would sound its cannon to alert the town of its presence in their tiny harbour.

She patted the horse's neck, and with a twinge of regret in her voice, said, "Well, Lindo, it isn't every day we have a ship. I've got to get into town to see what it might have brought us. We will have a nice long run tomorrow." The horse twitched its ears and balked slightly as Tessa reined her around to head back to the villa.

On arriving, Tessa dismounted quickly and handed the reins to Carlos, the groom, who seemed surprised at her early return. His dark eyes swept concernedly over the horse as if looking for an injury or a problem.

Hesitantly, he asked, "Is there something wrong, señorita? You are usually gone much longer than this."

"No, Carlos. I saw a ship heading toward Santa Elena and wanted to get into town early to get the best buys." Tessa grinned at Carlos, a small young man darkly tanned by his days in the sun. He returned her grin with a wide flash of white teeth then he led the horse away toward the stable.

Entering the villa, Tessa nearly bumped into Marta who was just coming outside with a basket of laundry on her hip. Marta stopped abruptly, her eyes widening in surprise and then worry.

"You are back early, Tessa. Has something happened?"

Tessa laughed, shaking her head. "I'm going to have to stop being such a creature of habit. Any change in my routine seems to upset everybody." She took the basket from Marta and set it on the tiled floor. "There's a ship in Santa Elena. Maybe it has the trunk Uncle Alejandro promised to send me. You know, Marta — the one with Papa's letters to me and all the other things I didn't have time to bring when we sailed for California. So, let's go into town. Have one of the other workers put up the laundry. I don't know why you do it anyway." This last was added with a hint of impatience in her voice. Marta could delegate the household chores to other servants but she refused. Instead, she obstinately continued to do the things she had always done for Tessa. Even hiring Rosa as cook and housekeeper had made little difference in the tasks that Marta undertook.

Tessa shrugged off her momentary annoyance in her excitement to get into Santa Elena. She tried to pull Marta in the direction of the door to get the wagon, but Marta held back.

"Are you going to town like that?" Marta asked, pointing to Tessa's riding outfit. She was wearing a light blouse and a divided skirt, specially made for riding. "While you change your clothes, I will hang up the laundry." With that, Marta picked up the basket and went out into the brilliant sunlight of the courtyard.

"And you call me stubborn and hard-headed," Tessa flung after her with a laugh. She rushed down the corridor to her room to put on something more suitable for Maria Teresa Alvarado to wear to town.

Act One, Scene 1

Arriving in the pueblo, she found the ship's cargo had not yet been delivered so Tessa directed the wagon toward the beach, several miles away down a well-marked trail. Coming over a rise, she could see what looked like every wagon from the area parked in no apparent order on the wide strand. Beyond, the sea glistened in the hot sun as gulls whirled near the ship laying off the shore.

Urging the team down the steep trail to the beach, Tessa noted the longboats plying the waters between the ship and the shore. Much cargo was already set upon the sand, some of it being picked up by eager owners after it was checked off the ship's manifest by an officer.

Judging by the sailors' clothing, Tessa could tell it was a British ship. As she closed the distance to the shore, she also noted with a quickening of her heart that Dr. Helm was on the beach, evidently engaged in an animated chat with the ship's captain.

"Perhaps that is your trunk, Tessa," Marta remarked, pointing to a large square object just being lifted out of the longboat by four sailors. "From the looks of it, we will have quite a time going through the contents." She smiled as Tessa stopped the wagon and hurriedly climbed out.

As she neared her cargo, she heard Montoya's authoritarian voice from somewhere behind her. Turning to the sound she saw the colonel and a squad of soldiers coming down the beach ahead of a large transport wagon. With a sense of dread, Tessa wondered what freight Montoya was expecting that required such a heavy cart. 'Maybe it's the cannon he has been scheming for all this time,' she thought.

While she watched covertly, Montoya dismounted his stallion, Salan, and marched straight to the British captain, interrupting the conversation between the captain and the doctor. Tessa had no choice but to see about her own business, though she longed to get nearer Montoya to hear what he was saying to the ship captain.

A few minutes later, Tessa had signed the ship's documents transferring ownership of the trunk into her possession. The officer moved away to take care of other cargo, leaving Tessa in a quandary as to how to get the trunk onto her wagon. She and Marta did not have the strength to lift it and all the other sailors and men seemed to be occupied.

Dr. Helm's familiar voice made her start and she turned quickly, nearly knocking him over. "Señorita Alvarado," he began with a wry smile, taking hold of her arm to steady her. She knew her cheeks must be flaming from embarrassment for her seeming clumsiness. "May I present Captain Roderick St. James, an old acquaintance from my army days. I sailed on his transport ship from Portsmouth to Cadiz. He's an excellent chess player." Though he had recently recovered from pneumonia, the doctor seemed fit though a bit pale. The old flash was in his eyes once more after the dreadful ordeal he had suffered only weeks before.

The man Helm introduced was taller than the doctor. His ruddy face had clearly seen many types of weather and his eyebrows and moustache were bleached nearly white by salt and sun. A well-tailored blue serge jacket fitted tightly across his wide chest. A big man with a large and hearty voice, he boomed out a laugh at Helm's introduction. Sweeping off his tricorn hat off with a flourish, he bowed gracefully over her hand, placing a warm kiss on its back.

"Señorita," he murmured in his deep voice as he straightened from his bow. He turned to Helm with a helpless expression and said something in English. Helm replied and the captain's face flushed a deeper red. In formal but broken Spanish, the captain said, "I would be honoured if you would be my guest tonight at dinner, Señorita Alvarado. Dr. Helm has already agreed to join us."

Tessa considered for a moment refusing the invitation. Her trunk with all its treasures beckoned and she was anxious to get it loaded onto the wagon and home to peruse its contents. However, propriety demanded a courteous reply and she was curious about Montoya's cargo. She could probe for information tonight at dinner. Looking into St. James' pale blue eyes as he waited expectantly, Tessa answered, "It would be a pleasure to share your meal, Capitan. My duenna and I will meet you here at whatever time you usually dine. Will we be dining aboard ship?"

"Yes. If you could arrive around seven o'clock, I will have the longboat standing by to take you to the ship. Dr. Helm will already be on board as some of my men are in need of medical treatment. Nothing contagious," he hastened to assure her with a smile.

"And now, " Tessa said with a rueful shrug, "I need some strong men to place this trunk on my wagon." She turned to the captain with demure, helpless look as she gestured at the trunk sitting in the sand.

St. James immediately bellowed and several sailors came to him at the run. Within a few seconds, the trunk was stowed on the wagon.

The captain helped Tessa to ascend onto the wagon bench beside Marta. As she prepared to leave, Tessa noticed a black coach weaving its way through the wagons littering the beach and come to a stop near a longboat that was bringing the passengers ashore. While she watched, a woman dressed completely in black was assisted out of the boat and carried to the shore by a sailor. Her face was darkly veiled, revealing nothing of her features. Beside her, a tall spare black woman strode through the waves, having climbed out of the boat without help. Once on the ground, the veiled woman swayed and her companion caught her, assisting her toward the waiting coach. The woman was placed quickly inside the coach; her companion joined her and the curtains were drawn. With a snap of the whip, the driver turned the team of black horses back up the trail toward the town.

Tessa realised she was not the only one who was fascinated by the scene. Dr. Helm had watched the coach with a considering look in his eyes, and Tessa presumed he must be wondering if the lady in black needed medical attention.

"Capitan St. James," Tessa said. "Who is that woman? Is she going on from here or staying in our little pueblo?"

The captain rubbed his bristly ginger-coloured beard. He replied, "I don't know anything about her. The name she gave could be a false one. She came aboard at Panama City, stayed in her cabin all day, and never spoke to anyone the whole voyage. She only came onto the deck at night in the company of that formidable-looking black woman and did some turns around the deck." He spread his hands apologetically. "I'm sorry I can't offer you more but that is all I know."

Helm made some comment in English which made the captain laugh. Tessa bristled, lifting her chin haughtily, feeling some joke had been made at her expense.

"It is considered discourteous to speak in another language in front of one who does not understand it, Dr. Helm," she said archly. "Perhaps you would be good enough to tell me what you just said to the captain."

"Meaning no offense, Señorita, but I said this is a small place and everyone is curious about everyone else's business." A wry smile accompanied this remark as he seemed to be watching her reaction.

"How could anyone be offended by that?" Tessa said tersely. She beamed a radiant smile on the captain and added, "Until tonight, Capitan St. James."

"St. Hames," the captain repeated after her with a pleased chuckle. To Helm he said in English, "Charming accent, eh, Helm? St. Hames," he said again and bowed deeply.

Marta took up the reins and urged the team off the beach and onto the trail which would take them back toward Santa Elena. Tessa turned on the seat in time to see a long wooden crate being loaded onto the transport wagon under the direction of Colonel Montoya. A chill invaded her as she realised her earlier fears were well-founded. He did have a cannon now. What was it Montoya had said to her after the fencing contest in Monterrey? 'We will see what Montoya can do.' She feared to imagine what he could do with such a formidable weapon.

Act One, Scene 2

It felt wonderful to feel a deck beneath her feet again. The gentle pitch and roll, disorienting at first, became a pleasurable rocking sensation. The sea was nearly calm tonight and the sun was just above the horizon, its crimson rays enlivening the long waves as they rolled toward the shore.

Despite her earlier misgivings, Tessa was excited by the prospect of a dinner aboard ship. A whole evening of interesting conversation ... and in the company of Dr. Helm. 'Maybe a little harmless flirtation with the captain would stimulate the doctor's interest in me,' Tessa thought as she followed the sailor across the main deck toward the captain's cabin. Marta trailed behind in a recalcitrant mood. She had not wanted to come, but Tessa had insisted it would be improper for her duenna not to be present.

"Take Rosa," Marta had retorted earlier, receiving a withering glance from Tessa.

"Rosa would never make it up the rope ladder to the deck. You know that, Marta." The housekeeper, Rosa, was a jolly woman of substantial girth and weight. "Besides, it will be fun. We haven't been invited to dinner for some time. And I can get some information about what Montoya is up to."

So, they had been rowed across the small harbour to the waiting ship and helped aboard by the sailors. Instead of the rope ladder, the captain had thoughtfully arranged a bosun's chair to lift the two women onto the deck.

The sailor opened the door to the captain's cabin and moved aside for them to enter. Bright light spilled onto the deck from the interior and the rumble of male voices came to a halt as the women stepped in. Chairs scraped back immediately as the men rose courteously. The captain, resplendent in his dress uniform, came forward to greet them. He bowed and kissed Tessa's hand, then turned to Marta, uncertain what to do.

Marta reached forward and shook his hand then removed hers quickly before he could bend to kiss it.

With a start, Tessa observed Montoya among the party. He had arisen and was also moving forward to greet her. Keeping a bland smile on her face, Tessa accepted his courtesies, then Dr. Helm's. The captain pulled a chair for her beside his. Dr. Helm assisted Marta to a place next to him.

Very soon, animated conversation filled the room as the wine flowed and the meal progressed. Tessa was surprised at the elegance of the captain's table – the food was superb and the wine of the best vintage. She complimented him several times on his hospitality which made his ruddy face flush warmly.

Tessa decided it was time for a little innocuous probing. Turning to Montoya, she asked, "Did my eyes deceive me, Colonel, or did I see a long crate being transported by your soldiers? Could that be the cannon you have wanted for so long?" She giggled and took a sip of her wine, studying him coyly over the rim of her glass.

With Marta's help, she had prepared extra carefully for this evening. Her dark hair was coiled neatly behind her neck and she wore the red dress with its low-cut neckline that showed off her figure so well. She hoped in the company of other men, Dr. Helm might see her as more than an empty-headed socialite with no conversation other than parties and dresses. Certainly, Colonel Montoya had not completely lost interest in her.

His pale gaze lingered on her face, then moved slowly down over the bodice of her red satin dress, its cleavage revealing more of her bosom than Marta had thought proper. That glance was seductive, like a caress. Tessa knew his interest in her had been more than just casual. If she encouraged him a little...? It was a way to gain information, but at what cost? She returned his gaze with a look of wide-eyed innocence. This was a game she had learned to play well at the Spanish Court.

The colonel hesitated for a moment, setting down his wineglass. She saw a muscle twitch in his jaw and wondered what he was thinking. His eyes glittered and narrowed slightly. He said, "You are correct, señorita. I have received shipment of a cannon for the defence of our territory. It is long overdue. I am surprised that you take such an interest in military matters."

"I'm not usually interested, Colonel. But when it comes to my own protection from outlaws and bandits, I am very concerned. It is a great comfort to know you have such a powerful weapon at your command." Again the innocent look as the colonel tried to stifle a smirk. The double entendre was not lost on his agile mind.

A quick glance at Dr. Helm showed he did not share her sentiments or enjoy her little game. His face was drawn in a scowl, his green eyes seemed to pierce her like daggers. She looked away to Captain St. James, meeting a much more amiable pair of eyes.

The captain seemed to be staring fixedly at her with a look of almost adoration. It was exhilarating but also disconcerting. "Capitan," Tessa said, turning her gaze on him fully. She saw him tremble slightly and shift in his chair. Dropping her voice into a deeper timbre, she said, "We seldom get such interesting things coming into our little pueblo. First a cannon, then a mysterious lady." She felt a foot nudge her. Without looking at Marta, she knew the other woman was warning her to be careful.

Leaning forward conspiratorially, giving him a view of her decolletage, she continued, "That woman who came ashore today. You said she lived in Panama City and sailed here to Santa Elena. Do you know if she is planning to stay here? I feel I should try to make her acquaintance, to welcome her to our pueblo. It would be the friendly thing to do, do you not think so, Capitan?." He seemed enraptured by her voice, her face; he was deliberately avoiding looking at her breasts. The captain swallowed a few times, almost speechless as she smiled warmly at him.

She was enjoying this, especially the way Dr. Helm reacted to her flirtation. His wide nostrils flared as he fiddled with his wineglass. A spot of colour warmed his cheeks and his thin lips were compressed into a hard line.

Montoya spoke suddenly, a harsh interruption. "Do not bother, Señorita Alvarado. She has leased the Rey hacienda for a year and was very explicit in her instructions to me. No one is to visit her or go near the hacienda for any reason unless she has asked them. Her solicitor made the arrangements and paid in advance. She seems to be a recluse who wants to be left alone. Your desire to make her acquaintance does you credit, but in this case, it would not be welcome."

Clearing his throat, Captain St. James added, "They were certainly an odd pair the whole time they were on my ship. Always took meals in their quarters, never came on deck until after dark." Seeing he had her full attention, the captain continued with a light laugh, "One of my deck hands said they were witches."

"Witches? Surely not, Capitan. Why would he think that?" Tessa batted her eyes at him, stifling a smile at the way his chest expanded in a restrained sigh. She felt another nudge from Marta, and impatiently nudged back. Marta was not going to spoil her fun by being too careful.

"He's a black fellow from Haiti. His eyes were big as saucers when he told me he saw the veiled woman and her servant performing what seemed to be a voodoo ritual on the deck after dark. He's very superstitious and was afraid they were cursing the ship and everyone on it, that we would sink to the bottom of the sea." St. James chuckled under his breath as he looked around at the company. "Of course, it's all nonsense, this business of curses and casting spells."

Montoya turned to Marta who had not spoken much during the whole meal. "What do you think, Marta? Do not Gypsies dabble in black magic? Do you believe in magic and spells?"

Tessa held her breath as she waited for Marta to reply. The Gypsy's face was a blank mask, her feelings well hidden. Impassively, Marta turned to Montoya. "If we can believe in angels and devils, why can we not believe in magic?" She stood up and added, "You must excuse me but the motion of the ship..." Marta started toward the door.

The captain came to his feet immediately and strode to open the door for her. "I hope you feel better soon, señora. Fresh air helps with mal de mer." He bowed courteously as she went out.

Continued in Part Two of Three