Free IVORY DAWN (The Razor's Adventures) by P.S. Bartlett Page B

was no sound but for the crackling fire for several moments, when Ivory rose to her feet and dropped her blanket. She stood there in her bloomers and bodice looking down into the fireplace, her white undergarments glowing orange as the light and shadows from the flames danced over her. Then, she walked into the kitchen and pulled an unopened bottle of rum from the cabinet. She took four glasses and lined them up on the table, filling each one about a half an inch deep, and called them all to join her. Once assembled, they each picked up a glass and raised it into the air. Just as they were about to tap the glasses together, Cass finally spoke, “I have.”
    “Have what?” Miranda asked.
    “Killed.”
    “Who? Wh…when?” Keara sputtered.
    “It doesn’t matter. That’s behind us now. I’m sorry I told you. Now, drink.”
    Both Miranda and Keara stared at their cousin, while Ivory’s eyes wandered into the darkness.

Part Two

     
    “You know we’re not safe here anymore,” Cass said, once Miranda and Keara had fallen asleep.
    “I know,” Ivory replied, staring at the battered oak table top and trying to come up with a solution.
    “I’m sure the one who got away is long back aboard that ship and has informed his mates of what transpired here. They could be at our door at any moment, Ivory.  Ivory? Are you listening to me?”
    “Yes!” she shouted in a whisper. “For Christ’s sake, I’m trying to figure this out. Have you any suggestions to offer?   Because I’m getting the feeling this is all falling on me, and you three killed four of them before I even arrived, if you recall.”
    “And how many have you killed prior?”
    “What difference does that make now?”
    “It makes a hell of a difference and don’t pretend it doesn’t. None of us wanted this. We did what we had to do—what you taught us to do to protect ourselves.”
    “And a damn fine job you did, too. What do you think I’d have found had you not done what we rehearsed? I’ll tell you exactly what would have happened, Cass.  You’d have all been raped, beaten, and left for dead… or worse, dragged off in the night to their friends for more sport. I’m proud of you all. I’m proud of us.”
    “Well? What do we do now?”
    “How much money have we saved?”
    “I’d have to check with Miranda, but I’d say we have a couple hundred dollars. But we were going to use that to move up North.”
    “If we don’t get our asses out of this, there won’t be an “up North” for any of us.”
    “Well, there are no bodies, and we’ve scrubbed this place clean, but the word of one coward pirate is more than enough to bring another five or ten. Do you think we can take them?”
    “Five, yes. Ten, no.”
    “Look, they’re raiding the whole area. They normally don’t hang around. They take what they can and run. The one who ran, it’s possible that in the dark, in a place he’s never been before, he wouldn’t even be able to lead them back here.”
    “The river.”
    “What about it?”
    “They followed the river to get to the houses… and to us. How about you and I take a little boat ride upstream and see what we’re up against?”
    “You’re crazy, Ivory.”
    “Maybe so, but I’m not crazy enough to sit here any longer and wait for them to come to us.”
    “What about Miranda and Ke?”
    “Wake them up. Pants, coats, hats, pistols, and blades. We’ll all go.”
    “You’ll get us all killed before we’re done.”
    “Have some faith. If we stay here, we’re dead anyway—one way or the other.”
    “Good point, but at least we could hide somewhere until they move on.”
    “Cass, let me ask you something; are you really happy here raising chickens and vegetables?”
    “It’s a nice life. It’s peaceful and…”
    “Safe?”
    “It was…but what are you suggesting?”
    “I don’t know yet, but I’d like to find out what it’s like out there before what’s out there comes after us again.  Maybe next