Excerpt from The Sun God’s Heir: Return (Book One)
By Elliott Baker
The boatswain, a large man with scars on his arms and face, walked over to
stand in front of René. “Chain him to the mast.”
Their gazes met.
“Don’t look at me, boy.” He backhanded René in the face. “Look down at the
deck when I talk to you. You’re some over-fed nobleman’s kid thinkin’ you
make the rules. Surprised you ain’t cryin’ for your mama. You got a mama,
boy?” he asked and laughed. When René didn’t answer, he hit him again. “I
asked you a question, boy. Don’t try my patience, ‘cause I ain’t got none.”
“My mother died when I was born.” René studied the man’s feet to see how he
moved. All the while he cataloged everything in his peripheral vision.
“Well, not to worry, you will be seeing her soon.” The boatswain turned to walk
away then turned back and hit René again. His bitter laugh floated across the
deck. “I just had to do that.”
Though they had chained him in a way that forced him to stand, René had
enough slack to turn and see most of the ship. He was aboard an English
slave ship. She was an older carrack in design with the raised forecastle. She
had seen better days, though. The fact that she was still on the seas
suggested either a cutthroat reputation or an experienced captain. Under the
wear, the ship was surprisingly clean, her ropes and sails newly repaired and
in good order. Second rate though she might be, she was seaworthy. This was
a veteran crew, competent in their tasks, and not likely to make mistakes that
might allow him to escape. Escape. Even if he could, where would he go in the
middle of the ocean?
Do not rush fate. One thing at a time. Do what you can do.
His master’s voice echoed within his head.
He had to pick a fight and hope he survived long enough to create allies. The
next time the big boatswain walked by, René laughed. “What are you findin’ so
funny, boy?” The man stuck his face within inches of René’s.