Cardinal and Lover E-Book

Sergiy Zhuravlov

• Herausgeber: SUNRAY
• Kategorie: Erotik
• Serie: Second After God
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 261

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

The fascinating story of how Balthasar Cossa, a descendant of an ancient family descended from Cornelius Cossa, general and consul of the Roman Empire, goes through three life stages. Growing up, which describes his childhood pastimes, teenage fights, and first sexual adventures. Becoming a man, which describes his pirate adventures, sea battles. Balthasar is a student at the University of Bologna. A rich and unsurpassed lover, he is coveted by all the girls, Bologna, both chaste and experienced getters. Reaching the pinnacle of power, which describes his resourcefulness, dodginess. Gold, women and power are his motto. He, a connoisseur of theology and Roman law, quickly ascends to the top of the clergy. At his feet are many cities and regions of Italy, palaces and profitable places. He is legendary Gold, women and power are his motto And most importantly, he is still coveted by the beauties of all Italy. Explicit sex scenes are presented softly and sublimely, without vulgar vulgarity. Read, you will be rewarded with pleasure, for your choice.

Leseprobe

Table of contents

Prologue

Below – only up!

Beginning

They will not come

Captive Yandra

Fourth year at sea

Bouts of insanity

You can't escape fate

The end is near

The victor is not judged

He who is not a sinner will not understand the Lord!

If they had the experience, the rest would come with it

Everything is for sale, virginity is no exception

The power of the weak

In between

To draw to his side

It's good to remember

The Death of Peter Tomacelli

Imma here

Resurrected love

Yandra's perfidy

The first letter he saw was addressed to him

The Fifty Club

Confined

Epilogue

Afterword

Shortly about the author

© 2021 SERGIY / copyright holder.

All rights reserved.

Author: Sergiy Zhuravlov

ISBN: 9783986472740

[email protected]

NOVEL

SECOND AFTER GOD

Part 2

Cardinal and Lover

Prologue

Alter ab illo Deus

Second After God

1360-1419

The story of how a clever and handsome man, Balthasar Cossa, descendant of an ancient family descended from Cornelius Cossa, general and consul of the Roman Empire, pirate and connoisseur of women, becomes Pope.

The novel largely retains the temporal events and names of the main characters.

The author supplements the dry data about the main character and his life companions based on his own imagination.

Below – only up!

It was dawn. The beautiful girl and the captain quietly crossed the courtyard. Already at the small gate against the main gate, Cossa looked back at the palace. Candles were burning in the great hall for important ceremonies…

“Where do we go next, to your manor?” Yandra asked.

“I cannot take you to Ischia, to my mother. The Cardinal's bloodhounds will be there in a week. I can't even marry you, any priest would turn us in to the Inquisition. The only thing you have left is to trust me completely. We have very little time,” Cossa said and quickened his pace.

Yandra grabbed the hem of her dress with her hands to keep up with her savior.

He was a good distance from the center of the city, when he heard the clatter of hoofs and the clatter of wheels behind him. The fugitives turned around, and a poor carriage with a foursome was following them. Balthasar raised his hand as the charioteer put his horse down.

“Who is in your carriage?”

“My masters, the elderly gentlemen.”

The scythe stepped to the door and ordered in a tone that could not be objected:

“The carriage won't go any further, I need it, the captain of St. Mary's Church. Get out.

Helping each other, the gray-haired couple got out of the carriage. They did not need to explain anything. The officer and the young lady took their places. Before the coachman closed the door, Cossa whispered the name of the place of delivery.

“We have a few days' head start. As long as the crowd here is pacified and they do not send messengers about our detention,” Balthasar spoke as soon as the carriage began to move. “We must leave the city at once and get to Naples before the Cardinal's men.

“And then what?”

“And then we will do what I did before the university.”

“And what did my savior do?”

“The first thing that comes to mind – I was not a heathen.”

“Why did you save me? I'm a pagan.”

“Well, I'm afraid you're not going to like it,” he drew Yandra to him.

“I like it very much.”

And they merged in an intoxicating kiss.

It was not until the end of the third day, after more than a dozen carriages, that the fugitives reached their father's home in Naples.

When he knocked on the gate, the door was opened by Guindaccio, an old friend of Balthasar's and now a pirate in Gaspar's crew.

“Hello, Kid. In just three years, you look like a giant.

“And you, master, you've become more handsome. And the inquisitor's uniform looks good on you.

“Yes,” answered Balthazar vaguely.”

“Who are you now, I wonder?” The pirate inquired.

“I will tell you later. Come inside. Is my father here?”

“Both my father and Gaspar are here. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here.”

“I'm lucky today.”

The father and his eldest son were sitting at the table when Cossa and Yandra entered the room.

The men stood up and greeted each other.

“And you've grown up, brother!” Gaspar said. “I have not seen you for a long time. You have grown and matured! What is that uniform you are wearing? Have you become an inquisitor?”

“I'll tell you everything in order. Papa, brother, this is Yandra de la Scala of Verona.”

“Oh! You're the daughter of the ruler of Verona!” Cossa Sr. admired.”

“Now deceased,” said Yandra. “His own brother killed him, and they want to kill me!”

“And Captain Balthasar, servant of the Inquisition, saves you to become governor of Verona?” Gaspar smiled.

“First let me wash off the dust of the roads, then feed me, and then we will tell you all about it ourselves. And get some clothes for me and my companion,” Balthasar determined a brief plan of action.”

Until midnight, Balthazar told of his misadventures. And when the story of the last year was over. There was a thoughtful pause. Everyone, without exception, understood that Balthazar and Yandra had to leave Italy.

“Come to me as captain, Gaspar suggested.”

“Thank you very much, brother!” Balthasar stood up and paced the room. “Your thoughts on piracy coincide with mine. There's just one, but.”

“What a bit!”

“I want to be the beginning myself.”

“So you would like to become a corsair in your own right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“That's no problem. Take any ship, I'll give you three dozen cutthroats, and good wind to you,” the older brother said, smiling.

“You are, as always, kind and unusually generous. Not again!”

“I'll be damned. Can't you understand me, Brother? What is it you want?”

“To prove to you, and myself first, that I can do anything on my own. I'll make my own crew, we'll take the ship, and then past experience and new knowledge will hopefully help me, as will the tailwind.”

“I'm proud of you, son. You have become a real man.” Said the father. He got up from the table, approached Balthasar, and, shedding a stingy tear, hugged his youngest offspring.

“Thank you, Dad, and you, brother, for your support. Given the situation my girlfriend and I are in, we can't stay here,” Balthazar touched his father on the shoulder. “Father, is my ship's captain's uniform intact? Moths haven't eaten it?”

“Not at all, son. God be with you. It's all accounted for, just as you left it. Locked in a chest.”

“Then I'll take it,” Junior's eyes lit up, and he continued, curling his fingers: “I need three horses for the first time. Furthermore, I'll take my old friend Guindaccio. Men's clothes for my girl. Yes, to begin with, I require money, I ask you to help me, I'll be sure to return it”.

“There is no obstacle. “Gaspar replied,” How much money do you need?”

“Twenty gold pieces.”

“Two ounces!” Clapping his thighs in amazement, the older brother shouted out.

“What sort of crock are you going to buy with it, or who are you going to recruit?”

“Precisely because you doubt me, I only ask for two dozen coins.”

“Sorry brother, I did not mean to offend you,” Gaspar apologized, and gave Balthazar forty coins.

Balthazar, looked at his brother, and he smiled all over his mouth and said:

“Twenty coins, as you have asked, I lend you, and another twenty I give to your beautiful lady of the heart.”

Balthasar accepted the gold. He poured it into his leather purse. He tossed it in his palms and, amused by the sound of the metal, said:

“Father, prepare the new packhouses. God bless us all. Farewell! No,” he said, and corrected himself. “Goodbye and goodbye!”

Father and Gaspar escorted Balthasar, his girl and the first of the giant Guindaccio's pirate crew to the gate. At the gate, the pious big man crossed himself, Balthazar, Yandra his father, and Gaspar. He muttered something to himself, and after saying an Amen, he went outside.

All three of them saddled their horses and darkness engulfed them.

“How do you manage to be so religious and get involved in robbery?” Balthasar turned to the big man.

“Remember our first shipwreck?” The servant answered with a little shout, a question to a question.

“When we were caught in the storm on the fishing skiff? And you were afraid to let go of the boat that was taking you out to sea?”

“Yes, that was the time. Well, there you go. Our salvation is one of those miracles that God sometimes sends people to strengthen their faith,” Guindaccio said thoughtfully, as if he were looking into himself, into the depths of his soul and memory.

“You did not answer my question.”

“It is my sin, and I am going to atone for it,” he crossed himself quickly and took out a medallion with the image of the Virgin Mary and kissed it.

Beginning

The trio stopped at a seaside inn with decent rooms. Cossa rented two rooms.

When he entered his room with Yandra, he lit candles and began to undress. He sat down on the edge of the bed in just his pantaloons and watched Yandra. She felt much better after her ablutions and hearty dinner, and looked delightful. Yandra was wearing only one man's undershirt on her body. The girl began to brush her golden hair. Balthasar, contemplating her perfection, brought to the forefront of his thoughts again, exciting not so much the flesh, but more deeply the thoughts within the mind.

It was obvious to him that these previously unknown feelings were not at all like those he had experienced – conquering another mistress. Now their destinies were united in one purpose – to escape pursuit leading to imminent death. And this gave a special tone to his inner emotions. He both longed for Yandra. And at the same time, he feared that he would be disappointed in her and grow cold. After all, they had saved each other's lives. And in the face of death, he offered to put his trust in her.

Yandra extinguished the candles, leaving only the night-light, and lay down beside Balthazar. He embraced her without much determination. She pressed herself against him and froze.

“Shall we sleep?” He said in a voice that was either affirming or questioning.

“Okay,” she replied, and began slowly turning her back on him.

“To hell with everything and everyone. And the Inquisition, and Monna, and Imma. There is no one in the world. Only her!” He tried to banish the swarming thoughts and fill their place with a voluptuous emptiness.

At the same moment, Cossa grabbed Yandra by the shoulders, turned her toward him, and kissed her firmly on the lips. She made no attempt to resist and let herself go.

Cossa felt Yandra respond to him, her lips parted, and a shiver seemed to run through her body. A warm wave came over him. He leaned over her and began to kiss her cheeks, her neck, her lips again.

Now there was no trace of his former thoughts. He longed for her, and it was about to happen. Her kisses were juicy, lusciously lingering to the point of mindfulness. Like a groggy man, with his naughty hands he barely managed to get her shirt off. The flesh that pinched him, “her beauty “opened before him.

Balthazar swallowed noisily and touched her breasts, touched her belly with his fingers, stroked the curve of her thighs with his palm. Yandra wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately again.

His head was spinning, and it took him an eternity to part with his pantaloons. When he was done with them, he lay down on top of her. Yandra moaned softly and pulled her hips apart. He entered her softly and deeply at the same time. A wave of tenderness engulfed Balthazar from head to toe and, lest she let go, her body came in motion. With each thrust, Yandra moaned softly.

Their breathing grew more and more intense. She kissed his lips more and more frantically, breathing frequently. At one point, she dug her fingernails into his back, then she cried out and wrapped her arms around his buttocks and pressed him against her.

Balthazar clearly felt the frequent contractions in the burning grotto, and they were transmitted to him. He shuddered, groaned, and poured out in an unprecedented torrent. In the next moment, the forces holding his body in tension began to melt away. In a dozen seconds, there was a feeling of weightlessness between them, and they began to float in it, holding hands.

Gradually the weightlessness receded from Balthazar, his body poured with heaviness and his head with thoughts:

“Everything has changed in my life so lightning-fast and dramatically. Everything has become more dangerous and complicated. Everything is in the past, or in the unfulfilled distant. And career, and a host of mistresses, and a cohort of friends who love to party. Nothing could be changed, nothing could be reversed!” There was a sense of panic in him, but in the next second his brain gave out a solution. “So be it! If that's what happened, then let things go as they go. Yandra is my mistress now! And she's great!” “Cossa decided and, feeling relieved, kissed the girl.”

They sank into a kiss again. Turning her back to him, he gently entered her. The sensations were quite unfamiliar. Now Balthasar moved slowly, feeling with every cell her wet flesh perfectly suited to his manhood. Time after time, Yandra whispered:

“Oh, Gods. Oh, Gods.”

“Yes, my good one, yes,” he answered her.

Tears welled up in her eyes from unprecedented bliss, and he turned her head and kissed her lips, her nose, her eyelids, and the salty liquid came into his mouth. Then he pulled away from her shoulders and penetrated her even more actively.

Yandra put her hand on his padded thigh and dug her claws into his firm skin.

“Well, well, well, more, more,” she encouraged him. “I've never felt so good. Balthazar, what are you doing to me? I'm going crazy. I love you. Oh, Gods, you're so good.”

He moved his body, now and then with pauses, while she moaned in voluptuous anguish, wave after wave. And now Yandra herself was helping him with her hips, catching the rhythm of the love dance. This tactic made Balthasar move even more actively, but she did not lag behind. Their passion spurred them on, and the lovers galloped madly, shaking the wooden bed.

Something beyond Yandra's control, itself, causes a ripple inside her, squeezing his beginnings. Balthasar shuddered involuntarily at the powerful contractions in her bosom, so clearly squeezing his essence. At the same moment, he cried out in extraordinary pleasure and thrust into her sizzling depths with all his might. Yandra responded to his thrust and a wave of intoxicating orgasm enveloped them.

“Aaah! Aaah!” to the rumbling of the bed added the victory cry of the lovers, bursting out in unison from the open mouths.

The race is won and there is silence. Only their parched throats gulp for air, and only their hearts continue to beat furiously in their chests.

But after a dozen seconds, there comes a time of mutual disconnection from the world around them.

Yes, yes! Let the whole world wait. Again the flight. But now to the weightlessness is added a pall of fog and no sign of reality.

Balthasar was asleep, spreading her limbs across the bed. She, being in a state of bliss, was still unable to fall asleep. Yandra, got up and went to the window.

Whimsical streaks of clouds, illuminated by scarlet rays, obscured the horizon. A few palm trees, like scaly columns in green opalescence, stood by the strip of surf. An inviting azure clarity of sea in the distance separated land and sky. The clouds flared and scorched the palm trees and sand more and more red.

And then, cutting across the horizon, the dawn let out a fiery arrow of reflection across the sea to the surf. And the next moment the sun begins to appear. The sea is unable to hold back the giant ball of fire.

The birth of a new day. Yandra's mind is clouded with bliss. A trembling joy, a boundless tenderness, stung her faltering heart. It was a new sunrise. An entirely different sun. The morning of her hopes and the beginning of a new life. This is how the sun is born, and she will give birth to their child. She stretched her arms toward the enlightened distance, as if she wanted to embrace the sun itself. Then she folded her hands in front of her and began to thank the sun, the sea, the sky, and the earth, the air, and everything that people worshiped before the appearance of idols in human form.

Yes, she was a pagan, or Old Believer. She prayed to the same gods as in Roman times. She clearly understood that it made no difference to God what language one prayed in or what church one went to. He cares about our thoughts, our thoughts, our deeds, not often the lies doomed into intricate word weaves and prayers.

The sun broke out in the gold of day and broke away from its birthplace, the sea. The distance between the sea and the disk began to widen, and Yandra was seized by an uncontrollable desire to shout something praising the sun. But there was no cry; it was as if she were numb in impotent rapture. All she could manage was a few sobs, her eyes moistened, and Yandra wept sweet tears.

Having cried enough, she lifted her head, the glorious sight of the busy day gone. The clouds had vanished, the sea was rippling with waves, and the sun was staring insistently out the open window. Yandra calmed down. A little tired but happy, she lay in bed, dreamed a few more minutes, and fell asleep. She slept so soundly that she did not hear Balthasar get up or when he left the room.

Recruitment

Guindaccio, a big man of about twenty-four, looked modest. He wore stout canvas pants and a simple but good-looking camisole. He wore a plain, unadorned black hat, a broad belt with a pistol tucked behind it, slightly worn high boots, and a short, broad-bladed sword that looked more like a gladius Roman sword.

His Captain Balthasar, on the other hand, shone in every sense of modern fashion. Every detail of his attire was adorned, if not with a buckle, then with a ribbon, and his hat was barely visible beneath a multitude of feathers. Of particular pride to the owner was the hilt of a boarding saber strapped to his belt. It was worth a great deal, all sun-bleached and gilded, and decorated with gems that glistened in the sun.

Guindaccio knew that it was dangerous for anyone to walk around with such stones. But as this arsenal swayed Balthazar Cossa, any assailant would be dealt a serious blow. And the outlaws, who know the Cossa brothers, bypass the captains by a long way.

The captain and his assistant jumped into their saddles and set out for the crowded places of Naples, in order to take advantage of all kinds of merchants “to spread gossip around the city.

Balthasar and Guindaccio, leaving a few copper coins as payment, walked between the rows and said that tonight, at the inn of the Pig Medallion, a ship's crew would be recruited for an expedition to the Berber coast, rich in gold and slaves.

By sunset, the large port in on the Bay of Naples was crowded and noisy. Here were gathered the easy money seekers, eager to get aboard the ship of the famous pirate Cossa. His fame had long wandered the shores of the Mediterranean.

The clatter of hooves was heard in the courtyard. It was the two riders who rushed through the eagerly opened gate. The arrivals dismounted, tied their horses and entered the inn. Balthazar strode confidently to the middle of the gathering and, touching the back of a chair with his right hand, easily jumped onto the large table, black from time and a thousand spilled viands.

The crowd fell silent and stared blankly at the richly dressed fellow.

“I am the captain, Balthazar Cossa. Those who are not here for the boat ride, please leave the hall. The rest of you listen to me.

There were no servants or masters in the hall. They had been generously paid for tonight. Standing at the front gate, they escorted out anyone who did not wish to be admitted to the tavern for recruitment to the ship.

Cossa pulled out a scribbled sheet of expensive paper, and his partner placed two chairs on the table. On one sat the captain, and on the other he placed the paper. He smoothed out the sheet with his hand and began to read:

“The Pirate Treaty.

First:

All booty from our expeditions will be divided fourfold on the same day. Two portions, that is, half, will go to the hired crew and divide among themselves. A quarter will go to me!

The last quarter will be kept until the end of the expedition. It will be used to cover injuries. In addition, the whole crew of the ship, including the captain, undertakes to bring a gift from every successful deed to Nicholas of Myrrh of Lycia, the patron saint of sailors.”

There was an uproar, and the crowd began to discuss what they had heard. A big, one-eyed man, as big as Guindaccio in the shoulders and height, trumpeted in a guttural voice:

“Why keep a quarter until the expedition is over. We must divide it at once.”

“Yes, at once, divide at once!” came from all sides.

Cossa glared at the one-eyed man from beneath his hat and parried his suggestion intelligibly:

“A quarter will be divided among the relatives of the deceased, if the one who came aboard declares it.”

“I have no relatives, and I want to avoid keeping a quarter!” The crooked one croaked again.

“And I have one. And I have!” was heard here and there.” A fair decision. Let's do a quarter.

“It's the first time I've ever heard of such a thing. I'm against it!” The big guy wouldn't let up.

“You have a choice, agree or go away!” Cossa said bluntly.

“What?” roared the restless one, “You pompous parrot, who do you teach here!”

The one-eyed man reached for the captain's chair. But he deftly kicked the one-eyed man under the jaw so that he flew backward, dragging no less than a dozen behind him.

Balthazar shook his head in annoyance and continued reading the treaty.

“Second:

Whoever loses an eye in battle will receive fifty gold zekhins, ducats, or florins, or one hundred escudos, or reals, or forty Sicilian ounces for the damage. Or, if he so chooses, one slave of the Moor.

Third:

Whoever loses both eyes shall receive three hundred zekhins, or ducats, or six hundred escudos, or Neapolitan reals, or two hundred and forty Sicilian ounces. Or, if he wishes, six slaves.

He who is wounded in the right hand, or has lost it altogether, shall receive one hundred gold zekhins, florins, or ducats, or two hundred escudos, or Neapolitan reals, or one hundred and sixty Sicilian ounces, or, if he will, two slaves.

If anyone loses both hands, he shall receive three hundred ducats or zekhins, or six hundred reals or escudos, or two hundred and forty Sicilian ounces, or six slaves.

He who is killed in battle, or dies of wounds in a ship, and has relatives, bequeaths his quarter in custody in the following proportions: half to his relatives named in the register, the other half to the captain, or his successor, in case the captain is dead.

He who is killed in battle, or dies of wounds, but has no relatives, leaves his quarter to the captain, or his successor!” Balthasar rolled up the paper and looked around the crowd with an examining look and added:

“That's it! Is that satisfactory to you?

Once more, there was an uproar and clamor.

“How much for the leg?” Someone in the crowd shouted.

The one-eyed giant, holding his cheekbone, moved toward Balthazar, who was arrogantly surveying the crowd.

“You don't make a big deal out of it! I'm willing to comply. But I reckon you haven't seen the sea. Where's your ship, anyway.”

“Yes! Yes!” they said on all sides. “Where is the ship?

The heated crowd moved towards the calmly seated Cossa.

“I don't have a ship.” The captain threw up his hands, then half drawn his saber and pushed it noisily back into his sheath. “We'll get it in a fight!”

“A thousand leeches up my ass! He's a rascal!” The one-eyed man roared again, and yanked a chair from Balthazar's grasp.

He swung it violently and hurled the furniture at the captain. He caught hold of the crossbar on the ceiling, dodged the blow, jumped to the floor, and kicked the cheerleader in the thigh so hard that he sank back from the pain that shot through his leg muscles. Balthazar had no choice but to punch his fist into his already sore jaw with all his might. The troublemaker, fell backwards and did not bother the speaker again.

A second knockout to the one-eyed man soothed the humming crowd. Everyone looked at the young captain fearfully and at the same time respectfully.

As if nothing had happened, Cossa pulled up a chair, set it on the table, and took his previous seat.

“Everyone who has gone to the sea with me has not been left without prey! Three big boats are waiting for us on the island of Capri. Whoever wants to catch luck, to have a full stomach and a tipsy head, and not to sit idle with a rumbling belly, while dozens of merchant boats full of all sorts of goodies rush around us tomorrow, at sunset, let him arrive at the said island. Together, we shall put to sea and seize a ship that suits us. That is all!”

The stranger stood up. He rolled up his treaty, stuck it behind the ankle of his boot, and jumped to the floor. The crowd politely parted, and the captain, accompanied by the big man, left the tavern.

They will not come

“They will not.” said Guindaccio.

“What can they do? After what I promised them, they'll come. Not only that, I wouldn't be surprised if the one-eyed man were on our team,” Balthazar said confidently.

The next day, as the sun rolled toward the horizon, Cossa, Yandra and Guindaccio docked at the island. Here were all those who had participated in the meeting. As Balthasar had supposed, the one-eyed bully was among them.

Going over his greasy hat in his hands and, as gently as possible, the one-eyed man said:

“Captain, don't hold a grudge for yesterday. I obey strength and respect courage. And that's what you are. So, you're welcome to the crew.”

Cossa smiled full-mouth, revealing a cluster of magnificent teeth, and greeted the gathering. Then began to work out a joint plan.

“Who was involved in the hijacking of the ships?” With this question, important to him, the captain began.

Two men came into the circle, including the one-eyed giant.

“What is your name?” Balthasar addressed the big man.

“Salvador, but I prefer my nickname, The Hammer. I drive a man's skull into his lungs with my fist.”

“And you?” The captain stared at the other pirate expert, a skinny fellow with strong arms.

“Paolo, and the nickname is Monkey. I don't climb ropes, I fly.”

“Who else can climb the ropes cleverly?” The captain turned to the crowd. A dozen or so boys came forward. “Have they all got weapons?” and the pirates showed the captain knives, cleavers, and short sabers.

Cossa assessed the arsenal and said: “Enough to take a ship.”

“And so! From now on, failure to obey the command of the captain, or his lieutenant, is punishable by death.”

“We know,” the crew agreed.

“Only the seriously wounded, or the dead, can leave the battle!”

“I see.”

“Now that that's clear, listen to my command!”

“Hammer, right now, take yourselves a dozen and a half tough and able to kill young men.”

“Hey, who can cut throats and stab right through the heart,” the one-eyed, “come to me.”

“Hey, hey, wait! The boat can't hold that many!” The one-eyed man began to sort out the comers. “Leaving the right number of people, the Hammer raised his hand.

Everyone fell silent, and Balthazar continued:

“I know where merchant ships anchor for the night, passing along the coast. Our three boats, in the pre-dawn silence, will approach the ship. I and my men in the boat will moor to the side of the ship, which will be on the opposite side from the shore, and your two boats will be on the other side.

I'll knock on the side and start calling for the ship's crew to help us as wrecked and accidentally stumbling into a standing ship. When the crew and gawkers gather on our board, I will shout loudly:

Take us to the ship!

Immediately, Monkey and his crew scramble aboard and climb the ship, dragging rope ladders behind them. They anchor them and get into action. The hammer and his boys come aboard after them. If there's no resistance, surround the crew and passengers. You help me and the others up on deck. Is that clear?”

“Yes. All right.” The pirate gang barked.

“Then get into the boats and keep behind me.”

They set sail just before sunset for the deserted island of Vitara. The night was bright so that the sea was far in view. Balthazar knew the place like the back of his hand, so he soon saw in the glow of the sea the black silhouette of a thick Caracca.

“Wet the paddles, the oars low over the water. Keep your eyes open,” said the captain softly.

All the boats sailed almost silently. Only a little splash of water dripping from the oars, a quiet trickle of whale water, and the occasional brief screech of the oars.

“Soon it will be morning, and with it a chill will descend,” reasoned the captain; “if we are lucky, there will be fog.”

Seizure of the ship

And so, it was; the ship was at least half a mile away when the air over the water began to turn gray. But in five minutes the fog covered everything around, so that the visibility was no more than five meters.

The captain gestured to Guindaccio and indicated that he wanted to stand on his shoulders. The tough guy crouched down and put his hands in a lock at his belly. Cossa stepped with one foot on his hands and the other on his shoulder and stood up to his full height. The big man slowly straightened up. His head popped out of the pall of fog. The ship ahead seemed to be floating in the clouds. When the distance was no more than twenty meters, Balthasar slid down Guindaccio's back into the boat and gave the signal to stop moving. The fog began to swirl, indicating that the wind would soon blow, and their cover would melt.

Instructing Marchioness and Hammer to follow in parallel with him, the three boats moved toward the Caracca. All stealthily came aboard. Cossa showed with his hand which boat as he rounded the merchant ship. After waiting for a minute, he took his boat and accelerated it “hit the hull of the Caracca hard.

Above Balthazar's head, a yellow fog flashed.