Chapter 11
Benjamin arrived at the castle just before dark. He immediately rushed to the king's chambers. The King was pacing back and forth when he walked into the room.
"Benjamin, good! We have some trouble. Three of the Spanish merchant ships that were heading for our shores have been missing. The Spanish think that we plundered them and sank them. My spies tell me that the Spaniards are preparing for war with us. I can't afford a war with the Spanish. My troops have left for the outlands to try and subdue the tribes. They are an unruly lot, those tribes. They hide behind trees and fight and have no respect for the crown."
"What do you need of me, Sire?"
"I need you to go to Spain and try to smooth over this mess. It is going to be dangerous. I don't know how far Spain has gone toward preparing for war. I don't even know if they will listen to you. They may throw you in jail right away. You're the only one that I can trust with this."
"I will do what ever my King asks of me."
"There's one thing that I haven't told you. I think that the Cardinal and Rome are behind this. They feel that if we are at war, Rome can take over control of both kingdoms and we will be under Rome's thumb. They mean to make me and the King of Spain just puppets for Rome. The Cardinal is supposed to be in Rome, but I suspect that he is on his way to Spain."
"Sire, I would suggest that you send your best soldier to France, as a spy, to intercept the Cardinal and kill him before he reaches Spain. I will sail to Spain to try and reason with the Spanish, although they are a funny lot. I think that the sun bakes their brain."
The king threw his arms around Benjamin and hugged him, "I knew that you would take this assignment. I warn you to watch yourself. Watch the church and the Spanish both. I am going to send Delphia with you. She speaks Spanish and woman can often smooth the way for a diplomat. Treat her well. I know you too well than to tell you to not touch her yourself. She will do anything she can to help my crown. If she can be useful, let her help you."
The King filled him in on everything that he knew about the court of Spain and outlined the preparations that had been made for his trip to Spain. He told Benjamin that if he failed, Spain would bring down the King and England. It was almost dawn when the King stood up and concluded his briefing. Benjamin was to sail on one of the fastest ships in the kingdom. The captain and crew had been hand picked and none of them knew the destination or the reason for the trip.
"I ask that you leave immediately. The ship is awaiting you and your orders. I have had your clothes and belongings packed and they are on board now. Delphia is on her way to the ship. There is no time to lose."
The King took Benjamin's hand, "The fate of my Kingdom is in your hands. I have faith in you and that you will succeed. I will never forget your service to me."
Benjamin thanked the King and left for the ship. His horse was still tied outside and he jumped on the horse's back and sped toward the docks. He could smell the salt water long before he reached the docks. The King watched him speed away from the castle and hoped that Benjamin could smooth this situation over, he did not want to give the cargo from the three Spanish ships back to the King Of Spain.
The ship was tied up and he could see that the preparations had been made for sail. They were awaiting orders from the King. Benjamin patted his tunic and felt the commission from the King. The captain of the ship knew the King's seal and would not question the paper.
A soldier was on guard at the gangplank and recognized Benjamin. He snapped to attention as Benjamin approached. Benjamin handed the reins to the soldier and asked him to take the horse back to the castle and started up the gangplank. The soldier led the horse away.
Delphia was standing on deck waiting for him. She was as beautiful as ever. She had a cloak over her shoulders to ward off the chill.
"Well Benjamin, why are we suddenly going a sea?"
Benjamin grabbed her arm and led her toward the cabin. The captain came from below decks just before they reached the cabin.
"I await your orders Sire. Do you have your orders?"
He handed the King's commission to the captain and waited while the captain read it by the lantern light.
"Sire, this commission does not state our destination."
"Captain, are you ready to sail? I would like to get under way as soon as possible."
The captain nodded and blew his whistle. The seamen started pouring on deck. The captain and the first mate started barking orders and the seaman started scrambling up to unfurl the sails on the captain's orders. The ship was untied from the dock and it started to slowly pull away from the dock. It drifted slowly out into the deeper water and the captain gave the order to unfurl the sails.
"Sire, the tides are perfect and we are pulling away from the dock. We will be under full sail in a few minutes. Now if you will tell me our destination so that I may plot our course."
"Head South captain. Keep heading South until morning. Then come to my cabin and we will discuss our mission and destination."
"Aye sire, I have arraigned for you and the lady to take my cabin. If you will follow me, I will show you the way."
The captain walked at a brisk pace toward the cabin. Benjamin smiled when he realized that the captain had not even questioned whether he and Delphia would be sleeping together. He held the door for them and asked if they would need anything else before morning and they shook their head. The captain closed the door and headed back to the deck to get his ship underway.
Although the captain's cabin was the largest cabin on the ship, it was still very small. It had only one cot and some drawers and a small map table.
"Well Benjamin, where are we going?"
He looked at her for a moment, shocked that she did not know what the purpose of the trip was. He sat her on the cot and told her everything that he knew about the situation and the dangers that they could face. She listened to him without interrupting. When he was finished he took her hands.
"I didn't know that you had not volunteered for this. If you do not feel that you want to be a part of this, I will have you put ashore before we reach Spain."
"Whose bed am I supposed to warm, yours or the Spanish King's?" she asked coyly.
"I don't believe that I would like to share you with the King of Spain. I intend to make this a very enjoyable voyage for you."
She stood up and started to unbutton her dress. She slowly slid off the heavy dress and stood before him for a second before loosening her bodice. She slid off her bodice and reached for her pantaloons and slid them down. She stood before him in only her stockings and shoes.
She moved to him and started to unbutton his shirt and loosened the tie for his pants. As she slid the shirt off his shoulders her lips brushed his chest and her tongue snaked across his nipples. She knelt in front of him and slid his pants down and helped him step out of them.
Delphia looked up at him and took him in her hand and guided him to her mouth. She licked him slowly and then took him into her mouth. As she engulfed him, her tongue caressed him and he leaded back against the ship's bulkhead lest he fall. His legs were weak and he had trouble standing.
Benjamin pulled her up to him and kissed her. She started to back toward the cot and at the last minute she turned and pushed him down on the cot. She swung her leg over him and hovered over him for a moment before she lowered her lips to his and kissed him with great passion. When she had to break for air she took him and guided him to her entrance. As he slowly entered her, she gasped and tensed as a small orgasm swept over her. She lowered herself onto him and held him down with her hands. She wanted to be in control of him this time. When they were fully joined, she paused until she got used to his size. She slowly started to rise and lower herself onto him. As their passion grew, the tempo increased. As he felt his seed travel upward he grabbed her and started to thrust himself into her with hard strokes. As she felt him release himself into her, she screamed as a massive orgasm took control of her body. She fell to his chest trying to catch her breath and listening to him trying to do the same.
They fell asleep in each other's arms and the gentle rocking of the ship lulled them into a peaceful sleep until morning.
The captain stayed awake during the night and headed the ship South.
He had a fear that Benjamin was heading to Spain. He hated the Spanish
and had slit not a few Spanish throats. He had heard rumors that things
were not right with the two kingdoms and that Spain looked longingly at
England's treasures. The captain snorted with disgust, he had heard
that the King of Spain gave in to the church too much. Rome was always
demanding more gold for the Lord's work. He smiled; it was amazing how
the Lord's work made the Cardinals so rich and powerful.