No Quarter: Dominium - Volume 3: No Quarter: Dominium, #3

By MJL Evans and GM O'Connor

Released for the the first time with illustrations!

 

Volume 3 of 6 begins at the local fayre where enemies meet a shocking end and Capitaine la Roche follows a lead to find Livia, Atia's sister. Betrayals lurk at every turn and a disastrous fire erupts leading to a punishing chase through the city. Will Atia and Capitaine la Roche make the escape from Port Royal to Dr. Strangewayes's plantation?

 

Series Description:

Ye All Are Warned – be gone if you abhor sex, foul language, crude humor, and beaky parrots.

1689 Port Royal, Jamaica. Atia Crisp and her sister Livia are shipwrecked and sold into slavery. They are separated and Atia is used as a pawn in a deadly card game at the Swiftsure Tavern until she is liberated by sugar merchant Capitaine la Roche. They take refuge at Cherry Red's Boutique (brothel) and meet up with allies including the medication loving Dr. Strangewayes. 

Capitaine la Roche (also known as the pirate, Gator Gar), has a past stained with blood and grief. La Roche works with a network of friends and allies including local strumpet, Cherry Banks, Theodore Binge the card shark and the kindly, Dr. Strangewayes. Soon after Atia and la Roche are ushered away to safety after a mysterious outbreak of scarlet fever wreaks havoc on the city. 

Within the luxuriant tropical confines of Dr. Strangewayes's plantation at the foothills of the Blue Mountains, bonds of friendship are formed and the fierce love between Atia and Capitaine la Roche becomes absolute. 

However, nowhere is safe as spies seek out both Atia and la Roche for the bounties on their heads. 

Neither of them can escape the shadows of their former lives. Their journey leads them to an inevitable conflict that threatens their world, but inches them closer towards freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MJL Evans
• Release date: Apr 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9780994022349

MJL Evans

MJL Evans is an Indie Author/Publisher and co-author of the 6-part series, No Quarter: Dominium. Future endeavours include co-authoring the books No Quarter: WENCH and No Quarter: The Dirge. She also hopes to have her books translated in various languages including French.MJL Evans is also a writer of romance and relationship articles featured in publications like Monday Magazine in November 2004 and again in February 2006, she writes fiction, historical fiction, erotica and humour. Published in the November 2014 issue of Flash Fiction Magazine, Red Dragon is vibrant piece of micro-fiction that delves into Victoria BC in the 1860s, when it was the opium capital of the New World.A native of Victoria, British Columbia, MJL Evans studied English at Victoria School of Writing and Camosun College. Not only is she passionate about her written expression, she is enthusiastic about her visual art masterpieces she has created over the past 20 years and has over 60 paintings to her credit. MJL Evans is also a lover of film, independent, foreign, and cult. Her favorites include: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Nymphomaniac, Secret Window, The Brood, Le Pacte des loups, Mesrine: L'Instinct De Mort and many others.

Book preview

No Quarter - Dominium

Volume 3

By MJL Evans and GM O’Connor

NO QUARTER SERIES COPYRIGHT @ 2014

No Quarter: Dominium COPYRIGHT @ 2015 MJL Evans and GM O’Connor

ISBN: 978-0-9940223-4-9

Artwork: GM O’Connor

E-Book Production: MJL Evans

All rights are reserved to the authors. No part of this ebook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

About the Authors

MJL EVANS wanted to be a writer since she was ten years old and in 2014, she finally got her act together and pursued her dream. She is the author of No Quarter: Dominium and No Quarter: Wenches. A huge fan of Monty Python, Red Dwarf, and other BBC shows, her time is devoted to acrylic, oil and watercolor painting, catering to her two senior cats and of course, writing.

You can connect with MJL Evans on Twitter at @artistmjlevans or [e-mail]

GM O’CONNOR is a huge movie fan, writer and visual artist. A lover of sci-fi and history, half his brain lives in the 17th century while the other half sails perpetually through space. He is the author of No Quarter: Dominium and No Quarter: Wenches. He hopes to one day bring the No Quarter Series to film and/or graphic novel format.

You can connect with GM O’Connor on Twitter at @gm_oconnor or [e-mail]

CHAPTER ONE

Walls Have Ears, Doors Have Eyes

A REFRESHING BREEZE came from the water, diffusing the intense heat of the day. The brilliant orange sunset cast Port Royal into a mantle of light. Waves of fayregoers crowded the streets and filled the Wherry Bridge. Live entertainment and hundreds of vendors enthralled the masses.

From the alley door of Cherry Red’s Boutique, Capitaine la Roche emerged dressed in a dark suit with a tri-cornered hat. A false nose and a stringy ginger beard stuck to his face. Still injured from the shipwreck, he assisted Atia Crisp into Dr. Strangewayes’s enclosed delivery carriage. She wore a simple cotton nightdress that clung to her curves, giving la Roche an eyeful.

Thank ya. Atia flipped her long red hair over her shoulder before massaging her ribs.

"Je t’en prie. He flushed, draping her in a knitted blanket. You are welcome. Don’t worry about anything. Try to stay comfortable." La Roche climbed into the driver’s seat and caught his breath.

Lilly Waters wore a pink silk skirt and cream bodice with gold buttons. She sat down next to Atia and withdrew a small brandy bottle from the bodice. Both girls took a generous mouthful.

La Roche steered the horse forward a few feet to keep lookout. He glanced back at them. Not too much of that, uh? You need to keep your wits about you. Lilly took another sip before he reached back for the bottle. Enough! Give me that.

Lilly surrendered it and gave him a dirty sneer. Oh, fine.

He turned back to the street and finished the brandy. Another delivery carriage neared, driven by Miles Gladstone, Dr. Strangewayes’s assistant, who tipped his hat to them. Ok, this is us. La Roche snapped the reins and they drove up a lively Thames Street. They followed Gladstone to a busy loading bay just off Honey Lane. In a dark stall, la Roche stopped to observe. People bound in chains were dragged off the slave ships.

What is this? he muttered.

The slave fayre, Capitaine. Lilly climbed through the front window on to the driver’s seat beside him.

Gladstone approached with Strangewayes. Aye. To boost support for the slave trade they turned it into a fayre. Ships have been arriving all week from the Americas with dealers and buyers.

They’re awaiting the slave ships, Strangewayes added. Two of which are overdue and presumed lost in the storm.

Lost? Lilly was horrified. How many people?

The doctor shook his head. Hundreds.

Lilly and Atia shared a sickened glance.

It’s not only the driving force behind the economy, one’s status in society is determined by one’s property, slaves included. Strangewayes snarled. Our species has and always will be the most loathsome of creatures. He gazed at Lilly and extended his arm. With noted exceptions, of course. Shall we, my dear?

Lilly took his hand and hopped down.

Strangewayes examined la Roche’s costume. I didn’t know I employed any Rabbi carriage drivers. I approve of your attire, Capitaine.

La Roche scratched his chin. It had been many years since he had a beard. First time for everything.

At the Swiftsure entrance a wherryman’s carriage pulled up, dropping off Violante Hayze. She wore a new dress of rich plum. Gathered panels cascaded over the underskirt, and the gold-buttoned bodice had frilled sleeves. Her dark hair hung in ringlets. She waved to Lilly and the doctor.

Strangewayes offered Vie his arm. I must say, both of you look ravishing!

Vie felt her face redden. Evening, Doctor.

He escorted them inside. If you’ll excuse me ladies, duty calls. Strangewayes smiled before climbing the staircase.

Whoa! Where’d ya get the fancy threads? Lilly asked.

I went to Annabelle at the Merchant Exchange.

It’s beautiful!

Thanks. You look beautiful yourself.

Lilly’s face lit up and she leaned in. Is it really that big?

Biggest white one I ever seen!

They both giggled.

I have to go find Nat and Cat, Lilly said. I’ll catch you up later. She kissed Vie’s cheek and took off.

Vie searched around to find a couple of Cherry’s day-girls and joined them for a drink.

Patrons filled every inch of the ground floor. They drank imported liquors, local brews, and the Caribbean staple of rum. The festivities overflowed onto the sumptuous patio where trellises strewn with flowers and colorful glass lanterns lined the promenade.

Vie and her mates sat at a table behind one of the four large wooden pillars surrounding the bar. The pillars were etched with ships and other nautical motifs. Vie felt a pair of eyes burrow into the back of her head. A quick glance told her it was Constable Blower. He still held a grudge from when she refused him service. He’d been reeking of whiskey and Cherry tossed him out on his arse. Ever since he’d been deliberately rude to her at every turn.

Hoping to lose Blower’s glare, Vie excused herself and went to the bar to see Glenda for another honey-wine.

Blower cornered her. So, it’s only the rich old doctors that get your attention, eh?

Excuse me? Vie retorted. Official Blower, ain’t it?

He sneered. Constable Blower now.

Well, me ladies and I be having a discussion not involving you.

Blower leaned against the bar. All the ladies be across at the Four Feathers. There be no ladies here that I can see.

"None that would ever see you, I’m sure." Vie eyed Glenda, who tittered to herself and poured another mead.

Sheriff Tellam approached the bar hastily. "I gotta go! Another Gator Gar sighting and two ships stolen from Turtle Crawls. Tartanas this time."

You want me to come? Blower asked.

Nay. Stay here and keep an eye on things.

Vie returned to her table, leaving Blower to stew in his hostility.

Theodore Binge entered from the patio and advanced to the biggest table in the place. He removed the dealer’s cards from a small wooden box and fanned the deck with flair before picking it up to give it a good shuffle.

Glenda approached with a mischievous grin and presented him with a bottle of