In Guards We Trust Read online

Chapter 6 – A damsel in the lagoon

  The next morning found Jason walking alone on the deserted beach several miles east of Monte Vista. The beach stretched across three and a half miles from the Eastern Montugan Alps on one side through to the steep cliff face of Circle Peak on its western most edge. The beach also formed a quarter mile wide barrier between the sea and a shallow, narrow lagoon. The lagoon was almost as long as the beach it adjoined, and it was sustained by streams emanating from the slopes of the Eastern Montugan Alps. The dense oak forest adjacent to the inland side of the lagoon had remained undeveloped by royal decree. The nearest road was more than a mile inland. Access through the forest to the lagoon and the beach was only possible on foot or on horseback using one of several well-worn footpaths. Circle Peak Mountain ensured that the city of Monte Vista was isolated from the beach. It was the remoteness of the place which attracted Jason in times when he needed to be alone to think. He cherished these rare moments of solitude after long periods spent at sea in close proximity to others. The near vertical cliffs comprising the eastern and northern faces of Circle Peak served as a natural barrier to any construction overlooking the beach.

  Jason stopped to inhale a lungful of sea air. A two mile long set of his own footprints stretched out in the white sand behind him. A layer of mist which was draped over the beach and the lagoon gradually parted in places giving way to slivers of sunlight. It was low tide and the sea was calm. He loved the Mediterranean lifestyle he had come to enjoy in Monte Vista. Returning to England would involve swopping the warm summers and cool winters he had become so accustomed to for cool summers and cold winters. He immediately excluded England as an alternative base for his fleet. It would have to be another port in the Mediterranean. His thoughts were interrupted by the distinct sound of rhythmic splashes in the distance behind him. The stillness of the sea and the presence of the mist accentuated the sound as it grew ever louder.

  Jason turned to see three horse riders in the middle of the lagoon about three quarters of a mile away. They were approaching at a trot and the horses’ legs were moving in unison in and out of the foot-deep water. The riders were unexpectedly illuminated by a ray of sunshine protruding through the mist. Splashes of water sparkled and danced in the sunlight around the horses’ legs. Jason stood transfixed as he beheld the splendour of the approaching scene. He wished that he possessed the talent to transpose a moment as vivid as this to canvass.

  As the horses drew ever closer he recognised that the leading rider was a woman. She was riding a magnificent black stallion. The two riders behind her were wearing identical uniforms which Jason immediately recognised. Both men were royal guards. The woman they were escorting was evidently either royal or, at the very least, was of noble birth. She was slim, olive skinned, with long auburn hair. She wore a pair of white riding britches, boots and a magnificent black jacket with gold braiding. She wore no hat or cap. Although she was apparently only be in her late teens or early twenties, she occupied the saddle with an air of confidence and grace. She was, without question, the most beautiful woman Jason had ever laid eyes on. He almost forgot to remove his hat and to bow as the party of riders passed within thirty feet of him. He bowed without losing eye contact. She glanced briefly in his direction and looked ahead again. He was uncertain as to whether or not her glance had been accompanied by a slight nod of acknowledgment. Equally, the modest head movement probably could have been caused by movement of her horse.

  Both royal guards regarded him carefully as they passed. Having apparently satisfied themselves that Jason posed no threat, they continued on without any greeting or gesture of acknowledgment. Jason immediately regretted having decided to dress comfortably for his walk. He wore an ordinary white shirt, a plain black waistcoat and no jacket. His trouser legs were rolled up to below his knees. He was barefoot. He had hidden his boots near the path at the edge of the forest so that he could easily negotiate the lagoon on his way to the beach and, more particularly, so that he could feel the sand between his toes as he walked. As the riders trotted off into the distance, he wondered whether he might have been differently greeted by the young lady if he had dressed in the more formal style to which he was normally accustomed.

  Jason passed the point on the beach at which he usually turned back. It was at this spot where, on occasions when he spied no-one else on the beach, he would often completely disrobe to enjoy the freedom of swimming naked in the sea. Today he continued walking in the hope that the riding party would retrace their tracks. The riders reached the end of the lagoon about three quarters of a mile ahead of him. To his dismay they continued on up to the edge of the forest and disappeared into it. They were obviously negotiating a path through the forest of which Jason was unaware. He turned to retrace his footprints, creating a new trail in the sand which intermittently intersected with the old. Try as he might to apply his mind to the future of his business, it was the image of the woman on the black stallion which all but dominated his thoughts.