Graham
Sons of Sagamore
Ruth A. Casie
Copyright © 2020 Ruth Seitelman
Kindle Edition
This work was made possible by a special license through the Pirates of Britannia Connected World publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by DragonMedia Publishing, Inc. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Pirates of Britannia connected series by Kathryn Le Veque and Eliza Knight remain exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Kathryn Le Veque and/or Eliza Knight, or their affiliates or licensors. All characters created by the author of this novel remain the copyrighted property of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.
Published by DragonMedia, Inc.
The Pirates of Britannia World
Seduced by the Pirate
by Maggi Andersen
Captured by the Mercenary
by Brenna Ash
God of the Seas
by Alex Aston
Lord Corsair
by Sydney Jane Baily
Stolen by Starlight
Red Cutlass
by Avril Borthiry
The Pirate’s Bluestocking
by Chasity Bowlin
The Righteous Side of Wicked
by Jennifer Bray-Weber
The de Wolfe of Wharf Street
by Elizabeth Ellen Carter
The Pirate’s Jewel
The Pirate’s Redemption
Hugh
Graham
by Ruth A. Casie
The Blood Reaver
by Barbara Devlin
The Pirate’s Temptation
by Tara Kingston
Savage of the Sea
The Sea Devil
by Eliza Knight
Leader of Titans
Sea Wolfe
by Kathryn Le Veque
The Marauder
by Anna Markland
The Sea Lyon
The Sea Lord: Devils of the Deep
by Hildie McQueen
Pearls of Fire
by Meara Platt
Plunder by Knight
Beast of the Bay
by Mia Pride
The Seafaring Rogue
The Sea Hellion
by Sky Purington
Laird of the Deep
by B.J. Scott
No Rest for the Wicked
by Lauren Smith
Raider of the Deep
by Jennae Vale
The Ravishing Rees
The Savage Sabre
The Beast of Blades
The Rebellious Red
by Rosamund Winchester
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
The Pirates of Britannia World
The Legend of the Pirates of Britannia
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
About the Author
The Legend of the Pirates of Britannia
In the year of our Lord 854, a wee lad by the name of Arthur MacAlpin set out on an adventure that would turn the tides of his fortune, for what could be more exciting than being feared and showered with gold?
Arthur wanted to be king. A sovereign as great as King Arthur, who came hundreds of years before him. The legendary knight who was able to pull a magical sword from stone, met ladies in lakes, and vanquished evil with a vast following who worshipped him. But while that King Arthur brought to mind dreamlike images of a roundtable surrounded by chivalrous knights and the ladies they romanced, MacAlpin wanted to summon night terrors from every babe, woman and man.
Aye, MacAlpin, king of the pirates of Britannia would be a name most feared. A name that crossed children’s lips when the candles were blown out at night. When a shadow passed over a wall, was it the pirate king? When a ship sailed into port in the dark hours of night, was it him?
As the fourth son of the conquering Pictish King Cináed, Arthur wanted to prove himself to his father. He wanted to make his father proud, and show him that he, too, could be a conqueror. King Cináed was praised widely for having run off the Vikings, for saving his people, for amassing a vast and strong army. No one would dare encroach on his conquered lands when they would have to face the end of his blade.
Arthur wanted that, too. He wanted to be feared. Awed. To hold his sword up and have devils come flying from the tip.
So, it was on a fateful summer night in 854 that, at the age of ten and nine, Arthur amassed a crew of young and roguish Picts and stealthily commandeered one of his father’s ships. They blackened the sails to hide them from those on watch and began an adventure that would last a lifetime and beyond.
The lads trolled the seas, boarding ships and sacking small coastal villages. In fact, they even sailed so far north as to raid a Viking village in the name of his father. By the time they returned to Oban, and the seat of King Cináed, all of Scotland was raging about Arthur’s atrocities. Confused, he tried to explain, but his father would not listen, and would not allow him back into the castle.
King Cináed banished his youngest son from the land, condemned his acts as evil, and told him he never wanted to see him again.
Enraged and experiencing an underlying layer of mortification, Arthur took to the seas, gathering men as he went, and building a family he could trust that would not shun him. They ravaged the sea as well as the land—using his clan’s name as a lasting insult to his father for turning him out.
The legendary Pirate King was rumored to be merciless, the type of vengeful pirate who would drown a babe in his mother’s own milk if she didn’t give him the pearls at her neck. But with most rumors, they were mostly steeped in falsehoods meant to intimidate. In fact, there may have been a wee boy or two he saved from an untimely fate. Whenever they came across a lad or lass in need, as Arthur himself had once been, they took them into the fold.
One ship became two. And then three, four, five, until a score of ships with blackened sails roamed the seas.
These were his warriors. A legion of men who adored him, respected him, followed him, and, together, they wreaked havoc on the blood ties that had sent him away. And generations upon generations, country upon country, they spread far and wide until people feared them from horizon to horizon. Every pirate king to follow would be named MacAlpin, so his father’s banishment would never be forgotten.
Forever lords of the sea. A daring brotherhood, where honor among thieves reigns supreme, and crushing their enemies is a thrilling pastime.
These are the pirates of Britannia, and here are their stories…
Chapter One
Châlons-sur-Marne, France
March 1289
Isabella Girard tugged at her heavy wool shawl, gathering it close. She stood in front of the hearth in the Labatrelle Winery office and poked the fire. When the lick of flame was right she added the last log from the bin. Chilled, she could barely stand still waiting for the warmth to penetrate her wrap. Once again, she’d let the fire burn too low. Served her right, getting so deep into the winery documents she was unaware the logs were used up.
She peeked out the window next to the hearth at the vineyard an
d the gray, watery sky. Gusts of wind blew across the grounds making the leaves on the vines dance.
The empty wood bin stared at her. It would have to wait until she went back to the chateau. At the moment she had no desire to trudge outside for more wood.
The door swung open, letting a rush of crisp wind in. Isabella hurried across the room to close the door and bumped into someone as they entered, sending them both stumbling.
“Felix?”
He dropped the dispatches he carried and steadied her. The wind sent the messages skittering across the floor toward the hearth. Isabella scrambled to gather the scraps of parchment before they became fuel for the fire, while Felix grabbed the latch and closed the door.
“I’ll take those. Monsieur LaBarge will be right in,” Felix said, his hand reaching for the dispatches.
Catching sight of a correspondence addressed to her, she ignored Felix’s hand, and put the others on the desk.
Again, the door opened. Had the latch not held? She glanced up, relieved that Nolan LaBarge stood in the doorway with his arms full of wood. He came in, kicked the door closed, then dumped his load into the bin.
“You are predictable. I am not surprised the bin is empty,” Nolan removed his scarf and gloves, then his ever-present satchel from his shoulder, as he walked to his desk.
“Well, there it is. You’re not disappointed.” Isabella smiled as she opened and read the dispatch.
“What’s that?” Nolan asked.
“A message from Charlotte. Felix brought it with the others.” She sat in the chair by the fire and continued to read. “Lady Charlotte and her father are doing well. She and Lord Hugh married after Christmas. She wore… you’re not interested in that. His family is interesting. His mother is a Clan Chieftain who fought to keep her people safe.”
“Chieftain? Where was her husband to let his woman fight? The English.” Nolan opened the messages, put them into neat piles, then took out his ledger and made entries.
“No, the Scots.” She lifted her gaze. Nolan didn’t know much about the Scots or women.
“It was before they married and it says here, wait, let me find it.” She read the document as fast as she could. “Ah, here it is. Moira – that’s his mother – hasn’t told me everything yet, but most of the villagers at Glen Kirk are from her clan, the MacDougalls, and are more than happy to talk about their fearless chieftain. If half the stories are not exaggerations, Moira is an incredible woman. She goes on to say that Hugh is working with his king on some sort of trade business.” Deep in thought, she lowered the message into her lap and stared in front of her. “This doesn’t sound like a man who would abandon his responsibilities.”
“Not those that hold his interest.” Nolan said. He was sitting at his desk and had his head down, writing in his journal.
She pulled the two sheets of parchment apart and something slipped out.
“This is a surprise,” she said, as she caught the loose scrap.
Nolan’s head popped up. He closed his journal, slipped it into his satchel, and joined her by the hearth. She handed him the document.
“A bank note,” he said.
“For the full amount. She and her father haven’t sent this much in months. I know I should be grateful, but these last six months have been difficult. Why won’t you let me tell her?”
“Lord Miles trusted us to manage by ourselves, you the chateau, and me the winery. I don’t want him to think he misjudged us. The wine is superb, but the winery is inefficient. I want to improve it. Charlotte’s grandfather tried to teach his son-in-law, but deep down everyone understood Lord Miles was an Englishman who would eventually return to England.” Nolan went back to the desk and delved into his satchel.
“I told you when you reduced the vineyard workers’ pay some would leave. Those workers were like family.”
“Don’t you think I would have kept them if I could? It was difficult, but I had no choice. We were fortunate to replace them with people who work for less. That’s the only way the winery will survive this year.”
“I love Charlotte. I’m happy for her, but ignoring what’s happening here is not like her. This lack of concern for the winery must be her husband’s fault. Yes, I’m sure of it. It disappoints me. I thought better of the man when he was here. I believed Charlotte was made of stronger stuff. To let a man manipulate her.” Pfft, Isabella thought. “English. Men. Neither can be trusted.”
“Here, so you don’t need to go into Châlons.” He handed her several deniers. “Give me the note and I’ll go to Monsieur Gershon and exchange it.”
She gave him the note then counted the deniers and handed half to him.
“You need money as much as I do.”
“No. I will not take money that is yours.” He pushed her hand away.
“You work harder and are more dedicated than anyone I know. Now is not the time to be proud.” She reached out to him again. “You would do the same for me.”
Nolan hesitated, then took the money she offered.
“How can you stand it? Living on what Charlotte gives you.” He stopped and took a deep breath.
“You make it sound as if I own the chateau. My grand-mère and I maintain it for Charlotte as you manage the winery for her.”
“I’m sorry. I speak out of turn to say such things. That you share half with me touches me, but it is more than I need.” He gave her back a portion.
“I need to get back to the chateau before grand-mère wonders where I am.” She tucked the message into her apron.
“Thank you, Isabella. I won’t forget your generosity.” He jiggled the coins in his hand.
She pulled her wool closer, opened the door, and waved good-bye.
Sagamore Hall, England
Late June 1289
Graham Eden stood at the archery field at Sagamore Hall with his older brother, Lord Hugh Eden, the Earl of Sagamore, and their younger brother, Donald. Graham nocked his arrow, smoothly drew the bow, and let loose the bolt. The arrow hit the mark left of center. He passed the bow to Donald.
“You really should stay with the sword rather than the arrow,” Donald said. “I, for one, never met anyone as quick and exacting as you with cutlery, no matter the size.”
Graham tolerated his brother’s good-natured abuse. Although, the sword was his preferred weapon.
“Is John Heustis joining us today?” Donald asked Hugh. “He’s very knowledgeable, and patient. Here I thought all you did was buy something, sell it, and then count your money. I watched him work with one of your clients who had no interest in giving you his money, and by the end of the meeting, the man was begging John to take it.”
Donald chose an arrow, examined it, then took his turn at the target.
“John is invaluable. That’s why I made him a partner.”
“Partner?” Graham asked Hugh.
Donald’s arrow struck the center of the target. He gave Graham a smug grin, then handed the bow to Hugh.
“John does a great deal of work with every client. He deserves to share in the success, and the failures if there are any.”
Graham could understand a person working harder if there was a personal reward.
“At the moment, John is at an extremely critical point in the negotiation with associates of the king. He won’t be joining us today.” Hugh turned to Donald. “You took on a large portion of his other responsibilities.”
“He needed to spend time at court. There was work that needed to be done and I was available.” Donald handed his brother the last arrow.
“You are a valuable part of our business. For someone who never wanted to work in trade you have done a fine job. I never thought I would secure Lord DeGraw’s account. You charmed him and got him to sign at a premium price.” Hugh nocked his arrow.
“I didn’t pressure him. I took a lesson from John. I refused to speak about the trade offering. One of your other clients mentioned how fortunate he was to be included. DeGraw hounded me all evening for an opport
unity asking, then demanding that we take his money. How could we resist?”
Hugh drew the bow with ease and let his arrow fly. His arrow struck the target nestled next to Donald’s bolt.
“He asks you for forgiveness in doubting you,” Donald said. “You should be hearing from Lady DeGraw shortly. She wants to be the first to host an event to honor the new Earl of Sagamore and his new wife.”
“I understand the DeGraw parties are outstanding events,” Graham said. “I hope there will be invitations for the earl’s brothers.”
“You can be sure of that. You two have just been elevated to the most eligible bachelors in England.”
Graham glanced at Donald, who was as dumbfounded as he was. Hugh chuckled.
“Not to worry. If I can’t protect you, Charlotte will.”
“The quivers are empty and while I enjoy your company, Graham and I are ready to return to Glen Kirk. I enjoyed hearing the accolades, but I doubt that is the reason you wanted to speak to me,” Donald said.
“You know me too well. I am glad Graham came with you. It is good to be together,” Hugh said.
“What do you think, Graham? Is it married life or being the new Earl of Sagamore that causes our brother to be sentimental?” Donald’s question had the three of them laughing.
Graham caught sight of someone approaching. “It looks like our brotherly bonding is at an end.”
“Excuse me, m’lord.” A page handed Hugh a note. “This just arrived from London. I asked the messenger to wait for your reply.”
Hugh nodded. The page left.
“We better return to the hall. Charlotte and her father will wonder what happened to us.”
Hugh opened the note as they walked. After reading a few lines he let out a muffled laugh.
“Why are you chuckling?” Donald asked.
“This says you are difficult to deal with, but he likes your tenacity. It reminds him of himself.”
Donald tried to read over Hugh’s shoulder, but Hugh pulled the note to his chest before he could read it. “Who’s it from?”
“The king. What are you up to?” Hugh relented and handed him the note.
Graham: Pirates of Britannia Connected World (Sons of Sagamore Book 2) Page 1
