“Why?” grumbled Mardon. “I thought we were taking the pass to get to the treasure before Nereus.”
“We were, but I just learned the pass is blocked from the last storm. We’re going to have to follow the path of the Poseidon and hope to hell we can overtake them.”
“That’s impossible, Cap’n,” Stitch called out from the deck. “The Poseidon is a faster ship. We’ll never catch it.”
“We will, and I don’t want to hear anyone say otherwise. Now, all hands on deck because we have time to make up.”
“It’s goin’ to be pitch dark soon,” said Coop. “Can’t this wait until first light when we can see where the hell we’re goin’?”
“Nay. We’ve got a compass to guide us, and Stitch knows how to sail by the stars,” said Tristan. “We’re doing this and you’re all going to be a part of it, like it or not.”
“Just to save a few wenches?” asked one of the men.
“Nay,” spat Tristan, feeling his anger growing. “They are not just a few wenches. They are my wife and grandmother. Plus, there is the king’s treasure involved, unless you’ve already forgotten.”
“Treasure,” mumbled someone.
“We’re with ye, Cap’n,” called out another.
“Good. Then let’s do this, and take back what is ours.” Tristan looked up to see a few stars starting to appear in the nighttime sky, only hoping that he’d be able to stargaze with Gavina someday. Her eyes twinkled just like stars when she smiled, and he missed that. He had to save her, because without Gavina in his life, Tristan was going to feel very empty. Plus, he promised his wife he’d always be there for her and that she would never be alone. Tristan was a man who didn’t like to break a promise.
Gavina played her flute, trying to calm her own emotions, not caring about giving any enjoyment to Nereus and his crew. Nairnie sat next to her on the deck, keeping all the drunken men away from her and, for that, she was thankful.
It was dark now and Gavina was tired, yet Nereus wouldn’t let her stop playing. Then, just when she thought she was going to pass out, a man called out from the lookout basket.
“Ship approaching fast,” he cried, putting everyone in a frenzy.
“What the hell!” Nereus jumped up and peered over the side. “Damn yer eyes, I think it’s that blasted Falcon.”
“Tristan!” Gavina jumped up with excitement, but Nairnie grabbed her arm.
“Stay calm and stay close to me,” Nairnie instructed. “I have a feelin’ there is goin’ to be a lot of angry men very soon.”
“Rock, how close are we to the island?” Nereus called out to his man at the helm.
“We’re approachin’ it now, Cap’n. Do ye want to wait until first light to dock?”
“Nay, we can’t wait. Prepare the shuttle boats, we’re goin’ to shore to get our treasure.”
At hearing the word treasure, everyone stepped up the pace. It didn’t take long to anchor the ship and lower the boats to take them to shore.
“Let’s go, ladies,” snarled Nereus, looking over to Nairnie and Gavina.
“Us?” gasped Gavina.
“We’ll stay here and wait for ye,” said Nairnie. “We’ll only slow ye down.”
“Like hell ye will. Ye’re both comin’ along for a little assurance that Tristan won’t try to take my treasure. Birk, Rock, get the wenches into the boat.”
“Aye, Cap’n,” said Birk, acting now like he was part of the crew. The man disgusted Gavina. If she had a dagger on her right now, she’d stab him right through his heart, the way he did to her father. The horrible image of her father lying dead in a puddle of blood would never be erased from her mind. As far as she knew, they’d never buried him and he was still lying there. It broke her heart.
“Step it up, wenches,” snapped Rock, poking her in the back. Gavina and Nairnie joined them, but against their wills. Now, the only thing that could save them is if Tristan and his brothers and the crew of the Falcon got there in time. That is, before Nereus found the treasure and took them back to the Poseidon and sailed away.
“Damn it, we’re too late,” spat Tristan, peering through the darkness to see the Poseidon already at the island when they got there. “They’ve already lowered the shuttle boats and are headed to the island.”
“Do you see the women?” asked Mardon, steering the ship toward the Poseidon.
“Aye, I think so, but it’s hard to tell. It almost looks like they are taking Gavina and Nairnie with them. I’m not exactly sure. Damn, why isn’t there more light so I can see?”
“It’s because it’s nighttime, Cap’n,” said Ramble, like he needed reminding.
“Lower the shuttle boats and light some torches,” cried Tristan. “Bring all the weapons you can carry and don’t be afraid to use them. We’ve got two women and a treasure to rescue.”
“Is this the spot?” Nereus asked Nairnie once they’d gotten to shore and made their way to the two trees that formed a letter X. They carried torches and lanterns but it was hard to see clearly since the night was dark.
“I guess so,” said Nairnie.
“Guess so? I thought ye said ye knew where the treasure was buried,” fumed Nereus.
“I do! If ye would have waited until first light, it would be a hell of a lot easier to see. These old eyes are no’ guid in the dark.”
“Ye said it’s buried beneath two leaning trees that make an X, right?”
“Are ye deaf? I told ye that already. Aye, that’s the way I remember it from the map.”
“Ye’d better be right because Tristan is goin’ to be here any minute,” warned Nereus.
“Guid!” spat Nairnie. “I canna wait for my grandsons to arrive and kick yer arse.”
“Keep it down, old woman,” snapped Nereus. “Birk, Rock, dig up the treasure.”
They started to dig, but must have been too slow for Nereus. “Noll and Wybert, pick up a shovel and help them.”
“We’d be glad to help,” said Noll. “Just as long as we get our share of the treasure.”
“Who said ye’re gettin’ anythin’?” Nereus was in a foul mood.
“We were the ones who brought the wenches to ye with the information of the treasure,” Wybert complained.
“Aye, that’s suspicious to begin with, and I still don’t know if I can trust ye.” Nereus glared at them. “Why did ye do it? Why did ye leave the Falcon?”
“We didn’t like bein’ under Tristan’s command,” said Wybert, starting to dig.
“Aye. Then when we heard that the old hag knew where to find the treasure, we figured we’d steal her and the girl away,” explained Noll. “She had the map inked on her back. I knew ye’d be sailin’ this direction since ye always do this time of year, so I was hopin’ to find ye. We were lucky to notice yer ship on the water.”
“Ye only found them because of me,” said Birk. “If it wasna for me, none of ye would even ken there was a map.”
“Shut yer mouth, Birk,” Nereus warned him. “We knew about the king’s treasure since it was Cato and me who found the map together years ago. That is, before he stole it from me. If he had stayed a pirate, I would have had the treasure by now. Cato hid away pretendin’ to be a fisherman and stayed close to the shore from then on to save his own hide, the coward.”
“My son wasna a coward!” Nairnie put her hands on her hips. “He was brave enough to leave piracy to protect his family. That’s more than I can say for ye.”
“Nairnie, dinna anger him,” Gavina whispered, pulling the old woman back away from the men.
“Well, no matter, it all worked out, didna it?” asked Birk, sounding very proud of himself.
“We’ll see. Now dig!” Nereus seemed to be losing his patience. “We need to get the treasure and get out of here before the Falcon gets here.”
Gavina glanced nervously over her shoulder. The sky was dark but filled with beautiful, twinkling stars. The breeze was gentle and the sea calm. How she wished she were on the deck of the Falcon right no
w, enjoying this beautiful night with her husband. Then something caught her eye. She saw torches lighting up an area in the water, and they were coming from a different direction than the Poseidon. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Nairnie, I think Tristan is here,” she whispered. Her hand went to her flute hanging at her side, gripping it for comfort. Her other hand slipped into her pocket and she pulled out her ring, slipping it onto her finger. Hopefully, at any moment, she’d be back with Tristan once again.
“All hell is about to break loose, lass,” warned Nairnie. “When the fightin’ starts, be sure to stay out of the way. We dinna want to distract Tristan.”
“Aye, Nairnie. I will.”
One of the men’s shovels hit something that sounded like wood.
“We’ve got it!” yelled Birk. “We found the treasure.”
“Get it up here and hurry,” commanded Nereus. All the men gathered around as Rock and Noll carried a large chest over to the captain.
“It’s heavy,” said Noll. “It must be filled with gold.”
“I’ll open it,” Nereus told them, pushing the rest of the men back. Gavina noticed Tristan’s shuttle boats landing on the beach. Nereus’ men were so infatuated by the treasure that they didn’t even notice.
“The lock is stuck,” complained Nereus. “Rock, hit it with yer shovel.”
The man did and the lock sprang open.
“I want to see how much treasure there is,” said Gavina, pushing through the crowd of men, excited to be a part of this. If she could just get her hands on something, perhaps some coins, she might be able to pay off her father’s gambling debts and buy back her little brother’s freedom.
“Gavina, get back here.” Nairnie’s hand shot out but the men pushed Gavina out of her reach.
“What the hell is this?” came Nereus’ boisterous voice sounding madder than hell.
Gavina peeked around the men and her jaw dropped open.
“The chest is filled with rocks,” said Noll. “I don’t understand.”
“Well, I do. It’s all been a hoax and someone is goin’ to pay for this.” Nereus reached for Gavina, but Nairnie shot forward and blocked her.
“Get out of the way, old woman. Or mayhap I should kill ye first.” Nereus yanked his dagger from his belt.
“Look!” said Nairnie, pointing at the chest. “I see somethin’ under the rocks. It looks like a rolled-up parchment.”
“What?” Nereus turned back to the treasure. “Move the torch closer,” he commanded his men. Gavina looked down to see that what Nairnie said was true. There really was a parchment inside the chest of rocks. “Give that to me,” commanded Nereus.
Rock pulled it out and handed it to his captain.
“What does it say?” asked Wybert, pushing his way closer.
“This is not where the treasure is buried,” Nereus read aloud. “Follow the next map to find it.”
“What map?” asked Noll.
“Is there another map?” Birk wondered.
“I don’t see one.” Nereus’ finger ran down the parchment, reading the words again. “What kind of an ill jest is this?”
“Let me see that.” Nairnie snatched the map out of his hand. Gavina watched the old woman turn it over. Her eyes opened wide and she flipped it back quickly. “This must have been Cato’s idea of a guid jest. Too bad there isna a treasure.” She stuck the map under her arm. “Gavina, let’s go.” Nairnie turned Gavina around, but before they could leave, a voice called out.
“Get away from the women and hand over the treasure.”
It was Tristan, approaching with his brothers and his crew. They were right behind them and all held weapons, ready to fight.
The sound of clashing swords filled the night air. Men pushed, and torches were dropped, making it hard to tell who was fighting whom. Gavina got separated from Nairnie and couldn’t find her.
“Nairnie!” she cried.
“Run and hide,” Nairnie called out to her as men fell all around her. Gavina started to run, but stopped in her tracks when a man fell dead at her feet. She screamed, and looked down to see Birk’s lifeless body on the ground with his eyes bulging out. When she looked up, Tristan was pulling his sword out of the man’s chest.
“That’s for killing Gavina’s father,” spat Tristan. “Now stay dead this time!” Just to be sure, he stabbed him again, right in front of her.
“Stop it!” she cried, holding her hand to her mouth. Feeling like she was about to retch, she couldn’t watch anyone else be killed.
“Gavina, sweetheart,” said Tristan, taking her by the arm and pulling her behind him. “Stay behind me, and keep away from everyone.”
“I want to leave, Tristan,” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. She’d never been in the midst of a battle like this, and certainly not with pirates. She stared in shock as she watched Mardon slit a man’s throat that was part of Nereus’ crew. He threw the man to the ground as if it meant nothing to him at all.
“Mardon, duck,” yelled Aaron, flinging a battleaxe through the air. Mardon ducked and the axe stuck into a pirate’s head, right between his eyes. Another of Nereus’ crew fell dead to the ground.
Gavina screamed again. This was the most frightening thing she’d ever experienced in her life and she wanted it all to be over.
“Stop!” shouted Nereus. “Stop right now, or I’ll kill her, I swear I will.”
Tristan looked up to see Nereus with the edge of his dagger pressed to Nairnie’s throat. The man held her hands behind her, and under his arm he held a rolled-up map.
“Men, hold up,” said Tristan, but his crew didn’t want to stop fighting.
“They’ve got our treasure, and we’re not givin’ it up,” shouted Goldtooth, taking down another man.
“There is no treasure here,” called out Nairnie. “It’s a trunk full of rocks.”
“What?” asked Tristan, not able to believe his ears. His eyes shot over to the chest to see that what she said was true. Sure enough, the chest was open and there was no treasure. It was filled with worthless rocks.
“Since there is no treasure, I see no point in continuin’ this fight,” said Nereus. “And unless ye want to watch as I slit yer grandmother’s throat, call off yer men and let us pass.”
“Nay, never!” shouted Coop.
“They took the women, Tristan. Don’t let them get away with that,” called out Stitch.
“Nairnie!” yelled Gavina. “Tristan, ye have to save her.”
“Nay, let them kill me,” said Nairnie. “I’m an auld woman and it doesna matter. Just take care of Gavina, Tristan. Keep her safe.”
“Nay, Nairnie, ye canna die,” cried Gavina.
“If I die, I die happy,” Nairnie told her. “At least I’ve had the chance to spend time with the grandsons I never even kent I had.”
“Lower yer weapons and let them pass,” Tristan shouted to his crew.
“Cap’n, ye’re just goin’ to let them leave?” asked Ramble.
“Like Nereus said, since there is no treasure, there is no need to fight. Nairnie is my grandmother and I will not let her die,” said Tristan. “Now do as I say.”
“You heard him,” Mardon called out to the others. “Follow your captain’s orders.”
“We’re not letting our grandmother die,” agreed Aaron.
The men begrudgingly did as they were told.
“Get to the shuttles, men. Quickly,” Nereus commanded. “Make yer way back to the Poseidon. We leave anon.”
“Traitors. We should kill you two for what you did,” said Mardon, grabbing Noll by the tunic as he and Wybert passed by.
“Let them go,” said Tristan, maintaining control. “They’re part of Nereus’ crew now, and he can have them.”
“But they betrayed us,” said Aaron.
“Aye, and if they want to answer to Nereus now, then so be it.”
“That’s right. We’ve got a new captain now,” said Wybert. “A better one.”
�
��If either of you ever cross our paths again, I give my men permission to kill you without even batting an eye,” said Tristan. “Now get the hell out of my sight.”
Noll pulled out of Mardon’s grip and the two of them took off at a near run for the water.
“Nereus, wait! Release Nairnie,” commanded Tristan.
“Not until we’re safely out of here.” Nereus pulled her with him to the shuttle boats.
“Should we head them off at the shore?” asked Aaron, as his brothers came to his side.
“Nay. Let them go.” Tristan wasn’t worried.
“They’ve got Nairnie,” Mardon reminded them.
“They’ll release her once they’re safely to their ship.” Tristan had no doubt about this.
“How do ye ken that?” asked Gavina. “They might take her with them.”
“Nay, not Nairnie.” Tristan smiled and shook his head. “Believe me, they won’t want her along because they’ll think she’s bad luck.”
“True,” added Mardon. “Even if they try to take her back onto their ship, she’ll probably fight them off single-handedly.”
“Aye, they’ll wish they left her with us,” said Aaron with a chuckle.
“I hope ye’re right,” said Gavina. “Oh, Tristan, I’ve missed ye.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Wife.” Tristan pulled Gavina into his arms and kissed her deeply. “Did he . . . did he touch you?” he asked, wanting to know more than that but not wanting to come out and ask her.
“Nay, we werena hurt, and he didna touch me in that manner,” she assured him. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear. “Ye’re still the only man who has ever rogered me at the rail, Tristan.” She flashed him a small smile and, with that, he felt relieved.
“Bury our dead before we go,” Tristan commanded, looking around to see that they only lost a few men, but the losses for Nereus’ crew were more than twice as many. “Then hurry back to the ship.”
Tristan took Gavina to the shuttles and loaded her in a boat along with Ramble and his brothers. Ramble rowed toward the Falcon.
“Look, they’re at the Poseidon,” said Gavina, pointing in that direction. “They still havena released Nairnie.”
Tristan (Pirate Lords Series Book 1) Page 28
