He shrugged. “Two.”
“Very well. We’ll see how much God has in store fer the pious Laird.”
Rupert crossed his arms in front of his chest and said, “What are ye thinking?”
“We’ll set the laird and his captain out tae sea in one of the row boats, but without a set of oars.”
“Why nae just kill them now?”
Marc sneered at them. “Because they’re high and mighty enough tae think that God is on their side. We’ll give them a bucket fer rainwater and a bag of oats, then see if they can make it tae dry land.”
Rupert shook his head. “Are ye jesting? There’s nae way they can survive.”
He chuckled. “Of course nae, but at least their deaths will nae be on our heads—we gave them a sporting chance.”
Laird MacKay gulped. “What about my daughter?”
“Oh, the lass is staying with us. She’s fair. It would be a shame nae tae enjoy such a convenient pleasure.”
“NAE! Ye’re a bunch of animals.”
Marc snickered at the outburst and gestured for Rupert to take him to the rowboat.
“Dinnae dae this! I will nae be leaving her.”
Rupert punched the laird across his face and dragged him over to the rowboat. “Ye dinnae have a say in the matter.”
The captain watched as Rupert and the other pirates forced Laird MacKay and his seaman into the wooden rowboat. He was weak from blood loss and unable to fight them off but screamed the entire time they were lowering him down into the water.
Eventually, Marc walked over to the edge of the ship and looked down at the murky abyss. A tiny rowboat, without oars or rudder, was set adrift on the water. He breathed out heavily through his nose as he saw the rowboat fall behind in the galley’s wake.
“We’ll have tae wait,” he told the other pirates bitterly. “The other ship has tae come by eventually. When they dae, we’ll be waiting fer them.”
Rupert sighed. “Fine, but what if word gets back tae the MacKays before they sail?”
The captain shook his head. “There’s nae way word could get tae them that fast. Besides, who’s going tae tell them? We’re the only ones who ken what happened here. Give it time—the ship with her treasure will come eventually—then we’ll take it.”
His partner nodded, glancing back to where Lady Bridget was on the deck. “And the lass? What dae we dae with her?”
Marc grinned, his eyes raking over her curvaceous body. “Ye heard what I said. She’s as good as dead anyways, we may as well have some fun with her while we can.”
“As ye wish. If she makes too much noise though ye’ll have tae kill her.”
He laughed. “Dinnae fash yerself about that, Rupert. I’ve got something that will keep her quiet—something that will take the fight right out of her.”
T wo days later in Castlebay village, Valan was having a drink with his crew at The Salty Wench. Kent, his new quartermaster, sat across from him at one of the tables with a cup of ale in his hand. and drank in deeply from its contents.
“Twas a close call,” Valan muttered unhappily.
Kent nodded in agreement as he picked away at the meat pie in front of him. His dirty blond hair tucked back behind his ear, reaching almost to his jawline. There was stubble on his chin left from weeks without shaving, and he responded, “Aye, but the men are in good spirits, and the laird was pleased with our haul. I consider it a job well done.”
“So, it was worth it?”
“I think so. The men are beginning tae trust ye, and that’s the most important step.”
Valan chuckled, taking a drink from his own tankard and glancing over at the bar wench. Adrienne always fished for his attention, trying to get the two of them alone, and he was finally going to take her up on it. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt a woman’s kiss. Yet, for some reason he didn’t see her anywhere in the tavern.
The rest of his crew were scattered throughout the tavern, drinking to their hearts content and enjoying the tavern’s hospitality while celebrating their latest victory.
Life as captain had never been sweeter.
Kent was the perfect man to be his quartermaster, they were an unbreakable team. He helped him win over the members of his crew and learn to lead. He’d never been more grateful to have such a loyal friend. They laughed over a few more drinks, and he was about to call it a night when Bess walked over to their table. Her wild, red hair was tied back into a bun at the base of her neck except a few strands that fell out around her face. She wore a grease stained apron over her tunic that was caked with flour and a pair of woolen leggings.
“Captain Valan,” she addressed him, making sure to emphasis his new title. “May I have a word?”
Valan raised an eyebrow in confusion saying. “…Aye?”
Kent shrugged while finishing off his tankard and then setting it on the table. “Dinnae mind me, Bess. I was just leaving.”
She untied the apron from around her waist and took a seat on the bench across from him. “Ye can stay, if ye like. What I have tae say could concern ye as well.”
Now Valan’s interest was truly piqued and he gave the woman his full attention. Bess was a no-nonsense sort of woman known for two things: her spectacular sausage and leek pies, and the uncanny ability to gather information with secret knowledge of exactly where to raid.
“What is it, Bess?”
She brushed aside a piece of her hair and glanced nervously from side to side. “Valan, we’ve kent each other fer a long time. Ye sailed with my nephew, Graeme, and I ken ye’re aware of how I run things. I hear stories from the other captains. They come back from raids and talk about what they’ve seen, what goes on beyond our shores. They dinnae think I pay attention, but I dae. I’m coming tae ye now because I’ve just heard news of a most peculiar sort—news which might interest ye.”
He nodded slowly, all thoughts of the bar wench vanishing in an instant. “Go on.”
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat before responding. “A ship was taken off the northern coast by men claiming tae be another group of pirates. They slaughtered the entire crew and then took it fer themselves.”
“Interesting…”
Kent crossed his arms in front of his chest and scoffed in amusement. “Aye. I thought we kent all the pirates in the Western Hebrides.”
Bess’s green eyes twinkled. “Aye, but that’s nae all. Apparently, they dinnae find what they were looking fer. They’ve dropped anchor along the coast and haven’t moved.”
Suddenly, Valan realized what the woman was implying. “Ye’re saying whatever treasure they were in search of is still out there.”
“Aye, but if ye plan on going after it ye’ll need tae hurry. There’s a limited amount of time while the opportunity presents itself.”
Valan nodded. “I understand. We’ll set off on the morrow. My crew will find out who they are and show them a thing or two.”
“I’m glad. Bringing in a valuable haul like this is the quickest way tae make a name fer yerself and ingratiate yerself tae the laird.”
“Thank ye, Bess. Although, I have tae wonder…why are ye telling me this instead of yer nephew?”
Bess looked over at Graeme and his pregnant wife, saying, “He and Elspeth have enough on their plate these days, dinnae ye ken? The last thing he needs right now is tae put himself in danger. I dinnae want him going off on another raid and nae being here when the bairn arrives.”
Valan shrugged. “I suppose that’s true.”
“And ye’re still young and could use all the help ye can get. Go, gather yer men and let them know about yer plans. I’ll be waiting tae hear from ye when ye get back.”
As she stood up from the table, Valan and Kent both looked at one another. “Well…the rest was nice while it lasted.”
Valan stood up, making eye contact with one of his seamen from across the room. He motioned for the crew to follow and Niall acknowledged him with a nod. Knowing that he and Kent would spread the word
to the others, Valan stepped out into the street. The cool night air was calm and barely moved throughout the village. He placed his hands on his waist and inhaled deeply, waiting for the rest of his crew to join him outside. Shining over him was a blackened sky, and the moon, hidden behind a sea of clouds.
As he waited, a few members of his crew came walking from the tavern. They met him in the road, coming in pairs or groups of three so as not to arouse attention. The last thing Valan wanted was for another crew to hear about the treasure and go in search of it themselves. Many of his crewmen were drunk, others curious about what was happening, and they formed a circle around him to hear what he had to say.
“What is it, Captain?”
Valan set his hands on his waist and grinned. “I ken that we have just returned, and many of ye are tired. Normally, I would nae ask ye tae take up the oars again for a few more weeks. However, an opportunity has presented itself tae us that is too good tae ignore. A ship, suspected tae be another group of pirates, has dropped anchor off the mainland. I’m curious tae ken what they were after? Aren’t ye?”
A murmur of agreement rumbled through the crowd.
“Let’s go show these men what actual pirates look like.”
“Aye!”
“I say we take whatever treasure they have found and keep it fer ourselves.”
“AYE!!”
He grinned, knowing he had the full support of his crew behind him. “I’m glad ye’re with me. Now, if we’re going tae catch this prize then we need tae set sail tomorrow. We leave in the morning.”
Their expressions fell immediately. “But…Captain, we just got back.”
“I ken. I wouldn’t be asking unless I thought the gold was worth it. I cannae dae this without ye. Are ye with me, or no?”
They each grumbled their concession.
Valan nodded. “Thank ye. Now, Iain and Geoffrey, go and inform the others—anyone who is nae here currently will need tae be informed. The rest of ye, go home and get some rest while ye can. Make love tae yer wives and enjoy the time we have because tomorrow we sail.”
CHAPTER FIVE
The Bay of Barra, 1549
T he salty breeze licked at his hair as Valan stared across the water. Their ship swayed over a crest in the waves as the men rowed in unison, pulling back on the oars and leading them deeper out to sea. He glanced behind them briefly, long enough to see the silhouette of Castle Kisimul disappear over the horizon.
“All together,” Valan commanded. “Row!”
The crew all grunted in response and followed his direction. Years of practice at the oars had made them strong and taught them to work as a single unit. They knew the sea better than anyone, except perhaps the Vikings they descended from. The birlinn ships they used were similar to the Vikings’ also, holding up to forty men in a single crew that could power the ship by oars. On the mast was a single, square sail. It was the birlinn’s simplicity that attracted the pirates to it—anything more would have been difficult to sail between the islands.
Valan went to stand at the bow of their ship so he could address them properly. “Brothers, I appreciate yer support in coming with me. I ken it’s unusual tae leave the village so soon after returning from a raid. Still, I think the opportunity is worth it. I cannae say what we will find when we reach the other ship, but it’s worth the risk.”
The men listened to him speak from their places at the oars and murmured in agreement.
Valan continued, saying, “Whoever these men are, they will nae be expecting us tae come. They thought we would nae notice. We’ll show those men that we are still the lords of the sea.”
They whooped and hollered in agreement at his speech.
“One thing is fer sure, those men were seeking treasure. Whatever that treasure may be, it belongs tae us now. We’ll take it right out from under their noses.”
Kent grinned at him with encouragement from his place at the rudder. The crew continued with their rowing, invigorated by the prospect of gold, and Valan turned back to gaze outward. There was nothing but deep blue ocean surrounding them, as far as the eye could see. His heart swelled with excitement, and he felt more alive than ever before.
His brown eyes narrowed with concern as he listened to the repetitive movement of the oars. After a while, the men began to sing. The rhythm of the verse kept time with their rowing and kept their spirits high with a traditional waulking song,
“High upon Bennachie
On the day of days seawards I gaze
Watching Kisimul’s galley sailing.
Ah-hee ya-hoo fol-you-oh!
Bravely home she battled
Against the hurtling waves
Nae more rope
Anchor cable or tackle has she.
Ah-hee ya-hoo fol-you-oh!”
He grinned at the familiar verse and sang along with them toward the end, as he’d done a hundred times before. It reminded him of the day’s when he sailed with Graeme, and how far he’d come since then. It brought back the memories of when he was still a lad, and how much he stood to lose.
Please, dinnae let Bess be wrong about this, he thought.
Valan squared his jaw with determination, deciding then that failure was not an option. This was going to be a voyage he would not soon forget.
“S ails!” Valan called to them at last. “Portside, about forty leagues away.”
“Ye heard him, men,” Kent bellowed above the oars. “Put yer backs into it.”
The birlinn swayed against the waves as they crested another roll of salty vengeance. Valan glanced out to the horizon and made out their target in the distance. It was not what he expected, small, yet narrow enough to maneuver throughout the islands—it could mean trouble.
“Is she the one?” Niall asked him.
Valan nodded as his eyes narrowed in concentration. “Aye, it has tae be. She’s the only one anchored near the island. Now bring us tae her!”
“There are nae markings on their sails,” one of the crewmen pointed out.
He was right, there were no signifying colors, no heraldry of any kind. The crew rowed with all their might, and as they got closer, the other ship began to move. Valan’s heart quickened at the thought of their prize getting away and he called back to them, “She’s trying tae escape! Row!”
Kent maneuvered the rudder as they surged forward through the waves, making use of the available wind to help them gain some speed. As they gave chase to the mysterious ship, Valan felt strangely drawn toward it. He had no idea what kind of treasure they held, only that he wanted it. This was it; this is what they’d been searching for.
“Dinnae be fooled by her humble appearance,” Valan told them. “This ship is more than what she seems. We just have tae find out what it is.”
A murmur of consent tumbled through the crew as Valan gripped tight to the wooden railing.
“Keep a wary eye out and proceed with caution.”
Niall laughed as another wave came splashing over the side. “I think we can handle it, Captain. We’re nae afraid of getting our hands dirty.”
His cheer was met with a communal “Oomph” as they pulled back on the wooden oars.
“That’s it, lads! We’re gaining on her. Row!” Kent ordered.
Every slap of the oars against the waves pulled the birlinn farther. With its narrow design, the ship was perfectly suited to cut through the waves. It was faster, more efficient, than the other and the MacNeil’s came up along beside them in no time. When it seemed in reach, Valan’s crew pulled out ropes and grappling hooks from beneath the wooden benches and threw them over the railing. They secured themselves with weapons, carrying daggers between their teeth and various swords and pistols tethered neatly along their sides. It freed their hands for climbing and allowed them greater mobility in hoisting themselves up the ropes along the side.
“Prepare tae be boarded!” Valan shouted.
His men nodded their readiness and then climbed the ropes with expert precision, hoisting th
emselves up onto the starboard side. Once boarded, they quickly brandished weapons and attacked the opposing crew. They were dressed in English clothing but held no further signs of their origin—a mysterious crew indeed.
Valan climbed on board the ship himself and pulled the rapier from his side. A member of the opposing crew charged him, screaming out furiously in a battle cry. Valan immediately raised his weapon, acting on impulse from years of training and parried the attack. His movements were fast as lighting as he spun around to drive his rapier deep into the attacker’s chest.
The man fell to the deck in a pool of blood, and Valan turned his attention to the remaining opponents. He fought off half a dozen more before the fight ended; however, it quickly became apparent the other crew were not as skilled at fighting, and it did not take long before the MacNeil crew had overtaken them.
By the time the other crew accepted defeat, their leader reluctantly surrendered. Ten of Valan’s crew brought the captives out onto the deck and forced them to kneel, while the others went in search for anything of value. Valan wiped the blood off the edge of his blade on the hem of his tunic and returned it to his sheath before addressing them.
“I understand, the lot of ye like tae fancy yerselves as pirates,” he snickered. “Clearly, ye dinnae expect tae run into some real pirates along the way.”
His crew chuckled along behind him.
The leader of the mysterious crew sneered at him but did not open his mouth to respond.
“I’m willing tae make a deal with ye,” Valan continued. “Tell me where the treasure is, and I will set ye free. There’s been enough bloodshed fer one day—nae more of yer men will have tae die.”
The opposing captain scoffed. “Ye must have heard wrong, laddie! There’s nae bounty on this ship.”
“I’m aware of that,” Valan responded with a grin. “However, I also ken that ye’re waiting fer another ship that does—one that has the treasure we are speaking of. Now tell me everything ye ken.”
Rescued by Valan (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders) Page 4
