“Go tae hell.”
Valan frowned and held a dagger to the man’s throat, saying, “Bold words, lad. Ye must be the captain. That makes ye responsible fer all the men on board—the ones we killed, and the ones we just captured. Ye really think it’s wise tae insult me, when I could end yer life here and now?”
The man set his jaw but did not respond.
“Now let’s try this again,” Valan told him briskly. “What’s yer name?”
“Marc.”
He removed the dagger from the man’s throat and said, “Well, Marc, I suggest ye cooperate so my men and I dinnae have tae kill any more of ye. Where would we find this treasure?”
Marc’s scowl intensified.
Valan turned to his quartermaster and said, “Search everything. I want every nook and cranny ripped apart in case they’re hiding something.”
Kent nodded and went to look with the others, upturning every loose floorboard and box of cargo they could find. A cruel, gray sky cast a shadow over their seemingly fruitless pursuit, and the MacNeils became more frantic with every passing minute.
One of the prisoners laughed. “Ye’re wasting yer time, lad. There’s nothing here fer ye tae steal—nothing tae take back tae yer precious laird.”
Valan raised an eyebrow curiously at the sound of his voice. “Is that a Scottish brogue? Which clan dae ye belong tae? And…why are ye dressed in English clothing?”
The man must have realized his mistake, because his eyes widened.
Valan was about to question him further when Marc leaned forward and spat at his boot. Valan slapped him for the insult and turned to one of his men, saying, “Tie that one tae the mast, and make sure it hurts. If he causes any trouble, break his arm.”
The man nodded, dragging Marc over to the mast while Iain brought over a length of rope. As they went to work, Kent returned from below deck and said, “Captain, I think ye’ll want tae see this.”
His eyes were wide and urgent, beckoning Valan over to where he stood. Valan grinned victoriously as he glanced back toward the prisoners. Their captain, Marc, now being tied up against the mast as he’d ordered. Valan strode across the deck and followed his quartermaster down the rickety ladder.
After a moment, his eyes adjusted to the light and Valan took in the dank surroundings. It was dark and smelly, with wooden crates of food stacked along the sides. As he ventured deeper, Valan caught a whiff of something sickly sweet and his nose crinkled. The scent was foul and medicinal, not something he was accustomed to, and it alarmed him slightly. “Ack, what is that?”
Once he became aware of it, Valan realized the smell was everywhere. He glanced around, confused, as he tried to see where it came from.
Kent sighed, gesturing to a small corner of the ship where some bags of grain were thrown together as a makeshift mattress. In the faint light from the cracks in the deck above, he made out the figure of a woman laying on top of them. “It’s Valerian. That’s why I called ye down here. The lass appears tae be drugged—possibly kidnapped.”
Valan’s eyes widened at the sight of her and he went to see if she was breathing. The dim light illuminated her face like an angel, giving her skin a pale unnatural glow. Dark, wavy hair splayed out from around her head, and her lips parted slightly amidst her slumber.
She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
CHAPTER SIX
V alan stared at the woman in shock before turning back to his men. “What is this?”
Kent crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Captain, I think she’s what they were holding. Why else would they have hidden her below decks?”
“Ye think she’s the treasure?” Valan asked.
“Aye, or at least what may bring us tae it.”
Niall shrugged and told them, “Mayhap they kidnapped her fer ransom.”
“Or she could just be a passenger they were transporting in secret,” Valan shot back at him.
Kent sighed and looked over to her, saying, “Aye, that’s also possible. Whoever she is, the lass clearly dinnae come here of her own volition. More importantly, she dinnae appear tae be well. Whatever those bastards gave tae her is having an ill effect. We should get her tae a healer soon, or the lass may nae survive.”
Valan swallowed hard, turning his attention back to the gorgeous woman sleeping on the bags of grain in front of him. He observed her cautiously, searching for anything that could help him figure out where she came from. All she wore was a simple linen dress, that gave no indication of her status. The material was a faded blue with stitching along the hem, it could have come from anywhere. Furthermore, the lass was fair—remarkably so. Her skin was the color of fresh milk, and her cheeks a rosy pink. Beyond the smell of Valerian, he picked up a hint of lavender—which only intrigued him further.
She’d been well cared for…loved.
It didn’t make sense that a woman so well looked after would end up in the hands of men like this. Something about this entire operation felt off to him—like they were on the cusp of something larger. These men spoke with a Scottish brogue, yet dressed in English clothing, and bore no colors of their allegiance. Valan supposed their lack of heraldry was because they didn’t want anyone to know where they were from, thus allowing them to conduct their business in secret. It also explained why the men grew quiet when they were questioned about their origins. Most curious of all, was they never let on about a secret passenger.
There was more going on with this band of seamen than met the eye.
Valan’s eyes narrowed as he knelt down beside the woman and tried to rouse her from her slumber by shaking her lightly on the shoulder. “Lass? Lass, can ye hear me? What’s yer name?”
She did not respond, so he tried again but to no avail. Her body felt warm to the touch and he could see her breathing softly. As he leaned in closer, Valan caught another whiff of the pungent fumes of Valerian.
Bastards! How much did they give her?
Kent’s warning about her health resonated deeply—she wouldn’t survive unless they got her to a healer. Valan was unfamiliar with the art himself, but he knew one person with the knowledge and skill to save her. Unfortunately, that person was still in Castlebay.
Kent and Niall both stared at him expectantly, still waiting for his command. “Well, Captain, what dae ye want tae do?” Niall asked.
Valan’s jaw tensed with uncertainty as he noticed the bruises on her wrist, where she’d been bound with rope. The little he could make out of her ankle was just the same. His rage grew stronger as her eyes fluttered open and then rolled back in her head as she let out a tiny whimper.
“These bastards dinnae deserve tae ken Scottish mercy,” Valan told them with a growl. “We take the lass with us tae Castlebay and see if Elspeth can treat her.”
“Captain…”
“Forget the gold,” he told them. “There will be plenty of other opportunities. The lass needs our help.”
Carefully, Valan removed his jacket and put it on top of her to conceal the woman’s modesty. He slipped his arms under her knees and beneath her waist to carry her. She fell limp within his arms and Valan held her tight against his chest. He couldn’t explain it, but a sense of duty overtook him and knew that the lass was now his responsibility. There was no other option what would satisfy him.
“I’ll take her tae our ship,” he told them. “Ye go make sure those bastards suffer.”
Kent nodded, following close behind as Valan carried her up the ladder. It took great effort for him to ascend, but Kent and Niall helped by lifting the lass in his arms and supporting some of her weight. When Valan made it to the top, one of his crewmen saw him and rushed over to help lift the woman up onto the deck. He climbed above decks after she’d been lifted and glared at the kneeling prisoners.
Marc sneered at him from the mast and said, “I see ye’ve found our plaything. The lass is a bonnie she-wolf—she tried tae bite me the other day. That’s why we had tae use the rope.”
“Too
bad she dinnae,” Valan retorted, still trying to remain composed with the precious cargo he was carrying.
Marc snickered. “Nae matter. She was nae going tae be much use tae us any longer.”
“How dare ye call yerselves men. Nae man should ever treat a woman thus.”
Valan had seen enough of their dealings to make up his mind about them. He glanced over to his quartermaster and said, “Burn it down. Burn everything—leave nae survivors.”
Kent nodded as a cry rang out from amidst the prisoners and the MacNeils cut them down like flies. Valan ignored their cries and walked past them with the girl still cradled in his arms. Niall went with him and helped Valan carry her down to the birlinn.
“Ye’re safe now,” he whispered. “Those men will ne’er lay a hand on ye again.”
She smiled weakly, almost like she heard him, but Valan was fairly certain she couldn’t make out a word that he said. He could scarcely hear the screaming coming from the other ship as he laid the woman down on one of the benches and wrapped her in a blanket. Ash and soot rose into the air as the crew made down the ropes and back onto their ship. Whoever the imposter pirates were, they would never harm another person.
The MacNeils settled back onto their benches and swiftly took to their oars as they escaped the burning wreckage. The wind was in their favor as they pushed away and rowed out to calmer seas.
Valan sighed as they put distance between them and the flaming wreckage. He glanced down at the sleeping woman and felt a smile curl up at the edge of his lips. Now that she was here with them, all he cared about was getting her to safety, and then finding out her name.
Kent looked over at him from the rudder and said, “Are ye sure bringing the lass is a good idea?”
“I couldn’t leave her,” Valan told him honestly. “I just couldn’t.”
The quartermaster smiled. “Ye’re a good man, Captain. It’s an honor tae serve ye.”
Valan ran his fingers through his hair and took a seat on the empty bench. “Thank ye, Kent. I appreciate that. We’ll take her back tae Castlebay and have Elspeth look at her. She’ll have tae recover there before we can return her tae her family. The lass is nae in a state tae be telling us anything about that now. We dinnae even ken where she’s from.”
Kent nodded, gazing out to the sea beyond. “Aye.” Speaking loud enough so that everyone could hear, the man repeated, “We sail fer Castlebay.”
“Tae Castlebay!” the men all cheered.
As their oars slapped against the crashing waves, Valan glanced back over the sea to make out the flames of the other ship burning in the distance.
V alan looked over his shoulder at the beautiful girl resting in the back of his ship. The poor lass hadn’t roused from her slumber since they freed her from her captors, and he still had no idea who she was. However, one thing he was absolutely sure of was that she needed care and rest. He could think of no one better to help the lass than Elspeth.
He crossed to the back of the ship where she laid and pressed his fingers to the side of her neck and see if he could find a heartbeat.
She’s still breathing, he noted in relief, letting his eyes drift over to her face. What was a bonnie lass like her doing in the hands of those men?
He tugged on his ear in thought. She could have been ransomed, but the manner of her treatment made him wonder if the kidnapping could be personal. He’d never seen the level of cruelty bestowed on another person.
Iain looked up at him from the oars and asked, “Who dae ye think she is?”
“Someone who needs our help,” Valan responded.
“She must be rich,” one of the seamen offered. “Why else would those men have kidnapped her? Someone must be willing tae pay a large sum in order fer her safe return.”
Another one of the crewman grinned. “Ye’re probably right. I’m willing tae bet that we could ransom her.”
“But tae who?” another asked. “We have nae idea where she came from.”
Valan turned on them in a rage. “If we ransom an innocent life we’d be nae better than the men we took her from.”
Niall’s expression fell. “Come now, we would treat her well and give her all the comforts of the Barra. But why should we nae be paid fer our trouble in recovering her?”
“Aye, ’tis what we do,” one of the men agreed. “Or have ye forgotten, we’re pirates?”
Valan looked back over the faces of his men, all waiting to hear what he would say. “I sailed with Graeme fer many years. He taught me a great deal in how tae conduct one’s dealings. We steal cargo, nae people. There is a difference between life and property. We may be pirates, but we’re men of honor—we’re nae monsters. We take from those who can afford it, and nae the vulnerable—that’s what kings do.”
One of the seamen sneered. “Now is a strange time tae be making a show of chivalry. What is yer issue, mate? Ye take a fancy tae her?”
The captain shook his head. “Ye’re a fool. All ye can think about is how to make some coin. The lass may nae even survive. I’ll hear nae more talk of ransom—’tis nae proper. She’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and those men took advantage of that. Give the lass some decency.”
Kent stepped back with his arms crossed in front of his chest and grinned while the others murmured amongst themselves. “Now I see it.”
“What?”
“Why the laird chose ye tae be the captain.”
A hush fell across the ship for a while until Valan spoke again. “Look sharp—Kisimul is on the horizon.”
“Row!” Kent bellowed.
Soon, they were in the bay with the stone castle towering over them. “Make it straight fer the harbor,” Valan commanded. “We’ve nae treasure tae report.”
The quartermaster nodded, adjusting their sail so they passed Kisimul entirely and coasted right through the bay to the wooden pier at the village. His crew jumped off, stretching their arms and legs as they stepped out onto the dock and tied the boat to a wooden post. With the boat secure, the men dispersed and went back to their homes. As they left, Valan turned to Kent and Niall, saying, “Take the lass directly tae my cottage. Ailsa will provide a bed and take care of her. Niall, go and fetch Elspeth from the tavern, tell her everything. I’ll meet her at the cottage as soon as I’ve spoken with the laird.”
Both nodded, lifting the unconscious woman out of the ship and bringing her down the village path. Valan sighed as he watched them leave.
Now he just had to explain to Laird MacNeil why he came back empty-handed.
I t was an hour later when Valan emerged from Kisimul.
He was emotionally and physically drained after explaining to the laird what happened. To say he wasn’t pleased would be an understatement.
Valan crossed through the gates with a tired sigh and made his way over to one of the few remaining rowboats. He was anxious to know the condition of the woman he had rescued, and swiftly took to the oars to row across the bay. When he reached the docks, Valan jumped out onto the pier and rushed up the hill to his mother’s cottage. His heart was pounding as he arrived at the wooden door and threw it open to see Ailsa, Elspeth and Niall all gathered in the living area.
Niall perked up at his arrival, saying, “Oh good, ye’re back. How did the laird take it?”
“We’ll talk about it later,” Valan informed him. “How is she?”
Elspeth cleared her throat, turning his attention to a mattress that had been dragged out into the living quarters. “Yer mam dinnae ken where else tae put her, so we grabbed a mattress from the bedroom.”
Valan nodded slowly, gazing down at the woman sleeping, and said, “That’s good. I would have done the same. Is she going tae make it?”
She smiled. “I think so. It’s hard tae tell sometimes. I gave instructions tae yer mam about how tae care fer her, but right now there’s nothing else that can be done—the Valerian needs tae run its course and then I’ll see what happens.”
He exhaled in relief and wrapped hi
s arm around Elspeth’s shoulder. “Thank ye, Elspeth.”
The healer patted him gently on the hand, saying, “Think nae of it. I’ll come and check on her in the morning. Ye and Niall should try tae get some rest.”
Niall crossed his arms in front of his chest and grinned. “Will dae.”
Elspeth bowed her head politely to Valan and Ailsa once again before excusing herself from the cottage. Niall went out right after her, leaving Valan and Ailsa alone in the cottage with their guest.
“Poor lass,” his mother crooned. “What kind of monsters dae this sort of thing?”
Valan shook his head. “I’m nae sure. Whoever she is, those men clearly did nae want or expect her tae survive.”
Ailsa shifted her weight uncomfortably. “Ye did the right thing, son. I’m proud of ye.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Castlebay Village, The Barra
L ady Bridget woke up blearily with a pounding headache. Her mouth was dry and she licked her lips to relieve the odd discomfort. She became faintly aware of a woman’s voice coming from somewhere nearby, but she couldn’t understand what she was saying. She rolled over on the mattress and realized there was a pillow beneath her head. Bridget groaned as the warmth of sunlight came shining on her face.
The last thing she remembered was pirates attacking their ship, and the horrible men who took her. She remembered her father commanding her to hide, then everything was a blur. All she could recall was pain at the back of her head from where they stuck her.
Bridget groaned again at the unpleasant memory and brought a hand up to her face. Despite the horror she experienced, there was still a ray of light, a pair of strong arms carrying her to safety.
“Lass! Lass, can ye tell me name?”
Her lips parted slightly. The voice was dark, and smooth like velvet; that was all she could remember. Yet, it made her heart flutter.
While she pieced it all together, something warm and wet came brushing across her face. Bridget gasped and sat upright in bed immediately, while looking around confused. Her hair was down from its pins and hung loose across her shoulders. Bridget’s eyes focused on a friendly dog wagging its tail beside her, and she realized it was the hound that had given her a start. A moment later she regretted sitting up so fast and the room began to spin.
Rescued by Valan (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders) Page 5
