Just before dawn, Reed saw something he hadn’t seen before. He leaned forward in the lookout basket, gripping his fingers into the wood as he peered across the water at the Sea Mirage. He’d been watching it all night, not once drifting off to sleep. Thankfully, Rowen was right in saying Muck wouldn’t travel at night. Because of that, it shouldn’t be a problem overtaking the ship, no matter how fast it could move through the waters.
“Bid the devil,” he said to himself, seeing flashing from the top of the Sea Mirage’s mast. They were close enough now that in the rising sun he could make out the form of a small man – who seemed to be signaling him from the lookout of the other ship.
Sure enough, if he wasn’t mistaken, someone in the other ship’s basket was waving his arm in the air. “Duff,” he said under his breath, raising his arm and trying to signal the boy to let him know they were there to rescue him.
He climbed out of the basket, scurrying down the rigging as he called out to the others. “I see Duff! He’s in the lookout basket of the Sea Mirage. Wake up! He’s alive. We’ve got to save him.”
Maggie awoke to the sound of Reed’s voice, and it sounded as if he said her brother was alive. She sprang out of bed and ran across the floor of the cabin, having slept in her clothes, never even removing her shoes. Her heart soared. They were going to be able to save her brother.
She ripped open the door of the cabin. When she did, the birds flew out and up into the sky.
“Nay!” shouted Reed, seeing the birds. He dropped down from the rigging with a scowl on his face. “Ye let the birds out! Now Muck will be alerted that we’re here.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, realizing in her excitement she might have just jeopardized her brother’s life.
“What’s all the shoutin’ about?” asked Ross, rubbing his leg as he limped over to them.
“Where are my brathairs?” asked Reed.
“We’re here,” said Rowen. He rushed over with Rook at his side. They were both strapping on their weapon belts.
“I saw a signal from the lookout of the Sea Mirage,” said Reed excitedly. “It was the boy. He kens we’re comin’ for him.”
Rowen looked up to the three birds circling the air above their ship. “What the hell?”
“The birds are going to give us away,” spat Rook.
“That’s my fault,” said Maggie. “I’m sorry.”
“It doesna matter. The sun is risin’ and, by now, Muck has undoubtedly seen us,” said Reed, trying to comfort Maggie.
“Men, raise the sails and full speed ahead,” shouted Rowen, rushing up to the sterncastle to take control of the ship.
“Ready your weapons and the grappling hooks,” called out Rook, rushing around the ship to help. Controlled chaos swept the deck as the English crew as well as the Scots all worked together without questioning an order.
“Maggie, get inside the cabin and stay there,” said Reed. “This could get ugly. Lock the door and stay silent and dinna come out no matter what ye hear.”
“Prepare for boarding,” came Rowen’s next command.
Maggie rushed to the side of the ship, looking over the rail to try to see her brother. The ships were getting closer. She noticed Muck’s crew preparing for confrontation as well. Then she looked upward and saw Duff in the lookout basket of the Sea Mirage, just like Reed had said.
“Duff! Over here.” She waved her arms, trying to get her brother’s attention. That’s when she saw a man with a bow and arrows on the Sea Mirage – and he was aiming for her!
“What the hell are ye doin’?” Reed shot across the deck, barreling into her and bringing her to the ground. His heavy body fell atop hers and all the air was knocked from her lungs.
“Reed, get off of me. What is the matter with ye?”
“Look!” He got off of her and ripped an embedded arrow out of the wood just above her head. “This could have been embedded in ye right now with that stupid move.”
“I – I’m sorry,” she said, realizing Reed had just saved her life.
“This is a battle, no’ a friendly gatherin’. Now I’ll no’ tell ye again to get inside the cabin and stay there. I’ll no’ be able to save Duff if I have to keep lookin’ over my shoulder to save yer neck.”
“I wasna thinkin’. I’ll go right now. Dinna worry about me, just please save my brathair.”
Reed helped her to her feet and gave her a quick kiss. “I made ye a promise, Maggie, and I’ll die if I have to just to keep from breakin’ it.”
“Nay! Dinna die, Reed. Please – be careful.”
He turned and ran to help the others. The ship picked up pace and the cold wind whipped through her unbound hair. The birds circled the ship overhead calling out words of warning. She saw Reed stuff his weapon belt with additional weapons and hurry over to converse with his brothers. The Demon Thief had been reborn but, this time, their goal was not one of revenge. It was one of honor and purpose. They were working together as brothers, not as raiders. They were, once again, a family.
“Dinna worry about Reed.” Ross walked up with grappling hooks and ropes in his arms. “The boys are fearless in battle. I’ve taught them no’ to stop until they win. They’ll bring back yer brathair; I have no doubt.”
“They all have weapons, but my brathair doesna have one nor does he ken how to use one. That’s my fault.”
“I’ve seen him practicin’ the sword fight with Reed. Duff is a fast learner. He’s goin’ to be all right. Do ye have a weapon, Maggie?”
“Nay,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve never had a reason to carry one.”
“Here.” Ross gave her his dagger. “Ye’ll need a way to protect yerself if Muck and his crew come aboard.”
“I hadna thought of that.” She reached out and took the dagger with a shaky hand.
“Now do as Reed said and barricade yerself in the cabin. Yer presence on the deck will only distract the boys. They need to focus on the attack.”
“Aye, I will.” She took a step away, clutching the dagger. Then she turned back and reached up and kissed Ross on the cheek. “Thank ye,” she said. “I can see why Reed considers ye his real faither.”
* * *
The Rover gave chase as Muck tried to break away, taking the Sea Mirage over the waters at full sail, trying to outrun them. Reed stood atop the sterncastle with both his brothers, clutching his weapons, feeling the blood pulsing anxiously through his veins. He always felt this way before a raid, but this time things were different. Usually, he only thought about the bounty they’d steal from the king and how good it felt to make Edward suffer. Now, he felt as if his future depended on their ability to overtake the Sea Mirage and bring back Duff alive.
It wasn’t a selfish, vengeful game anymore. This was all about protecting the ones he loved – his family.
“Muck, you bastard, you won’t get away with this, that’s my ship,” Rowen ground out, yanking at the wheel and bringing his ship up aside the other.
“Was yer ship,” Reed reminded him.
“It’ll be mine again when I’m done.” Rowen had that pirate look in his eyes. It made Reed smile. Mayhap married life hadn’t made him as docile as he’d thought.
“Throw the grappling hooks,” shouted Rook, climbing to the top of the railing surrounding the sterncastle, getting ready to board the ship. “Surprise, surprise.” Rook laughed heartily, the joy of the fight glowing in his eyes. No matter how much his brothers tried to act like proper English knights, the fact was they were still rambunctious, fearless, uncontrollable boys in their hearts. It felt good to be back together again. The Demon Thief would live on – but as a new legend.
“I’m goin’ to the bowsprit,” said Reed, running down the stairs and rushing to the front of the ship. If he stood at the bow, he’d be the first to board the Sea Mirage. He would save the boy before Old Man Muck even knew he’d boarded.
“Get closer,” Reed shouted to his brother, holding on to the bowsprit and balancing on the edge as the Rover pulled up alongside the Sea Mirage.
“Throw the grappling hooks,” shouted Rook. The sound of metal hitting wood and the cries of battle thundered in the air as the ships were joined, giving them access to board. Reed jumped from the bowsprit onto the Sea Mirage, only to be greeted by twice as many men than he’d expected.
Rowen and Rook boarded just after him, the three of them fighting off the crew of the Sea Mirage. The sound of their clashing swords split the air.
“Yer crew of pirates seems to have grown since the last time I’ve seen them,” said Reed, taking down two of his attackers with ease.
“Half these men are not my old crew,” said Rowen, moving aside as a man rushed him. Rowen grabbed the man and flung him off the opposite side of the ship. The man shouted and kicked his arms and legs as he flew through the air and then splashed into the water. “I believe Muck took on a few mercenaries. Any of them look familiar to you, Rook?”
“Now that you mention it, aye some of them do.” Rook took a mercenary down with a punch and then held the tip of his sword to the man’s throat. “Funny meeting you here, Dexter,” he said to the man. “The last I knew you worked for me.”
“Muck is paying us,” spat Dexter. “We only left you because we don’t work for free.”
“I’m a lord and a knight now,” said Rook. “Did you know that?”
“So – you have money?” asked the man.
“Lots of it,” Rook told him, pressing the blade closer to the man’s skin.
“I’ll work for you, Lord Rook. Just don’t kill me.”
“I’m no longer in the market for mercenaries,” said Rook. “Therefore, I don’t believe there’s a need for you any longer.”
Reed saw that look in Rook’s eyes. He knew it well. Rook had the fire within him for war and he would kill the man without remorse.
“Wait!” Reed stopped him. He threw a punch to ward off his attacker and made his way to his brothers. “I have an idea.”
“Now’s not the time. I need to take back control of my ship. I’ve yet to see that coward, Muck,” spat Rowen.
“Now is exactly the time,” Reed explained. “Rowen, when Brody was captain, he’d convinced the pirates no’ to raid anymore because of his loyalty to ye.”
“Brody’s no longer here, thanks to you, Brother.” Rowen’s eyes lit up with fire, but Reed couldn’t blame him for being sore.
“If ye can convince the pirates to work with ye instead of against ye, and Rook can convince the mercenaries to work for him again instead of Muck, we’ll be able to take over the ship quickly and with the least amount of blood spill.”
“I don’t care about blood spill,” growled Rook. “These men betrayed me.”
“Nay, they left yer service because ye couldna pay them. They’re hired swords, Rook; it’s all they ken. Ye can no’ hold that against them.”
“Mayhap he’s got a point,” said Rowen. “Let’s try it. But first, I’m going to find that coward, Muck, and do what I should have done in the first place.”
They fought off a few more men as they spoke. “I thought ye didna kill Muck because he was yer family,” said Reed.
“Was, not is. I’ve changed my mind. I have a new family now,” Rowen told him.
“Reed, up here!” came a voice from above them.
Reed looked up at the basket to see Duff waving his hands above his head furiously.
“Stay there, lad. I’m comin’ to get ye.” Reed put the hilt of his dagger between his teeth and started up the rigging of the main mast. The battle continued around them as Duff leaned over the basket, waiting for Reed to save him. Then to Reed’s horror, an arrow whizzed over his head and embedded into Duff’s shoulder. The boy cried out in pain, falling over the edge of the basket. In one swift motion, Reed’s hand shot out and caught the boy.
“Reed! Help me,” cried Duff, hanging limply from one arm as Reed kept him from falling. A line snapped from above him almost hitting Reed in the face. He jerked out of the way just in time, but his dagger fell from his mouth to the ground.
“Hold on, Duff. I’ll get ye out of here.”
“I’m scared,” the boy told him, looking up helplessly with big, round eyes.
“Dinna be. I promised yer sister I’d bring ye back alive and that is just what I’ll do.” The loose line whipped at the air as the ship listed back and forth. “I’m goin’ to pull ye up, lad. As soon as ye’re able, I want ye to get on my back and hold on around my waist with yer legs and yer good arm.”
“I can’t,” said Duff, slipping back into the English way of speaking. Reed’s hand was wet with sweat and his grip slipped a little. Duff cried out in fear.
“Ye can!” he shouted. “Now start actin’ like a man instead of a boy. I thought ye wanted to be a Highlander.”
“I do.”
“Ye’re a poor excuse for a Highlander. Ye’ll never be anythin’ but an English milksop unless ye toughen up and stop bein’ so afraid.”
“I’m not a milksop and I’m not English,” said Duff, sounding very insulted.
“Then prove it. Do as I say and let’s get ye out of here. Maggie’s waitin’ for ye back on the other ship. Dinna let her down, Duff. No’ after everythin’ she’s done for ye. She loves ye. So do I.”
“You do?” Hope washed over the boy’s face.
“We’re family now that I’ve married yer sister. And family never gives up on each other. What do ye say? Are ye an English milksop or are ye a fierce Highlander, laddie?”
The look of fear left Duff’s eyes and a sense of pride washed over him. He reached up with his other hand and held on to Reed’s arm tightly.
“What are ye waitin’ for? Pull me up,” said Duff with a smile. “I may have an arrow in me, but that is no’ goin’ to slow me down. I’m a Highlander, so dinna ever forget it.”
“That’s the spirit,” said Reed, hanging on to the rigging with one hand and using all his might to pull the boy up with the other. As soon as he was close enough, Duff wrapped his legs around Reed’s waist. Once he was secure, Reed reached out for the loose line.
“Hold on tight, Duff. We’re goin’ for the ride of yer life.”
With Duff on his back, Reed held on to the line and swung down from the rigging.
“Eeeeee yaaaaaah!” shouted Duff, sounding like a Scot shouting his war cry going into battle. The battle continued below as Reed swung through the air, over to the Rover, landing with a thump on the deck of the other ship.
He reached back and removed Duff from his back.
“That was fun. Let’s do it again,” said the boy with excitement shining in his eyes.
“Get to the cabin and find yer sister,” said Reed. “She’ll take care of yer wound. I need to help my brathairs.”
“I’ll take him,” said Ross, limping across the deck to meet them.
Rowen and Rook climbed over the sidewall next.
“Your plan worked beautifully,” Rook told him. “The mercenaries stopped fighting and they work for me now.”
“I’ve taken back the Sea Mirage and the pirates answer to me now,” added Rowen. “But I’ve yet to find Muck or Lucky.”
“The cowards probably jumped ship.” Rook turned his back and a mercenary shot out of the shadows, his sword aimed right at Rook.
“Rook!” Reed shouted, going for his sword. But before he could do anything to help his brother, Ross drew his sword and sank it into the attacker’s heart.
“It looks like no’ all the hired swords got the message,” said Ross, pulling his blade from the mercenary’s chest and wiping off the blood on the man’s clothes.
“You saved my life, Ross,” said Rook.
“Of course. I told ye that even if I’m no’ yer birth faither, ye three will always be my sons.”
“Thanks.” Rook nodded. “I guess I’ve been a little too hard on you. Father.”
Maggie swore she heard her brother’s voice. Against Reed’s orders, she opened the door and walked out onto the deck to see what was happening. The sound of the clashing swords and the shouting had subsided and she figured the battle was over.
“Going somewhere, Wench?” Muck blocked her path.
She stopped in her tracks and tried to run back to the cabin, but Lucky was there, keeping her from seeking safety.
“Dinna hurt me,” she said holding up her hands.
“She sounds like a Scot now,” Lucky noticed.
“She’s more than that.” Muck chuckled and reached out and gripped her arm tightly. “She’s our ticket out of here alive.”
“Nay! Leave me alone.” Maggie struggled against him and then remembered the dagger Ross had given her that she’d stuck through her waistbelt. With her free hand, she ripped it from her side, but Muck saw it coming and knocked it from her hand. The dagger hit the deck and slid away from them.
“Maggie!” Duff cried out from the other side of the ship. She looked up to see her brother with Reed, Rowen, Rook, and Ross.
“Reed!” she cried out, longing for his help. But they were too far away. Now, Muck held her tightly with the edge of his sword pressed to her throat.
“Let her go, Muck,” said Reed. “She’s innocent.”
“She’s my ticket out of here,” said Muck. “Now throw down your weapons and back away while Lucky and I go back to the Sea Mirage.” He gripped Maggie tighter and made his way to the sidewall with Lucky at his heels.
“It’s too late, Muck,” said Rowen as the three brothers moved forward slowly. “I’ve taken back the Sea Mirage as well as the crew.”
“I’ve still got my mercenaries,” spat Muck, getting closer to the sidewall.
“Do you mean my mercenaries?” asked Rook. “They work for me now, Muck. Take a look for yourself if you don’t believe me.”
Maggie’s eyes shot over to the Sea Mirage to see that what the men had said was true. The crew had lowered their weapons and no one was fighting anymore. Reed’s Scots intermingled with them. Rowen’s English crew watched from the aboard the Rover.
“Damn you,” spat Muck. Maggie felt his grip slacken. She tried to break free, but his arm went around her waist as he pulled her close to him. She could smell the stench emanating from his body and see the dirt and blood on his arm. She wanted to be in Reed’s arms, protected. This was the worst possible situation because now the brothers would have to make another decision that would affect all their lives – all because she hadn’t listened to Reed and stayed in the cabin where she was safe.
“Let her go, Muck,” Reed warned again, taking another step closer. Ross stood behind the brothers, holding on to Duff. Maggie almost cried out when she saw the arrow sticking out of Duff’s shoulder. Still, Reed had brought him back alive, just like he’d promised.
“I’ll kill her, I swear I will,” said Muck, backing away as Reed crept closer. Then Reed looked upward and whistled. His red kite swept down from the sky, diving at Muck, clawing at his hair. Reed rushed forward and Maggie pushed out of his grip. Muck turned back to her with his sword held high. She raised her hand, closed her eyes, and screamed as he plunged it toward her chest.
She heard a grunt and then the sound of a sword hitting the deck. She opened her eyes to see Reed diving through the air for Muck, but he didn’t need to kill him. Muck fell to the ground dead, with a sword sticking out of his back. Then, to her surprise, she saw Lucky standing over his captain and best friend. He’d killed Muck to save Maggie’s life!