Eight hours later and just when Reed was starting to think they took a wrong turn and would never get out of the catacombs, a light glimmered in the distance.
“I think we’ve found it,” said Murray rushing forward excitedly.
Reed’s hand shot out and grabbed his friend by the wrist. “Use yer head, friend. We might be walkin’ right into another trap.”
“We’re allies of the MacKeefe Clan,” said Gair. “They willna harm us.”
Reed was so tired and hungry he could barely think straight. Grateful for the food and ale Calliope had given them, it still hadn’t been enough to sate the appetites of three full-grown Scots. What he needed was a heaping helping of haggis and some Mountain Magic – the MacKeefe’s unique brew of potent whisky. “We need to be cautious. Douse the light.”
“But what if we need it again?” asked Gair. “We’ll have no way to relight it.”
“Just do it. I’ll go up ahead and scout things out.”
“We’ll all go,” said Gair.
“Fine. We’ll all go. But still, no torch light.”
After the torch had been extinguished, Reed led the way with the tip of his sword. Sure enough, Calliope’s directions were correct. He could see the entrance of a castle’s dungeon up ahead. A torch flickered in the dungeon and, as they stepped inside, Reed saw two men in a cell. He didn’t think much of it, but as he passed by, one of the men jumped to his feet.
“Reed, you son-of-a-jackal, let us out.”
Reed’s head snapped around to see Lucky Dog – one of Rowen’s pirates gripping the bars of the cell door.
“Lucky?” he asked, knowing that Rowen had put two of his crew behind bars for trying to cause mutiny on the ship.
“It’s me and Muck,” said the man. His eyes were sunken on his face and he looked very gaunt. Old Man Muck stood up next. He was the eldest of the pirate crew and also the brother of the man who stole and raised Rowen.
“He’s one of the triplet bastards.” A stream of spittle shot from Muck’s mouth through the bars. “He won’t help us, so don’t waste your dying breath.”
“You’ve got to help us, Reed, please,” begged Lucky. They were both ugly-looking pirates. They stank like rum, urine, and the sea. Their teeth were rotten and blackened. Lucky had a long scar right across his throat, given to him by Rowen years ago. It had cut his vocal chords and Lucky sounded ghastly when he spoke.
“Why hasna Rowen done anythin’ with ye two by now?” asked Reed curiously. These men had been put here right before Rowen was married and made his alliance with the king.
“He’s going to kill us,” said Muck. “Don’t tell me that surprises you?”
“Kill ye,” repeated Reed, feeling his anger flare.
“We’ve done you no wrong, now let us out,” Lucky continued. He fingered the scar across his throat. “I don’t take a fancy to swinging from the end of a rope.”
“Well, mayhap ye’ll get lucky once again and this time be beheaded.” Reed had no time for this and continued forward.
“They’re running like frightened lassies,” Muck growled, causing Reed to stop dead in his tracks. “They won’t help us because they are scared.”
“Wanna bet?” Reed turned back to the man. “I usually wouldna think twice about lettin’ someone like ye out of the cell, but mayhap we can make a deal after all.”
“Reed, no,” warned Gair. “Rowen won’t like it.”
“Then all the better that I do it,” said Reed with a smile. “Ye were put in here because ye were tryin’ to take over the ship, right?” Reed asked Muck.
“That ship belonged to my brother!” Muck gripped the bars of the cage tightly. “I should have been captain of the Sea Mirage, not Rowen.”
“I’ll give ye a chance to do just that if ye’ll convince the crew to raid with us again,” said Reed.
“They’re cutthroat pirates; I won’t have to ask twice.” Muck chuckled.
“It seems since Brody is now the captain, they’re no’ so cutthroat anymore. They refuse to raid with us and Brody willna let his crew do anythin’ against Rowen.”
“Then I’ll kill Brody first,” said Muck nonchalantly. “With him out of the way, I assure you the crew will do what I tell them. So . . . are we going raiding against Edward again?”
“Nay,” answered Reed. “We dinna have enough men.”
“What about Rook’s men?” asked Lucky.
“The mercenaries have all gone their own ways and Rook is marryin’ as well.” Gair supplied the information. “We have only the Scots left.”
“Fools. All of them. Let me out and I’ll help you,” said Muck. “The guard went to the garderobe and left the key hanging on the wall.”
Reed thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “All right. I’ll let you two out. You can take the catacombs back to Naward and then head over to the coast. Just look for the X’s etched into the walls, and you’ll find your way back by tomorrow morning.” He headed over to get the keys.
“Reed, dinna do it,” pleaded Gair, adjusting the pack on his back. The golden chalice fell out once again, and landed with a thunk on the cold, stone floor.
“What’s that?” Muck’s eyes lit up.
“We’ve brought a few things with us from Rook’s lair since he no longer needs them,” said Murray. “Rook’s goin’ to be a knight and have more wealth than ye can imagine.”
“Enough,” said Reed, coming back with the keys. He didn’t trust Muck or Lucky and didn’t want to give them any more information than necessary. “Just secure the Sea Mirage and meet us at the MacKeefe camp back in Scotland. We’ll head back and get our crew ready. We’ll raid Rowen first since his castle is closer to the port.” Reed put the key in the lock and turned it. Lucky pushed the door open from behind Muck, almost taking him to the ground as he stumbled.
“We’ll do that,” said Lucky. “We need food and ale. Give us some.”
“We’ve only got a little ale left and a few crumbs, but ye’re welcome to it.” Reed tossed the food bag to Lucky. “Now get goin’ before ye’re discovered missin’.”
Muck’s eyes were fastened to the golden chalice as Gair picked it up.
“We’ll need some new clothes and a couple of horses. Give me that cup and I’ll sell it for coin,” said Muck.
“That chalice is worth a lot more than a couple horses and clothes on yer back,” said Gair, holding it closer to his chest.
“The chalice, or I won’t bring the ship to you once I commandeer it,” said Muck.
Reed had half a notion the man wouldn’t do so anyway but, at this point, he didn’t have another choice. “Give him the chalice, Gair.”
“But Reed,” protested Gair.
“Just do it.”
Gair handed the golden chalice to Muck, but Reed scooped it up before he could take it. “There’s just one more part of this bargain,” said Reed.
“What?” asked Muck.
“Ye can get rid of Brody, but I dinna want ye to kill him.”
“What? Why not?” asked Lucky.
Muck wiped dirt from his brow and answered instead. “Because the fool is afraid that Brody’s death will anger Rowen.”
That was exactly what it was, but why should Reed even care? He wanted revenge against his brothers. But he also knew how close Rowen was with Brody. If Reed had Brody killed, it wouldn’t sit right with him. Brody had always been kind to Reed. And he had grown up with Rowen, also being a captive of the pirates. Nay, he didn’t want Brody to die.
“Ye do as I say or I’ll put ye both back in the cell right now,” said Reed through gritted teeth.
“All right, all right. Now give me the chalice.” Muck waited with an outstretched hand.
Hesitantly, Reed passed it over to him. “Don’t dare betray me or I’ll hunt ye down and have yer head,” warned Reed.
“You won’t have to.” Muck stuck the chalice in the travel bag. “I’m not a traitor like your two brothers.”
Muck took a lit torch from the wall. He and Lucky disappeared without so much as a thank you.
“Do ye think ye did the right thing?” asked Murray, as the three of them stood there staring at an empty cell.
“How are ye goin’ to explain their escape to the MacKeefes?” asked Gair. “They might be so mad that they’ll put us in the cell instead.”
Reed hadn’t considered that option. He’d been so hell-bent on getting a raiding army together to go up against his brothers that he’d made another reckless decision. The MacKeefes were their friends and their new family. By releasing the prisoners, they might be accused of going against the MacKeefes and their alliance would be broken. If that happened, Ross would never forgive Reed. And if Reed lost Ross – the man he knew as his father for the first half of his life - then he will have lost his entire family.
“We willna tell them,” said Reed. “We willna even let them ken we were here. The guard’s no’ here and no one has seen us. We’ll sneak out of here and away from Hermitage Castle and back to the Highlands.”
“But what are they goin’ to say when they find out Muck took over the ship?” asked Murray.
“The next time I see Muck, I’ll just slip him some extra coin to keep his mouth shut. Now come on. We need to get away from Hermitage Castle and back to the Highlands where we belong.”