Fire in the Hole (The Plundered Chronicles Book 3) Read online

  “Yes. Your loyalty to your childhood friend, he said, changed how he viewed you. Slowly, you went from being a job to being his friend to becoming his family.”

  “I became his... sister.”

  Maggie smiled. “Yes, dear, you did. Somewhere along the way, you became his family. Not the crew or the ship. You. He risked his life because the boob believes you are the better person, and because he had faith that”—she changed to a Scottish accent—“‘If ennaone could get us oota here, it’s me, laddie.’” Maggie sighed. “His laddie. So he spent the night regaling me with your exploits. Is it true he can knock a man out with one punch?”

  This made Quinn smile through tear-stained cheeks. “Aye. The man is an ox.”

  “That he is, or he’d be dead. So here’s the message I was tasked to deliver.” Maggie sat up and took Quinn’s hand. “He said he wished he could be half the man you are, and that no matter what, you are to stay a pirate. With or without Grace O’Malley, you belong on the deck of a ship.”

  “I know. He told me. I didn’t–”

  “Not done. He said to tell you it pained him to see you loving Fiona because you deserved better. Tell him, he said, that there are a million fish in the sea, and it’s high time you started throwing the small fish back.” Maggie squeezed Quinn’s hand. “And still, he refers to you as a man. I suspect he always will.”

  Quinn hadn’t realized that she’d been caressing Tavish’s head the whole time.

  “So if you’re thinking of taking him back to Scotland, think again. You are the only family he has now, Callaghan, and as Ruth said, whither thou goest, so goeth your Scotsman.”

  Wiping her face, Quinn rose. Becca had said the same thing to her not long ago. “Thank ya fer that. But mostly, thank ya fer takin’ such good care of him.”

  “Well, you see, he made me a deal. He had so much faith in you. He said, ‘When Callaghan comes to free ya, promise me ya will take care of the lad.’ Taking care of you, dear, means keeping him alive. For so long as Tavish lives, your life will find safe harbor.”

  As Quinn started up the stairs, she turned back to Maggie. “That’s not why ya’ve worked day and night to keep him alive, is it?”

  A slight blush crept up Maggie’s neck and to her cheeks. “Bravo, Callaghan. You are as astute as he said you were.” Rising, Maggie kissed Quinn’s cheek. “But no, that’s not why. I’ve worked so hard over him for the very simple fact that somewhere along the way, I fell in love with him.”

  * * *

  As they prepared to launch the boats to the island of Granada, Quinn stood next to Sayyida and asked without looking at her, “So why are we here?”

  “Many of my people here are rising up against King Philip’s horrific Inquisition. As the Christians have gained a stronghold here, my people’s lives have been diminished. Philip refuses to allow the speaking of Arabic or the learning of it. Even Moorish names are forbidden. Last year, he issued a decree of intolerance to all of the Moorish and Islamic culture. Our books have been destroyed, our statues broken and defiled. Even our clothing must be of Christian design. His intention is clear: He is trying to stamp us out. We are here to aid the Moriscos in their rebellion, to kill as many of these infidels as we can. The only thing these people truly understand is an eye for an eye. We are here to take that eye, to send a message to the whole of Christendom that we’ll not roll over and die. We will not be victims of their church.”

  “So ya are goin’ butcherin’?”

  Sayyida whirled on her. “These are unreasonable people, Callaghan. You cannot reason with a donkey as it kicks your teeth in. You must put it down so the other donkeys know what will happen if they try it. Stay here if you do not have the stomach for it.” Sayyida turned and stormed off.

  “She’s right, Callaghan,” Kwame said from behind her. “Religious wars have no victors. All we can hope to do is thin the herd.”

  Quinn looked over at Fitz and One Eye.

  “They would do the same to us as they did to Connor,” Fitz said. “And ya know it.”

  “Fine. But no women’s or children’s blood on our swords. Is that clear?”

  “Aye.”

  “We stay together, we fight together, and with everra slash of our swords we understand that it’s fer Connor and Tavish. We fight to right the wrongs done to our men. The rest of this holy war is not our business right now. Fair enough?”

  They all nodded.

  * * *

  Three hours later, Quinn wondered if Sayyida had bitten off more than she could chew.

  The hills and villages burned as the War of the Alpujarras scorched the far southern side of the island. This island was rockier than the other, but Quinn could see there was a jungle entrance in the distance.

  Quinn and her crewmates followed Sayyida to a secret meeting in the Valle de Lecrín, where Sayyida and one of the Morisco leaders, Aben Humeya, got the mountain people to join the revolt. Here at this meeting, Quinn began to understand the depths of what the Spanish were attempting to do to their own people.

  The Moriscos were “New Christians,” Moors who were forced to convert to Christianity or risk exile.

  Forced.

  “The marquis of Mondejar is leading his army straight up here to try and free the Christians we’ve taken as prisoners,” Sayyida announced, her eyes bright with anticipation.

  Quinn thought back to years ago when her friend Shea had been held prisoner as a slave. At one point, Grace had ordered Quinn to kill everyone on board.

  She had disobeyed that order.

  She did so because she refused, then, to murder people who were not a threat to her or the crew.

  “Why are they prisoners, Sayyida?”

  She looked at Quinn as if she were stupid. “Because they are Christians.”

  “Then that makes ya no better than they.”

  “Callaghan, I appreciate your moral dilemma, but those same folks we’ve locked up would do to us what was done to your Scot. They are not innocent.”

  “Neither are they guilty of ennathin’ but their beliefs.”

  Sayyida growled something to her brother Nodal before stepping closer to Quinn. “I have neither the time nor the inclination to get you to understand, sweet one. Since you clearly do not support what we are doing, I have asked my brother to escort you back to the ship.”

  Quinn opened her mouth to fire off a retort, but Fitz stepped in between them.

  “I think that’s fer the best, don’t ya, Callaghan?”

  Quinn took a step away from Sayyida. “Aye. This is not our fight, and we won’t kill people just because they are Christian.”

  “Then you are a fool, my love. For history, their very own history shows what bloodshed and brutality they are capable of.” Sayyida turned away. “But then, you’ve never been displaced from your home. I shall see you at the ship, if Allah is willing.”

  After everyone but Nodal left, Quinn released the breath she had been holding. “Thank ya, Fitz. That was about to get ugly.”

  “Aye, Callaghan. That is one stubborn woman. Maybe even more than Captain O’Malley. Ya won’t get her to see ennathin’ other than what she wants to see.”

  “Then it looks like it’s time we find another way home.”

  Fitz and One Eye stared at her. “Home? We’re leavin’?”

  “As soon as Tavish can walk, yes, we are leavin’. We’ve lost enough men already, don’t ya think? This is not our fight. I won’t put ya at risk ennamore, boys. The moment Tavish is well enough, we’re gonna find our way outta here.”

  * * *

  It took another week before Tavish was finally allowed off his stomach. He was stiff, sore, and grumpy, but when Kwame and Fitz helped him sit up, his spirits brightened.

  “Don’t you ruin all my hard work by acting the fool,” Maggie chastised him, waving a finger in his face. “Or I’ll keep you drugged for another two weeks. Do we understand each other?”

  Tavish grumbled a reply in Scottish.

 
Quinn examined his back. It would be horrifically scarred for the rest of his life, but at least he still had a life. Maggie had done the impossible and kept the inevitable at bay.

  “Fine. Fine,” Tavish growled. “Would ya all mind givin’ me and the lad a moment? Then I gotta get up top to feel the wind in me face.”

  When everyone left, Quinn stood in front of Tavish. He’d lost a great deal of weight, and his cheeks looked like he was sucking them in.

  “It’s time to go home, laddie.”

  Quinn folded her arms and waited.

  Tavish stared down at his broken hand. “I’d do it all over again, lad, if I kenned it would keep ya safe.”

  Quinn put both her hands on his shoulders and stared into his blue eyes. She was surprised to see tears in them.

  “I... I thought we were going to lose you. Your body... it... it... ” And that was when all the fear, all the pain, all the worry came to a head in Quinn’s chest, and she bowed her head and wept.

  Tavish folded her into a hug. “Me body was broken, but me spirit they couldna touch. I kenned ya’d save me if I could just stay alive long enough.” Tavish slowly pushed Quinn away. “Ya done good, Callaghan. I ken yer heartbroken about Connor. He was a good man... a great man. He didna deserve to die that way. So ya just gotta live fer the lad.”

  Quinn wiped her eyes. “You think we should have stayed to slaughter those people?”

  Tavish shook his head. “No, lad. Ya made the right decision comin’ back. Believe that. We’re pirates, not murderers, and whatever is happenin’ on the bloody island isna our affair.” Tavish gently eased himself off the table.

  Quinn was at his side in a flash. “Easy there, old man.”

  Tavish chuckled. “Ya say it now cause ya have me at a disadvantage.”

  Quinn put his meaty right arm around her shoulder. “You best do what Maggie told you. I have a feeling she can follow through with her threats.”

  “Och, aye. That woman makes Captain O’Malley look like a softy.”

  Quinn started to say something about Maggie’s obvious affection, then thought better of it. It was not her story to tell. “When you’re ready, Tavish, we need to leave this place as soon as possible.”

  “Lad, we needed to be gone yesterday. I didna live through one torture only to land in another one of Philip’s chambers. The gods doona want me yet–that much is clear.”

  When they got to the top deck, Tavish stopped, closed his eyes, and turned his face to the sun.

  “My god, I wasna so sure I’d ever feel the sun on me face again. Ya done good, Callaghan, real good.”

  Maggie, One Eye, Fitz, and Kwame all joined them.

  “Tavish says he can go,” Quinn said to the group, her eyes looking to Maggie for some sign of agreement.

  Maggie said nothing.

  “We need a ship,” Fitz said, looking around. “But I don’t see one we can nab... unless... ”

  Quinn shook her head. “Sayyida al Hurra is not a woman who would look kindly upon us takin’ her ship. We would make an enemy fer life..”

  “We got no coin. We got no trade. We gotta whole lotta nothin’,” One Eye said. “There’s but one ship to take.”

  Quinn felt the heaviness of truth settle on her. “Listen, I know we could go along the coast, but Tavish isn’t ready fer a horse or even a carriage. Too bumpy and hard a ride.” Once again, she looked for confirmation from Maggie.

  This time, Maggie spoke. “Callaghan is correct. The roads will be too harsh for Tavish, but the sea? Much smoother.”

  “Then let’s get the hell outta here,” Fitz said. “I don’t mind sayin’ that bein’ this close to Philip and his inquisitors makes me verra nervous.”

  “I’m with Fitz,” One Eye said. “If Red here can hobble his arse to the rowboat, I say we take it and leave within the hour.”

  Tavish pulled his arm out from around Quinn’s shoulder and grabbed the side of the ship. “Lower the boat with me in it. ’Tis the easiest way.” To Quinn, he said, “Time to leave, lad. Tell her crew we have her permission to take the boat.”

  Quinn shook her head. “No. We take it when it is dark.”

  Fitz sucked in air. “Take it? Callaghan, we don’t know this coastline. That could be the death of us.”

  “We can’t afford to have them tell us ‘no’. We need that boat, and we’re gettin’ it tonight. In the meantime, scavenge as much as ya can as quietly as ya can. We’ll take the aft boat. Fill it with as much as it will carry. Maggie, ya make sure ya have everrathin’ ya need to keep Tavish healthy.”

  Maggie tapped her chin with her finger. “I think I have exactly what we need to make a clean escape.” She started for the stairs and turned back, hand on the rail. “You fellas hold tight a moment. There is a chance we can leave without issue, and we may not even have to worry about rowing down the coastline in those tiny boats.”

  When she disappeared below, Fitz looked to Quinn. “What’s that about?”

  Shrugging, Quinn half grinned. “No idea, but I’m sure we’ll find out.”

  * * *

  “Druggin’ the crew with yer stew was brilliant,” Fitz said as he took the wheel from Quinn.

  Maggie sat with Tavish lying across her lap. She had made a stew using ingredients she’d put Tavish to sleep with. When the crew was out, Quinn had loaded them on two rowboats and had Fitz and One Eye row them to shore to dump them off. It was a laborious task, but Quinn knew she could not have them on the ship to cause problems.

  “Gotta hand it to ya, Callaghan,” One Eye said when they returned. “Smoothest escape from a woman ever.”

  Quinn held a lantern up at the bow of the ship, never taking her eyes off the water. “Sayyida will be none too happy to have lost her ship as well as us, but it’s time we got back to our lives.”

  Fitz kept his hands on the wheel of the ship. “Aye. It’s been almost a month since that storm. Our families will believe we died in it. The captain will be sorely disappointed in us, and the crew must be grievin’ fer their loss.”

  “Not to mention we’ve just stolen the ship of a notorious pirate who will gut us like a fish if she ever finds us.”

  “So what’s the plan? ”

  “Now we head fer Scotland,” Tavish said.

  Everyone, including Quinn, looked at Tavish.

  “I’m no good to ennaone in Ireland right now, lads. I’ll only hold ya down. If it’s all the same to ya, I’d rather go home.”

  Fitz stared at Quinn. “One or two more days won’t make a difference, Callaghan.”

  “Besides,” One Eye added. “Red is right. His big arse will only slow us down.”

  Quinn held the lantern over Maggie and Kwame.

  “I’ll escort him to wherever he wishes to go in Scotland, Callaghan,” Maggie replied. “The less we move him about, the better.”

  “I need to mend. Then I need to see if me hand is gonna remain lame. I’m no help to ya in this condition, lad, and I’d rather not be a burden to ya.”

  Quinn felt a small crack in her heart. “Ya’d never be a burden, dear friend. Then to Scotland it is. Kwame? What would ya prefer?”

  “If you don’t mind, Callaghan, I’d like to assist Maggie in getting Tavish home safely.”

  “As ya wish, then. We are bound first fer Scotland, where the two of ya will take Tavish home. The other three of us will then strike out for Clew Bay in the hopes that Grace and the crew are there or will return shortly.” Turning back around, Quinn held the lantern up once more. With her back to the men, she allowed a single tear to fall.

  She missed the big Scot already.

  * * *

  We have stopped for a few days in Gibraltar, which is quiet and peaceful. Maggie and Tavish took walks to get his strength back, and she worked for hours daily on his fingers and hand.

  That woman really put him through his paces, to be sure, never letting him act the sissy or quit early.

  I’m pretty certain love is blossoming under the Moroccan sun, th
ough I am unsure Tavish is even aware of it. Poor dolt. Fitz teases him ceaselessly, and their friendship has grown immensely. This odd time together has certainly strengthened our bonds.

  For his part, One Eye has spent his days at the dock foraging for news of the Malendroke. He feels almost too anxious, as if he cannot stand the notion that Grace thinks us dead.

  It has been fascinating watching Kwame here where so many Moors live. No one bats an eye at his skin color, and he walks with his head held high. I finally found the nerve to ask him about Shea, and his response surprised me some.

  He said he, too, was a creature of the water, and while he could and did love Shea, she deserved a man who was comfortable on the land and belonged to it. He does not.

  Which brings me to myself.

  I have learned so much—about life, about myself—but the truth is, I have never been more apart from myself than I am now. I have been lost a long time, and though I know where I belong, I do not know who I really am.

  For what does one do when a temporary mask becomes a permanent identity?

  That’s how I’d been feeling this past year or so, but when I realized why Tavish put himself in harm’s way for me, I understood how my being female was a liability. That lovely Scotty had his skin flayed from his body to protect me from the same sexual abuses I’m certain Maggie suffered through.

  Knowing that has changed everything.

  So as I sit and watch Maggie and Tavish talk to each other like an old married couple, I find myself yearning for that which I doubt I shall ever have.

  And the unfulfilled desire is slowly breaking my heart.

  I do know this much: Once we take Tavish home to mend, I have my own healing to do. I have suffered losses I haven’t allowed myself to feel, and that is never wise. I need to weep for the loss of Connor. I need to cry for my relationship with Evan that never really was. I need to close my eyes and open my heart to see if I can find myself once again.

  Right now, today, I am pirate Kieran Callaghan. But what happened to Quinn Gallagher, and what do I do if she, like Connor, is truly dead?