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

  Turning, she waited for Quinn to cinch her up. “Oh, there are days I’ve thought of you, Callaghan, and wished I could dress as you do. When a woman needs to run, it appears to be a far easier thing to do in your attire than in mine. Now, tell me your plan. Grace is with you?”

  “Yes, ma’am, she is. Once we are removed from this island, there are scores of your people waiting to see you to safety.”

  To Quinn’s surprise, Mary’s eyes welled up with tears. “To think I must be freed by those not my kinsmen hurts my heart, Callaghan, but makes me no less grateful.”

  “Save your gratitude for now, Your Majesty. We have a gauntlet to run before we reach the boats.”

  Mary steeled her spine, her momentary emotions vanishing. “As you ken, Callaghan, I am a superior horsewoman. Get me a horse, and they’ll never catch me.”

  “You’ll have a horse, Your Majesty, and plenty of footmen to boot. Now, a George Douglas awaits us. He–”

  Mary clasped her hands together. “This is George’s doing? How wonderful.”

  “Aye. He is going to get us through the castle undisturbed. Then Grace and our men will escort you to the boats and across the lake, where you’ll meet up with plenty of loyal subjects.”

  “Lead on, Callaghan, my gallant Irish knight, and for once Mary Queen of Scots will follow.”

  True to his word, George knew every inch and every secret passageway of the castle. The halls were damp and dank, with water dripping down the sides to collect at pools at the bottom of the stone walls. Only once did someone see them, and it was a chambermaid loyal to the crown, so she said nothing.

  When at last they were outside of the castle, Mary did something few monarchs would ever do or had ever done before: She bowed to Grace O’Malley.

  “Words are insufficient, Grace O’Malley, Queen of Connacht, Chieftain of the O’Malley clan, and captain of the infamous Malendroke, but bless you for making the voyage and retrieving me from the their grasp. I kenned you would eventually repay your debt.”

  Grace nodded once. “A debt owed is a debt paid fer the O’Malley clan, Yer Majesty. Yer kindness to us is well remembered.” Grace lowered her voice. “As is that which ya showed me long, long, ago.”

  “We’ve been through it, haven’t we, Grace?”

  “Aye, Yer Majesty, we have.”

  “Have you boats, then?”

  “Aye. We will take our three plus three of theirs and head in six different directions. Followin’ an O’Malley is never an easy thing to do. If ya will come this way.” Grace headed for the patch of shore where they’d left the boats, and Quinn fell in step behind Mary.

  “Ya doona have to be so protective of her, laddie,” Tavish said, handing Quinn her belt, sword, and throwing knives. “She’s safe now.”

  “I’ll feel better once we hand her over to her people.” Taking the belt, Quinn put it on as they walked.

  “She has a long row to hoe, Callaghan, if she is gonna battle her cousin. That isna a fight ya Irish want to be a part of.”

  Quinn’s head swiveled around. “What are you saying?”

  Tavish lowered his voice. “I’m sayin’ ya’ve paid a debt, and now it’s time fer ya all to carry on. This battle with Elizabeth isna yer concern. Nor is it Grace’s. Live yer life, Callaghan, away from the politics of it all. We’re all just pawns, ennaway. Better to be a knight on yer own board, eh?”

  Quinn grabbed his arm and pulled him aside and away from the group. “What do you mean, Tavish? Are you planning on staying here?”

  Tavish smiled, his teeth showing through his red beard. “Ya doona need me to protect ya ennamore, lad. Yer a damn fine pirate who doesna need the hired help watchin’ yer backside. I’m needed here now. My people need me more’n yers do.”

  Quinn felt like she’d been punched in the gut, but her head knew what her heart didn’t wish to accept. “Yes, my friend, you are. I understand completely your desire to return, but you have to know I will miss you like I would miss my sword arm.”

  “No goodbyes, lad. Tavish doesna do those. Just ken, when the time comes fer those, it’ll not be when we’re surrounded by the crew.”

  As they made their way to the boats, Quinn felt a tiny piece of her heart break.

  She missed him already.

  * * *

  Once they made it to the boats without drawing a sword, Mary turned to Grace and bowed her head before pulling a scroll with her seal on it from her sleeve. “Might I be so bold, Captain O’Malley, as to ask one more favor of you?”

  “Of course.”

  Mary extended the scroll. “This needs to get to King Philip as soon as possible. If I have Spain’s backing, we just might yet defeat Elizabeth. We cannot allow the Protestants to gain a foothold on Europe. He kens this.”

  Grace took the scroll. “Should I also deliver the first message?”

  “No. This will do for now.”

  “Consider it done, then, Yer Majesty.”

  Nodding, Mary turned to George and took both of his hands in hers. “Your kindness will be rewarded, dear sir.”

  George grinned. “If I live that long.”

  “Oh, you shall. You must.” To Quinn, she said, “And once again, Callaghan, you have proven to be brighter than all the rest together.”

  “You are too kind, Your Majesty.”

  “Oh, that, I am not, but thank you. Now, Grace, I do not ken what your relationship is like with Philip of Spain, so I would prefer it if your friend here would be the one to deliver it. If a Scotsman delivers the message to Philip, it will more likely be accepted.” Mary raised an eyebrow at Tavish. “I have faith in you, kind sir, and your loyalty to the throne will one day be rewarded.”

  Tavish bowed. “As ya wish, Yer Majesty.”

  “Excellent. Then there is little else left to say except godspeed, Grace O’Malley. May you and your crew have the wind at your back and luck on your side.”

  With that, Grace and Quinn helped Mary into the boat.

  “Callaghan?” Grace began.

  Quinn shook her head. “No, sir. You need to be with her, just in case.”

  “Then meet us at Craigsmir, and we shall hand her over to the men Tavish collected. Tavish, how many did ya say ya managed to drum up?”

  “I didna, Captain, but it was well over two thousand.”

  Grace’s face was a mask, but Quinn knew she was shocked. She’d been on board the ship long enough to know when Grace wore a mask. “Verra well then. We give Her Majesty over to the troops and leave James to take the lead.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  “Let’s get these boats in the water,” Grace ordered, jumping into the larger of the six vessels. “Callaghan, ya and Tavish make quick work of it and get back to us. We leave with the troops at dawn.”

  When all boats were away, Connor spat into the water. “Bad business makin’ sailors fight on land.”

  “There won’t be a fight,” Quinn replied. “Captain is just gonna give the Queen over to her people, and we’ll make our way back to the ship.”

  Connor chuffed. “Yer daft, Callaghan, if ya don’t think Tavish’s little army didn’t get the attention of folks who’d like to see Mary kilt.”

  Quinn looked at Tavish, who nodded. “Country is divided, lad. Since her half brother was appointed regent, the Queen is without a throne. Fookin’ Protestant.”

  Quinn sighed. The world of politics Grace had sailed into wasn’t one she wanted to live in and certainly not one the crew belonged in. She would have to voice her concerns next time she was with Grace. “Tavish is right about one thing, Connor. This isn’t our fight. We need to get our crew back to the ship and get that letter to Philip so we can be done with this once and fer all.”

  “Ya sound a bit peeved there, Callaghan.”

  “This isn’t our battle, Connor.”

  “Not yet, but it will be once that bitch Elizabeth gets her hooks into Scotland.”

  “That could be a long way off.”

  “And it co
uld be in a year. The fact remains, Callaghan, Captain owed Mary, and that debt is paid. We’ll not be rushin’ to save her arse again.”

  Quinn could only hope that was true. The idea of fighting on land made her nervous. These men belonged on the water, and Quinn was certain that following Mary to safety wasn’t really an option. They needed to get back to the ship, deliver the letter, and then continue doing what they did best.

  The ride to the shore was a quiet one, and Quinn wondered if the crew was beginning to have doubts about Grace. So much had changed since she’d been imprisoned and heard the news about Tibbott stirring up trouble. She was edgier in some regards and calmer in others. If the crew refused to fight on land for a foreign monarch, what would that mean for Grace and the Malendroke?

  Quinn vowed not to let that happen. She would pull Grace aside and speak to her before this whole Scottish mess got out of hand.

  When they finally reached the shore, Quinn looked to the horizon. A few more hours before dawn was the perfect time to shepherd the crew back to the Malendroke and let these feuding cousins continue their quarrel.

  “S’on yer mind, lad?” Tavish said, lighting a lantern.

  Quinn lowered her voice as she spoke in Tavish’s ear. “We have to get out of here, Tavish. Irishmen do not belong in this battle. It’s time for us to take care of our own. This here? This is trouble we don’t need to borrow. We–”

  Quinn’s stopped when she noticed the three thousand faces staring at them through the darkness.

  “Jesus!” Connor hissed, searching for his sword.

  “Calm yourselves. These are my loyal, loyal subjects,” Mary said, opening her arms as if to embrace them.

  “Hail to the Queen of Scotland!” people cheered.

  Connor relaxed his grip. “Fer bloody sake, Tavish, ya coulda warned us.”

  “I didna ken what to expect when we returned. So... they’ve been recruitin’ more this whole time.”

  “And we shall accrue more and more as we fight for my rightful throne.” Mary waited for the crowd to quiet before turning to Grace. “I doubt we will see each other again, warrior-queen. If so, one of us will not make it out alive.”

  “But Yer Majesty, we’ve seen worse odds together, have we not?”

  “You have done more than enough, my friend. You can best help me now by delivering that message to King Philip and continuing to harass Elizabeth’s ships.”

  “Are ya certain ya’d rather we not–”

  “I am quite sure. I have seen pirates fighting on land, and it’s a bit like watching a fish out of water. I owe you my life, Grace O’Malley, and quite possibly the crown that goes with it. Godspeed to you and yours, and ken if there is ever something that Scotland can give to you, we are forever in your debt. Go now, while the darkness can shield you.”

  “They’ll never make the bay afore sunup,” one Scotsman said.

  “We’ve got plenty of horses, Your Majesty. We can get them to the coast and back again.”

  Mary turned to Grace and held both of her hands in hers. “I cannot thank you enough, Grace. You have repaid me time and time again, and your kindness will forever be remembered. Be well, my friend, and thank you.”

  With that, Grace, Quinn and all the crew hopped on the backs of horses and held on for dear life as they rode like the wind back to their ship, back to the water, back to their home.

  * * *

  I’ve never been as happy to be back on the water as I am at this moment.

  Once we said our goodbyes to the Queen, we rode hard and fast to the shore, where we grabbed our boats and made our way to the Malendroke.

  We celebrated with a couple of roasted pigs Murphy had managed to procure from an earlier trip to the mainland. The usual drinking and merriment followed as Grace toasted to a job well done, but I was too exhausted to stay and participate in the revelry, so I ducked out the first chance I got.

  I wasn’t the only one, either.

  Connor followed me out and practically begged me to talk to Grace. He said he has a bad feeling about us being involved with Mary and that we ought to cut our ties and be done with it.

  I can’t say I disagree with him.

  I do not know whether or not Mary has enough support to regain and keep her throne, but I do know we would be wiser to stay out of Spain’s way. The Spanish put more galleons on the water than anyone, and it is never advisable to create a foe who can out sail you.

  I’ve no idea if Philip will heed Mary’s call, throw us all in prison, or laugh in our faces, but I do know the men want nothing more to do with this game of political chess.

  Nor do I.

  I just think...

  “Callaghan. A word.”

  Quinn closed her journal and followed Grace to her quarters.

  Grace closed the door but did not motion for Quinn to sit, nor did she offer any whiskey or wine.

  “I’ve sailed with these blokes long enough to know when they’re speakin’ behind my back. What’s happenin’ with the crew?”

  Quinn cleared her throat, unsure if she should tell the truth to a very drunk Grace O’Malley.

  “The men want no more of Mary’s influence in our lives.” The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

  “Oh, do they now?” Grace’s words were tight and cold.

  Quinn remained silent.

  “Do ya, Callaghan?”

  Feeling trapped, Quinn slowly nodded. “Once we deliver the letter, I say be done with Mary, with Elizabeth, and with Scotland. We need to return home and be ready to defend Ireland from all of them.”

  Grace put her hands on the back of a chair and leaned on it. “Z’at so? Ya don’t think it’s wise to have a monarch as an ally?”

  “I’m not certain Mary will ever be a monarch again, sir. It was one thing when Elizabeth and the English were her only enemies, but now her people have turned on her. If you think you are dealing with a monarch, I suggest you rethink that notion.”

  Grace glared at her a long time before pushing off from the chair. “Ya think I’ve chosen the wrong side.”

  “I think, sir, that there is only one side to be concerned with, and that’s the Malendroke’s side—our crew’s side. I think the men feel as if you are not putting them first anymore.”

  “Horse shite, Callaghan! I always put my crew first.”

  “I know you do, but sending us off in pursuit of a regent who is not ours, whose choices and decisions do not reflect back on us, says otherwise.”

  Grace opened her mouth to reply, then closed it. For a long time, she just stared at Quinn in the flickering of the lantern.

  The sun was coming up, and the ship had become very quiet.

  “Thank ya fer yer honesty, Callaghan. Most wouldn’t be so bold as to tell the truth.”

  “Well, the truth is that I love this crew. Several are my best mates. I know you’d never really jeopardize us or the ship in someone else’s affairs. Let’s deliver this letter and be done with it, Captain. We no longer owe Mary or Scotland a debt.”

  “Ya don’t think I oughtta toss the letter in the water?”

  “If you’re acting as a captain whose crew is muttering about going to Spain, I’d say toss it overboard and be done with Queen Mary. However, if you’re acting as a woman who has been asked by another for aid, I’d say we ought not ever turn our backs on a woman in need.”

  Grace shook her head. “Damn ya to hell, Callaghan, how is that supposed to help me?”

  “Look in your heart, Captain. The answer lies there.”.

  * * *

  “As yer captain, I hear ya even when ya don’t speak, and I know some of ya question why I’d take this letter to Spain.” Grace started to hold up the scroll, but the winds started picking up. “I am an O’Malley, plain and simple, and without my word, I am nothin’. We go to Spain to deliver Mary’s letter because I gave her my word. Now I give ya mine. Once we deliver this to the king, we are done with Mary and Elizabeth, and we will return to doi
n’ what we do best: pillagin’ and plunderin’!”

  The crew erupted in cheers, whistles, and sword banging.

  “Just understand, ya scallawags, that an O’Malley’s word is ironclad, and I’ll not go back on mine even fer the likes of ya.”

  More cheering and sword banging.

  “So here is what we’re gonna do. We’ll keep the ship a good ways off the Spanish coastline so we don’t have to worry so much about other ships comin’ into the bay. We’ll take three of the boats into the bay so it is clear to everraone we are not actin’ aggressive. Ya will get yer boat assignments from Callaghan, O’Rourke, and yers truly. The rest of ya are to stay on board with Innis and protect the ship. We’re takin’ a small land party. Enna questions?”

  Murphy raised his hand. “Captain, how long do ya think ya will be on land?”

  Grace shrugged. “A week. No more. King Philip is practically in the middle of Spain. It’s why I’m leavin’ sea dogs like ya on the ship. If ya cannot ride, ya don’t go. It’s that simple.”

  The crew shook their heads and grumbled.

  “Oh, fer cryin’ out loud,” Quinn said. “They’re horses, not monsters.”

  Grace laughed. “The only monsters will be on the horses. Verra well then, on to Spain, gentlemen. Once we have delivered Mary’s message and returned to the ship, we’re gonna slip south a bit toward those Moroccan women yer all so fond of. How does that sound?”

  Roaring and thunderous applause was their reply.

  “Good. Now get back to work.”

  When Quinn turned to leave, Grace grabbed her shoulder.

  “Ya took a big risk in my quarters, talkin’ to me like that.”

  “Like what? Honestly? Truthfully? I’m no yes-man, Captain. I assume when–”

  “Ya were right, Callaghan. So before ya step all over yer tongue, I just wanted to thank ya fer yer courage. If I’d wanted a yes-man, I’d have called Innis in.”

  Quinn chuckled. “Yes, sir.”