Cutlass (2 page)

The captain glared at Barren. “Stand down!” he snarled at his crew.

“Now, have all your men come on deck.” Barren waited while a crewmate hurried to the hatch and called for the men to come out. Slowly they filed onto the hot deck. Barren smiled at them. “Come on out, boys, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

He could tell by the looks on their faces they weren’t so sure. Some stared at him with wide eyes, others avoided eye contact altogether. They’d all heard the stories. No one sails from Maris without knowing their life might be ended by Barren Reed.

Luckily, the cries of the quartermaster kept anyone from protesting against Barren’s next command.

“Now, you can all be cooperative and drop your weapons in a pile at the center of the ship and move toward the helm or die a bit sooner.”

Without pause, the sound of metal crashing upon metal rang out against the deck as all the men followed Barren’s orders. He turned his attention back to the captain, who had not moved to follow Barren’s command. The pirate approached him and watched as the captain’s eyes grew a shade darker.

“Do you want me to make an example out of you?” Barren lifted his knife to the captain’s throat.

In response, the captain unbuckled his holster and removed his weapons.

“Take off your jacket,” Barren commanded. The pirate watched, amused, as the captain roughly pulled his arms from the coat and threw it on the ground. “Now, on your knees!”

The captain hesitated, and Barren became impatient. He kicked the back of the captain’s legs, and he landed on his knees hard. “Hands behind your head!” This time, the captain didn’t pause. Barren pulled a piece of rope from his pocket and secured the man’s wrists.

“Give me your name,” Barren demanded.

“Captain Jay Nelson,” the man managed to sputter—fear finally present.

“Jay Nelson,” Barren repeated. “You will forgive me—there can only be one captain aboard this ship.”

Barren’s lips moved into a thin smile when he saw the man’s jaw tighten. “You are brave to leave Maris. Your task must be of high importance.”

Jay did not respond to him, and by now the
Kendrick
rested before Maris’s cargo ship. A plank connected the two, and Barren’s crew filed on board. The twins came first, Natherious and Datherious, the most recognizable of the crew aside from Barren, because of their status as the Princes of the Orient. They were King Tetherion’s sons, and consequently Barren’s cousins. They had joined Barren’s crew only months before. Next, there was Slay the dwarf, unmistakable for his height and frizzy beard. In contrast to the short stature of Slay, Sam Taylor was tall and bulky, a dark man with dark eyes and black hair, twisted into long braids. Then there was Seamus, the oldest of Barren’s crew, marked by his shoulder-length gray hair. Finally, the rebel Prince of Aurum, the Elf, Leaf Tinavin, arrived at Barren’s side with his captain’s sheathed sword.

“Boys, you know what to do,” Barren’s instructions were simple, and he did not look away from the captain as he spoke. His crew set to work—inspecting barrels, opening wooden crates and confiscating weapons. All around them was the sound of shattering glass, metal weapons piling on metal weapons, and the crash of debris breaking the water.

“So, what special occasion has brought you to sea? I’ve seen no ships leave Maris for two weeks,” Barren asked the captain again.

“Spare us and we will tell no one we saw you,” Jay begged, but the words sounded forced.

“Spare you? Cowardly words, Jay. I don’t care that anyone knows you saw me—in fact, it is better that they know. I care that my brother still lives. A murderer unpunished for his crime. Do you think what my brother did was right, Jay?”

Barren watched Jay consider his words, and he was right not to answer quickly as so many had before him. The men who met the end of Barren’s blade had all been quick to denounce his father, Jess, proclaiming his death was deserved and that William was a hero.

“Do you?” demanded Barren.

“He-he was a pirate—”

“All pirates deserve death, is that right?”

It was then Jay set his jaw and met Barren’s gaze directly. “Jess Reed paid for his sins. As will you.”

Barren raised both his brows, observing Jay’s anger for a moment. Then his eyes went cold, and he drew his sword. Barren pointed the blade at Jay’s neck, handing the sheath to Leaf.

“You are not my judge,” Barren’s voice was quiet, and he aimed to strike.

“Barren, look what we found!”

Interrupted, Barren turned to see a couple of his mates clamber from the hatch at the center of the ship. They threw a leather bag at his feet, stuffed full of white envelopes.

Barren drove his sword into the deck of the ship, and stooped to pick one up. He studied it—this one was addressed to a woman from Arcarum, and the lettering was a beautiful, flowing script. The seal on the back was a wax circle with an “L” stamped into it—he broke it, and pulled out a white card with the same flowing script:

“The honorable Ambassador William Reed and Lady Larkin Lee request your presence Friday, 8:00pm at the Castle of Maris to celebrate their engagement.”

“An engagement party,” Barren muttered to himself. He did his best to smother the surprise and announced much louder, “My brother is getting married! And I wasn’t invited? I am hurt. Looks like I’ll be inviting myself then.”

Barren heard Jay chuckle. “You are a fool—they will be looking for you. You won’t have a chance!”

“You underestimate me.” Barren placed the invitation back in its envelope. “As is clear by your current predicament.”

“The lady is the daughter of Lord Christopher Lee—he’s very wealthy and powerful. You would do well to leave her alone.”

“I do not care whose daughter she is, nor do I care for her happiness. Besides, what happiness does my brother deserve when he destroyed all of mine?” Barren handed the invitation to Leaf, facing the Captain. “Now, you have two options: I will send you back to Maris, stripped of your clothing, or you can find your dignity at the end of my sword—your choice.”

This was the ultimatum offered to everyone Barren intercepted. Some chose the former and returned to Maris unscathed, but Barren never knew their fate once they left his hands. Some also chose the latter, believing they could take Barren and his crew easily, for he was young and his crew small.

Barren would much rather send them stripped of their pride…it was far less messy and more entertaining.

“Why, you insufferable scoundrel!” Jay said through his teeth. Clearly, he didn’t think either option was favorable.

“That was not an answer,” Barren chided. “Let’s see what your crew thinks.”

As he turned to head for the crew, Jay made his move. Tearing a sword from the hand of one of Barren’s unsuspecting crewmen, he attacked the young captain.

“Barren!” Leaf warned.

Barren turned quickly, blocking Jay’s blow. Their swords clashed, and suddenly, Jay’s crewmen found hope, as they charged for their weapons, crying for victory.

Barren fought fast and hard against the man who had challenged him. As with the others, Barren noted the man fought as if this battle would save his life—he fought with determination, with anger.

“I gave you a chance to live!” Barren cried. “What more could you have wanted?”

“Do you think those who return from your clutches live?” Jay scoffed. “If we are given a choice, we are to choose death!”

Now that was something Barren had not heard, and at those words, Jay fought harder. Barren blocked more blows than he delivered, for Jay did not relent, but Barren knew he would soon grow tired, and when he did, Barren took over. He might be young, but he was strong, and his father had taught him how to fight with a mixture of skill and ruthlessness.

Barren’s sword clashed with Jay’s and it loosened from his grip. Another blow, and it flew from his hands.

“You will answer for your sins!” Jay cried, just as Barren twisted and thrust his blade through the man’s stomach.

“This was your choice,” Barren whispered in his ear, pulling the blade from the captain’s stomach and pushing him away. He fell, blood trickling from his mouth.

Once the captain fell, the others seemed to lose their momentum, and fearing death themselves, surrendered.

“What do we do with the others?” Leaf asked.

“Set the sails ablaze and leave the rest. Let’s go.”

Barren’s crew set to work quickly, moving supplies to the
Kendrick
. The sails of the cargo ship were doused in oil and set ablaze. It would be no time before the flames were seen at the castle of Maris. Rescue ships would be sent out and search the area looking for Barren, but he and his crew would already be gone, hiding in the Cliffs, waiting for their next victim.

***

Barren stood on the deck of his ship, unable to tear his eyes from the billowing smoke in the distance. He was very troubled by this raid. If the words of the captain were to be believed, no one who encountered Barren Reed ever lived—even if he didn’t kill them himself.

And then the news that his brother was getting married had been very unexpected. Barren felt a deep sense of injustice. Why was everyone who had wronged him finding happiness? Why, when they deserved no such gift?

An icy feeling encased his heart as he remembered the day his father died. William, mad with hate, had rushed at their father after his back was turned, driving a long sword through his stomach. Jess had fallen and died where he landed. Barren never heard his voice again. He had no last words to hold onto, just the image of his father’s face, pale in death.

Leaf crossed the expanse of deck separating him from Barren, the invitation to the engagement party in his hand. He was as tall as his captain, and his blond hair fell in straight lengths over his shoulders. Despite all the time he spent in the sun, his skin was still ivory white.

“You want to attend your brother’s engagement party?” Barren glanced at the Elf—above his sea-green eyes, a pale brow was raised in question. He held out the invitation and Barren took it, leaning against the railing of the ship, his eyes tracing the outline of the letters.

“I would like to see what poor girl has been forced to marry William,” said Barren.

“I’m surprised they would consider having a party with you patrolling their coast,” said Leaf. “Doesn’t it seem suspicious?”

“Suspicious? It seems arrogant.”

“You can’t honestly think they don’t suspect you’ll make an appearance?”

“Not at the party. They’re going to expect me to attack ships—that is what I do.”

“And when you don’t? What then?”

Barren chuckled darkly. “My brother will think I am afraid.”

Leaf’s eyes narrowed. “But you obviously aren’t smart enough to leave them alone, so what aren’t you telling me?”

“If I had a plan, I would tell you,” said Barren. Leaf gave him a dull look and Barren gave in, letting out a short breath. “I am going to kidnap my brother’s fiancée.”

“Why do you deliberately search for trouble, Barren Reed?” Leaf folded his arms across his chest in disapproval. “Kidnapping is very serious and she is the daughter of a lord. You think you are invincible because people fear you, but I can guarantee if you take her, you will meet resistance.”

“I expect resistance,” said Barren. “I will hold her for ransom, this Larkin Lee, in exchange for a duel! I will finally have William in my grasp.”

“What makes you think William will agree to a duel in exchange for his fiancée?”

“Well he won’t just leave her with me, and he will be humiliated that I succeeded in kidnapping her,” said Barren. “He would come after me then—he would fight me.”

Leaf shook his head. “But he won’t fight you at sea. We all know that. Where does that leave the girl?”

Barren shrugged. “With the realization that she would have married a coward.”

“Her marriage to William is not about his cowardice, it is about marrying power with power. You should be careful of the enemies you collect.”

“Are you suggesting this girl could pose a threat?” Barren laughed, but Leaf was completely serious.

“You aren’t going to change your mind, are you?” Barren shook his head and Leaf sighed. “I will tell you that I don’t agree with this, and if you are to go through with it, you must follow the code. No harm can come to that girl unless she gives you reason.”

“I know what the code says, Leaf. I can handle this.”

“And your uncle will not be pleased,” he reminded Barren quickly after.

“No, but I never promised to make my family proud.”

Barren knew his uncle better than the public understood. After Jess’s death, Tetherion had sought Barren out before he’d turned to terrorizing Maris’ coast. Teth had tried comforting him and had given Barren two options: he could remain at Silver Crest and pursue his life as a pirate, or come to Maris and be taken in by the king, himself. Even then Barren had chosen his freedom as a pirate. It was at this point Tetherion had to explain how things would be from then on—that Tetherion would not be able to see him, that he may have to let William rise in ranks, even if what he had done was wrong.

“Very well,” Leaf sighed and gave him a hard look. “And how do you plan to
handle this
?”

“I’m not sure yet, I haven’t thought the rest out.”

Leaf shook his head. “I still think you are foolish, but if you really believe this will get you what you want, I will be glad to do something other than raid ships from Maris.”

Barren smiled. “Looks like this jacket will be more useful than I thought,” he held up what used to be Jay Nelson’s coat—it was red with gold buttons and threading.

“The notorious opponent of Maris, dressed as his enemy,” said Leaf. “You have reached a new low.”

Barren smirked.