From the corner of her eye she saw Earl Sinclair’s hand go to his sword hilt but before he could move, Alice Brewer strode over. “That would be a mistake. She’s not just any member of the Order, she’s Conall Sinclair’s woman. If we kill her now, we lose our bargaining advantage.”
Snarlsson raised an eyebrow at Alice. “Expecting a visit from the Order are you? I thought you said the Order don’t know we’re here?”
“They dinna,” Alice replied, looking uncomfortable under the blond man’s scrutiny. “But when it comes to the Order of the Osprey, I’ve learned to be cautious. It doesnae hurt to be prepared for any eventuality.”
Snarlsson released Molly’s chin and turned to face Earl Sinclair. “Fine. Now show me the cargo.”
Molly felt a wave of relief wash over her as Leif Snarlsson and his men turned away and went to inspect the cargo that had been brought aboard from Earl Sinclair’s warehouse. Her relief was short-lived though as the crates were broken open, revealing carefully packed cannon and muskets. Snarlsson’s men began loading the weapons onto smaller boats that had been hauled up alongside the larger vessel, then rowing them out to the other ships in the fleet that had arrived with Snarlsson.
“How long will it take to supply all of them?” Alice asked.
“Not long,” Snarlsson replied. “The emplacements are ready. The winches are standing by and the men are ready with the equipment to install them.” He grinned suddenly. “By this afternoon every ship in my fleet will be carrying cannon and every man will be armed with guns.” He turned to Earl Sinclair and slapped him on the back. “You’ve done well, my friend. I knew you’d come through for us.”
Earl Sinclair did not look happy at the compliment. His eyes flicked to Molly and then away again. “Just get on with it. The longer we tarry, the more likely it is we’ll lose the element of surprise. We dinna want the garrison at Thurso to hear of our approach. If we’re to secure the burgh, we need to take them by surprise.”
So that was their plan. They were going to attack Thurso. And with these new guns and cannon, would the town be able to withstand such a bombardment? Would anywhere?
“Why?” she demanded. “Why are you doing this?”
Snarlsson turned to her. “Because if I take Thurso, I have control over all the trade between here and Scandinavia.” He grinned suddenly. “And a direct supply line to bring ships, men and weapons from my homeland. And once I have Thurso? Once I have such a strategically important base?” He shrugged. “I will do what my Norse ancestors once did and seize control of the Highlands. On behalf of the Unseelie Fae, of course.”
With that, he turned away and Molly watched with a terrible feeling of helplessness as the other ships in Snarlsson’s fleet were kitted out with cannon and muskets. The men moved quickly and efficiently, loading up all the boats and hauling them out to the other vessels. It seemed to take an age and yet only felt a heartbeat later when it was finally done.
Snarlsson smiled with satisfaction as he surveyed his fleet. “We’re ready. We can attack at any moment.” He turned to Earl Sinclair. “You and your men will take the lead, my friend. You know how to get there better than I do.”
Earl Sinclair nodded grimly. “Aye, that I do. I’ll head over to my flagship now.” His eyes fell on Molly. “I’d like to take the lass with me.”
Leif Snarlsson smiled thinly and shook his head. “I’m afraid not, she stays with me.” His expression hardened and he fixed Earl Sinclair with an icy glare.
Earl Sinclair opened his mouth as though to argue but then snapped it shut. He glanced at Molly again and then strode over to the rail and shimmied down the ladder. Molly watched as he climbed into one of the smaller boats and was rowed over to the largest ship in his fleet, a sleek galley with both oars and sails, a superior design to the clinker-built knarrs of Snarlsson’s fleet. She was surprised at the pang she felt at his departure. He might not have been very friendly but being left alone on a ship with Leif Snarlsson and Alice Brewer was not a thought she relished.
Leif Snarlsson barked some orders and one of his men began waving a flag, signaling to the rest of the fleet. There was a flurry of activity. Men rushed to their stations, hoisting on the lines to bring in the square, white sails and raise new sails.
The sight of those new sails brought Molly’s heart into her mouth. They were black.
“Oh no,” she muttered.
She knew what that flag signified. Every sailor did. Designed to evoke fear and panic, it declared to anyone who saw it what the people aboard these ships were.
Pirates.
