Page 72 of Mardon

“Nay!” shouted Mardon, trying to get to his grandmother, but not being able to break away from Nereus.

“I got her,” snarled Wybert, reaching down for Nairnie’s arm. He was met with an iron pan hitting his skull.

“Bloody hell, that hurts,” complained Wybert, rubbing his head.

“Let me help,” said Noll, rushing forward with his sword in his hand. He was met by Nairnie’s ladle, hooking his sword and flinging it from his hand.

“Och,” said Nairnie, looking at the ladle and nodding. “I kent this one was a better one than the one I bent. It sure does come in handy.”

When Noll reached for her again, she stepped out of the way.

“If ye want the bluidy treasure so bad, then take it,” spat Nairnie.

“Nay! Grandmother, what are you saying?” yelled Aaron.

“Nereus, take the treasure and go, but leave my grandsons and the crew alone,” she continued.

“Old woman, what are you doing?” growled Mardon.

“Dinna call me auld!” She waddled over to Mardon and pulled him away from Nereus as Noll and Wybert picked up the chest.

“Fast, take it to the ship,” Nereus called out.

“Over my dead body,” spat Mardon.

“That can be arranged,” Nereus answered.

“Mardon, listen to me,” said Nairnie. “Ye’ve already lost enough men. This isna worth it.”

“You’re addled, Nairnie. I won’t give up that treasure.”

“Then ye’ll have to say guidbye to me,” said Nairnie, taking a step and standing next to Nereus. “Nereus, I am joinin’ yer crew now.”

“What?” spat Aaron. “Nairnie, nay!”

“I swear I’ll go with them if both sides dinna stop fightin’.”

“Mardon, do something,” said Aaron. “We can’t lose Nairnie or the treasure.”

Mardon looked over to Nairnie to see her turn the frying pan around. Hidden inside was a rolled up parchment. Now he understood what she was trying to do.

“Nay, she’s right, Aaron. We’ve lost too many men. I will not give up our grandmother for a bloody treasure. Men, lower your weapons!”

Aaron rushed over and grabbed Mardon by the arm. “What the hell are you doing?” he whispered.

“Aaron,” Nairnie called out. “Let the treasure go. I’ll go back to the ship and make ye some biscuits.”

“What?” He turned to face Nairnie and she flashed him a look at the hidden clue rolled up in the pan. “Aye, biscuits,” he said with a nod. “Men, back to the ship, anon.”

“We’re just goin’ to let them have the treasure?” shouted Goldtooth.

“Let’s kill them,” shouted another of Mardon’s crew.

“You heard the captain,” warned Aaron.

“And the quartermaster,” added Mardon. “Now move.”

“Get that treasure back to the ship,” cried Nereus. “Leave these fools! Any man who would give up a treasure for a wench has to be out of his mind.”