“Don’t slip, Captain!”

“Tell us how the weather is up there.”

Kennan replied with a vulgar flick of his fingers, bringing on a round of raucous laughter. Though he didn’t manage to crack a smile. He’d never smile again until he found Divana. All the gold in the world didn’t amount to half her worth.

It was his fault she’d been taken. Disguising her as a cabin boy had done nothing to keep her from the vultures.

And it is all my bloody fault.

Reaching over the crow’s nest barrel, Runner offered his hand. “What are ye doing up here, Captain?”

“Thought I’d get a better look at that carrack before we tack east.”

“We’re tacking east?”

He gave the lad a wink. “I wouldn’t want her to think we’re following, now would I?”

Kennan opened his spyglass and trained it on the ship. “Have ye been able to make out her name?”

“Nay, we haven’t been close enough.”

“Ye may have eagle’s eyes, lad, but it would be a mite more convenient if you had eagle’s wings as well.”

“Aye, sir.” Runner chuckled. “I’ll be sure to request a pair of wings in my prayers this eve.”

Kennan panned the spyglass west and east of the vessel. “I’d be careful with that—God might mistake your request for angel’s wings.”

The boy chuckled. “May I ask a question, sir?”

“You may.”

“Will we find her?”

A lead weight sank to the pit of his gut while Kennan turned the barrel to improve the focus. If only there were a stack of Bibles handy, he’d give his solemn oath right here and now. “You’d best believe it. If it takes the next decade, I’ll not lose her to those bastards.”

“Well, I reckon I’ll stay with ye.”

Kennan thought better than to ask the lad if he had feelings for Divana. Who wouldn’t? She was selfless and funny and bonny. When she smiled, not only did the room fill with sunshine, everyone’s hearts overflowed with happiness as well.

He blinked, refocusing the spyglass yet again. “She’s heading to that speck of land yonder.”

Runner leaned out over the barrel. “Land, sir?”

“Dead ahead.” He squinted, straining for a better look. “Two specks.”

“Side by side?”

“Aye, and a good place for an ambush.”

Runner shaded his eyes. “I can’t see a bloody thing.”

“You’ll see it before Lachie Mor turns the ship.” Kennan held out the spyglass, looking the lad in the eye. “This was a gift from my da, and if it should break, it will be sorely missed.”

“Holy bloody Mary.” Runner turned the telescope over in his hands. “’Tis a fine piece, sir.”

“Keep your eye on that ship—and the land yonder. I’ll man the helm and sail as close as possible without alarming the carrack. After we’ve given the appearance of sailing past, I want a full report of everything you’ve seen.”

* * *

It took less than a day to circumnavigate the islands. Once they had sailed north, Runner reported two ships in addition to the carrack moored in the natural harbor between the two isles.