“Open the sails. Catch the breeze and keep her easy, boys.” Captain Aquilla said as they approached the charcoal-colored isle. A huge, inky cloud hung over the land like an ill omen that blotted out the stars. The sea, too, kept to a whisper as gentle, land-bound waves pushed at the ship’s hull.  

Darius stood next to the Captain, confirming that the looming castle was indeed Lucian’s. “See, it has his mark at the dock gate.” 

Cassian glared at Darius from the starboard rail. Any idiot can see the mark, you piece of shit. Probably arranged all this. 

“We’d have to be stupid to go in through the front door,” Cassian argued. 

Darius threw up his hands. “I never suggested such a thing. I was merely confirming—” 

“Confirming how much you’re in Lucian’s pocket!” Cassian scowled as if daring Darius to confess. 

Instead, he studied the darkness before them. “There should be tunnels below the island—” 

“You don’t know? I mean, you seem to know everything else?” Cassian snorted. 

“I don’t know everything! It’s just a rumor.” 

“You’ve been waiting for this moment. I bet you have men hiding in those tunnels, ready to slaughter us on sight. How else would you know all this about them?” Cassian demanded. 

“I’m loyal to this crew! I signed the Code and swore the oath!” 

“Men like you have no use for loyalty until they’re paid for it,” Cassian fired back. 

“You don’t have to be such an ass, you know?” Darius retorted. 

“We’re going to the tunnels around the back,” Captain Aquilla ordered.  

“I’m just telling it like it is,” Cassian retorted sarcastically. 

Henry pulled his men apart, Cassian to one side and Darius to the other. A breath of quiet filled the void left by their bickering. 

Cassian stewed from his elbow. Of course. Special Darius. Must be nice. Having the captain on your side. 

“Cassian, are the men ready?” Captain Aquilla asked, tearing Cassian from the dark thoughts. 

“Yes, Captain.” The title hit the deck like a cannonball. He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Of course they’re ready. Lucian’s lair promises gold and riches. I just want to get to my wife.  

With the ship anchored offshore, the crew took the longboats to the beach. Cassian sat between Captain Aquilla and Darius, gazing at thick jungle vines covering the rocky cliff face. 

“Got any ideas about which way to go, Darius?” Cassian asked sarcastically once they touched the sand. 

Darius started toward the cliffs. “Forward, towards the vines I suppose. If there are secret tunnels, they’ll be around here somewhere.”  

Cassian bounded after him. No shit. Any idiot can say to move forward. A flame of petty pleasure thumped his chest when his broad shoulder knocked the asshole aside and took the lead. 

The crew followed while Captain Aquilla helped Darius to steady himself. Cassian missed the captain’s eyes narrow at him. 

Cassian reached the vines first and tugged on the thickest. “We should climb up. We’ll get to Lucian faster.” He grabbed two handfuls and hauled himself into the air. The vines sagged against the weight and drooped toward the sand. 

“I think it’ll be safer to check behind the vines.” Darius shook his head. “Look, there’s a stream of water leading into the wall over here.” 

“I’m first mate, and I know what the crew can handle,” Cassian protested.  

Captain Aquilla sighed and rolled his eyes. He stabbed his sword into the ground beside Cassian, where he could reach the hilt, and glared at his son.  

“We’re going to follow Darius’s suggestion. Safety of the crew overrides speed,” he said. The tone told Cassian it was an order. 

At Captain Aquilla’s direction, the crew started to hack into the vines where Darius had spotted the stream of water. As soon as Cassian noticed the darkness behind them, he pushed forward. 

“Hey! I found a cave. Must be the entrance,” Cassian smiled at the captain like a toddler looking for praise. 

Captain Aquilla just nodded once, refusing to openly acknowledge his eagerness. 

“On guard, men,” Captain Aquilla said as they walked into the dark cave. One man lit a lantern, creating a speck of light in the otherwise dark void. 

Everyone stayed quiet as they navigated the twists and turns of the rock labyrinth. Time seemed to slow down as they moved, following the single beam. After what seemed like an eternity, they reached a vacant room with three tunnel openings before them.  

Cassian looked around the dirt floor. “Look: footprints going in each direction.” He smirked, proud he saw them first. 

Darius nodded. “These should lead to various places in the fortress.” 

“Mars alive! Why didn’t I think of that?” Cassian asked in mock amusement. More tracks in the dirt caught his eye. 

“You’re being a real—” Darius started, but Cassian cut him off. 

“These are fresh!” 

Captain Aquilla smirked, and a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. “Darius, Cassian, take that tunnel. You two should be able to work together, being the great sailors you are.” Cassian glared, but his father paid no mind. “The rest of you follow me!”  

The others disappeared into the dark, leaving Cassian and Darius alone. 

Has the Captain taken a drink of Mercury’s wine? He’s insane, forcing me to work with his precious Darius!  

Cassian stomped forward at top speed, forcing Darius to scramble. “Come on! Keep up.” 

“You need to check your attitude. I’ve never done anything to you!” 

“It doesn’t matter. You were Lucius’s man, and that’s enough.”  

Darius jogged to keep up. “Cassian, I swore an oath to Captain Aquilla. I am loyal to this crew.” His sincerity grated in Cassian’s ears. 

“By Minerva’s sparkling tits!” Cassian whirled to face him. “You’re Lucian’s little bitch!”

“No, not anymore. And keep quiet; you’re echoing,” Darius hissed as they crept through the narrow walls. 

“I’ll do as I please. I’m the first mate, or did you forget about that?” Cassian shot back. Darius sighed. 

“No, sir. Did you forget about Lucian’s forces? I hear someone ahead of us.” 

For a moment, they paused as the distant sounds of clanking armor vibrated through the tunnel. After the sound seemed to pass, they moved again. 

“Don’t you dare forget who’s in charge here.” Cassian couldn’t resist one last shot. 

“Trust me, I won’t.” 

A speck of light ahead of them grew into the outline of a door. Cassian rushed forward and tripped over a rock stuck in the middle of the path. 

“Vulcan’s fiery armpits!!”  

As an answer to his cursing, the thunder metal tore through the darkness around them. Any hope of a surprise attack vanished when four guards sprang from the shadows. 

“OY! Look what we’ve found, lads! A pair of scurvy rats scrambling into trouble!” The lead guard smirked at his companions, then leveled a dagger at Cassian’s throat. “You will come with us.” 

Cassian batted his weapon away. “You know what? I don’t think so.” He drew his cutlass and swung. Darius brandished his blade too as Cassian clattered against the first guard. 

The narrow tunnel made for a complicated dance of swords, but Cassian took his man down. Darius ran the second through, and together, they pushed the remaining guards back. Grunts and labored breaths accented the metallic clang that sizzled the air. Cassian’s sword struck rock, leaving a gash and nearly toppling him with the strong vibration. 

Darius grabbed Cassian to steady him, then resumed the fight. The last guard swung at Cassian, and his sword flew up just in time. He parried and strained, but the guard’s sword slashed through the darkness. He landed a heavy blow against Cassian’s chest and threw him to the ground. 

Before Cassian could roll and spring up, Darius dove between him and the guard. He ran the man through, but the dying man landed a hit on his shoulder before he fell. 

“Oof!” Darius called out as he rolled against the tunnel wall, holding his bleeding arm. 

What in Orcus? Did he really just take that for me? Oh, for the love of Venus! Now what? 

The remaining guard looked at the two men and realized he was outnumbered. His face blanched as he dashed through the door. 

“He’s going to get reinforcements,” Darius warned.  

Cassian grunted after the guard. I could almost catch him... Then he looked back at the blood dripping from Darius into the dirt.  

If there was one thing he really hated, it was not knowing where things stood. He sighed and ripped the tail of his shirt to wrap Darius’s wound. 

“You good?” Cassian asked gruffly. 

Darius nodded. “Let’s go.” 

Editor: Shannon Hensley