Shout out to kassydaPJgeek14, Vintage Sherry, 1, Cardfighter By Maple, Pugslover, Nightshine315, Noire Knightmre, Phantom Ice, AngelDew, QuintessentiallyEccentric, capri, little Miss punk rocker, and hiimafan!

Alright, made my by-the-end-of-the-week deadline by the skin of my teeth! :D

Enjoy!

Ludwig walked briskly across the large greeting room, throwing open one of the large doors and then shoving it shut with a resounding bang. He had just come from the latest in a growing number of arguments with his father. Ludwig had made up his mind to forgive his brother, provided he would at least make an attempt at adjusting to a somewhat more legal occupation after he returned. His father was taking a little more convincing. It seemed he and Gilbert had gotten along even less than Ludwig had realized. Gilbert not only rubbed the man the wrong way at every turn, he had taken pleasure in it. While he wasn't going so far as to arrange for Gilbert's execution, he was insisting on jail time. Almost every day Ludwig tried a different approach, trying to talk him out of it. So far he'd only managed to whittle his father down to five years of jail time. Considering he'd started out with a life sentence, their arguments hadn't been for nothing, per say.

Now Ludwig was making for the stables, as he usually did. A long ride usually calmed his nerves, away from the pests known as people. Today those plans were soon put on hold, however. As he was storming across the rutted yard, a familiar cry stopped him.

"Luddy! Luddddyyyy!"

Carefully adjusting his features so that the anger wasn't quite so blatant, Ludwig turned to face his fiancé. It sounded like she was happy for the first time in over a week after all. When he faced her, though, he was surprised by the relieved joy shining on her face.

The German stumbled back a step when she collided with him, only to bounce in place and shove a piece of paper under his nose. "Look, look, look! It's from her! It's from Lovina! She's alive, she's alright!"

Ludwig plucking the fluttering paper from Feliciana's hand, frowning at it. He scanned the letter, noting with relief that it was Lovina's handwriting and her scrawling signature at the bottom.

His taciturn sister-in-law wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but Feliciana loved her, and for his fiancé's sake he'd tried to get along with her. It had taken painful time, but he'd eventually earned a grudging nod of approval. Not a day before she'd been captured, Lovina had pulled him aside and told him in her blunt manner, "You are most definitely not my favorite person in the world, potato bastard, but you are better than the other bastards. If she has to pick one, it might as well be you. For her sake, I will try to get along with you. But if you hurt her, it is not Nonno who you should worry about. He will be inclined to be decent. I will not. Got it?"

Considering her favorite threat to potential suitors was to personally castrate them with a dull kitchen knife, Ludwig had been inclined to believe her. He'd also seen he'd earned a grain of respect when he'd told her solemnly, "If I do hurt her, I won't deserve anything decent."

After reading the letter over a bit more carefully, Ludwig said, "Feli, this letter is dated seven days ago. How did it arrive so soon?"

Feliciana made a face, which made her look uncomfortably like her sister. "One of Nonno's ships was docked at the port she's in, but it was one of the new captains. He didn't know her and she didn't have anything to identify herself, so he left her. He just left her." Her face started to crumble. "What if something else happens? What if-

"Feli, she'll be fine," Ludwig reassured her hurriedly. He didn't want to deal with yet another barrage of tears, not when she'd been so happy for the first time in too long. "It says she has work, and a friend. Where did the captain sail from?"

Feliciana sniffed. "I don't know. I forgot to ask."

Ludwig caught her hand in his free one, leading her back towards the gates. "Show me which ship he came in on. If this letter was written only seven days ago, she can't be far."

"What about Gilbert?"

The German considered that, and cracked a grim smile. "Knowing my bruder, we'll get there just after he does."

BREAK/BREAK\BREAK

Amelia's cell was a box that had six sides of hard wood. There were no furnishings, not even a lantern or candle stub. Well, there was a bucket, but she had pushed it into the far corner and kept her distance from it. She was just glad someone had thought to leave it.

Lack of bedding or no, Madeline had often noted with no little irritation Amelia's ability to fall asleep just about anywhere. In a rough carriage ride, at her desk during lessons, even during a particularly boring dinner party on one occasion. The lack of furnishings were more an irritation than an inconvenience, as they did little for her boredom. In fact she found herself dozing half the time, lying down or sitting against one of the walls. The only reason she knew they should be getting close to New Madrid was because Carriedo had the decency to send down something a few times a day. If it was morning the pirate bringing down a cup of water and some hardtack would be hung over. If they were bringing down lunch they were sober. If they were half drunk it was dinner.

Now she was pacing her box of a cell. A pirate had already dropped of her dinner, but they were sober for the second time in a row for a change. Add to that it had been three day's worth of meals, and Amelia knew for a fact they were at least close to New Madrid. Would Carriedo come and get her, or wait until he found Lovina? Would he hurt her if the Italian had left the port? How long would it take?

Amelia was still pacing when her door was thrown open, making her start. Seeing it was Carriedo, she demanded, "Well?"

The Spaniard said nothing, just tossed something onto the floor. Amelia jumped back, and then stared at the sword. Looking back up at the pirate, she saw his face set in grim lines.

"Take it. It seems you will be fighting for your freedom."

Amelia frowned. "That wasn't part of the deal, Carriedo."

"I know. But the deal did not account for Turks making a raid."

"Wait, what?" demanded Amelia, taking a step forward.

"Take the sword, señorita. We need all we can get," said the pirate, turning away. He left, the door still open.

Mouth grim, Amelia scooped up the sword and followed him out.

BREAK/BREAK\BREAK

Antonio rejoined Gilbert on deck, face grim. They'd sent Gilbird ahead the moment New Madrid had come into sight. It wasn't until they had almost reached the harbor they'd seen the large ship. Unfortunately, it was one both captains recognized.

"What is he doing in the Caribbean?" asked Antonio darkly. "Last we heard he was getting plenty of wealth from the Mediterranean."

"Maybe he got bored," said Gilbert, lifting a spyglass. "It would be just like him. How many of his ships have we sunk? Five?"

"Ten."

Gilbert lowered the spyglass to stare at Antonio, barely noticing Amelia join them on deck. "Ten? Why did you do that? We were supposed to avoid his ships."

"I did. They came to me."

The albino scowled. "You didn't have to sink them."

"Sì, I did. They tried to sink me."

"Why? Who is that?"

Antonio turned to regard Amelia. "Have you ever heard of Sadiq Adnan?"

Amelia frowned. "I've heard a few rumors. But they all said he was in the Mediterranean or Arabian Sea."

"He was. But in these last few years he has been sending ships to the Caribbean. Every time I come across one they open fire. I return the favor. So far I have not lost." Pointing across the water to the large, dark ship, he said, "That is the Veiled Queen. His personal ship. I do not think it is a coincidence the first we know of him being in our waters is seeing his ship at port."

"So...are we gonna sink him too?"

When both pirates stared at her, she shrugged. "Hey, that thing is between me and my sister. I don't care how big and bad he is, he's still just a man. You're the infamous pirates, can't you take one ship?"

The two exchanged a look, and then Gilbert grinned. "You said you have a sister?"

Amelia frowned. "Yeah, why?"

"Is she like you?"

"Better."

The Prussian laughed. Ignoring him Antonio said, "I don't care why he's here. My only concern is whether or not Lovina will get caught up in it. We get in, get them, and get out."

Amelia didn't argue. So long as she found Maddie and Arthur in one piece, she'd be happy. She'd worry about Gilbert's potential interest in her sister later.

BREAK/BREAK\BREAK

Lovina lifted her sword, slowly easing herself closer to the side door by the town's main gates. It was standing wide open, but so far she had yet to see anyone. She didn't want to go running through it just to hit a gaggle of pirates.

Madeline was behind her, quiet as a mouse. Honestly Lovina had had to look back over her shoulder a few times just to make sure the girl was still there. She was every time, sword in hand, face grim. Gilbird was still napping contentedly against her chest, just as quiet as she was.

Taking a deep breath, Lovina took one more step closer, and peeked around the edge of the doorway set into the wall. When she didn't see anyone, she eased out farther, looking around carefully. Where were the sentries they'd gotten rid of? Hadn't they posted any of their own?

Still, there wasn't anyone there. Maybe the warning bells had scared them off, she reasoned. Either way, it was a clear shot to the guard tower. Glancing back to beckon for Madeline to follow her, Lovina stepped passed the wall and out into the open.

She broke into a run, making for the guard tower, Madeline on her heels. The door was open when they reached it, but Lovina slowed once they'd started up the spiraling staircase. She racked her brain, trying to remember what Nonno had told them about these. They were the few lesson's she'd enjoyed for pities sake.

Right-handed. Most swordsmen were right-handed. So the stairs always climbed clockwise, so that whoever was coming up would have to expose their left side before they could use their own sword. The person guarding, the person at the top of the tower, had the advantage this way.

Lovina stopped, looking down at her hands. She'd been holding her sword in her right hand. She looked back at Madeline, and found the girl had done the same. Gesturing for her to move closer, Lovina leaned down to whisper softly, "Use your left hand. Be ready."

Madeline frowned, but copied the Italian as she switched her weapon to her left hand. It didn't feel quite right, but Lovina would rather take that risk until they knew what they were dealing with. At least they could try to do something about it, unlike the torches. The towers were dark, no windows until you reached the top. Torches were set into the inner wall periodically, and while they provided light they also ensured a tell tale shadow was cast well ahead of whoever was on the stairs.

They had climbed most of the way up before Lovina heard them. She stopped in her tracks, and Madeline froze behind her. For a moment Lovina stood there, fear at being discovered closing over her throat, but then she made out what was being said. Well, more or less. They were speaking a foreign language she couldn't recognize, but she'd know that slur anywhere. Whoever had been left on guard, they were drunk.

Lovina took a moment to pinch the bridge of her nose. Why is it every single pirate crew I end up dealing with is so damn drunk?

Madeline joined her on her step, leaning in to breathe softly, "Now what?"

The Italian chewed her lip, frowning. Then she held up a hand, motioning for Madeline to wait. She eased up a few more steps, peeking around the last curve. Instead of en entry way, she found a ladder that led up to a trap door. It was from there the drunk voices were emanating.

Moving back to join Madeline, she whispered in a slightly louder voice, "Sounds like both guards found the rum. How long do you think we have before someone comes to relieve them?"

Madeline frowned thoughtfully. "If the raid's just starting, don't we have at least until sunrise? Or until they have whatever it is they want? Maybe that's why these are the first we've seen, they're all already in the town."

Lovina nodded. "Maybe." Taking a deep breath, she said, "Wait. And never tell anyone I did this. I've gotten into enough trouble for it."

Before Madeline could ask, Lovina handed her the sword she carried and marched up to stand beneath the trap door. Mimicking the behavior she'd been dealing with for the last few weeks, she took the last few steps across the flat space at a tipsy swagger. In her best drunken voice, she bellowed, "Hellllloooo! Robert! Are you...are you up there?" She lay on her accent thick for good measure, ensuring she was barely understandable.

A moment later two heads poked into the open space. A heavily accented voice called down, "Eh, there is no Robert here. His shift ended. Go away."

Lovina gave a theatric pout. "Aw, that's too bad. And I climbed all the..." she swayed a little, grinning and giggling. "All the way up here. I donna' wanna' climb another tower. Robert already paid for tonight. How about one of 'a you play with me instead?"

That immediately started an argument. It was only half in English, but Lovina definitely made out a "I saw her first!" and "I spoke to her!". After a minute, though, one of them fumbled down the ladder, leaving his cohort to grumble at their post.

Lovina, still swaying, stumbled back towards the stairs. "Come on eh? There's a' surprise. Robert wanted it, but I guess 'a it's for you now."

It was ridiculously easy, getting him back over to where Madeline was waiting, eyes a bit wide. As soon as the Turk was two steps down, though, Lovina grabbed her sword back from the other girl. Before she could think about it too much, she ran him through, aiming for his heart.

The pirate stopped cold. He blinked down at the sword in surprise, and then back up at her. He started to open his mouth, and Lovina panicked. Her sword was stuck in his chest, so she let it go, grabbing Madeline's sword and slashing wildly at his throat.

Both girls watched in mutual horror as the pirate fell to the steps with a dull thump, sliding down a few before coming to a stop. The slash had cut his head half off, blood now gushing from the corpse. Madeline turned away and retched.

Lovina, fighting nausea of her own, set one sword down and grabbed the hilt of the other. Bracing a boot against the dead pirate, she dragged it free. Stumbling back up to the landing, she held it behind her back and took a few deep, calming breaths.

Steeling herself, she called up, "Signore? You 'a still up there?"

When a head appeared, scowling, she gave a shaky but still broad smile.

"He 'a fell asleep! Silly man..." she swayed, stumbling a bit as much as she could while still keeping the sword hidden. "He had too much to 'a drink. You still 'a want to play?"

This time Lovina didn't wait to draw him away. No sooner had the pirate stopped swaying at the base of the ladder than she lifted the sword and swung it with all her might. There was a dull thump as his head hit the ground. Slowly, the pirate's body crumpled to the floor.

Lovina dropped the sword, stumbling back a few paces before she lost her stomach. When she was done, she turned to find Madeline walking slowly up to join her. The girl was still pale, but her mouth was set in a tight line.

"I know we had to, but..." For a moment Lovina thought she would be sick again, but Madeline set her chin stubbornly. "No more killing unless we absolutely have to. If we keep up like this, we're no better than them."

Lovina nodded, trudging over to the ladder. For a moment she paused over the bloodstained sword, but then turned away, leaving it. Numbly she climbed up, Madeline following her. Once they reached the final landing, they pulled the ladder up after them, laying it across the trap door after they'd pushed it shut.

The top of the tower was a round platform surrounded by a four foot high wall, a bell in the middle. For a moment Lovina considered ringing it, but decided against it. The bells in the town were still being rung, and she could see movement now, lights coming to life all over as the people scrambled into fighting order. Besides, considering how loud it would have to be she wasn't eager to pull the heavy rope. Not to mention it would announce to all the pirates that they had lost the guard tower.

"Why do I feel like a treed cat?" asked Madeline wearily, peering over the harbor.

"Because that's what we are. We barred the main door, remember? They will have quite a bit to get through before they even reach us."

Madeline didn't seem convinced, but before she could argue a frown creased her face. Pointing, she asked, "Do you recognize any of those ships?"

Lovina followed her gaze, and smiled grimly. "The big one belongs to Gilbert. The other two are Antonio's. That was them we saw in the harbor mouth."

"They're docking away from the big one, the one with all the pirates. What did they sound like to you, Turks?"

"Sì."

"Why are Turkish pirates attacking?"

Lovina rolled her eyes. "I forgot to ask."

"It might have helped."

"You are welcome to go down and find a live one to ask," Lovina quipped.

"I forgot how you get when you're not exhausted," muttered Madeline.

Lovina scowled, but then her eyes fell on Gilbird. She'd forgotten about him. The fluffy bird was still sound asleep, which she found somewhat remarkable.

"Do you think you could wake him up?" she asked, pointing to the bird.

Madeline frowned. "He hasn't woken up so far. Why?"

"Maybe we could send a message, let them know where we are."

"A message on what? We have nothing to write with."

Lovina looked around, scowling harder. Madeline was right, save for a few jars of rum the space was bare. And they had hardly brought any with them. It occurred to her then that it might have been wise to bring up a bit of food and water.

The Italian scratched her head, and then froze. She hurriedly untied her head cloth, hissing, "Wake him up!"

Madeline frowned down at the bird for a moment, and then started to rub his head with the pad of her index finger. It took a moment, but little black eyes opened. Gilbird gave an irate squawk, ruffling his feathers.

"Um, could you send a message for us, please?" asked Madeline.

Lovina opened her mouth to protest the bird couldn't understand human speech, but Gilbird gave another squawk, and wriggled out of his nesting place, making Madeline giggle. He moved to her shoulder, stretching his wings out. Lovina frowned first at him, and then her head cloth. She reached into her bodice, pulling out the dagger she still kept. Madeline watched her with interest rather than surprise. Lovina had actually had to pull the thing on two occasions on a few of the more rowdy patrons before Lars could throw them out.

Selecting an edge, Lovina carefully cut and ripped a strip of the red silk away. After retying it on her head, she turned to Gilbird. She didn't like trusting her fate to the fluffy bird, but in this case she had little choice.

"Don't peck me, bastard bird," she warned him.

The canary squawked, but refrained from pecking at her fingers as she secured the bit of cloth around his leg.

"Are you sure this will work?" asked Madeline wearily.

"He's the one who gave it to me. He will remember," said Lovina, stepping back.

Madeline took Gilbird on one finger, taking him to the tower's edge. She held him out, and the little bird took off with a final squawk, flying for the ships. When she turned back around, she asked, "How long do you think it will take for the villagers to prepare?"

Lovina opened her mouth, but was cut off as several gunshots rang up from the town. Mouth twisting wryly, she said, "That long. I'm more concerned about the tomato bastard getting to the right tower."

As the sounds of fighting started to come up from the town, they settled down to wait.

Okay, originally I planned on taking the chapter a bit farther, but I met my newly-acquired 3,000 word quota sooner than I thought. So I get to stretch things out for another chapter! :D Yeah, I know, I suck. But at least there's not a brutal cliffhanger this time. :) [I actually hate cliffhangers with a passion, but as a writer I find them very useful for ensuring a reader sticks around. Consider them a necessary evil that ensures I update quickly so I don't have angry readers coming after me with torches and pitchforks :) ]

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