Prologue
The soft glowof the fire cast shadows around the small den lined with dusty books and faded photographs of generations past.
“The pirates, they had one weakness: treasure.” Kilian’s father, Rory, growled, sending shivers down his spine. “Edward Teach was more than just a fearsome pirate, he was fearless. One of the most fearsome men that ever lived.” His father's piercing blue eyes lowered, and his thick brows furrowed, casting shadows over his weathered face. “They say that he was the devil himself with smoke emanating from his wild black hair, cold eyes, merciless; cutting down anyone who got in his way.”
His father rose high above them and slashed his arm through the air, as if striking down an enemy with an imaginary sword.
“He scoured the world over-”
“What was he looking for?” Kilian demanded, interrupting his father who didn't seem to mind.
Rory merely lifted his eyes from their startled faces to the wall behind them.
“Was he looking for gold, dad?” Kilian urged, desperate to grasp his father’s attention.
“Perhaps,” Rory murmured. “But there is something you should know, children. There are much finer treasures on this earth than that of fine metals and diamonds.”
Rory lifted his pipe from the side table and pressed it tightly between his lips as a small flame ignited the tobacco within.
“Well, what else is there?” Kilian asked.
“Diamonds and rubies!” Daniel piped up; his eyes eagerly fixed on his father's face.
“I don’t think it was rubies,” Liam snorted before sprawling out across the worn rug.
“Perhaps not,” their father muttered over his pipe.
“Pirates are so cool.” Kilian wrapped his small arms around his knees as visions of jewels and wealth untold swam before his young eyes. “I want to be a pirate.”
“Well, we are like pirates,” his father said as he lowered the pipe and peered thoughtfully at the ceiling.
“I don't think we are,” Sophie sniffed, lifting her chin in defiance, clearly appalled at the idea of pirates or bad men who hurt people and took things that didn't belong to them.
“Oh, my girl,” her father said, as he stooped down and pulled her into his lap, and her long blonde curls swayed behind her. “What are pirates?”
“They’re bad men,” she replied, and folded her arms across her small chest.
Though she was only four, Sophie’s eyes held the determination and intelligence of a girl twice her age, something that both baffled and amused Rory.
“No, girl, they’re smugglers? Men who long for adventure.” He grinned wickedly thinking of the trip he’d just returned from, “They are men who aren't afraid to go after what they want, regardless of the consequences.”
“I think they're brave,” Kilian said as he lifted his father's copy of Treasure Island from the floor. “I want to grow up and be a pirate.”
“Maybe you will,” his father murmured and leaned back in the leather chair. “I'm sure you will find your share of treasure.”
“Do you really think so Dad?” Kilian whispered as he flipped through the faded yellow pages of the book.
“Mmm?” his father asked, not having heard his son as he'd toyed with Sophie's ringlets.
“Do you think I could find gold in Ireland? Are we related to pirates? Are you a pirate Dad?” Kilian asked, his voice growing rapid with enthusiasm.
His father beamed and let out a low and hearty laugh, “In a manner of speaking… Yes, but the finest treasure this family has ever owned was not gold. No, there are more precious things.”
Rory sat quietly a moment as he watched Sophie’s head fall back against his shoulder, her clear blue eyes growing heavier with each stroke of his heavy hand on her head.
“Like family,” Sophie whispered, her eyes still closed.
A smile tugged at the corners of Rory’s lips.
