“You’re crazy to even think about it.” Tobias glared at his sister across the table.

“Tobias... Tobias...” Tess said, in a firm but conciliatory tone. “There was a reason Dad made me captain should anything happen to him, instead of you.”

“Well, you’re older for a start.”

“True. But that’s not why he did it.” Tess walked around the table and faced her brother. “You have to be daring to make it as a pirate. If you’re not prepared to take risks, you are sunk before you’ve even left the port.”

“Are you calling me a coward?” Tobias leaned forward, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“No, not at all,” Tess answered. “I’m calling you cautious. Now let’s take another look at that chart.”

Tobias fetched the rolled up map from where it leaned against the wall. Slowly he let it unroll then weighed down each corner, watching Tess from the corner of his eye as he did so.

His sister ignored his glances and instead focused her attention on the map that showed barely any land and instead concentrated on the sea. Tobias joined her and leaned forward.

“It’s hopeless, Sis, you’ve got to see that.”

“Ssh. Nothing’s hopeless.” Tess let her finger trace a path above the map. “So where will they go?”

“Raffa’s been making enquiries and it seems there are two main drowning points. Here,” Tobias stabbed at a point on the map. “And here. Given the storm, I can’t see them using the second location. The rocks in the sea would make it way too risky.”

“So, this is where we head for,” Tess placed her finger on the point her brother had first indicated. “Can you calculate how long it will take us to get there?”

“But, Tess, they’ve already sailed. We’ll never catch up with them in time.”

“Yes we will. You’re ignoring two crucial factors. One: their captain is just as cautious as you would be. They will not be sailing fast, but we will. And second; they’re carrying a lot of weight, what with the full crew plus the prisoners.”

Tobias shook his head in disbelief, reading his sister’s intent just before the words left her mouth.

“Oh, I’m serious. Deadly serious. Dad’s life, and those of his crew mates that are still breathing, depend on us.” Tess took a deep breath. “Tell Raffa to assemble the skeleton crew. We sail in an hour.”

***

Once Tobias had left to find Raffa, Tess wasted no time but headed straight out to the boat. It wasn’t much of a pirate ship, she thought, as she gathered up her skirts and climbed aboard. She took a quick look around. Although a bit tatty and neglected, The Testament looked sound. There were two lifeboats, both meant for two but she judged they would stay afloat with four inside.

Climbing into the wheelhouse, Tess inspected the cogs and gears. There was a bit of rust and a touch of salt damage; not enough, she hoped, to stop the engines from working.

As Tobias joined her on board, she increased the steam pressure until it levelled off at normal. Both listened for sounds of engine trouble, but it continued it’s normal whiny rumble. Again reaching for the pressure valve, Tess turned it up another twist.

“What are you doing? You know this tub wasn’t built to withstand this? Maybe we should just accept that Dad and his crew are gone. You can take over, stick to the safer runs...”

“Over my dead body, Tobias,” Tess hissed. “There are no safe runs. If we let this go, every single pirate ship that sails these waters will be captured or sunk. Now what I suggest is that you stick to navigating and I’ll get on and captain this ship.”

Tobias was about to say more, but Raffa turned up just in time to diffuse the brewing argument. Four skeletons filed on board behind him, taking up their positions around the boat.

“Cast her away, Tess ordered, ratcheting up the pressure by another few degrees. After a few creaks the ship moved smoothly away from the makeshift jetty, heading directly towards the storm clouds that hung threateningly in the distant sky.

***

Tess had made the right choice with the crew, Tobias had to admit. Not only did the skeletons add minimum weight but they had no fear either. Pirates who had been dug up from their own watery graves, they had no fear of death or drowning. Unlike himself and Raffa.

He chanced a glance at the first mate. Raffa too seemed oblivious to the churning of the sea and the rumbling of the thunder. The Testament had made good time, and the ship of the royal command should be coming into view at any moment.

Tess stood at the front of the boat, spyglass held to her eye and seemingly oblivious to the pelting rain. As the waves buffeted the ship from side to side she did not even lose her balance but let her body weight shift to take in the movement.

“There! Up ahead! Can you see it, Tobias?”

Tobias groaned. His sister might have a pirate’s sea legs but he did not. Lurching from one side of the boat to the other, he struggled to make his way to his sister’s side.

Staring through a sky lit up by lightning, Tobias groaned. “Look at the flags. We’ve done everything we could but we’re too late. The prisoners have already been tossed overboard.”

“They’re not dead yet,” Tess said. “Raffa, order both lifeboats over the side as soon as their motors have been engaged. Tobias, let’s ready the cannon. This will be one less boat left patrolling these seas.”

The lifeboats splashed down into the water and began powering towards the enemy ship. Even with the wind and rain they would soon be noticed by the crew. It would be foolish to believe otherwise. Time was of the essence now, every second counted.

Cranking up through the gears, Tobias moved the cannon out from the bowels of The Testament and manoeuvred it into position. Tess stood alongside the cannon, spyglass raised. She could see the other boat readying to fire. It would be a close thing.

“Fire!” she yelled, at exactly the same time as the other ship discharged it’s cannon. “Starboard!” she yelled at Raffa, and both he and the crew set to work following her orders.

Tobias shut his eyes. They were never going to evade the missile speeding toward their bows. Better not to watch. He knew the other ship would also be making evasive manoeuvrers, but Tess had a point. The added weight of the enemy craft would work against them, while The Testement without lifeboats was even lighter than it had been.

The force of the boom knocked Tobias from his feet. Even Tess stumbled until she grabbed hold to the cannon to stop her fall. Were they hit? The boat had seemed to leave the water momentarily but it showed no sign of sinking.

With her free hand Tess once again lifted her spyglass. Even through the rain the enemy boat was tilting. Like tiny figures, the crew were scurrying about, trying to get their own lifeboats into the sea. The instant the boats hit the water, the crew were jumping from the stricken vessel. Tess knew they could not afford to wait much longer. Where were their own lifeboats?

Giving the order to turn about, she stared out at the sea’s churning surface. Had Tobias been right? Had she really risked everything only to fail in her mission to rescue the men?

They’d wait just another minute before heading away.

“Come on, Tess. It’s time to head home. You did everything you could. Everything anyone could have done.” Tobias’s hand tightened on her shoulder.

“Look. Tess! You’ve done it!”

Tess lifted her head, not daring to believe the words of her brother. There they were, the two lifeboats. Both looked to be full and were powering their way through the waves. Their father was in front of the leading one and she was sure she saw him give a pirate salute to her and her brother.

“Throw out the ropes!” Tess watched as the ropes whipped out towards the smaller vessels and were deftly caught. Once they were secured, she gave the order to head back towards land. As soon as they had put enough distance between themselves and the stricken vessel she’d give the order to haul the lifeboats in. The soaking would make no difference to the rescued men, already drenched from being flung out to sea.

“You did it, Tess! You really did!”

“No, Tobias. We did it, “Tess clapped him on the shoulder. “Me and Dad, we’ll make a pirate of you yet.”