A Walk on the Water

His face expressionless, Dominic turned his attention to the prisoners. "The men here do not appear to be Irish, although some may be, I recognize their uniform."

"From what I have gathered they are members of Mr. Fergusons private mercenary army," Patrick told him. "He hires men from everywhere as to not implicate himself or his own nationallity." He hesitated. "Dominic, what are we to do with them? They are not ordinary men-at-arms. These are paid killers, holding them only creates problems for us."

Dominic looked at Patrick with a look of understanding, he shrugged then looked at the men saying, "this is your one chance at freedom. Tell me your masters plans for my homeland and my wife and I will let you live. Say nothing and you die right here, right now." As he drew his revolver not one of the prisoners showed any interest in living, none of them said a word and then they were all shot execution style in front of everyone.

Anya, her face grey with shock, stared at him open-mouthed. "That was murder! They had surrendered!"

"I gave them an opportunity to live, you of all people should understand that Anya. Not one of them showed the slightest bit of remorse for what they had done or were going to do. This is war," he said without emotion. "And all of those men are mercenaries; they are nothing but hired thugs, paid assassins; and mere criminals hiding from justice in their own countries. I will not tolerate their lack of respect for my home." To Patrick he said, "Remove the others at the Chateau to a remote place and shoot them."

"What about Matias?"

Dominic sighed. "We will decide Matias"s fate at another time. For now, we return to Port Lira and defend her against the enemy."

**

Alannah"s brother Eraldo drew his gun the moment he heard the noise, a distant rumble, followed by a thunderous concussion that could be felt through the ground.

"What was that?" Rosemary said, her eyes wide.

"That my dear is the sound of my father"s ship attacking your Port Lira,"

"Port Lira has guns too," she said in a weak voice, looking uncertain now, and afraid.

"As I told you already those guns won"t hold up to anything my father has, even his precious yacht is fortefied," Alannah"s brother repeated grimly. "Even though the ship is still several miles out from Port, even from that distance can pound this island and everything on it to rubble with impunity."

The explosions soon became a constant rumble that didn"t relent, and it wasn"t long before they heard the sound of horses hooves and people"s voices coming their direction. Eraldo instinctively drew his gun, then just as quickly he put it away and ordered the others to do the same, as soon as he spotted the refugees on the road.