Orange Willum was the center of attention on Farewell Ridge. Of the nearly fifty castaway beasts along the ridge and beach, almost all recognized him. Surprisingly, even those creatures who had been merchant sailors and therefore Willum's main prey during his pirate years treated him almost like a hero. The reason for this adulation was clear. Willum was the stuff of song and legend, a buccaneer who looked the part and never harmed those he captured, who used a portion of his booty to care for the widows and orphans created by Khalis and was completely without fear.

He strode down the ridge toward the beach, paw on his cutlass, parrot on his shoulder, head high and shoulders back, with a broad grin on his face.

Wilbur was completely entranced. Willum had been his hero since he was a young mole, the epitome of all he imagined a pirate should be. Egbert and Zian were less enthused, worried that his obvious hatred of Azmeritus and desire for revenge would jeopardize their own safety and that of their friends.

Winky, Groggs, and Salto, like Wilbur, looked on Willum as a larger than life beast, heroic and brave, living by his own rules. Otto had no idea who Willum was and found himself both amused and confused by the attention that the strange orange cat was garnering.

When they reached the strand, Willum paused and looked up at Egbert.
"'Tis a interestin' place ya gots here, me fine mole. I recognize some o' these poor coves waitin' ta be saved, thought they was long dead, I did."

"Mister Willum," Egbert began, "Oi don't want to seem ungrateful for your help but..."

Willum laughed loudly and gave the big mole a hearty slap on the shoulder.
"But yer a feared that my anger at that scurvy white beast that runs this place is gonna put yer pals in harms way...am I right?"

"Well...yes, you seemed awfully...you seemed very angry. Oi have to take care of moi friends and we can't risk your hatred for Azmeroitus threatening innocent people."

Willum laughed again.
"Fear not mister Egbert, I'm a pirate, not a lunatic, I got no plan ta go chargin' up some hill and end up lookin' like a bloody porcupine." Willum turned and began to follow Otto down the shore with Wilbur at his side.

Zian turned to Egbert and said hopefully.
"That's reassuring, he seems pretty sane." As soon as Zian had finished speaking, Willum turned suddenly with a look of pure hatred on his face and spoke in a trembling angry voice,
"Mind...just because I ain't a chargin' to my death don't mean I aim to let that creature live. I'm still plannin' on splittin' his gullet and eatin' 'is heart." The anger passed and Willum put his arm around Wilbur, "A fine cut of a corsair mole are ye, matey. Have ye ever eaten the heart of a villain, a tasty treat indeed!"

Zian turned to Eggy again.
"I take back what I said about him being pretty sane."

Egbert couldn't help himself laughing.
"Oi think he'll be foine, as long as Wilbur doesn't change his doiet, Oi can deal with our newest poirate. Oi think he will be a great help, we need someone loike him. Besoides, look at moi friend Max, sitting there on his shoulder, smoiling. It's the happiest Oi've seen him since Elliot passed."

Zian smiled.
"I guess you're right, but there's no way I'm eating anyone's heart, I'm strictly a seafood beast."

"Fair enough," Egbert chuckled, "We'll leave the organ-eating to the poirates."

By the time the small crew reached the shallows where the Crimson Rose was beached, dusk was fast approaching. As they prepared to wade to the ship, Willum paused and looked upon the vessel carefully. Suddenly he slapped his thigh and exclaimed.

"Well salt me soul if'n it ain't the Crimson Rose, I knows this here vessel and a finer ship never sailed. How is it ye came to possess 'er. I knows her captain, Bloody Boggy Bascum he called 'imself, aye... 'tis Bloody Boggs ship sure enough."

Salto became nervous, fearing Willum thought the Scratchback's had dispatched his friend.
"We found 'er adrift cap'n...honest...we didn't hurt your pal...we found 'er" he pleaded.

Willum laughed and slapped Salto on the back so hard that he fell face first into the surf. He waited for the rat to right himself before explaining.
"A more worthless man never sailed the seas. He weren't no friend of mine...he weren't no friend of anyone. Meaner'n a tiger with a toothache, 'e would sooner eat ya than shake yer paw. If he ain't in Hades, 'tis just 'cause the demons wouldn't have 'im," Willum looked back at the Rose, then to Salto, " 'Tis a good salvage, fair and square ye made and a much better beast ye be than its former cap'n. I've always wanted ta see 'er, and bless me heart, here she is."

He raised his head to the sky and said joyfully,
"What a fine day it's been for Old Willum, the beast is found, a parrot for me shoulder, and Bloody Bog's good craft to behold. Targas is smiling' on this poor wayward swabby."

When they reached the deck of the Rose, introductions were made and Otto explained all that had transpired on their trip. Willum seemed less interested in what Ozab had said than in exploring the ship. He was particularly interested in the deck-catapults that Trey and Cat had finished installing on the port and starboard sides.

As the pirate examined every nook and cranny of the Rose, Wilbur followed closely in his wake. Gella in turn followed Wilbur. With the exploration complete, Willum rejoined the main group and seated himself. He made faces at Odette, who was nestled in her mother's lap. Odette was delighted and giggled in joy. The pirate smiled contently and seemed a million miles away.

Ophelia watched him quietly, then asked.
"Have you ever been married Mister Willum, or been in love?"

The pirate chuckled.
"Aye ta both dearie, as a matter of fact, this ole sea-dog is still married," he looked wistfully at the horizon, "I do miss her dearly, ain't seen 'er in five years, writes to 'er upon occasion, best I can at least."

A sad look passed his face and Ophelia found herself feeling very sorry for this colorful character.
"Why don't you go see her?"

" T'aint possible. She lives in Seth-e. Seems they don't care much for me type. Me old chum Blacky, that'd be Chumley ta most, pardoned me here in Morgaard fer me youthful indiscretions, but that don't hold no water down south. If'n I was ever ta set foot there, I'd find meself dancin' an air jig at the end of a short rope."

"Couldn't she come to you?"

"This ain't no life fer decent folk," he turned to Wilbur, "remember that, me young mole, if'n ya wants ta be a pirate, it'll cost ya everything else ya got and once ya decides and acts upon it, yer life is set in cement, ya can't never turn back."

Gella tried to cheer the pirate up by changing the subject.
"I'll bet your wife is very beautiful."

Willum guffawed.
"Heavens no, my dear. She's as big as a house and as mean as a scorpion, but I loves her dearly. She made me happy she did, and that's worth more'n all the gold in the sea. 'Er names Jessie, by the by. I likes me a gal with some meat on 'er bones."

Gella giggled and then excused herself to help prepare the evening meal. When she had left, Willum elbowed Wilbur lightly.

"You're a lucky young fella. That pretty miss is awful sweet on ya."

The young mole blushed immediately.
"Naw, she's just friendly, dat's all."

"Believe whatever ya like, matey, but I knows what I sees. She's got her sights on ya."

Wilbur fussed some more and then excused himself. He scurried off in an agitated state. Orange Willum sat back and laughed softly. These were good beasts, he thought. He would help as best he could until the time came to face Azmeritus, then they would be on their own.

A hearty meal was prepared and soon everyone was sated and content. Wilbur found Orange Willum a clay pipe and some mint tobacco which the buccaneer accepted gratefully. Everyone sat in a circle on the main deck and discussed their situation.

"Well, it's clear we can't just walk up to the clerics and ask politely for a way off this island," Zian said.

"We ain't got nearly enough beasts ta storm dere fort," Groggs noted, "dere's less'n a dozen of us and a coupla hundred of dem."

Egbert was deep in thought. When there was a pause in the conversation, he asked a question.
"These Gleaners we saved Otto from, you said they come out pretty regular?"

"Yes, sometimes every week," Ophelia responded.

"How many?" Egbert continued.

"Twenty or so to a group usually, but they'll probably use bigger squads after what you did to them," Ophelia noted.

Egbert shook his head sadly.
"That's too many for us to take. Oi was hoping we could ambush a group of Gleaners and put on their vestments to sneak into their lair and maybe kidnap some hoigh beast. We'd trade him for a way off, but there's no way we can overpower that many," he smiled weakly, "impressive warriors though we may be."

Willum stood suddenly.
"I might's be able ta help ya out on that count, buckoe," he said cheerfully.

"How's that Cap'n?" Wilbur asked.

"Well, me liddle matey, them fellers back at the ridge'll do anything ta get off'n dis rock. Most know me or leastways think or pretend they do, so they'll listen ta what I got ta say. If'n I go there and tell 'em that there's a chance ta get back to their wives and families, they'd fight Targas 'imself ta do it. I reckon I could get me twenty or thirty hardy sea-beasts willin' to gut some of these scarlet devils."

Egbert perked up.
"Do you really think they'd foight for you Willum?"

"Fer me, I couldn't say, but fer themselves? Ain't a doubt in my mind," the pirate said confidently.

Egbert smiled and stood up. He gave Willum a hearty slap on the back. It was the pirate's turn to stumble forward. Egbert helped him right himself and said gratefully.
"We have a chance then. When can you do it?"

"As long as ya can maintain yer enthusiasm and not injure me further, I'll see to it at first light." He chuckled and put his paw on Egbert's shoulder, "You sir, are one bloody powerful beast."