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00:00They took his ship. They burned his legacy. And in Greyhold, a captain without a ship.
00:07The Drowned Market of Greyhold is alive with smugglers fighting for a name.
00:12And at the top, Gideon Cross watches it all. Welcome back to the Duke's Masked Bride.
00:19Drowned Market was alive with the shouts, cheers, and jeers of smugglers hell-bent on making a name
00:25for themselves in Greyhold. Looking out over it all, Gideon stood on the walkway leading up to
00:32the Wraith's Den as the crew hoisted a new batch of goods onto the deck. That's right, Gideon directed
00:39the crew. Pile them up there with the rest. He smiled as he looked at the increase of bounty.
00:47So far, Damien had kept true to his word. Gold and riches flowed onto the ship, and everyone was
00:55getting a taste of what it meant to be on top. A large man, his barreled chest barely concealed
01:02by his ripped shirt, sidled up to Gideon. Looks like you're doing well for yourself, eh?
01:10His salt-tinged scent permeated the air as he leaned past Gideon, giving a low whistle.
01:16The beards is sure are deceiving. Gideon turned his attention away from the crew.
01:22You got business with me? He asked, his voice laced with irritation.
01:29The man stepped in front of Gideon and into the light.
01:33We've met before.
01:36The huge man grinned broadly as Gideon's face darkened. The man around Gideon looked up sharply.
01:43Gideon sighed.
01:45Iron Tom.
01:48Iron Tom was well-known around the drowned market. He was a rival smuggler leader and one
01:55with a reputation that matched Gideon's. Almost.
01:58Iron Tom was best remembered for drowning a whole group of lying, cheating smugglers by binding
02:06them in iron chains and making them walk the plank. He had earned a name for himself much
02:12like Gideon had, by proving himself fearless and provoking fear in the men who were so unlucky
02:18to cross his path.
02:19Yeah, I know you.
02:21Gideon narrowed his eyes as Iron Tom smiled in front of him.
02:26What do you want?
02:28Just came over to share my opinion.
02:32Iron Tom raised his voice, making sure that everyone around them was paying attention.
02:38I'm too busy for your petty thoughts, Tom.
02:42Gideon kept his eyes narrowed and focused on the man in front of him, but he was keenly
02:48aware of the small audience growing.
02:50Get on with your business and let me get on with mine.
02:55Ha, ha, ha, ha.
02:58Iron Tom laughed, a hard, cold sound with no joy in it whatsoever.
03:04Funny thing, your so-called business is exactly what I have an opinion about.
03:10His smile turned into a sneer.
03:13You lost your edge, Cross.
03:16He growled, voice like gravel.
03:19Bringing in that city boy here?
03:22He couldn't tie a sailor's knot with those skinny arms and delicate hands if his life depended
03:29on it.
03:30The gathered crowd howled in laughter as Iron Tom began his tirade.
03:36I get the boy wants to play dress-up as a pirate.
03:39Look at us.
03:40We're the fiercest, biggest, baddest men to roam the earth.
03:46The crowd let out a small cheer as Iron Tom gestured with his arms, amping them up.
03:53I thought you were better than that, Cross.
03:56Don't you have any self-respect?
03:58How dare you disgrace us, make a mockery of our way of life, so that boy-child can perform
04:07being a pirate?
04:10Jeers and angry mutters rippled through the crowd, replacing their earlier laughter.
04:16Gideon's jaw tightened, his arms crossed.
04:20He had learned in all his time in Greyhold that bullies were best dealt with, not with
04:26words, but with action.
04:28He replaced his tight expression with a smirk, his teeth catching the sun's rays and glinting
04:34brightly, as though he had a mouth full of gold coins.
04:39The crowd's jeering quickly settled down as they took in the expression on Gideon's face.
04:45He had earned his reputation with good reason.
04:53Iron Tom stopped chuckling, and met Gideon's gaze with his own.
04:58The two stared at each other for what felt like ages.
05:02Finally, Iron Tom turned on his heel, a satisfied smirk on his face.
05:07See you around, Cross, he called over his shoulder as he sauntered away.
05:14Kate and Damien watched everything from the deck of the ship.
05:19Damien's lips were in a tight line, his hands clenched into fists at his side.
05:25As soon as Gideon came stomping across the deck, Kate stepped into his path, blocking him.
05:32What do you plan to do about him?
05:35Gideon looked past Kate and addressed Damien directly.
05:40Words mean nothing here.
05:43I get it.
05:44Damien nodded, understanding.
05:47What's the plan?
05:50Iron Tom's pride and joy is his ship.
05:53The Iron Fist.
05:55I say we take it.
05:58Wait!
05:59Kate stepped forward, her voice clear and sharp.
06:04Won't he be expecting that kind of retaliation?
06:08What if you do something less dramatic but just as damaging?
06:13We can ambush his warehouse and steal his supply routes.
06:17We'll drain him financially while we grow stronger.
06:21Gideon scoffed.
06:23What kind of white-collar crime bullshit is that?
06:26He waved Kate aside, dismissing her idea and her presence.
06:33He addressed Damien directly, a cold look in his eyes.
06:38We take the Iron Fist.
06:40That's the only message that Iron Tom will hear.
06:45Damien gave a short, decisive nod.
06:49Tonight.
06:50With the plan in place, they parted ways to prepare for the night, leaving Kate alone on the deck.
06:56She fumed as she paced back and forth.
07:00Once again, she had been ignored.
07:03I can't let this continue, she vowed.
07:10Damien, Gideon, and their hand-picked crew crept through the mist of the night, blades drawn and eyes sharp.
07:18Iron Tom's ship bobbed silently in the dark water.
07:22They moved with precision, quickly working their way on board the ship and overwhelming Iron Tom's skeleton crew in a
07:30swift, merciless attack.
07:33Throats were slit without a sound, and the mooring lines were hacked free with axes.
07:39Gideon, Damien, and their men stood in the shadows below as they silently watched their handiwork.
07:46The Iron Fist was set adrift, her sails loose, her anchor gone.
07:51But they were not done yet.
07:55Damien walked toward the fire cannons that lined the edge of the dock, a torch in hand.
08:01Light it up.
08:03The cannons fired.
08:06Heated iron balls shot through the air, shining like a red meteor against the dark sky.
08:13The blazing hot iron tore through the ship's hull, igniting it instantly.
08:19Flames licked the wooden deck as the iron fist splintered, consumed in flames.
08:26Iron Tom ran onto the dock, frozen in shock, watching helplessly as the ship, his livelihood, and his pride just
08:35met a fiery end.
08:38The crowd that had gathered murmured, looking at Iron Tom with something like pity.
08:44But for Damien, they had admiration and fear in their eyes.
08:50Slowly, Damien made his way toward Iron Tom, positioning himself in front of the man, the burning ship reflected in
08:58his eyes.
08:59A cruel smile played on Damien's lips.
09:03A captain without a ship is no captain at all.
09:10Back at the abandoned manor just outside the drowned market, Kate put her hands over her ears as the sound
09:17of the cannons firing echoed through the night.
09:20She waited until it was over, pacing in the cold room, the black pearl pendant her only source of comfort.
09:29She replayed the moment that Gideon dismissed her, and Damien ignored her over and over again.
09:36The look in Damien's eyes had been blank, as though he had not even bothered to listen to her plan,
09:43let alone consider it.
09:44But he didn't see her as an equal.
09:47Not yet.
09:50Lavina's words echoed in her head.
09:53You need to be calm, just as powerful as he is.
09:58You need to make yourself indispensable.
10:04Kate stopped pacing.
10:06Her fingers curled into a fist around the pendant.
10:09A slow, knowing smirk crept onto her lips.
10:15If this is a game, she whispered to herself, then it's time I started playing to win.
10:24Manor echoed with the hard thud of Damien's boots as he stepped inside, the smell of salt and smoke still
10:31clinging to his coat.
10:32Kate!
10:33We did it!
10:35He yelled loudly, his voice full of the excitement and thrill of his unquestionable victory.
10:42Iron Tom is out.
10:44Part of his crew is at the bottom of the sea, along with his ship.
10:48The others will probably look for other work.
10:51Hell, this might just be an expansion for us.
10:55Damien made his way up the stairs to the master bedroom, a smile still on his face.
11:00He could still feel the heat from the burning ship, and it warmed him to the core.
11:07Kate?
11:07Did you hear me?
11:09He asked as he stepped inside the room.
11:13Kate was standing in front of the fireplace, running her fingers along the smooth surface of the pendant.
11:20She didn't respond even after he entered the room.
11:26Damien chuckled, pulling off his coat.
11:28You should have seen his face.
11:31That ship burning in the bay?
11:34That was the end of him.
11:36He will never forget that moment.
11:38None of them will.
11:40They'll remember me, and they'll think twice before challenging me or any of my men again.
11:48Still, Kate said nothing.
11:51Her eyes were focused on the flames in the hearth.
11:54Levina's words were still a soundtrack in her mind.
11:58She would learn to dance to the music.
12:02Kate, Damien called to her.
12:05He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his boots and pants.
12:10Don't you want to tell me congratulations?
12:14Yes, of course.
12:18Kate blinked back to life, finally turning to look at him.
12:22She walked over to him slowly, deliberately.
12:26I want to show you.
12:29Oh?
12:31Damien tilted his head, smirking.
12:34She rested her hand on his chest, her expression one of passion, but her eyes were sharp, calculating.
12:43She leaned in and kissed him.
12:46That's more like it.
12:48Damien reached out to hold her, but Kate shook her head and pushed his hands down.
12:54Before he could open his mouth to protest, Kate kissed him again, deeper this time, and she pushed him onto
13:02the bed.
13:02Her movements were confident and sure as she climbed onto him.
13:08Damien melted into her, hungry for attention.
13:13Finally, she's choosing me.
13:15She appreciates all that I've done for us and all that I'm about to accomplish.
13:21He sighed with complete satisfaction as Kate took complete control, ensuring his pleasure.
13:29I will be just as powerful.
13:32I will be indispensable.
13:36Kate whispered Lavina's words in her mind like a command as she kissed Damien harder and deeper,
13:43finally giving him all that he desired.
13:45As he shuddered, she smiled.
13:48Not for her own pleasure, not for lust, and not for love,
13:53but because she now knew exactly what she had to do to secure her place in whatever future Damien was
14:01trying to build.
14:04The following morning, as the chill of the sea air crept through the mansion,
14:09Damien and Kate sat in the dusty kitchen over a cup of lukewarm, bitter coffee.
14:15A hard knock on the door interrupted their moment.
14:19Damien rose with an eye roll and excused himself to handle the disruption.
14:25Sorry to disturb your morning.
14:28One of Gideon's men entered the room, smelling like the bowels of the ship.
14:33Damien sat down and waved for the man to continue.
14:37Get on with it.
14:39Found something.
14:42Gideon's man placed a rolled bundle onto the table.
14:45Something important.
14:48Damien pulled back the protective cloth, revealing an old book.
14:54What is it?
14:55He asked, flipping through the worn pages.
14:58Captain's log, by the look of it.
15:02Gideon's man leaned in, lowering his voice.
15:06His eyes shone.
15:08Thing is, looks like it's connected to the black pearl treasure.
15:15Kate's eyes lit up.
15:17What does it say?
15:20The man shrugged his shoulders.
15:21Can't say.
15:24It's half-burned, water-damaged.
15:27Hard to tell what's what in the parts that matter most.
15:31But it does mention the treasure.
15:35And there's a partial map.
15:38It's nonsense.
15:40Damien shut the book with a definitive slam.
15:43Nothing more than pirate ghost stories to waste time.
15:47Give it to Gideon.
15:48Toss it in the sea.
15:49Do whatever you want with it.
15:52Damien, wait.
15:54Kate turned to him, trying to hide the desperation in her voice.
15:58If someone cared so much to write it down, isn't it worth looking into?
16:05If you got a lead on a huge score, wouldn't you at least want to investigate?
16:11Find out if it's real or not?
16:13Especially if the payoff would make you the most powerful man in all of Greyhold?
16:18And maybe beyond?
16:21Rather than dismiss her as he had done countless times before,
16:25Damien paused for a moment, considering her words.
16:29He looked at the journal again.
16:31Taking a deep breath, he slowly nodded.
16:34Take it to the ship and secure it in my quarters.
16:38Aye, the man said, gently taking up the journal.
16:43We'll go after it.
16:45He winked, kissing Kate on the lips.
16:48Kate smirked, masking her surprise.
16:52She had listened to Lavina's words.
16:54And for once, Damien had listened to her.
16:58Her grip on his world had just tightened.
17:01And she had no intention of letting go.
17:05Back in Lockwood, the Collins estate hummed with soft normalcy.
17:10Rose, Alfred, Edgar, and Alessandra sat together in the sitting room.
17:16Elijah was in Edgar's lap, gurgling happily as his father explained the finer points of blade care.
17:24Rose poured another round of tea and chuckled.
17:28You'll bore him to sleep with that, Edgar.
17:33He likes it.
17:34He's my boy.
17:36Edgar smiled as Elijah kicked out his legs happily, as if asking him to continue.
17:42Alfred laughed.
17:43I remember the many times that Edgar recounted the learnings from his battle books and spas.
17:51He jutted out an arm as though he was thrusting a sword.
17:55Every evening before bed, Edgar would act out what he'd read,
18:00fancying himself the victor of the most epic battles.
18:04And you never fell asleep, not once, Edgar noted.
18:10Oh, how could I?
18:13I always had to play the role of a villain who could sleep while being poked at.
18:19Better you than me getting stabbed for hours.
18:23Rose raised her teacup toward Alfred, laughter in her eyes.
18:27Alfred was already preparing himself for the day he would have to stay awake entertaining a baby.
18:33Or being the entertainment.
18:36That's the role of a grandfather, you know.
18:39Alessandra lowered her teacup.
18:42Grandfather?
18:44Alfred flushed, chuckling nervously.
18:47What she means is, I meant what I said, Rose insisted.
18:54You are Elijah's grandfather, as far as I'm concerned.
18:59Alfred looked up.
19:01He could feel Edgar's quiet gaze on him from across the room.
19:05The room seemed to be still under the weight of silence.
19:09I wouldn't have it any other way.
19:11Edgar gave Alfred an affirming nod, his eyes betraying the depth of his affection for the former butler.
19:19Get ready for long nights and epic tales, Grandpa Alfred.
19:25The fire crackled softly in the corner of Edgar's study as he and Reed sat across from one another in
19:32the high-backed leather chairs.
19:34The baby had been put to bed, making time for Edgar to work on important matters that continued to plague
19:41Lockwood.
19:42Edgar wore a focused, stern expression, while Reed sat with his arms folded, his brows knit deep in thought.
19:52Reed had arrived as soon as he'd received Edgar's call to help investigate the real identity of the mysterious boss
19:59of the red-light district,
20:00who they only knew by the moniker, the Keeper.
20:04With Caleb away on his much-deserved honeymoon with Sally,
20:08the two men were left to sort through the clues they had and trade theories on who the Keeper could
20:14be.
20:15Edgar leaned forward.
20:18The money trail is here.
20:21We just need to follow it.
20:23There's no way they can fund an entire rogue militia without it leaving some kind of footprint.
20:30Reed nodded in agreement.
20:33This Keeper.
20:34If they are funding the mercenaries, it means they have something at stake.
20:39Maybe their reputation?
20:41Say more.
20:44Edgar urged.
20:45Well, reputation means a lot in the red-light district.
20:50Keeping up appearances is part of life there.
20:53Eleanor has confirmed as much from what she's told me about her research and interviews.
20:59So, maybe this Keeper has a reputation of being a benefactor to rebels overall.
21:06Perhaps they've funded other misfits around the kingdom.
21:10I see.
21:12Edgar nodded, lips tight.
21:15It's a good line of thought.
21:17Right?
21:18It's not just about the money trail.
21:21Well, maybe we need to look at the motivation behind it, too.
21:26Edgar leaned back in his seat, contemplating Reed's theory.
21:31Remember Joseph Brighton?
21:33Reed asked.
21:35The farmer?
21:36Sure.
21:37His wife, Grace, was at your brother's wedding.
21:41Precisely, Reed confirmed.
21:44If you recall, she was wearing an extravagant gown, far more expensive than a farmer could afford.
21:52I recall him being a down-and-out farmer, sometimes barely scraping by.
21:59Suddenly, he's married and sending his wife to important events in a gown that costs more than half his livestock.
22:06Someone funded him, Edgar murmured.
22:12Reed nodded.
22:13It has to be.
22:14Out of nowhere, a poor farmer has money to blow.
22:18With no inheritance and no known investors in the picture.
22:24Just sudden wealth.
22:26And Grace was already tied to the shadows, even before becoming his wife.
22:32She was one of Kate's friends.
22:36Edgar scowled, his jaw tightening as he thought of Kate Barrett.
22:41Suddenly, Edgar stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
22:46He reached for his coat and sword.
22:49Where are you going?
22:51Reed scrambled to get out of his chair.
22:53I need to speak with Joseph Brighton.
22:56Edgar said darkly,
22:58If the keeper is investing in his farm, I want to know why.
23:02Wait for me.
23:05Reed grabbed his jacket as he followed Edgar on the way out.
23:14Edgar's eyes narrowed as he stepped out of the carriage.
23:18Joseph Brighton's farm was still modest, but clearly no longer struggling.
23:24The fields were thriving.
23:26There were new field hands planting and picking along the rows of vegetables and fruits.
23:32A new barn had been constructed recently.
23:35Its wood was still pale and fresh in the morning light.
23:38His livestock had more than doubled since Edgar had last seen.
23:42What was once a scrappy but functional working farm had turned into a massive enterprise.
23:51Reed let out a low whistle.
23:54Someone has been busy.
23:56The men walked up to the farmhouse's front door.
24:00It had been freshly painted and all the windows had been replaced.
24:05Edgar took a deep sigh and rapped hard on the door.
24:10Joseph opened the door.
24:12His hands were stained with soil, but otherwise, he looked as though all the dirty work of the farm had
24:18been passed on.
24:20He was dressed in a clean set of fancy overalls, every hair in place.
24:27He wiped his hands on a handkerchief before he extended his hand toward the duke.
24:31Pardon?
24:33Just had to repot a seedling here in the herbal garden.
24:36He looked between Edgar and Reed, his eyes wary as he stepped outside, closing the door behind him.
24:43To what do I owe the pleasure?
24:47Edgar wasted no time.
24:49You've had quite the stroke of luck lately.
24:52New land, new animals, new house.
24:55If every farmer ran as successful a farm as you, no one in Lockmere would ever go hungry.
25:03Joseph chuckled nervously, looking down.
25:07Yeah, I've been doing all right out here.
25:10All right?
25:11Edgar scoffed.
25:13Look at this.
25:14He waved his hand to the acres of land.
25:18All this from hard work, Joseph?
25:21Is that really all it took?
25:23I might have had a bit of help.
25:26Joseph said finally, shuffling his feet.
25:30Reed pressed him further.
25:32What kind of help?
25:35The investment kind.
25:37He shrugged.
25:39Someone saw how hard I worked and figured to give me my due.
25:44Edgar's voice was calm but razor sharp.
25:47Who was the generous soul?
25:52Joseph swallowed.
25:53Uh, I don't know.
25:56The money came from an anonymous source.
25:59There was a sealed parcel with a short note saying that it was for my total and immediate use.
26:06No strings attached.
26:08And you just took the money?
26:11Reed shook his head in disbelief.
26:13No questions?
26:16Joseph shrugged again, clearly uncomfortable under the line of questioning.
26:21I didn't have questions.
26:23I needed the money.
26:25It came.
26:26I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
26:30Maybe you didn't have any questions, but I do.
26:35Edgar slowly stepped closer to Joseph.
26:37Can you explain to me why someone would invest in you and your farm without expecting a return?
26:45Uh, uh, well?
26:50Brighton struggled to find an explanation.
26:53The-
26:54There's nothing else I can tell you, Duke Collins.
26:57He finally mustered the words.
27:00No one has come to collect anything.
27:03No demands or anything of the sort.
27:06It was just a generous gift.
27:10Edgar stared at him a moment longer,
27:13silently prying into him.
27:16Despite the incredible story,
27:18it seemed that he was telling the truth.
27:22Without another word,
27:23Edgar turned on his heel and headed back to the carriage.
27:27Reed climbed into the carriage first,
27:31musing on the interaction with Joseph.
27:33A one-way transaction?
27:36It doesn't make sense.
27:39His words trailed off as his hand brushed a wrapped bundle,
27:43atop the seat.
27:45What's this?
27:47He pulled it out.
27:48The cloth was tied with rough twine,
27:51and wrapped around something small.
27:54Did you leave this here?
27:56He asked Edgar.
27:58No.
27:59Edgar pulled out a short dagger and sliced the twine,
28:03peeling back the cloth.
28:04A folded note was nestled inside.
28:08The ink was smeared but legible.
28:11Edgar read it out loud.
28:13Your lives are already bought.
28:17Inside was a single gleaming coin,
28:20coated in blood.
28:23Reed gasped as he looked around,
28:26searching for anyone who might be nearby
28:28or close to the carriage,
28:30but there was no one around.
28:31No one is around.
28:35Who...
28:36How did they know we were coming?
28:40Someone was here,
28:42right under our noses.
28:45Edgar stared at the note,
28:47jaw clenched.
28:49He thumbed over the coin.
28:51Engraved on it was a lion's head with a crown
28:54and a dagger beneath it.
28:57Edgar?
28:59Reed shifted on his feet,
29:01his eyes still on their fruitless search.
29:05What do we do now?
29:08A gift with no return,
29:10or a price already paid.
29:12The keeper was here,
29:13right under their noses.
29:15And the mark of the lion says,
29:17your lives are already bought.
29:19Will they get the who's behind the note?
29:22Don't miss episode 429.
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