Recaps

After returning to Allen Island, Roger turned from his old reputation as a violent outcast to organizing the islanders against the pirates. By the end, he had assembled twenty-two warriors and led them north toward the pirates’ stronghold.

• Roger returned to Rocklanza with Green Sweater and Black Cloak, but an unseen attacker struck him as he tried to assault the headman’s daughter.
• After recovering from his injuries, Roger left confinement, visited Brodick, and began treating the townspeople and his former thuggish companions differently.
• Roger killed Ulf at the Red Mill when the pirate threatened him, then planned to exploit rivalries among the pirates and recruit islanders to fight them.
• Roger arranged for Ponytail to infiltrate the pirates and poison their food, while Baldhead spread word that Roger was recruiting fighters.
• Roger secured money, weapons, and permission to borrow a horse from the Baroness, then used free food and promised pay to attract recruits.
• Ponytail’s reports and Olaf’s suspicions stirred distrust among the pirates, while Roger and Gowan selected a smaller group of islanders for the attack.
• Roger revealed that the target was the pirates’ nest, recruited Fat Widow and sixteen others, and gathered weapons and released prisoners for his force.
• Roger equipped twenty-two warriors, including Blackhide Dog and Fat Widow, then led them north through Brodick Castle’s rear gate.

Roger seized a pirate ship and treasure, then began developing Salt Beach while confronting the deaths of his father and brother and the debts facing Milkhouse Manor. He inherited the manor, became a knight, and returned to business and alliances at the Red Mill.

• Roger led the Bandit Suppression Army in a surprise attack on the poisoned and divided pirates at the mill, captured their ship, and made Olaf reveal a hidden cache of gold.
• Roger divided the spoils among his fighters, kept the finest valuables and equipment, and sailed the captured ship to Holy Island to develop the saltworks.
• Roger learned that Sir Colin and Colin II had died in Baron John’s campaign, returned to Brodick Castle, and arranged funerals, aid for the dead soldiers’ families, and care for the wounded.
• Roger refined salt at Salt Beach, hired Old Fisherman and Toke, and brought Olaf to Milkhouse Manor under guard.
• Baron John gave Roger the southern trade’s goods and let him keep the pirates’ gold, armor, weapons, and ship, while demanding inheritance tax before Roger could inherit the manor and title.
• Roger learned Milkhouse Manor was heavily in debt, retained Ma'en and Blackhide Dog, and treated the wounded soldiers while preparing to take over the estate.
• Roger paid the inheritance tax, was knighted, and attended Baron John’s banquet, where John announced a tournament with a manor as its top prize.
• At the Red Mill, Roger agreed to sell Kate fine salt if he could produce it in bulk, accepted Gary’s black bay horse and apology, and ordered Gary to send wine to Milkhouse Manor each week.