Scarlet Minor and the Crossed Blades Skull

Scarlet Minor, captain of the Anchora, sails with his wife Princess Araya (disguised as the cabin boy Alaizer), his parents, and loyal friends Skimpy and Strongy. Their goals are to hunt down the Ghost Face Warriors who destroyed Araya’s homeland of Betusa, reclaim stolen treasures, and ultimately retake the Renegade — his great-grandfather’s ship — from the undead pirate Captain Stonecold Ambioca.

Early in the voyage, Scarlet and Araya narrowly survive a violent storm while fishing in a lifeboat, rescued by Strongy and Skimpy. The ordeal forces Scarlet to reveal Araya’s true identity to the crew. While some sailors react with suspicion, most accept her, though Scarlet remains wary of the gossiping seaman Giraldi.

As they sail north along the African coast toward Morocco, Araya befriends a mute boy named Seth and teaches him to read and speak. She learns he is from a proud Berber family taken by slavers, and Scarlet vows to return him home. Meanwhile, Scarlet keeps a close watch for Ambioca, aware that his enemy might target his loved ones.

In Morocco, the crew encounters British soldiers, hostile pirates, and dangerous intrigues. Scarlet’s pursuit of the Renegade takes him through tense negotiations, surprise attacks, and supernatural dangers tied to the Curse of Bodiaka — a fate he has escaped but Ambioca still endures. Along the way, Scarlet must balance his duty to protect his crew with the relentless drive to confront Ambioca and claim his inheritance.

The climax comes when Scarlet finally locates the Renegade near St. Helena. Ambioca captures Scarlet’s family, friends, and crew, forcing Scarlet to choose between their lives and his own freedom. In a tense standoff, Scarlet agrees to surrender himself in exchange for their release. The prisoners are freed and rowed away, leaving Scarlet alone in Ambioca’s hands as the pirate captain declares it is time to “conduct business.”