Black Horizon (eBook)

A Cape pirate adventure, Book 6

Gerrie Radlof, Pieter Haasbroek (Autoren)

Pieter Haasbroek (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
85 Seiten
Pieter Haasbroek (Verlag)
9780000727381 (ISBN)

Infos

To destroy the pirates who murdered his father, he became the most dreaded captain of them all.

Now, a new evil sails into his waters, seeking an empire built on blood.

Plunge into the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1720), where the treacherous waters of the Cape of Good Hope are just the beginning of a worldwide adventure.

In the treacherous pirate havens of the 18th-century Indian Ocean, Captain Oloff van Wagenaar lives a dangerous lie. To the world, he is Oloff the Pirate, a feared marauder whose name strikes terror across the seas. In truth, he is a Dutch captain in deep cover, dismantling the very brotherhood that destroyed his family.

But Oloff's mission of vengeance is thrown into chaos when the monstrous Komorin of the Caribbean arrives. Ruthless and sadistic, Komorin seeks to forge a pirate empire through an alliance of betrayal and political intrigue, threatening to plunge kingdoms into war.

Drawn into this deadly conspiracy, Oloff is forced into a partnership with the man he despises most. His only hope is Ninette Dupleix, a defiant prisoner whose spirit shines even under Komorin's cruelty. Yet saving her could cost Oloff everything. His mission, his identity, and his life.

To bring down a monster, Oloff must risk becoming one himself.

Filled with swashbuckling battles, dangerous deception, and relentless intrigue, this high-seas adventure is perfect for fans of Rafael Sabatini's Captain Blood, the political drama of The Three Musketeers, and the gripping naval action of Black Sails.

Book six of the Oloff the Sea Pirate saga set sail into betrayal, vengeance, and epic adventure today!

Textauszug

Chapter 2

“But, Oloff!” exclaimed Sias Myburgh for the umpteenth time. “I simply can’t understand why you’re embarking on such an undertaking purely for the sake of a few women.”

Oloff stood next to his helmsman. They had already left Deelen Bay early that morning, and the coast of Madagascar was only a hazy blur on the horizon.

“It’s their lives that are at stake, Sias.”

“I know. But how many others are going to lose their lives as a result of this long journey?”

“Before we sailed into Deelen Bay, I told you that every life we know of...”

“Yes, yes,” Sias interrupted him. “I know, Oloff. I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t like this whole business much. I don’t like that Komorin at all. To think that we’re going to work with him, however temporarily…”

“I understand, Sias. I feel the same way. But you don’t have to fear. I’m not going to allow this cruel man to slip through our fingers. We’ll stay with him until the opportunity presents itself to send him with his ships and crew and all to the depths.”

Sias Myburgh did not answer. Where Oloff led, he would follow. Occasionally, he looked up at the masthead where the watch in the crow’s nest kept the binoculars trained on the horizon ahead. Oloff had deliberately arranged with Komorin that the Seewraak would take the lead. Then his three ships would follow, with the Jansje Meer bringing up the rear. In this way, Oloff hoped to prevent Komorin from seeing a sail ahead of them. It would place him in a difficult position if Komorin were to propose that they attack an innocent merchant ship. So, he just hoped that such ships would flee as soon as they saw the sails of the Seewraak approaching.

Six weeks after leaving Deelen Bay, the five ships reached the port city of Masulipatam, on the east coast of India and in the northern region of the Circars. The world along this coast, just like the Carnatic in the south, was swarming with Marathas. The ruler of the Circars was too weak to resist the plundering gangs of Marathas. As was their custom, the Marathas had made little effort to take control of the Circars. They simply demanded an annual tribute, and otherwise they lived off the rich harvests.

Without incident, the small fleet sailed into the harbour. Oloff joined Komorin on his ship.

“And now?” he enquired as soon as they were alone in the captain’s cabin. “What are your plans, Komorin?”

“We leave for Hyderabad immediately. It’s about a three-day journey there on horseback. I’ll make arrangements.”

“Will these Circars allow an army like ours to pass through?”

Komorin laughed. He shook his head.

“The Circars are worthless, Oloff!” he exclaimed. “And the Marathas roam around in gangs. So, we don’t have to fear them either. But, in any case, you and I will go ahead with just a few men first, to find out how matters stand and how far the matter of the ascent to the throne has progressed.”

“And, and what about the seven women?” Oloff enquired casually.

Komorin stood up. He came up to Oloff and said seriously.

“We’re both sensible men, Oloff. In our field, you and I have certainly reached the highest level. That is why I was willing to stay in Deelen Bay until I could meet you. There in Deelen Bay, you told me that we would still learn to understand each other. I hope that will be the case now! Listen now. The throne of Hyderabad means everything to me. What do you think will happen if you suddenly abandon me at a certain stage, simply embark on a plundering expedition and leave with your loot? That could jeopardise my chances!”

“And so, you intend to keep the women as hostages?” Oloff added dryly.

“I won’t have it said that a man with your experience would allow himself to be bound by a few women. That would be an insult to you as a man. Yet, it seems to me that one young girl has attracted you in particular. So, I prefer to keep them under my supervision in the meantime.”

Oloff shrugged his shoulders. He realised that there was little he could do about the situation. He would just have to wait for his chance. “So, they’re staying behind here on your ship?”

“No.” Komorin shook his head slowly. “You leave with me, and Rataf Ali will bring them along afterwards. I’ll get a house for myself in Hyderabad and keep them there. It’s all the hold I have over you, Oloff, but I promise you this. If things go even slightly wrong, they will die instantly. Their guards already have those orders.”

Oloff stood up. At the door, he looked back over his shoulder.

“I’d like to speak to the girl before we leave.”

“Certainly.” Komorin laughed suddenly. “It really seems to me as if you’re in love, Captain Oloff?”

Oloff does not reply. It is perhaps best that Komorin thinks this way.

In the corridor in front of the ship’s hold, where two guards are on duty, Komorin leaves him. Oloff may take a few men with him and he must meet Komorin on the beach as soon as possible. He himself will arrange for their transport in the meantime.

Oloff enters after one of the guards has slid the bolt back. There are mattresses on the floor on which the women can sleep. Otherwise, the hold is unfurnished. The girl stands by the only porthole. He walks up to her, his eyes not evading her gaze.

“We will soon depart for Hyderabad,” he says so softly that the other women cannot hear.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“You will also be taken there.”

“For what purpose?”

“You are being held as hostages, to ensure my good behaviour.”

It is as if she suddenly understands what he means. Her eyes are wide and her lips tremble slightly. It seems as if she wants to say something, but feels uncertain.

“What must you do?” The words are barely audible.

“I cannot tell you now. I just wanted to come and assure you that you are safe.” He hesitates for a moment. “Do you know who I am?” he then asks.

“They call you Oloff. That is all I know. I saw you in Deelen Bay, so you must be one of them. But why...”

“There is too much to explain. I must go. I would be glad if you could tell me what your name is?”

“I am Ninette Dupleix. My uncle is the French governor-general in Pondicherry. My parents are both deceased. I was supposed to be with him...” She suddenly turns away as if she does not want him to see the pain in her expression.

Without further ado, he turns around and leaves. He feels suddenly invigorated again. According to the girl’s words, the women were on their way to India anyway. Now they are here, and the opportunity will present itself when he can free them and deliver them to their destination.

On the morning of the third day, they reach Hyderabad. From the crest of the hill, they look down on the city. The pointed domes glisten colourfully in the morning sun. The streets are already bustling, and Komorin, riding next to Oloff, notes that it is most likely market day.

Komorin has brought about twenty men with him. Rataf Ali will follow later with the women. Oloff has Henning, Sias and Heem Beyers with him. At the first cross street, Komorin reins in his horse.

“I am leaving you now,” he calls to Oloff. “It is better that we are not seen together too much. One does not know what the circumstances are here. I will rent a furnished house somewhere. You can get rooms at a Khan, and as soon as I have found a place, I will send some of my men to the market square to meet you there so that you can let me know what your address is.”

An hour later, the four friends are standing on the stoop of an inn. They have freshened up and now feel revitalized and full of life again.

“Well,” says Oloff, “then I suppose we should now walk down to the market. We might as well go and see the sights of Hyderabad until we receive orders from Captain Komorin.”

In front of a tall building, the front of which consists of pillars, each connected by a vault, a few Indian soldiers in neat uniforms walk back and forth. Sias draws the others’ attention to it.

“It seems as if they are well organised.”

“Those are the sepoy troops,” says Oloff. “They are trained by French officers and are mostly used at the trading posts, of course. They are the best troops in India.”

“And that bunch?” exclaims Heem Beyers.

“It looks like a royal bodyguard to me,” remarks Henning. “Most likely the troops of the deceased Nisam.”

They reach the market square. The singing and shouting is almost deafening. They are accosted from all sides, as it is quite clear from their attire that they are foreigners. Virtually everything that is called out to them is incomprehensible to them. Here and there, however, some of the Indians speak French or English, and Oloff and his companions converse with them about the prices of the goods.

They have already been wandering around for almost an hour when they stop in front of a Khan that is located on the edge of the square. Oloff climbs onto the stoop and looks around at the teeming mass.

“I wonder how long Komorin is going to keep us waiting here?” he says half to himself. Then he looks around quickly when he hears loud footsteps behind him.

Five men emerge from the front door of the Khan. They are dressed alike, although their attire does not really look like a uniform. The trousers are tight around their legs and the jackets hang down almost to their knees. The tips of their swords protrude from underneath. The five are talking loudly.

As they go down the steps,...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 27.8.2025
• Übersetzer: Pieter Haasbroek, Ai
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Fantasy
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Krimi / Thriller / Horror
• ISBN-13: 9780000727381 / 9780000727381