Stronghold of the Pirates (eBook)

A Cape pirate adventure, Book 21

Gerrie Radlof, Pieter Haasbroek (Autoren)

Pieter Haasbroek (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
87 Seiten
Pieter Haasbroek (Verlag)
9780000727466 (ISBN)

Infos

A royal heir vanishes at sea.

A kingdom is on the brink of collapse.

This is no ordinary pirate attack... it's an act of treason.

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 jewel-rich kingdom of Sarovia, a political storm is brewing. When ruthless sea pirates ambush the royal yacht and leave no survivors, loyal bodyguard Baron Rupert Hesslein miraculously escapes the carnage. Haunted and desperate, his only hope to rescue the missing royals lies with the one man he should never trust. The legendary Captain Oloff van Wagenaar.

Together, they plunge into a shadowy world of double-crosses and sword fights, where spies lurk in every port. As they hunt for the truth behind the attack, they uncover a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power. One wrong move won't just cost them their lives. It will condemn the entire kingdom to eternal darkness under a merciless tyrant.

Amidst the clash of steel and the roar of cannons, an unlikely alliance is forged between the soldier and the pirate. But the closer they sail toward the truth, the more the lines blur between friend and foe.

To save the king, they must sail into the heart of danger itself. But can they unmask the true traitor before they walk directly into the Stronghold of the Pirates?

A swashbuckling blend of classic sea pirate adventure and high-stakes historical thriller, this novel is a perfect read for fans of Patrick O'Brian and fast-paced mystery.

Discover the twenty-first book in this sweeping and unforgettable Oloff the Sea Pirate adventure today!

Textauszug

21. STRONGHOLD OF THE PIRATES

Chapter 1

His hand still on the gilded doorknob, Burgrave Gustav von Strasheim hesitated for a moment before entering the room. His six-foot stature appeared even grander in the ceremonial attire, the Austrian helmet with its multi-colored plumes, the long jacket with tassels on the shoulders, the embroidered breeches that disappeared into knee-high fine leather boots. Numerous medals and colored ribbons adorned his chest.

His face was almost expressionless, yet there was something aggressive in his gaze. A tenacious willpower emanated from his posture. His lips were straight and firm beneath the massive black mustache, and the single frameless glass over his one eye was clamped a little tighter than usual.

“Mister Bizerta?” he said-asked, as the door closed behind him, and as if on a sudden impulse, strode over the luxurious carpet towards the gleaming, hand-carved desk.

From a settee with upholstery and oak armrests, a slender but broad-shouldered man stood up. His attire was almost inappropriate amidst the calm opulence of the furniture and tapestry in the room. Even in this era of extravagant dress for men, his clothes were too bright and sharp.

But it was the color of his face that first drew attention. It was pale yellow, although none of his features were those of an Oriental. His eyes sat close together beneath a broad, but flat forehead. His lips had a permanent downturn, lending his face a bitter cast. His eyes were cold, yet vibrant with cunning.

“At your service,” he replied in a relaxed, conversational tone. His voice was hoarse like that of a crow. “I presume you are Burgrave Gustav.”

“That is, I,” replied Von Strasheim. The deep bass of his voice tended to emphasize his superiority.

With a slight, half-mocking bow, Bizerta unceremoniously sat down again. He crossed his legs.

“At your service,” was all he repeated.

The Burgrave cleared his throat. It was as if he was suddenly searching for words. He walked halfway around the desk.

“Mister Bizerta, your profession is that of a pirate.”

Bizerta clicked his tongue. He tilted his head slightly, glancing around the room as if deep in thought, then pursed his lips.

“Yes,” he remarked rather philosophically, “my profession might perhaps be so designated.”

“It would be best if we called things by their right names,” the Burgrave interjected with a slight haughtiness.

“Now, now, Your Excellency,” said Bizerta, and despite the title with which he addressed the other, he spoke like someone negotiating with a businessman. “I am Susa Bizerta, the pirate. They call me the Yellow Dragon. I also know that you, Burgrave Gustav von Strasheim, are regent of Sarovia. I have found out a few things about your country, Your Excellency. It is a treasure-rich little jewel. For years, various great powers have been vying for possession of the few rich acres of which you consist. There are constant political intrigues going on. Coup d’etat follows coup d’etat. I accept that much of it is rather underhanded. Therefore, Susa Bizerta appears on the scene.” And again, the mocking bow. “Let me then hear what you expect of me, Your Excellency. Shall we start with the price, my services, my time, financially speaking, are particularly valuable.”

The Burgrave had not interrupted him. He had let him finish speaking. Now he cleared his throat again.

“You are right, Mister Bizerta,” he then began, in the same tone as before, attempting not to stoop to the other’s level. “I want to make a proposal.”

“I am listening.”

“I am going to give you full details about a ship that will sail in the English Channel tomorrow around midday. I will pay you to attack and plunder that ship, and then send it to the depths.”

“What is the loot worth?”

“A royal fortune. I speak of the luxury yacht of the king of Sarovia.”

Bizerta’s eyes gleamed. Now professional interest could be read on his face.

“Indeed, a coup d’etat,” he said, as one who was slightly out of breath. “What are the conditions, Your Excellency?”

“Very simple. No one must escape. Everyone, every mortal on board, must be imprisoned along with the ship.”

Bizerta shrugged his shoulders. He made a gesture with his hands like someone who had expected a rather difficult task and now felt that he had gotten off lightly.

“And the price?” he then asked.

“Your attitude has half encouraged me,” replied the Burgrave with a cough, “to assume that the loot will be sufficient reward.”

“How do I know that I’m not perhaps sticking my head in a noose?”

“But good heavens, man!” the Burgrave burst out. “I thought you had enough intelligence not to even consider such a thing. Am I not perhaps the one who is taking the greatest risk by entering into such a negotiation with you?”

“Are no warships escorting the yacht?” asked Bizerta calmly, as if the Burgrave’s risks did not really interest him.

“There will be one, approximately twelve cannons. Up to about ten miles outside the mouth of the Thames, a few British warships will accompany them, just a formality. Then they will turn around. For a full hour, the royal yacht will be accompanied only by one ship. Then two others will rejoin them for the last leg of the journey to the coast of France. During that hour, you must strike.”

“Simple.” The Yellow Dragon stood up. “What did you say, Your Excellency, is the price? When and how is it paid?”

As if he had once again thought that the other might have forgotten the matter, the Burgrave turned around, and with a half-impatient gesture, opened a drawer of the desk. He brought out two leather pouches. They looked heavy, and there was the clinking of coins as he dropped them onto the polished surface.

“You can count if you wish.”

“I am satisfied,” said Susa Bizerta. “I will...”

The door opened. In the doorway stood a neatly built young man. He too was wearing a richly embroidered and embellished velvet and satin robe.

“Oh.” His voice was polite and deeply refined. “Excuse me, Your Highness. But I have been looking for you everywhere. The guests are about to depart. Your presence is required at His Majesty’s side.”

The Burgrave, as well as Susa Bizerta, regarded the young man almost like two scoundrels caught in the act. The Burgrave cleared his throat vigorously.

“Yes, yes, of course, Baron. I’ll come immediately.”

With a small bow, the Baron left the room. Only once did his eyes flicker towards the Yellow Dragon.

“That man will be on board the royal yacht tomorrow,” said the Burgrave coolly. “Now that he has seen us together here, you will realize the necessity that he must be one of the first to die tomorrow. I was foolish,” he said half to himself. “I should have closed the door.” He rang a bell on the desk. “Remember that Sarovia has a rather strong navy, Mister Bizerta.” The threat in his voice was strong. “Do your work well.”

“It will be a pleasure, Your Excellency.” Bizerta once again made the mocking bow and then turned to a man in a dark cloak who had entered the room. While they left through a side door, the Burgrave straightened his jacket slightly and walked out the door through which the Baron had just looked in.

By way of the passage, he reached the top of a spiral staircase. Below in a large hall stood a multitude of the dignitaries of the royal court of England. Their jewels and medals glittered in the light of the silver candelabras. The ball at the Sarovian Embassy in London had just come to an end. After all the honors and receptions that the visitors from Sarovia had received on their state visit, this reception was their farewell gesture as they would return to their country the next day.

Close to the foot of the stairs stood His Majesty, ten-year-old Lodewyk of Sarovia. His small face was framed by long, blond locks. His posture was proud, but it was all too clear that the official duties that had kept him busy for the past fourteen days had exhausted his strength. Next to him stood Her Royal Highness, Princess Arthenia. Her slender beauty had won many a heart in England. Her dark hair was natural and styled high on her head. She possessed the formal aloofness of years of practice in her royal role, but her smile was soft and endearing.

The regent, Burgrave Gustav von Strasheim, joined them. With a slight bow to the royal couple, he turned to the first of the guests who were taking their leave. A handshake, a smile and a friendly word to each, and slowly the crowd moved past them.

Diagonally behind the young king stood his personal bodyguard and secretary, Baron Rupert Hesslein. The young nobleman’s gaze was softly directed towards his sovereign. He knew how tired the young lad was. With admiration, he watched the willpower with which the boy hid his feelings. But shortly before the Burgrave had arrived, he had seen the two blue eyes look up at the beautiful Arthenia. He had seen the light squeeze of her hand on the king’s shoulder. He knew how deeply attached they were to each other, and he also knew that his life belonged to them, not only because it was his duty, but because Baron Hesslein loved the Princess with all his heart and soul.

Now there was a worried look in his eyes when Von Strasheim joined them. Up there in the study, he had seen the stranger with the Burgrave. He did not know the man at all. However, it had not escaped him that Von Strasheim had not felt entirely at ease when he was caught there.

And the Baron...

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: 9780000727466 / 9780000727466