In Enemy Hands (eBook)

A Cape pirate adventure, Book 23

Gerrie Radlof, Pieter Haasbroek (Autoren)

Pieter Haasbroek (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
78 Seiten
Pieter Haasbroek (Verlag)
9780000727541 (ISBN)

Infos

He was once the most feared pirate on the seven seas.

But when a brutal attack robs him of his memory, he becomes the perfect weapon for his greatest enemy.

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.

Awakening in the dazzling courts of Zanzibar, Oloff is tricked into serving as a loyal admiral in a vengeful prince's fleet. His unmatched naval skills are twisted to wage war, while his true past claws at the edges of his mind.

But the man he was refuses to stay buried. A forbidden attraction to the prince's beautiful sister tempts fate, while the watchful eyes of a ruthless advisor threaten to expose the dangerous charade. And when a mysterious figure from his past resurfaces, Oloff's forgotten identity ignites a storm of passion, treachery, and bloodshed on the high seas.

Now, caught in a deadly web of betrayal and war, Oloff must fight for a destiny he cannot remember, and a truth powerful enough to destroy empires.

Perfect for fans of swashbuckling pirate adventures, high-seas battles, forbidden romance, and epic betrayals, this first book in the Oloff the Sea Pirate series will sweep you into a world of danger, mystery, and unforgettable adventure.

Embark on the twenty-third voyage of Oloff the Pirate today, before the tides of fate swallow it whole.

Textauszug

Chapter 2

Malik did not answer his sister. During the next two days, however, his concern grew when he noticed with what selfless dedication Jaharidi was helping the physician with Oloff’s nursing. They did not raise the subject again and Malik let her go her way, as the physician had once remarked that the soft hands of a woman often had a greater effect than the most skilled medical treatment. And it suited Malik that Oloff should be healed as soon as possible.

But he was not the only one who had noticed Jaharidi’s unexpected interest in Oloff. Where he now stood on the quarterdeck of his flagship, he looked anxiously at his friend Mesud, who was walking towards him over the long main deck.

On either side of him, the other ships of the fleet sailed. They were all of the same design, long and narrow and only slightly wider at the forecastle so that they had the shape of sharks. Each had six masts. On each mast was a single large triangular sail which was so easily adjustable that it gave a surprising maneuverability to the ships which were mainly built for speed. Malik himself had designed them, but the pride that he usually felt when he looked over them like this was now absent because his thoughts were occupied by the dark frown on Mesud’s forehead.

“Is she still in there?” Mesud enquired glumly when he joined Malik.

“She seldom comes on deck where the crew can see her, as you know yourself,” replied Malik. He knew that Mesud was referring to Jaharidi and to the fact that she was in Oloff’s cabin most of the time. He deliberately did not answer directly.

“Is she still with Oloff?” Mesud persisted, refusing to let the subject drop.

“Possibly. I don’t know.”

“But don’t you think it is your duty to know!?” Mesud burst out impatiently. “Is it proper for your sister, for a princess, to act as a nurse for a scoundrel and a slave! Is it not your duty to speak to her about it?”

“I have only one interest, Mesud,” replied Malik calmly, but his gaze was sharp in that of his friend. “Oloff must get healthy. I want him to be strong and fit when I settle the score with him.”

“And now you are using Jaharidi for your dirty work.”

“I would advise you to weigh your words, Mesud. I know how you feel, old friend, but it will do you no good to vent your frustration on me.”

“You call me a friend.” Mesud’s lips curled down. “Is that how you treat your friends?”

“Listen, Mesud.” Malik smiled teasingly. “Is your objection actually because Jaharidi is occupying herself with the task of nursing, or is there something else?”

“You know what I mean, Jaman. Have you seen her eyes when she looks at that man? Have you heard how she talks about him?”

“You are insulting her intelligence,” Malik interjected sternly.

“You are behaving like a child, Mesud. Do you for one moment expect me to allow a relationship between my sister and my arch-enemy?”

“Then why don’t you do something about it?”

“There is a time for everything. In any case, you are imagining things. No one may even look at Jaharidi without your wrath being ignited. Now you are even jealous of an unconscious man.”

“He will regain consciousness,” predicted Mesud dejectedly. “Do you think she will then stay away from him? How the devil do you think I should feel if I know that she is sitting in there with him and... “

“Honestly, man,” Malik interrupted him, “you surely don’t expect me to take your statements seriously. I am telling you that nothing will come of it. Wake up, man. Do something. Stop walking around like a lovesick fool...”

“I love her!” Mesud exclaimed. “I can think of nothing else!”

“Then don’t bore me with your insanities.”

“I won’t,” snapped Mesud and walked angrily towards the main deck.

Malik smiled. He paid no attention to his friend’s outburst. Yet he knew that many of the things that Mesud had said were true. It did bother him.

He went down to his quarters. In the corridor he encountered the physician.

“Has he come round yet?”

“Not since I saw him a quarter of an hour ago, Highness.”

“Where is my sister?”

“She is with him.” His gaze faltered. He too knew that it was unusual for a princess to pay so much attention to a slave.

“Tell her I am in the reception lounge.”

“Certainly, Highness.”

Ten minutes later, Jaharidi joined him. He gazed at her silently. He was all too aware of the blush on her cheeks and the glow in her eyes.

“What is it, Jaman?” she inquired softly.

“How is Oloff?”

“He is moving more,” she replied seriously. “He also groans from time to time. I just haven’t managed to get anything past his lips yet. Without food, he will get weaker.”

“Mesud is bitterly dissatisfied with your behaviour, Jaharidi,” he said, getting straight to the point.

“But what right does Mesud have to be dissatisfied?” she retorted, bitterly. “Since when does he have the right to dispose of my comings and goings?”

Malik sighed. Nevertheless, he could not resist a feeling of pride. The blood that flowed in his veins, flowed also in hers. The man who wanted to possess her would have to win her full love. Her spirit was too strong to be forced. She who had the courage to cast aside the conventions of her rank and gender, would not allow anyone to dominate her.

“But why are you so interested?” was all he asked.

“Does it matter?” She sat down opposite him. “After all that you have told me, I expected a cruel monster, Malik. Now I encounter a young man with a noble countenance. I link it to the unsurpassed deeds attributed to him, and what is the result? He is more manly than anyone I have ever met. You hate him, Jaman, because he outwitted you. You hate him because he has proven, mentally and physically, that he is your superior.”

“It was only once.” Malik did not become annoyed. He immediately went on the defensive. “This time it was my turn, Jaharidi.”

“You had to creep up on him in the night, yes. You had to attack him while he was sleeping.”

“He too has often used cunning tactics.”

“Then at least you acknowledge that he is your equal and should be regarded as nothing more than a worthy opponent. You wanted to go and sell him and his people and his compatriots on the slave market. He thwarted your plan. Do you hate everyone who manages to oppose you?”

For a moment he said nothing. He looked at her inquiringly.

“Why this plea?” he then inquired calmly.

“I just wanted to set the record straight between us. He is not a scoundrel. He is a man who commands respect.”

“And love?”

She lowered her gaze, turned her face away and rose hastily. He did not stop her, but at the door she looked around.

“He is your prisoner, Jaman. You know that you can do with him what you want.” Before he could answer, she had pulled the door shut behind her.

Malik shook his head. He had not expected such a development. It was only too clear to him what was going on in her mind.

But it was ridiculous! It was absurd to think that his own sister could fall in love with Oloff. In any case, he would never allow it. And she also knew that. Maybe that was what upset her so much.

There was a knock on the door. At Malik’s invitation, the physician entered. He looked relieved and excited.

“He has come round, Highness!”

“Excellent!” Malik was quickly on his feet. Hastily they walked down the corridor. “Is his mind clear?”

“I don’t know. I don’t understand what he is saying.”

“He is most likely speaking Dutch. But does he seem to be delirious?”

“His gaze is intelligent, Highness. He is fully aware of his surroundings.”

“Good. I will go in alone. Wait for me in the corridor in case he needs your services.”

Before the door, Malik hesitated. For him, the great moment had arrived. Up until now, Oloff didn’t know who had attacked him. Now he would know. Now he would know that the man whom he had defeated a year ago, was his conqueror.

Slowly he pushed the door open. With his shoulders back and a light mocking smile that made his fine moustache curl slightly, he stepped over the threshold.

Oloff lay on his back on the sleeping bench. His blue eyes rested on Malik.

“Ah, friend Oloff,” said Malik warmly, “I cannot tell you how delighted I am about this reunion.”

“Reunion?” Oloff frowned slightly. There was a slightly surprised expression in his eyes. It was clear that he did not understand what Malik meant. “You know me?” Malik stood motionless. Uncertainty flashed through him, but then he laughed.

“Is there no end to your cunning tricks!?” he exclaimed cheerfully. “What good will it do you to pretend that you don’t know me and have never seen me before?”

“I don’t understand.” Oloff shakes his head once. “There was another man here just now. I don’t know him either. He spoke strangely. I don’t know what he said. I don’t know where I am. I... I...” He stops speaking. His eyes search around the cabin and then rest on Malik again.

Malik says nothing. He doesn’t doubt for a moment the seriousness and authenticity of Oloff’s statements. There is no reason for the charade he is playing. Until Malik stepped in here, he couldn’t have known into whose power he was. He, therefore, couldn’t have prepared himself for something like this. Maybe his mind is still clouded....

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: 9780000727541 / 9780000727541