Captain Johanus Knight

By Chance Parish

While investigating a noise inside St. Andrew's Cathedral, the Kid came face to face with Captain Johanus Knight. Taken hostage, he was forced to help the notorious pirate find a legendary treasure. Using a map of riddles, will the Kid be able to show Captain Knight there is more to treasure than what is found in a hidden chest?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chance Parish
• Release date: Oct 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393366140

Chance Parish

Chance Parish lives on a farm in Mississippi with his wife and two children. He is a third-generation pastor who enjoys finding creative and exciting ways to share God's truth.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The lanterns were lowered as an eerie eclipse covered the ship. The Devil's Revenge took shelter in the reign of night hidden deep in the cloak of darkness. Nestled among the rocky edges, the gentle Caribbean waves worked to push the ship toward shore, but it stayed firmly anchored. To drift closer to land would be detrimental to its purpose.

On deck, the scatter pirate crew watched the door to the Captain's quarters as their eyes glowed in the moonlight. Infamous from previous raids, they lived up to the imaginations of adventurous young boys and fear-stricken society women.

A sweeping glance across The Devil's Revenge would make one wonder if hell had any demons left. Their eyes varied from shifty to lazy to cover by a patch to having a parrot for eyes. Rotten teeth, rotten smells, and rotten ideas filled their heads. Grim, notorious looks covered their faces. Only one pirate held a smile. He was a wiry, nefarious man with stringy hair named Mangus who received his life's enjoyment from torturing those around him. He menaced the others with his knife while they waited anxiously for their captain to give the signal.

The crew jumped when they heard the boots land on the floor. They cautiously eased up as the sound of each slow, calculating step came closer to the door. They held their breath as the knob turned and the door opened. Before them stood Captain Johanus Knight, the Demon of the Deep Seas. With no expression, he let his cold gray eyes pass over each man mentally checking their capacity for the task ahead.

He was a young man weathered by years at sea. He stood five foot seven but cast an imposing shadow twice his size. The tail was ragged on his dark green jacket. The feather in his salt-stained hat was partly missing, yet it was worn with pride. He held a sword built to his specifications by the finest craftsman in the Caribbean – under protest. Captain Knight called it Hell's Blade for most men who felt its burn woke up in a raging fire.

A slight smirk came across his bearded face as he spoke, "Ye crew of The Devil's Revenge, we will not find gold or jewels at this port. There will be no ransacking or trouble-making tonight for our mission is one where secrecy is our best weapon. We be searching for a map - a map claimed to reveal the location of a treasure to rule the world. No one must know of our presence or purpose here until we are safe to sea."

He paused to look up at his first mate on the quarterdeck and nodded, Give the order.

The older man in the white flowing shirt and tan pants returned the nod and yelled, To the boats! Quickly the crew ran to the ship's sides to lower the boats.

The first mate walked down the stairs to stand beside the captain. Abberus, said Captain Knight as he inspected his sword, This be the closest we ever been to this treasure. There must be no mistakes. One wrong move and our opportunity will be lost.

Yes, Captain, solemnly replied Abberus.

The Captain turned his rugged face toward the first mate and gently bounced his sword on the man's chest, The man who makes that wrong move will be thrown to the first bed of sharks we come across.

Aye, aye, Captain.

One boat splashed, then the other. The rope ladders were thrown over to let the men climb down. Finally, Captain Knight boarded the first boat. They pushed off and began to row toward the shore.

Every man was alert. The closer the shore came, the more they strained to hear the faintest sound and see the slightest movement. Only Captain Knight seemed unfazed by the possible danger that awaited them. He knew the risk was worth the potential of their quest.

The men rowed the boats into a cluster of trees within sight of the docks. One pirate stayed with each boat in case of a hasty escape. The others slipped through the jungle as they made their way to the edge of town.

The port town of Spanish Haven lay still. Silent as a muffled scream, the pirate crew quietly made their way through the streets. Each man found his place among the buildings keeping constant watch as they made a protective trail for Captain Knight to walk through. Nothing stirred as they reached their destination of a tall distinct building of solitude - a house of prayer soon to be raided by a den of thieves.

The bright moon caused St. Andrew's Cathedral to cast an imposing shadow. Captain Knight walked into the shadow and stopped. He looked up to see the cross at the very top of the steeple. Looking down, he saw the cross's shadow on his chest. The pirate growled as he quickly started up the steps.

Captain Knight slowly pushed the door open. Darkness filled the sanctuary. The moonlight beamed through the majestic stain glass windows revealing the haunting images of the life of Christ. The first window on the left was a scene of the nativity. On the right Jesus was being baptized. The second on the left found Jesus walking on water. The opposite side showed Jesus holding five loaves and two fishes. The pirate glanced at each window as he made his way down the center aisle. Then he stopped when he saw one particular picture. It depicted Christ on the cross with a spear stabbed in His side.

He turned toward the window carefully studying the picture. Somewhere hidden in this stained glass was a sign. He analyzed the picture from top to bottom until he found what he was looking for. At the foot of the cross was a small, barely distinguishable arrow pointing to the lower right corner of the window – an arrow that had gone unnoticed for decades by those who did not know of its existence.

Cutting across the pews, Captain Knight followed the arrow. He began to feel of the stone wall beneath the stain glass window. Each block was firm and unmovable. He stood back studying the wall.

Somewhere in here is my map, he muttered, I'll be cursed if I don't find it.

Then he noticed a place where the mortar was chipped. He bent down lightly brushing it with his fingers. There was only a thin layer of mortar. Little by little, gritty chunks fell out until an opening appeared.

Captain Knight pulled out his knife to dig the chunks out, but when he slipped the knife into the hole, he felt something move. He pressed his knife against the object to drag it out. It was a leather envelope sealed with a wax stamp. Knowing time was limited, Captain Knight started to break the seal.

Unhand that envelope, Pirate! shouted a voice from the shadows.

Captain Knight quickly got to his feet piercing into the dark direction the voice had come from, And why should I be doing that?

You don't know what you hold in your hand, said the unknown voice.

Oh, I know what this be, replied Captain Knight.

Then you don't understand it.

Captain Knight was un-amused, Show yourself!

Nothing.

Show yourself or I be coming in swinging! yelled Captain Knight as he fiercely drew Hell's Blade.

Light footsteps were heard as a young man of seventeen walked into the moon shining through the stain glass window. With innocent eyes and blonde hair, he stood in his sleeping gown staring into the face of the rugged pirate.

Captain Knight never made a move nor changed his expression, And who might you be?

I am Nathan Thomas, assistant to the priest, and you are intruding on the Lord's house.

Captain Knight turned his head from side to side looking at the empty sanctuary, He doesn't seem to be using it.

He is here though, replied the Kid.

Captain Knight lowered his brow, That will be enough of this child's game. Mangus! Take him out into the jungle and release him from his earthly bonds.

He turned to leave as the snickering snake slid up from behind the Kid and slipped a blade to his neck.

Wait! yelled the Kid as Mangus started pulling him back, Do you know the way?

Captain Knight stopped, looked over his shoulder and said, What did you say?

Do you know the way?

What do ye mean? asked the Captain.

I know the way.

Captain Knight glared hard at the Kid. Then he gave the order, Bring him along, but keep him quiet.

Swiftly, the pirates returned to the boats. No one said a word as they rowed against the waves toward The Devil's Revenge.

Like a solemn statue, Captain Knight stared forward deep in his thoughts. Finally, the map was his. After years of studying and searching, going from port to port looking for some hidden clue as to the whereabouts of the legendary treasure, he now held in his calloused hands the map that revealed the way.

The way. That's what the Kid had said. He looked over toward the other boat at the young man. He had a gag in his mouth and his hands were tied behind his back, but he showed no fear as he held his head up high. Did he know as much as he claimed or was this just a ploy to preserve his