The Pirates of Gloom: A Buccaneer Ben Adventure

By David Werning

"The Pirates of Gloom" is a story of fact-finding, adventure, and personal growth.  When the Midland village healer is kidnapped by the legendary Pirates of Gloom, Benjamin and his sister, Lucy, set out to find the pirates and rescue their beloved apothecary.  During their adventure they discover the truth about the apothecary, the pirates, their family and themselves.  Additionally they learn about a secretive sisterhood of healers known as the Amber Light Clan.

 

"The Pirates of Gloom" is more than a story for children or young adults – it's a tale that will both entertain and engage the reader.  It's a tale that focuses on personal growth and discovery; perfect for family read-alouds or bedtime stories as there no violent passages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Werning
• Release date: Apr 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201383008

Book preview

Chapter One

H elp me, cried a voice in the early morning light. Oh please.  Somebody help me.

The shoppers in the market stopped in their tracks and turned their heads from side-to-side in search of the source of the cries.

I’ve been robbed, the voice continued.

Vendors and shoppers alike looked confused.  Never had they heard of anyone being robbed in their village.  Such an action was unthinkable.  The crowd didn’t know how to react.

Before they could decide what to do, the sound of crashing furniture floated down the street.  In the next minute, the front door of the shop at the end of the street was thrown open with such force that the sign above the entry swayed.  A man in his nightshirt and robe dashed from the building, madly waving his arms above his head.

I’ve been robbed, he repeated, as he ran toward the growing crowd.

Make way, he shouted as he approached.  Make way.  I must find the king and report this crime.

The man ran into the crowd like a wild bull, bumping into shoppers, who dropped their baskets, and then bumped into fruit and vegetable stands.

The vendors growled as their produce rolled from the stands and across the brick-paved street.  Apples and potatoes bounced on the uneven surface, while eggs splattered where they landed.

Make way.  I must find the king, the man continued.

In his rush to reach the castle, the man didn't notice the town constable until he stepped into his path.

Hold on, sir, the constable commanded.  Tell me what’s going on.

Unable to stop his headlong rush, the man ran into the constable, nearly knocking him to the ground.

I’ve been robbed, the man cried.  Someone has stolen the royal baton.

Sir Jeffrey, the man in the nightshirt and robe, was the village musician and conductor of the royal band.

Someone stole the royal baton, the one presented to me by the king.  It has been stolen.  This is terrible ... just terrible.

Calm down, sir, the constable said in a deep, reassuring voice.  Take a deep breath and tell me what has happened.

The musician slumped onto a nearby bench and looked up into the constable's gentle eyes.  The sun shining on the policeman’s uniform buttons made each look like a miniature sun in a dark blue sky.

'Tm sure everything will be okay, Sir Jeffrey, the constable said.  Perhaps the item has been misplaced; perhaps it’s ... "

It's not an item, the musician said, jumping to his feet.  It's the royal baton.  And it hasn’t been misplaced; it’s been stolen.  Stolen I tell you.

Sir Jeffrey's momentary calm was quickly replaced with a sense of urgency.  The more he thought about the theft of his prized possession, the madder he got.  Why the constable couldn’t see the importance of what he was saying agitated the musician.

I understand, sir, the constable said, taking Jeffrey by the arm.  Come along with me and we’ll report this theft to the king, he continued.

Step aside, please.  Step aside, the constable said as he waved his arm in the general direction of the assembling audience.

The crowd parted in front of the police officer as he gently led Sir Jeffrey down the center of the street; a makeshift parade formed behind the duo as they made their way to the High House.

Mind your step, sir.  The bricks are wet this morning, and you’re not wearing any shoes or slippers.

Sir Jeffrey looked down at his bare feet and noticed for the first time that he was still wearing his nightshirt and robe.  He clutched the edges of his robe and pulled it tight about his body.  A slight redness flushed his face, as he noticed his friends and neighbors whispering.  He was sure they were talking about him and his early morning attire, and not the terrible situation that had befallen him.

Chapter Two

The queen was busy tidying the kitchen.  There were breakfast plates to clean and stack. The children had been preoccupied during their morning meal and left half-eaten pieces of toast scattered across the table.

As Sarah brushed the crumbs from the wooden surface, she wondered what pot of trouble the children were stirring.  Lucy, she knew, would be engrossed in some activity involving animals, perhaps playing statute with birds flocking all about her.  Benjamin, on the other hand, would be off on some sort of self-realized adventure.  Often his adventures inadvertently involved his sister.

While a mere four years separated the children in age, they were as different as night and day.  Lucy, the younger of the two, was thoughtful but dramatic.  Benjamin was the more logical child and possessed an immense curiosity and adventuresome spirit.  Together they would have made an ideal single child, the queen thought of her children.  Individually, it took an entire household staff to keep track of them.  Unfortunately, the kingdom's royal household did not include a staff, just a single housekeeper who also doubled as the cook.

Neither Sarah nor her husband, King Andrew, believed that the villagers should devote themselves to their benevolent leaders.  In fact, no royal couple in the history of Midland had ever acted like royalty.  Rather, the role of king was that of leader and, when necessary, justice-of-the-peace.  The king only made and enforced those laws necessary to protect the less-fortunate residents of the community.  As the village arbitrator, the king could be called upon to settle disputes among the local residents.  Luckily for Andrew, disruptions in the serene village setting were seldom and dispute among neighbors even less common.  For the most part, Midland was a quiet and friendly hamlet.  Because of the lack of squabbles, the king was left with time to pursue his ultimate passion - horticulture.

King Andrew was the only son of his father, King David, and as such was fated to eventually serve as the leader of Midland.  The eldest son of each king was ordained to serve as the royal leader, but not until the future king had first experienced life as a commoner, a term that the newest king found offensive.  Andrew firmly believed that all men and women are uncommon and special in regard to their abilities and talents, and should be treated as unique individuals.  It was only by reason of his birth that he would eventually assume the royal role.

As a young man, Andrew had lived among the farmers of Midland, learning about crops, growing seasons, and what it takes to bring in the harvest.  At the request of his parents, he eventually attended the Midland Academy to learn of more lofty and kingly affairs.

When his father retired from the throne, as was required by Midland custom, Andrew reluctantly assumed his new duties.  Fortunately, the kingdom did not require much oversight, leaving the king time to pursue his other ambitions, of which horticulture – as previously noted – was his favorite.

Well-liked by his friends and neighbors - whom he never referred to as his subjects - Andrew was free to roam throughout the village and countryside.  His latest endeavor included the introduction of Marsh Pea Pods into the low-lying fields that dotted the picturesque countryside and were a common site along the Midland coastline.

Marsh Peas were neither a vegetable nor a fruit.  They grew best in the moist fertile lands along the coast, where the salty sea air combined with the sandy loam to produce a flavorful pod. The plants themselves grew lush and crowded out the soil beneath them.  Viewed from a distance, a Marsh Pea patch appeared to be a solid green carpet.  The pods remained hidden under the foliage until harvest time, when the leaves gently curled to reveal the bright yellow capsules containing five to seven individual peas.

According to coastal farmers, the brighter yellow the pods, the colder the coming winter months.  Once harvested, the pods could be dried and retained for many months; long enough to outlast even the coldest Midland winter.  Boiled with meat and vegetables, the pods made a wonderfully filling stew.  Ground pods were used to make hearty bread.  Marsh Pea Pod bread had fast become one of the king’s favorite foods, and the queen had practiced long and hard with local bakers to master the tangy, nutty flavor of the dense loaf.

In fact, it was the Pea Pod bread crumbs that the queen was now removing from the kitchen table. Benjamin and Lucy both liked thick slices of the bread toasted, and smeared with fresh churned butter and sweet berry relish.

As Sarah continued to clean the kitchen, she became more anxious about the whereabouts of the children.  Normally it would be unusual not to hear some type of argument or loud discussion between them.  Putting aside her washcloth and drying her hands on the apron tied around her waist, the queen walked toward the patio.

In the garden below, Lucy was sprawled on her stomach near a small patch of flowers.

As Sarah watched, Lucy parted the stalks of some long-stemmed flowers and slowly inserted her hand into the opening.  A few minutes later, the child withdrew her arm to expose a beautiful butterfly sitting on her palm.

Lucy rotated her hand slowly and carefully examined the creature, with its brightly colored wings slowly flapping in the morning sunlight.  The examination would have continued longer had it not been for the sudden rush of a rabbit running through the patch.

Avast there, cried Benjamin, as he chased the rabbit from its hiding place.  Avast, I said.

Benjamin’s arm swooped through the air, a pretend cutlass held firmly in his grip.  The young lad bounded carelessly through the flowers and almost tripped over his sister as he exited the patch in pursuit of the fleeing bunny.

Watch out, Lucy cried as she tried to shield the butterfly.  You’ll hurt it.

But Benjamin couldn’t be bothered with his sister's warning, and in a matter of seconds raced past Lucy in pursuit of his prey.  The butterfly on Lucy’s hand took flight to avoid the boy's flailing arms.

The queen often wondered what her son would do in the event that he actually captured his prey.  Benjamin has a good heart and wouldn’t intentionally hurt anything or anybody, she thought counseling herself.  Her reflection was broken by a sharp plea from the garden below.

Mother, Lucy shouted, seeing her mother on the patio.  Benjamin almost stepped on me and squashed Blaze, she cried, adding And he’s not wearing his glasses so he can’t see where he’s going.

Blaze, the queen assumed, was the name given to the now-departed red, yellow and orange butterfly.  Sarah was aware of her daughter’s fondness for naming everything - especially the animals she encountered on her daily outing.  She had often heard Lucy carry on complete conversations with all manner of insects and animals, each with its own assigned surname.

Mom, Lucy repeated.  Aren’t you going to do something?  Please.

And so my day begins, Sarah thought to herself, a small smile creeping across her face.

Chapter Three

The queen was not a native of Midland and claimed a faraway village in the wooded hills north of the kingdom as her home.  As a young woman, Sarah journeyed throughout the countryside in the search for knowledge.  For a while, she stayed among the coastal villagers and learned their customs and traditions.

Upon arriving in Midland she sought admission to the Midland Academy, where she pursued the path of a teacher.  The thirst for knowledge was not only her ambition but also satisfied her quest to understand the whys of the world.  While Andrew’s passion was horticulture, Sarah’s passion was learning.  Her desire to learn and try different things clearly had been inherited by her son.  Lucy, on the other hand, took after her father with his happy-go-lucky attitude.

While studying at the Academy, Sarah met her future husband.  Andrew eventually succumbed to his parents' suggestion that it would be wise for the future ruler to be acquainted with the teachings of worldly scholars.  As a result, he had reluctantly enrolled in the Academy.  His school habits, however, were not as strict as those of Sarah's, whose mind absorbed facts like a dry sponge dropped into water.  She excelled at her studies and quickly decided that she wanted to instill her love of knowledge in others.

During her first years at the Academy, Sarah developed a fondness for two of her fellow students.  One was a coastal lad named Jeffrey.  The second was the gangly Midlander, who was referred to simply as ‘Andy’ by his classmates.  It was this gangly lad to whom the future queen felt bonded, and a courtship soon developed between the two.

Sarah remained unaware of Andy's royal heritage until one evening when she was invited to dine at the High House.  There she was introduced to the King and Queen of Midland who were smitten by the young woman.  Blessings were bestowed upon the couple and a wedding was soon planned to occur after their studies were completed.

Upon graduation, Sarah set about to teach the children of Midland – an occupation she heartily enjoyed.  Her lessons focused on the study of the gentler subjects, including art, literature, and music.  Sarah found it difficult to teach classes in history or mathematics as she believed these subjects - as essential as they are - to be boring and difficult to impart to impatient students.

Music, she told her students, embodies the principles of mathematics but lets the heart and soul do the addition and subtraction.  Music is the sound of life, itself.

The wedding of the future king and queen occurred shortly after Sarah’s first year of teaching.  It was a simple affair, to which all the inhabitants of Midland were invited.

As King David and Queen Cheryl were years from reaching the age of maturity – the customary time of retirement – the newly wedded couple was free of royal obligations and spent many years building their lives together.  They acquired a small cottage not far from the High House and pursued their daily activities.

Sarah continued to teach, while Andrew assisted his father in kingly duties, when necessary.  Secretly he longed to sneak off to assist friends and neighbors with tending their crops and livestock.  Andrew’s forays in agriculture soon occupied nearly all of his ‘court time’ and his father would dismiss his son so that he could pursue his interests.

The birth of their children did little to change the couple’s routines, other than divide Sarah's time between home and school.  They were attentive parents, who cherished their children, even amid the chaos they created.

Your highness, a voice called from somewhere beyond the queen’s thoughts.

The sudden intrusion of a stranger’s voice chilled the warmth of Sarah's memories.  The queen turned away from the garden view to face her housekeeper, who was walking toward the basin full of breakfast dishes.

Excuse me, your highness, but the village constable is here to report a crime.  And he has Sir Jeffrey with him, the woman said.

Chapter Four

The queen followed her housemaid’s directions and walked into the great room where all official activities were conducted.  Officially, the space was referred to as the King's High Hall, a naming convention that was common with all the king's possessions.  At one end of the room stood the High Chair, a sturdy and solid piece of furniture designed to accommodate the king.  Swaths of emerald cloth gently padded its straight back and solid wooden seat. 

To the right of the High Chair was the Queen's Chair.  Smaller than the king's, it was comfortably appointed with greater padding upon the seat.  It was toward this seat that Sarah journeyed.

As the queen took her seat, she glanced down the hall to the far side where the constable and Sir Jeffrey awaited the signal to approach.  Sarah looked past the waiting pair and noticed a small crowd of villagers lingering at the doors.  She imagined that the reason for the constable’s visit was already well known among the villagers.

With a slight smile on her face and a gentle rise of her hand, the queen motioned the small audience to advance further.  The constable’s leather-soled boots slid silently across the polished hardwood floor, while Sir Jeffrey's bare feet made a slapping sound with each step.

As the crowd made its way forward, Sarah casually looked about the room.  The great room was not really 'great’.  Rather, she imagined it was only slightly larger than any room found in a villager's home.  Perhaps, she thought, the greatness came from the fact that the room was nearly devoid of any furniture, which only made the interior appear larger.  A narrow passage connected the hall to the royal residence.  It was through this passage that the queen had entered the High Hall.

Sarah sat patiently in her designated seat as the procession continued its slow approach toward her.

Oh fuddle, she said under her breath, all this king's high stuff is horribly boring.  After all, it’s just a room in a house.

After shifting in her chair to find the most comfortable position, the queen looked up to find the constable and Sir Jeffrey standing just before her.  The constable was at rigid attention, while the musician's posture appeared less formal.  It seemed to the queen that Sir Jeffrey was slowly slumping toward the ground.

Your highness, the constable began.  "Your highness, I’ve come to