Search for the Holy Grail - Volume 3: No Quarter: Search for the Holy Grail

By MJL Evans and GM O'Connor

In a world of fight or flight where can one find sanctuary? Search for the Holy Grail.

 

Volume 3 of 3
The explosive finale finds Countess Aurora and Helena in the "forbidden zone" on the Yuna River, where they meet the unsettling Baron de Klauwen. Little do they know of the terrible fate the baron has in store for them. Will they escape and will there be enough Cognac?

Series Description
Every pirate in the Caribbean is searching for The Holy Grail—a ship carrying the treasury of Hanover and the countess Aurora of Calenberg, suspected of orchestrating the theft. Prinz Maximilian will stop at nothing to catch her and regain the fortune, even if it means following her into the deepest, darkest recesses of Samaná Bay. With pirates and cutthroats at every turn, will she be reunited with her handmaiden, Helena and her portrait painter, Dodo? Aurora's only solace is in a bottle of Cognac with a chaser of coca-leaf powder in this vibrant, fast-paced chase through the Caribbean.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MJL Evans
• Release date: Aug 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781988616179

MJL Evans

MJL Evans is an Indie Author/Publisher and co-author of the 6-part series, No Quarter: Dominium. Future endeavours include co-authoring the books No Quarter: WENCH and No Quarter: The Dirge. She also hopes to have her books translated in various languages including French.MJL Evans is also a writer of romance and relationship articles featured in publications like Monday Magazine in November 2004 and again in February 2006, she writes fiction, historical fiction, erotica and humour. Published in the November 2014 issue of Flash Fiction Magazine, Red Dragon is vibrant piece of micro-fiction that delves into Victoria BC in the 1860s, when it was the opium capital of the New World.A native of Victoria, British Columbia, MJL Evans studied English at Victoria School of Writing and Camosun College. Not only is she passionate about her written expression, she is enthusiastic about her visual art masterpieces she has created over the past 20 years and has over 60 paintings to her credit. MJL Evans is also a lover of film, independent, foreign, and cult. Her favorites include: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Nymphomaniac, Secret Window, The Brood, Le Pacte des loups, Mesrine: L'Instinct De Mort and many others.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Long-Haul Bay

LA LUNE SAT anchored behind the dilapidated fort towers of Long-Haul Bay in Nevis. The sky was deep blue with hints of gold; the perfect light to begin the prowl. Silent Sam followed Barns to the edge of the dock, where they crouched behind a cart.

Inside the wall, past the barracks, said Barns. The ammunition stores are in there, too.

When I’m ruler of the Caribbean, I shall give you Nevis, said Sam.

A wherryman’s carriage sat nearby, with no sign of a driver. Sam signalled his men and they boarded.

Viva la Saint-Domingue! Sam was driving towards the town when another carriage approached. Shit! Quick, look English!

They looked around inconspicuously as a carriage full of English militiamen passed.

I like kippers, said Sturgeon.

Blimey, kippers are good! Sam agreed.

The militiamen passed by.

We’re lost? How did we get lost? Sam searched around. How do ya get lost on Nevis? It’s the smallest fucking island in the Caribbean!

Sturgeon glanced at a man repairing a fence.

What do we do? Spike said. Ask him for directions?

The carriage pulled up. Sam and his men attempted to rearrange their clothes to appear more English.

Pardon me, kind sir, Sam began. Can you help us?

What with? replied the carpenter.

We’re in need of a doctor. Can you point out the hospital?

Sturgeon groaned.

What’s wrong with him? asked the carpenter.

Why do you ask?

Is it plague? If so, he needs to be quarantined.

It’s the clap, for Christ’s sake, said Sam. He just needs medical attention.

If it’s a serious wound, the infirmary is up at the fort. Or if it’s medicine you need, there’s an apothecary in town.

Much obliged. Aye, aye. Drive on, driver. There was no response, so Sam kicked Spike, who snapped the reins, and the carriage lurched forward.

Cheery-bye! Sam waved.

As they neared the infirmary entrance, Sam and his men split up. The two marine guards at the door turned their heads when a whistle sounded. Half-Lovely appeared out of a passageway on one side, with Spike on the other. The pirates grabbed the officers from behind, covered their mouths and stabbed the backs of their heads.

Sam strolled casually through the entrance as the bodies were dragged away.

Inside, the doctor was storing tools as his patients rested on cots. He took a swig from a bottle before heading to the door. Half-Lovely grabbed him, while Sam approached holding a bloodstained knife.

Oh, lord, said the doctor.

Yer too kind. Sam licked his fingertips and pushed his hair to one side.

The doctor looked for an escape route.

Spike blocked the only path.

Help! the doctor called. Pirates!

We are helping, said Sam.

The doctor put up his hands. Don’t kill me. I’m a doctor.

Pleased to make yer acquaintance, Doctor. Sam hit him with the butt end of his sword, knocking the doctor down. Now, where is the German countess? Here, Countess, Countess!

There was movement behind a curtain.

Who’s in there, a parrot? Sam opened the curtain. Hello? Witchy witch?

The countess rose, covering herself with a blanket.

Hello, my lovely. Who might you be? Speaken ze frowline? Sam mocked.

The countess grabbed a bedpan and smashed his head with it.

Sam stumbled backwards, tripping over his own feet so that he hit the floor with a thud. One of Sam’s men tried to grab the countess but was shot. Fokman, with bandaged fingers, fumbled for his second pistol, but Spike shot him through the head.

Shit. Sam massaged his head, then felt something warm running from his nose. He realized he was covered in his own blood. The countess threw the bedpan at him, but he managed to deflect it before it slammed into his head again. The bitch, Sam thought.

Spike apprehended her with brutal force, knocking her down and yanking her hair.

Sam staggered to his feet, staring daggers at her. You’re gonna wish you hadn’t done that.

What do you want from me? she challenged. Tell me.

Sam knocked her to the floor with his fist. Consider yerself told, Countess. Bring her and the doctor.

Sam and his men ventured to the Charlestown docks, where Ding Dong was busy lighting a rag stuffed into a bottle of spirits. Fish and Chips were doing the same on the other side of the dock. Soon there were explosions, and Assistance erupted into flames.

Now, there’s a diversion, if I say so myself. Sam enjoyed the panic as crewmen scrambled for buckets of water.

After he’d collected his men, they continued along the road to Long-Haul Bay. La Lune came into view. The carriage stopped at the dock and everyone got out. Sam jabbed the tip of his cutlass into the doctor’s back.

No, please, I’m a doctor.

Sam jabbed the cutlass in again.

Don’t kill him, I beg you, said the countess.

You Germans have no character, Sam said. That’s the worst begging I’ve ever seen. He stabbed the doctor again.

Ugh! Please stop! the doctor gasped.

No talking! Sam jabbed him again. I hate it when it does that. A runaway cutlass, what can I say?

The doctor released a panicked sob. Don’t kill me.

Sam stabbed in again, deeper. I said, no crying.

Don’t! Aurora insisted. Stop!

Don’t stop? Sam put his hand to his ear. She has a dark side. I like it! The cutlass jabbed in again, and the doctor dropped to the ground. Sam was about to go for the doctor again, but Aurora tugged the doctor to his feet and pushed him along.

At the pier, Sturgeon ran up the gangway to La Lune, while Spike led the countess on board. She bolted, trying to escape, but came face to face with Half-Lovely. The countess shrieked as she was seized.

She screamed again, Doc, said Sam.

Sam stabbed the doctor through the gut with his cutlass.

The doctor let out a high-pitched squeal as he staggered to the gangway. He clutched his side and fell into the water. The countess attacked Sam, clawing at his face. In retaliation, Sam slammed his sword handle into her head. He caught her as she fell, struggling to get her aboard.

She’s well-fed, I’ll give ’er that, Sam said. Just a scratch. See, Barns, ya just gotta treat women right, that’s all. A few nice words and a bouquet of flowers, now and then, and a good knock on the head to say, ‘I’m thinkin’ of you.’

Sam drew his pistol and aimed it at Barns. His men did the same. Thank you for yer service, Mr. Barns.

Barns dove into the water, skirting the shots.

CHAPTER TWO

Wisdom of Wounds

THE SUN BEAMED down upon the Brandenburg fleet, just off San Juan. Prinz Maximilian stood on the deck of Kurprinz in full blue steel armor, beaming through the smoke like a beacon. French ships fired at El Morro, while English vessels approached.

The French line is testing San Juan’s defenses, said Rear Admiral Reers, his mustache curling from the sea air. Many ships, including a man of war and a frigate under an English flag. Our ships are ready to deploy. Something they’re aware of as they’re maintaining a safe distance to the north.

Engage the enemy, said Maximilian.

The captain shouted orders, and the battle flags were raised. The fleet sailed towards the French line. The rules of battle were no different for Maximilian, only the terrain. He had never commanded at sea before, but his mother’s treachery had forced him to the Caribbean.

Maximilian had fought in the Alps and in the field, even along the coastline, but naval warfare proved more complicated. Aboard, his officers seemed cowardly. Fed up with excuses, he wanted to charge the enemy head-on. All day and night, ships traded shots, traveling the sea north of San Juan.

Two hits struck the Prinz’s flagship, and bodies dropped.

Order all ships to attack, Maximilian said.

They’re out of range again, my Prinz, said the captain. The French ships have speed, but their guns are no match for ours. I suspect they will retreat. Shall we give chase into the night?

The lead French ship is indicating another pass. They’re turning to engage, an officer replied.

You were saying? Reers said to the captain.

A German officer came aboard, proceeding to the command deck. Prinz Maximilian, Baron Gretsch has been located. He has the handmaiden, Helena Braunschmidt.

It’s about time, said Maximilian. Where are they?

"Aboard Einhorn. Both are wounded."

A thin smile formed on Maximilian’s lips. Wounded?

Yes, sir, critically, said the officer. Gretsch is charged with killing the Spanish nobleman Don Medina, on the other side of the island.

Gretsch killed Don Medina? Reers said. There goes our sponsor. Gretsch has caused a disaster.

I will interrogate them myself. Turn the ship back to San Juan immediately, Admiral, Maximilian ordered.

The French guns still lie between us.

Then engage the French head-on, said Maximilian.

Admiral Reers and the captain gave orders. Everyone came to life as men rushed to their stations.

"Inform Count Molke that Helena Braunschmidt is wounded aboard Einhorn, Maximilian ordered an officer. I’m sure he’ll have some questions of his own. He wandered to the railing; the battle played out on the horizon. Cardinal Grimaldi may burn her as a witch after all."

Helena woke to the rumble of a distant battle. She massaged her eyes, uncertain of her surroundings. Full Moon Bay was no more; that future was dead. She rose gingerly. The wound to her abdomen was deep. Helena staggered through her door, which went right by Gretsch’s private chamber aboard Einhorn. She paused at a bookshelf.

Gretsch approached her. At first, she jumped, then they instinctively reached for each other, before she withdrew. Both felt the sting of their wounds, and they leaned on opposite sides of the hull. Helena felt his eyes invading her, but somehow this was comforting.

"If you are wondering what all the noise is, my ship is guarding San Juan from the French. Einhorn is too small to play with the big dogs. Gretsch paused. I’m glad to see you’re well."

And you. I’m looking for a book to read. I haven’t much to do.

You may like these. They’re imaginative. He almost cracked a smile, passing her a few books from the shelf. Turns out, I’ve been looking for these books for a year. I never thought to look here. I hardly ever go to sea. I’ll leave you to it.

He headed back inside his cabin.

Thank you. Helena went to her bed. She lay down, staring at the book, unable to read. She closed her eyes and was off to sleep.

It was nighttime when she woke. The room glowed by lantern light. Heavy footsteps approached. Fuchs reported to Gretsch. She couldn’t hear their conversation, so she ambled to the doorway.

Fuchs departed and Gretsch appeared.

Bad news? Helena asked.

Little Venice, the port in Lake Maracaibo, was destroyed.

Are there survivors?

There are no reported survivors, sorry. The Spanish say no one lived.

Helena’s jaw vibrated.

Gretsch reached for her. She heaved a painful sob and covered her face. The instinct to run seized her, but her injuries wouldn’t permit it. Instead, she limped her way back to bed to weep.

Twisted, broken bodies lay under a blanket of smoke and fire. Van Gelder fought off pirates when Barns aimed his pistol and fired. Blood splattered Aurora’s face, and then she was hit. The shot burned her backside like a hot dagger. She could hear Sam laughing wickedly.

Aurora? said a female voice. Can you hear me?

Aurora’s eyes opened, and her temple throbbed. She was in her chambers aboard De Heilige Graal, wearing a night dress. Someone patted her forehead with a damp cloth. It was Persephone’s nanny, Holly.

Lie still. You got hit on the head, said Holly.

I got hit everywhere. I feel sick.

Holly reached for a bucket off the floor.

Aurora held the cloth on her head. How long was I out?

You’ve been in and out since they brought you on board two days ago.

Aurora blinked slowly. Two days?

They bet on whether or not you’d live, said Holly.

What were the odds?

The pirates fought among themselves. Some threatened to kill others if you died.

Where’s Katrina and Van der Hagen?

Viscount Van der Hagen’s locked up below. They told me to look after you. They said if you die, I die.

Well, I’ll try to live. Aurora peered out the window. Where’s Katrina?

They keep her in the captain’s cabin, said Holly.

Do you know her condition?

There was a pause. I hear her screams at night.

They’re raping her.

Holly nodded.

This has gone on long enough. Aurora sat up, the room spinning. I’ll talk to these pirates. They understand money.

You’re not allowed out.

Or they’ll shoot me, or hit me in the head? What more can they do to me? Come on. Let’s get Katrina out of there. Aurora saw fresh blood on Holly’s back, from being whipped. Right, you stay here. She grabbed Van der Hagen’s walking stick and went out the door, pausing to let a wave of