Pirate's Lair: Revenge is Justice!

By Michael Cristian

Epic adventure on the high seas!

A young British aristocrat abandons his life of wealth and privilege in exchange for vengeance!

Michael d’ Argentan’s world is turned upside down when he learns about the brutal death of his beloved parents at the hands of the infamous Barbary Pirates! With a burning and passionate desire to avenge them he sets off on a desperate quest to search them out.

Along the way he joins the Bandaliers who are at war with the Barbaries. Honor, life and even love are at stake in his daring journey. A master swordsman, from one fight to another, nothing will stop him from fulfilling his mission.

The Barbary Pirates...the world’s most feared pirates of all time...UNTIL NOW!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398457676

Michael Cristian

Michael Cristian was born in Taft, Texas. As well as being a writer, he is also an aspiring actor. His first role was in the sixth grade as Jacob Marley in the Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. He enjoys movies and history along with gothic themes such as castles, cemeteries, and dark forests. Cristian is a proud member of The Order of Granaderos y Damas de Galvez.

Book preview

About the Author

Michael Cristian was born in Taft, Texas. Aside from being a writer, he is also an aspiring actor. He took on his first role in the sixth grade as Jacob Marley in the Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol in a school play. He enjoys movies and gothic themes such as castles, cemeteries and dark forests. A lover of history, Michael is a huge advocate in promoting Bernardo de Galvez. The Spanish hero of the American Revolution. Pirate’s Lair is his most accomplished novel, thirty years in the making!

Dedication

To my Uncle Felix

You see Tio? It got published!

Copyright Information ©

Michael Cristian 2022

The right of Michael Cristian to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398457669 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398457676 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

About the Book

The epic adventure of a young British aristocrat who abandons his life of wealth and privilege to seek vengeance against the pirates who brutally murdered his beloved parents!

Chapter 1

The year was 1792. It was a warm and beautiful day. The wind was breezy. The sky was so ever blue. A ship was sailing southwest across the Atlantic Ocean, heading for the New England colonies to make a merchant trade. Philip Marcus d’ Argentan and his wife Mary were on board the merchant ship. They were both excited about the trip.

MARY: Oh, Philip, it’s beautiful out here.

PHILIP: Yes, it is very lovely.

MARY: I wish our son was here.

PHILIP: So do I.

MARY: Maybe next time, he will come with us.

PHILIP: I’m sure he will be happy to come.

Mary smiled at her husband and then kissed him. They then embraced each other. Everyone else on the ship was busy doing their duties at hand.

No one noticed that there was another ship nearby. It was a French ship. Onboard the French ship were Barbary pirates! As soon as the French vessel came closer, a crewman named John noticed the ship.

JOHN: Philip, look!

John pointed towards the ship. Philip turned and saw it.

PHILIP: A French ship! It is nothing!

As soon as Philip spoke the merchant ship was attacked! Cannonballs were fired from the French ship and wounded the merchant ship shattering it. Everyone on the merchant ship was terrified.

PHILIP: Mary, go back into our room and stay there!

MARY: What about you?

PHILIP: I’ll be fine. Now go!

MARY: Philip don’t.

PHILIP: I will come back for you.

MARY: Philip!

PHILIP: GO!

MARY: I don’t want to leave you!

Philip came back towards his wife and hugged her.

PHILIP: I love you.

Mary started to cry. Philip quickly took her down from the deck and into their room. He told her to lock the door. He then left and raced upwards to the deck. The French vessel came closer and closer. When it soon reached alongside the battered merchant ship, the Barbary pirates placed long plank boards across it. Like a bridge, they made their way over. They proceeded to kill everyone on board the ship. The captain of the merchant ship and a few men fought back as hard as they could but were no match for the fierce and evil murdering Barbaries.

Philip clenched and pulled forth his sword. He began to fight off the Barbaries. He killed only a couple. Soon all the Barbaries were on board! They went down below and started killing every person in their rooms. Barbaries then went to Mary’s room and started breaking down the door. Mary was intensely horrified. She began to scream. As Philip fought, he heard her call out for him. He quickly killed the Barbary he was fighting and immediately went down below the deck to try and save her.

As he trampled through the hallway of the ship, he noticed a large group of Barbaries blocking his pathway to his and his wife’s quarters. He stared angrily at them. They laughed and mocked him. Philip heard Mary cry out to him.

PHILIP: Mary!

Philip was stunned. The Barbaries slowly started walking towards him. Philip stepped back to try and avoid them. Suddenly, he looked behind him and to his horrified eyes, he saw more Barbaries approaching him. Philip was trapped between them. He knew he didn’t have a chance. He knew he was going to die. All of a sudden, Philip heard Mary scream in awful pain.

PHILIP: Mary! Mary! What are you doing to her?

Out of Philip and Mary’s room, came out a huge brawny Barbary pirate. In his arms, he held Philip’s wife, Mary! Philip dreaded what he saw. Mary was dead. Butchered. Murdered. Her whole entire body was sliced from her head down to her feet! Blood covered her lifeless body.

Philip was shocked. All the Barbaries laughed. The laughter had seemed to increase louder and louder. Philip stared in dismay. He could not move. The huge pirate that held Mary came forward and threw her dead body at Philip’s feet.

Philip looked down at her in utter shock. Ever so slowly, he bent down to the floor on his knees. He laid aside his bloody sword and then took hold of his beloved wife. He gently lifted her up and hugged her.

Blood smeared against him as he embraced Mary. He held back his weeping, for he was in too much of a shock to do so. He looked up at the pirates with rage in his eyes. They continued their laughter. Philip carefully laid Mary back on the floor. He stared at the pirate that killed his beloved wife.

As he stared, he reached for his sword. The huge Barbary smirked at him. He then rubbed his chest with his bloody hands. Once the sword was in his grasp, Philip stood up. The pirate then licked his bloodstained fingertips and smiled at him. In anger, Philip sprung at the evil smiling pirate with his sword piercing through the air! The huge Barbary tried to protect himself by stepping backwards while swinging his arms in front of him.

He had no time to get his sword, for Philip’s reaction was much too fast. As the Barbary raised his arm again, Philip swiftly sliced off two of his left fingers! The huge Barbary screamed in agony! The other pirates were surprised at what happened. In a final yell, Philip charged at the pirates. He swung his sword ferociously. Some he killed, others he cut badly.

With great effort, Philip fought his way through to reach the deck of the ship. He fought bravely. But soon one of the pirates leapt at him and stabbed him. Philip fell to the floor of the deck. Blood poured from his body creating a pool. He groaned in unbelievable pain.

A man walked on board onto the Merchant ship. Suddenly, every one of the pirates was quiet. They all moved aside to allow him to enter through. The man walked to where Philip was laying. The man stood next to him and stared down at him. Philip slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the strange man. He was surprised when he recognised him. He barely opened his mouth and whispered.

PHILIP: Sir Si… mo… uh, uh…

Philip died. Just then, the man knelt down and took Philip’s sword from his hand. He looked at it and then cleaned it with a white cloth. He looked at Philip once more.

Oh, Philip. Has it really come to this?

Shortly, the huge Barbary pirate walked out on board the deck. He was holding his bloody hand. When he saw Philip, he went hysterical. He did not know that Philip was already dead. Also, he didn’t notice that the man who was kneeling over Philip was his leader, Sir Simon. The huge pirate pulled out his sword and went towards Philip. The huge pirate knelt down on one knee and grabbed Philip’s left hand. In a mad rage, he was about to cut off Philip’s hand, but Sir Simon stopped him.

SIR SIMON: Shamik, no!

Sir Simon tightly seized the Barbary’s powerful arm.

SHAMIK: I must! I must! He did this to me!

SIR SIMON: He did what?

Shamik showed his leader his three fingered hand. The sight stunned the Frenchman. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

SIR SIMON: He is dead! It doesn’t matter now!

SHAMIK: I don’t care! He took my fingers, now I want his hand!

SIR SIMON: His life has already been taken! You felt the pain! He will not! It would be for nothing! He’s dead! Dead!

Shamik made an evil looking grin at Sir Simon.

SHAMIK: Yes. He’s dead. Very well. The pain is nothing. I have already taken something better than his hand.

SIR SIMON: What is that?

Shamik laughed in a frightful manner. Just then a pirate dragged the body of Mary and dropped her to the floor next to her husband, Philip. When Sir Simon saw the body of Mary he was startled. For some reason, he stared at her. As if he knew her. He stared at Mary’s slashed body in awe. Shamik laughed again. Sir Simon looked angrily at Shamik.

SIR SIMON: You bastard!

He slapped the huge Barbary across the face. All the other pirates watched in surprise.

SIR SIMON: Why did you kill her? You damn fool!

SHAMIK: She was sweet. Very sweet. But she kept resisting me. So I killed her.

SIR SIMON: Silence! Shut your filthy mouth or I will slice off your tongue like I did Habib’s!

SHAMIK: Habib was a traitor. I am not. I am loyal to you.

SIR SIMON: Good. I suggest that your tongue does the same.

Shamik bowed his head in respect. Sir Simon looked down at Mary.

SIR SIMON: Oh, Mary. I didn’t know you were on board. If only I had known Mary. I don’t care about Philip. But you, you… oh, Mary, please forgive me, please. I love you, Mary. I am so sorry. If only you could understand why I wanted Philip dead. He took you away from me! He humiliated me! I had to kill him. He knew I wanted you. He had to die! He had to die!

Sir Simon knelt down and took hold of Mary’s bloody hand. He caressed her hand gently.

SIR SIMON: This wasn’t meant to be.

Sir Simon stood up and looked at Shamik.

SHAMIK: I did not know that you knew this woman. How was I supposed to know?

SIR SIMON: Shut up.

Shamik stood silent. Sir Simon looked at Mary once more. He bent down and picked up Philip’s sword from the floor. He dropped it when he stopped Shamik from cutting Philip’s hand.

SIR SIMON: What’s done is done.

The Barbary pirates then robbed the destroyed and beaten merchant ship and left.

Chapter 2

Days later, a ship sailed nearby and saw the merchant ship. The people on board were very afraid. They knew the Barbary pirates were the ones who caused the damage and destruction of the ship. In fear, they sailed back to England. They told everyone what they had seen. Soon people began to realise that it was the merchant ship they were talking about.

A few began to cry, knowing they had relatives on board the ship. A few days later, word got out to Philip and Mary’s son, Michael. A friend told him. Michael was shocked and heartbroken. At first, he did not believe it. But when his friend described the ship, he then believed him. Michael was stunned. A vague feeling overcame him.

Michael thanked his friend for telling him the sad but true news. He then went and entered his home. He could not believe his parents were dead. He could not believe they were never coming back. He called on all the servants and told them the shocking news. They too were in disbelief.

Michael then pulled forth a chair from under the dinner table and sat down. He laid his head down on the table, covered his head with his arms and wept. He could not believe it. He just could not believe it.

The next day, friends of Michael’s parents came to pay respects and express their feelings to Michael. They brought food and flowers. Some of them said a few words in kind. It was like a memorial service. A day after, Michael began to wonder what he was going to do. He thought of his parents. He thought of the way they died.

No one deserved such a death. How could anyone be so brutal? He started to cry again. Slowly, Michael fought back the tears. He would cry no more. His parents must be avenged! He knew what he had to do. Michael went to his room. He opened his drawer. From inside the drawer, he took out a long brown coloured sheath. He slowly pulled forth his glistening sword.

The sword his father had given him. Michael stared at it carefully. It was unlike his father’s sword. He favoured his father’s sword instead. He wished he had his father’s sword. He thought perhaps the Barbaries probably stole it or threw it in the sea. He thought nothing but the worst. Little did he know that Sir Simon had the sword in his possession. Now he regretfully felt he would never see it again.

Michael went outside and began to practice sword fighting. Not only was his father a successful merchant, but he was also a skilled swordsman. He fared very well against the Barbaries as one man alone. But even his skill was no match for such numerous attackers. He taught Michael everything he knew and more. Philip d’ Argentan had tried to qualify to be a member of the Musketeers long before he became a merchant.

Though he was one of the best sword fighters, the King of France would not allow him to become a Musketeer for he had English blood in him. England and France were at war. The King didn’t think it would be appropriate for a French Musketeer to have English blood in him. Philip’s father was French and his mother was English. Philip’s wife, Mary, was English.

Now, some of the French blood was in Michael. Michael practised hard. He hardly rested. After a while, Michael sat down by the well to rest for a moment. He thought of his parents. How he loved them so. The thought of never seeing them again struck his heart. He knew that to avenge them, he would have to leave everything behind.

His home, his land, everything he cherished and loved. He would even have to leave Monica, the girl he loved. Michael knew he would have to tell her everything that happened and explain why he would have to leave. He hated having to go through that. He would miss her very much, but he felt he had an obligation to his parents. He had no choice.

There was a group of pirates Michael had heard of. They were good pirates. They were called the Bandalier pirates. They were at war against the Barbary pirates. Michael decided to go and join them. Michael last heard the Bandaliers were in Italy. He knew the Bandaliers were also friends with the great Spaniard conquistador nobleman, Felix de Balboa.

A man Michael admired for quite some time. He knew sooner or later the Bandaliers would sail to Spain to ask for assistance. He felt it somehow. Michael knew he would have to leave soon. He stood up and began practising again.

For being twenty-one years old, Michael was very talented with a sword. Though learning the sword at a young age, he wondered if it was enough to go up against the fierce Barbaries. Michael hoped it was enough. It had to! He practised and practised.

Two weeks later, a rider came by the estate. Michael was practising his sword techniques. He stopped when he saw the stranger. Michael stared at him. He couldn’t recognise him. He wondered curiously who he was. Michael put his sword back in its sheath and walked towards the gate. The man did not dismount. He just sat upon his horse.

MICHAEL: Good afternoon, Sir. How may I help you? Are you lost or looking for someone?

RIDER: Is this the d’ Argentan estate?

MICHAEL: Yes, it is.

RIDER: Are you Michael d’ Argentan?

MICHAEL: Yes, I am.

RIDER: Thank God. I have found you.

Michael was surprised. The rider dismounted.

MICHAEL: Who are you? How do you know me?

RIDER: I am John. John Kirke.

MICHAEL: How do you do, Sir?

They both shook hands.

JOHN: I was a friend of your father.

MICHAEL: Is that so?

JOHN: Yes. We would travel together on merchant trades. He would always talk about you. That is how I know of you. I suppose you know what happened, do you not?

MICHAEL: Yes, I do.

JOHN: I am sorry to say, I was on board the merchant ship when he was killed.

Michael looked down sadly.

MICHAEL: How did you find me?

JOHN: Your father told me where he lived. Still, it was difficult. There are many estates here in Windhill.

MICHAEL: Yes and every estate was owned by him. Now, they are mine.

JOHN: I am sorry, Michael.

Michael nodded his head.

JOHN: Your father said you are always active in exercise or sword practice. So when I saw you, I suspected you were the one I was looking for. I felt that I had to come and pay my respects in person.

MICHAEL: I thank you, Sir. That is kind of you.

JOHN: Your father was a good man.

MICHAEL: Yes, he was.

Michael slowly turned away from him.

MICHAEL: May I ask Sir, how did you survive?

JOHN: I was hit on the head by a bloody Barbary. I was knocked out completely. I was very lucky I wasn’t killed. It was a miracle.

MICHAEL: Yes. A miracle they thought you were dead.

JOHN: Indeed.

MICHAEL: You were unconscious through the whole thing?

JOHN: For a good while I suppose. When I came to, I opened my eyes and everything seemed like a blur. I could hardly see.

MICHAEL: Did you see my father and mother by any chance?

JOHN: When my vision was clear again, I started to check on all the people to make sure if there were any survivors left. Sad to say, there wasn’t. When I walked to the other side of the deck, I saw… your father and your mother.

Michael’s face saddened. His eyes watered. He didn’t know if he could take this once more.

JOHN: I am sorry.

Michael turned around.

MICHAEL: So by the time you awoke, everyone was gone? Is that correct?

JOHN: Yes, that is correct. When my vision was restored I looked and saw the French ship sailing far away.

Michael frowned.

MICHAEL: French ship?

JOHN: Yes. That’s what the Barbaries were on board. You didn’t know?

MICHAEL: "No, I did