King of My
Nightmare
CRISTI TAIJERON
Copyright © 2016 Cristi Taijeron
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters,
places and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination
or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN-13: 978-1532741197
ISBN-10: 1532741197
Published by J9ink
j9ink.com
Edited by Sarah Heath
Cover Artwork by Cristi Taijeron and Gail Nelson
Interior design by Cristi Taijeron
EndlessHorizonDesigns.com
To the good men in my life who have shown me the power of love through their dedication to their families, the courage they defend them with, and their loyalty to those whom they cherish.
Your real life stories and actions have made it possible to create a fictional hero that is believable, because you have taught me that such men do exist.
Author’s Note
The King of My Nightmare series will tell the life story of the respected supporting character from my other series, Mason Bentley. Intrigued by the power of Mason’s reputation and the myths surrounding his legend, I decided to write about the trials and triumphs that make him into the revered buccaneer captain he is later known as.
This set of five full-length novels will start with his early life in the English countryside, show his rise to power among buccaneers, follow his adventures as one of the original Brethren of the Coast, and eventually throw him into the arms of Hurricane Hannah.
Through these books that are largely based on the true history of the buccaneers of the Caribbean, we will see just how this man who pirates feared, leaders respected, and women swooned for, was able to take reign of the nightmare of a life he lived.
Acknowledgments
It takes a crew to write a pirate story and I wish to thank every one of these loyal adventurers who have helped sailed this journey alongside me.
Janine - From the cover, through the pages, and down to promotional concepts, you’ve been beside me for every aspect of this journey. I could never have seen this mission through without a loyal quartermaster like you at my side.
Sarah – You have been with me since I began writing my very first book, and have seen firsthand how my work has improved over the years. Thank you for having faith in me from the beginning and for now taking the time to polish my story as my editor.
Tori - None of us would be enjoying Mason’s story like this without you. It was your love for him that initially inspired his path and your dedication to my daydreams that keep the story flowing.
Shaun & Papa – I could not have accomplished any of this book writing business without your love and support, but in this story particularly, you were both extra helpful. Thank you for being the men you are, which inspired Mason’s behavior and mannerisms, and also for helping me to make decisions concerning survival of the fittest. Your ideas inspired new routes for the story that I never could have come up with on my own.
Danger – The traps! What an excellent idea that inspired a whole new twist in the tale. You are off to a great start, little pirate. I look forward to sailing many more adventures with you.
Obediah – Your desire for a grittier tale has been huge inspirations for the direction of this story.
Shortcake – Your appearance as Shayne Jackson, The White Devil of Ireland is one of a kind, and your support for all that I do is like wind in the sails of my imagination. Thank you for being a good friend and a great pirate.
Dark Rose - When I decided to get technical with the sailing aspect of this story, I knew a real life sailor like you would be the best place to turn. Not only as sailor, but a fellow writer, and pirate, you have helped to bring this sea story to life in ways that I never could have on my own.
Peggy – Thank you for beta reading this story and for being there for me when I need to vent about things that only another author would understand.
Remy – Thank you for reading and offering good feedback on the many the excerpts I send you. Also, for giving me Spanish translations and for reminding us it isn’t wise to sail with a skeleton crew, leaving not enough crewmen to man the great guns in Spanish waters.
Mannie – It is always a blast pirating with you! Your interest in my tale has helped to bring Mason’s adventure to life in a gritty and realistic way, and the suggestions you have always make for a more riveting pirate story.
Sam – You were the first person I thought to turn to when it came time to write about the shipwreck. The information you shared brought an eerily dark energy to that part of the tale, and dubbed that chapter with the awesome title, Monster Below Deck. Thank you for always being an inspiration.
Angela –The facts have a way of steering my tales into directions I never would have considered, and the information you shared about the inside business of the shipping companies back then turned the tides toward an unexpected horizon. Thank you for discussing the topic with me.
Keith Di Natale – Thank you for following my tales from their rough beginning and for now sharing your hunting experiences with me. I look forward to taking you on the boar hunt in this tale, and to showing you how far I have come since you picked up my first book.
Joe Brown – We have talked of giving you a cameo in my books for a while now, and I am so glad I waited until now to get you in. Bringing your true character and hunting expertise to life through One-Eyed Joe and his best hunting hound, Duke, was the best way I could have ever fit you in. Thank you for joining in on the adventure.
Doctor Nicholas Gadler – There are jokes about the odd things that can be found in an author’s browser history, and things can get even weirder when the author decides to ask their oral surgeon how one might violently extract a tooth with 17th century tools. Thank you for not only answering my creepy questions but for showing sincere interest in my work. That part of the story turned out exceptionally realistic and has already been complimented by all my beta readers. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me.
Barnabas – Even though we didn’t talk as much during the creation of this tale, I was often inspired by the many discussions we’ve had in the past. You will forever be like a pirate guru spirit guide to me, and I will always have you to thank in one way or another for every sea story I write.
I - Grassy Meadows
1 - Fighting in the Fields
2 - His Good Name
3 - Unusually Cold Rain
4 - Bare Hands
5 - Senseless Sacrifice
II - Song of the Sea
6 - Dangerous Trade
7 - The Pirate’s Widow
8 - Where the River Leads
III - Wild Atlantic
9 - Worse than a Ghost
10 - Monster Below Deck
11 - How Many Graves
12 - Last Known Mark
13 - King of the Island
IV - Distant & Uncertain Isle
14 - Volatile Welcoming
15 - Boar’s Blood
16 - Fine by Me
17 - Spanish Territory
18 - Blood Red Rain
V - Precarious Betrayal
19 - Far from Over
20 - Treason Among Traitors
21 - From Prey to Predator
22 - Man of My Word
23 - King of My Nightmare
Nightmare
Prologue
Behind Every Legend
As Told By Sterling Bentley
Spanish Main, 1662
Choking on blackpowder smoke, I braced my feet on the trembling planks and gripped tight to the tiller as I pushed it hard to starboard. Talon was swaying wildly on the wake created by the enemy ship at our broadside, and it was my job to keep her steady. Steady for the gunners as they fired their next shot. And steady for the boarding party that would soon be swinging across the gap to claim the Spanish ship that had been pummeling us with hot lead since this sea battle began.
Broadside after broadside, their gunfire annihilated our Talon, sending splintered timbers into the smoky air and through the flesh of our men. The sight of my brothers collapsing around me—some torn in two and others screaming as they gripped the mutilated flesh around their newly severed limbs—proved the Spaniards to be every bit of the mighty force our captain warned us they would be. He’d been warring with their nation since long before I was born, and he fully understood the sacrifice required to defeat their forces. Most importantly, he had defeated them many times before and assured us that we were capable of the feat.
Even now—as my sweaty palms barely gripped the tiller, and my eyes burned from clouds of gunpowder, making it difficult to see what objects I might need to dodge—I heard his encouraging shouts roaring over the monstrous gun blasts. “This is not over! Helmsman, bring us closer. Gunners, prepare to fire. That ship will soon be ours.”
No matter how gruesome the scene became, I held fast to my position and fulfilled his command.
Timbers groaned and sea spray splashed across the teetering decks as Talon crashed against Corona de la Reina. Once our guns were finally in line with the target our captain had been awaiting, he pumped his mighty fist and roared, “Fire!”
Talon’s seven starboard guns ignited, thumping like thunder and illuminating the cloud of smoke with an ominous glow. Round shot tore through Corona’s hull. The perilous blow devastated her deck gun ports and cleared a path for our boarding party. In the blink of an eye, our men threw grappling hooks at Corona’s gunnel, bracing our battered ship to their strong standing one. As they pulled the ropes and closed the gap, Captain Bentley drew his cutlass. Aiming the mighty steel blade toward Corona de la Reina, he waved it across the row of Spanish faces that were daring us to enter into their clutches. Without a lick of hesitation in his voice, he reminded us, “Cowardice is equivalent to death, and we will die fighting before we surrender to live! Board her!”
This was it. I had been sailing most of my fifteen years and had even engaged in a few sea battles, but I had yet to board an enemy ship. My heart was thumping wildly in my chest as I double checked my weapons. Remembering my father’s words helped to keep my mind focused. There’s no time for fear or doubt in the heat of battle. You just have to focus on your job. And that I would.
Charging behind my fellow buccaneers, I leapt up on the gunnel and threw myself across the divide. The world around became a blur as I flew through the air and landed roughly on Corona’s deck. Quickly, I caught my balance and drew my sword. My father had taught me how to sword fight, and explained to me everything I should do at a time like this, but most importantly, he said there was no better teacher than experience. And as experience would have it, the first Spaniard I encountered swung his sword so hard at mine that the friction caused me to lose my grip on the hilt. Having no time to retrieve my lost weapon, I drew my knife.
The toothless Spaniard laughed at my disadvantage. “Esta dia, morirás pirata pequeña.”
I knew enough Spanish to be sure he was insulting me for being so young, and that alone made me want to fight harder. I jabbed my blade into his arm. The steel tore through his flesh and hit hard against his bone, but the stab wound was not enough to stop him. In fact, it only seemed to anger him. Cocking back his bloody blade, he snarled something about my death. I had every intention of plunging my knife into his heart, but the odds were slim. His sword was coming fast and hard at my side. Just as I thought that I was going to die by the hand of a Spaniard during my first buccaneer raid, another blade intercepted my assailant’s blow.
Startled by the violent clank of steel on steel so close to my ear, I jumped back and away from the danger that almost claimed my life. My eyes widened and I inhaled sharply as I watched my captain take on the fight that was mine. He forced the bastard backwards and met every one of his swings with twice the might. The strength he exuded was unearthly; his opponent didn’t stand a chance. In no time at all, my captain cocked back and ran his blade through the Spaniard’s gut. Just like that, the man who almost killed me was dead.
Captain Bentley then reached down and grabbed an axe from a dead man’s hands. He tossed the weapon to me and signaled for me to follow him. I did not hesitate to obey his order.
Axe in hand, I trailed behind him as he carved his path across the battlefield that was littered with dead and dying men. He towered over everyone, and tore through the Spanish warriors like a giant annihilating the wee villagers who had interrupted his slumber. In his wake, I hardly had to use my axe at all, but with it, I did fend off a few attackers that would have otherwise killed us both.
In what seemed like no time at all, our buccaneers overpowered the Spaniards, and had the survivors of our assault cornered around the mainmast. Seeing how the Spaniards were still eager to defend their ship, I pulled both of my pistols and joined my crewmen by capturing the unruly group at gunpoint.
Pushing his way ahead of his men, Captain Bentley waved his sword past the Spaniards. “Baja tus armas o morir!”
Out of what appeared to be sheer dread, they all lowered their weapons, save one. That man barked at the others in Spanish. His courage inspired theirs and they again raised their arms against us.
Captain Bentley turned his sword toward that man and asked, “¿Es usted el capitán?”
“That is I. Captain Carlos Cortés y Pizzaro.” The tall and well-dressed Spaniard answered in English, sword in hand.
In the blink of an eye, Captain Bentley reached for Pizzaro’s hand and somehow yanked the blade out of his possession. After tossing it to the side, he backed the Spanish captain against the mast and explained, “Now is the time that you tell your men that they can live this day through by following my orders.”
Captain Pizzaro held his head high as he sneered, “We will die by a pirata’s blade, before we live by a pirata’s orders.”
Captain Bentley pressed his blade against the captain’s throat. “Ah, but that is where you are mistaken, sir. I am no pirate. I am a buccaneer. And we buccaneers are free men, who have no king to answer to and will fight to the death against any man who tries to rob us of our inherent rights, such as you.
This ship has been harassing the ships of our brethren, and I am aware that you are the one delivering Spain’s plans for the next attack against our Stronghold on Tortuga. I have come here to intercept those plans and to let you know that we will not stand for any of it.”
Never once looking frightened by the buccaneer’s blade, Captain Pizzaro sneered defiantly, “You will not take a thing from me while I am alive. But know this, after you kill me, I will be honored in heaven for standing on behalf of my God and my king. While you will be a pirate for all your pitiful days, and will eventually suffer a pirate’s fate in Hell.”
Angered, Captain Bentley twisted the tip of his sword against Pizzaro’s skin and growled through clenched teeth, “My afterlife is no concern of yours. But this is your final chance to spare your men the fate of meeting theirs today. Tell them to cooperate or I will shove this blade through your throat and pin you to the mast as an example of how I deal with those who deny my mercy.”
We all stood stiff and awaited Piazzo’s response. Having seen enough bloodshed for the day, I hoped he would respect the buccaneer captain’s words and stand down.
Instead, the proud captain held his head firm agai
nst the mast and hissed, “Nunca, Pirata.”
Slowly, Captain Bentley pushed his blade through the Spaniard’s throat. The man choked and gagged and blood gurgled out of his mouth and ran down his white shirt collar as Bentley added the force of his second hand and shoved harder on the hilt. From this view I could see the profile of my captain’s sea-weathered face. His expression twisted with a disgusted wince as he drove the blade through the back side of Pizzaro’s neck and into the wood of the mast. To me it seemed he despised the man for choosing this fate, but had no qualms at all about having to deliver the gruesome punishment he promised.
As Captain Piazzo sputtered and spat out his last breaths of life, my fellow buccaneers and I cocked back the hammers of our guns and stepped closer to his men in case they revolted. They did not. Stiff with fear, they huddled closer together and raised their hands in surrender.
Appearing pleased by their choice, Captain Bentley went on to explain, in Spanish, that this ship, as well as everything in her hold, was now ours. If they wished to live, our men would escort them to the longboats where they would be set adrift.
As the Spaniard’s discussed their options, I heard them huffing with regretful whispers. Apparently, they recognized our captain as the notorious Diablo del Mar. Some rumors stated that the treacherous sea rover had died, but these men now knew that Diablo del Mar was alive and well. Or, perhaps the superstitious fools thought that this was The Devil of the Sea’s ghost they were dealing with. Either way, they chose to avoid tempting his wrath like their captain did, and agreed to board the longboats.
Now that the situation was under control, Captain Bentley commanded half of our men to perform the generous escort, and the others to begin exploring the hold. He would be the one searching Captain Pizzaro’s cabin. To my surprise, he looked at me and said, “Being the only other literate man onboard, and the navigator of this new ship of ours, I suggest you join me on this hunt for the information that will set our next heading.”
King of My Nightmare (King of My Nightmare, Book 1): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories Page 1