7. CURSE OF THE MAD PIRATE — THE RED RUBY SERIES
In the bustling, sun-drenched settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, a chilling rumor takes root. A pirate ship, bold enough to defy the very shadow of the formidable Castle, has anchored nearby. This audacious act throws the colony into turmoil, sparking fear and disbelief in equal measure. When a terrified hunter stumbles into the Governor’s office, stammering tales of a pirate flag and cannon ports in Hout Bay, the Governor is forced to confront a reality he deemed impossible.
As the threat rapidly escalates, the colony’s fate rests upon the shoulders of Simon Verbeeck, a seasoned seafarer with a notorious past of pirate hunting. Called upon by the desperate Governor, Verbeeck and his crew set out in their ship, the Red Ruby, to challenge the encroaching pirate. Yet, the confrontation takes an unexpected turn, plunging Verbeeck into a harrowing pursuit that leads him far beyond the harbor’s safety.
He finds himself ensnared in a treacherous web woven by the cunning and ruthless pirate, John Rogers, a man driven by a deep-seated vendetta and an insatiable desire for conquest. With a shocking arsenal at his disposal, including a terrifying method of attack that threatens to decimate the entire settlement, Rogers uses cunning and strategy to create a deadly game of cat and mouse, pulling Verbeeck into a desperate battle to save everything he holds dear.
Secrets and betrayals unfold with every perilous turn as the line between savior and victim blurs. Will Verbeeck be able to outwit the mad pirate, or will the Cape of Good Hope fall victim to a ruthless plan that will change everything? Prepare for a thrilling high-stakes adventure filled with suspense, action, and impossible choices. The survival of a settlement, and the fate of its most beloved citizens, hangs precariously in the balance.
