Flintlock (Cutlass Series) Read online

  Praise for CUTLASS

  “I love how as a reader, I thought I knew all the secrets until a new one popped up right in my face taking me by surprise. These little surprises kept me on my toes, and made me love Cutlass even more.” – Chandra Haun, Unabridged Bookshelf

  “CUTLASS didn’t disappoint. It’s a rollicking, adventurous tale, centered around young pirate extraordinaire Barren Reed and his kidnappee (aka daughter of an important lord, aka his brother’s fiancée, aka his eventual love interest-of course!) Larkin Lee.” – Nicole Singer at Write Me a World

  “I thought the use of elves, magic in a story centered around a pirates was unique and clever, and the myth of the bloodstone was intriguing. And yes I admit it, I was totally in love with Barren by the end of the book.” – Lipsyy Lost & Found

  “This really was a true epic adventure. It had every element to keep you glued to such a novel, if you enjoy this sort of plot. From sword fights, to romance, and even a few quite comedic moments, it was difficult to put down, and even more difficult not to enjoy.” – Lily at Bookluvrs Haven

  “Cutlass is the sort of book where you can never tell who all the bad guys are and betrayal, politics, and revealed secrets are constantly shaking the plot and causing problems for our hero and heroine.” – Ryan at Book Marks the Spot

  “I thoroughly enjoyed this pirate and elf tale! With brilliant sword fighting, a few adventures that drew out the tension, betrayal on all sides, and a story that finally comes together showing what a tangled web was woven, this was a wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable read.” – Tiffany at A TiffyFit’s Reading Corner

  "I could scream out the window to the neighbors, I also want to stop people on the street and tell them to read this book. I honestly think it was that good. – Michelle at Because Reading is Better Than Real Life

  “I would highly recommend this book to everyone who’s looking for a great YA fantasy read. I can’t wait till the next book in this series gets released!” – Elien from So Bookalicious!

  “I freaking loved it! I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series!” – Kendall at BookCrazy

  The story had me flipping the pages and wondering what was going to happen next! – Erin at I Think I’m Obsessed

  Praise for FLINTLOCK

  “If you enjoy YA fantasy, you definitely need this series in your hands right now. Especially if you like YA fantasy with well-rounded characters, gorgeous writing, some of the best world-building I've read, and an exciting plot.” – Ashley, The AP Book Club

  “After reading CUTLASS, I couldn’t wait to see where Ashley Nixon took the series. With the release of FLINTLOCK, the answer is: bigger, broader and even more fun! The book grows seamlessly into the full scope and vibrancy of Nixon’s world. The stakes are higher, the stage is wider, and the friendships we came to love in CUTLASS are tested in new and devious ways. Nixon balances the allure of ships, sailing and pirate battles with a growing threat of magic and the politics of both the mortal and immortal worlds. I will definitely be back for Book 3!” – Nicole Singer, Write Me A World

  “Well done, Ashley, Well done! I can’t recommend this series enough for Young Adults and Adults, if you want something different with a strong handsome male, kick ass female and an amazing fantasy story, this is totally the book for you.” – Michelle, Because Reading is Better Than Real Life

  “I enjoyed Flintlock immensely. Everything Ashley wrote fitted perfectly together, the characters, the world… Everything was just perfect. To top it all of Ashley her writing style is really addictive and I found it impossible to put this book down. I would highly recommend this book and it’s prequel to everyone. Especially if you are a fan of Young Adult fantasy than this is a series that you have to read.” – Elien, So Bookalicious!

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Summary: Barren Reed must stop the spread of dark magic before the Orient is destroyed.

  ISBN: 978-0-9911323-3-1 (paperback)

  978-0-9911323-4-8 (e-book)

  Copyright © 2015 Ashley Nixon

  Book Cover design by Stephanie White

  Chapter Art designed by Ashley Nixon

  Edited by Jena O’Connor

  All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.

  www.ashley-nixon.com

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One - Rough House

  Chapter Two - Sanctuary

  Chapter Three - Brethren In Arms

  Chapter Four - Tunnel

  Chapter Five - Burden

  Chapter Six - Battlefront

  Chapter Seven - Leverage

  Chapter Eight - Pinnacle

  Chapter Nine - Blood & Bullets

  Chapter Ten - John Newell

  Chapter Eleven - The Network

  Chapter Twelve - Tete-A-Tete

  Chapter Thirteen - Grapple

  Chapter Fourteen - Consequences

  Chapter Fifteen - Stowaway

  Chapter Sixteen - Challenge

  Chapter Seventeen - Aryes

  Chapter Eighteen - Isle of Iona

  Chapter Nineteen - Aryndel

  Chapter Twenty - Illusions

  Chapter Twenty-One - The Underground

  Chapter Twenty-Two - A Proud Beauty

  Chapter Twenty-Three - Aftermath

  Chapter Twenty-Four - Soiree

  Chapter Twenty-Five - Avalon

  Chapter Twenty-Six - The Ore Mines

  Chapter Twenty-Seven - The Black Spot

  Chapter Twenty-Eight - Dancing with Jack Ketch

  Chapter Twenty-Nine - Panic

  Chapter Thirty - At Rope’s End

  Chapter Thirty-One - Blow the Man Down

  Chapter Thirty-Two - Give No Quarter

  Acknowledgements

  About The Author

  What's Next?

  The note came to land discreetly upon the rough-grained table. Barren Reed stared at it for a moment before unfolding the message. Scrawled in his brethren Taisce’s handwriting were two simple words. They’re here.

  He stared at the message for a long moment before mashing it between his hands and shoving it deep in his coat pocket. It was the report he had expected: privateers were using Occident, one of many islands nearest Silver Crest, as a launching pad for their campaign against pirates. Attacks had occurred all over the Orient, but the ones that bothered Barren the most were those that were closest to Silver Crest. King Tetherion and his sons, Datherious and Natherious, knew the location of Silver Crest, and their slow threat was teasing. Barren knew that one word from Tetherion and the entire island would be obliterated. He questioned only what Tetherion was waiting for.

  In hindsight, delivering the princes and Lord Christopher Lee in chains to the king probably hadn’t been his best idea, but it was memorable and sent a message: he was ready for a fight. But Tetherion had been ready to fight, too, and sooner than Barren had bargained for.

  Luckily, Alex and the captains of Silver Crest had begun to mobilize once word of Tetherion and the twins’ betrayals reached them. Many women and children had been moved to Sanctuary, a fortified island that still remained a secret from Tetherion and the twins. After years of dormancy, the pirates would have to resort to what they knew best to protect Saoirse—piracy, in its most basic form.

  People we
re losing their lives. The privateers who were meeting the pirates of Silver Crest were more skilled than previous privateers they’d encountered, and angrier. Barren had to wonder if they were out for revenge.

  “Between the king’s men and the sea-rats, we won’t get no peace,” the old man behind the bar spat. He rested a thick arm on the bar top. Barren could feel his disgusted stare.

  The king’s men were privateers whose aggressive campaign against pirates also affected the people of the Orient. They’d taken to occupying islands frequented by pirates, but they’d also been demanding and crass. Rumors abounded that the Privateers often ordered free shelter and food, citing their work against piracy as reason enough for special treatment. The inhabitants of these islands were poor and could not afford to accommodate so many; however, refusal resulted in death.

  The privateers’ actions were clearly far worse than any pirate’s, but they acted under the king’s law, and so their evil went unpunished. For now.

  Boots tapped steadily on the wooden floor, and a man came to stand beside Barren’s table. Some privateers preferred not to identify the island they were associated with to prevent possible backlash from pirates, but this man wore a red sash around his waist—a Maris Privateer. He was intimidating and tall, and his weapons were visible: guns in holsters over his chest, a sword at his side, a knife at his belt. He approached Barren in a way that suggested he grossly underestimated the so-called sea-rat.

  “Sea-rats aren’t welcome here,” said the voice. “You best leave.” The chatter in the pub quieted at the sound of his voice.

  Barren did not bother to look at the man as he spoke. “I’m quite comfortable here, thank you.” He took a swallow of ale.

  There was a pause and the man leaned forward. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me. Leave.”

  Barren laughed quietly and then turned to meet the man’s gaze. The privateer’s eyes widened with recognition, but before he could speak, Barren moved. His head crashed into the privateer’s, sending him backward. He fell like a board. There was silence. Barren pulled his hood back and then stood, draining the remainder of his ale. He slammed the tankard on the table and stared out at the crowd, waiting. The rest of the man’s crew stumbled to their feet, drawing their blades.

  Barren smirked and then extended his arms, welcoming their fight. A privateer charged forward brandishing knives. Barren drew his blade at the last second and shifted. The privateer stumbled forward, vulnerable, and Barren brought his sword down upon the man’s hands. He screamed, dropped his weapons, and then went silent as Barren’s blade skewered his stomach.

  Barren pulled his weapon free before the first man fell, ramming the hilt of the sword into another privateer’s face. The man stumbled back, blood gushing from his nose, and Barren ran his blade across the privateer’s chest. He continued taking down one privateer after the other, but the more men he fought, the more men joined in the fight.

  Barren almost didn’t notice the heavy rope coiling around his neck until the moment it began to tighten. He stumbled backward, hitting the ground hard, and his blade flew from his hand.

  “Raise him high, boys!” One of the privateers yelled, and the room filled with a chorus of answering cheers. Barren stumbled as he was jerked to his feet once more, the noose still around his neck. The privateers tossed the other end of the rope around a rafter and pulled. The rope cut into Barren’s neck until he could hardly draw air into his lungs. Beneath him the king’s men hollered and bellowed in triumph.

  He clawed furiously at the noose around his neck, trying to pull it away. Air escaped from his mouth in a haggard symphony. His heart pounded in his chest as panic left him. It was then that the door burst open, and Barren’s crew filled the space. He wasn’t surprised to see the former Lady Larkin Lee leading them. She was fierce, her skin touched by the sun, and a fire colored her cheeks. He found it strange that someone who avoided doling out death would crave a fight as much as she, yet she fought as well as any of them, maybe even better.

  His quartermaster, Leaf, followed closely behind, wielding a blade. He fought with precision and a grace found only in the most skilled Elfin warriors. Behind him, Sam’s large figure filled the doorway. Some of the privateers turned to run from him, but Sam was faster, and he took them down quickly. Seamus and Slay fought beside the others, Seamus with his chains and Slay with his cutlass.

  With the privateers distracted, Barren suddenly found himself falling to the floor, the rope loosening its hold on his neck. He gasped for breath and coughed, tears filling his eyes. He rolled to his knees reaching for a stray blade and then stood. Larkin’s eyes were ablaze as she attacked her opponent. Everything about her was fire.

  “Down!” she commanded, and he obeyed, hitting the floor again. Larkin swung her sword, and it clashed with the sword of a privateer who had snuck up behind Barren. As the privateer stumbled back, Barren twisted and dealt the lethal blow.

  “You were supposed to stay on the ship!” Barren said, his voice cracked and his throat hurt.

  “And if I had, you’d be dead!” she replied.

  “I had this situation under control!”

  A bottle flew past his head and shattered against the wall behind him.

  “Completely under control,” she said and then she practically danced as she moved forward fearlessly into the fight.

  There was the sound of more breaking glass, and then a fire erupted, separating Barren from Larkin. On the other side of the flames she continued to fight.

  “Larkin!” Barren growled. This was a perfect example of why she shouldn’t be here. There were only two ways out of the pub—through the bartender’s side entrance or the front door, both were unreachable from where Larkin was now annexed by the fire.

  Some of the privateers fueled the fire by throwing full bottles of whiskey, rum and absinthe into the flames. The glass exploded and the blaze roared, the flames licking the ceiling. Barren could barely see Larkin through the inferno.

  He searched the area for a way to reach her. Climbing onto a table close to the fire, he could feel the flames scorch his skin and sweat beaded off his face. He made a running start and then jumped over the rising flames. As he landed, he engaged a privateer who had been caught on the other side. With a swift swipe of his blade, he lay motionless.

  “Barren!” Leaf called. “We have to get out of here!”

  “Go! We’ll meet you on the ship!” he called back.

  The fire popped and hissed as if to challenge Barren’s promise. Larkin cried out, and Barren’s attention was again focused only on her. Momentarily distracted by the fire, she’d taken a blow to the arm. She was quick to recover, however, and her attacker soon found her blade in his own arm. Barren hurried forward, finishing him.

  “Let’s go!” he said and turned back toward the flames that separated them from the exit. He’d made it over them once; they could do it again.

  Before they had a chance to move, there was a loud cracking sound and the ceiling caved in, sending sparks and smoke into the air. Barren pushed Larkin out of the way, his body covering hers as they fell hard to the floor. Quickly, he got to his feet and pulled her with him. “Come on!” He hurried to the back of the pub searching for an exit, but there was no way out.

  He thought for a moment and then withdrew a flask from his coat. He tore a piece of his shirt free and stuffed it into the opening.

  “This place is already burning to the ground…do you really think an explosion is the best idea?”

  “If it gets us out of here, yes!”

  He put the fabric to the fire and threw the flask. “Down!” Barren and Larkin hit the ground. He covered her head with his hands, pulling her close to his chest as the flask exploded. Pieces of the wall splintered, and the opening that remained was big enough for Barren to kick through. He rushed at it and burst through the wall. Larkin followed, stumbling out of the fire and smoke.

  Outside, the night was cool but chaotic. Shouts and screams filled the air, peo
ple crying that pirates had attacked. In this pause, Barren turned to face Larkin, his eyes immediately focused on the blood running down her arm. She followed his gaze with her own and then turned so that the wound was hidden from him. Barren narrowed his eyes. He untied the sash from around his waist and reached for her arm, wrapping the cloth around the wound tightly. “Better that you don’t bleed to death in the name of maintaining your pride,” he said.

  The sound of firing cannons caught his attention. He looked toward the port. His crew would be there now, attempting to set sail and make some distance from the shore. He exchanged a glance with Larkin and then the two broke into a run toward the shore. The dirt rose up beneath their feet as they hurried along. Around them cries of terror echoed, and now and then the word pirate tore the air like a curse. Barren wondered why no one decried the privateers for their thievery, but he didn’t have time to worry about who the natives blamed for their misfortune. He and Larkin now stood at the edge of a thin cliff which loomed over the port like a dark cloud. The ships below them lined up almost perfectly beneath the cliff. From here they could look down and see men working furiously on board the privateers’ ships as they sought to move away from the shore and pursue Barren’s ship, which had not yet made enough distance from shore.

  Barren felt Larkin’s eyes on him, and when he met her gaze, he knew exactly what she was about to do. He reached for her, but she jumped. He watched her. She fell like a feather and landed lightly on one of the masts below. It was her lithe frame and her Elfin blood that made her so nimble. The commotion below meant that she remained undetected. Barren had no choice but to follow her lead.

  He landed on one of the yardarms above her, and they exchanged a glance. Barren worked to remove a small powder flask. This one he’d filled with broken glass and pieces of sharp metal. He tore a part of his shirt, stuffed it into the hole, and lit the fabric. He threw it, aiming for a nearby privateer ship. The effect was immediate. The power flask exploded. There were terrifying screams as men found themselves filled with shrapnel. The sails of the ship caught fire and were consumed quickly. Those who were still alive retreated into the sea, but in the darkness, they did not resurface. Barren felt Larkin’s disapproving eyes on him. She drew her blade, which flashed like the silver moon in the sky. Then she let herself fall to the deck below. It was like she was teasing him, seeing how far he’d go at her side. But he would go. He would follow her anywhere.