The Blood-Red Isle
()
About this ebook
The lost treasure of Isla Sangre waits for those bold enough to discover it.
Now, a ruthless team of mercenaries comes to claim the riches of the Blood-Red Queen, though doing so demands a terrible sacrifice ... in lives!
The Blood-Red Isle is an action-packed fantasy-horror novella of treasure hunting, greed, and betrayal. The story appeared previously in Zombies, Werewolves, & Unicorns.
Stephen D. Sullivan
Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!
Read more from Stephen D. Sullivan
Manos: The Hands of Fate Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGhosts of 9/11 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrimson the Barbarian Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen Dragons Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Dragons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Titanic Mistake Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrash of the Titans Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThor Loser Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrimson & Dragons Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Martian Knights & Other Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsForever Crimson Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsElf Princess on Mars Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Manos: Talons of Fate Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKidnapped by Saurians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTournament of Death 2: The Deluvian Temple Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Road to the Crown Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCanoe Cops vs. the Mummy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAutomata Futura Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsZombie Shark Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMonster Shark Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFestival at Wolfnacht Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMonster Shark: Zombie Shark - Twofer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLuck o' the Irish Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTournament of Death 3: The Deluvian Temple Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeart of Steam & Rust Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stephen D. Sullivan Story Sampler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gates of Paradise Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTime War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gift of the Dragons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaikaiju Attack Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Blood-Red Isle
Related ebooks
Axpherial Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dauntless: Secret of Ceres, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove in the Age of Dragons: A Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeep Ocean Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Beast of Callaire Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Last Human Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAntares: The Cross Knight Chronicles, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBreaking Free Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDelightfully Twisted Tales: Fire, Fangs and Brimstone (Volume Two) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sour Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Symptom of Magic: Magic and Mischief, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Victim of Magic: Magic and Mischief, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Devil's Revolver: The Devil's Revolver, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRise of the Mages Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5THINGS THAT GO BUMP Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAfro Puffs Are the Antennae of the Universe: Book 2 of The Brothers Jetstream universe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Death's Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Soul Cages: A Minister Knight of Souls Novel: A Minister Knights of Souls, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMagic Destiny: Bree Somner Chronicles - Urban Fantasy, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Melody's Unicorn: A Story of Here and There Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Good Guys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Goddess Twins: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When Blood Meets Earth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Of Dragons and Centaurs Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGriffin's Destiny (Griffin's Daughter Trilogy #3): Griffin's Daughter Trilogy, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeathly Dreams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTo Ilaris, In Desperation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBroken Shadows Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Horror Fiction For You
The Stories of Ray Bradbury Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Am Legend Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Only Good Indians Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Misery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leave the World Behind: A Read with Jenna Pick Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Annihilation: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Different Seasons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dracula Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Outsider: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brother Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Whisper Man: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Short Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pet Sematary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Needful Things Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cabin at the End of the World: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hollow Places: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Have Always Lived in the Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Troop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Revival: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Holly Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Weiser Book of Horror and the Occult: Hidden Magic, Occult Truths, and the Stories That Started It All Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Last Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hidden Pictures: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cycle of the Werewolf: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Hell House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Best Friend's Exorcism: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Blood-Red Isle
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Blood-Red Isle - Stephen D. Sullivan
THE BLOOD-RED ISLE
Stephen D. Sullivan
• Walkabout Publishing •
Smashwords edition.
© 2010 Stephen D. Sullivan
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
*
Walkabout Publishing
S.D.Studios
P.O.Box 151
Kansasville, WI 53139
www.walkaboutpublishing.com
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.
Special thanks to Kiff, Edward, and Jean—as usual.
Cover art & design © 2010 Stephen D. Sullivan.
Get a free wallpaper of this story at www.stephendsullivan.com!
CONTENTS
THE BLOOD-RED ISLE
I. The Unexpected Jungle
II. Death Among the Trees
III. The Red Queen’s Dungeons
IV. Sanguinarre’s Throne Room
V. The Blood-Red Queen
Samples of Other Stories
Festival at Wolfnacht
Monster Shark
About the Stories
About the Author
Original & Alternate Covers
THE BLOOD-RED ISLE
Stephen D. Sullivan
I. The Unexpected Jungle
I thought Isla Sangre was supposed to be a blasted rock,
Rik Armstrung said as he stepped ashore. He glanced back at the twelve people disembarking alongside him: nine humans, beside himself—including a derenki—and three basilisks. A rugged crew, for the most part, but the landscape ahead didn’t look like what they’d signed aboard for.
Yeah,
the Midknight named Memnon agreed. This place is as overgrown as the jungles of Kesh.
Lush vegetation tumbled down from the island’s mountainous peak all the way to the shoreline. Thick brush and tangled vines sprouted between the crags and boulders lining the water’s edge. An aroma of flourishing greenery and slow decay hung in the air. The isle’s sweltering humidity smothered every sound, even the lapping of the waves against the shore. Though Rik peered hard into the jungle, he saw no sign of the palace they’d come all this way to find.
Memnon’s fellow Midknight, Antiope, giggled—an action ill-suited to a mercenary warrior. Her deep blue armor seemed inappropriate to Rik as well, exposing far too much skin to really protect her. Are you sure you’ve got the right island, Baron?
she asked.
We’re sure,
Baron Robellar replied. He flashed a cold stare toward both Midknights as he stepped out of the sampan, setting polished boot to rocky shore. Persha doesn’t make mistakes, do you, Persha?
Persha, Robellar’s personal mage, fumbled with her scroll cases and managed a brief smile for her boss. Of course not, milord. Reifworm and I have followed the trail as faithfully as Al-Shakir follows the stars.
Rik looked from the maroon-robed girl to the captain of Robellar’s guard. Al-Shakir was tall, muscular, and obviously very capable; he was also extremely superstitious. Rik wasn’t sure whose judgment he trusted less: Persha’s, Shakir’s, or that of Tel Reifworm, the sea mage who had guided them all to this overgrown rock; none of the three seemed to be sailing with a full crow’s nest. Rik trusted Robellar, though—or, at least, he trusted the baron’s greed.
We were lucky to find this isle at all,
Reifworm added, getting out of their small boat. Chun Ping, the expedition’s captain, tied the sampan’s line to a rocky crag, and Reifworm put a binding charm on the rope to hold it in place.
It’s only because of Persha’s excellent research that we are here at all,
Reifworm continued. If she hadn’t turned up a stone native to Isla Sangre, we’d never have been able to navigate through the warding spells set around the island.
We are lucky to get here at all,
Chun Ping said distantly. This is not a good place to sail.
She gazed longingly toward her junk, moored five hundred yards offshore. The boat’s sails hung limp, as though this entire part of the World-Sea was holding its breath.
Persha finished collecting her gear, plopped down on a boulder, and wrung out the soggy hem of her gold-trimmed maroon robe. The Blood-Red Queen’s enchantments have protected Isla Sangre a long time,
she said. Despite her fierce reputation and considerable occult powers, Sanguinarre didn’t want people to find her island.
Nor did the wizards who killed her,
Robellar added. The Mistress of Pain had enemies, but her enemies also have enemies. Keeping the isle secret was good for all of them. And, as it turns out, good for us, too.
A smile tugged at the corners of his stern lips as he stared into the jungle, which crowded down the rocky shore nearly into the water. We all know what we’re here for—and it’s got nothing to do with the late queen’s politics.
Zhek, Brak, and Grif, the company’s three basilisk mercenaries, grunted noncommittally. Apparently the lizard-men didn’t understand the baron’s full motivations any more than Rik did. Robellar might want the loot from this isle to secure his position back home, or he might want the fame of having found Sanguinarre’s treasure, or he might have some other unfathomable political motivation. But the basilisks, like the Midknights, Rik, and most of the others in the company, were in this purely for the wealth.
Well, I don’t like this place,
put in Lita,