Richard Blade (Kingdom of Royth, Series 9)

Richard Blade (Kingdom of Royth, Series 9) by Jeffrey Lord. mass_market edition. ISBN: 9780523002958.

PIRATES AHEAD! Blade is stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean when he spots several survivors of a shipwreck. He takes them on board. Together, they weather a savage storm and kill a band of ferocious pirates who are in pursuit. Slowly, a large merchant vessel approaches from the horizon. On board is the Grand Duke of the kingdom of Royth, brother to the King, accompanied by his daughter. Blade and friends are rescued by the Grand Duke, who then takes Blade into his confidence-- the waters in the surrounding area are completely overtaken by bloodthirsty buccaneers! Meanwhile, Blade happens to notice that the captain of the ship seems particularly pleased at the prospect of the pirate takeover. At the same time, the Grand Dukes daughter is taking serious notice of Blade. What will happen? For both the Grand Duke and his lovely daughter, Blade is the only hope. But time is running out and the cold-blooded pirates are speedily approaching...