Swords of the Red Brotherhood

Introduction

Swords of the Red Brotherhood. Featuring Terence “Black” Vulmea. “The Black Stranger” was the original version, featuring Conan the Cimmerian. It was written in the 1930s, but not published in his lifetime. When the original Conan version of his story failed to find a publisher, Howard rewrote “The Black Stranger” into a piratical Terence Vulmea story entitled “Swords of the Red Brotherhood”.

In Rusty Burke’s REH Fiction timeline, it is listed as received by Howard’s agent, Kline, on May 28, 1935, and June 8, 1935. This story was never accepted. It also may have been first sent to Argosy (listed first on the submission schedule, but no data was given). On December 31, 1935, it was sent to Top Notch by Kline. Top Notch returned it to Kline on January 15, 1936. It was sent to Short Stories on January 17. It was returned to Kline on February 4, 1936. Kline then sent it to Complete Stories the very next day. It was rejected and returned on March 3. The next day Kline sent it to Adventure. It was rejected once more and returned to Kline on March 19. Kline then sent it to Blue Book the next day. Blue Book rejected it and returned it on April 6.

L Sprague de Camp rewrote the original Conan story into a different Conan story (“The Treasure of Tranicos”). For publication in Fantasy Magazine #1, the story was abridged, edited by L Sprague de Camp, and re-written further by Lester del Rey. 

Hence, there are 3 different versions of this story: THE BLACK STRANGER (REH1), SWORDS OF THE RED BROTHERHOOD, and THE TREASURE OF TRANICOS (REH/LSDC).

Cross Plains Library has an original draft of this story.

Summary

The story begins on a mysterious note with the protagonist, Francoise d’Chastillon, and a young girl named Tina standing on the shores of a desolate bay, marking the site of their fortress-like settlement. The arrival of a ship, unknown and potentially hostile, brings with it a wave of tension and uncertainty.

Francoise, a countess, has been living in this isolated fortress under the protection of her uncle, Count Henri d’Chastillon. The settlement is a last refuge from a past that both Francoise and her uncle are trying to escape. However, the sudden appearance of the ship heralds the start of a chain of events that drags the past back into their lives.

As the ship approaches, it is revealed to be the “War-Hawk,” a notorious pirate vessel commanded by Harston, a formidable and ruthless pirate. The pirates demand a treasure rumored to be hidden within the fortress. Count Henri, determined to protect his niece and their new life, refuses, leading to a violent confrontation.

The tension escalates when another ship arrives, this time bearing the flag of France, commanded by Guillaume Villiers, a buccaneer with a commission from the governor of Tortuga. Villiers offers his help to fend off Harston, but his motives are ambiguous. As alliances shift, Francoise finds herself caught between her uncle’s desperate strategies and Villiers’ sinister plans, which include taking her as his wife in exchange for his support.

The story culminates in a dramatic standoff, with Francoise and her uncle making a last stand against the pirates, even as the true nature of the treasure and the past they fled from comes to light. The narrative is woven with themes of betrayal, survival, and the relentless pursuit of redemption.

Characters

  • Terence Vulmea – The central character and a pirate captain, depicted as cunning and resourceful, often engaging in battles and strategic planning for survival and treasure.
  • Francoise d’Chastillon – A noblewoman who has fled to a remote settlement with her uncle, facing the harsh realities of pirate-infested waters and internal threats within her refuge.
  • Count Henri d’Chastillon – Francoise’s uncle, who commands the fort and is deeply involved in mysterious dealings that suggest a hidden past and secret motivations.
  • Harston – The captain of the pirate ship “War-Hawk,” an antagonist who threatens the fort in search of treasure, showcasing the constant danger posed by rival pirates.
  • Guillaume Villiers – A buccaneer with complex intentions, initially appearing as an ally against Harston but later revealing ulterior motives involving Francoise and hidden treasures.
  • Tina – A young girl under Francoise’s care, embodying innocence and vulnerability, and whose experiences highlight the personal stakes of the broader conflicts.

Published in: