The Buccaneers' Code (19 page)

“I can't believe Philomena is frightened of
anything
,” said Claire.

“Just be glad you're not a Tilbury,” Nicholas told her.
“I walked nearly two miles through Nordholm, trying to come up with a plan. The others still thought I was ill, so they didn't seem to mind that I was lagging behind. I was just about to make a run for it when the postal courier hurried up behind us and gave me a letter—a furious one from Pirate Westfield, as a matter of fact.”

Hilary bit her lip. “I apologize for that.”

“Anyway,” said Nicholas, “I told Philomena that the letter was from Alice. I said she'd changed her mind about fighting the Mutineers, and she'd agreed to pass information about the Terror's plans to us instead.”

“I'd rather eat slugs!” said Alice. “Why would you say such a thing? They couldn't have believed you.”

Nicholas shrugged. “They seemed to,” he said. “I told them you'd sent me some news that I had to share with Captain Blacktooth immediately, and I ran back to the house as quickly as I could. The Mutineers were meeting in the drawing room, and I tried to listen at the door, but I couldn't make out most of the words. I'm fairly sure Queen Adelaide was mentioned more than once, though.”

“Please tell me you heard more than that,” said Jasper, “or I'll be tempted to throw my concertina at your head.”

“Sorry.” Nicholas gave the concertina a nervous sort of look. “The eavesdropping wasn't going as well as I'd hoped, so I summoned my courage and went into the drawing room. Captain Blacktooth was saying something about a new ship he was building in Summerstead, but I'm
afraid he stopped talking as soon as he noticed me. I don't think anyone was terribly pleased to see me, and I still had to pretend I was delivering news from Alice.”

Hilary crossed her arms. “What did you tell them?”

“Well,” said Nicholas slowly, “I had to make something up, so I said that the Terror of the Southlands had ordered some fancy long-range cannons from the next kingdom over.” He hesitated. “And Captain Blacktooth decided to order some fancy long-range cannons himself in response.”

“Of course he did.” Hilary sighed. “Now he'll be even more difficult to defeat.”

“Mr. Feathering may have good intentions,” Miss Pimm said from the crowd, “but he's the worst spy I've ever met.”

“But I haven't told you about my triumph!” said Nicholas. He held up the soggy square of folded paper; it didn't look much like a triumph to Hilary. “While Blacktooth was talking about the cannons he wanted to order, I got a look at the plans for the ship he's having built. I don't understand it myself, but I know he thinks it's his secret weapon—the thing that's going to ensure his victory in battle. I memorized as much as I could and drew up a copy of the plans as soon as I'd left the room.” Nicholas grinned and unfolded the paper, which was already tearing at the creases. “This,” he said, laying the sketch on the grass, “is Captain Blacktooth's secret weapon.”

Charlie fetched a lantern, and everyone gathered around to study the paper.

“Is it a fearsome galleon?” asked Twigget from the back of the crowd. “Has it got masts as tall as a thousand men, and a gun deck as vast as the southern sea?”

The gargoyle hopped over to Hilary's side and examined the drawing. “It doesn't
look
all that fearsome,” he reported. “It only has one cannon, and—well, what do you know? Blacktooth's put a Gargoyle's Nest on the front.”

“That's odd.” Hilary looked from the ship's plans to Jasper and back again. “I may be mistaken, but . . .”

“You're not,” said Jasper. “Are you sure this is the design you saw, Mr. Feathering?”

“Entirely sure. Is something the matter?”

“Not exactly,” said Hilary. “I don't understand why this ship is Blacktooth's secret weapon, though.” She looked around at her mates. “This ship is the
Pigeon
.”

K
INGDOM OF
A
UGUSTA

OFFICE OF THE ROYAL RECORDS KEEPER

FORM 118M: INTENTION TO SET SAIL

INSTRUCTIONS: Please write legibly in ink. Forms completed in blood will be rejected upon receipt.
All questions are mandatory.

NAME OF CAPTAIN:
Hilary Westfield, Terror of the Southlands

NAME OF VESSEL:
The Pigeon

TYPE OF VESSEL:
Pirate ship (small)

HOME PORT:
Wimbly-on-the-Marsh, The Southlands

DESTINATION:
Queensport, The Southlands

GENERAL PURPOSE OF VOYAGE

(please check one):

BUSINESS    
PLEASURE    
PIRACY

If PIRACY is checked, the Kingdom of Augusta reserves the right to send the Royal Navy to attack your vessel if necessary. Do you accept these terms?

As I expect to be attacked by an entire army of pirates, I'm sure it won't be necessary for the Royal Navy to attack me as well.

NUMBER OF CREW MEMBERS:
There are two hundred pirates in our fleet.

NAMES OF CREW MEMBERS (please list):

Various freelance pirates, schoolgirls, governesses, gargoyles, Enchantresses, tradespeople, water-ballet performers, reformed villains, High Society ladies, parrots, and mothers—far too many to list here.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF VOYAGE:
To defeat Captain Blacktooth in battle and win the presidency of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates

NUMBER OF FLOTATION DEVICES ON BOARD:

Fewer than I'd like

NUMBER OF WEAPONS ON BOARD:

Fewer than we'll need

If you PERISH AT SEA, would you like a MEMORIAL PLAQUE installed in your honor at the Royal Palace?

YES    
NO

If it's not too much trouble, however, my gargoyle would like someone to dedicate an ornamental fountain in his memory.

Thank you for complying with the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Augusta, and enjoy your voyage!

From

The Illustrated Queensport Gazette

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE CIVILIZED WORLD!

PIRATES AND ONLOOKERS
GATHER FOR THRILLING BATTLE

QUEENSPORT, AUGUSTA—With only one day remaining until the High Seas confrontation between Captain Rupert Blacktooth and Pirate Hilary Westfield, swashbucklers and spectators alike are making their way toward Queensport Harbor. Taverns and groggeries are stuffed to the seams with pirates from across the kingdom, and guesthouses are filled with holidaymakers, many of whom have traveled for days to witness the battle.

“I came all the way from Otterpool to cheer for the Terror of the Southlands,” said farmer Peter Scattergood. “She and her mates gave me a magic piece of my own last summer, and I'm grateful for it.” Though the queen has vowed to remain neutral during the battle, it is rumored that she hopes the Terror will emerge with the victory. Others, however, will be rooting for the Terror's opponent to win the contest. “I wouldn't want to say a word against Captain Blacktooth,” said Cecil Theodore, manager of the Ornery Clam boardinghouse. “All of my guests support him, and their swords are frightfully convincing.”

Captain Blacktooth's ships have already gathered on
the western side of Queensport Harbor, and the Terror's ships have recently set sail from Wimbly-on-the-Marsh. Eyewitnesses report that while the Terror has assembled a fascinating and unusual pirate crew, her mates are greatly outnumbered by those pirates fighting alongside Captain Blacktooth. “I'm sure it will be an exciting battle,” said parlor maid Bess Millet, “but I'm not sure it's going to be a fair one.”