Secrets of the Realm Read Online Free Page B

embroidered sampler. "Aunt Mary burned them all," she said bitterly under her breath.
    "Speak up, boy," the captain said.
    "It was nothing important, Captain."
    He turned and pulled out a book, flipping through its pages. "You said a book about pirates was one of your favorites?" His voice was even, each word measured. He replaced the book to the shelf. "Does a pirate's life sound exciting to you, Andrés?"
    "Aye, Captain. When I was much younger, my little sister loved watching me pretend to be a pirate." Annie left out the part about how she battled the imaginary foes while wearing a dress down to her ankles.
    With her left arm curved at the elbow, hand pointed upward, Annie playfully thrust her other hand at the captain. "En garde," she said.
    Annie froze in mid-thrust when the captain seized her arm, almost wrenching it from its socket. When he dropped her wrist, he spat out his words. "There is nothing entertaining about pirates. When pirates hoist the Jolly Roger, they know they can take what they want. That skull and crossbones put fear into many a sailor's heart. If it didn't, then cannonballs fired across the bow certainly would." His eyes narrowed. "Merchant ships seldom fight back."
    Annie rubbed her shoulder. "Why not?"
    "They are not adequately armed and the miserable wages sailors are paid doesn't inspire much loyalty." 
    Annie's curiosity wasn't satisfied. "Is Godenot…"
    She barely got the name out when the captain bellowed, "What possesses you to speak of that devil's name on my ship?"
    "I-I only wanted to know if he is as evil a pirate as I have been told, worse than Edward Low or Blackbeard."
    Captain Hawke glared at her, his eyes dark as coal. "On the Realm, we speak neither his name or of his ship."
    "The Crimson Revenge?" Annie clasped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
    "Did you not hear me?"
    "Please forgive me, Captain. I will be careful not to mention…Well, you know what I mean."
    He sighed. "Do you have any more questions?"
    His voice had softened. Annie took it as a peace offering. She felt it safe to ask, "If the Realm was attacked, would you give up without a fight?"
    The captain's eyebrow peaked higher than she had witnessed before. "Never!" He slammed his fist down on his desk barely missing the snuffbox Annie had admired earlier. " My men are handsomely paid and we have enough cannons to blow any pirate ship to bloody hell!"
    His chest heaved in and out. "Enough about pirates," he snapped. "If you want to take a book back to Doc's quarters, take one."
    Annie nodded as she scanned the books.
    "I don't have all day, pick one."
    She ran an uncertain finger along the tomes' spines.
    Impatient, Captain Hawke pulled out a book of poetry by John Dryden. "Don't care much for his writing." He pulled out another. "Here's one about the Roman Empire, conquests, murder. That should satisfy a curious lad such as you."
    "Thank you, Captain."
    He strolled to the door. "After you clean my cabin and take my dishes to the galley, come topside. Time you met your shipmates."

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    On the quarterdeck, Captain Hawke chatted with Mr. Montgomery. When he saw Annie, he called to Christopher, "Show Andrés around and tell him about ship protocol."
    "Aye, aye, Captain. Come along, Andrés."
    "What is protocol?" Annie asked Christopher as they crossed the deck.
    "Ship etiquette," he replied.
    Annie knew what etiquette meant, but could not fathom how it applied on the Realm while she watched a Jack-tar spit tobacco juice over the rail. Another bare-chested sailor scratched his sweaty armpit.
    "What kind of etiquette are you talking about?"
    "No stealing, fighting or gambling." Christopher then whispered, "There are plenty of wagers made on just about everything on this ship, but you don't want the captain to catch you."
    "What happens if he does?"
     "No one's been caught."
    "Is there anything else I should know?"
    "The first mate is called Mr. Montgomery or sir. The bosun is Mr. Allan and