Miya Black, Pirate Princess I: Adventure Dawns (47 page)

"Yes," the two siblings said together.

"Give him a kick in the rump from me."

Miya and Sola waved goodbye to Heartless Jon, then continued down to the port.

"Even painted black that frigate is the ugliest ship I've ever seen," said Miya, as they walked through the town square and the harbour came into view. "I don't even care that it's technically mine, I'll say it every time I see it: ugly."

They were close enough to the frigate now to see the name painted on the side; 'The Ugly Ship'.

"You won't have to worry about that—"

"There he is! Hand me my spyglass, Sola!"

"I don't have your spyglass."

Miya glanced at him. "Right. Sorry. Force of habit. Guess we just have to wait, then."

Sola stood and waited while Miya turned cartwheels on the end of the pier, until finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Miya (five minutes later), a small, unusual-looking ship came in to the docks.

"Ahoy!" called Tomas, standing at the bow, wide grin on his face. "I spy two lovely lubbers off me starboard bow!"

"I think your 'pirate' is getting even worse, Dad," said Miya, catching the rope her father threw her and quickly tying it, straightening as Tomas jumped down from the ship.

"Yarr, but I do try," he said. Miya smiled and hugged him, Tomas wincing as she held him tight.

"Does your side still hurt?" she asked, releasing him.

"Ah, just a tad. Nothing to be worried about. Hello, Sola! How's the school?"

"Good. The children here are interested in my island, my people. It's fun."

"Fun? Did you just say fun? Gosh," said Miya.

"That's good, Sola. I might come along to a class once I get back."

Miya's face fell. "Are you going again already?"

"I am, my darling."

"Oh."

"Just have to organise some supplies, maybe say hello to a few people, then we're off," said Tomas. He looked at his daughter a moment. "Aren't you going to explode with joy and excitement at the wonderful present I've brought you?"

"Huh. This old thing? Who'd get excited about
that
?"

"Ugh ... I'm wounded ..." Tomas groaned, clutching at his side. "Me own daughter spiting me ... ah ... the sarcasm ... it burns me so ..."

"Of course I'm kidding, Dad, I just wanted to say hello properly to you first," said Miya, as she walked over to the newly-repaired Black Swan. It looked as good as new, better even. Miya patted the side, then smiled as she noticed a small, crude carving of a clover between two railing supports.

"Almost finished," she murmured.

"Why not go aboard, take a look around?" said Tomas. "There are a few little surprises in there, nothing big, just some things that needed fixing that are maybe just a touch better now than before they were broken."

Miya turned and smiled at her father, then the smile disappeared as she remembered he'd be leaving soon.

"Come on, Coconut, don't look so down."

Miya huffed a little as she jumped onto the Swan.

"No, I'm fine," she said. "I'll just potter around my ship furling the sails while you run off and have an adventure."

"Who said anything about that? Don't furl a thing—in fact, I want you to stick around to receive the supplies I organise."

"Huh?"

Tomas sighed. "You are a very dense Coconut sometimes, do you know that? Sola, I'll see you later. Good luck with the school."

"Thank you."

"What was he talking about?" Miya asked her brother, as their father walked up the pier, shaking his head.

"I think Dad was implying that you would be going with him on this trip."

"What? What! DAD! WHERE ARE WE GOING?"

Tomas turned back and grinned.

"I promised, remember?" he called back. "Sola, do me a favour and chart the course; we're heading for Outlook Island. We've got a corrupt governor to kick some sense into!"

Miya grinned as her father waved to her, then, unable to contain herself, she leapt up to the stern deck, leant over the railings, and yelled with all the power in her lungs:

"ADVENTURE!"

Miya's adventures continue in:
Miya Black, Pirate Princess
II
Freedom & Responsiblity
(and the importance of appropriate footwear)

Available now from
Amazon.com
and
Amazon.co.uk

Books By Ben White

Miya Black, Pirate Princess

I - Adventure Dawns

II - Freedom & Responsibility

III - Fractured Lives

IV - This Impossible World, This Impossible Girl

V - Every Glorious Tomorrow (coming soon)

Charlotte Powers

1 - Power Down

2 - Power Play

3 - Hidden Power

4 - Rising Power (coming soon)

Resonance

Book One - Birds Of Passage

Book Two - Against Darker Days

Other Books

The Undying Apathy Of Imogen Shroud

The Boy & Little Witch

More about these titles can be found at:
cloverisland.co.nz

Website:
cloverisland.co.nz