Barefoot Pirate by Sherwood Smith

Author:Sherwood Smith [Smith, Sherwood]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, ebook, book view cafe
ISBN: 9781611380538
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Published: 2011-04-05T07:00:00+00:00

Twelve

“Blackeye will come,” Nan told herself firmly. “She thinks I’m a princess, and she told me the plan she made with that Noss, the leader of the city kids against the warts.” Nan thought over everything Blackeye had told her. It was a great plan, and Noss and his group sounded almost as interesting as Blackeye’s gang, with their map-games for secret communications, and their many hideouts all over the city.

But as the hours passed by, doubt came, at first in the form of questions, then of images of what would happen if she didn’t come. Nan tried to dismiss them, but it got harder and harder—there was nothing to do, she was tired, uncomfortable, hungry and thirsty again, and on top of it all, cold.

She made the mistake of trying to sleep during the day, in order to forget her surroundings, which meant that she was awake through the very long night—and alone with her worsening fears.

What if Joe told them there are no princesses in America? Would Blackeye think that because she lied about that, she’d lie about the plan?

She rescued Shor and Mican...

Thinking about Mican made Nan angry. For a little while she daydreamed about telling Nitre all about Mican, just so he could spend some time in a cell. After all, what had she done to him? Nothing. But he’s already been in one of these—and was almost killed...

Nan crouched on the floor with her arms wrapped tightly around her bent legs, her chin grinding on her knees.

After a time, she ran out of what-if daydreams, and had to face the truth, terrifying as it was: soon—at dawn—they’d come for her, and if she didn’t tell them what they wanted to know, they might just execute her.

Anger boiled inside her. It wasn’t fair. She’d never done anything to anyone that warranted being killed over. Maybe Blackeye’s group had! How long had Nan known them anyway, a few days? Was knowing people a few days—people who might have hated her, just like people on Earth, if they hadn’t thought she was a princess—worth dying for? Why did Blackeye have to tell her stupid plan anyway! Didn’t she know how dangerous that was?

That Nitre promised they’d never know if I told, she thought. I’d have to go away, but at least I’d be alive. And one thing for sure, I’ll never, ever, get mixed up in this kind of mess ever again. It’s too dangerous, and I don’t care who is on the throne anywhere. It has nothing to do with me. I just want to learn magic...

Just want to learn magic, and—

Nan rubbed her burning eyes. She didn’t want to think but her mind didn’t stop yammering.

She laughed at herself, bitter, hiccoughing laughs at the great plans she’d had. Oh, yes, she’d become this powerful magician, and go around saving reject kids and changing people’s lives—only she’d never be in any danger. I know what those dreams mean now. I wanted to help people out as long as it was easy.

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