Connor saw that she was speaking, but the words made little sense to him. He was confused by the vision he had seen through the swords above him. Had he simply imagined it, or was this a glimpse into his future? Was he going to be a pirate captain himself?
“Lunch, Connor,” Cheng Li said, with only a mild sense of exasperation. “Even pirate prodigies need to eat once in a while. And the Academy chef prepares quite the most delicious dumplings you’ll ever taste.”
15
NO ORDINARY SCHOOL
“Well,” said Cheng Li, raising her cup of jasmine tea. “Welcome again to Pirate Academy.” Connor and Grace lifted their tea bowls and clinked them against Cheng Li’s.
They were eating lunch on the Academy terrace, surrounded by the other students and staff, in the balmy heat of the midday sun. As Grace chatted animatedly to Cheng Li, Connor surveyed his surroundings. This was like no other school he had ever seen. Though, to be fair, the only other school he had seen was Crescent Moon Bay High — and you would have to go a long way to find a nastier, more down-at-heel, more narrow-minded institution.
“How many students are there here?” he heard Grace ask Cheng Li.
“One hundred and fifty,” Cheng Li said, “ranging from seven-year-olds to seventeen-year-olds. There are just fifteen students in each of the ten year groups. With the Academy’s high teacher/student ratio, every pirate apprentice is given the very best opportunity to thrive. In this — as in many other ways — Pirate Academy is no ordinary school.”
“Where do the students come from?” Grace asked.
“Good question,” said Cheng Li. “Our students come from the very best pirate families. And, believe me, it’s no easy feat securing a place at Pirate Academy. We have rigorous entrance exams and interviews. You can’t buy your way in here by simply donating a new training boat or a case of cutlasses. Every student has to walk through the door on his or her own merits.”
“It sounds like you have to be rich, though,” Connor said.
Cheng Li shrugged. “By definition, most successful pirate families are wealthy. You wouldn’t be much of a pirate if you couldn’t manage to educate your kids, would you? Of course, in rare cases — yours, for instance — scholarships are available.”
Connor shrugged. “Well, we’re only visiting, anyhow.”
Cheng Li nodded. “Yes, that’s right. For a moment, I forgot!” But there was something in Cheng Li’s voice that signaled to Grace that she had not forgotten. Not even for a second.
“And do pirates really prefer their kids to come here, rather than training them on board their ships?” asked Grace.
“Think about it,” Cheng Li said. “Think about how hectic life is aboard a ship like The Diablo. There’s no real time for a working pirate to educate his or her children. Of course, all ships must groom their young pirates in sword-play, but there’s simply no opportunity for the broader education we provide here — in History and Navigation, Strategy and Captaincy skills. Our offer to pirates is this — give us your children for ten years and we’ll return them to you — not only ready to become full-fledged members of the crew, but ready to take on the role of captain.”
“That makes sense,” said Grace. “Don’t you think, Connor?”
Connor did not reply. He was lost in thought. He was thinking about the vision he had had in the Rotunda — the vision of becoming a captain.
“Don’t you think, Connor?” Grace repeated.
“What? Oh, erm...yes, absolutely.” He wasn’t entirely sure what Grace had asked him, but she seemed well pleased with his answer.
“Now,” said Cheng Li, “I’ve brought each of you an Academy timetable.” She passed a folded card to each of the twins. “This is the schedule of classes you would be taking if you were Year 8 students here — along with the other fourteen-year-olds. I’ve marked the subjects I think you will find the most interesting, but it’s entirely up to you. You’re my guests. You’re here to get a flavor of the place, so feel free to attend as many classes as you wish.”
Grace unfolded her timetable, but Connor had already tuned out Cheng Li’s voice and was excitedly scanning the class schedule. There were no boring subjects here! From Pirate History on a Monday morning to Friday afternoon’s Combat Workshop, each day seemed to be jam-packed with interesting stuff. Okay, so maybe he could take or leave a double dose of Marine Biology on Tuesday mornings, but triple Practical Piracy and Ocean-faring sounded great and he couldn’t wait to attend the class in Extreme Maritime Survival. Connor beamed at Grace — he had to hand it to her for suggesting coming here in the first place. She smiled back.
The only off-putting thing about the timetable was the length of each day. Every morning kicked off at 7:00 a.m. with something called “Strength, Stamina, and Motivation” and the Academy day didn’t end until 8:00 p.m. — although the final hour after dinner was set aside for private study or clubs and other social events. There were also classes on Saturday mornings and even one — a Med-itation class, taught by Cheng Li — late on Sunday after-noon. Still, Connor mused, if the students here were preparing for life aboard a pirate ship like The Diablo, it made sense for them to get used to very long days. He’d never been a “morning person” back in Crescent Moon Bay, but since signing up to the articles of Molucco Wrathe’s ship and taking his share of the duty rosters, he’d developed more than a passing acquaintance with sunrise.
Connor took a last mouthful of dim sum — savoring the delicious flavors of ginger and lemongrass — then set his chopsticks back on their china rest. Cheng Li was right. The food here was delicious — and the portions were generous, too. He lifted the cup of jasmine tea to his lips and felt a heady sense of well-being. For a moment, his thoughts flashed back to The Diablo but already it was exerting less of a pull on his emotions. He’d be back before long and, in the meantime, there was plenty to distract him here — from the delicious and plentiful food to the extremely cool classes.
“Don’t you think, Connor ...? Connor!”
He glanced up to find both his sister and Cheng Li staring at him. He had been so engrossed in thoughts, he’d completely zoned out.
Cheng Li smiled. “I was just saying that there’s no need to attend any classes this afternoon. Instead, I’ll show you around and we’ll get you settled in your rooms. Tonight, you will join all the teachers for a special dinner. They are all former captains — every one a pirating legend — and they’re all very eager to meet you both.”
Connor beamed. “I could get used to the VIP treatment,” he said, stretching out his arms in a contented yawn.
Grace and Cheng Li shook their heads at him. Secretly Grace was delighted that Connor was so enthusiastic about the Academy. And she was grateful for all the preparations Cheng Li had made in such a short amount of time. Dinner with the pirate captains was an especially nice touch. Grace knew the inner workings of her brother’s mind, and the more he felt a sense of belonging to the Pirate Academy, the better chance she had of persuading him to extend his stay and never return to The Diablo. She felt a little guilty when she thought of their friends aboard the ship — especially Cate and Bart — but she was only looking out for her brother’s safety. She wasn’t prepared to see him suffer the same fate as Jez Stukeley. Everyone would understand — eventually.
The twins each deposited their bags in their rooms and then followed Cheng Li back outside for a full tour around the grounds of the Academy.
“So, how do you like your quarters?” Cheng Li asked. “I trust they’re to your satisfaction?”
“Oh yes,” Grace said. She had never expected to be given such a large, well-appointed room. It even had its own balcony, looking out toward the harbor. Connor’s was just as generous, though it was on the other side of the building, overlooking the “inner circle” — a secluded courtyard of manicured grass, where a class of kids were practicing their martial arts skills.
As expansive as the grounds of the Academy had appeared from the terrace, when
the twins and Cheng Li wandered through them, they seemed to open out still farther. Trees and bushes which had appeared from above to mark the Academy’s boundaries, in fact disguised new parts of the Academy — each one painted in the same soft, sunny palette as the main cluster.
Cheng Li pointed out all the different buildings to them — from the student dormitories and staff lodgings to the combat workshop, from the archive store to the lecture theaters and classrooms. The Academy was a world all its own and it was a lot to take in, especially in the soporific heat of the early afternoon. Grace found that some of the details of Cheng Li’s excited monologue passed her by, but she was struck by her deep sense of pride in the Academy. Connor noticed it, too. This was a very different Cheng Li to the one he’d known aboard The Diablo. She seemed calmer here — like she belonged.
“Wow!” Connor exclaimed. He had run a little ahead but now turned and waited for Grace and Cheng Li. “What is that?”
As the girls caught up to him, Grace saw that he was pointing to a large amphitheater, set back a little from the harbor, but an amphitheater with a difference. In place of a stage, was a sparkling pool of water. And, in the center of this was a ship — a galleon not dissimilar to The Diablo or, indeed, to the Vampirate ship.
“That,” said Cheng Li, her eyes sparkling as brightly as the water, “is the lagoon of doom!” She laughed. “Well, that’s what the students call it, at least. We use the ship there for attack practice and for combat demonstrations. It’s one of my very favorite places in the Academy!”
Connor looked toward the deck. It was empty now, like a ghost ship. But it was all too easy to imagine pirates running across its boards. He thought once more of his vision in the Rotunda. The deck he had seen looked a lot like this one. Maybe there, on that deck — in the “lagoon of doom” — he would learn how to become a captain.
“Time for a little refreshment,” announced Cheng Li, pausing by the thick foliage of a pomegranate tree. She reached out and twisted two fruits from its branches, dropping them into the twins’ hands. The fruit was still warm from the sun as Grace’s fingers enclosed it.
Cheng Li twisted off another pomegranate for herself. She lifted one of her katanas, tossed the fruit in the air, sliced it, then caught the two halves in her hand. With a smile, she performed the same deft operation for Grace then Connor. The exposed seeds twinkled in the sunlight like jewels. The three of them took a seat on the grass to savor the snack. Grace felt the fruit burst on her tongue, surprisingly cool and thirst-quenching in the heat. She turned her eyes to the boats in the harbor below. Captain Avery was getting ready to set off sailing with another class of students. The prospect, Grace noted, didn’t appear to be filling him with the greatest of pleasure.
“No, no, no, Mister Webb!” she heard him cry out to one of his young charges.
Closer to them, a stream of the Academy’s older students were walking purposefully along the harbor path to a pale-gold-colored building.
“That’s the main lecture theater,” Cheng Li explained. “And this is the Year 10 class — our final year students — heading off to a lecture by Captain Larsen, if I am not mistaken.”
“Good afternoon, Mistress Li,” one of the students called politely. Others turned and nodded respectfully in her direction.
“Mister Blunt,” Cheng Li called out. “Mister Blunt, come over here a moment.”
A tall, good-looking boy with flushed cheeks and pale straw-like hair turned toward them, his eyebrows raised in query. He had been walking along, deep in conversation with some friends, but now he disengaged himself and cut across the path to greet Cheng Li.
“Have you been stealing pomegranates again?” he asked Cheng Li, with a smile. “Naughty, naughty! But I promise I won’t squeal to the gardeners.”
“I want to introduce you to Connor and Grace Tempest,” Cheng Li said, ignoring his cheek. “You remember I told you about our guests?”
“Oh yes, of course!” the boy said, extending a hand to Connor. “Hello, Connor, I’m Jacoby Blunt.” He smiled. “Mistress Li tells me you’re a brilliant swordsman.”
“Jacoby is perhaps the finest fighter at the Academy,” Cheng Li said. “I think the two of you would be very well matched in combat.”
Connor looked into Jacoby Blunt’s gray-blue eyes. They seemed cold and glass-like for a moment. Connor felt his heart sink — Cheng Li had set them up as rivals from the outset. He knew from experience how this would play out. It was like CMB High all over again! But then, to his surprise, Jacoby Blunt broke into a wide smile. “It would be great to have some decent opposition for a change,” he said.
Cheng Li gave a satisfied laugh. “Well, Jacoby, I’m sure you and Connor will get a chance to put that to the test. Connor will be here all week and, as I mentioned to you earlier, I’d like you to look after him and his sister, Grace.”
Cheng Li indicated Grace and now Jacoby leaned forward and shook her hand. “It certainly won’t be a hard-ship looking after you, Grace,” he said. Grace blushed at his words and his handsome smile.
“Well, off you go to your lecture,” Cheng Li told Jacoby. “But remember that you’re invited to dinner tonight with Grace and Connor and the captains. Commodore Kuo thought you might like to collect the twins and bring them to his study at seven-thirty sharp.”
“No problemo,” said Jacoby with a laid-back smile. “Enjoy your afternoon, Tempest twins . . . and I’ll come and fetch you a little ahead of nineteen-thirty hours! Dress to impress!”
Grinning, he jogged off to catch up with his classmates.
“Come on, then,” said Cheng Li, drawing herself up-right. “Break’s over! Let’s continue with the tour. You have to see the freshwater pool!”
“Definitely!” Connor jumped up and began following Cheng Li. They were already some way down the path when they realized that Grace was not with them.
“Grace?” called Connor.
“Grace!” Cheng Li shouted. “Where are you?”
They stopped and turned back for her. She was standing still on the grassy hillside, looking out at the harbor. She was barely moving a muscle. The only thing to indicate she was a person and not a statue were the strands of her long hair, lifting and falling in the harbor breeze.
“Grace!” Connor called, increasingly impatient. His sister didn’t even turn.
Suddenly, Grace’s body went limp and she slumped down onto the grass.
“Grace!” Connor and Cheng Li cried, simultaneously. They raced back across the grass to see what on earth was wrong.
16
JOURNEY
“I’m all right. I’m all right,” Grace said, opening her eyes to find Connor and Cheng Li staring at her intently.
“What happened?” Connor asked. “One minute you were standing there, looking out at the harbor. The next, you were taking a tumble.”
“I don’t know,” Grace said, shaking her head slowly. The fall had taken her by surprise. It had been preceded by a rush of sensations — some familiar, others new. But she wasn’t ready to share this with the others.
“Let me feel your head,” Cheng Li said, “we should get you to the infirmary.”
“Really, I’m fine,” Grace insisted, as Cheng Li’s fingers gently probed the back of her head. “I think I just need to sit still for a bit.”
“There don’t seem to be any lumps or bumps,” Cheng Li said, “nevertheless, I’d feel happier if Nurse Carmichael took a look at you.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Grace said. “I’ll just catch my breath. You guys go on with the Academy tour. I know Connor’s dying to see the freshwater pool!”
“It doesn’t matter,” Connor said quickly. “I can see it later.” But he didn’t do a good job of hiding the disappointment in his voice.
“No, no. You go along now. I’ll be fine.” Just ahead of them, she saw the jacaranda tree with its circular seat. An idea came to her. “If you will just help me over there, I could sit in the shade for a little bit.”<
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“Yeah, no problem,” Connor said. He reached out to lift her. “Cheng Li, can you give me a hand?”
The two of them helped Grace to her feet. With her arms around both their shoulders, they walked her over to the jacaranda tree.
“How embarrassing!” said Grace.
“Don’t worry about it.” Cheng Li shook her head. “It’s a hot day. Could have happened to any one of us.”
They settled her on the seat. Grace felt instantly better, sitting amid the soft blue bower, out of the glare of the sun.
“Here,” said Cheng Li, reaching into her pack and producing a bottle of water. “Take some sips of this.”
“Thanks,” said Grace, gratefully taking the bottle. The others watched her carefully as she took a sip. The cool water felt good. “I’m fine now,” she said. “I’ll just sit here for a bit. You go on.”
Cheng Li placed her palm on Grace’s brow. “You still seem a little hot to me. I’ll go on with Connor but we’ll be back to check on you within the hour.”
Grace nodded, unnerved by the intensity of Cheng Li’s stare. Really, all she needed was some peace and quiet.
After Cheng Li had gone, Grace slid back, deeper under the branches of the jacaranda tree, her arms brushing its trumpet-shaped flowers and releasing more of its sweet perfume. She felt cocooned there, looking out toward the harbor, where Captain Avery had at last successfully guided his charges out of their slips and off toward the harbor wall. Grace’s eyes fell to the glistening waters. She felt as if she were sinking. It was the same sensation she had experienced just before falling. This time, she didn’t fight it but instead let herself give in to the feeling.
She closed her eyes and felt her body grow limp once more. This time, she was able to cushion her fall by lying down on the seat before regular consciousness left her. It soon felt as if she were afloat on a more pliant surface than the wooden bench — possibly the ocean itself.
Vampirates: Tide of Terror Page 11
