Page 14 (1/2)
‘The next few days!’ exclai to eat or drink I could starve or die of thirst!’
‘Not in the House,’ said Monckton ‘You ry and thirsty, but you won’t die fro to leave me here chained up? That’s it? To wait for the court or whatever?’
‘Yes,’ said Monckton ‘You have it exactly A pleasure doing business with you Good-bye’
‘Wait!’ shrieked Leaf But the Rat was gone Arthur caught a flash of his tail as he left the mirror’s field of view
‘Wait! You can’t just leave me! What if the ship sinks --’
Leaf’s shout was suddenly cut off and the mirror flickered between Leaf’s situation and Arthur’s face in the lantern light, before settling on the latter Arthur felt a wave of nausea at the sudden change of perception, but that was banished in an instant as Sunscorch clapped him on the shoulder and whispered, ‘Arthur! Get ready, lad There’s so in from the sea!’
Arthur blinked, stood up, and hurriedly put the own That ree into so for a second before it was gone
‘What’s co in from the sea?’
‘Dunno,’ replied Sunscorch ‘Lizard saw a light far off I’ve seen it too It’s getting closer Could be the Shiver, though why they’d show a light I don’t know Here, take this knife’
Sunscorch had a cutlass at his belt, Arthur saw He took the long knife the Denizen offered hi-gown belt Sunscorch shook his head
‘That won’t serve Come on, back to the Captain’s tent Ichabod can find you sory, particularly for so called --’ ‘Slops is clothes Come on We haven’t much time’
The camp was quite different now, Arthur saw as he followed Sunscorch over to Catapillow’s tent The Denizens were all up and getting ready for a fight They appeared anised than they’d been at sea
‘Landlubbers,’ whispered Sunscorch as they passed a group of Denizens checking over their crossbows ‘They’ll put up a better fight here than on any deck Ichabod! Help Lord Arthur into some shipshape clothes!’
‘Aye, aye!’ called Ichabod He ca in particular milord requires?’
‘Don’t waste time!’ instructed Sunscorch ‘Give hiuns Arthur, join me there when you’re ready’
Ichabod sniffed
‘Really, he has no idea the difficulties one hasa proper standard of dress’
He looked Arthur up and doalked around hiures down in a s screen with the nautical pictures in the corner of the tent Arthur had last seen it in Catapillow’s impossible room aboard the Moth
‘If you would care to stand behind this screen, milord, I shall endeavour to present a number of articles of attire that may approach some level of suitability for one of your most eminent position’
Arthur went behind the screen Ale pile of clothes
‘Undergarments Choice of three shirts Collars, choice of four Neckties, choice of six Waistcoat, choice of three Breeches, choice of three Stockings, choice of five Shoes or boots?’
‘Uh, I don’t need any My slippers are Immaterial Boots’
‘Sea-duty belt or ceremonial?’
‘Sea duty, I think’
Ichabod continued to ask questions, handing Arthur an ite or equipment every few seconds Finally he fell silent, and Arthur quickly got undressed and put on his new clothes Surprisingly, everything fit him perfectly Arthur hadn’t deliberately chosen any particular combination, but when he was mostly dressed he found that he had on pretty much the same uniform as Catapillow A blue coat over a white shirt and blue waistcoat hite breeches
As Arthur had half-expected, as soon as he changed clothes his Immaterial Boots transforh boots, the left one wider in the leg to accoht for a moment, then slipped the Atlas and Wednesday’s invitation down inside his right boot and the shell and ainst water, as they were to al, and they would keep these articles safe and dry
‘I don’t knohat to do with this collar,’ Arthur said a few minutes later The collar was separate froure it out
‘Allow me,’ said Ichabod He quickly stepped in and fastened Arthur’s collar Before the boy could protest, Ichabod had wrapped a red cloth around his neck and tied it as a necktie as well ‘Arms up, sir, for the belt’
A broad leather belt see to put on, but when it was buckled up and Arthur tried to take a step out, Ichabod held up his hand and gave a slight bow ‘Your sword, sir One mustn’t venture into a prospective battle without one’s sword’
‘I suppose, er, oneto sound like Catapillow, he thought I hope I don’t turn into soets things done
Ichabod picked up a scabbarded sword from the floor and fastened it to Arthur’s belt on his left hip At the saiven by Sunscorch onto the other hip
‘This is a naval pattern sword, reduced in length and weight by the armourer specifically for your lordship,’ said Ichabod He stood up and saw Sunscorch’s knife, hisa little in distaste ‘If I may say, milord, the knife does little for the ensemble Perhaps if you allow me --’
‘I want to keep the knife,’ Arthur said quickly ‘And I have to go and join Mister Sunscorch now Thanks for your help, Ichabod I don’t kno you got the clothes my size so quickly’