The Secret Invasion of Port Isabel Read Online Free Page B

The Secret Invasion of Port Isabel
Book: The Secret Invasion of Port Isabel Read Online Free
Author: Mark Douglas Stafford
Tags: Science-Fiction, Pirates
Pages:
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wants to see us, Flossy,’ said Harry. Harry
looked down from the table. ‘Please inform His Lionship that we
will be along presently.’
    The black boar
turned to go, hesitated then turned back. ‘But you are not coming,’
he said, frowning.
    ‘We’ll just
finish up here then we’ll come across. You go ahead and let the
Mayor know,’ said Harry.
    ‘But the Mayor
told me to bring you all forthwith and now. You all must come, now.
That is what he said.’
    Harry picked
up his sunglasses and turned to Reginald. ‘I’m afraid Larry’s story
will have to wait. Apparently we have been summoned “forthwith and
now”’—he said this with a wry smile, making sure he was facing away
so his smile wasn’t seen—‘and so we best not keep His Lionship, or
Sergeant Boar for that matter, waiting any longer.’
    Flossy slid
off the bench seat and stepped aside. Harry slid from the seat and
dropped to the floor beside her.
    ‘Coming,
Flossy?’ asked Harry.
    ‘Right behind
you, Captain Harry,’ she replied stiffly, with a smile and a short,
sharp salute.
    Harry patted
himself down and looked about.
    ‘My shout this
time,’ said Reginald through the open window.
    ‘You sure?’
asked Harry.
    ‘Quite. You
picked up the bill last time, I think.’
    ‘You know I
didn’t, but thanks all the same, Reginald. I’m a little tight at
the present time,’ said Harry.
    He made his
way between the tables to the front door of the café.
    ‘Thanks,
Reginald,’ said Flossy as she followed after Harry.
    ‘You’re
welcome, Flossy Fairweather,’ the big elephant called after her,
eyes sparkling with pleasure.
    Sergeant Boar
was waiting for them outside. Reginald approached through the light
rain that was little more than low cloud, droplets of water dancing
in the air and beading wetly.
    ‘To the Mayor,
then!’ Harry announced, putting on his sunglasses smartly. ‘Lead
the way, Sergeant.’
    The black boar
led the way. Harry followed, walking in an overly dignified manner;
tail held aloft and looking about with airs; as if he owned the
whole town.
    Flossy laughed
as she adjusted her sword then jogged to catch up. She hoped her
clothes were acceptable for an audience with the Mayor. She wore a
burgundy vest over an open-necked shirt which was tucked into
cotton pants she’d trimmed with lace. A broad belt slung across one
shoulder held her scabbard and sword. Her jacket was dirty and damp
but it at least held in some of the warmth. She would very much
like a bath and change of clothes but these would have to wait.
    They marched
through the cold, misty rain using Reginald as a kind of walking
windbreak. Water droplets danced around them as if they weren’t
sure they were ready to fall. The black boar marched ahead, hairy
rump glistening wetly.
    ‘Are his teeth
supposed to stick out like that? Or are they called tusks?’
whispered Flossy to Harry.
    ‘The
Sergeant’s?’ asked Harry, conspiratorially. He drew closer so he
wasn’t overheard.
    Flossy
nodded.
    ‘He can’t help
it. He’s a Throwback.’
    ‘A what?’
    Reginald, who
must have been listening, rebuked Harry from the corner of his
mouth.
    ‘Sorry, I
should have said, “a Random” . Throwback’s impolite in most respectable circles.’ Harry had a gleam in his eye as he
said this, as if that was why he used the word in the first
place.
    ‘I don’t know
either word,’ whispered Flossy. The boar was well ahead of them,
and in front of Reginald. It was unlikely he could hear but she
didn’t want to be the source of more conflict, especially as she
was about to appear before the Mayor on behalf of all of humankind.
First impressions were important and so far things hadn’t started
well. She couldn’t afford another mistake.
    Reginald
turned his head toward them without slowing, and glared. He swayed
as he walked.
    ‘Ask me
later,’ said Harry, with a childish grin. ‘There’s a schoolteacher
nearby and he’s got big ears.’
    They’d moved
on only a
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