Miya Black, Pirate Princess I: Adventure Dawns by Ben White

and hold him before falling. And I seem to recall something else, some small matter, so small that it seems difficult to remember exactly the details—I think it has something to do with a person who could never defeat another person. This despite some kind of special royal sword? I'm not sure, my memory is not young."
    Tomas grinned again, then he looked down at his daughter. "Anyway," he said. "I've been sent out to retrieve this one."
    "Ah. Your captain has spoken," said Lars. "And you have obeyed."
    "What?" said Miya. "Dad, I'm fourteen now. I should be able to stay out at least until the sun's gone down."
    "Your mother is in a mood, a very ... what's the word ... how do I put this ... Lars, help."
    "Protective?"
    "Exactly—Lars, I have no idea how, but you always do it—Miya, your mother has been in a very protective mood lately, of the island generally and of you specifically. She's worried you might get kidnapped."
    "WHAT?"
    "Well, there are pirates around. And they kidnapped Sola's entire village, so we know they're capable of that kind of thing."
    "I think it's in really poor taste to make light of that, actually," said Miya archly.
    "I agree with the princess," said Lars, mock-appalled. "As does Sam."
    "And besides which," Miya continued, "they're not even close to the island yet—"
    "Their main fleet isn't. But this Badger Pete's actions so far don't speak to a mindless, directionless thug, I actually think your mother has something of a point here. He might have sent scouts ahead, he might have agents working for him around this area, if he knows the archipelago then he'll know that Clover Island has the largest navy of any of the islands and so represents the biggest threat—"
    "You had better go with him," Lars said to Miya. "He's beginning to make sense to me, my experience has been that this is usually a sign of something very wrong happening."
    "Mine too," Miya agreed.
    "Besides which," said Tomas, "what I've seen tonight also supports your mother's logic. There are some very suspicious characters skulking around the place—no offense, Sam," he said, addressing the small dog seriously, "but you do keep some rather roguish company."
    "Roguish," said Lars, with a small sigh. "It has been years since I was called that. Although in truth I don't appreciate it so much when it's Boots doing the calling. I preferred the young ladies of dubious virtue."
    "Yes, well, the less said about that the better, I think," said Tomas. "Don't listen, Miya."
    "Huh?"
    "I think she's safe for perhaps a little while longer," said Lars, smiling. He clapped his hands together once and Sam stopped snuffling at a likely patch of grass, trotting back to his place beside his master's feet. "Good to see you, Boots. Don't make the gap too wide, yes? It becomes difficult to fill."
    Tomas shook his head, smiling at his old friend. "I'll try," he said. "It's funny, though, you wouldn't expect it but being a king comes with rather a lot of responsibilities."
    "I think we had more fun in the old days," said Lars, with a chuckle. Tomas just smiled at this.
    "Come on, Daughter," he said, tousling Miya's short hair. "Let's get back before your mother starts worrying. Take care of yourself, Sam. Tell that master of yours to stop skulking so much, it's a bad habit that'll get him into trouble one of these days."
    "He doesn't know what to make of you sometimes," said Lars. "But he seems to think you are a decent sort, and I know better than to argue with a terrier. Good night, Princess. I hope you dream of great adventure."
    "You too, Uncle Lars," said Miya, turning back and waving as she walked off behind her father. "See you later, Sam!"
    *
     
    Miya had gone to bed as soon as they'd returned home and risen the next morning extra early, hoping to catch her father before her mother rose. Queen Lilith was a notoriously late sleeper so this wasn't exactly difficult, and Miya found her father in the kitchen having an early breakfast.
    "Dad!" she