Opening of His Majesty's Dragon
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EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
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The following is an excerpt from His Majesty's Dragon, a novel written by Naomi Novik published in the year 2000 and six Chapter one. The deck of the French ship was slippery, with blood heaving in the choppy sea. A stroke might as easily bring down the man, making it as the intended target. Lawrence did not have time in the heat of battle to be surprised of the degree of resistance. But even through the numbing haze of battle, in the confusion of swords and pistol smoke, he marked the extreme look of anguish on the French captain's face. Is the man shouted encouragement to his men. It was still there shortly thereafter when they met on the deck and the man surrendered his sword, very, really. At the last moment, his hand half closed about the blade, as if he meant to draw back. Lawrence looked up to make certain the colors had been struck, then accepted the sword of the mute bow. He did not speak French himself, in a more formal exchange, would have to wait for the presence of his third leftenant, that young man presently being engaged below decks in securing the French guns. With the cessation of hostilities, the remaining Frenchman world virtually dropping where he stood, Lawrence noted that there were fewer of them than he would have expected for a frigate of 36 guns and that they looked ill in hollow cheeks. Many of them lay dead or dying upon the deck. He shook his head of the waste, and I'd the French captain with disapproval. The men should never have offered battle. Aside from the plain fact that the Reliant would have had the Emmy days slightly outgunned and outmanned under the best of circumstances, the crew had obviously been reduced by disease, hunger to boot. The sales above them were in a sad tangle and that no result of battle but of the storm which had passed. But this morning, they had barely managed to bring off a single broadside before the Reliant had closed and boarded. The captain was obviously deeply out over set by the defeat, but he was not a young man to be carried away by his spirit. Fiat have done better by spend and bring them into so hopeless in action, Mr Riley Lawrence said, catching his second of tenants. Attention have vermin carried the wounded below. He hooked the captain sword on his belt. He did not think the man deserved the compliment of having it returned to him, though Ordinarily he would have done so and passed the word from Mr Wells. Very good, sir, Riley said. Turning to issue the necessary orders, Lawrence stop stepped to the railing to look down and see what damage the holiday. She looked reasonably intact, and he had ordered his men to avoid shots below the water line. He thought with satisfaction that there would be no difficulty in bringing her into port his hair. It slipped out of his short Q and now fell into his eyes As he looked over. He impatiently pushed it out of the way as he turned back, leaving streaks of blood upon his forehead and the sun bleached hair. This, with his broad shoulders in his severe look, give him an unconsciously savage appearance as he surveyed his prize. Very unlike his usual thoughtful expression, Wells climbed up from below and response to the summits and came to his side, sir, he said, without waiting to be addressed, begging your pardon. But Leftenant Gibbs says there's something queer in the hole. Oh, I will go and look, Lawrence it pray Tell this gentleman He indicated the French captain that he must give me his parole for himself and his men where they must be confined. French captain did not immediately respond. He looked at his men with a miserable expression. They would, of course, do much better if they could be kept spread out throughout the lower deck. And any recapture was practical impossibility of circumstance. Still, he hesitated, Drew and finally hus Jim Erin with a look still more wretched. Lawrence gave a short not he may go to his cabin. He told Wells and turned to step down into the hold. Tom, will you come along? Very good. He descended with Riley on his heels and found his first leftenant waiting for Gibbs. Round face was still shining with sweat and emotion. He would be taking the prize and deport, and as she was a frigate, he almost certainly would be made a post captain himself. Lawrence was only mildly pleased, Though Gibbs had done his duty reasonably, the man had been imposed on him by the ad morality and they had not become intimate. He had wanted Riley for the first Left Tenants place, and if he had been given his way, Riley would know there would now be the one getting his step. That was the nature of the service, and he did not begrudge gives the good fortune. Still, he did not rejoice quite so wholeheartedly as he would have to see Tom get his own ship very well. What's all this then? Lauren said. Now his hands were clustered about an oddly placed bulkhead towards the stern area of the hold, neglecting the work of cataloguing ships captured stores. Sir, if you will step this way, Give said. Make way there, he ordered. There, he ordered, and the hands backed away from what Lawrence now saw was a doorway set inside. A wall that had been built across the back hold recently for the lumber was marked a markedly lighter than the surrounding plants. Ducking through the low door, he found himself in a small chamber with a strange appearance. The walls had been reinforced with actual metal, which must have added a great deal unnecessary weight to ship, and the floor was padded with oil. Old sailcloth. In addition, there was a small coal stove in the corner, though this was not presently in use. The only object stored within the room was a large crate, roughly the height of a man's waist. And as what. And this was made fast to the floor and walls by means of Pick Hoster's attached to metal rings, Lawrence could not help feeling the liveliest curiosity, and after a moment struggle, he yielded to Mr Gibbs. I think we shall have a look inside, he said, stepping out of the way. The top of the crave was thoroughly nailed down, but eventually yielded to the many willing hands. They pried it off and lifted the top layer of packing, and many heads craned forward at the same time to see no one spoke. And in silence, Lawrence stared at that shining curve of eggshell rising out of the heap straw. It was scarcely possible to bring believe, pass the word for Mr Paul it, he said. At last, his voice sounded only a little strange. Mr Riley, pray. Be sure those lashings air quite secure. Riley did not immediately answer, too busy staring. Then he jerked to attention and said hastily, Yes, sir and bent to check the binding, Lawrence stepped closer and gaze down at the AIG. There could hardly be any doubt to its nature, though he could not say for sure from his own experience. The first amazement passing. He tentatively reached out and touched the surface. Very cautious. It was smooth and hard to the touch. He withdrew almost at once, not wanting to risk doing it some harm. Mister Poulet came down into the hold in his awkward way, clinging to the latter edges with both hands and leaving Bloody Prince upon it. He was no kind of a sailor, having become a naval surgeon only at the late age of 30 after some unspecified disappointments on my he was nevertheless a genteel man well liked by the crew, even if his hand was not always the steadiest that the operating table. Yes, sir, he said, and saw the A good lord above. Is it a dragon ache than Lawrence said it required an effort to restrain the triumph in his voice. Oh yes, indeed, Captain Size alone shows that Mr Pull it had wiped off his hands on his apron and was already brushing more straw with top trying to see the extent mine is quite hardened already. I wonder what they can have been thinking so far from land. This did not sound very promising, Harden Oren said sharply. What does that mean? Well, why that it will hatch soon. I'll have to consult my books, to be certain, but I believe that bad keys Beast Year states with the authority that when the shell has fully hardened, hatching will occur within a week. What a splendid specimen. I must get my measuring court. He bustled away, and Lawrence exchanged a glance with Gibbs and Ryan moving closer so that they might speak without being overheard by the lingering Dockers. At least three weeks from material with a fair wind. Would you see? Lawrence said quietly. At best served, Gibbs said, nodding. I cannot imagine how they came to be here with it, said What do you mean to do, sir? His initial satisfaction turning gradually into dismay as he realized very difficult situation, Florence stared at the egg blink, even in the dim lantern light. It's shown with warm luster of Mark. Oh, I am damned if I know Tom, but I suppose I will go and return the French captain. So his sword it is No wonder he fought so furiously after all.