The Buccaneers' Code by Caroline Carlson

that you will be facing Captain Rupert Blacktooth in battle in three months’ time. I do not typically involve myself in the affairs of pirates, for I understand they prefer to operate ever so slightly outside the law. I believe, however, that every contest should be judged by a wise and fair observer, and your battle with Captain Blacktooth is no exception.
    The leadership of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates happens to be a matter of particular interest to me. Therefore, I shall attend the battle to ensure that all is “shipshape” and “aboveboard,” as I am told you pirates are so fond of saying. I shall be returning from my annual goodwilltour of the southern kingdoms on the morning of the battle, but I trust you will not begin to fire your cannons until I have arrived. Needless to say, I would appreciate it if you and your colleagues would keep your cutlasses at a safe distance from my royal person during the skirmish. I have requested this courtesy from Captain Blacktooth as well.
    I look forward to seeing you on the High Seas this spring!
    Regally yours,
    The Queen
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    Dear Hilary,
    I am writing this from our carriage as we speed south along the road to Pemberton. I hear the Southlands Hills are quite beautiful at this time of year, but I’ve barely been able to glimpse them through the window, for Miss Pimm has been keeping me occupied with lessons and exercises ever since we left Gunpowder Island. I’m afraid I’ve been making quite a hash of even the simplest enchantments: instead of lifting Miss Pimm’s hat off her head, I somehow managed to lift the entire top of the carriage. The coachman seemed awfully displeased. Miss Pimm says I must learn to control myself, and I am trying my best, but I don’t know how much use I shall be to you in your battle against Captain Blacktooth. Until then, I shall devote myself to my studies. (Actually,I shall start devoting myself as soon as Miss Pimm wakes up from her nap. While she is sleeping, she cannot point out all the things I am doing wrong, and I believe she would be sorry to miss the opportunity.)
    You know perfectly well how I feel about Philomena, but I believe I dislike her more than ever after the magical display she put on in Gunpowder Square. I have never managed anything like it-not intentionally, at least. Do you think she has gotten more powerful since the last time she dangled me in the air? Miss Pimm claims she isn’t concerned, but I can tell she is not being entirely truthful, for she has rarely looked so impressed during our lessons. (I have, however, managed to make her look both alarmed and terrified on a number of occasions.) If Philomena is truly the better magic user, perhaps all the horrid High Society folks are right and I don’t have any business trying to be the next Enchantress. It’s a frightfully glum thought, but I shall attempt to cheer myself by imagining you and your fleet of pirates chasing Captain Blacktooth’s ship all the way to the edge of the kingdom.
    I wish I could join you as you gather the rest of your crew, but Miss Pimm assures me that I willbe of more use to you in three months’ time if I can learn to make things explode on purpose, not just accidentally. I am sure you are having all sorts of thrilling adventures on the High Seas, and I am sorry to miss them. Please hug the others for me, even Charlie, though I am sure he will squirm and declare that he wants nothing to do with hugs from a finishing-school girl. Tell him it is for his own good.
    Your fiercest supporter,
    Claire
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    an extract From
    Leading the League :
    THE OFFICIAL VNHLP GUIDE (FIFTH EDITION)
    ON CREATING RULES OF CONDUCT:
    P irates, by nature, are not fond of rules, but the VNHLP is not a lawless organization. Upon election to the presidency, each League president must create new rules of conduct for his fellow scallywags to follow. These rules allow the president to set