7 Captain Brown

CHAPTER 7

Captain Brown "Here's what you must do," said Nanny Louisa as she gave a doll-size spoonful of a potion to Queen Sophie. "You must find out what's bothering the sea serpent." "But how?" asked Clara. "There's only one way," said Nanny Louisa. "You must find the sea serpent and let him tell you." Lucas and Clara looked at each other and gulped. But Nanny Louisa was right. How else could they find out what was bothering the sea serpent? "We're up to the task!" said Lucas and Clara together. "Will you come with us, Nanny Louisa?" asked Clara.

"No," said Nanny Louisa. "I must stay with Queen Sophie until she feels better." Queen Sophie had fallen asleep while they were talking. "Then we'll be on our way," Lucas said. "Thank you for everything, Nanny Louisa." Nanny Louisa hugged Lucas and Clara. "Be careful," she said.

"We will," promised Lucas. Lucas and Clara hurried down the hill to the water. Empty ships bobbed up and down at the dock. Lucas tapped the harbormaster on the shoulder. "We need a ship," Lucas said.

The harbormaster turned and faced Lucas and Clara. "I'm sorry, Prince Lucas," he said. "But the captains have all gone home for the day. Nobody wants to set sail in this rough water."

"But we're here on official royal business," said Lucas in his most grown-up voice. "We need to search for the sea monster." The harbormaster stroked his chin thoughtfully. He knew better than to argue with royalty. "Excuse me," said a scruffy-looking man who had been listening in. "May I be of some help?"