I am Sam, Sam I am

 

Sara finally swam up the beach, exhausted, as the sun was coming up. Gathering up her final last ounce of strength, she pulled herself up onto the beach so the waves pounding on the sand would not get her feet wet. She lay with her backpack as a pillow and watched the beautiful cloudless green sky. She looked up and down the deserted beach and contemplated how she would get off the island, but the beach was not exactly deserted. Farther down the shore were many large birds picking up crabs, and other small animals tossed up on the shore by the waves. They had seen the beach toss her up and were heading straight for her at a breakneck pace and with a hungry look on their faces.

“Might I suggest we find another location before you rest? The natives are hungry,” said a muffled voice from out of nowhere.

Sara was shocked. “I know I talk to myself, but that was not me. I know it wasn’t.” She searched for the source of the voice. The only living things she saw were the birds, and they were closer.

“I believe we should make haste and vacate the immediate area. Those Canaboro birds are quite agitated.” Sara looked around for the source of the voice but, except for her backpack and the menacing birds, she was alone. “Sara, run now and question the whereabouts of my voice later, or you may not have the opportunity to meet me.”

Sara forced her exhausted body to stand up, grab the backpack, and run into a copse of palm trees just off the beach where she finally collapsed. Fortunately, once she was off the sand of the beach, the Canaboro birds were no longer interested in her and walked along the beach picking up clams.

“That was a little too close for my liking Sara.” Somehow, the eerie voice had followed her to her hiding place. “Young lady, is it your intention to keep me in this dark place for the rest of our adventure?” The voice was coming from her backpack. “Might I make a suggestion that we meet? I might be very useful to you. No, Sara, you are not losing your mind, so please release me from the satchel post-haste.”

Sara unzipped her backpack and sorted through the items inside. Nothing appeared to have the ability to speak. There was her hairbrush, her clothes, her Doritos. “You could help by telling me what you are. Talking objects are not my thing.”

“Humph, I’m insulted. It is evident to me, of all these talismans in here, only I would be able to talk. Don’t get me wrong, all these amulets and trinkets will be very useful for our adventure, but they are certainly not intelligent like me.”

Sara continued going through the items in her backpack. She pulled out Huckleberry Finn. “Mr. Thompson told me you would keep me company.”

“And he was so right. I am a highly intelligent enchanted book; my name is Sam, pleased to meet your acquaintance, Miss Sara.”

“Wow.” 

“Hmmph, a limited vocabulary I see. I guess not all of us can be of superior intelligence.” Sara just sat and looked at the book, dumbfounded. “Are you quite finished staring at me child? We have a lot of information to go over and very little time in which to cover it. Sara, Sara, I cannot help you without direct participation from yourself.”

“Oh, sorry Mr. Finn, What can I do to help you?”

“You can start by remembering that my name is Sam, Sam Clemens.”

“Oh, sure Mr. Clemens.”

“First I must tell you a few rules must be adhered to when speaking of an enchanted book such as myself.”

“Okay.”

“The first rule, I may only assist you three times. Unfortunately, helping you get off the beach and away from those mean looking birds must count as one of my assists. That, of course, leaves you two more. Please use them wisely. The second rule, you may ask me three questions, only three, and they must be asked the first time the book is opened, which of course is now. Please use the questions now. Choose wisely, Sara.”

Sara tried to think of what questions she needed an answer to. There were so many of them. But, since she only had three choices, she needed to organize her thoughts and ask the questions that would give her the most information. “Okay, my first question is: where have my evil aunts taken my mother? My second question is.…”

Sam interrupted her, “Please, one question at a time. The answer to question one is: Janet and Maggie have just recently tried and convicted your mother of treason. She will soon be transferred to Doldunt Prison where she will be summarily executed.”

Sara laid her face in her hands and began to cry. “It’s just not fair. I can’t do this. How can I rescue her from prison, they’ll have guards and everything. I need help.” Sara looked up and brightened, “Hey my father could help. He’s smart, and he’s strong, and he’s not just thirteen years old. My second question is: where is my father?”

The answer to your second question is your father is the commander of a ragtag army for Libero Salus. He is currently located in Hemit's Cave which is many miles south of here. Sorry, but I cannot divulge any other information until it has happened but, I fear a change in your father’s status. He might be in jeopardy.”

“Then I have to get to him right away. I need to warn him. How do I, I mean, my third question is: how do I get off this deserted island and get to this Hemit's Cave.”

Sam did not answer that question right away. It was as if Sara had asked a question with no answer, wasting her last question. Finally, Sam spoke, “I am sorry Sara, and I don’t have an answer to that question. However, there is one on the island that might have the answer. He has a small shack about three miles to the west. You must find him and convince him it is time to get off the island. He has been here for three hundred years, and he is your only hope.”

Sara wanted to make her mother proud by being polite. “Thank you for your help, Sam. Which way is west from here?”

If books had a heart to break, Sam’s heart surely would have been broken. “Sara, dear Sara, I wish you had phrased your last statement differently. All you had to say was thank you that would have been sufficient.”

“Why, what’s wrong with what I said?”

“I am sorry, but wizard rules are binding and cannot be altered. You called the answers to my questions as help, which means that indirectly I helped you. I wish I could change the law, but I cannot. My first help was to get you off the beach. When you thanked me for helping you locate your father that constituted the second help.”

“How could I possibly have known that Sam, it isn’t fair, can’t I take it back?” She paused, waiting for Sam to say he would make an exception just this one time, but he said nothing. “Well, at least I have one help left. I promise to be careful not to waste that one.” Sam was quiet. “I do have one more left, don’t I?”

“Oh, Sara, I am so sorry, but the simple fact is, as I’m sure you remember, you asked me which direction west was. Once I answer that, and I am bound to answer it, you can’t take it back; it will be your third and last help. I can’t change the rules. Sara, the West is opposite the rising sun. I am sorry Sara, but I must now return to my dormant state. I wish I could do more. Please return me to your dark satchel. Don’t worry. I’ll be just fine. You can always read me anytime you like. Please put me in the satchel now Sara. I do not want to get wet. The storm you created has followed you, and it is about to rain. Good luck.”

Sara placed Sam into her backpack as the torrential rains began.

 

Chapter Twenty

 

When All is Lost, Blame the Lizard

 

Alive. All of Percy’s crew survived the storm, except Sara.

The pirate’s battered ship drifted lethargic on the open seas for hours. The ship and the crew were entirely at the mercy of the sea. Their sails had been ripped to shreds by the howling winds and were now nothing more than sticky, gooey duct tape and tattered material. The rudder had not withstood the raging waves; it had broken off into tiny pieces soon after the storm began. The crew was helpless.

After the storm had subsided, the crew did a frantic search for Sara, only to come up empty-handed.

“I’m sure I saw her in the company of two dolphins.”

“Ye be daft, the sea monster be eatin’ the lil lady as she ate me, crew. She be in Davy Jones locker now me hearty’s, we best be a figerrin’ out how to find a way to land.”

“I see some land over there,” Cedric bellowed from the crow’s nest as he pointed towards an outcropping of trees on the horizon.

“Avast ye scurvy varmint of a landlubber, if ye be a pirate, and ye be a pirate now, lest ways ye could talk like one. That would be land ho. Arrgh; at least ye could get that part of the sayin’ right.”

Cedric mumbled, “Whatever.” under his breath.

“Would that be a bit of insubordination, Mr. Lizard?”

“No, I am sorry, what I said was. However, you want me to talk like is okay by me. LAND HO.”

“That be the way to say it, land ho? LAND HO? We be saved me hearties. Now, we best be a figgerin’ how to get this mighty ship to shore. Did the oars survive the storm?” Judging from the look on the ogre’s face, which is not a simple task considering an ogre’s face always looks frightening, Percy could tell the answer was no. The oars had not survived the storm.

The crew had begun to gnaw on each other’s nerves. They were all upset about losing Sara, for different reasons of course, and they had been drifting on the ocean with no sight of land. They all looked out over the water to see when they could see the land Cedric had sighted.

Cedric was excited, now that they had sighted land, he could finally rid himself of his ridiculous companions. It would have been easier if the young girl had cooperated and survived the storm. When one’s mind is set on kidnapping for capital gain, it is always better to have a victim.

“I see it too. I see land, I mean, land ho,” shouted Chase, he was very excited to get off the water finally and back onto safe, dry land.

“Aye, that there be Tenebrae up yonder, an’ that port ahead be Abercrome. Other than Tenebrae City, there be no eviler city in the land. We will not be a landin’ there. There be a small beach to the west. We can land there in secluded safety.”

“But Percy, why not land in the harbor?” asked Bill the Ogre.

“Who be the captain and who be the cook?”

“Who has been your friend for years, Percy?”

“Avast we can’t do that, ye sees the whole city be full of cutthroats, despots, miscreants, and bankers. The latter of which would rather string this ol’ pirate up, than have eye to eye sit down meetin’ with him,” whispered Percy.

“Oh, I get it. You owe them money, don’t you?”

“Aye, twas they that did finance this once grand ship. If they be seeing what’s become of her, they would be a-wantin' their money returned.”

“Why don’t you repay the bankers with some of the money poor Sara paid you?”

“Don’t be daft Bill. I be a pirate, not a regular citizen type. Pirates pillage and plunder, not repay debts to landlubbing bankers. Hard to starboard, First-Mate,” bellowed Percy.

“Ok Captain, Aye, Aye, just one slight question, which way is starboard?”

“Avast ye scallywag, starboard be to the west from where we stand.”

“Ok, to the west it’ll be Cap. Oh, Cap, I’ve turned the wheel, but we aren’t moving.”

Percy rolled his eyes, “That be because we lost our rudder, ye landlubber.” Percy ripped up a board on the deck of the ship, leaned over the back of the ship, and put the board in as the rudder.

“Hey, we’re moving now Captain. To the west it’ll be, Cap,” shouted Chase.

“Arrrggghhh I be surrounded by nothing but landlubbing scurvy dogs. Mr. First-Mate that’ll be Aye Aye Sir.”

“Ok. Aye Aye Sir, does that make you feel better?”

“Avast ye scurvy dog, jus’ set the ship ashore. Don’t be givin’ this ol’ sea-goin' cap trouble.”

“I see the beach,” shouted Cedric.

“Avast ye lizard, as I told ye, that’ll be beach ho. Get it right. Ah never ye mind, all make ready to go ashore.”

“Captain,” Bill tapped on Percy’s shoulder. “We should make a swift exit.” He pointed towards the sea monster headed straight for the ship.

“Abandon ship. And be making it fast.”

Chase, Cedric, Bill, and Percy scrambled off the deck of the ship into a waiting dinghy as the sea monster’s tentacles pulled what was left of the ship underwater. Fluffy the sea monster finally had his true love in tow, followed by two very colorful dolphins.

Once on the beach, the crew lay down on the sand, relieved to be safe. Chase bent down and kissed the earth and then spent several minutes spitting sand out of his mouth.

Percy looked over at Bill, “Shiver me timbers, looks as if we be needin’ to repay a few bankers and getting us a new grand ship while we be at it.” He slapped Bill on the back. “Ye two scurvy dogs stay put, ye hide as best ye can and don’ let the locals get a hold of ye.” Turning to Bill, he said, “Ye be ready Master Cook? Les go see some bankers.”

“I am as ready as I can be. Are you sure I won’t scare your banker friends, me being an ogre and all?”

“Avast, matey, ogres be no problem in Abercrome. Ye won’ be a scarin’ nobody. Tis, the bankers we be worrin’ ‘bout, they may be scarin’ ye.” He and Bill turned and walked towards Abercrome.

Cedric waited for just the right moment until Bill and Percy had disappeared up the trail before he made his escape. Chase sat down on a large log and wondered where the lizard was running off to but decided he didn’t care. He was glad to be rid of him. He had never trusted Cedric, and with the lizard leaving when he did, it proved him right. Chase himself felt no more need to contact his superiors. They wanted Sara alive. They would be disappointed to find out she had died and Chase had never liked giving bad news to his employers.

Chase had become fond of Sara. While sitting on the beach, staring at the ocean, he decided to carry out her mission. Tempted to head towards Doldunt Prison immediately, he decided it best to wait and tell Percy when he returned.

He turned his back to the sea and stared down the path taken by Percy.

“Ahoy Matey,” the sound came from behind him. He turned and saw the grandest ship he had ever seen floating in the water. Standing on the deck was Pirate Percy, Bill the Ogre, and several new crew members. Chase smiled. Those new crew members would make it a lot easier to tell the pirate he wanted to leave.

       

 

Bill the Ogre was standing next to Percy, and he was smiling. Ogres never smile. This could be bad news. The ogre shouted, “Ahoy First-Mate, bet you had given up on us returning. We almost didn’t make it. An angry banker is someone to reckon with.”

“Arrghhh will ye tell him our news ye landlubbing ogre. Dern bankers, they be worse than pirates. Avast them scurvy bankers be chargin’ me triple the goin’ rates for me new ship. On tops of making me repay for the ship, we did lose. Shiver me timbers an blow me down. A pirate can’t make a dishonest day livin’ anymore. Tis a sorry state we be a-livin' in.”

“Okay Percy, now don’t rush me. I’m getting there….”

“I see you have a new crew,” interrupted Chase, “that will make what I have to say easier….”

Ogre Bill interrupted him, “I was first. I said I had news before you did. You have to wait your turn.”

“That’s okay Bill. I can wait to tell my decision. Please go first.”

“Well, see, seems as we, Percy and myself, came to an important decision on the trail to see the bankers. This involves you and Cedric. Where is Cedric, by the way?”

“Looks like the lizard turned yellow and high-tailed it out of here, with his tail between his legs.”

“Well it is his loss, we will have to go without him, I never trusted him anyway.”

“News, ogre, you said you had news. Will you get on with it? Don’t forget I have news too, and I want to get it over with as soon as possible.”

“News? Oh yes, our news, Chase, I will get right to the point. We have unanimously decided to complete Sara’s quest and rescue her mother from Doldunt Prison. There, I’ve said it, are you in or out Chase?”

“What?”

“I said we are going to spring Sara’s mother out of Doldunt Prison. Isn’t that a great idea? It will be kind of a memorial to the child, are you in or out?”

A quick smile crept on to Chase as he answered, “That is the very least we can do. I am in, of course.”

“Great, I just knew we could count on you. Your turn Chase, what was it you wanted to tell us?” asked Bill.

“Never mind, I must have already forgotten.”

Cedric had stopped in the high grass just beyond the beach. He could not stand his lizard disguise any longer. An elegant ship pulled into the deserted beach harbor as he was changing from Cedric the Lizard back into Cedric the Newt. To his surprise, Percy and Bill were piloting the ship and they were conversing with Chase, something about bankers, how boring. Cedric tuned them out as he continued to change. “Was that Sara’s name?” he thought as he listened closer to the conversation. “So, they plan on breaking Sara’s mother out of prison? That information might make me rich. Of course, I do need to convince the princesses about the untimely death of their niece. If all goes well, I might be able to retire after this.” Armed with the information about the plot to break Sara’s mother out of prison and the article he had stolen from her backpack, Cedric headed south towards his future new-found wealth. If newts could smile, surely he would be smiling.

Chapter Nineteen

Dim, Whit, and Fluffy the Near-sighted Sea Monster

Fluffy wished he had better eyesight. He wanted to see the love of his life a little clearer so he could save her from the storm. Unfortunately, his sea monster health insurance did not cover vision.

Fluffy suspected sorcery to be the cause of the sudden storm. Having once been the pet of Queen Hillary, he knew all about sorcery. If it hadn’t been for her sweet daughters, Abigail and Elizabeth, he would still be suffering from the evil antics of the Queen and her other daughters.

Fluffy rushed to the object of his affection as a huge wave threatened to smash against her. She was infested with those fragile, bad tasting humans again. Standing on the top of the future girlfriend was a small child. No, Fluffy cursed his bad eyesight. It looked like- it WAS Elizabeth, his childhood playmate, and rescuer. He blinked once, twice, but it was her. “It’s amazing; she hadn’t aged a day since she rescued me when she was 13. She must be a very powerful sorceress.” This left Fluffy with a terrible dilemma. Should he save his dearest love from the storm, or should he save the person that had saved him from the terrible fate the Queen and her twin daughters had planned for him?

“Shiver me timbers, mates. This be one nasty storm. All ye landlubbers best be tying yourself up to anything that’s taped down, we will be riding this storm out. Pray to the powers that we don’t get crushed by the….” Percy stopped giving his distress orders as he looked towards Sara, actually behind her, his face eschewed in fear and terror. “Avast, Sara me hearty, don’t look behind ye, looks as if we have company.” Clammy tentacles rose from the churning ocean. Sara’s eyes widened only moments before the ten-foot, slimy tentacle wrapped around her midsection tightly. She tried everything humanly possible to wrench free from her captor, but there was nothing she could do. The tentacles wrapped tighter and refused to let her go. Pleading for help with her eyes and with a despairing look on her face, she managed a weak wave good-bye with her pinky finger as she was pulled into the briny deep and to her impending doom. Banned from crying by the pirate code, the water flowing from Percy’s eyes was merely rain from the storm.

Cedric, duct taped to the mast, watched in horror as his meal ticket disappeared into the abyss of the ocean, clutched by those horrific tentacles. He would have been paid handsomely when he presented Sara to them, but his dreams of fame and fortune had just vanished into the ocean. He had managed to steal a small article from her backpack. If he survived this cursed storm, he would rush to his employers with the stolen article. Hopefully, it would convince them of Sara’s untimely demise, and he would still get a healthy compensation for his troubles.

Chase screamed as he saw Sara sink beneath the waves, remembering the time he had nearly drowned at the age of eight. Aware he was about to die, he thought of the day he came home from a job and found his wife and five-year-old daughter gone. His eyes welled up with tears. Chase didn’t know about the pirate code forbidding tears.

She was a goner. All her hopes and dreams for saving her mother vanished when the tentacles wrapped around her. Her only remaining question was whether she would die from drowning or as the sea monster’s dinner. She wiggled and writhed and tried to free herself, finally stopping her struggle as she gazed into the gentle, affectionate, puppy-like eyes of the sea monster.

The sea monster was not eating her. He was talking with a couple of brightly colored dolphins

Sara had seen dolphins before, at Sea World. They were charming and brilliant, but none of the ones she had seen were red or midnight blue as these dolphins were. The red dolphin looked at Sara and then continued his conference with the monster. Finally, the chatter ceased, and the Dolphins turned to look at Sara.

The midnight blue dolphin looked at her and said, “He tells me you're Elizabeth. He is sure about it.”

Surprised the dolphin could talk and that she could understand him, Sara was speechless for one of the few times in her life. She could only stare at the dolphin and hope it would not be considered rude.

“Pardon my friend’s impoliteness. I am Dim,” said the red dolphin. “My rude friend here is Whit, and this big galoot standing next to us is Fluffy. Please allow me to continue where Mr. Rudeness here left off. Fluffy had mistaken you for a young girl he used to play with when he was a young chap, at least twenty years ago. We have been attempting to convince him that you could not be the same girl because you would have aged in twenty years.”

Whit chimed in, “Fluffy will not be swayed. He is convinced you are Elizabeth. He is very stubborn, as are most sea creatures- except dolphins of course.”

“Well, my mother’s name is Elizabeth, but she never mentioned playing with a sea monster when she was a child. Come to think of it. She never mentioned anything about her childhood.”

Whit and Dim returned to Fluffy to confer, both of them glancing over their dorsal fins at Sara.

“We are sorry, but if you don’t mind us prying into your background, we really can’t find another way around it. Fluffy is insistent. Is your mother, Elizabeth, any relationship to that evil Queen Hillary?” asked Dim.

 “I regret to say. I am Queen Hillary’s granddaughter.” Whit and Dim moved away from her. “My mother is the Queen’s daughter, but she isn’t mean like the Queen. Neither am I.”

Dim and Whit conferred with Fluffy again. Fluffy came up to Sara and rubbed his tentacles in her hair. “Fluffy is very happy to meet you if you can tell.”

As a sea horse the size of a refrigerator swam by, Sara smiled at Fluffy. “I’m happy to meet him too. Do you know why I can breathe underwater? I’ve never done it before.”

Dim answered, “All sea creatures can breathe underwater.”

“I am not a sea creature, see, no webbing,” she said as she held up her hands.

Dim and Whit swam around her, “You are right, you are not a sea creature.”

“What is that on your palm, Sara?”

She hid her hands behind her back, “It’s nothing, just a scar.”

“Please let me see your palm again, Sara,” asked Dim. She reluctantly showed him her palm. Dim peered at her palm with great interest. He turned her palm over and over with his dorsal fin. “Whit, come here and see this, come get a load of the star on her palm.”

“Come on Dim. It’s not as if we haven’t seen a starfish before.”

“Not starfish, you dim-whit. I said star. I swear you never pay attention to me.”

“Ok, don’t get your flippers in a tizzy. May I please see your palm, Sara, before Dim gets all upset? He overreacts to the simplest of things.” Sara placed her palm straight out so Whit could see it. “Oh, my, it’s true, she is the one.” Fluffy continued stroking her with his tentacle.

“What’s wrong with the star on my palm?” She looked at her palm. “It’s red. I’ve never seen it red before, what does red mean?”

“There are stars, and there are STARS. Technically there is nothing wrong with your palm, your grace. Whit and I are humbled to be in your presence, that’s all.”

Sara exclaimed, “Okay, so now you know the truth, but I’m not bad, I promise.”

 “Dim, you should explain to Her Majesty about the prophecy,” said Whit, “I never paid attention to Sea Creature Prophecy Class 101.”

“Yes, Sara, you see all of us sea creatures are under a curse, an evil spell. We used to be able to breathe on land and in the sea. Many had homes on land, and a few were close friends to the royal family. When Queen Amelia married Count Doldunt all that ended. The Count, being very evil and jealous of the friendships between Amelia and the sea creatures, convinced our dear Queen to turn against us, her loyal subjects, and faithful friends. An ancient prophecy suggests, let me think, oh yes, ‘Two thousand years alone in the Sea, but a scarlet star will make them free.’”

“We are so honored to be here Your Majesty and witness this momentous occasion.” Whit bowed to Sara.

“Well, that is all cool. But, I’m not the person you think.”

“It would explain why you can breathe underwater.”

 “Well, even if I were the prophecy person, which I don’t believe, what I need right now is to get to Tenebrae. My mother was kidnapped, and they are holding her there. Can Fluffy take me there? That is where the ship was headed when Fluffy rescued me.”

The Dolphins spoke with Fluffy.

“Fluffy refuses to take you to the Queen’s land. He is afraid the Queen will capture him again. The Queen’s law prohibits sea creatures from nearing her lands.

“We can take you to an island. From there you can continue your journey.”

 “I’m not sure how I will do what you ask, but if the opportunity ever arises, I will certainly release you. However, I’m not sure you are right about me being the prophecy child, though.”

“Well, we are convinced. Are you ready Your Majesty?”

“Yes, I am.” She put one arm around Dim’s dorsal fin and the other arm around Whit’s. The two dolphins were speeding towards the southwest. Sara’s exhaustion finally overcame her, and she was fast asleep before they had traveled a few hundred feet.

She woke up as Dim prodded her with his bottle shaped nose.

“Sara, we have arrived. The beach is only a bit further. You must swim the rest of the way.”

 “We have tried to keep your pouch dry,” chimed in Whit as he handed her the backpack, which had been transported inside a giant clam.

Chapter Eighteen

The North wind doesn’t Play Fair with Others

Sara looked over the rest of the crew. Cedric was there. She wasn’t sure if she should trust him. He seemed harmless enough, and he wasn’t an amphibian, but still, he gave her the creeps.

Standing on the other side of the pier was an enormous man with a tattoo of a dragon on his arm. He was looking down at the water and didn’t look like he felt too well. He said his name was Chase. Sara stared at the dragon tattoo. Dragons are evil in all the stories I’ve read so he must be evil too. Besides, he gave her the creeps too.

Sara thought to herself, “I have developed a case of creepydudesaphobia.”

Chase was pacing up and down the pier and occasionally, looking in Sara’s direction and shaking his head in disgust and mumbling under his breath. Sara had no idea what she had done to offend him. Cedric, on the other hand, was trying his best to get on Sara’s good side. Sara imagined him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He was trying too hard.

“Isn’t that a grand ship, Sara? Think about it Sara, the two of us sailing the ocean blue together. I believe that we will become the best of friends.”

Sara thought of her real best friend, Tiffani. The last time she had seen her, she was in the garden at the White Star Manor. It seemed so long ago, but it had only been two days. “I am sorry Cedric, I wasn’t paying attention, and what did you say?” Sara, of course, heard every word he said but hoped he would take the hint and go away. She turned her head away from Cedric.

“That’s okay Sara. It don’t matter. I was saying I was glad to meet you.”

“Sorry Cedric, I wasn’t paying attention again.”

Chase stopped pacing long enough to give Sara a sly smile. He didn’t like Cedric very much either. The smile shocked Sara. Chase was creepy but, when he smiled, he reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t recall who.

“Here comes Percy and Bill,” exclaimed the lizard.

“It’s about time,” Sara thought to herself, as she turned to look in the direction the pirate was coming from. Sara’s jaw dropped, Percy was indeed walking towards them, but Sara couldn’t see anyone named Bill. All she could see was the large ogre with the greasy apron.

“Ahoy me, mates,” said Percy.

Sara noticed Chase was now standing next to her. She tried moving over, but Cedric was standing on the other side.

“We ready to go?” asked Chase, gruffly, “Staying in one place for too long gives me the willies. What’s with the ogre?”

Sara turned her head and gave Chase a harsh stare. He was certainly not being very polite, and the ogre looked like he could eat Chase in only one or two bites.

“Hey sis, don’t look at me that way. I don’ care for ogres. I don’ care for wizards. I care even less for baby wizards.”

Sara turned red, not from embarrassment, but from anger.

Chase continued, “Hey fancy schmancy pirate, that ship of yours looks to be in bad shape. Are you sure it can take us all the way to Tenebrae?”

“Avast ye scurvy dog that ye be. It will be respect ye be paying this ol’ Cap'n. If ye show disrespect to me again, I’ll be throwin’ ye overboard. Is that clear to ye, lily-livered landlubber?”

Chase answered, “I mean no disrespect Captain. I meant I am ready to leave, that’s all.” Sara turned to Chase and smiled. He glared at her.

Turning to Bill, the ogre, Percy exclaimed, “Aarrghh me hearty, looks as if we have one scallywag, one sprog and one fine young lass that be going on this voyage with us.”

“Looks as if, Captain,” remarked Bill.

“Aye, let’s be runnin’ up the Jolly Roger and go on the account.”

Bill, Cedric, Chase, and Sara stared at Percy. Not one of them understood what the pirate had said.

“Arrgghhh, why be ye all a-standin' there. A black spot on ye all.”

“Sorry Percy, we don’t understand.”

“Shiver me timbers ye scurvy dogs. I said let’s be flyin’ the jack and be off. Arrrghhh ye landlubbers, let’s raise our flag and get on the ship. Now do ye understand?”

All three crew members nodded, and they walked over to the large dilapidated ship anchored in the harbor.

“Avast ye squiffy, that grand vessel be not mine. Mine be on the starboard side.”

The crew members scurried along the pier to get to the starboard side. To a man, they were all overjoyed that the dilapidated ship was not the ship they would be sailing on. After reaching the starboard side, they all wished the dilapidated ship was the ship they would be sailing on. There was no way that the ship they saw before they could be seaworthy. There were two by fours holding the back of the boat together. The mast was duct taped together. The sails had been repaired with staples and bailing wire. The rudder had been replaced with a hockey stick, and there were huge teeth marks on the steering wheel. The ship looked like it came from the reject pile at Ships R Us. There was no way this ship would make it out to sea, let alone Tenebrae.

Chase was concerned, he needed to get Sara to his employers in Tenebrae, and he was weighing other options inside his mind.

Cedric was in the same predicament. His employers were also waiting for Sara.

Bill, on the other hand, could only wish the person he had sold the Rusty Anchor to was hiring now.

Percy followed behind his crew. “Ta-Da,” he said as the crew got their first look at his not-so-grand ship. “Afore any of ye lily-livered landlubbers get the wrong idea about me ship. I be almost sure she be seaworthy.

Chase was the first to speak, “Captain, you can count me out. There is no way I would be caught dead in that heap of junk.”

Cedric started to speak when Percy retrieved papers from under his hat. “Avast ye scurvy dogs, need I be reminding ye of the fine print in the contracts ye all signed?” Percy pulled a magnifying glass out of his pocket and began to read the fine print. “Says here- ye all swore an oath to honor the pirate code of conduct. Soon as ye all signed your X on the contracts, ye scurvy dogs became pirates. I will not be goin’ over all the codes, twas your business to familiar yourself with them afore you made your mark. Ye all be pirates now, and as pirates, ye will all obey the code. If anyone of ye be thinkin’, ye can back out now ye would be sight fully wrong. Ye would be considered as mutineers. The punishment for mutiny be a black spot on ye. If ye not be a knowin’ what a black spot be, well it means a journey to Davey Jones' Locker. Also, mutineers will not be seeing Fiddlers Green, tis the locker for your souls. Do I make meself clear?” No member of the crew dared move. “Good, it be time to shove off. Ye be ready Lass?”

“I am ready Percy. How long will it take to get to Tenebrae?”

“Well Lass, with calm seas, and no sea monster, the journey would be about two days.”

“Two days,” said Sara, forlorn.

“Aye,” stated the pirate. Turning to his new crew, the pirate started barking instructions. “Navigator Cedric, take up position in what’s left of the crow’s nest, set a course due south. First-Mate what's your name, if ye be so kind as to untie us from the dock. After ye be finished, see to the riggings and the jib. Cookie, it’ll be awhile afore we can eat, so start rowing us out to sea. Avast ye scurvy dogs, snap to them chores, afore I be takin’ the cat-o-nine tails to ye.”

All members of the crew snapped to attention, then went about their chores. Of course, not one of them knew what their chore was.

“As for ye Lass, ye can come up an’ keep me company while I maneuver us out of the dock. Mind ye stay clear of me steering.”

Sara sat on a small bench to the right of Percy’s half-eaten steering wheel, staring blankly out to the open seas. The pier was fading into the background. She was finally heading towards Tenebrae and rescuing her mother.

The seas were calm, too quiet, and time dragged by. “Percy, why do you hate my grandmother?”

“Aye, Lass, that be a tale worth tellin’. See, me brother was Tenebrae’s best jester. There be none better, lass. One day he got a grand invitation for a command performance with the Queen. This be quite the honor, even if the Queen be an evil wench. The invitation also mentioned a grand bounty for the performance. Me brother had no choice, so he be acceptin’ Queen Hillary’s command. Mind ye Lass, I twernt there, I only heard the account of the performance from others. Hear tells that the performance was grand. The Queen be laughin’, and me brother be in rare form, that was up to the time your grandmother gave me brother a command.”

“What command did my grandmother give your brother?”

“Well, see, twasn’t the command that gave me brother the fits, twas what he done after the command.”

“I don’t understand, Percy.”

“Arrrgghhhh, lass, the command was for me brother to jump. The problem occurred when me brother came back down afore he was commanded. This brought the Queen great displeasure. Me brother was thrown into Doldunt Prison that instant. He be there still if he be not dead.”

“My grandmother is very evil, isn’t she?”

“Aye, she be all that.”

Sara sat in silence. The calm waters became hypnotic. Her eyes fluttered open and then closed and then open again. She was bored. She could barely keep her eyes open. “Excuse me, Percy,” Sara said, interrupting Percy’s thoughts, “Is there any way we can get the boat to go faster? I am sorry, but I don’t think I can wait one day to start my mission.”

“Aye Lass, if this be any other season, the north wind does blow, any season but this one. The north wind would blow us to Tenebrae in a few hours. If ye be here last month, Aye that be a north wind for the ages. Alas, lass, this taint the season.” Percy patted Sara on the top of her head and yelled up to Cedric. “Ahoy Cedric, keep a close eye out for any sea monsters, we be getting close to evil waters.”

Sara gazed at the calm, open water that surrounded the ship. Straining her eyes to see if she could see a glimpse of a sea monster, she thought, “If only I could use my magic to get a northern wind.” She shouted, “Iratus Aquilo.” She was startled. She still didn’t realize how she knew the magic words, but she was very proud of herself.

Sara turned to see Percy’s shocked look.

Percy shouted, “Avast ye lily-livered landlubbers, batten down the hatches, secure the main sails.” Percy motioned to Chase, “There be duct tape in the caboodle, bring as much as ye can bring. Double tape the mast. Cedric, ye best be a securin’ yourself best ye can. Bill, ye can stop rowin’, there be one doozie of a foul wind a-blowin' our way.” Percy turned to Sara. He was not happy.

“Won’t that help us, Percy?” I called for the north wind.”

“Aye, ye did at that. There be one small problem Lass. If I recollect, a north wind be just plain Aquilo. Ye just called for a fierce north wind and that there be a completely different wind.”

Sara looked around her. The sky had changed from a perfect blue to a dark grey and clouds appeared from out of nowhere. A storm was brewing on the horizon.

“Dontcha fret Lass, we be not a failin’ ye. For safekeepin’, ye should skedaddle below. Take your knapsack with ye. If me ship holds true, looks as if we will be in Tenebrae afore nightfall. Now, go on Lass, find something to hold onto below.”

A few hundred feet from the ship, a sea monster’s eyes widen. Fluffy was extremely nearsighted, but he could still see that a huge wave was about to swallow the odd-looking sea monster. The same sea monster which had been an object of his affection ever since he first saw her. He had to save his love. Fluffy remembered the last time he tried to save his love from the clutches of the humans. It had turned ugly. He had no intention of eating any people; after all, he was a vegetarian. But the humans just plopped into his mouth. There was nothing he could do about it. They tasted nasty.

Sara’s eyes widened as she saw the gigantic wave about to smash against the ship. She clasped her backpack tightly. She could not afford to lose her backpack.

Chapter Seventeen

Courts in Session, You’re Guilty do Confess

In all of Jackson Roberts’ years of military service, he had never had an order that angered him as much as the order that had been hand delivered to him last night by the aid to the High Commander. The Commander didn’t even have the nerve to tell Jackson himself.

According to the aide, because of funding issues and the lack of progress, his troops were to be dissolved effective immediately.

As Jackson packed his bags, he pondered the orders he had received earlier in the day. The orders just didn’t make sense; it was pure madness. Jackson picked up his picture of the family at Splash Mountain and placed it gently in his case. He spent a few moments gazing at the picture and remembering this joyous time spent with his family. “At least Sara and Elizabeth are safe,” he thought. A shadow passed over the Toliver stones in the wall.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the great Jackson Roberts.”

Jackson recognized the voice. He knew the toad behind the voice.

“You are getting careless in your old age, Jackson. I had no problem sneaking up on you. What’s wrong Jackson? Cat got your tongue?”

Jackson reached for his Laser Chronogram 6000 but before he could retrieve the weapon, Appleton lashed out his tongue, and the poison found its intended victim. In a matter of seconds, Jackson lay on the floor of the cave, in poison-induced sleep.

He awoke several hours later. Blindfolded, his hands and feet bound, his skin was numb and tingling from the effects of the poison. He was sure he was still in the cave, but from the foul toad smell about him, he knew he was not alone.

“It appears our friend is awake.”

“Good, we have a few questions for our esteemed prisoner,” answered Appleton. Jackson felt a hard, slimy slap against his face. “Do we have your attention now, Mr. Roberts?” Jackson could only nod.

“Very well, let’s begin.” Appleton picked up the Disneyland picture. “This is a fascinating picture. You are sitting on a log and are falling down a stream. I assume this is some secret entrance to the rebel headquarters, Mr. Roberts? Who is this woman behind you? It appears she has been taken to be tortured. She seems terrified. Where was this picture taken? We are very interested in knowing the location of this camp. If you tell us the location, we might be easy on you. We see your traitorous wife in the picture, along with that spoiled brat of yours.” Jackson felt another slimy slap on his face. “Jackson, we are waiting for your answer.”

“That picture was taken at Disneyland last year. It is a ride, Splash Mountain, not a camp, you moron. As for the person behind us, she was just the next person in line. I can tell you have not managed to increase your intelligence in the last thirteen years, have you, Appleton?”

“Silence, Jackson. You will tell us what we want to know. We can make it tough on you if you resist. Shall we try again?” Jackson felt another slimy slap on his cheek.

From the corner of the room, Jackson heard a familiar voice, “Enough. Appleton, please place our prisoner back under your power of sleep.”

Appleton’s tongue found its target again.

The High Commander stepped out from the shadows. “Appleton, transfer our prisoner to Doldunt prison. We can’t do a proper interrogation in this damp cave. Once at the prison, you can use whatever means you think fit to extract the information from him. Remember, he might come in useful later, so please stop short of death when interrogating Jackson.”

Appleton motioned to one of the other toads to take care of Jackson; he noticed the High Commander step back into the cave. “Appleton, I need not remind you to keep this prisoner away from the other inmates in prison. Remember who is locked up there. And, don’t forget his wife will be joining him later. Take extreme caution. When you are finished here, you are to return to the sisters and give them a complete update on your attempts to locate Sara.” The High Commander turned on his heels and marched out of the cave.

       

The courtroom was filled. There were no seats, however, for the right price; choice seats towards the front could be purchased. It was fortunate the trial coincided with Queen Hillary’s month-long inspection of her legions, now amassed to the west of Tenebrae City in Turalia. The Queen would be gone a substantial amount of time. Janet was pleased with herself; it took a stroke of genius to forge a decree requiring all reigning queens to inspect their troops. Of course, it was Maggie’s idea to forge their mother’s royal seal on the order. Queen Hillary was bewildered; she could not remember making such a decree. She decided it was because she was so busy trying to keep her food tasting service staff. She dutifully left on her tour only three days earlier. It was barely enough time for the sisters to saturate the public with enough advertising.

After a long argument as to who would be the judge and who would be the prosecuting attorney, the matter had been settled the same way the sisters always settled their cases. Janet held her breath the longest. Thus she appointed herself as a judge. Maggie, although still angry at Janet for cheating, became the prosecuting attorney. They would both serve on the jury. It was, after all, their civic duty. Both knew that Elizabeth was guilty and the trial was a mere formality. Selling tickets to the highest bidder was Maggie’s idea. Forcing Tenebrae City’s citizens to bid on a ticket was Janet’s idea.

Janet, sitting behind a desk in the courtroom, struck her gavel on her newly purchased gavel pad. “Dearest citizens of our fair Tenebrae City,” she looked at the group of cutthroats and derelicts seated in the front row. They had been allowed, or more like forced, into becoming the high bidders. Most of the citizens loyal to Elizabeth had suddenly been unavailable.

“I am sad to say, our once dear sister, Elizabeth, is on trial for treason against our most beloved mother.” She paused for an instant to point her bony finger at Elizabeth. “How do you plead?”

Elizabeth remained silent.

“Dearest Sister, may I approach the bench?” asked Maggie.

“My dearest sister and esteemed prosecuting attorney, I believe you refer to the judge as your honor.”

“Please accept my deepest apologies, my dear sister. Dearest your honor, may I approach the bench?

“Well, of course, esteemed lawyer Maggie, it would be most fortuitous to have your wisdom on the bench. Please approach the bench.”

“Dearest Sister, we have overlooked a small matter in these proceedings,” Maggie absent-mindedly arranged the documents evenly on the desk.

“Oh dearest Sister of mine, please tell, exactly what did we overlook?” responded Janet as she rearranged the documents in neat and orderly piles on the desk.

“I feel this trial is a great dishonor to our dearest sister.”

“What? I mean, in which way is it a dishonor, my most beloved DERANGED sister?” Janet glared at Maggie.

“In all of our haste to try our most beloved sister, we forgot to appoint an attorney for the defense, dearest Sister, and most honorable judge. If it pleases the court, I will assign myself as the defense attorney.” Maggie smiled.

“Dearest Sister, you are already the prosecuting attorney, are you sure you can handle both positions and still be impartial?”

“Oh my dearest, most beloved sister and most honorable provider of justice, I am well capable of multi-tasking. It will be no problem serving as both defense and prosecuting attorneys, and still take on the esteemed role of the jurist,” remarked Maggie. Thunderous applause exploded from the front row of the courtroom. Several people, apparently loyal to Elizabeth, exited the courtroom.

“Oh dearest Maggie, I am so proud of you. Of course, it would be an honor to appoint you as the defensive attorney also. Would you like a few minutes alone with your new client, before we continue?”

Maggie looked at Elizabeth with disgust and replied, “Dearest sister and fellow jurist, why would I spend time alone with that felon? After all, she is guilty” Maggie rearranged the documents evenly on the desk, along with the gavel and pad.

“Very well, shall we begin the trial?” asked Janet. Maggie stepped back to the prosecuting attorney’s table and rearranged all the documents in a neat pile on her left and the gavel and pad on the right.

“Yes, dearest Sister, your honor, may I give my closing arguments,” replied Maggie from the prosecuting attorney table. Maggie walked over to the defense attorney table. “As the defense attorney, I object.”

“Don’t be a ninny, Maggie,” said Janet. “Objection overruled. Please continue dearest prosecuting attorney Maggie.”

Maggie walked over to the prosecuting attorney table and said, “Thank you, your honor. I’m sure the defense objection was a mere formality.”

Elizabeth remained silent and emotionless.

Maggie, pointing at Elizabeth, “Lady and Lady of the jury, It is with great regret that I tell you that I believe we have proven without a shadow of a doubt that our dearest sister, whose wanton and willful acts against her mother have created great sorrow and despair. We have furthermore shown that she has denied her most beloved relatives, living here in this great city, the privilege, and joy of companionship of our dearest niece, Sophie. Yes, lady and lady of the jury, our most beloved sister did willfully hide and protect our adorable niece from her loving aunts. According to the laws of Tenebrae, and I read, ‘When one from Tenebrae, who has been given amnesty into Earth does knowingly harbor and protect a fugitive from Tenebrae, said the person is in violation of the Queen’s amnesty law. All rights of said person shall be revoked. Said person shall be deemed a traitor to the crown and tried accordingly.’ There you have it, ladies of the jury. Not only was our sister a fugitive, because she entered Earth with forged documents, but she was also protecting herself and her daughter, also a fugitive. As you can see, the laws make it quite clear. The only verdict is to find Elizabeth guilty of treason.” Maggie made a low bow to Janet and then again to the spectators as they honored her with another round of thunderous applause. A few more people in the back rows wandered out the exit.

Janet, who was on the verge of tears, also applauded Maggie. Ever faithful to her duties, she asked Maggie, “Does the defense attorney wish to give a closing argument before the jury retires and deliberates the case?”

Maggie walked over to the defense attorney table and, wiped her brow with a handkerchief. “If it pleases the court, my closing arguments as the prosecuting attorney wore me out. I have nothing at this time. Besides, we all know she’s guilty.”

“Very well, I now dismiss the jury for deliberation.”

Maggie and Janet met for about fifteen seconds until they had reached a verdict.

“Dearest and sweetest jury foreman, have you come to a unanimous verdict?” Janet spoke in her most judgelike voice.

“We have, my dearest sister, uh, I mean, your honor.”

“The defendant will rise.” Elizabeth remained seated. “The defendant will rise,” yelled Janet. “Bailiff, please make our dearest sister stand up, she just isn’t playing fair” whined Janet. The bailiff forced Elizabeth to stand up. “Oh, dearest Sister and foreman of the jury, please continue, what is the verdict?”

“Oh, dearest Sister, you were here with me when we talked about it. You know most beloved Elizabeth is guilty of all charges.”

Janet was ecstatic. “Oh, goody, goody,” she giggled and then on a more serious note, “Elizabeth, you have been found guilty of treason. That means mother’s protection spell is no longer valid. If you tell us where that spoiled brat of yours, Susie, is hiding, we might become more lenient and execute you more quickly. Elizabeth, do you have anything to say on your behalf?”

Elizabeth remained silent.

“Very well, guards, remove the prisoner from the courtroom. Escort her to Doldunt Prison. Maggie and I will decide her fate at a later date.”

“Dearest citizens, thank you all for coming to see your fair judicial system in action. Now, please exit the courtroom in an orderly manner. And don’t forget to pay the viewing taxes on your way out. Have what’s left of a beautiful day.”

Chapter Sixteen

Not all Pirates are on the Caribbean

Sara was awakened by a small jab in her right side. A little man with shoulder length curly black hair, a very long mustache, and wearing a white ruffled shirt stood over her. The small man, no taller than Jessup, was holding a walking stick which was the item used to poke her.

“Hey, why did you wake me up that way?”

“Ahoy there lassie, tis I who be askin’ all the questions. If ye don’t be a answerin’ me questions swiftly, then it’ll be you that I be stabbin’ with me ol’ trusty saber here.” The crusty pirate shook his walking stick.

“Well, Mr. Percy. I don’t mean to be rude but, are you aware that isn’t a saber?”

“Shiver me timbers lass dontcha be coy with me child. I know what it be. Since the terrible menacing ornery sea monster ate me saber and half me crew, tis all I can get me hands on. There not be a soul left that trust me with a real saber. An’ mind you lil lass, I be the one askin’ the questions ‘round here. An’ child, just who might ye be, lassie? This field be me domicile since I be not wantin’ to sleep near the water anymore. I be plannin’ a mighty ten-story condominium complex with an Olympic-sized pool shaped like a boat and an eight-person Jacuzzi tub right on this spot. An’, how ye be knowin’ me name? Arrgghhh, if we be outta sea, it would be walkin’ the plank with ya for insubordination. Now, lassie, I’d be a answerin’ me questions, if ye know what be good for ye.”

“My name is Sara, Mr. Percy, and I have come a long way to meet you. I have…”

“Arrggghhh, I be Pirate Percy, Lassie, and as for ye being from a long ways away, well taint true. I heard there were a young lass that just sprung up in Jessup’s crops yesterday, an’ if my ciphering be right, I be ciphering ye be the young lass that sprung up. Now, we be wantin’ to hear the truth Lassie, or I’ll keelhaul ye.”

“Well, if you must know, I did land in Jessup’s corn crops yesterday afternoon, but I did not just spring up from out of nowhere. I told you I have come a long distance to see you. Well, I didn’t know it was you I had to meet, but I knew I had to meet someone who would help me and Jessup told me you could give me a hand. It is true I landed in Jessup’s cornfield, but I first came from very far away.”

“Avast me matey, there taint no way a ship could get into Jessup’s field, so ye must have sprung up from the ground, Lassie.”

Sara looked exasperated, “What do I need to do to convince you I am telling the truth?” Sara debated whether or not to tell Percy the real truth. It could be very dangerous if he couldn’t be trusted. “Please excuse me, but the sun is in my eyes.” Sara reached into her backpack to get her magical sunglasses. A white mist enveloped Percy. Sara was now convinced the pirate could be told the real truth.

“Avast with ye delays, Lassie. I don’t got all day. Now, be a tellin’ the truth an’ be swift, afore I run ya through with me stick.”

“As I told you, I am Sara Roberts. I come from Earth, and I have urgent business in Tenebrae. I was told you were the person to get me there.”

“First, lassie, never say that place aloud. Arrgghhh, I be not a sailin’ thems cursed waters again. For any a person. Last time we be venturin’ outta sea, we was come upon by that demonic, blasted sea creature. And, it did eat me, crew, and most me splendid ship. I taint about to venture out again. Ye just need to be findin’ another fool to do ye biddin’” Percy turned around to leave.

“Wait, I haven’t finished. I need your help. I am Queen Hillary’s granddaughter.” Sara watched Percy, expecting a look of amazement on his face, and got her wish. “Yes, that’s right. The Queen is my grandmother.”

“Hold ye tongue, lass. I have no love for our Queen, she be pure evil through and through, and those whelps of hers be evil too. I won’t be a helpin’ no relation of the Queen. Ye be talkin’ to the wrong pirate. Ye can find another fool to help ye outta this mess ye be in. Twont be me or whats left of me crew.”

“You didn’t let me finish, Pirate Percy; I never said I liked the Queen. I don’t like her either.”

“Why did ye not say that from the start? I still can’t be helpin’ ya, what with the demonic, overactive sea monster still between us an’ Tenebrae. I do be wishin’ ye luck. Now, ye will be leavin’ so I can catch a bit of shut-eye. Twas a pleasure knowin’ ye Lassie, always good to find someone else who not be likin’ the Queen.”

“I need your help. I haven’t told you everything. My evil aunts kidnapped my mother. Pirate Percy, they plan on killing my mother.”

“That be plain terrible, lassie, but there not be a thing I can do to change that.”

“They plan on taking the throne. They will take it by force if they have to, even if it means killing my mother and me to do it. They will be worse as queens than even my grandmother. No one will be safe once they are on the throne.”

“Avast Matey, don’t matter to me which evil wench be sittin’ on the throne. Don’t make no never-mind to me. Still won’t get ye over to the big island.”

Sara thought for a moment and then smiled. “Did I mention I have Queen’s dollars to pay you? I have a lot of them.”

“Shiver me timbers, why did ye not mention that from the start, lassie? I got to persuade a few new victims, I mean crew members, to sign on for the voyage and need to get provisions. That’ll cost you handsome lassie, how much coinage do ye have?”

Sara removed her glasses. As she did so, she noticed a smudge of white haze off to the right, and another smudge of dark haze off to the left but decided it was maybe just glare. She put the sunglasses back into her backpack and pulled out one of the pouches Jessup had given her. “Will this be enough?” She handed the pouch over to the pirate.

“That’ll be enough for starters. We sail afore sunset. Be on the docks one hour earlier. Ye know where me grand ship be anchored?”

Sara nodded her head, “There is only one ship in the harbor.”

“No Lassie, there be two vessels in the harbor. I could only wish that grand, splendid ship in the harbor be mine, but no. Mine be on the starboard side, and it be not quite as magnificent. See ye before sunset.”

         

Percy sat at his usual table at the inn, having just finished hiring most of his required crew. After half of his ship was eaten by the sea monster, he had gone to the Pirate Depot and bought some two by fours. With a few nails and some duct tape, he had repaired his ship as best he could. However, it was smaller than it used to be so Percy had only needed three more crew members. With his new found wealth, he could replace his galleon upon his return from Tenebrae, if he came back. There was no guarantee of that happening.

He had been surprised when Cedric volunteered to be the ship’s navigator. Percy had not known that lizards were naturally great navigators. Cedric had assured him that the most famous navigators had been lizards even though he could not remember any of their names. The second crew member he had hired was a large, scary man with a menacing dragon tattoo. The scary man, Percy could not remember his name, had promised him he would make a perfect first-mate. He had confessed he had no idea what a first-mate did, but he was sure he would make a perfect first-mate, regardless. Percy was pleased.

Unfortunately, Percy still needed to find a cook. His last cook had been the first to be eaten by the sea monster, and everyone knew it. The minute Percy had announced that he was looking for crew members for a voyage to Tenebrae everyone had suddenly taken ill or just run away. Percy sat at the table, mumbling to himself. He had two hours before sunset and only one hour before he was to meet his new client on the pier. He still did not have a cook for the voyage. How did he get himself into these predicaments?

A booming, menacing voice bellowed from behind him. “I can’t believe you got hornswaggled into taking another voyage and over there of all places.” said the voice, pointedly.

“Aye, I did at that.”  

“Just who in the name of Hillary was able to talk you into this fool voyage?”

“Aye, ‘twas the child you be sendin’ from here last night.”

“Child, what child would that be? As I recollect, I only kicked out a wizard. I, right, I get it. You are under a spell. What did she do to you? Threaten to turn you into a frog if you didn’t do as she commanded?”

“Nay, twasn’t that mate.”

“Ok, then did she threaten to turn your liver into jelly if you didn’t do her bidding?”

“Nay twasn’t that either. She taint a wizard mate. She be much more devious and tricky.”

“Sure, sure Percy. Are you sure the child isn’t a wizard? I wouldn’t want it to get around that you were outsmarted by a snot-nosed kid. It would be better for you if she were a wizard. People would understand then.”

“Avast, twasn’t outsmarted, as I be saying the youngster be devious. Aye, she be paying me twenty times the goin’ rate. Couldn’t resist. Curse me ratty old bones.”

The ogre stifled a laugh, “Well, I’ll be. You crusty old pirate, you were outwitted by a brat.”

“Aye, that I was. Now I be in the soup. I have not enough time to fill the rest of me crew. ‘Tis just a lousy cook I be needin’. Now where be found a cook in such a short period?”

“If all you need is one lousy cook, I have been called a horrible cook more times than I can remember. It looks as if you just hired yourself a cook.” The ogre smiled as he rubbed his hands on his greasy apron. “When do we sail?”

“If that clock on the wall be correct, that’ll be now. Tis time to be a saunterin’ over to me grand ship. Told me, crew and the new client, to meet me at the pier one hour afore sunset.”

“Crew?”

“Aye, crew.”

“And just who would be fool enough to sign up as a crew, that is, besides me?”

“Besides ye, fool ogre, there be a fool of a lizard, Cedric, one fool of a scary man with a dragon tattoo, and that dern fool of a girl. That’ll be five including you. You be still game to be me cook?”

“Well, Percy, the outsmarted by a brat kid pirate, let’s go. Our fate awaits us. Let’s hope the sea monster isn’t too hungry.”