Adventures In Otok 6

CHAPTER 6

When dinner was done, and they were sitting round the table watching complacently while the servants cleared the dishes. Jasper Hawthorn said in a quiet, amiable tone. “You will be needing a place to rest while staying in Southport Harbour, which will be an extended visit we hope. Please accept the hospitality of the palace. Jester will be only to happy to be your guide.”

“I am not sure how long my stay will be My Lord.” Replied Teddy feeling considerably more grown up than his ten years. “I am still mystified as to my purpose here.”

“Well, it maybe be that you have sent or beckoned to deal with this new fear that the Terror has returned.” Suggested the Majestrate.

“I suppose.” Teddy replied but suddenly felt weary. “I thank you for your offer Lord Majestrate, but I will return to the ship. I believe Captain Tagael is expecting me, at least I did say I would return and so I should.”

“Of course. The Jester will see you out.” Replied the Majestrate a little aloof in his presentation. Then, like it was an after thought while leaving the room he added, “If we are again besieged by this monster your presence is much welcomed.”

“His Lordship turns about in mood quite quickly and often.” Teddy said thoughtfully. Then without waiting for a response made his way from the castle with the Jester trailing a few steps behind.

The streets were abandoned now, and Teddy was surprised how quite the harbour was. He could hear the water lapping to shore a cat meowed and a dog barked, some geese gobbled and goats, or sheep baa, baa, baaed, a bell tinkled a baby cried and somewhere far off in the west something rumbled.

Suddenly Teddy halted and turned about. In a very humoured tone, almost with a chuckle he asked the Jester, “Do you actually have a name or were you born The Jester.”

The Jester stared at Teddy a little indignantly and said through clenched teeth. “Are you blind or just stupid. Do I not look like a Jester? Of course, I was born a Jester and it was bad luck to me. Every town and village has a jester, just like they all have a butcher and baker and candlestick maker.”

“And they are all born what they are.” Teddy replied.

“Well, no, they can choose their lot. Jesters are naturals.” The Jester replied and we are bound to our town as long as we live, which is a very long time, like forever.”

“Forever.” Teddy replied halting abruptly in his tracks. “If you have been here forever then you knew my uncle when he was here seven hundred years ago.”

“Nope. I did not because Southport Harbour was not here seven hundred years ago. Most of Otok that exists today is only about three hundred and fifty years in being. Once upon a time another terror came, a great fire. It is said that…well…you would get better knowledge about Otok from the Great Book, better known as the Great Book Of Bruin The Wise, who has been here since the Eldest of old Elders raised Otok from the seas about it.”

“Jester. This land seems to have more facets than an infinite prism.” Teddy interrupted over a snicker then set off toward the ship again.

When they arrived back at the Crane’s Revenge and were standing at the foot of the ship’s gangplank Teddy invited the Jester aboard, but he backed away and however politely, declined the invitation profusely.

“I will meet you here in the morning and we can breakfast together. I may have some insights for you.” The Jester suggested.

“If I am here. To tell you the truth I am hoping when I go to sleep, I wake up at home, even if it is at the bottom of the stairs in the bottom of the ferry with a bump on my head and this turns out to be a spectacular nightmare.” Replied Teddy.

“Ah. I suppose that would be to your liking but me thinks it’s a pipe dream Skyfaller, be cause you see this might turn out to be a nightmare, but it will be a very real nightmare.” Warned the Jester who then turned with a giggle on his breath and a chuckle in his throat and danced away.

Teddy smiled a little thinking. “Nightmare or not I could get to like it here. But I would like to be home as well, and that made him remember why they were all going to stay with their uncle.

It was quite aboard the Crane’s Revenge; except the usual sounds one might hear in a medieval like harbour. There was only one watchman on duty a he was quietly leaning against the main mast pole and might have even been catching forty winks. At any rate he did not budge when Teddy slipped by and went below to his cabin where he threw himself on his bunk and went straight to sleep.

Hours later the creaking of the ships timbers woke Teddy from a wistful dream where he was walking with his mother in a mist, silently.

“Mother.” He whispered sadly then sat up in bed looking around still half asleep and clinging to the dream that was quickly fading. The sound of a rough, loud voice snapped him Captain Tagael.

“I guess it was not a nightmare.” Teddy groaned and went topside.

It was a bright and sunny day, warm, for autumn but Teddy was glad he was wearing a sweater and a wind breaker. He looked about the ships main deck and saw that most of the rats were wearing light coats despite the hard work and fur covered bodies.

“It feels about normal for me.” He said aloud and was surprised to hear a response.

“It is about normal, now, but the storms are early, or they were manifested by spell or curse.” Said Redfur Fox.

“I am not sure you have it right either way. Storms come on their own terms, sometimes early, sometimes late. Nature does not follow our calendars and as for spells and curses, well, there might be such things here in Otok, but even I can sense no malice in the air.” Teddy argued. “Maybe you are just an alarmist who might benefit from your worrisome rantings.”

“And who are you to suggest such ravings?” Redfur the Wizard challenged.

“A Skyfaller and kin to Jack Halo.” Replied Teddy, embracing his place in the weirdness of the situation.

“Of course.” The wizard relented.