Adventures In Otok - Chapter 3

Adventures In Otok - Chapter 3

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CHAPTER THREE.

Then, as quick as it came the Killerstorm abated. The westering sun sat on the horizon. The giant owl set the ship back in the water and the fairest wind nature could provide filled the sails.

“Land Ho.” Cried the Crowsnest watch. “Well now. It seems your beast has put us almost at Southport Skyfaller and look at the Wizard. He is not happy. Watch out for him.” Captain Tagael warned.


Teddy chuckled. “I guess foxes are sly beasts no matter where they are.” Then he shrugged his shoulder and climbed the mast to the Crowsnest like he had done it many times before.

“Trouble has come to Otok again.” Said the captain to Bucca Toth. There is no other reason for a Skyfaller to come.”


“Aye Cap’n. And that storm weren’t Natchral either. Too early I say. Many a week to early.” Replied the first mate.

Set our Crane’s Head t’ord the Channel First Mate. I’ll be glad to set foot on a wharf after that scare. Not have I seen such a thing in all my years under the yards.” Busse Tagael said with a sigh…of relief.


Teddy tied off the sheet to the mainsail then scampered down the mast like a monkey to the deck. He was a little amazed that he was taking his new life so easily no matter how crazy it seemed. And he wondered about his Uncle Busker who had once come to this oddity of existence, centuries before. “But centuries. How could that be?”


Southport Harbour was teeming with activity, even though it was well after sundown, though still not dark. He had gotten use to his companions being rats and squirrels and a fox, but ashore and strolling along the quay he was mesmerized but the dozens of other creatures that at home would be crawling and hopping, scurrying and loping through the woodlands and along river banks and some in the parks of the cities or lived in fairytales and high fantasy novels. None would be walking along upright and having conversations in various forms of English in a multitude of accents.


Teddy looked out onto the harbour. There were a dozen ships anchored offshore and six docked being loaded or unloaded. His own, The Crane’s Revenge was at the end of the quay. Several dock workers mostly wharf rats were hauling the crates and barrels and casks ashore.

It was just dark, and the streets were lit now only by candle lamps, set alight by a lamp lighter and the yellow oil lamp light from the windows of huts and shops, inns and taverns and stables where there were donkeys and cows, some geese and chicken and goats that were just what they seemed. And at the north end of the town stood a castle made of onyx and gold veined marble with a half dozen spires and steeples. But oddly there was no high fortress wall around it, only an ornate wrought iron fence adorned with gilded spikes.


Teddy was eyeing some cakes on a table out side a bakery thinking how delicious they looked and how much he would like one, but as he watched on and someone else bought one of the morsels he realized he didn’t have any money, especially the five sided silver coins the badger used.

He was about to walk away, a little forlorn, wondering how he would survive here without local currency when a hand touched his shoulder gently and Redfur Fox said, “Reach in your trouser pockets Skyfaller. Your face told your mind and a little magic from yours truly resolved you situation.”


Teddy did just that and drew out a dozen coins, all made of silver. His eyes opened wide and he thanked the Fox profusely and immediately purchased one of the cakes, which were, by the way, white cakes smothered in Hawberry jelly. Then he bought a second and gave it to Redfur, who took it and gobbled it down greedily, like any hungry fox might.

After the treat Teddy asked, “Where might I find this archive I was told about?”


“Oh, well that will take you on a journey Mr. Skyfaller. A very long one if you go on foot, which is the slow but most reliable way to travel in Otok.”

“Okey Dokey. So where will I have to journey to?”

“The archive of ages is on Old Woman Island which by road and path is at least three days march, if you are a good marcher.” Answered the fox.


“Careful Skyfaller.” The voice of Captain Tagael said from just a little way off. “Your friend there is coaxing you into something that might cost you more than its worth. You have already accepted one gift and will be beholden to replace the favour in kind. Return the coins and I will see to your needs.”

“But you trust him aboard your ship.” Replied Teddy.

“Because he owed me a kindness, one that can never be repaid.” The captain replied but did not elaborate. “He may have been coercing you into paying his life long debt.” He warned.

Teddy shot an accusing glance at the fox, who quickly pulled the cowling of his cloak down over his eyes and scurried away.


“It seems Captain that some things never change, no matter what world you are in.” Teddy replied a little miserably.

“Look.” Teddy almost shouted excitedly. “A human. I think he is a Jester, maybe a Court Jester.”

“A Court Jester he maybe, but I would not add an insult by calling him human to his face. He may take angry offense and do you harm, like, tickle you to death.” Said the captain in replied. But as it turned out Teddy had spoken loud enough that the Jester had heard the insult and came bounding toward him, laughing but laughing without a jolly tone.


At first, the Jester said nothing. Instead, he circled and circled, looking Teddy up and down, sizing him up and collecting his criticisms though when he did speak, he kept his critical assessments to himself and spoke only a number of facts.

When Teddy had the chance to look close enough at the Jester, he noticed that what had looked at first like a mask painted on the Jester’s face was actually the face itself.



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