Adventures In Otok Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Said the Jester to the Skyfaller, “Indeed we are similar, no doubt at all. We have two eyes and a nose with two nostrils and a mouth full of teeth, two ears and a neck, though mine is longer and thinner. We have two arms and two legs attached to the squarish but slightly rounded body and I can hear that we both have hearts beating in our chests and very clever minds we share for I can here the little clicks of energy bouncing around in both. And as for your hair, well in that we differ since you actually have hair and I have a Jester’s Cap or a little more humourously referred to as An Ass’s Ear or tail. But dear boy, I am a Jester and You are a Skyfaller and though we share similar visual attributes to those mundane creatures we are not one of them, not here in Otok or any other place in Erf, the infinite realm. So please leave insults tucked away in some oblivious place and lock it up forever, as long as you are here.”

Teddy studied the cap for a minute until he was sure it was actually a part of the jester's head. He smiled ruefully and replied. “Oh.” With some large measure of surprise. Then, “I suppose it is all a matter of relative perspective, in a scientific way, but all of this could be merely a fantastic fabrication generated in my mind, my imagination precisely, caused by any number of circumstances.”

“True enough Skyfaller but are not places conjured in the mind’s imagination as real as your mundane world and simply, just a different or alternative reality.” Countered the Jester. “And dreams being the same for that matter.” He added off-handedly.

Teddy considered this for a moment then said to the jester, “Okey Dokey but aside from all that, how do I get home?”

“Why ever would you wish that. Otok is a wonderful place to be, especially for a Skyfall. You almost always come up being the hero in some skulduggery and the rumor is already spreading that you are descended from Jack Halo The Great, He That Save Us.”

“Not descended. He’s my Uncle, my mother’s brother.” Snapped Teddy.

“Well. I suppose that would make a difference. But it still makes you notable and I suggest you visit her Majesty, Queen Jane Fool, who is Royal over all Jesters and Jesterettes across all the scape of Otok.”

“This is all really too much. I think I will return to the ship and sleep on it, whatever it is and maybe it will all make sense when I wake up.”

“Well. You do that Skyfaller but when you wake up and come back here you will need to find me again. I am after all a key character in your journey.”

“Then Mr. Jester, why don’t you just unlock the door and let me through?” Teddy replied septically.

“Yobo Mojo, now what fun would that be.” Cried the Jester who then ran off and disappeared into the growing night.

Teddy shrugged his shoulders then continue on exploring the narrow dim streets of Southport Harbour. The one, a main street of business curved around in a great ring and at its most distant from the docks he came to the gates of the palace, which appeared to be locked and were guarded by a pair of Gargoyles perched atop the gate posts some fifteen feet aloft.

At first, the beasts looked inanimate, like greyish stone, but then Teddy saw one shift its yellow cat-like eyes and fix them on his. The other did the same and a chill ran up and down Teddy’s spine until he shivered.

“I don’t suppose”, Teddy was about to say but just then the gates winged open and the Gargoyles said in unison. “Enter Skyfaller. Your fate awaits you.”

Teddy stared for several seconds at the gate and was about to turn tail and beat it for some brighter place in the town but when he turned there stood the Jester. “No time to turn back now. You have awakened the Majestrate and he will bill displeased if you do not accept his invitation.” Said he.

“What would he, who ever he is, want with me?” Teddy resisted.

“Look, kid. Skyfall never comes here or anywhere in Erf unless there is a reason. Maybe the Majestrate knows something you or me or the cat in the tree knows anything about.”

“Uh-huh. Well. I suppose I could have a look-see at the palace and have a little conference with the Majestrate.” Teddy agreed disengaged.

“Good. Off you go.” Said the Jester who then shuffled and skipped and twirled away, laughing all the way until e was out of sight and out of earshot. And Teddy passed through the gate into the palace courtyard. And the gates winged closed behind him with a clang and a clatter.

The court's yard was laid with rich goat trimmed grass and the goats that trimmed it was off to one end stabled for the night until the dawn when they would be released to go about grass trimming again. These, of course, were lady goats who produce goats milk for the Majestrates kitchen.

Spotted about here and there and o’re yonder grew apple trees and grapevines and a slew of Hawthorn trees ripe with berries. Hawthorns, you will soon learn are very important in Otok, and maybe the most important fruit that grows there. And quite significant in reference to some of its inhabitants, which I will warn you, you will be meeting one related to the hawthorn berry when we gain an audience with the Majestrate.

There were also several flower gardens including that carnivorous variety, the Venus Flytrap which did not always remain rooted in its garden but ran, in chase of a morsel from one to another. And of course. the most beautiful Sun Flowers who were at that time of day sleeping but seemed still to be singing sun songs, in sleepy whispers.