Adventures In Otok - Chapter Two

ADVENTURES IN OTOK

BY

DONALD HARRY ROBERTS

VOLUME ONE

CHAPTER TWO

Before Teddy could move or even shift on his feet, he found himself surrounded by rats, brown rats, black rats, grey rats, rats of all sizes and a bevy of smaller ones he guessed were probably mice. They were all staring in awe and some even began to bow their heads. Then, descending from the helm deck came a huge white ratty-looking creature clad in the costume of pirates like Teddy had seen in movies, including gold earrings in both ears.

“So why has a Skyfaller come to our decks?” He demanded, not in awe of the Boyhuman like the others.

Teddy shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know why I am here or even how I got here. All I was doing was going to bathroom then a wave hit the boat and threw me headfirst down the stairs. The next thing I know I am wallowing in your bilge.” He said, sincerely mystified. “Maybe you can tell me what is happening or better yet tell me how to get back home or at least find me someone who can.”

“Hear now. What is all the ruckus going on.” Another, not so ratish voice came from a hatch under the wheel deck. A second later something that looked like a fox clad in a dark blue hooded robe decked with spangles and stars emerged from a dark space in the wall.

Teddy didn’t know whether to laugh, scream or faint, but for the moment he just stood there staring.

Then, in his foxy voice, the creature said, “Welcome Skyfaller. Tell me your name.”

“I am Teddy Wayward, and I am on my way with my brothers and sisters to stay the winter with our Uncle Busker.”

At the mention of the name all the rats squeaked in awe, even the captain and the Fox, who was a wizard of his kind bowed his head respectfully.

“A Kin of He That Saved Us Once. You must be honoured to carry his blood in your veins.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about. I only met him once when I was a baby in my mother’s arms and that was only for a few minutes. I just know he is a little eccentric, or so Mrs. Lawly said.” Replied Teddy

“Jack Halo was a great hero of Otok and has held a place in the Great Book for seven centuries. It is hard to believe you know nothing of him.” The Wizard snarled.

“You are nuts, Mr. Fox. Uncle is old but no human lives for seven hundred years.” Teddy argued.

“My name is Redfur, not Mr. Redfur Fox.” The wizard snarled again, this time tapping his staff impatiently on the deck.”

“Well Wizard. It won’t matter what your name is if you don’t get us away. That storm yonder in the east is fast approaching and by the look of it I would say it’s a Killerstorm.”

“Boff.” The fox growled then muttered something in a chanting way three times and a good wind came from the south out of Landsend from where the ship set sail.

Teddy studied the other rats who were now hurrying about the deck and up the masts setting sails and lashing then down. “They look like buccaneers.” Teddy thought then he asked the captain, “Is this a pirate ship?”

“For lubber-sakes no. Are you sure you are a Skyfaller and not some idiot made up to look like one? “This is a trade ship. We sail goods from Landsend to Otok and sell them at the market or trade for Hawgoods and honey.”

Teddy studied the Captain for a minute and noticed he was not like the other rats besides having white fur. Then he noticed the long bushy tail. “You are not a rat-like the others. You are a squirrel.”

“Well. Now you are starting to sound like a Skyfaller. I am a squirrel; a rare white squirrel and my name is Busse Tagael.”

“You must tell me more about Jack Halo.” Teddy said, feeling a little more grown up than his ten years.

“Not I Boyhuman. You would be better to hear that story from the wizard or better yet when we arrive in Southport Harbour visit the Grand Archives and read about him in the Great Book.”

“I will go to this archive. It seems the fox is not in a kindly mood toward me, or should I say the Skyfaller.” Replied Teddy.

“The wizard has a touch of jealousy. His magic is great but nothing like that of the Skyfallers.” Replied Busse Tagael.

“There is nothing magical about me.” Teddy argued. I am just a kid.

“Well, maybe but every Skyfaller who has come to Otok has borne some sort of magic. Maybe you just haven’t discovered yours yet.” The Captain replied good naturedly. “But what is this coming t’ord us.” He added curiously and pointed westward.

“Cap’n. Thars a Gale a comin on us. We’ll be doomed if are sails don’t get filled now.”

“Wizard. Cast your best wind spell.” Commanded the captain.

Redfur Fox uttered in hurried chants and a greater wind rose, billowing the sails to their fullest strength, but it seemed even that might not be enough, for the gales, too early coming in the years were coursing at great speed and with much anger and to worsen the mood, lightning flashed in the for front off massive black storm clouds. Seconds later the ship shuttered against the long, powerful rumble of thunder.

“Get below Boyhuman.” Ordered Captain Tagael.

Teddy looked hard into the squirrel’s eyes, noticing for the first time that they were blue, but that dulled against the look of fear, masked in bravery. “I can die just as easily below as I can on deck.” Teddy disobeyed. “I might be of some use.”

Just then a voice, high pitched and panic came down from the crow's nest. “Bad to worse Captain.” The rat in the nest warned.

Teddy followed the rat’s point and saw, soaring up from the south an enormous beast. “Its an Owl. A Snowy Owl, but how can it be so big?”

“If it preys on us, we won’t have to worry long about it or the gale.” Replied the captain.

But even as he spoke the giant bird swept down and picked the tall ship out of the water as if taking a fish and rushed high in the sky, higher than the clouds, just before the gale, pushing before it an enormous wave broke over the Barkentine.

“Wow. That was fantastic.” Teddy cried out.

“Quiet nephew.” Came to his mind. “You are a Skyfaller. Show dignity.”

Teddy tried to shake the voice out of his head, but it had another thing to say. “You have a task before you. Do it well.”