Folksburywoods Story Blog

“Should be docking in Territown by sundown,” said the captain.

“There’s a thunderhead dead ahead. We should head south and overnight in Bartlesville,” said the cat.

“Why do we always have to listen to him? The sky is clear. Get us to Territown. I have business with a certain someone,” said Angelique with a wicked smile.

“I’ll tell you why we listen to Max,” said the captain. “In all the years I’ve been a sky gypsie, I ain’t never had a better navigator. No one on two or four legs compares,” said Tor.

The captain changed course, and at eight bells, the Mary Louise set down outside of town.

“At least the night is still young,” said Angelique as she headed to the tavern district.

Nancy, the cook, and Max help Captain Tor unload the few items they brought to barter.

“These trifles are slim pickings. They should get us enough silver to reach the coast. We can make sushi runs to New Caledonia,” the captain said.

“I hope the John Dorr is in port,” said Max. “I would like to get their updated maps. We can use them to avoid the royal patrols.”

After securing the silver, the three shipmates entered Auntie Millie’s Tavern. They enjoyed a well-earned bowl of mutten stew and a pint of grog.

“I love this stuff, Nancy. If I could secure some mutten from the cook, could you try making it?” asked Max.

“I’ll give it a try, mate,” replied the cook.

“How are you going to get mutten from that craggy old man?” asked the captain.

“The cook has a weakness for cups and balls,” answered Max, who disappeared into the back.

“Cups?” questioned Nancy.

“It’s a shell game where you hide a ball under one of three cups and then move the cups. This causes the player to lose track of which cup has the ball,” answered the captain.

“Max is a fast one after chasing mice around the Mary Louise,” said Nancy.

The crew met back at the airship at four bells.

“Here’s your bloody mutten, you mangy cat. I don’t want to see you around my tavern for at least a fortnight,” said the tavern’s cook.

“That should be about right,” muttered Max.

“I don’t know how you do it, lad. I sure am glad you’re on my side,” said the captain.

Angelique arrived on the shoulder of a huge sailor smelling of whiskey.

“Honey, you’ve been a great time. I hope you’ll be in port at the end of the month,” said the woman.

The sailor smiled, then took his leave.

“Sun’s up in thirty minutes. Let’s get ready to catch a westerly putting us on the coast by dinner. I have a feeling the menu is mutten stew and ale,” said the cat with a wink.

Angelique crawled to the stern and fell asleep. Nancy and the captain released the mooring lines.

“Cast off,” said Tor, and in a flash, the Mary Louise shot skyward.

“It will be an easy trip, Captain, I can feel it in my fur,” said the navigator.

“In that case, I’ll lash the wheel and catch forty winks,” said Tor.

Max sat on the bow, happy to be a sky gypsie on the way to the coast.

“Take us home, Mary Louise,” whispered Max, then settled down for a quick catnap.

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