Chapter 17

Just Five More Minutes

Boggo

The coast was clear. The humans were in the woods and the goblin snored in her shed. Thrush was smoking fish. I peered out into the world from Hawkin’s cabin door. I tightened the strap that held the hide waterskin on my back. Both the waterskin and my hammer were my size from snout to toe, but I didn’t dare venture out without either item.

I peered left and right while I let my eyes adjust to the early morning light. I listened for danger. The only sounds I heard came from cascading orange leaves. The only danger I sensed was the ominous tone that Thrush’s presence always brought. It hung like a cloud of diseased gnats in the air; a threatening buzz. Now that I knew Thrush, I ignored the feeling. I knew him enough to call him a friend. A good friend. He never judged me. He was always up front with me. There were many things I appreciated about the monster.

I tested the light of day on my blue arm. In the sun, my fur was a glossy blue. I turned my hand over in the shaft of sunlight. I took a deep breath and exited Hawkin’s cabin. I clutched my hammer before me and peered over the heavy head to take in the surrounding clearing.

There were gardens. I knew where they were by the roots underground, but I couldn’t match the root with the fruit or leaf.

All right Boggo Ugo Oggo. You can do this. Just throw yourself down the trail—carefully!

I took another deep breath and crept toward the trail at the end of Hawkin’s clearing. When I reached the wooded trail, I set my hammer down and took a break. The hammer was large and quite heavy but I was determined to make it my weapon. I had nothing else that appeared as threatening.

After catching my breath, and hefting the waterskin aloft for a good swig of aquifer water, I continued my trek. The trail meandered and I scampered down it until I reached the sumac that offered a staggering view of the sea.

I left my things at the base of an old sumac tree and clambered up to the top. The wind nipped at my fur. I felt the chill on my nose and it watered my eyes. Through watery eyes, I saw the port. Barnacle-eyes’ boat was moored there and it lazily debated the waves. Beyond the port was a thin wall of bioluminescent mist. Hawkin’s mist.

I skittered back down the tree, slung my waterskin onto my back and picked up my hammer. Then I scampered down the trail. I arrived at the port, out of breath. I set my hammer down and panted ferociously. My ears pricked at every sound imaginable and my eyes darted with every foreign movement of the woods and sea.

Hold it together Boggo. You got this!

I picked up my hammer and groaned at the strain in my muscles. It was fear of death that kept my grip on the weapon. I scampered up the dock ramp and all the way down to Barnacle-eyes’ sloop. I wanted to get on the boat more than anything.

The wood of the sloop was easy to find a foothold in, but I couldn’t bring my hammer with me. It was too awkward of an object to carry. I left it behind and scampered aboard. I dropped my waterskin to the deck, removed its leather strap and returned to the dock. I tied the hammer to the strap, slung the weapon on my back and climbed back up.

After returning the strap to the waterskin, I clutched my hammer before me and explored the sloop. I had an absolute blast. The swaying of the ship gave me an exhilarating ride. I spent hours looking overboard at the splashing water. I saw fish, clams, and other sea creatures. I sniffed around the locked deckhouse and descended to the cargo hold and quarters. The sloop was filled with barrels!

So many barrels! Smells like beer, too.

I doubted any of them were Hawkin’s Lesser Planes Cutter beers. Thrush didn’t have anymore to trade with and he told me Hawkin stopped brewing them. I hung my head, remembering that the beer I’d been saving no longer transported me to the ethereal plane. It was such a sad discovery to have made.

That’s ok Boggo! That’s why you’re out in the real world now!

I went above deck and snooped around. There were lines of ropes everywhere. Sails were piled on deck. Almost all the barrels above deck held planks of wood. I went to the helm and set my hammer beside the wheel. Then I leapt upon the wheel and spun it round.

“Boggo!” I shouted. “You’re on the adventure of a lifetime! Sail the seas! Eat the dreambons! Meet with monsters all over the world and beat them all with a throw of dice!”

I soon tired of playing, and the swaying of the ship relaxed me so much that I yawned. The sun was coming up and I had to squint against the glare of sunlight over water.

After taking a refreshing swig of aquifer water, I visited the locked deckhouse once more. I leapt upon the handle, but it wouldn’t turn. I knew there were windows; I’d seen them from the dock. I followed one of the stairwells one either side of the deckhouse that led above. I looked down over the balustrade and found a window.

It was easy to climb down and push the pane open. I entered, unlocked the door, retrieved my hammer, and then returned to the dark of the deckhouse.

There were sacks of chests against the far wall. In the middle of the space was a crude table. A couple of benches were knocked over near the door. I yawned again as I sniffed at the chests. I peeked inside one to find it full of silver and gold and rusted tools. Against another far wall was a clean pile of sails. I yawned once more and threw myself on top of the pile.

Just five minutes, I thought. Just a five minute nap. I’ll wake up before Barnacle-eyes sails out.