It was Binky that answered this time. “But we class all of you as real pirates,” he paused, adjusted his glasses, and continued. “You mean alive pirates?”
Denzel nodded vigorously.
“So we have alive pirates in Kracken’s Hole, that are here to cause issues. Okay, team, let’s keep an eye out for these villains as Denzel described them.”
“Are we telling the girls?” Grundlepus spoke up, stroking his tail nervously.
“No, we can handle this. The girls have enough on their plates as it is,” Binky stated. “We can sort this out and the girls will be none the wiser.”
Edith wasn’t so sure, but she kept quiet. If she was honest, she really enjoyed the fact they had included her in this little meeting, and it had been a while since she had been in a decent fight. A chance to blow off some steam and protect sounded like a bloody good way to spend her day.
“I’m game,” was all she said before she sat back and sipped from her pint glass. The pint ofVicar’s Knuttwas as good as she had expected. Feeling lighter than she had in a while, Edith let herself relax as the other familiars planned the pirate’s comeuppance.
11
Dave had returnedfrom the depths with his small stash of sparkly stuff. He had a plan to decorate the area that Jessica had pointed out, the one she was thinking would make a great area to stay.
If Dave actually stopped long enough, he would wonder why, all of a sudden, the comfort and care of a human female was so important to him, but he hadn’t stopped, and he didn’t want to think too deeply into it. For the first time since he had been hit by the spell that meant he could shift, he felt more comfortable in his own skin. And by that, he meant humanandKracken. The interaction with Jessica was a positive step and he, in all honesty, needed the help with the hatchlings. Life would most certainly be getting little more crazy as each egg hatched, so to have someone with him to help with the madness was a blessing.
As he walked through the cavern, he remembered Jessica mentioned briefly about needing a camp bed. The one Maeve had created for Jessica to lie on was still there, so he collected that and headed to the nursing pools and the area Jessica had pointed out.
Isabeau had been really helpful, too, he always found her easy to talk to and when he asked about Jessica’s request, she had come through, leaving him a bag of things at the cavern.
With the camp bed in place, Dave focused on making it comfortable. Blankets and pillows came out of the bag as well as fairy lights, a bedside lamp, and even a mirror.
Before he knew it, a couple of hours had flown past, and he now stood in a cave bedroom that he hoped would make Jessica happy.
“Dave, are you in here?” Jessica’s voice echoed as she called to him.
Stepping out of the cavern with the nursing pool, he waved to her. She had a large bag on her back as she hurried over to him. She was alone, her dragon familiar not present this time, which he was thankful for.
“Ahh, there you are. Isabeau said you were down here, although she was smirking and I found it a little bit frightening.” She smiled up at him and took her bag off her back. It hit the dirt floor with a thud. “Oh bugger, I really shouldn’t throw this around,” she grumbled and went to pick it up.
Placing his hand on her shoulder Dave stopped her, picking up the bag for her.
“Oh, wow, thank you.” Her smile was wide and, in turn, that made Dave want to smile as well.
Tilting his head slightly, he then moved to walk into the cavern, he wanted to show her what he had done. Dave loved the sound of Jessica’s voice, even as she chatted away about what was happening in the house upstairs. She told him that all the familiars had vanished. Although everyone had guessed they were at the pub, as that’s where they usually went.
As they rounded the pool, he heard her stop.
“Hey, Dave, what’s that?” She pointed to the small cave that now sported a curtained doorway. The gauzy material fluttering in the breeze. Lifting a hand, he waved her in front.
“For you,” he said, focusing on each word just like Maeve had taught him.
“Oh.” Her answer came out as a squeak as she moved past him to the curtain. Gently, she moved it aside to reveal all the work he had done.
“Oh, my goddess,” she breathed out, and he followed her in, placing her large bag on the small bed.
“You like?” he questioned, really wishing he had practiced using his voice more.
“Err yeah, this is amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the room they’ve given me upstairs, but when I’m working I’m so used to camping out that it felt wrong. This…” She paused and did a spin. Her face lit up with happiness. “This is unbelievable and cosy and perfect.” She laughed as she moved about the small space, picking up things to look at them before putting them back.
Dave had been very particular on what treasures he wanted to bring back from his hidden hoard. He hadn’t brought much, but he thought she would like the two pink crystal orbs, and an abalone shell filled with pearls and other gems. He had another item in his pocket, and he wasn’t sure why he had picked it up, but it would stay in his pocket for now.
“Did you do all this for me, Dave?” Jessica asked, and he ducked his head and nodded.
“Yes,” he answered.
