The making of a sailor 7/10

Fern was in for some more surprises. Walking along the pier towards the Black Cat was an ordinary looking human.

"That's another thing," whispered Jonah, "the humans in this world can see us and are quite used to dealing with goblins and witches and all the other fairy folk. Morning Phil," he continued as the human got closer.

"Morning John," said Phil, "what brings you here this time?"

"Load of Welsh anthracite for your local dragons."
Phil was looking rather curiously at Fern.

"Let me introduce you to Fern Knott, a boatyard apprentice who's here on a voyage with us to learn some real sailoring. It's her first time in this world"

"Pleased to meet you apprentice Knott," said Phil as he shook hands with Fern.

"Now then John, we'll have to arrange some transport to take your cargo up river to the village. Tornak usually comes to pick it up himself from the village green just by the inn. I reckon you'll be here a few days while we get organised, so feel free to wander round and see the sights."

Phil strolled back along the pier and went into one of the huts.

"Things are very different here as you can see," said Jonah. "By our standards it's all a bit medieval. Slow and steady, horses and carts and lots of walking. Now then all ashore who's going ashore for a spot of sightseeing."

Some of the goblins went below to fetch fishing rods and started fishing from the Black Cat's deck. Others went round to watch the water wheel powered saw mill cut logs into planks. Jonah and Fern, with some other sailors, strolled along the river towards the village.

"I feel like a drink and a chat with the locals," laughed Jonah.

The little group walked along the river road. As they rounded the corner Fern could see the village and beyond that a stone built bridge crossing the river.

"Why couldn't we sail up here to discharge our cargo?" asked Fern.

"Too shallow beyond the pier," said Jonah, "Now then, let's see what they can offer us at the inn."

The freshly painted inn sign proclaimed the building to be the George and Dragons and the landlord was able to supply cottage pies all round with cider to wash it down.

"I see the inn sign is new," said Fern as the landlord served them, "what was the name of the inn before?"

"A strange story that," said the landlord pulling up a chair and joining them at their table. "We used to be called the George and Dragon. George was our local knight, who travelled round righting wrongs and fighting dragons. Things weren't so good around here then.

Our local dragon is Tornak the Terrible, though he's not so terrible now that the eats coal instead of us villagers, but what with him and Lurgin the Troll, who lived under the bridge just up the road, we used to have a right miserable time of it, I can tell you.

Anyway it all changed when an ordinary looking kid came along one day and made Lurgin chase her up to the Gate where some senior witches killed him. Then this kid comes back with Tornak and all his family and tells them they've got to eat coal instead of us, or else!

It turns out she's a witch apprentice and every one is terrified of her. She even frightened the giant who's got a castle up on the hill, so that he won't come out any more.

Now the dragons come here every Wednesday to pick up their coal and George doesn't have anything to do. We couldn't have a sign showing a knight killing a dragon any more, so we had it repainted to show George and Tornak's family. Then George rode off south in search of adventure and we haven’t seen him since.”

For the next two days Fern wandered round the village, walking as far as Lurgin’s bridge and hearing the story of the troll and the apprentice witch from several different people, and in several different versions. In the evening most of the Black Cat’s crew would meet in the pub and sing sea chanties with the locals. Then at last the schooner was ready to leave.

“First light tomorrow morning,” said Jonah as usual.