"Lord Fred on the Bloated Seal"

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 22199

Astra paused for a moment before answering. “Tonight’s tale is titled 'Lord Fred on the Bloated Seal.'"

Gilder's eyes widened with childlike jubilation. "Ooh! I don't think I've heard that one yet!"

On cue, he fell into a plush, overstuffed couch, shifting and squirming about with unconcealed earnestness.

"Do begin, m'lady!" he urged.

"Of course," she replied, pulling back the ornate gilded curtains of a nearby window to reveal the wide scene below. From this vantage point one could gaze out at the entire harbor of Corona, it's calm waters cluttered to the brink with the innumerable masts of the awe(or fear) inspiring Hespanish fleet, merchant and warships alike.

She began to tell her story, although she feared she was running out of inspiration...

"How many more days until we arrive in Siloon, Fogeno?"

The grizzled captain hobbled over to the ship's timepiece and studied it a moment before answering. All Hespanish vessels were outfitted with the expensive devices, and they were the prized possession of every captain in the Armada. It gave them another edge in their dominion over the seas. Hespanish clockworks were intricate and hard to duplicate. During the last overland trade wars, they had used their automations for a far more sinister purpose, creating complex weapons of war. They had proved that they were a formidable power on dry land as well as the sea.

"Arrrrr," he characteristically replied, "I'd say two more days, give or take an hour."

Fred was amazed by the exactness of his prediction. "You seem sure of yourself, captain..."

"Arrrr, Bunny, I do be certain of myself," he replied, referring to Fred by the nickname he had gave him days earlier. "Now leave me be!"

"But I'm bored!"

"Arrr, little Bunny! That's an order! Leave me be!"

Fred pouted and made a sad face. Sailing was such a bore! He thought the profession must be highly over rated. Although his accommodations were richly, Fred still couldn't understand where the romance was in floating around in an endless expanse of blue, above and below...

The next day...

"Are we there yet?"

"Dammit, Bunny, no!"

"Are were there...now?"

"NO!"

"How about...NOW!?"

"Arrr, no!"

"Okay, okay..."

"Arrr, Bunny go away or..."

"NOW! What about now!? Are we there now?"

"NO! NO! NO!"

"Okay, I guess I'll go below deck and...NOW! What about now!?"