Mistic Pets

Welcome to Issue 29
Created by The Mistic Pets Team

The Adventures of Cap'n Jack Skillow: Gargoyles
Written By gemajgall

“And then...they made me their chief,” concluded Captain Jack Skillow.

His circumstances couldn't 'ave been more unusual. He sat wit' his paws handcuffed t' th' arms o' a roughly hewed chair. His first mate Dibbs was standin' in th' corner o' th' cabin, watched o'er by two gargoyles who had thar spears pointed right at his face. Behind 'im were several hands o' his increasingly diverse crew includin' Wool th' Yehxil, Tia Malda's two fey handmaidens, 'n several o' th' younger 'n more energetic kelpies. All o' them had been forced t' sit back t' back 'n were then bound securely wit' more gargoyle warriors standin' strongly o'er them.

'twas quite th' long tale as t' how th' entire crew o' th' Black Pyre wound up here. 'n that long tale be also a mighty unbelievable tale. But it involved sea turtles, human hair, a tradin' crew, a strange compass, a couple o' wild goats, 'n lots o' rum. Aft all that, th' crew had inadvertently stumbled right into a gargoyle camp 'n instantly became captives.

Aft finishin' his tale, th' gargoyle chief eyed th' pirate cap'n up suspiciously. However, Captain Skillow refused t' lose 'im composure. He attempted t' cross his arms, but th' manacles prevented 'im from doin' so. Findin' that movement stopped, he shifted his weight in an attempt t' get closer t' a brown bottle set on th' table. Unable t' reach, Captain Skillow started t' nudge his chair fore t' brin' hisself closer. Th' whole time th' shackles clanked loudly.

Th' gargoyle chief cringed, “Someone remove those chains!” Instantly two warriors did as they were told.

“Thank you mate,” replied Skillow wit' charisma 'n falsity.

“You, stinking pirate, you came to our land and trespassed across our battle field,” started th' chief, his muscular win's flexin'. However, Captain Skillow hardly seemed t' be listenin' as he tried t' reach fer th' bottle while bein' stopped by a scar-covered warrior. “You know not honor; you use deceit in battle!” At this, th' warriors all hissed. But 'twas clear th' pirate was nah listenin'. “Jack Skillow!”

“There ought to be a 'captain' in there somewhere,” replied Skillow, lookin' up.

Th' gargoyle chief grabbed Skillow's paw inches from th' rum bottle. “You must make amends for your dishonor to our sacred battlefield! You must engage in our most noble duel!”

“A duel?” echoed Skillow. “No thanks, since you're not going to help me get rid of my kelpie infestation, it's about high tide to leave.” He attempted t' turn towards th' exit. “So I'll just be going on me way with the crew...but you can keep the kelpies and the elves. I've no need of them.” Behind 'im he could feel th' aura o' animosity burnin' th' fur off o' aft o' his neck fer referrin' t' th' fey as elves. Skillow coughed nervously.

“You duel!” roared th' chief wit' all o' his followers joinin' in.

“I...think not!” exclaimed Skillow as he loot that moment t' lunge.

Captain Jack Skillow leaped onto th' table in front o' 'im, usin' his feet t' kick a metal platter right at th' chief. He then spun on his heel, throwin' a vegetable casserole in th' face o' his first would-be attacker. Catchin' th' nearest gargoyle by surprise, he grabbed her cutlass out o' th' sheath 'n used it t' parry off a spear. Chaos ensued as he lunged, ducked, 'n attacked while th' gargoyles yelled in fury 'n th' crew cheered.

“Get the dishonorable one!” ordered th' chief.

“Ha! You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Skillow!” bragged th' pirate as he leaped o'er t' Dibbs 'n cut his hooves free.

“Cor blimey! Do you have any plan at all?!” exclaimed Dibbs.

“Nope!” replied Skillow.

“Hey, help us! We fight too!” cried th' kelpies, which only alarmed th' already scared fey next t' them. Skillow blatantly ignored them.

“Bloody pirate!” screeched a warrior as he exchanged blows wit' Captain Skillow. But Skillow was able t' drive 'im t' th' side 'n get his back against th' table. Wit' his free hand he scooped up th' rum bottle, kicked a chair at his attacker, 'n then used his momentum t' land on aft o' th' chair Wool was bound t', balancin' it precariously on its back legs.

Captain Skillow flashed a triumphant smile 'n raised th' bottle t' his lips in order t' mock his opponents. However, nah a single drop came out. “Why is all the rum gone?!”

“JACK!” Dibbs warned.

Th' pirate cap'n barely had enough time t' throw all his weight backward, knockin' hisself 'n Wool t' th' ground, when a Gurahdi dove at 'im wit' her win's fully extended. By missin' th' two pirates, th' momentum o' her strike caused her t' collide wit' th' fey who was tied behind wool. Th' force carried them both out o' th' cave's mouth 'n sent them into a free fall into th' sea. Th' Gurahdi caught herself on an updraft 'n rose, but wit' a scream th' fey crashed into th' ocean 'n vanished beneath th' waves.

Th' fight was all but forgotten by th' gargoyles, 'n they all hurried towards th' cave entrance, peerin' out where th' fey vanished t', some even lootin' t' th' air. Thar were cries o' alarm 'n panic, especially from th' other handmaiden.

“Well, that worked out well,” mutter Captain Jack Skillow without feelin' any remorse. He handsomely cut Wool free 'n turned towards aft side o' th' cliff. “Come on men, let's go.” Dibbs 'n Wool stood in his path, arms crossed, nah lettin' 'im continue.

“Someone help her!”

“But I can't swim!”

“Neither can I!”

“Us kelpies swim! Untie us already!”

“Where is she; I can't even see her!”

“Bloody!” swore Captain Skillow under his breath as th' look in Dibbs eye tugged at th' deeply hidden galleon where his conscience was locked away. “Some warriors you are.” Skillow shoved two younger gargoyles t' th' side, ran, 'n dove out o' th' cliff 'n into th' ocean.

Th' waves crashed ominously fer a few moments afore th' cap'n surfaced wit' th' fey in arms, both gaspin' fer air. Th' cliff side erupted in cheers, th' loudest it had been all night. Several gargoyles 'n Gurahdi swooped down 'n pulled them out, depositin' them carefully back on th' mouth o' th' cave. Much t' his disdain, Captain Skillow found hisself swept up in a celebration where th' gargoyle chief spoke at great length about honor 'n how noble 'twas fer Skillow t' give up his chance t' escape t' save a scallywag in needs.

“Look at the tide, I really ought to go,” repeated Captain Skillow, trying for at least the dozenth time to make his escape. However, this time a gargoyle without many scars stopped him by getting on his knees in front of the pirate.

“Master! Make me apprentice!” this gargoyle said qui'kly 'n eagerly. “You are warrior skilled; you save; you are master!”

“Oh no, no no no no no!” exclaimed Captain Skillow. “I came here to get rid of unnecessary passengers. I do not need...” He trailed off when he saw th' gargoyle chief givin' 'im a hard look.

“You take my son,” th' chief said. It wasn't a request.

“I...” afore Skillow could continue, he felt a spear pointed at his neck. But his pride wouldna let 'im agree verbally. Instead, he jus' whimpered slightly.

“And his friends,” finished th' chief. Behind 'im a group o' younger gargoyles cheered loudly. Captain Jack Skillow slumped.

Comments

This article does not have any comments.

Go Back to Articles

Go Back To Issue Overview