The Silken Key

Chapter 9

Having roast chicken under the open sky for breakfast was a new experience for everyone except the captain, who believed that normal mealtime rules didn't apply at sea.

"I must say, I think it's a tremendous idea," Maddy said through a mouthful of the succulent drumstick in his hand. "Who decided you should only eat certain things at certain times of day anyway?"

Nobody else was complaining. The meat was tasty and well-cooked. Even Tabitha was contentedly picking the last scraps of flesh from a wing, which in her small hand looked almost as large as Maddy's drumstick.

The only unhappy noises came from a few brown chickens who had escaped their cage and were strutting around the deck, clucking nervously. Rudiger hadn't seemed too concerned about getting them back where they belonged, pointing out that they couldn't exactly fly away.

Even though it was strange seeing nothing but flat horizon in every direction, Detlef felt peaceful. The sunrise made the sky a pretty pink over the dark teal waters. The cabins were basic but comfortable. The boat was big enough for people to have their own space and not get on each other's nerves too often.

"All I'll say is this," Detlef added, smiling around at the others sat in a circle. "If this is what's for breakfast, I can't wait to see what's for dinner."

"Catch of the day, my friend," Rudiger beamed, wiping chicken grease from his lips with the back of his hand. "Catch of the day."

"Mmm, my mouth is watering already," Maddy said, using the sleeve of his robe as a napkin.

"Oh, speaking of which," Rudiger stood, picking up a couple of chicken wings to take with him. "I'd better get a cage in the water soon. It's important to catch whatever we need now before the sea monsters come up to feed later."

Detlef stopped mid-chew and looked wide-eyed at the gnome. The others had similar reactions. "Did you say...sea monsters?"

"Oh don't worry about it," Rudiger waved a dismissive hand while walking away. "They're big, dangerous creatures but they will only go for live prey already in the water. Just try not to fall overboard. If you can manage that, the worst they'll do to us is steal our catch before we get it on the boat."

It was a confident explanation, but Detlef found himself feeling only slightly better.

"Why did he have to say 'sea monsters'?" he wondered out loud. "Why not just say 'big fish'?"

"Great," Tabitha muttered. "So we're having seafood again."

"Perhaps you would prefer to go foraging for berries?" Tariq said, sweeping an arm around at the endless ocean in every direction. Detlef hid a chuckle. Of all of them, Tariq seemed to take the most delight in teasing the halfling.

Strangely, Tabitha didn't snap back at him with some scathing remark this time. Perhaps a full stomach had improved her mood? She simply stood up, turned around and walked off towards the back of the boat.

"Strange little woman," Tariq huffed, watching her go.

Detlef shrugged. "I guess anyone would be a little odd if they'd lived by themselves in a cave for twenty years."

As they sat digesting their meal, a solitary broom floated by, sweeping the bones and other mess into a pile. Tabitha's 'unseen servants' were still hard at work around the boat.

"Would you like to see a trick?" Maddy proposed, sitting upright.

"I think I've seen enough tricks," Tariq groaned. "Are floating brooms and ropes that pull themselves not enough?"