Of Stranger Tides and Mice, Part 2 ~ CookingFood.Org

Note from the Editor:-

Join me now for the continuing dream story of romance and adventure, on and off the high seas, for Erin and her beloved Valentine aka The Dashing Count Prince Von Valentino.

Chapter 3.

Part 2: The Cabin

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” - AA Milne

The dank, spicy, and fetid Camembert odour that greeted her was enough to make a grown cats whiskers curl and drop off, and she fought back the urge to hoick up a fur ball into the nearest spittoon.

Dropping the sack on the counter, she surveyed the dimly lit room, trying not to take in too great a breath.

"Is anyone home? I have goods to sell, or exchange for a meal and a box to sleep in for the night? Best quality clothes pegs, and storage boxes with natty blue lids, straight from Scandinavia. Hello is anyone here?"

Erin's voice began to waver, and whilst she was strong by nature, there was something very spooky about this place which was worsened by the smells.

The musty smells clearly came from an array of pelts that had been trapped and hung from the rafters, and which nestled alongside a selection of rusty cooking and mining equipment.

The candles, flickering in their tarnished brass holders, gave off the spicy smell, nip like in quality, and with it a slightly green smoke that gathered between the rafters before being consumed by the darkness. But where the cheese smell came she couldn't tell and feared to look for it's origin.

"Well this is a fine welcome for a weary traveller, I hope that the food is better than the service!" Looking around, as though expecting the furniture to respond, Erin noticed some small flames in pot belly stove that sat in one corner of the room. Around it were high back chairs draped in black sheep blankets that were clearly meant to keep off the draft from the window and loose fitting door whilst capturing some of the heat for the occupant.

"Curses on this dank hell hole, where is everyone!" Erin exclaimed, banging her paws on the counter in frustration. "Whats a cat got to do to get a meal around these parts?"

"Not get eaten yourself, is a start, and keeping a civil tongue in that pretty head of yours is another!" came a voice from behind one of the high backed chairs.

Erin spun back round and peered into the gloom, focusing on the stove whose flame now flared from the draw caused by the strengthening wind outside.

"Where the devil did you come from? Are you the waiter, if so I could do with some food. If not I could do with an explanation as to where everyone is and if there's any chance of a bed for the night?"

"As to where I came from, well right here my little one." the voice said, in a low level tone. "And as to food bed and staff, well takes your pick of a chair and there's plenty of biscuits in the jars behind that counter. Or if ye prefer your food with more bite, well there's some tarantulas in them there cobwebs that will give you a run for ye money. Arrr!"

A black gloved hand came from behind the wingback chair, and indicated she should draw near. "Come closer sweet pirate princess, but before ye do, close them shutters, and bring a bottle of the grog from the counter."

Aghast that her identity had been discovered, Erin naturally went for her sword but then realised she had left it behind. Maybe she could bluff her way out of this, she mused, for surely nobody knew she was here?

"Sir, verily you have me mistaken for another, as I am but a sweet and lowly tuxedo salescat in search of a crumb to eat and a bed, and to sell my wares as best I can. But show thyself so you can see thy art mistaken."

A puff off smoke billowed from behind the chair and once more a gloved paw beckoned for Erin to draw near. "Now my sweet," the voice said, "do as I ask and I shall tell ye all, but lets not dance around I know your secret. Fear not as I have something that ye seek."

Erin glanced at the door and thought it was maybe time to go. But then she realised
she had to comply with the strangers request else forever wonder what he knew of her true love. After having pulled to the shutter on the window, she fetched the bottle, and two half pint tankards from behind the counter, and walked slowly to the chair that sat facing opposite the as yet unseen figure, placing the tankards to the edge of the now roaring stove.

Sitting down she now found herself drawn to stare at the black clad and hooded figure sat before her. His long stemmed black walnut pipe rested in one hand, and a black gold pocket watch, encrusted with black diamonds, lay open in the other.

Snapping closed the watch he slid it inside his cloak and raised his head to look directly at her revealing the silver short fur and two greeny yellow eyes that seemed to be searching her soul. If he meant her harm, she mused, then he could have done it by now and he'd be gone away into the night and none would be the wiser. In deed there was nobody to be the wiser which worried her very much.

"Well, stranger," she said "it seems I am undone, though not in the tailoring area, and at a loss for thy are not known to me yet I am to thee. What name do ye go by and how come ye to be here and know my name?"

"Arrr well Princess Erin, if I may call you Erin for 'tis easier on the tongue, there's no mistakin' them ears, for sure. But listen to me now, for time is short and we have even less to spare if we intend to see this night out. I shall impart what I can and what I can not will remain mine and wild dogs nor veterinarians shall not drag it from me. Arrr!"

He drew long and hard on the pipe, and setting it down took a long swig from his tankard. "Arrr, you can't beat a bit of nip grog, does an ol' sea cat such as me no end of good and keeps fire in the heart, that it does. But now to business....."

To be continued in...... 'Of Stranger Tides and Mice, Part 3'....... Click HERE

To read the previous chapter, 'Of Stranger Tides and Mice, Part 1' ........... Click HERE

This story is dedicated to Sister Sascha, from the Brian's Home blog, who passed over the bridge this week. She was a wonderful lady, and always great treat to see her. We extend our deepest and sincerest condolences to Brian, Dad Terry and Mom, and send them all our deepest and gentlest purrrs

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A Sunday Selfie......

I am joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the fantastic Kitties Blue: XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, and Cooper Murphy, from The Cat on My Head blog

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