An exhausted crew decided to go to sleep after
supper rather than find rocks for the hyperdrive.
“Navigation through hyperspace requires a
well-rested team,” cautioned Kumquat.
“Then let’s get some sleep. We’ll head for
home in the morning,” said Brownbeard.
Brownbeard’s bed began to tilt backwards as
he drifted off to sleep. He was about to slide off
into the Land of Nod when part of his brain went
on high alert. He thought he heard footsteps on his
ceiling. Someone was walking around on the deck
above. Brownbeard was caught in a tug-of-war.
One part of him said, “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’
s just your imagination. Maybe it’s Hazel or one
of the gang.”
Another part of him said, “Wake-up now! This
could be serious! Maybe someone is here to rob
you!” Brownbeard fought to wake-up and get out
of bed. As he tossed his legs onto the floor, he
heard another footstep. It was a quiet, muffled
sound, but it was definitely real. Brownbeard was
fully awake. He quickly slipped on his boots and
made sure he had his sword. Stepping into the
darkened hallway, Brownbeard ran into Hazel.
“Did you hear that?” asked Brownbeard.
“Yes! I was hoping it was you,” whispered
Hazel.
“Maybe its Kumquat, Wilbert or Schmoor,”
said Brownbeard.
“No, I checked. They’re sound asleep,” said
Hazel.
“All right, I’ll go check it out,” said
Brownbeard.
“I’m right with you,” said Hazel.
Hazel cast a small spell around them that gave
them the ability to walk very, very quietly, and
even remain invisible to most creatures they might
encounter.
“Are you sure this spell will work?” asked
Brownbeard.
“No,” answered Hazel. “If it’s those skeleton
creatures that were following you, then they’ll be
able to see us with no problem.”
A chill ran up Brownbeard’s spine as he
recollected his encounter with them back in old
New Ferry. The two began to walk up the stairs to
the upper deck. They emerged onto the dark, dark
deck near the For Sale’s aft and looked around.
There was nothing apparent. Then, they heard a
sound from the forward deck. Hazel and
Brownbeard began to move in the direction of the
sound. Their eyes could barely make out a chest
on the deck with its lid open. Something went
flying out of the chest. Then something else.
“There’s something in the chest!” hissed
Brownbeard.
“What could it be?” wondered Hazel.
“A raccoon?” wondered Brownbeard.
“What?” asked Hazel.
“Yeah, they use to raid my food stuffs when I
went camping. They’d climb right into my bag at
night and throw out anything that wasn’t food, and
then eat my goodies. I learned to string my
supplies up between two trees.”
“Brownbeard! This is a rocky beach in the
northern latitudes of a planet light years away
from where you used to camp! Do you really think
we’ve got raccoons on board?” asked an
incredulous Hazel.
“I think anything is possible!” answered
Brownbeard.
The two continued to advance upon whatever
was in the chest. Brownbeard drew his sword,
ready to strike whatever sharp clawed, razor
fanged beast might be ready to leap from within.
Hazel prepared a bolt of paralysis from her
repertoire of spells. Another item from the chest
came flying out and landed on Brownbeard’s
head. It was an old stocking from Schmoor’s sock
collection.
“Phew!” said Brownbeard.
Whatever was inside the chest did not seem to
mind the smells of Schmoor’s vast array of socks
from around the Universe. But what could this
creature want with Schmoor’s sock collection?
Perhaps it was a rival sock gremlin. Hazel had
said that sock gremlin’s from rival tribes would
raid one another’s supply of socks. Brownbeard
peered into the chest, sword held high. Hazel’s
hands shimmered with the energy of the spell she
was ready to release. Sock after sock flew out of
the chest. Brownbeard squinted to make out just
what kind of beast was down in the chest. Letting
down his sword, a foolhardy Brownbeard with
hands bare reached into the chest and grabbed by
the hair a small creature from within. The creature
shrieked in fear and fury as it flailed ferociously.
“Brownbeard! Don’t do that!” screamed Hazel.
“You’ll get your hands chewed off!”
“Ouch! Let me go! Please! You’re pulling my
hair out!” screamed the creature.
Brownbeard carefully set the creature down
upon its feet.
“Oh, my gosh!” exclaimed Hazel. “It’s a little
boy! You’re a little boy!”
“What on earth, or wherever we are, are you
doing here?” asked Brownbeard.
“And at this time of night! And without a coat
or proper clothing?” asked Hazel.
“I’m sorry!” cried the little boy. “I’m hungry. I
was looking for food.”
Brownbeard laughed gently. “Well, I don’t
think you’ll find it in there. That’s Schmoor’s
collection of single socks.”
“Oh,” said the boy. “I didn’t think it smelled
much like food. But I wasn’t sure.”
Hazel and Brownbeard looked at each other in
wonder.
“Come on downstairs with us,” said Hazel
taking the boy by the hand. “We’ll get you
something to eat.”
The little lad had a voracious appetite. He ate
three bowls of leftover sea snake stew and drank
four mugs of hot chocolate.
“Wow!” exclaimed Brownbeard. “That’s some
appetite. You ate like you’ve never seen food
before.”
“I’ve seen food before,” said the boy. “But not
for a long time. I almost forgot what real food
taste or smells like. It’s really good!”
“You poor dear,” said Hazel. “What are you
doing out on such a cold night? Why aren’t you at
home with your parents in a warm, safe house?”
The boy did not answer.
“What is your name?” asked Brownbeard.
“Felix,” said the boy.
“Hi Felix. I’m Brownbeard,” said Brownbeard.
“I’m Hazel,” said Hazel.
“Hi Brownbeard. Hi Hazel,” said Felix.
“How old are you?” asked Hazel.
“Mmmm, ten I think,” said Felix.
“You think?” asked Brownbeard. “Well, how
many candles were on your last birthday cake?”
“Birthday cake? I don’t remember. Maybe I’m
only nine,” answered Felix.
Brownbeard and Hazel looked at each other
again, trying to figure out one another’s thoughts
on the situation confronting them.
“So,” pressed Brownbeard, “Do you mind
telling us why you snuck onto our ship at this
strange hour? Where are your parents?”
Felix looked down at his empty bowl, but did
not answer Brownbeard.
“Felix, sweetheart,” said Hazel very gently,
“Do you have parents?”
Tears fell into the bowl before Felix. He was
crying.
“That’s okay,” said Brownbeard as soothingly
as he could. “You don’t have to answer us.”
“I have parents,” cried Felix softly. “But they’
re not alive anymore.”
“My poor dear,” said Hazel. “You’re an
orphan!”
“I was stolen from my parents when I was—
six—maybe. I haven’t seen them since,” said Felix.
“Maybe they’re still alive then,” said
Brownbeard.
“I don’t think so,” cried Felix.
“Why don’t you think so?” asked Hazel.
“Because after I was taken from them, they
came and visited me,” answered Felix.
“They visited you?” asked Brownbeard.
“Well, then they were alive at that point. So, what
happened?”
Felix did not answer.
“What did you and your parents talk about
when they visited you?” asked Hazel.
“My parents said that no matter how bad things
got, they would always love me and be with me.
They said that they would not rest until things
were made right and that someday they would
help me to get away,” answered Felix. “And I
have gotten away.”
“Felix,” asked Hazel, “We’re your parents
alive when they visited you?”
Felix shook his head in the negative.
Brownbeard’s eyes widened in fear and
amazement.
“You mean your parents were—ghosts—they
were ghosts when they visited you?” asked
Brownbeard.
“Yes,” said Felix very softly, another tear
running down his cheek.
“Who took you from your parents?” asked
Hazel. “Do you know?”
“The black soldiers,” said Felix.
“Black soldiers? What army? Who do the
soldiers serve?” asked Hazel.
“They’re the soldiers of the sorceress
Pewtrewsha and her consort Morlox,” said Felix.
“They came to our village one night and
kidnapped all of the children. We never saw our
parents alive again. All of us were taken to a
fortress far away.”
“A sorceress,” whispered Hazel.
“That’s horrible!” said Brownbeard. “Isn’t that
illegal?”
“I don’t know,” answered Felix. “I would guess
not. It happens all the time.”
“What happened to you at the fortress?” Hazel
asked.
“I was put to work in the rock quarry. But
some of us cut stone. Some of us polish stone.
Some of us pack the stones up for shipment,”
answered Felix.
“What kind of stones are you talking about?”
asked Brownbeard. “Large or small?”
“About that big,” said Felix, pointing to a rock
in the corner of the kitchen. Brownbeard and
Hazel turned to look where Felix was pointing. In
the corner of the kitchen was one of the rocks
Brownbeard and The Emperor had been hitting in
the coliseum.
“Where did that come from?” asked Hazel.
“Did you take a souvenir?”
“No,” answered Brownbeard. “I’ve got no idea
what it’s doing there. It hitched a ride with us I
guess.”
Brownbeard went over and picked up the
perfect sphere. It filled his palm. It felt cool and
heavy in his hand. Brownbeard set the rock down
on the table before Felix.
“That’s one of them,” said Felix. “Those are
the rocks we make. Then we ship them south to
The Empire of Sa’Laam. See, that’s Pewtrewsha’s
mark of premium quality.” Felix pointed to the
small monogram, or really duogram, “P&M”
engraved into the stone. Brownbeard had noticed
it the night at the coliseum, but never thought
anything of it.
“Oh, my!” said Hazel. “That’s how they get
their rocks! From the slave labor of children!”
“So did you really escape from the fortress?”
asked Brownbeard. “Or were you let out?”
“I really escaped,” said Felix. “We are all
beaten constantly. We are not allowed to speak to
one another. Many of my friends—well, they were
my friends before we we’re taken away—many of
them have become ghosts. We are fed stinking
porridge that makes our heads fuzzy and gives us
barely enough strength to work.”
“Ah, that’s why you didn’t realize Schmoor’s
socks were not food,” observed Brownbeard.
“The stuff you were fed at the fortress must have
smelled the same.”
“I guess,” answered Felix.
“But Felix, how did you escape?” asked Hazel
in admiration. “Surely the fortress of a sorceress
is impossible to escape from!”
“I don’t know,” answered Felix. “I guess we
were all so scared by Pewtrewsha’s threats that no
one had ever dared try to escape. Pewtrewsha and
Morlox always tell us that the few fools who’ve
tried to escape were turned into worms and fed to
Vulderburp and Grobrom.”
“Vulderburp and Grobrom?” asked Hazel.
“They’re Pewtrewsha’s weremonsters,”
answered Felix.
“Weremonsters?” asked Brownbeard.
“So you see, no one ever thinks about leaving.
But I thought about leaving,” continued Felix.
“You more than thought about leaving!”
laughed Brownbeard.
“What about the porridge Pewtrewsha fed
you?” asked Hazel. “If it made your head fuzzy,
how did you keep your mind clear enough to
escape?”
“The day I decided I did not care what
happened if I was caught trying to escape, I
stopped eating my porridge. I poured it out onto
the floor, being careful so that no one would see
what I was doing and tell on me. The next day my
stomach hurt, though not much worse than it did
on any other day. And my head was clear. I
realized the guard post at the place I was working
was unguarded! Maybe it had always been
unguarded, and I just never realized. So, I just
walked out and no one saw me. I was ready to be
run down by the soldiers. But no one stopped
me,” said Felix.
“How long ago did you escape?” asked
Brownbeard.
“I’m not exactly sure. Days and days ago.
Maybe a couple of weeks. I really don’t know,”
answered Felix.
“What have you been eating all this time?”
asked Hazel in amazement.
“Not much,” said Felix. “I’ve eaten lichens
growing on the boulders. There are a few edible
mushrooms and mosses as well. It’s all better than
the porridge.”
“How have you been staying warm?” asked
Brownbeard.
“I’ve built a little hut out of small boulders,
twigs, and earth in a little valley not too far away.
There’s some wood around, so I’ve been able to
build fires. I was collecting wood up on the cliffs
overlooking the ocean late this afternoon. That’s
when I saw your ship run aground during that
storm,” said Felix.
“That was a strange storm,” said Hazel.
Felix shrugged his shoulders. “I guess so. You
are lucky your ship didn’t smash apart on the
rocks. You somehow managed to run aground in
the only place that was safe enough to do so,” he
said.
* * *
Hazel drew Felix a hot bath. Brownbeard made
up a bed and found some clean clothes for him to
wear. Felix was a little bit taller than either
Wilbert or Schmoor, but it would have to do for
now. Hazel came into the room where Brownbeard
was picking out some clothes for Felix. There
were tears in her eyes.
“I know, it’s awful,” said Brownbeard as he
put an arm around Hazel. “But do you think he’s
telling the truth. You know, sometimes children
make up fantastic stories. Maybe he’s a run away
and his parents are really alive.”
“If they are, then they’re horrible,” said Hazel.
“How do you know that?” asked Brownbeard.
“I saw Felix’s chest and arms. He has bruises
and scars all over his body. Oh, Brownie!” cried
Hazel as she struggled against her tears, “He’s
been savagely beaten! Wherever he’s come from,
it’s not a good place!”
“Okay, okay,” said Brownbeard giving Hazel a
reassuring hug. “He’s safe now. We’ll take him
back with us as soon as we get the hyperdrive
working.”
“No,” said Hazel.
“No, really, I don’t mind taking him home with
us. I think we should help him,” said Brownbeard.
“No, we’re not leaving this place,” said Hazel.
“No, we’re not leaving this place?” repeated
Brownbeard. “Get a grip Hazel! This place is a
wasteland! It’s the most depressing place I’ve ever
seen. Nothing but cold, dreary desolation as far as
the eye can see. Why would you not want to leave
immediately?”
“You heard Felix!” said Hazel. “What about
all those children working in that fortress under
the most wretched conditions? Making rocks so
that The Emperor and all his buddies can sit back
like fat cats and play a stupid game? I have never
ever seen something so disgusting! We’re going to
liberate the fortress,” declared Hazel matter-of-
factly.
“Hazel!” burst Brownbeard. “Are you out of
your mind! Did you hear what Felix said about
soldiers coming in the night to kidnap the children
from the village? Those soldiers are the ones who
are responsible for the disappearance of Felix’s
parents.”
“Right,” agreed Hazel.
“So how many soldiers are there anyway? Too
many for us to battle, no doubt. Then there’s the
matter of a sorceress and her consort. Your magic
has been getting weaker while I’ll bet hers is in
top form. And then there are the weremonsters
Felix talked about—Vuldergrom and Groburp.”
“Vulderburp and Grobrom,” Hazel corrected.
“Whatever!” said Brownbeard. “My point is
that we’d be in over our heads! We can’t take on
an army and a sorceress and two weremonsters! I
mean, I’m with you on the good intentions part,
but let’s be realistic!”
“You self-absorbed cretin!” Hazel lashed out
at Brownbeard as she took a step towards him, her
eyes flashing with anger. “And to think I defended
you before Fats as being courageous!”
“You mean Elvis,” corrected Brownbeard as
he took several steps back from the advancing
Hazel.
“Whatever! This is important. Nothing else we’
ve done so far compares to this. Not your
indecision about a career. Not our encounter with
The Emperor. Not our efforts to get home. Not
even our future together. Nothing. Finally, an
opportunity to do something courageous and
important comes along and you would dare
chicken out? That’s fine Brownbeard! But you
leave for home by yourself. I’m not scared of
some lame sorceress who has to enslave children
to puff herself up. Well, maybe I’m a little scared.
But that’s not going to stop me! This is about
doing the right thing, and if you can’t see that,
then—then good riddens to you!” exclaimed Hazel.
“Hazel,” answered Brownbeard calmly, “You
are as good as they come at laying on a guilt trip.
But you will not get me to ‘do the right thing’ by
trying to shame me. I’m not a coward. I’m a
realist. If you want to go get help from somewhere
then fine, I’m all for that.”
“Where?” asked Hazel. “To where would we
go to get help? We’re just a few days journey
from the most powerful civilization in the known
Universe and they’re not going to help us! The
richest civilization ever and they get their rocks on
the cheap thanks to enslaved orphans! Yeah,
Brownie! Let’s get them to help us! Good idea!”
“I’m not saying them,” said Brownbeard
defensively. “What about Elvis? Maybe he could
help.”
“I’m sure a severe thunderstorm is going to
make Pewtrewsha see the error of her ways,” said
Hazel, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “There’s
no time to wait. You heard Felix. Some of his
friends have already become ghosts! While we go
to get reinforcements, how many more children
will become ghosts? How many more children will
be stolen from their families?”
Brownbeard did not have an answer besides, “I’
m sorry Hazel. I just can’t do this. It sounds like
an impossible task. More so than any other
endeavor we have thus far contemplated.”
Hazel did not say anything at first. Then, very
quietly, she answered, “Fine Brownbeard. Do
what you need to do, as will I. Good luck to you.”
* * *
Brownbeard had been lost in his own thoughts
and self-pity when a knock came at the door. It
was Felix.
“Come in Felix,” said Brownbeard as
cheerfully as he could.
Felix was in a too-small robe, his hair still
damp from bathwater.
“I never thought I’d say this,” said Felix, “but
wow! Was that bath great! I didn’t even realize I
was so yucky.”
Brownbeard laughed.
“Hazel said you had some clothes for me to
wear,” said Felix.
“Oh, right,” said Brownbeard. “Hmmm, I’m not
sure how well they will fit, but here are some
pajamas for you. And here is a clean, warm bed
for you to sleep in.”
Felix took off the robe. Brownbeard tried not
to gasp out loud, but that proved impossible.
Now, he understood why Hazel was so adamant
about attacking the fortress of Pewtrewsha and
Morlox. The reddish-brown stripes criss-crossing
Felix’s body were terrible.
“I know,” said Felix, noticing that Brownbeard
was staring at his scars, “It looks awful. Hazel
helped heal a lot of the infected wounds. I didn’t
even realize how much I hurt. She’s a great
doctor.”
“I’m sorry,” said Brownbeard. “I don’t mean to
stare. I just wonder what a young boy could have
done to deserve such treatment.”
“I don’t know,” said Felix. “I never asked
myself that.”
Brownbeard tucked Felix into bed.
“Sweet dreams,” said Brownbeard to the little
boy.
“Yes, sweet dreams,” said Felix.
Brownbeard blew out the candle and went to
find Hazel.
“You’re right again, Hazel,” said Brownbeard.
“I’m with you all the way. No matter the
outcome.”
“No, Brownie,” said Hazel. “This isn’t your
fight. Just go away. Once the hyperdrive is fixed,
you take the For Sale and go back home.
Kumquat will show you how to work the controls.”
“Stop it,” ordered Brownbeard. “I’m not giving
you a choice in the matter. Whether you want me
or not, I’m going along.”
Hazel did not say anything.
“Good night,” said Brownbeard as he went to
his room to try to get some sleep.
supper rather than find rocks for the hyperdrive.
“Navigation through hyperspace requires a
well-rested team,” cautioned Kumquat.
“Then let’s get some sleep. We’ll head for
home in the morning,” said Brownbeard.
Brownbeard’s bed began to tilt backwards as
he drifted off to sleep. He was about to slide off
into the Land of Nod when part of his brain went
on high alert. He thought he heard footsteps on his
ceiling. Someone was walking around on the deck
above. Brownbeard was caught in a tug-of-war.
One part of him said, “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’
s just your imagination. Maybe it’s Hazel or one
of the gang.”
Another part of him said, “Wake-up now! This
could be serious! Maybe someone is here to rob
you!” Brownbeard fought to wake-up and get out
of bed. As he tossed his legs onto the floor, he
heard another footstep. It was a quiet, muffled
sound, but it was definitely real. Brownbeard was
fully awake. He quickly slipped on his boots and
made sure he had his sword. Stepping into the
darkened hallway, Brownbeard ran into Hazel.
“Did you hear that?” asked Brownbeard.
“Yes! I was hoping it was you,” whispered
Hazel.
“Maybe its Kumquat, Wilbert or Schmoor,”
said Brownbeard.
“No, I checked. They’re sound asleep,” said
Hazel.
“All right, I’ll go check it out,” said
Brownbeard.
“I’m right with you,” said Hazel.
Hazel cast a small spell around them that gave
them the ability to walk very, very quietly, and
even remain invisible to most creatures they might
encounter.
“Are you sure this spell will work?” asked
Brownbeard.
“No,” answered Hazel. “If it’s those skeleton
creatures that were following you, then they’ll be
able to see us with no problem.”
A chill ran up Brownbeard’s spine as he
recollected his encounter with them back in old
New Ferry. The two began to walk up the stairs to
the upper deck. They emerged onto the dark, dark
deck near the For Sale’s aft and looked around.
There was nothing apparent. Then, they heard a
sound from the forward deck. Hazel and
Brownbeard began to move in the direction of the
sound. Their eyes could barely make out a chest
on the deck with its lid open. Something went
flying out of the chest. Then something else.
“There’s something in the chest!” hissed
Brownbeard.
“What could it be?” wondered Hazel.
“A raccoon?” wondered Brownbeard.
“What?” asked Hazel.
“Yeah, they use to raid my food stuffs when I
went camping. They’d climb right into my bag at
night and throw out anything that wasn’t food, and
then eat my goodies. I learned to string my
supplies up between two trees.”
“Brownbeard! This is a rocky beach in the
northern latitudes of a planet light years away
from where you used to camp! Do you really think
we’ve got raccoons on board?” asked an
incredulous Hazel.
“I think anything is possible!” answered
Brownbeard.
The two continued to advance upon whatever
was in the chest. Brownbeard drew his sword,
ready to strike whatever sharp clawed, razor
fanged beast might be ready to leap from within.
Hazel prepared a bolt of paralysis from her
repertoire of spells. Another item from the chest
came flying out and landed on Brownbeard’s
head. It was an old stocking from Schmoor’s sock
collection.
“Phew!” said Brownbeard.
Whatever was inside the chest did not seem to
mind the smells of Schmoor’s vast array of socks
from around the Universe. But what could this
creature want with Schmoor’s sock collection?
Perhaps it was a rival sock gremlin. Hazel had
said that sock gremlin’s from rival tribes would
raid one another’s supply of socks. Brownbeard
peered into the chest, sword held high. Hazel’s
hands shimmered with the energy of the spell she
was ready to release. Sock after sock flew out of
the chest. Brownbeard squinted to make out just
what kind of beast was down in the chest. Letting
down his sword, a foolhardy Brownbeard with
hands bare reached into the chest and grabbed by
the hair a small creature from within. The creature
shrieked in fear and fury as it flailed ferociously.
“Brownbeard! Don’t do that!” screamed Hazel.
“You’ll get your hands chewed off!”
“Ouch! Let me go! Please! You’re pulling my
hair out!” screamed the creature.
Brownbeard carefully set the creature down
upon its feet.
“Oh, my gosh!” exclaimed Hazel. “It’s a little
boy! You’re a little boy!”
“What on earth, or wherever we are, are you
doing here?” asked Brownbeard.
“And at this time of night! And without a coat
or proper clothing?” asked Hazel.
“I’m sorry!” cried the little boy. “I’m hungry. I
was looking for food.”
Brownbeard laughed gently. “Well, I don’t
think you’ll find it in there. That’s Schmoor’s
collection of single socks.”
“Oh,” said the boy. “I didn’t think it smelled
much like food. But I wasn’t sure.”
Hazel and Brownbeard looked at each other in
wonder.
“Come on downstairs with us,” said Hazel
taking the boy by the hand. “We’ll get you
something to eat.”
The little lad had a voracious appetite. He ate
three bowls of leftover sea snake stew and drank
four mugs of hot chocolate.
“Wow!” exclaimed Brownbeard. “That’s some
appetite. You ate like you’ve never seen food
before.”
“I’ve seen food before,” said the boy. “But not
for a long time. I almost forgot what real food
taste or smells like. It’s really good!”
“You poor dear,” said Hazel. “What are you
doing out on such a cold night? Why aren’t you at
home with your parents in a warm, safe house?”
The boy did not answer.
“What is your name?” asked Brownbeard.
“Felix,” said the boy.
“Hi Felix. I’m Brownbeard,” said Brownbeard.
“I’m Hazel,” said Hazel.
“Hi Brownbeard. Hi Hazel,” said Felix.
“How old are you?” asked Hazel.
“Mmmm, ten I think,” said Felix.
“You think?” asked Brownbeard. “Well, how
many candles were on your last birthday cake?”
“Birthday cake? I don’t remember. Maybe I’m
only nine,” answered Felix.
Brownbeard and Hazel looked at each other
again, trying to figure out one another’s thoughts
on the situation confronting them.
“So,” pressed Brownbeard, “Do you mind
telling us why you snuck onto our ship at this
strange hour? Where are your parents?”
Felix looked down at his empty bowl, but did
not answer Brownbeard.
“Felix, sweetheart,” said Hazel very gently,
“Do you have parents?”
Tears fell into the bowl before Felix. He was
crying.
“That’s okay,” said Brownbeard as soothingly
as he could. “You don’t have to answer us.”
“I have parents,” cried Felix softly. “But they’
re not alive anymore.”
“My poor dear,” said Hazel. “You’re an
orphan!”
“I was stolen from my parents when I was—
six—maybe. I haven’t seen them since,” said Felix.
“Maybe they’re still alive then,” said
Brownbeard.
“I don’t think so,” cried Felix.
“Why don’t you think so?” asked Hazel.
“Because after I was taken from them, they
came and visited me,” answered Felix.
“They visited you?” asked Brownbeard.
“Well, then they were alive at that point. So, what
happened?”
Felix did not answer.
“What did you and your parents talk about
when they visited you?” asked Hazel.
“My parents said that no matter how bad things
got, they would always love me and be with me.
They said that they would not rest until things
were made right and that someday they would
help me to get away,” answered Felix. “And I
have gotten away.”
“Felix,” asked Hazel, “We’re your parents
alive when they visited you?”
Felix shook his head in the negative.
Brownbeard’s eyes widened in fear and
amazement.
“You mean your parents were—ghosts—they
were ghosts when they visited you?” asked
Brownbeard.
“Yes,” said Felix very softly, another tear
running down his cheek.
“Who took you from your parents?” asked
Hazel. “Do you know?”
“The black soldiers,” said Felix.
“Black soldiers? What army? Who do the
soldiers serve?” asked Hazel.
“They’re the soldiers of the sorceress
Pewtrewsha and her consort Morlox,” said Felix.
“They came to our village one night and
kidnapped all of the children. We never saw our
parents alive again. All of us were taken to a
fortress far away.”
“A sorceress,” whispered Hazel.
“That’s horrible!” said Brownbeard. “Isn’t that
illegal?”
“I don’t know,” answered Felix. “I would guess
not. It happens all the time.”
“What happened to you at the fortress?” Hazel
asked.
“I was put to work in the rock quarry. But
some of us cut stone. Some of us polish stone.
Some of us pack the stones up for shipment,”
answered Felix.
“What kind of stones are you talking about?”
asked Brownbeard. “Large or small?”
“About that big,” said Felix, pointing to a rock
in the corner of the kitchen. Brownbeard and
Hazel turned to look where Felix was pointing. In
the corner of the kitchen was one of the rocks
Brownbeard and The Emperor had been hitting in
the coliseum.
“Where did that come from?” asked Hazel.
“Did you take a souvenir?”
“No,” answered Brownbeard. “I’ve got no idea
what it’s doing there. It hitched a ride with us I
guess.”
Brownbeard went over and picked up the
perfect sphere. It filled his palm. It felt cool and
heavy in his hand. Brownbeard set the rock down
on the table before Felix.
“That’s one of them,” said Felix. “Those are
the rocks we make. Then we ship them south to
The Empire of Sa’Laam. See, that’s Pewtrewsha’s
mark of premium quality.” Felix pointed to the
small monogram, or really duogram, “P&M”
engraved into the stone. Brownbeard had noticed
it the night at the coliseum, but never thought
anything of it.
“Oh, my!” said Hazel. “That’s how they get
their rocks! From the slave labor of children!”
“So did you really escape from the fortress?”
asked Brownbeard. “Or were you let out?”
“I really escaped,” said Felix. “We are all
beaten constantly. We are not allowed to speak to
one another. Many of my friends—well, they were
my friends before we we’re taken away—many of
them have become ghosts. We are fed stinking
porridge that makes our heads fuzzy and gives us
barely enough strength to work.”
“Ah, that’s why you didn’t realize Schmoor’s
socks were not food,” observed Brownbeard.
“The stuff you were fed at the fortress must have
smelled the same.”
“I guess,” answered Felix.
“But Felix, how did you escape?” asked Hazel
in admiration. “Surely the fortress of a sorceress
is impossible to escape from!”
“I don’t know,” answered Felix. “I guess we
were all so scared by Pewtrewsha’s threats that no
one had ever dared try to escape. Pewtrewsha and
Morlox always tell us that the few fools who’ve
tried to escape were turned into worms and fed to
Vulderburp and Grobrom.”
“Vulderburp and Grobrom?” asked Hazel.
“They’re Pewtrewsha’s weremonsters,”
answered Felix.
“Weremonsters?” asked Brownbeard.
“So you see, no one ever thinks about leaving.
But I thought about leaving,” continued Felix.
“You more than thought about leaving!”
laughed Brownbeard.
“What about the porridge Pewtrewsha fed
you?” asked Hazel. “If it made your head fuzzy,
how did you keep your mind clear enough to
escape?”
“The day I decided I did not care what
happened if I was caught trying to escape, I
stopped eating my porridge. I poured it out onto
the floor, being careful so that no one would see
what I was doing and tell on me. The next day my
stomach hurt, though not much worse than it did
on any other day. And my head was clear. I
realized the guard post at the place I was working
was unguarded! Maybe it had always been
unguarded, and I just never realized. So, I just
walked out and no one saw me. I was ready to be
run down by the soldiers. But no one stopped
me,” said Felix.
“How long ago did you escape?” asked
Brownbeard.
“I’m not exactly sure. Days and days ago.
Maybe a couple of weeks. I really don’t know,”
answered Felix.
“What have you been eating all this time?”
asked Hazel in amazement.
“Not much,” said Felix. “I’ve eaten lichens
growing on the boulders. There are a few edible
mushrooms and mosses as well. It’s all better than
the porridge.”
“How have you been staying warm?” asked
Brownbeard.
“I’ve built a little hut out of small boulders,
twigs, and earth in a little valley not too far away.
There’s some wood around, so I’ve been able to
build fires. I was collecting wood up on the cliffs
overlooking the ocean late this afternoon. That’s
when I saw your ship run aground during that
storm,” said Felix.
“That was a strange storm,” said Hazel.
Felix shrugged his shoulders. “I guess so. You
are lucky your ship didn’t smash apart on the
rocks. You somehow managed to run aground in
the only place that was safe enough to do so,” he
said.
* * *
Hazel drew Felix a hot bath. Brownbeard made
up a bed and found some clean clothes for him to
wear. Felix was a little bit taller than either
Wilbert or Schmoor, but it would have to do for
now. Hazel came into the room where Brownbeard
was picking out some clothes for Felix. There
were tears in her eyes.
“I know, it’s awful,” said Brownbeard as he
put an arm around Hazel. “But do you think he’s
telling the truth. You know, sometimes children
make up fantastic stories. Maybe he’s a run away
and his parents are really alive.”
“If they are, then they’re horrible,” said Hazel.
“How do you know that?” asked Brownbeard.
“I saw Felix’s chest and arms. He has bruises
and scars all over his body. Oh, Brownie!” cried
Hazel as she struggled against her tears, “He’s
been savagely beaten! Wherever he’s come from,
it’s not a good place!”
“Okay, okay,” said Brownbeard giving Hazel a
reassuring hug. “He’s safe now. We’ll take him
back with us as soon as we get the hyperdrive
working.”
“No,” said Hazel.
“No, really, I don’t mind taking him home with
us. I think we should help him,” said Brownbeard.
“No, we’re not leaving this place,” said Hazel.
“No, we’re not leaving this place?” repeated
Brownbeard. “Get a grip Hazel! This place is a
wasteland! It’s the most depressing place I’ve ever
seen. Nothing but cold, dreary desolation as far as
the eye can see. Why would you not want to leave
immediately?”
“You heard Felix!” said Hazel. “What about
all those children working in that fortress under
the most wretched conditions? Making rocks so
that The Emperor and all his buddies can sit back
like fat cats and play a stupid game? I have never
ever seen something so disgusting! We’re going to
liberate the fortress,” declared Hazel matter-of-
factly.
“Hazel!” burst Brownbeard. “Are you out of
your mind! Did you hear what Felix said about
soldiers coming in the night to kidnap the children
from the village? Those soldiers are the ones who
are responsible for the disappearance of Felix’s
parents.”
“Right,” agreed Hazel.
“So how many soldiers are there anyway? Too
many for us to battle, no doubt. Then there’s the
matter of a sorceress and her consort. Your magic
has been getting weaker while I’ll bet hers is in
top form. And then there are the weremonsters
Felix talked about—Vuldergrom and Groburp.”
“Vulderburp and Grobrom,” Hazel corrected.
“Whatever!” said Brownbeard. “My point is
that we’d be in over our heads! We can’t take on
an army and a sorceress and two weremonsters! I
mean, I’m with you on the good intentions part,
but let’s be realistic!”
“You self-absorbed cretin!” Hazel lashed out
at Brownbeard as she took a step towards him, her
eyes flashing with anger. “And to think I defended
you before Fats as being courageous!”
“You mean Elvis,” corrected Brownbeard as
he took several steps back from the advancing
Hazel.
“Whatever! This is important. Nothing else we’
ve done so far compares to this. Not your
indecision about a career. Not our encounter with
The Emperor. Not our efforts to get home. Not
even our future together. Nothing. Finally, an
opportunity to do something courageous and
important comes along and you would dare
chicken out? That’s fine Brownbeard! But you
leave for home by yourself. I’m not scared of
some lame sorceress who has to enslave children
to puff herself up. Well, maybe I’m a little scared.
But that’s not going to stop me! This is about
doing the right thing, and if you can’t see that,
then—then good riddens to you!” exclaimed Hazel.
“Hazel,” answered Brownbeard calmly, “You
are as good as they come at laying on a guilt trip.
But you will not get me to ‘do the right thing’ by
trying to shame me. I’m not a coward. I’m a
realist. If you want to go get help from somewhere
then fine, I’m all for that.”
“Where?” asked Hazel. “To where would we
go to get help? We’re just a few days journey
from the most powerful civilization in the known
Universe and they’re not going to help us! The
richest civilization ever and they get their rocks on
the cheap thanks to enslaved orphans! Yeah,
Brownie! Let’s get them to help us! Good idea!”
“I’m not saying them,” said Brownbeard
defensively. “What about Elvis? Maybe he could
help.”
“I’m sure a severe thunderstorm is going to
make Pewtrewsha see the error of her ways,” said
Hazel, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “There’s
no time to wait. You heard Felix. Some of his
friends have already become ghosts! While we go
to get reinforcements, how many more children
will become ghosts? How many more children will
be stolen from their families?”
Brownbeard did not have an answer besides, “I’
m sorry Hazel. I just can’t do this. It sounds like
an impossible task. More so than any other
endeavor we have thus far contemplated.”
Hazel did not say anything at first. Then, very
quietly, she answered, “Fine Brownbeard. Do
what you need to do, as will I. Good luck to you.”
* * *
Brownbeard had been lost in his own thoughts
and self-pity when a knock came at the door. It
was Felix.
“Come in Felix,” said Brownbeard as
cheerfully as he could.
Felix was in a too-small robe, his hair still
damp from bathwater.
“I never thought I’d say this,” said Felix, “but
wow! Was that bath great! I didn’t even realize I
was so yucky.”
Brownbeard laughed.
“Hazel said you had some clothes for me to
wear,” said Felix.
“Oh, right,” said Brownbeard. “Hmmm, I’m not
sure how well they will fit, but here are some
pajamas for you. And here is a clean, warm bed
for you to sleep in.”
Felix took off the robe. Brownbeard tried not
to gasp out loud, but that proved impossible.
Now, he understood why Hazel was so adamant
about attacking the fortress of Pewtrewsha and
Morlox. The reddish-brown stripes criss-crossing
Felix’s body were terrible.
“I know,” said Felix, noticing that Brownbeard
was staring at his scars, “It looks awful. Hazel
helped heal a lot of the infected wounds. I didn’t
even realize how much I hurt. She’s a great
doctor.”
“I’m sorry,” said Brownbeard. “I don’t mean to
stare. I just wonder what a young boy could have
done to deserve such treatment.”
“I don’t know,” said Felix. “I never asked
myself that.”
Brownbeard tucked Felix into bed.
“Sweet dreams,” said Brownbeard to the little
boy.
“Yes, sweet dreams,” said Felix.
Brownbeard blew out the candle and went to
find Hazel.
“You’re right again, Hazel,” said Brownbeard.
“I’m with you all the way. No matter the
outcome.”
“No, Brownie,” said Hazel. “This isn’t your
fight. Just go away. Once the hyperdrive is fixed,
you take the For Sale and go back home.
Kumquat will show you how to work the controls.”
“Stop it,” ordered Brownbeard. “I’m not giving
you a choice in the matter. Whether you want me
or not, I’m going along.”
Hazel did not say anything.
“Good night,” said Brownbeard as he went to
his room to try to get some sleep.
The Adventures of Short Stubbly Brownbeard
Alan J. Levine
* * *
Chapter Thirty-Six
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children's literature?
That's great! But
instead, why don't you
go to the followin'
links to buy yer own
miserable copy of
Brownbeard and
support Pirates
Anonymous? We've
been assisting pirates
with mental health and
hygiene issues since
1633. Brownbeard is
also available to
schools and libraries
through wholesalers
like Follett, Ingram,
and Baker & Taylor.