Pirates of Tezomea Episode 7: Night Hare Nightmare

By Doug and Neesa Chapman

When Callie and Yara head off into an unknown forest to retrieve the ship's lost engine they find more than they bargained for. There's one thing in Tezomea that can reduce Yara into a whimpering puddle. It has a tiny twitching nose, long floppy ears, and a cute fluffy tail. It could also leave entire villages decimated in its wake.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Doug and Neesa Chapman
• Release date: Apr 23, 2015

Doug and Neesa Chapman

Neesa and Doug are a loving married couple living in a modest apartment in Greensboro, North Carolina. They spend as much free time as they can either writing, walking their dog, camping, or going to various sci-fi and fantasy conventions.

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Pirates of Tezomea: Episode 7

Night Hare Nightmare

By Neesa and Doug Chapman

Published by Dragons Entwined Studios on Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Dragons Entwined Studios

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Callie was up to her elbows in suds. She had taken over helping in the kitchen, which meant doing the dishes and helping prepare meals for the crew. It was a job that had been recently vacated by a certain handsome spy.

They had left Collin Garrington standing in a forest several days journey from the nearest town. The royal officer was left with nothing but a wounded accomplice, a few days rations, and a pistol Callie had secreted him during their brief goodbye. Callie could still feel the memory of his lips against hers as they kissed for the first and last time. Since that moment Callie's heart had been painfully empty, and the dishes in the sink had piled up.

Hamster, the ship's cook had been happy to have Callie's help. With the ship grounded, the crew needed plenty of food to sustain them through the arduous repairs. Currently he was baking an enormous batch of blueberry muffins. The smell filled the small space, until every nook was scented with baking goodness.

Nothing helps love troubles like fresh muffins, he told her resolutely.

Callie suspected he was trying keep her busy, and keep her mind from dwelling on recent events. Hamster had piled the sink so high with dishes that she couldn't see the mess hall through the serving window on the other side. It was probably for the best. She had noticed her own tendency to stare into space and sigh wistfully when she thought about the man they left behind.

You'll see him again, she reassured herself, fighting the tears that were welling in her eyes. He's a captain in the royal navy, and you're a pirate, She chided herself softly. But, we all know how these stories end. Absently she popped a few of the murky bubbles, and reached into the suds for another pan.

Callie, called Hamster. Why don't you take a break and have one of these muffins. They have extra blueberries. I know we're s'posed to be rationing, but I won't tell if you don't.

Hamster smiled knowingly and offered her one of the piping hot muffins. Hamster was a short man in his late middle age. He often wore a tweed jacket with a polka dotted bow tie. Portly and congenial, he smiled a lot and took it to heart when those around him weren't smiling as well. It made him look more like an accountant than a pirate. Callie had found herself instantly at ease around the cook.

Boiler, who was Callie's roommate and the ships chief engineer, swore that Hamster had been quite a warrior with an exceptionally rough band of mercenaries before he met his wife. He gave it up for her and had landed instead with Ashtail and his crew. He was called 'Hammer' back then because of his prowess with a large double sided mallet. It was hard for Callie to imagine anyone ever lifting the large weapon. Now, Hamster was using it to prop the kitchen door open. She shook her head, and leaned against the sink, munching the muffin thoughtfully.

Suddenly, the door to the mess hall opened. Captain Ashtail, leader of the pirate crew, stalked past the wooden tables and made his way toward the kitchen. His face was contorted in his usual frown. Hamster fell silent when he saw Ashtail. Even the cooks jovial nature couldn't warm the chill the captain brought with him.

Trailing behind Ashtail, and aping his sulky manner was Yara. She was Ashtail's first mate, though Callie was not sure why. Yara was rude, crass, and incompetent when it came to running a ship. Despite these flaws, Callie had a great deal of respect for the Pard woman. When Yara saw Callie, a sly grin spread across her face. The two had come to an agreement about personal boundaries, but that didn't stop Yara from occasionally pushing the issue.

Coffee. the captain demanded, waiving absently at the cabinet where the mugs were kept.

"You