Chapter Two Hundred and Six - Ho Again, Ho Again
The first sign I saw that we were nearing Hopsalot, was the Beaver Cleavers bright balloon hovering over the little town.
We huffed and puffed our way up a final hill, and in so doing, got to see the whole town out ahead of us. Tree-house hos and little burrows, open fields where neat little gardens were soaking up morning sunshine and the little gurgling river that swished and swashed through the village, never going in a straight line when it could instead ander around hills and through little creeks and under arched stone bridges with trellis-covered sides.
I raised a hand and cupped it over my forehead to shield my eyes from the sun. I could make out buns, most with bright white shirts and with adorable little overalls on, so caring for their gardens while the little ones ran around and chased each other over hills, their long bunny ears bouncing with every step. The older buns were usually sitting on the porches before their burrow hos, rocking on finely crafted chairs and smoking from reed pipes.
Were here! I called back to the others.
Behind were my best friends. Awen still had bandages around her waist from where shed gotten hurt the night before, and Amaryllis looked a bit miffed at having to walk through the forest so much. The branches and leaves tended to get caught in her feathers, much to her very loud annoyance.
Bastion ca up behind them, looking like a very small knight in shining armour. He smiled at , relaxed as a sylph paladin could be. His wings fluttered behind him as he skipped off a boulder.
Then there were the buns. Momma in her half-plate, and Carrot whod removed her gauntlets and had them tied by her waist so that they clanged and banged with every step. Buster took up the very rear of the group, the huge bun stomping along with his big hamr slung onto his shoulder.
Peter was... sowhere. He was the sneaky sort, so it wasnt too surprising that I couldnt spot him. Hed show up if anything needed our attention, I was sure.
Carrot bounced up and ca to a stop at the top of the hill, right next to . Her ears wiggled with poorly suppressed excitent, and her grin was as wide as a grin could be. Ho! she declared.
Ho! I said right back.
Hopsalot wasnt my ho, of course, but the Beaver certainly was. I could only-just make out a few figures on the airships deck, so of them with long bun-ears.
Momma caught up to us with the others and took in a deep breath. Ah, there was a ti, once, where I would leave for months on end. Wanderlust dragging this way and that. Now I can hardly leave for more than a day or two without fearing that everything will crumble apart without there.
I giggled. Im sure its not so bad, I said.
So of the buns in Hopsalot spotted our party, because within monts a whole crowd of little buns had gathered by the edge of the village. They stared at us, so of them holding up their ears away from their eyes while others hesitated and only peeked our way from behind bushes and little picket fences.
When we ca over, their hesitation broke and soon we were sward by a whole gaggle of buns.
Carrot darted ahead, picked one little bun up by the armpits, and spun her around a couple of tis before squeezing them tight. Im back! she said while the little bun tried really hard to return the hug, even though her arms were too short to wrap around Carrots sides.
I felt Awen and Amaryllis shuffle up behind , using as an ablative layer against all the bouncing and smiling buns. Hello! I said.
Their reply was a cacophony of questions that I couldnt possibly answer all at once. From asking if wed fought big monsters, to wondering if they could visit the airship again, to very generous offers to join them in playing extre hopscotch.
Ah, Im sorry everybun. But my friends and I need to follow Momma for a bit! Well have so ti to play after that, Im sure!
Momma was kneeling down, hugging buns that needed hugs, patting buns that needed pats, and sotis pinching fat, chubby cheeks, much to the dismay of the buns whose faces she pinched.
It took a bit for the sea of little buns to recede and for us to be able to head deeper into the town. Buster was entirely covered in buns, who seed to have confused the big man for a jungle-gym of sorts. Peter, of course, was nowhere to be seen. He didnt seem the sort to take kindly to being pestered by little buns.
Momma shooed so of them along, and Carrot saved the day by sacrificing herself a mont later with a declaration of, Who wants to play tag?
The screaming horde bounced after Carrot, a whole bunch of ears wobbling as they chased her.
Aww, I said.
Thank the World, Amaryllis said. I cant handle one child. That many is just a disaster in the making.
Oh, we have little disasters all the ti, Momma said. Buns who get caught between pickets, buns who get into fights over favourite dolls, little buns who discover so interesting insect, na it, start treating it as a favoured pet, and are then devastated when the insect passes away... usually on the sa day they found it.
Oh no, I said. That happened to once. I had a pet praying mantis, but I didn't tell my mom that little m was a pet, and she smacked it with a fly-swatter. I was devastated.
Awa, I never had a pet before, Awen said.
Ive always wanted a cat, Amaryllis added. They have very agreeable personalities.
Is that why you get along so well with Orange? I asked.
I suppose so. The spirit cat is obviously a grand and noble creature. I see a lot of myself in her, Amaryllis said.
Snorting, I turned to Awen. What about you? We could probably get you a pet, if you wanted. Like a dog? Airships can have dogs, right?
I dont think thats a great idea, Awen said. Dogs need room to move, and the Beaver is a little small for that.
I pouted. My plan, newly-created, to use Awen as an excuse to get a dog had been foiled. Well, alright. Maybe a parrot, we are pirates after all.
I would like to log my protest, Bastion said. I am not a pirate. Nor for that matter are any of you.
Sky pirate, sorry, I said.
No, he said, with obvious exasperation. It turned into contrite resignation when I giggled. He has a knack for making strange faces whenever I catch him flat-footed.
I was expecting Momma to lead us to her ho, but instead she moved towards the little hill where the Beaver had set down his anchor. I genuinely wish we could have you stay, if only for a little longer, but if my suspicions are correct, then the Insmouth dungeon is in as great a risk as the Newbinnings dungeon was.
We need to head over there and fix it as soon as we can, then? I asked.
Momma nodded. Im confident you can manage. In either case, Ill send so of my better buns over, Carrot and perhaps Peter included, just to see if they need assistance in a days ti.
They could co with us, I offered.
Momma shook her head. They need ti with their families. And you need a bit of a break too, I imagine. Still, the World doesnt always have as much concern for us as wed wish.
I sighed. Okay. We should probably get Awen back to bed anyway.
Awa? Im better now, Awen said. She reached over and touched her side. Theres just so scabbing now. I took potions.
Im still worried, I said.
You were impaled once, and we didnt do this much for you, Awen said. Rember? In that glass dungeon?
Well, yeah, I was fine, I said.
Awen crossed her arms and levelled a very un-Awen look at . Dont be a hypocrite, Broc. I can deal with a bit of pain.
Momma laughed, and Amaryllis seed very proud of Awen while I pouted. Fine, fine, I said.
We arrived in the shadow cast by the Beaver, and I saw Oda and Sally, the Scallywags, looking over the rails at us. There were a couple of the older little buns with them. Those that were around the Scallywags own ages. I waved, and they waved back.
Do you need anything for your return trip? Momma asked.
I considered it. I dont think so? So supplies wouldnt go amiss. Our voyage has already gone on for a lot longer than we expected.
We didnt get as much fuel in Needleford as we could have, Awen said. But I dont think we can get any here.
"Im afraid that Hopsalot doesnt have much use for that sort of thing, Momma agreed. What about food and such?
Were fine there, Amaryllis said. Thank you.
Bastion bowed at the waist. I wish to thank you as well, maam, he said. Your hospitality has been wonderful, and your prompt action has likely done much to keep your little town safe.
Thats just a mothers job, Momma said. Co, Ill give you all a quick hug for the trip back.
I crashed into Momma, because really, her hugs were the best. Then it was the others turn, though Bastion politely declined, and Amaryllis made noises as if she wanted to decline while eagerly accepting the hug.
Im going to miss Hopsalot, I said. And I was only here for less than a day. I let my shoulders droop a bit, and my gaze wandered over the town. It was just so chaotically peaceful. The big hos built into trees, the doors stuck into the sides of hills, the little streets, paved in carefully laid cobbles. The river sang a gurgling song, accompanied by the wind whispering over grassy hills.
Then a whole bunch of little ones appeared, all of them scrambling over Carrot who took a tumble and rolled down a hill to the tune of rry screams.
I would offer to let you stay, Momma said when she looked away from the spectacle. None of the little buns looked to be hurt from the flop down the hill. But I suspect that youre at that point in your life where adventure has its hooks in you, and where youd want nothing more than to ddle. It might be best for everyone here if you only ca back when youre a little older, and a little calr.
Im not a ddler, I defended myself.
Amaryllis snorted.
Is this mock Broccoli day? I asked.
Its always mock Broccoli day, Amaryllis said. She nodded to Momma. Well probably fly back over here again, on the way North.
Then stop by for tea, Momma said. No matter the hour.
Amaryllis nodded, then moved over to a ladder that soone had left dangling off the Beavers side. Co on, Broccoli, youre holding us back!
Oh, right, okay, I said. I jumped to Momma, gave her a last hug, got my head rubbed for my troubles, then darted back to the Beaver.
When we climbed aboard, we found a few curious buns on deck, with Clive sitting on one of the steps leading to the aft castle and explaining things. Howard the fishman was nearby too, wringing his webbed fingers as he approached.
Ill make sure we dont have any uninvited guests aboard, Amaryllis said. You deal with Howard here.
I nodded and skipped over to the fishman. Heya, I said.
Hello Captain Bunch, he said. How did it go?
It went well enough, I said. We know how to fix your dungeon now, but I think we ought to hurry back. It gets harder and harder to fix things as ti goes on. We dont want to be too late, I said.
Howards shoulders loosened and he gave a fishy smile. Oh, thank the fathomless depths, he said.
Dont worry Howard, my friends and I will have everything back to how it ought to be in a jiffy!
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