Chapter 11 First Mate Minnie

The Rose had weathered the storm very well. A few cracks of thunder has woken Will during the night, especially one that rumbled him down to the bones. But apart from that he had another good nights sleep.

Feeling around on the bed, but Minnie was not to be found. And considering this was one of the few times in her life she had not slept beside him, Will was concerned. Throwing the previous days clothes on he quickly left the cabin, looking for her.

As he climbed to the main deck he could hear a curious sound, like someone sweeping. There was a fair amount of debris on deck, leaves, small twigs and even a dead seagull sadly crumpled down.

He had to rub his eyes and look closely..”What the,”. Minnie was struggling mightily with a whisk broom as she tried to sweep the deck. Again she had grown overnight and was now easily three feet tall.Her legs had stretched and grown wider as had her hind paws, more like feet now.Her front paws appeared to be small hands with long slender fingers and a thumb.

“Ahoy crewmate!” he called laughing .Startled she gave a bark, dropped her broom and galloped over to him.Throwing her little arms around his legs and gave him a tight hug.“Whose my best friend hmmm.” He tousled her head and ears, kneeling down to return her hug.She looked up into his face, ”me me me”.

The words were clear, squeaky but clear.

If this had happened in Will’s old world he would probably had a heart attack. Things like this just didn’t happen there. A day to day routine broken up by nothing. No fantasy, no wonder, a plain sober world, and if it was all he had ever known, he would have been content.

But in this world, he didn’t know what changes had been made to his mind or soul, psyche, but things were easier to accept. There was wonder here, small magic’s perhaps, things were special. Adventure awaited them, not life and death adventure but adventure it was.

“So you can talk now huh” Will said looking at her closely.Minnie looked at Will, “Yeah yeah can talk…didn’t talk but now can, was hard now easy can talk talk talk talk talky talk, lots.”.Will laughed, “You sure can.”. Sitting back and and leaning against the rail, Min sat beside him. Why not a talking dog he thought, why not. Elaith probably changed her like he changed me. “First thing we have to do is find Regina and let her know I don’t need to hire a crewman, then find Stephen and see if he know if this happens to all the dogs that come here.”.he told Minnie. “Hungry dad..real hungry” Minnie squeaked.“Me too” replied Will “it’s going to be a busy day, let’s go to town and see what’s for breakfast.”.

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He headed back to his cabin first to finish dressing and also to see if there was something that would fit Min. Can’t have a hairy first mate wandering around. Luckily he found some children’s clothes stowed in the bottom of a dresser and let Min pick out some gear.

Imagine..this. A small dog person wearing a pair of bib overalls, high leather boots and a bright yellow sou’wester. “The height of fashion Min, they will all be jealous”. Will reassured her. Min loved her hat and was tossing it in the air, playing with it, finally jamming it on her head and leaving it there. Finishing up in his cabin Will climbed to the main deck and he and Min jumped down to the quay and headed to the tavern.

“Righto..let’s look for some breakfast, then supplies”. said Will holding his hand out to Min. As they walked through the brisk morning air Minnie was talking about the water, the beach, the Rose, her hat, a really nice smell in the brush, what to eat, sleeping, her hat again, Regina, eggs and bacon, coal, Will, why fish are yucky, brooms, birds, that her tail needed brushing and her ears trimming.

Also that she liked her hat, and that Will needed a hat too.

In his previous world Will had children and grandchildren so he was quite used to this nonstop talking. It was endearing to hear it again as all the young ones had grown up and away . Reaching the tavern Will was happy to find it open and busy. They were lucky to find a seat by the fireplace and Regina gave them a wave…then bustled over at the sight of Minnie.

“What in the world, oh Minnie how you’ve grown.” she said, sitting down beside them.Min pointed at her hat, “You smell like bacon, do you like bacon too, cause I sure do.”. Regina was stunned, “What, how, when did happen yesterday?”. “Overnight too” Will answered.“Does this happen to all dogs here…or is this because of where we’re from?”.“There’s lots of dogs here, mostly working dogs, on the farms to the south” said Regina “ But I’ve never heard of anything like this, she looks happy though”. Looking at Minnie who was off investigating the fireplace then back at Will.“Are you doing all right?”.

Will nodded, “oh yeah. I mean there’s been a lot of changes, coming here, the Rose and now Min. It just feels right, like this is my next step.”. “I better get back to it then “ said Regina. “Stephen will probably be in here soon, but I will send your food over soon.”. As she left Minnie jumped onto the chair beside Will, “bacon soon yeah”. Will laughed and patted her her “ yes soon, in fact now”. A young lad dropped off their meal and they dug in. After showing Min how to use a spoon and fork to eat with, they enjoyed their food and finished with a cup of hot tea. “don’t like the weedy dirt water much” said Minnie. “You might get to like it but warmed milk might be better” replied Will.

Will saw no sign of Stephen so he decided to head out to look for him, as there was much to plan. To see where they were going to head first. If the village needed a fish haul, or an ore run. Perhaps a longer trip for trading with other places. Yes there was lots to do.

“Let’s go Min, times wasting”.

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William Harris

Age 62

Intelligence 15/50

Strength 10/50

Vitality 10/50

Stamina 9/50

Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner ,

Captain of the heartboat Rose, navigation

Mechanic 1