Cabo Meets Monkey

The tale starts here


“She’s a beauty, ain’t she?” More of a statement than a question; the craggy voice continued. “Her name’s The Nami-noru and she’s been in every port in these parts, large or small, more ‘n once,” the voice continued, “She’s fought off scurvy, lawless pirates and weathered storms that would turn any godless heathen into a true believer.” There was a pause and the slightest of sighs. “More’n just wood and canvas; she be a living, breathing woman and there’s none that can match her beauty, her speed; when her sails are full or her grace.”
Cabo Turned in the direction from where the voice came from and was startled by the sight of an aged, but quick eyed monkey. He was wearing a brightly colored silk vest over a blue and white stripped shirt and pantaloons that had been tailored to allow his tail to move freely. There was a heavy silver chain circling his neck and both his ears were pierced, but wore only one golden earring which gleamed and flashed as he spoke.
“You seem to know an awful lot about this ship” croaked Cabo. “That’s because I be one of her mates and have been for as far back as I can remember.” Monkey then turned towards Cabo and looked him dead straight in the eye and said, “I be here to find out why you been watching me ship all day long. What it is you’re up to and what it be you thinkin?” The sudden change in manner and tone surprised Cabo and he now noticed that Monkey had a short jeweled dagger tucked into his belt and that one of his paws was resting lightly upon the hilt. Cabo bowed and said “My name is Cabo and I am a simple frog who is traveling without destination and without plan. The fates are my guides and good to me have they been. I have met with kings of the feather and masters of the fish; horses who seek freedom and stewards who guard the forests. I have traveled with the old man of the desert and talked with the winds and stars. My name is Cabo and am nothing more than a frog with a penchant for adventure”.
“Simple, you say!” Retorted Monkey. “Thar be nothing simple ‘bout any of them thar thangs iffin they be true”. Monkey’s piercing gaze met Cabo’s and Cabo replied, “Oh they are true and I would be happy to share them with you over a tankard of grog and a...” Monkey cut him off. “That still don’t tell me why you be sitting here, studying me vessel.” Cabo smiled and seeing an opportunity to slake his thirst, warm his bones, make a new friend and possibly find a way onto one of these ships, he piped up and said; “lets go into that tavern across the way and see if I can’t answer your question. Let’s share a few tales with each other, for if you have been a mate on that ship I am certain that you will have just as many and possibly even more tales of adventure than I do”. Monkey agreed and the unusual pair, a pink frog and gaudily dressed monkey, made their way across the busy port and into “The Bloodied Hook.”

To be continued.