Because the dock is too small, the ferry does not lock itself in the normal fashion, instead pulling up beside the dock and lowering a ladder across. Just as he is about to board, he feels the weight of the Dock Master's hand on his shoulder.

"If find what ye seek, may it suit the purpose in your heart."

The Dock Master's eyes burn gravely beneath his wool cap. Then the minotaur turns and walks slowly and ponderously back to the cottage on the dock.

He watches the Dock Master leave, then turns and makes his way up the ladder to board the ferry. The Ferry Captain is there to greet him, and to his surprise the man appears to be human.

"Name's Jerry, I'm your captain. This my parrot Polly."

On the Captain's shoulder sits a green parrot with pink wings. The parrot watches him with blank parrot eyes.

Without thinking he blurts out: "Polly want a cracker?"

Polly turns to the captain. "Is this guy some kind of fuckin idiot or something?"

---

Fourteenth chapter in an ongoing serial based on @mariannewest's daily #freewrite writing prompts. Here are the previous chapters listed below:

Chapter One>Chapter Two

Chapter Three>Chapter Four

Chapter Five>Chapter Six

Chapter Seven>Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine>Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven>Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen>Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

And here is Chapter Seventeen.


Written in five minutes from the writing prompt, "cracker" as part of the #freewrite exercise. Image is also by me. You can view the prompt here and check out the other entries; salty and crisp to the last they are! Thanks to @mariannewest for creating and running this daily plate of literary hors d'oeuvres.

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT

I've just began a Writing Contest here on Steemit, called Write FROM my Music. There's SBD to be won, and I'll think you'll find the concept to be a lot of fun. Please check it out and give it a try! I'd love to read what you come up with.