Skellian and Joe McShoots landed with a thud on a long stretch of white sand. The sun was high in the sky and radiating immense heat down on them. The sound of soft waves lapping a few meters away could be heard, and various birds flew in circles around their heads.
“Bloody hell, lad, this looks alright, don’t it!”
McShoots looked around for a bit. “Looks good, Skell. Better than anywhere else we’ve been, that’s for damn sure.”
The two got up and had a good wonder around the beach. Crabs scuttled across the warm sand, and some fish were jumping out of the water, some of them were wearing little orange hats. “Ever seen a fish wear a fucking hat, Skell?”
Skellian scratched at his red beard. “I ain’t never, in seven hundred years, seen that ‘afore, lad. But anyway, none of our business, leave them there fish to get on with whatever it is they’re doin’.”
Joe suddenly turned to Skellian and blurted out, “The Red Dragon! What happened to the power I was meant to receive, Skel?”
Skellian slapped his stomach and laughed. “Don’t you see, lad? There was never anythin’ in that box, get me? When you opened it, we were pulled back in to old bony’s realm, weren’t we.”
“Flaming fiddly fucksticks,” McShoots said, stamping his feet on the sand. “That bastard lied to me! That coniving, cheating, horrid, putrid excuse for-”
“Lad!” Skellian yelled. “If he hears you sayin’ that shit, we’re both dead! Keep it down, will ya?”
Joe McShoots shrugged his shoulders. “Guess you’re right, Skell. So what now?”
Skellian looked up the beach and noticed a wooden shack at the top of a small slope. He read the sign on the wall above the door. “Sandy’s Inn, eh? Well, what better way to relax for a week than to sip on some fruity alcoholic beverages, eh Shooty me boy? Come on, let’s head up.”
The two walked the short trail to the Inn, and went through the small doorway. Inside were a couple of tables and a few people standing and drinking at the bar. The people at the bar turned to look at the newcomers, but their facial expressions seemed pleased to see them. “Bloody hell, lad. Normally people give us the evil eyes of a smashed crab whenever we walk into somewhere. This is a first.”
Joe McShoots smiled. “Sure is. Although, it seems a bit too convenient, if you ask me. There must be some trick afoot.”
Skellian scratched at his beard again. “Only one way to find out, lad. Barkeep! We’re new here, you see, and we both are wanting some delicious fruity booze slung across this here bar. What have you got?”
The barman turned, in his hand was a large glass that he was drying with a white towel. “Welcome, welcome! New faces, I see. Excellent. We’re very welcoming folk, round here. You won’t be troubled none, I can tell you that much for the skin of a witch’s tit! Now, if it’s fruit you’re wanting, never fear, for I have just the stuff for you.”
The barman turned away from the bar and knelt down, opening a door and retrieving a glass jug of orange liquid. “This here is the local island punch. Packed with fruit. Packed, I say! I guarantee, once you’ve had a sip of this each, you’ll feel the best you’ve felt in years!”
Joe McShoots nudged Skellian in the shoulder. “This sounds a heck of a lot better than that ‘death’ stuff, eh Skell? I’m liking this place, that’s for true. Come on, let’s have some.”
Skellian smiled. “Fill ’em up, man! Looks like lovely stuff.”
The barman winked and filled up two tall glasses with the punch, then slid them one by one along the length of the bar. Skellian stopped both of them with his hand, and passed one to Joe McShoots.
“Chin chin, lad!” and with that, they clinked their glasses and took a sip of the amber fluid.
Skellian’s eyes opened wide, and his mouth dropped open. “Corr, hell! That’s some seriously tasty stuff, barkeep! Jeepers. McShooty, what’s the verdict?”
“I’ve never tasted anything like it, Skell! Truly. This is some unbelievably good shit!”
The barkeep smiled, and slung the towel over his shoulder. “Told you, didn’t I, lads? Now tell me, what brings you here?”
Skellian took another sip, then wiped the back of his mouth before placing the glass down on the bar. “To be truthful to ya, barkeep, we needed a rest. We’ve been through hell and back, so we have, in the last couple of weeks. I couldn’t take no more!”
“Yeah,” McShoots said. “We asked the bony man in the robes to send us on holiday for a week, basically. And here we are.”
The barkeep raised an eyebrow. “Bony man in-“
Skellian laughed. “Never mind all that! Not important. Now, tell me, man. What’s there to do on this here island? What’s this place even called? We don’t have the foggiest.”
“This is the island of eternal bliss, weary traveller. Most people who come here never leave, you know. It’s the most relaxing bloody place in the universe, and that ain’t a lie. If you’re looking for stuff to do, all you’ve got to do is have a look about. There’s always something to bump into, some trail to get lost down, some wonder to behold. That’s my advice to you pair. Just have a good walk about. I won’t say no more on the matter.”
Skellian nodded. “Sounds alright to me. But first, I noticed some deck chairs at the back there. Any chance of a couple?”
The barkeep nodded quickly. “Certainly! Grab yourself one each and set them up out front. Take in the views. The sunshine. Relax!”
Skellian and Joe grabbed a chair each and headed outside. Before they were out the door, the barkeep shouted, “I’ll bring more drinks out shortly!”
Joe McShoots looked up to Skellian, his eyes glistening. “I could get used to this, old boy.”
Skellian smiled. “Me too, lad. Me too.”
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