Cool Ranch:
Onward to Santo Pollo
As far as she heard Captain Blood wasn't the best sun ray in the skyway. Ashley still couldn't forget the fight with the scorpion queen- the dang parasite ripped her jacket to peaces!
Yeah, apart from that Ashley took sheriff Cogburn's advise and went looking for information in the Silver Spur. She told Bill Peacock about her search.
'' Captain Blood...'' he put the glass he polished aside,'' now there's a name. Years after his death he still casts a long shadow. There's hundreds of legends about him. The historian,'' he pointed behind Ashley to a old dog, sitting all alone to a table.'' Argleston, recon he's heard them all.'' Ashley thanked him and approached the historian. His coat was warned off and he had round spectacles. Argleston took his eyes away from his papers and said:
'' Greetings, young wizard...er...pirate,'' he corrected taking a better look at her,'' I beg your pardon, old habits and all that.''
'' It's nothing,'' Ashley said with a pleasant smile,'' May I sit here?''
'' Certainly!''
'' I'm Ashley Holystone. I heard you're the closest historian, can you lend me a hand?'' she watched as Argleston packed up his documents, then knitted his hands on the table.
'' What can I do for you?''
'' Captain Blood. We have a problem with him, what do you know?''
'' Ah...Captain Barnabus Blood is one of the most infamous pirates in history. I have his picture here.'' he handed Ashley an old photo. She had no idea how someone can carry a photo with such a man: Blood's face was distorted with a really hooked nose. Speaking of hooks, he was pointing his massive hook at the camera. Someone had to go trough a lot of trouble on getting this picture right.
'' Some say Blood was so evil, Death wouldn't claim him''
'' No wonder,'' said Ashley giving back the picture with disgust.
'' He stole all the gold Marco Pollo brought from El Dorado, and hided here in Cool Ranch!''
'' And his lair?''
'' I have no idea where his lair might be- the confounded thing's a secret!'' laughed the dog.'' I can only think of only one person who might know...The surest method of finding Captain Blood's lair is to find the legendary masked hero who defeated him: El Toro.'' music came from somewhere. Ashley looked around and figured the musicians were just checking their instruments. '' Not an easy man to find...''
Ashley leaned back to her seat. '' The Monquistans also thought Gortez was gone for good in a jungle...unfortunately,'' Argleston laughed.
'' You're not a common girl here, are you?'' Ashley pulled a shoulder and grinned. '' El Toro is the protector of Santo Pollo village. It so happens I've been corresponding with Dr. Diaz, a scientist who lives there. I'll give you papers that will get you into Santo Pollo Skyway. Would you be so good to deliver this letter to Diaz for me?''
'' Sure! Thank you for everything,'' Ashley took the letter and the Traveling papers, and returned to her ship.
XXX
The Golden moon sailed the shady orange Santo Pollo skyway. This time it wasn't roosters that checked their documents, but lumpy toads. Ashley never saw them around. Their skin was sickly green and warty. Narrowed, blood-shot eyes looked at everything pathetically. The toads were wearing dusty brown suits.
Ashley found out that they are Frogerales. Officers around here.
It was hard finding the village of Santo Pollo. There weren't any maps and the only place The Golden moon passed was an island with a mansion-prison on it. Ashley had to ask Birgus for directions, since he visited Cool Ranch back with Fair Ashley's crew.
Birgus showed her that they have to sail by the canyon. Apparently the village's settled on one of it's promontories. Shocker huh?
XXX
Ashley walked down the dock while her crew was binding the ship. The ground was dustier than usual, she could still make out some footprints of the people that live here. The houses were small and poor- looking. Farther up the hill were black gates leading to the town. There was a church, pub, shops and markets, and to the canyon stood a white villa, probably belongs to some rich guy.
Ashley tilted her lips and frowned. Why did this place seemed so familiar? She then adjusted her rapier on the belt and turned to her crew.
'' K. So now we just need to find Dr. Diaz, then we can start searching for...''
'' Excuse me,'' Ashley turned to see who interrupted. It was a ginger colored mustang with a yellow suit and tall hat.'' I believe you mean me'' he handed out his hand and introduced himself:
'' Professor H. Diaz.'' Ashley shook his hand.
'' Ashley Holystone. Dr. Argleston send us with a letter for you.''
'' Ah, I see,'' Diaz took the letter from the girl's paw and tucked it in inside his jacket. '' Now,'' he said, noticing Ashley's crew not planning to leave any time soon.'' what brings you to our village?''
'' We're searching for the masked hero-El Toro'' The professor's eyes widened in amazement.
'' Enemy of all oppressors, defender of the innocent...'' he whispered.
'' That's the one,'' said Sarah walking up to her captain's side. Seriously, thought Ashley, why do I have that strong feeling I know that guy?
'' El Toro is as mysterious as he is cunning,'' Diaz continued.'' Whose face is behind the mask?'' he pointed at the girl,'' it could be you,'' then at himself,'' it could be me! None can say.''
'' Hold it!'' protested Ashley,'' how can it be me if I'm the one who's looking for him?'' Diaz grinned and shrugged.
'' As I said- no one knows. So I cannot tell you where or how to find El Toro.'' Ashley sighed and turned to her associates, as if saying: The long way, again...
'' But there is one who might help...Talk to Friar Cluck at the church.'' offered the professor.
'' Thank you,'' Ashley nodded and waved to her teammates to follow trough the gates.
Quick A.N.: I wasn't able to write for some time, but I kept checking this story's status and I must say...thank you everyone who are in touch with Ashley's adventures :) I can't explain how happy this author is that her work isn't going to waste.
I had to catch up on my homework and on another story I'm writing. Anywho...if I'll keep getting such excitement, I promise I'll try and update as often as I can ;)
Good night ya'll!
