"What?! It's gone?!", Rebecca shouted.
"How could this be?!", Ridolfo questioned.
"Wait, there's a note", I said searching the chest, "It reads: To the coward Christopher Clark, Marco Pollo's precious map belongs to me now. Sincerely, CB"
"Who's CB?", Bonnie questioned.
"I don't know", I said standing up, "But we need to go back to Mr. Clark for answers.
25 minutes later...
"Stolen?!" Mr. Clark said in shock, "I can't believe this, who took it"
I gave him the note found in the chest, "CB...? *Gasp* oh no"
"What's the matter", Gaspard asked.
"This is the doing of none other than Captain Blood"
"Hmm, I've never heard of Cap'n Blood", Bonnie said.
"He was known for being an infamous pirate, but they say he died when I was a boy", said, "So how could he be alive?"
"This sounds too much like dark magic to me", I said crossing my arms and putting on a thinking face.
"Y'all got to get that map back, no matter the cost"
"We're on it", Rebecca said, "First, we need a lead"
"I heard he had a lair hidden somewhere in Cool Ranch, but I don't believe it was ever found"
"Great, just great", Rebecca complained stomping her foot, "How are we going to find it now?!"
"Try talking with Bill Peacock", Mr. Clark recommended, "I remember hearing about how he searched for Captain Blood's lair, he's usually in the Silver Spoon Salon"
That sounded better than nothing. Sadly when we got there and asked around, Mr. Bill wasn't there and no one knows when he might be back. This made Rebecca fuss more. Looks like we have no choice but to wait. However, I wanted to find Mari more than the piece.
"Ma'am, you have any cold drinks?", Rebecca asked the bartender.
"How does chilled country cider sound?", the bartender asked placing her arm on the counter.
"Add something sour in there and I'll have it", Rebecca said seating down at the bar.
"Rebecca, I don't think is the time to drink", Milo said in a worried tone.
"Why the heck not", Rebecca shouted, "Our luck is gone, we been doing nothing but fly around for nothing, and the people we need are NEVER where we need them"
"Not all hope is lost", Milo said trying to be positive, "When Bill Peacock comes back, he'll be able to tell us more about Captain Blood"
"Captain Blood you say", said someone near by.
We all turned to see a dog sitting at a near by table.
"You know any thing about him", Rebecca asked.
"How could I not, he is one of the most infamous pirates in history", the dog responded, "Oh, my manners. My name is Desmond Argleston", he said placing his hand on his chest.
"So, any idea where his lair might be?", Rebecca asked.
"I've no idea where Captain Blood's lair might be", Mr. Desmond responded, "However, I can think of only two people who might know"
Hearing this had Rebecca on the edge of the seat, "Who and where are they?"
"If you must know; their names are El Toro, the legendary masked hero, and his partner, Tonko", Mr. Desmond said, "As for where they are, El Toro is not an easy man to find"
"What about Tonka?", Rebecca asked.
"He is also not an easy man to find, but, there is a place where he lives", Mr. Desmond said, It's called Bison Village"
"Here's your drink little miss", said the bartender bringing Rebecca's drink.
"Thanks", Rebecca said before taking the drink, "...Aaalright,...let's go there now", she said after glopping down her drink then smashing down the cup.
"Wait, what about-
"Tara", Rebecca said stopping me, "She'll. Be. Fiiine", she said while paying for her drink then started walking out the door.
I still don't like this, but everyone else started following her. I couldn't help but bring my head down and feel sad. I felt a hand rubbing my back, I looked up and saw Milo. He gave me a warm smile, as if saying things will be alright. It made me smile back, a little. We check the map we had to see if this village was on it, and what luck. There it was, far from Scorpion Rock and close to Elder Bluff.
26 minutes later...
This place sure looks pretty big. We walked through the gate and saw bisons on every corner. It felt so...peaceful. The nature, the atmosphere, even seeing the children playing felt warm and natural. Rebecca brought me back to my senses, I didn't even know I was lost by this place. Okay, first things first, need to ask for Tonka. I started with the bison wearing blue and white feathers on their head.
"Excuse me sir", I said walking up to them, "Can I ask you something?
"Why yes, eeh...hornless one"
"Do you by chance know a bison name Tonka?"
"You come for Tonka? He is not here", The bison said, "That one has always been a little crazy, forever running with men who wear mask"
"Oh...I see"
"If you want to find Tonka, go back towards Cooper's Roost and hunt the sky for a great white Canoe carved to look like a horse, you will find Tonka there"
"Oh! Thank you, thank you so much", I said grabbing his hand and shaking it.
I told everyone about the lead and Rebecca, she didn't waste time walking to the ship. We all head towards the ship and set off to Cooper's Roost. When we arrived we had one problem: where to start searching. And we did not have time to waste flying to each area. Suddenly, something popped in my mind, something familiarrrr...hhhmmmm...AH HA!
"What is it Tara?", Milo asked looking towards me.
"I can ask Wind Speaker to help us", I said holding my hand up showing the charm necklace.
"That sounds like a good idea, Tara", Gaspard complemented.
I called upon Wind Speaker to help guide us wherever Tonka could be. When he arrived, I told him about what we were dealing with. He knew what to do. Wind Speaker put his hand in the air and started humming. Suddenly, a gust of wind started to blow our way.
"The ship you're looking for is over there", Wind Speaker said pointing.
We all looked towards where Wind Speaker pointed, I squint my eye...and there it was. In the middle of the sky next to another ship. Wow, amazing. Rebecca set the ship in motion towards the ships. However, Wind Speaker didn't return to his charm. He looks serious.
"What's wrong?", I asked.
"Something else is there, something dark and evil"
Oh no, that's not good. What is it, I hope we can fight it. When we arrived, I felt what Wind Speaker meant. There is a lot of dark mojo here. We chose to park near the ship we were looking for, but when we got on the other ship moved away and started flying off. What happened her-
"Hey, you there - need your help", said a rooster wearing a mask, "That fiend...he's taken Tonka hostage! Ack!", he said falling to his knee.
"Hold still, you're hurt", I said running towards him, "Wait, these wounds...they aren't normal", I said worried.
"Please...Bison Village...take me there", The rooster said struggling to stay up.
"Kobe!", I shouted looking to him.
"Hm!", Kobe said nodding.
Kobe quickly walked to the rooster and picked him up by wrapping his arm around his shoulder, then lift him up.
"Wait!", Rebecca said, "What about the ship?"
"That can wait", I responded.
"Tara, we can't keep saving everyone"
"I know,", I said facing Rebecca, "But if we don't help him, his blood will be on our hands"
"..."
"Is that what you want?"
"...no", Rebecca said folding her arms and looking the other way.
"Now, let's go everyone!", I said walking back onto our ship.