Hunting Dragons

Pirates vs. Dragons will be released on July 27th. Subscribe to the mailing list to be notified of its release and to get some fun freebies at www.savedragons.com

Day 50: We’ve been here almost two weeks as Murphy “negotiates” for the Lady Jean. I’m surprised he hasn’t just climbed aboard and stolen her, but I guess even a pirate has some standards. Plus, if he thinks he’s hunted now—that would have every ship on both sides of the law, and on sky and water—after him. So…here we sit. Murphy, me, and the three other pirates still healthy enough to crew for him. We need three times that even for the Lady Jean.

I’ve used my time in the shipyard to try and learn more about where I am. I’ve asked everyone I can think of, from the shipwrights to the navigators to the channel pilots. They tell me names of places, but I don’t recognize any of them. I still haven’t a clue where this town is located. I’ve pored over every map available, but I can’t find any coastline that looks even remotely familiar.

The good news is that I have been practicing my new songs about town, and they’ve proved to be hits. I wind up performing in every tavern I visit. I’ve also been mixing in a few of my personal “classic” songs as well. The Brobdingnagian Bards biggest hits, as well as my favorite cat songs. I’ve even had a tavern owner or two try to grill me on how to make Mudder’s Milk—I just tell them it is a secret recipe…since I have no idea what would possibly be in it!

The crowds are growing daily. The audiences have been even more responsive than at any place I have played back home. I could get used to this sort of crowd reaction.

The audience can’t help but sing along. This album is going to be a big hit, despite its message. Pirate songs are just really catchy.

I’ve found some fascinating things out about the port in my explorations. There are several other crews here, and some of them are pretty interesting to say the least.

I was in The Broken Dagger last night trying to recruit a few sailors. I bought a young man named Andrew a pint or two—maybe five—of stout. Maybe he reminded me of the old Andrew a bit…

He knocked his coin purse off the table and, as he leaned forward to catch it, I caught a glimpse of something a man shouldn’t have on his chest. I gasped.

She heard this, sat back down, and looked at me with fear in her eyes. She confessed that she had always wanted to be a pirate, so she had run away to sea as a girl.

She really wants to serve on Murphy’s ship—but he would never allow a woman on board.

She begged me to keep the secret to myself. How could I say no? Besides, it would serve Murphy right to get taken in.

Her story was amazing, and I was inspired to write a new song. I call it “The Ballad of Jenny Malloy.” It is one of the best songs I’ve come up with yet for this album, and I hope Murphy likes it as much as I do:

* This is the story of Jenny Malloy

Jenny decided when she was thirteen

She applied for a berth with Black Jack Murphy

Jenny was clever, she was never caught out.

For years things went fine, but you can’t alter time…

One night out at sea, with the crew in their cups,

To the wine-sodden crew, with naught better to do,

“Oh, Lord, if you’re there, could You lend me a pair—

But God and the Devil were busy that day,

Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of the years

When her trousers went down, there was nary a sound

So Jenny went on to fortune and fame,

—

I’ve managed to sneak a bit of pencil stub from the ship’s doctor, and a few scraps of paper from the cook. I’m recording my thoughts with them so I can reveal Black Jack Murphy’s infamy when I finally return to civilization.

There’s a universal truth about pirates. They hunt treasure, and they don’t care who they have to rob to get it.

There’s a universal truth about dragons. They hoard treasure, and they really don’t like for people to try and take it.

I was kidnapped by the infamous air pirate Black Jack Murphy and his crew of the airship The Lady Jean. They wanted me to chronicle their dragon hunts. Little did Murphy know where my sympathies lie! So, this journal — and the resulting CD, coming soon from Mage Records “Pirates vs. Dragons” — tell the true stories of Pirates vs. Dragons. The CD combines rousing sea shanties about pirates being pirates with songs about the majesty of dragons, and the journal details the privations I suffered. There’s a little something for both sides here–and I bet you find a new favorite or two.

I finally ordered physical CDs for Pirates vs. Dragons. Right now, I am tentatively planning an official CD release of the album in July 2016. The exact date is TBA.

In the meantime, you can now enjoy the full Steampunk adventure journal from my captivity. The Pirates vs. Dragons eBook is now available on Kindle.

In the meantime, I'm excited to continue sharing the podiobook…

Day 37: The aftermath of the storm saw us limping into the nearest shipwright on our very last leg. The Irish Stout has seen her final flight. Not even a captain as mad as Murphy would try and take her up again. The hull is stove-in in at least four places, and the mast snapped in two right behind me! We managed to jury-rig something to get to the shipyard, but I honestly don’t know how it worked.

Gus has been off the ship since we put in for those supplies a few days back. There’s no way to contact him and tell him to bring his recruits at once, but we are going to need them. The storm took out more than half the men. Murphy wants me to help recruit, but I don’t know the first thing about sailing—in sea or air. So, I did what any bard would do…I wrote a song that might convince a couple of green boys to join:

* Leave behind the law and lawyers,

So you want to be a pirate?

Little boys who listened

I want a crew that’s ruthless

We sail upon the heavens,

So, if you want to be a pirate

This shipyard is incredible. There are ships of all sizes and types in all stages of construction. It is built on an island, with a great harbor full of seafaring ships, and a sky full of airships. The banging of hammers is constant. Shouts and saws and singing—cacophony, and yet oddly pleasing. There is a sense of excitement everywhere. Smells of tar and wood smoke, fish and sweat. You can even taste the salt in the air.

Murphy has his eyes set on a new ship—though I don’t know how he expects to pay for it. There’s a sweet schooner called the Lady Jean that is almost ready to fly. She’s not a wooden ship, like the Irish Stout. She’s built of a shining metal, lighter and more flexible than I’ve ever seen, but strong and sturdy. The deck and hull are covered with gold Dragon scales. She’s half the size of the Irish Stout, and the shipwright says she can be manned by a crew of ten.

I have to admit, she’s a yar ship. I’d love to see her in the air, although I’m not so eager to be one of the crew.

If I thought I could get away with it, I would slip away from this place and make my way home. But Murphy has me watched every minute of every day. I did manage to get away from my watcher long enough to pass my Dragon songs off to one of the shopkeepers—along with a note to Gwen. He promised to mail them for me. I hope I can trust him.

—

I’ve managed to sneak a bit of pencil stub from the ship’s doctor, and a few scraps of paper from the cook. I’m recording my thoughts with them so I can reveal Black Jack Murphy’s infamy when I finally return to civilization.

There’s a universal truth about pirates. They hunt treasure, and they don’t care who they have to rob to get it.

There’s a universal truth about dragons. They hoard treasure, and they really don’t like for people to try and take it.

I was kidnapped by the infamous air pirate Black Jack Murphy and his crew of the airship The Lady Jean. They wanted me to chronicle their dragon hunts. Little did Murphy know where my sympathies lie! So, this journal — and the resulting CD, coming soon from Mage Records “Pirates vs. Dragons” — tell the true stories of Pirates vs. Dragons. The CD combines rousing sea shanties about pirates being pirates with songs about the majesty of dragons, and the journal details the privations I suffered. There’s a little something for both sides here–and I bet you find a new favorite or two.

Pirates vs. Dragons podiobook was written by Rie Sheridan Rose and Marc Gunn. It was produced by David Reiland and Marc Gunn. It was edited by David Reiland. Find out more the book and album at savedragons.com.

Day 34: There’s an old saying among sailors: Red sky at night, sailors' delight. / Red sky at morning, sailors take warning. Well, last night, when I dropped into my bunk, it was a beautiful evening with not a cloud in the sky. But, when I woke up this morning, it looked like we were sailing a sea of blood. The clouds were scarlet and crimson. And Murphy was swearing like a…well, like a sailor.

We spent the morning battening down the hatches, and stowing anything loose into something stable. The wind started whistling through the lines about noon. Murphy was bellowing orders over the rising scream of the incoming storm. I usually hid in my bunk if there was a storm, but this time I decided to tie myself to the mast and ride the storm out.

The rain started falling about three, but “falling” is a tame word for what came from the sky. It slashed like bullets of water, stinging painfully when they hit. Within seconds, my hair was plastered to my head, and I was very grateful not to have to wear my glasses any more.

The ship was pitching and tossing as if it were a bucking horse, or a runaway roller coaster. I was glad I had taken the precaution of tying myself down. I saw one crew member go over the side, and another was crushed by a barrel that broke loose from its moorings.

Everything was a confusion of noise and chaos, with the scene illuminated by pitching lanterns and jagged flashes of lightning. There was a great rending shriek of wood against stone, and I saw the mountain scraping by the side of the ship. Three more pirates were crushed between the two before the ship crashed into the rocks. Then there was silence…until the moaning began. I’ve never been so frightened in my life!

—

I've managed to sneak a bit of pencil stub from the ship's doctor, and a few scraps of paper from the cook. I'm recording my thoughts with them so I can reveal Black Jack Murphy's infamy when I finally return to civilization.

There's a universal truth about pirates. They hunt treasure, and they don't care who they have to rob to get it.

There's a universal truth about dragons. They hoard treasure, and they really don't like for people to try and take it.

I was kidnapped by the infamous air pirate Black Jack Murphy and his crew of the airship The Lady Jean. They wanted me to chronicle their dragon hunts. Little did Murphy know where my sympathies lie! So, this journal — and the resulting CD, coming soon from Mage Records “Pirates vs. Dragons” — tell the true stories of Pirates vs. Dragons. The CD combines rousing sea shanties about pirates being pirates with songs about the majesty of dragons, and the journal details the privations I suffered. There's a little something for both sides here–and I bet you find a new favorite or two.

I am happy to announce I finished stage one of the Dragons vs. Pirates CD. That means all of MY parts are now recorded! That's HUGE because I wasn't hoping to do that  in August so I could release the album to my Kickstarters in October. Obviously, that's not happening. Right now, I hope to send out the final album in December with an official release in February or March next year. Here's hoping. Now on with the story!

—

Day 31: Now that I know the pirates are supplementing their hard tack with dragon meat, I’ve lost fifteen pounds. All I eat is bread, cheese, and apples. Thank goodness it not the 15th century, I'd rather mead over grog any day! The mead has made for some interesting lyrics, and I have made progress on a couple of Murphy's songs.

I’ve also been writing a few “Save the Dragons” songs in secret. Knowing Murphy, I can probably sneak them on to the album. Though most of his followers are going to be treasure-hunting pirates, if even a few listen to the other side, maybe we can stop the slaughter of this beautiful creature.

I have to be careful though. If Murphy does suspect that I am on the side of the dragon, he'll have me keelhauled. Probably bounce me off a mountain or two for good measure.

I need to find a way to get my “Save the Dragon” songs off this boat. We are to stop and pick up supplies this afternoon. Maybe I can find a way then…

***

It was just a tiny hamlet. Barely more than a supply drop. There was no one to give my songs to. Even worse, Gus stayed behind to try and recruit a few new crew. He was my one ally against Murphy. Now I am on my own entirely.

It is still beautiful up in the clouds. They are constantly changing. Sometimes it is a sea of flat white, as far as the eye can see. Sometimes, brilliant oranges and reds as the sun begins to set. Other times, it is billowy castles rising up on all sides of us.

Sailing through them is plunging into a fine mist that soaks your clothes in seconds. And the whistling wind cuts like a knife made of ice some days. Having a hearty constitution is a must up here. You are always wet, or cold, or simply exhausted. At least I can sometimes get away with retreating to my bunk to “work on the album.”

Maybe if I finish this album, he'll let me off this damn boat.

It's been a while since I last published the Dragons vs. Pirates podcast. It's time to get off my arse and finish the job I started. The album is slowly proceeding forward. Over half of the songs are now recorded for the album. The latest was a Murphy shanty called “How Do We Steal From A Mighty Dragon”. Stay tuned and keep listening. I hope to have a new episode out every week until it is finished. *knock on wood*

—

Day 28. I haven’t written anything down lately, because we have been so busy! There have been a lot of red sightings–apparently, they are the most common–at least in this region. We haven’t actually caught one, which is all to the good as far as I am concerned. But it is making the pirates a bit touchy. I have been trying to raise their spirits with a lot of dragon-catching songs…though I would rather be writing “Save the Dragons” songs.

There was a green dragon sighted today over a thick forest–this was a major deal! The greens are always really common in books and movies, but in real life, they are super rare. Trust me, seeing a green was terribly exciting. We sailed low over the trees chasing it, and all of a sudden–there were bullets ricocheting everywhere! We couldn’t see anyone in the forest, but someone down there was shooting at us with guns. They sounded like elephant guns. I was terrified! One of those bullets could have made my boys motherless. That thought kept my head down… almost to the deck.

Luckily, the dragon got away. Thank goodness! Something that beautiful and majestic deserves to live a long and happy life… but don’t tell Murphy I said that.

I am really hoping that the fact we haven’t managed to bag a dragon yet will make the pirates give up and go home soon. I'm so tired of flying…

It seems I forgot to post this show in time for the end of the Kickstarter. But that's okay. The album will still go on sale later this year. If you want to find out when the album will be released, please subscribe to my mailing list.

This episode, you find out about our downtime at Sherwood Forest Faire as we make repairs to our recently damaged ship. Dragon fire is pretty intense.

Don't forget to watch the Dragons vs. Pirates Continuing Story on YouTube.

—

Day 19. I had a great time at the Faire. Even tried out a couple of the Dragon songs I am working on for some friends of mine. They liked the music, but asked me where I had been hiding myself.

I wanted to tell them all about it, and enlist their aid in getting free of the pirates, but there was always at least one crew member in spitting distance the whole time. I tried to sing it for them, thinking maybe I could give them a hint that would be enough–but nope. I don't know if they were dense, or my song wasn't specific enough, but it didn't work. Of course, I didn't much trust the peace ties on the pirates' swords if they decided I had gone too far.

I did manage to borrow a phone charger for a few minutes, and get my phone to a state where it might be usable in a pinch. I couldn't get a full charge though, so I haven't called Gwen yet. I am saving it for an emergency–and I am also hoping for one of those dragon photos…

It was a grand time, but it didn't last long enough. The pirates only gave me an hour or so of relative freedom before they bustled me off into the woods behind the property and hog tied me, gagged me, and carried me off to the ship again to work on repairs. I was terrible at it, but at least I got some exercise out of it. It's hard to stay in shape when your ship is a mile in the air.

Still, I grabbed a turkey leg while I was at Faire, and some little mementos for Gwen and Kelsie. When I do get home, they will know I was thinking of them.

We were able to repair the ship by nightfall–turned out not to be as bad as we had feared. A good night's rest in the clearing where we had put down, and we were off again first thing next morning.

We saw our first dragon on day 18–a red dragon. It was terrifying, but boy did it do some damage. I'm surprised I survived to tell the tale.

If you're not yet subscribed to the Dragons vs. Pirates podcast, subscribe on iTunes and post a review. Then go make a pledge to sponsor the album on Kickstarter.

—

Day 18. It's been a couple of weeks since I made an entry. Well, that was because nothing much happened. We sailed through the air with a rotating lookout in the crow's nest, but all we saw were seagulls and crows. It did give the pirates a chance to practice with the harpoons. Far fewer people wandering around with bandages these days.

Things changed this morning though. We were near some mountains, but I have no idea what mountains they could be. My geography is rusty, despite my degree, and my sense of direction is completely gone. Still, I was pretty sure there shouldn't be a range in this region…

Anyway, there was another red dragon sighting today. This one was even larger than the last. The sun on its scales was almost blinding, like crimson fire. It was beautiful, but terrifying.

We manned our stations. The dragon soared over the ship, roaring in defiance. Gus gave the order–well, it was really more of a request–and we set out in pursuit. We chased it through a valley and almost caught him, but he doubled back on us. The dragon belched out a gout of flame that caught the ship on fire and damaged a sail. While we were distracted trying to put out the fire, the dragon soared off again. I was really happy to see it get away. At this rate, I won't have to worry about killing a dragon. These pirates couldn't hit one if their life depended on it!

I heard some of the crew talking. They said we're supposed to land outside Sherwood Forest Faire in Texas to make repairs. That's familiar territory, if not where he snagged me originally. Maybe I could get home from there. I realized that if I keep my phone off, it might build up enough charge for a quick 911 to Gwen while we are in Texas–some batteries do that, don't they? There's a chance at least. I'm keeping it hidden under my bunk until we land, just in case.

Captain Black Jack Murphy finally pulled me into his cabin to talk about why I was shanghaied and what his plans were for me on Day 4 of my experience. I stuck to my guns though. I wasn't about to do for me exactly what he wanted without providing some resistance. You'll hear what I mean in this week's episode.

If you enjoy this show please rate it on iTunes today. If we can get 10-20 ratings in the next four days, we might be added to New & Noteworthy on iTunes!

Remember you can still support the Kickstarter for Dragons vs. Pirates until April 20th.

—

Day 4. I finally understand why I was shanghaied. Murphy invited me to dinner in his cabin–well, “invited” is relative. One of the crew stuck a poorly written note in my hand while I swabbed the deck. It read “Be in my cabin for dinner at 6. Or else.”

That sounded like Murphy. No use riling him though, so I showed up at his door at the given time. “Come in, come in!” he bellowed, in that loud voice I remembered so well. “I haven't seen you since ‘Kiss My Arse'!”

“Kiss my arse…kiss my arse!” squawked his parrot. That molty old bird hasn't liked me since he had a close call with one of my cats.

It was the first time I had seen Murphy since we worked together on Kiss My Arse.

Over a fine meal of salted pork, roasted potatoes with onions, and apple pie, we talked of the good times we had compiling Pogue Mahone Means Kiss My Arse. And we did have some good times. Being a pirate didn't take away his sense of fun.

After several tankards of rum, he told me he had heard I was allowing people to pirate my music, and he was all in favor of that. He didn't seem to understand the difference when I told him I was giving away my music…

Anyway, he said we were more alike than I believed. Since we had such a good collaboration on Pogue Mahone Means Kiss My Arse, he decided I was the only person who would be able to help him with his next project. He wanted to make another album. He asked me to record some songs he had written, as well as others he had found about dragon hunting and pirates. He wants me to spread the legends of pirates vs dragons—apparently, there is trouble recruiting new crew these days. The music part sounds great. But he also wants me to experience the hunt first hand so I can get a “feel” for it, and make the music more powerful. After seeing that red up close yesterday, I really don't want to get any closer to them than absolutely necessary.

So, after I left Murphy's cabin–listing a bit from side to side…I never was as good at putting away the rum as Murphy–I was in quite a quandary. I didn't want to hunt dragons, but I did want to get home…and if the only way to get home was to be present when the crew tried to harpoon a dragon, I guessed I was stuck.

Still, I plan on participating to the least possible degree. I will be able to see some of the mythical beasts up close, though, so it will be a perk…and maybe I can get some really good songs out of the affair. The sighting yesterday has already put lyrics swimming around in my brain–now where did I put that pencil and paper Gus smuggled into me…?

On day 3, I saw my first dragon. It was one of the most-memorable moments of my life, up there with my marriage, my daughter's birth, and drinking with hobbits… I mean ALEP.  You will also find me interacting at last with my good friend Gus Mainsails. We've had a slight falling out of recent.  But that won't stop my goal to #SaveTheDragons. Find out more about the campaign through Kickstarter at celticmusic.org/DragonsVsPirates.

If you enjoy this show please rate it on iTunes as soon as possible. If we can get 10-20 ratings in the next four days, we might be added to New & Noteworthy on iTunes!

—

Day 3. I overslept this morning–don't know how, under the circumstances, but I managed it. I looked at my watch, and it was almost noon. Murphy would have my head!

Panicked, I ran up on deck, to find Gus manning the wheel. If I haven't said, Gus was the mate who actually did the kidnapping…though it was surely on Murphy's orders. “Gus!” I gasped. “What is going on here?”

He roared with laughter. “Finally decided to wake up, did ya? Don't expect to sleep like that ever' morning, but the Captain thought a little leeway were in order. Now, get to your post. We should be coming up on a dragon or two before long.”

“My post…?”

“Oh, aye. You are going to have to earn your keep as long as yer here. Why don't you go up t' the crow's nest and look out for them dragons.”

How exciting! I was so pumped. All my life I have been in love with dragons. I used to collect plastic ones. And now I had a chance to actually see one. It would be worth being away from Gwen and Kenzie for a little while–a very little while.

As I climbed up to the crow's nest, I wondered what a real dragon would look like. Would it be like the ones in the British legends? Would it be like the Chinese luck dragons? Would it be a winged worm or a feathered serpent? There were so many types of dragons that I remember from my Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual.

As I sat in the crow's nest, I glanced up and suddenly–there it was. My first dragon. It was a red. Gus said later that it was a small one. But to me it was massive. I was terrified and hid in the bottom of the crow's nest. I couldn't believe the size of that creature.

I peeked over the rim of the nest with my phone. I wanted to take a picture of it to show Gwen…but the battery was dead. How can I prove what I have seen to everyone back home?

The dragon soared overhead, but we missed it with the harpoon. I was secretly happy it got away. And the crew…they went about their duties totally unmoved by the wave of dread I knew was on my face. I don't know how anyone could subject themselves to this life–to hunting such glorious, if scary, creatures.

But that night, the crew told me stories of why they hunt. Their eyes sparkled as they recounted tales of gold hordes, dragon eggs, fistfuls of jewels. One sailor showed me a dragon tooth he wore around his neck. The sheer size of it! It was the size of my hand!

Right then and there, I decided that, as much as I love the creatures, I don't really want to meet a dragon up close and personal.

Day 2 of captivity by the air pirate Capt. Black Jack Murphy and the Irish Stout leaves me wondering what makes an airship. I try to explain the types that I've discovered during my trip. You can find out more about Dragons vs. Pirates through my Kickstarter at celticmusic.org/DragonsVsPirates.

—

Day 2. It was only yesterday that I was shanghaied, but I am finding my “air legs”.

When Murphy and I were recording Pogue Mahone Means Kiss My Arse several years back, we took a trip to the Gulf Coast. Murphy “rented” a boat and took me out on the ocean to get a feel for the rhythm behind the sea shanties we were recording. That was miserable. I found out that I am not a good sailor. I was seasick the whole time. It was just awful. Still, I did get a feel for the music.

Flying above the clouds is completely different. I miss my family, but I also wish they were here. They would love this as much as I do. Flying through and above the clouds is incredible. I've been on airplanes before but an airship is just so fantastic. You feel the wind on your face, blowing through your hair—something that would be terrifying on an airplane is exhilarating with the deck of a good airship beneath your feet.

I'm told, there are several types of airship, and the IRISH STOUT is definitely not what I usually think of. Some airships are basically like blimps, with huge balloon-like envelopes full of gas. Others use multiple hot air balloons to lift. But the IRISH STOUT is a third type…it seems to stay aloft by magic or something. Murphy keeps the sails unfurled, just like at sea, but they catch a lot more wind with no land to shape the breezes. Still, the ship weighs several tons, so what is keeping it flying?

I have noticed a fine, sparkling dust covering the deck and rails. It is mostly gold, but there are flecks of silver, green, red, and blue mixed through it. I've managed to scrape samples of it into a little bag I found in a corner of the hold. When I get home, I will have it analyzed. I am wondering if it might be the source of the magic that holds us up. If it is, what is it made of? Where does it come from? Wondering about what it is keeps my mind off home…at least part of the time.

I haven't seen any dragons yet, but I am keeping my eyes peeled. Although I have written songs about dragons, and performed even more, I have never actually caught more than a distant glimpse of one. I have always wanted to see a real dragon up close…