The pirates of Attersea 8/8

Dave motored past them again and went up the creek until he could see the boatyard. Two whalers full of goblin workmen were waiting for him to appear. As soon as they saw him, they rowed towards the grounded brig and climbed aboard.

Jennifer Jane particularly noticed one unusual looking goblin. He was as tall as a human and looked very brown and capable. One of the pirates had started to struggle with a member of the whaler's crew. The tall goblin walked over, pulled the two apart and threw the pirate over board.

"You cool off in there for a bit," said a very purposeful ladies' voice.

Jennifer Jane couldn't believe her eyes. The tall 'goblin' was the fairy Fern Marigold Knott. The last time she'd seen her she had been crying bitterly at the Wish Warehouse because she'd made such a muddle of the transport system. Lieutenant Moonshine had wanted to send her to live at the bottom of someone's garden as a punishment.

The lugger, closely followed by the whalers, moored at the boatyard quay. The pirate goblins were hustled ashore guarded by the workmen. Fern came over to speak to Abigail.

"I'd just like to say thank you for introducing me to Barnacle Bill and the boating world," she said, "I really enjoy my work now I'm here."

"Only too pleased it all worked out well for you", replied Abigail. "Can you tell us what will happen to the pirates?"

"I expect they'll be sent to do the labouring in the dwarves mines, not at all pleasant if you're used to fresh air and sunshine."

"I'd like you to meet Jennifer Jane and her parents," said Abigail.

Jennifer Jane braced herself for the inevitable references to Tornak and Lurgin.

"Ah you're Jennifer Jane are you?" said Fern with a smile, "I've heard a lot about you. You get around quite a bit in both worlds don't you? Wasn't it your request for transport that got me in such a muddle at the Wish Warehouse?"

Dave came over with one of the brass starting cannon in his hands.

"All that work," he said "and now the salt water's marked the polish I'd got on the barrels."

"Give them to me," said Fern, "I can buff them up on our polishing wheel in no time at all."

She and Dave collected the rest of the cannon and went off into one of the workshops. A few minutes later they returned with six gleaming brass barrels.

"Time for us to leave," said Dave, "we've still got to deliver these guns before we go home."

Abigail stayed hidden in the cabin while the guns were taken ashore to the yacht club and then at long last the lugger headed for home.

"I'm going to have to find out how those pirates came by their guns," said Abigail, "perhaps you'd like to try and think up some possibilities to investigate?"
As they entered the magic fog, Mary took her turn to wish for the giant's pool, while Abigail disappeared on a puff of wind when she asked for the Witches' Home.

"Did you have a successful day?" asked the giant as the lugger was being moored alongside the quay.

"Won't he get upset about the outboard?" whispered Jennifer Jane.

"It's alright," said Dave, "I explained what was going on when I came here to fetch it and he agreed it was in a good cause.”

“Very good thank you," he shouted in reply to the giant's question, "lots of excitement and a good time was had by all. Except for the pirates," he added.