Succès de Burly Men At Sea

“This day, you reach the end of a story,” she continues, “and the last of its paths.”

The men push off, paddling the raft beyond the island and into the night.

The jaws snap shut over the shattered tree, launching the men out into the deepening darkness.

With a rumble, the island sinks slowly into the sea, carrying all hands with it.

Surfacing, they find themselves men once more, who, for the moment, splash about like happy children under the moonlit sky.

With a piercing screech, the creature disappears back into the depths.

“Right, then. Let’s be off!” commands Brave Beard, striking a leaderly pose.

The orbs lead on, out through the cavern’s deep tunnels and beyond the island.

Clinging to wooden barrels, they watch their beloved ship sink into the depths.

“Great idea!” cuts in Steady Beard. “How about a demonstration?”

Following the glow of moonlight, the men step out eagerly into the night.

The men paddle furiously, but the widening vortex is inescapable.

“Shouldn’t you be a bit more chipper, having won and all?” prods Steady Beard.

Heedless of the warning, the burly seals spread out as they swim, until the spell around them weakens and they become human once more.

The creature drags the struggling men deeper beneath the waves, finally tossing them aside in disgust.

Collapsing, the maelstrom tosses the men in their barrels toward the surface.

Finding the dark water empty, the men quickly regret their course of action.

“Quick, while we’ve a chance!” whispers Hasty Beard, leading the way to the boat.

“Er, hullo,” stammers Brave Beard.

“Give me water, and I’ll teach it to carry me!”

“Really very sorry for scuttling your promotion and all that,” offers Steady Beard.

“Time flows quickly in contemplation of the Great One’s splendor.”

The absurdity of underwater speech only adds to the wonder apparent on his face.

“Aye, they’ll float,” nods Steady Beard.

It’s dark inside the whale, but the men appear to be intact.