Ch. 22.1 — It didn’t take Janine long to catch up to the postman. “Hi, Mr. Dumfries, could I get a ride with you?”
The old man was delighted to have company and invited her to sit on the cart with him. He had many tales to tell her, but the story that was most interesting was about how the dragon, Jay B. R. Wokky, had hurt Prince Ezra and cursed him on his name day.
“That old dragon hasn’t been seen for years. He sulks in his cave and makes his servant do all the work. The Eastern Mountains are unsafe for travel now with all those monsters on the loose. But you know what they say, ‘The mail must always go through.’ I’m a postman like my father and grandfather before me, and we postmen don’t care what the odds are. Not rain, nor sleet, nor hail, nor snow shall stop the mail from being delivered.”
Mr. Dumfries thumped his chest proudly. “I’ve never missed a delivery in all my ninety-five years. I may be slow but I get it there. Slow but steady, that’s my motto.”
He peered at Janine. “So, off to seek your fortune, are you? Will you have tea with the Red Queen? Or will you play chess with the White Queen? Perhaps you’ll go to the sea and swim with the mermaid queen. Or do you fancy a look at the giants?”
Janine laughed. “No, nothing like that at all. I’m heading for my first job. Do you know where someone named Fritter Browntoes lives?”
Mr. Dumfries’ eyes grew wide. He shook his head until his beard waggled back and forth. “Oh, no. You can’t mean that. Fritter is the servant to the dragon I was telling you about. Jay B. R. Wokky is a terror. He’ll fry you and eat you for dinner.”
“Nonsense,” said Janine, feeling a little nervous.
“Fritter keeps trying to hire new assistants. Jay either drives them off or eats them. On second thought, you’d best go back to Col and Bee’s place. This world is much too dangerous for a sweet girl like you.”
Janine took a deep breath. She wasn’t about to quit now. “Fritter is still alive. I’m sure the stories are nothing but exaggerated gossip.”
“Fritter is a good sort. A little nervous, but kind and reliable. He always brings out a cup of something hot when I come by in the winter.” Mr. Dumfries frowned. “I sure hope he can protect you.”
Carol Nicolas 