Scuttlebutt Brightly and the Creeper's Fuse Book 2: The Rising of the Redstone Sun

By Mark Mulle

Things aren't going great for cowardly adventurer Scuttlebutt Brightly.

After uncovering (and exploding) a dastardly conspiracy by a pair of mysteriou

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Mulle
• Release date: May 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869389152

Book preview

Scuttlebutt Brightly and the Creeper’s Fuse

Book 2: The Rising of the Redstone Sun

Mark Mulle

PUBLISHED BY:

Mark Mulle

Copyright © 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter One

It was two hours after the explosion of Creeper’s Fuse that Mildred the Duck-and/or-chicken and I found Madame Tiki’s Tropicana Club. By then my legs had just about stopped shaking. A terrifying explosion that shoots you hundreds of blocks into the air and separates you from your friends will do that. It had been so bad at first that I couldn’t even walk. Mildred had to drag me the first twenty blocks up the beach. I’m not proud of that, reader, but if I’m going to tell you this story, I’m going to tell it true.

It was late by then, and the moon was shining down on the Tropicana Club. But torches were burning out front to frighten off any night-time nasties. The club was wooden, mostly, with a few chairs and tables out front and a main building with a log-built roof. There was even a sign that said ‘Come on in! Madame Tiki don’t bite!’

The only odd thing was that it was empty. I’ve been to plenty of beach bars in my time, dear reader, and they’re usually crammed full of party-goers. Especially at night. But not Madame Tiki’s. This place was quieter than a surprisingly mob-free dungeon.

Quack, said Mildred.

Oh don’t be so suspicious, I replied, It looks fine to me.

Quack! Cluck-cluck!

We won’t be long, just a quick look. The others might be inside. Besides, you remember the sign. Free milkshake on Sundays. Now what self-respecting soul would say no to that?

Cluck, said Mildred, shaking her head. But, despite her obvious reservations, the duck-or-chicken followed me toward the door.

Hello? I said, peering inside, Is anyone...?

Without warning, I was set upon. She bustled out of the darkness like an apron-wearing enderman and knocked me right off my feet.

"Another customer?! Gracious Notch, this is a glorious day! Come now dear, don’t dally on the floor there. Come inside! I don’t bite! Are you hungry? Or thirsty perhaps? We have a special offer on milkshakes today. Fresh from the cow. Helga, her name is. Do you like the name Helga? We can change it if you…"

Excuse me… I struggled to my feet and had to battle to stop her from straightening my jacket. The woman in front of me, who I guessed to be Madame Tiki herself, was without question the oldest-looking woman I’d ever seen. What little hair she had left was as silver as the moon. She had glasses the size of dinner plates, and skin like badly-worked clay.

Oh my you do look a state, dear, said Madame Tiki, tutting to herself, You’ll be needing a hearty meal, that’s for certain. Put some meat on your bones. Look at all that dirt. You’re in a worse state than the others were…

Others? I said, Who are…

Madame Tiki grabbed my hand and began dragging me towards the kitchen, Don’t you fret now my love, and I’ll mix you up a lovely fresh milkshake. That’ll set you right…

You mentioned others? Can I ask…?

And I’ll cook you a nice tasty pork chop too…

Cluck! said Mildred irritably.

Oh, you brought your chicken? Well, that’s no bother; I can pop her in the furnace just as easy…

Madame, please! I said sharply, wrenching my hand free.

Madame Tiki turned, smiling that oblivious grandmother’s smile that’s impossible to be angry at, Sorry my dear, did you say something?

You mentioned others?

Madame Tiki frowned, cupping a hand to her ear, Mothers? Well, everyone has mothers don’t they my love…

No, others?!Visitors?!

Sisters? said Madame Tiki, Well some people have them too. But not everybody. I have seven brothers myself. And there’s Cousin Dobson…

OTH-ERS! I yelled as loud as I could, OTH-ER PEEE-POOOLE!

Oh, you mean them folks that came in earlier? said Madame Tiki, Why didn’t you say so?

Quack, said Mildred, rolling her eyes.

They’re in the backroom, Madame Tiki pointed, Just enjoying some of my Sunday specials. Friends of yours dear?

Rather than speak, I decided to nod. Whether the people in