Chapter 2: Cobblewood Castle

As luck would have it, Captain Von Squidlips had just arrived in Cloud Dragon Isle on his Wooden sailing vessel, “the Sand Flea Shanty”. His shabby ship was especially special, because it could drift around Grubbliewood high above the clouds. The captain had found a way (albeit not a safe or secure way) to attach giant balloons to his boat that would allow him to soar through the sky. Beignet hurried to meet the captain and to enlist his help. Von Squidlips scratched his scruffy, sea-salted beard as he thought about Beignet’s proposal. He was always keen for an impromptu adventure; after all, he just stocked up the shanty with a myriad of savory snacks. Together, the Captain and Beignet would sail the floating Frigate to Cobbleweb Isle, where hopefully, Moxie Muddlefoot would be able to solve the polka pox predicament. 

As the travelers embarked, gliding above the clouds, Beignet caught a glimpse of their floating island destination. Nestled in the clouds, atop the mountainous boulders, a most imposing fortress emerged from the delicate shroud that swirled and spiraled around the formidable foundation.  Stairs curled around the foot of the mountains, carved from the massive stone bedrock before ending in a lush bed of dense moss.  A stream flowed from the depths of the castle, pouring out and down to the island below. 

This is where the mysterious Moxie resides?

The companions shared a hesitant glance as the Sand Flea Shanty glided to the docks. Taking a deep breath and shoring up his wings, Beignet disembarked the safety of the ship and began the long walk up the narrow stone staircase to the castle. 

        Step after step, they climbed and clamored up the steep stone steps. Time seemed to stretch and yawn, and they wondered if they would spend eternity on this dreadful staircase. Just when Beignet and the captain began to lose hope, the castle appeared, overshadowing all of the fatigue and exhaustion they had suffered. Cautiously, creeping under the castle gates, with the portcullis looming overhead, they saw a peculiar spectacle. Snails, and grubs, and moths, and squirrels… all covered with the ghastly polka pox. Gasping, shuddering, and breathing the breath of despair, Beignet began to lose hope of ever finding a cure. 

        Standing tall in the center of the castle gardens was the rescuer they had been looking for. Moxie was tending to the flowers and inspecting the animals, all of which had the pox protruding prolifically. Moxie rose as the travelers entered the garden chamber and watched them warily. Beignet knew that she needed help just as much as they did. They approached Moxie cautiously, noticing the sadness in her eyes as she glanced around the overgrown room. She, too, was hoping there was a cure for this puzzling plague of speckled splotches. Her long ears drooped below her curly auburn hair, twitching in exasperation. As the three of them conversed, conferred, and confabulated, Moxie remembered a story she once heard of a magical pond in the center of the Foreboding Frobbington forest, where Elton Frobbs was said to hold a secret elixir that could remedy any infirmity, 

Legend says that Elton Frobbs was an especially odd fellow and often spoke in riddles and puzzles. if you could correctly crack the conundrum he conjured, he would allow you to enter Pollywog Pond, where the potent potion could be procured.

Beignet was overwhelmed. Another mysterious creature to petition and implore?

However, the polka pox threat was too dire for any more uncertainty and hesitancy. Into the Frobbington Forest they would go.