The day was windy and dreary, and as the Raven docked at the port of Sherdeon it began to rain. True Miss Blimey would have preferred to spend the day anchored out at sea somewhere, sitting in doors sipping fizzy spiders, but they had finished the last bottles the night before and they had to pick up some supplies anyway.

Once on the somewhat soggy land, Miss Blimey and Betty H.V headed into town. Miss Blimey had let Rawkous tag along as well, but only after he had convinced her he wouldn't rust in the rain. Apparently his coating of fine feathers would protect his fragile clockwork insides, though he did say he would need a towel and access to a hair dryer upon their return to the Raven. Miss Blimey didn't ask Rawkous how, as a parrot, he expected to be able to operate the hairdryer, however the prospect of watching him attempt this feat would be too good too pass up. But for now Rawkous was happily perched on his captain's shoulder.

The trio headed up the main street of the precipitation-drenched town, and located the general store easily enough. After putting in their order with the cheery storekeeper they were told that the only place they could hope to find any bottles of fizzy spiders was at Old Man Drucker's place, just out of town. The storekeeper promised he would have their order ready for them upon their return, though he did take the time to warn them that Old Man Drucker was an eccentric character, prone to fits of idiocy, usually involving tea sets and sharp pointy objects.

"Thanks for the warning," said Miss Blimey as she steered her way around the jumble in the shop, and headed out the door.

Outside it was still pouring water from the heavens, and Betty H.V's hair hung in dripping strands around her face. Miss Blimey had remembered her headscarf for once and so did not have to put up with this discomfort.

Rawkous had been asking for an umbrella since they left the shop, and had already repeated himself about 6 times. Miss Blimey had chosen, patiently, to ignore him up until now.

"Rawkous, bird, please, stop asking for a damn umbrella," Miss Blimey finally addressed the birds endless questioning.

"Swoo Hoo, but it would clearly be useful right now," he replied.

"But we have none," growled Betty hates Veronica.

"Qwaurk, this is true," agreed Rawkous, at last defeated.

They continued on, towards a dark house at the top of a small hill, which the storeman had told them was Old Man Drucker's. The ground was slippery and muddy now, and it was hard for the two girls to keep their footing. Strangely, though, as they approached the dark little abode the rain seemed to ease slightly. Miss Blimey sighed with relief, as she thought that maybe they would not have to pull out of the harbour in the rain.

Once they reached the house, they began to finally take in some of the details of the dwelling. The front door was made of dark wood, wrought with iron. The windows stained and filled with the faint glow from the fire or candles inside. The brickwork appeared to have been put together haphazardly, and the stones jutted out here and there, but the structure was sound to the eye. Miss Blimey approached the door, and knocked on it brusquely. Then they waited. A moment passed, then maybe three more moments. Nothing happened. Miss Blimey turned to Betty H.V in consternation, and knocked again. This time the door opened abruptly, making both girls and bird jump.

"What do ye want?" growled a voice from the shadows of the half open door, before a head appeared, vaguely silhouetted in the firelight from within.

"Um, fizzy spiders?" returned Miss Blimey.

"Yah, I got some a dat," replied the growling voice. "Ya better come inside, s'raining."

"I noticed," replied Miss Blimey, and stepped gingerly inside the door, followed closely by Betty H.V who had her dagger nestled safely in her hand, reaching up along her arm, just in case.

Continued in Part 2