“Malarkey, prepare to engage the enemy!”
Gunner’s mate second class Highjinks Malarkey was the only dwarf in the war fleet because his father owned the ironworks, and certainly not due to any latent sailing ability. His assignment was keeping the guns aboard HMS Spunky well oiled (to prevent rust) and well supplied with cannon balls (for obvious reasons).
For motivation, he drew upon more than 2000 fathoms of ocean water beneath his feet and the Dwarven race’s legendary negative buoyancy.
“Defeat the enemy or swim like a brick,” per his father’s salient marine advice.
The master gunner bellowed, “Dragons to starboard!”
Naturally, the swooping aerial handbags were difficult to fight with cannons. Malarkey gave his favorite gun Matilda an affectionate hug and elevated for every degree the gun ports would allow.
Malarkey held the friction primer cord and waited for a good target. The biggest flying lizard would only present a single clean shot at the right altitude…
***
“Mason, get downstairs right now.”
“But mom, there are dragons coming! They’ll burn the ship up.”
“Those are only seagulls; and we live in a lighthouse, not a warship. Now put down that slingshot right now and come to dinner. ”
200 words, for this week’s Sunday Photo Fiction prompt:
ParkInkSpot 