Lesson Three: “Set Sail”

Last week, our adventurers encountered an alien (who turned out to be Harry’s siblings in disguise) and stumbled into the Brothers' Bull. We'll learn more about them later. This week, they meet a new friend. Can you guess who it might be? 

The wind howled, and a gray rain blurred the view of sleepy Venice. Korben shifted his gaze from the window to the worn wooden table. On it lay an envelope. Addressed to him.

It was from his brother. Korben was needed at home. Urgently.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The television crackled to life with breaking news. A mysterious illness was bringing the world to a grinding halt. A Long Break was soon to begin. 

"Right,” said Korben to himself. “My brother has asked for my help and I mustn't let him down.”

Korben gathered his few belonginings, packed a bag, and tucked the letter into his jacket pocket. As his fingers tightly gripped the round glass doorknob, he hesitated, casting a lingering eye over his dusty flat. “I feel like I’m forgetting something.”  he said before mumbling a goodbye.

“Well, it does me no good to dwell on what’s past. Time to set sail before they close the port!" Leaping into action, Korben made his way to the pier and prepared his sleek wooden vessel for launch. "All set." 

Well, almost. He’d nearly forgotten something, someone. His best mate, Ralph! Fortunately for Korben, Ralph wasn’t the sort to let himself be forgotten. Standing on the deck above, the wiry haired, coal-colored, hazel-eyed deerhound fixed Korben with an unblinking stare.

"Don’t look at me like that Ralphy. I didn’t forget you. How could I?” he asked as he nervously pulled at his shirt collar. “You're my number one seadog!” 

Ralph nodded, pulled his sailing kit on, then placed his mariner’s watchcap atop his shaggy head. (Vintage shirt/jacket, with number one on it like a football kit)

And off they went, slicing through velveteen waters onto the wide and wild sea. What fun they would have! What things they would see! What adventures awaited them!

Oh no!!

“Ralph!!” Korben pointed upwards. 

A green sky howled. Piercing winds punched at the canvas sails. An explosive sound threw them to the floor. The main sail vented its fury. “How dare the winds tear me in two!” it roared.

Korben and Ralph dodged streaks of white-hot lightning as they battled to make repairs. The furious sea was of little help as it tossed them about like playthings. Hours passed, and the cold lonely wetness of it all wore on Korben’s fading hopes. But Ralph, ever the seasoned seadog, was the first to spot it—a glimmer of light breaking through the gloom.

“Let’s get this sail sorted and head home!" said an exhausted Korben as they slid into calmer waters.

Night turned into day turned into night turned into day, and our duo sailed past tropical islands, icebergs, and playful sea creatures. Until finally, the salty air whispered its welcome. There before them loomed the isle of Manhattan . 

"Home at last," announced Korben as they stepped onto the New York Pier. Yet, home didn't feel like home. What happened to the honking, shouting, and booming of construction? The streets were eerily empty. 

Hundreds of leaflets rustled down the avenue. Korben picked one up.

“It’s a message from the Tribeccean Parliament! It says that after two long years of illness and isolation, the Long Break is finally ending. Ralph, this can’t be right! Did our journey really take us two years?

Korben and Ralph raced through the silent Manhattan streets. “To my brother!”

But with every step, Korben’s anxiety grew.

“Ralphy, what if my brother thinks I ignored his letter, his plea for help? What if  he won’t see me? I’ve got to make things right. And I think I know how.” 

While our new friends sort out the details of their plan to make amends, let's check back in with King Mateo.

King Mateo opened his eyes and felt a chill. The cool earth cradled his sore body as a familiar damp seeped through his cape.

His head buzzed with starry explosions as four dark shapes came into focus. 

“That was an illegal move, my friend. You stepped right into our path! Btw, your watch is going off. Surely that danger alert isn’t for us?" grinned  Sho, as he helped the King to his feet.

It’s the Brother's Bull, and their cousins, Henry and Helena! “Boy, am I glad to see you lot!" King Mateo shook his watch and leaned against Sho for support. “Must be a false alarm," he muttered.

Sho lowered his giant bull frame and whispered in King Mateo’s ear, “Your Majesty, what if the Danger Alert isn’t for us?” 

King Mateo froze. "Right. Let’s move, but safety first." He showed them a glass vial. “Stealth mode to the castle."

Hovering on cliff’s edge high above the valley, Korben and Ralph watched in disbelief as the King’s group vanished into thin air.

“Did you see that? They’ve vanished! I think it's time we head to the castle. I bet that's where they've gone. This way, I know a shortcut!"

Moments later they stood facing the impenetrable castle doors. By now you may have guessed the identity of Korben's brother. If not, you will shortly. 

Ralph gave Korben a withering look that said: “Oh just knock already. It’ll be fine. Sure, we wasted ages on your plan and it all went horribly wrong. But I think he’ll understand why you did what you did. In the end, it was all for him. So knock before they finish dinner. It smells delicious!”

Korben felt a drop of sweat run down his cheek. 

Have you ever tried to win someone over just for it to blow up in your face? Then you know how Korben feels. Let's tune in to see what happens next.

Cozy candles cast friendly shadows across the smoky dinning room walls. Sat in the towering wooden chairs were King Mateo and his band of merry friends, ready to dive into the feast before them.

"Wilbur, you've outdone yourself." King Mateo reached to pat him on the back when a sudden, BOOM BANG BOOM!! rang out, causing the King and his friends to jump. The loud knocking echoed through the castle.

“Stay here,” said the King to his friends as he grabbed his sword and hobbled to the doors.

“No sir, good friends defend. We’re coming with you,” said Olivia, Harry’s sister.

The air was thick with tension. No one knew what would happen next.

King Mateo took a deep breath and pulled the doors open. 

"It's the Shadow King!" yelped Harry in fear.  

“It's me, Matti. I finally made it. I’m home.”  a bashful  Korben

King Mateo’s confusion melted into a muted joy. 

“Matti, you’re not saying anything. Are you angry?"

"Come in, come in, Master Korben," said Wilbur, taking charge. He ushered the twin brothers into the castle lounge. 

There, King Mateo spurtted his first words. “No, I’m not angry. Just surprised. Shocked, in fact. I thought I lost you forever. But I'm so glad you’re here! In fact, we could use your help! Korben, our friends are missing! Well, not the ones here, but all the others!” 

It was Korben’s turn to fall silent. But it was now or never. His brother deserved to know the truth. The words came tumbling out.

“I left Venice the moment I read your letter,” he said. “But the sea… the storm… we were lost for ages. And when I realized how long our journey took, how much time had passed, I panicked. I was afraid you’d be angry with me, so I planned a surprise party to make it up to you."

“We invited all of your friends.” Continued Korben. “But after Ralph and I collected everyone… they all ran off. It probably had something to do with my disguise as the Shadow King.”

King Mateo looked as if he might fall over. “Wait. So you sent the letter about the missing animals? And the note on the lion statue? That was all you? You’re the Shadow King?”

Korben was too ashamed to lift his head. “Yes,” he admitted. “I created the Shadow King as a distraction, a device to get you away from the castle so we could set up your party! I didn’t mean for things to get so complicated. I only meant to do something nice and send you on a fun adventure to boot. But it all went wrong. It’s all my fault. I’m so, so sorry, Matti. Please forgive me.”

The puppies sensed a dramatic shift of emotions. But before the brothers could continue, Harry interrupted the conversation.

“Excuse me Kings, but perhaps we can sort this out over dinner? Poor Ralph is half-starved!"

"Great idea, Harry!” said Mateo as he attempted to shake off the shock.

“And afterward, maybe we can teach Korben and Ralph how to play our new game!”

What do you think, should we join them? Let's go!