“Skylights told me of Queen Tulip and King Popinjay. They sound like adventurous sorts, who are far too busy to deal with the likes of us. By Skylights’s account, Morningstar has been welcoming sailors for more years than history recollects. I assure you we are in no danger here,” said James.

The fact was this place intrigued James; he was fascinated by all the stories Skylights had told him, and if he wasn’t Hades-bent on getting to Never Land this would be just the sort of place he’d like to explore and learn more about. As it was, Skylights had given him quite the history on their long journey there. By all accounts Queen Tulip seemed like an amazing woman, someone James would be honored to meet. If the stories Blackbeard shared with Skylights were true, James could think of no other monarch, in his land or any other, that surpassed her bravery and perseverance. James was astounded that this place had managed to capture his imagination almost as vividly as Never Land had. An immortal queen who was once betrothed to an evil man who was cursed to become a beast, who treated her so poorly she threw herself off the cliffs only to be saved by a sea witch. James had heard no tale as harrowing or inspiring as hers, the way she not only mended her broken heart but became the woman she was always meant to be: strong, brave, and protecting these lands from evil with the help of giant trees who could walk and talk. This was the stuff of legends. This was a woman worthy of great respect. He wished he could meet her, but his desire to reach Never Land was even more compelling than Queen Tulip’s saga.

“At the moment my only desire and obstacle is finding these witches. Blackbeard said they would sense my coming here, but so far I have seen no sign of them,” said James as a delicate black crow circled and cawed overhead.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” said Skylights, joining Smee and James, and pointing at the crow. “That, sir, is one of their minions. Her name is Opal, and she is a tricky little devil. She once belonged to the Dark Fairy who ravaged these lands with fire and heartbreak. Some say the Dark Fairy refused to pass into the mist when she died, and can come back in her dragon form to set the lands ablaze again and again to punish those who took her daughter from her.” This made Smee even more nervous. Smee’s eyes were now searching the sky for dragons.

James shook his head. “Did Blackbeard tell you this, Skylights? Dragons indeed!” said James, scoffing.

“Indeed he did, sir. All these stories are in his Book of Fairy Tales. It’s in the chest he gave you before we departed the Floating Boneyard, the one with the eye.”