‘The Squashbuckler Diaries’ are the daily tales of Joy Shelley’s Life in the Dream. The ‘Lost in Dreams’ books will tell the story of what happens to her at ages 6, 9, 12, 15, and so on. The diaries tell us what happens before, after, and between the books.

#232: The Quest, Part 4

Dragon Father parked Bonny’s Revenge near the clouds.

He had just left the Island of the Elves, having asked for and received two free hours. It was, indeed, the first time outside of an adventure that he and 4-year-old Dragon Little had been apart. 

He stood in the middle of the deck and slammed his hands together. “All right! What do you want to do? Party!” He grimaced. “I hate parties. A movie?” 

He began to pace the deck. “Saw them all. A show? Broadway? Stand-up?” He waved it aside. “Ahh, I don’t want to waste the two hours on that.” 

He paced the deck back and forth. “Parachuting? Paragliding?” 

He shook his head. “I basically do that every day.” 

He walked around and around searching for an idea. “Damn it, what can’t I do when Joy’s here?” 

A fairy landed behind him, and he turned around quickly. 

She looked like a human with wings, a beautiful face and wearing a miniskirt that showed her legs. “Are you Justin Shelley, pirate extraordinaire?” she said in a soft voice. 

“Uh… Yeah?” 

“Oh, good,” she fell into his chest. “I have been looking for you for years.” 

“You have?” 

“I am Princess Adriana. I am set to marry Prince Caspian tomorrow so that there may be peace in my land, but I love him not. I have heard of your heroic deeds and I know that you are my soulmate. I wish to have an exciting few hours with you before I must fulfill my duties.” 

She looked up at him with big eyes. 

“I can do that,” he said.

—Told by the Red Dragon

#233: The Quest, Part 5

#231: The Quest, Part 3