"The Castle Pilots" by Heathcroft
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Whether you believe in an afterlife or not, it is strange that he looked in that exact direction so long and so regularly each night before he died.
So allow me to let the venerable Count Tyrannus tell you about Digby (he does it so much better than I ever could.)
"Ah - My Children, so you wish to know more about The Castle Pilots?
Here they are up close and personal and also in the new Hind Gunship which brought them to our rescue in the last post. Digby (of course) is on the left.
Things are now quiet, the slaves are sleeping, chained to their iron bunks for their own safety, and the warriors are off duty (somewhere recreational no doubt.) So I will, if I may, tell you more about The Castle Pilots.
Pilot Officer Digby (First Class, C.D.M. with bar) is our link to the World of Men. He brings Dr. Cannibal Spectre to the Castle each month at the time of the full moon, when I rise from my crypt and prepare for the monthly feast.
Digby had a fine career in the S.A.S. and was known as 'The Shadow' as he was never seen by the enemy before he struck. He travelled widely and secretively in the World of Men and excelled quietly in theatres of war such as Bosnia, Croatia, Iraq and Afghanistan, stopping off on leave to acquaint himself with the prettier lady spaniels in the various cities en route to his destinations.
Digby sired 4 litters (that he admits to, anyway) and has a total of 38 pups, many of who now are pilots in the Russian Air Force. You can see two of them in the picture.
Whilst in Russia, Digby made a commercial killing by finding a source of cheap perfume and exporting it in vodka bottles to the West, where its was repackaged in fancy bottles and flew off the shelves in its new branding of 'Moscow Nights'. The ingredients are a well kept secret, but I can vouch that before it was bottled it had to be diluted by a factor of 1000 before it could be sold to the Western market. One whiff of the powerful yellow 'essence' would made one's eyes water, and could induce hallucinations.
Having finished two tours with the Regiment, and by then a multi-millionaire, Digby went freelance, just to keep his paw in, and that is when my spies heard of his covert skills and contacted him in his villa in St. Moritz. He immediately agreed to be the link between our world and yours, and also agreed to visit us each month with our special visitor, the good Doctor Spectre.
It was on one of these visits that the dragons of Garnsea attacked us and Digby decided to obtain the Hind gunship and trade in the Castle Sikorski, which was a bit old and knackered (rather like me.)
And Barnaby? Well, Digby has a soft spot for his dopey son, and tries as best he can to accommodate the soppy spaniel. So, useless as Barnaby is as a navigator, when passing his Island home, Dad picks him up for the ride out to the Castle.
So there you have it My Children. Now to business: " Seaglemus, fetch me that haunch of peasant and a flagon of wine. I am ravenous!"
All comments welcome! Thanks for dropping by!
Dave
Previously....
"Digby And The Dragons"
Amazing Fantasies
Comments (94)
LBJ2
Wonderful work, Heathcroft. Fantastic accomplisment. And it has a sense of humor.. o'boy. This is great.+5
MongusKing
Superb work my friend!!!
Mad-Mike
HAHA!!! wow this is a very cool idea! great POV's as well! great job bud!
robintemplar
Almost TOO CUTE for words, Dave!! I love dogs and your image above is super. Now I know where your avatar came from!!! wink I'm also so sorry about your loss. I know what it means to lose one of your best friends. I've lost many over the years and it never gets any easier, but we always hold their memory deep in our hearts. And in a small way, it's comforting to remember all of the good times and all the love and companionship that you shared together. Deep down, I believe in the Rainbow Bridge!!! You'll be able to spot me right off...I'll be on a big cloud up there, with about 30 canines, licking my face (and maybe one or two that'll still be trying to hump my leg!!!) LOL Bless you Dave!! Hugz from your friend, Robin
e-brink
Great images and a touching story. There was a dog once that belonged to a family member that seemed to know it was going to die. One day it went to the bottom of the garden, scratched a hole in the ground, laid down in it and then died. So they buried it there.
audieblue
Love the image and story,the first part made me misty eyed.
TheBear005
Nice work with great color. Well done.
Lunastar
What a wonderful way to remember.
theprojectionist
Kewl looking Pooches Springers or Cockers whatever brings back memories,good one Dave
leanndra
Dave, This is very cool and I love your inventive imagination!
Lotus253
A Hound in a Hind =) American and yet Soviet some how. =) (5)
WhispersSoft
Dave, Digby was lucky to have seen the love you shared. It's warming to know one can have the same unconditional love that our pets give to us. Made me think of Zues and hug Jolie...Thank you for sharing all this with us and hugs
Ravenlady
Cool and splendid work!!!! :D :D :D :D nice
Mousson
LOL! Fantastic! wonderful work!!!!!!
NekhbetSun
Lovely work, story and dedi to Digby S ....and yes, it is weird about him staring....sometimes I think animals know a lot more than we give them credit for
Igolochka
Stunning work, like these compositions!
LBAMagic
Awesome work
timtripp
remarkable!
annie5
Outstanding..thanks for sharing with us! :)
LudyMelltSekher
Hello my dear friend, Wonderful composition full of harmony and beauty.Fantastic work. Superbly done!! Congratulations!! A million stars** Thanks you very much for you comments.Happy weekend. Hug and kiss in Your heart.Luminous blesing.Ludy (Sorry by signing so late)
Digital_Mischief
Dave, lovely piece. Yes, it's sad when they live us. I'm happy that Tango is young and I should have many more years with him, but that day will come. A very nice tribute.
Sawen
great idea and work :)
DRAKELOT
Fantastic work and pilots ... !!!
tizjezzme
excellent work!
MagikUnicorn
THIS ROCKS!! :o) Like this a lot...
ragouc
Good composition. Well done. 5+
decie
cool looking dog looks like a springer, or a prince Charles. nice story and cool render
debz
Fantastic work Dave! Very funny and lovely dedication!
45Cool
Outstanding image!
NefariousDrO
Great stuff. Somehow I let your gallery slip away from me, and this is a fine example of why I should never let that happen again! So much fun!