The Dagger-Key and The Lost Treasures of Kebadon
Page 37
CHAPTER 10:
Sweet seaweed snake soup and sadness awaited their return, for only hours earlier Dylc and Romeous had been buried. Captain Joenf shouted from across camp, “Shellean, have you seen Dellyna?”
“No sir. Try the medic cabin,” she answered, setting aside some caygeo fruit.
Captain Joenf, deeply saddened by Dylc’s death, continued to shout, “She’s not there or anywhere else in camp!”
Washburrn approached him. “We found Dellyna. She’s been at the rocky sand beach, the one down from the clearing. She’s with her husband. She’s not feeling too well either.”
Shellean dropped what she was doing and motioned to the captain. “I’m on my way to the medic cabin.”
“Thanks, Shellean,” Captain Joenf told her, doing his best to control his anger. “Another crew-Zac is dying of that flu.” He made a sudden turn and ran into Washburrn. “Sorry.”
“Quite all right,” Washburrn said understandingly. He took the captain aside for a private talk. “Have you seen Malnur?”
The captain turned his head from side to side. “No. And I don’t know what to think about all of this.” His voice stiffened. “I don’t know what to think about everything that has happened.” He took a deep breath in hope to relax his nerves. “Malnur likes to bathe at the waterfall lake. He could be there. Why do you ask?”
“No reason in particular. I’ll speak with him later.”
The captain nodded with a defeated look about him as he leaned against the sleeping cabin wall facing the fire-pits. “We’re not even sure if it’ll rain when the other two cruise ships pass these waters. That’s if they make sail at all, considering the way this weather’s been.”
Washburrn nodded as he joined the captain against the wall.
The captain peered at Luxton, who was still tied to the large tree between the sleeping and kitchen cabins. He turned to Washburrn. “Gelhona. I’d like to know what happened to her, and Jayden too. Dylc sure was fond of him. And those Zacs who died in that cave .…”
Washburrn nodded with a sigh. “It is a sad mystery about those Zacs in that cave. But as for Gelhona,” he lowered his head, “I miss her too. In fact … I miss her very much.” He looked at the captain. “You’re not using your cane,” he said as if he needed to change the subject.
“I thought I’d try walking without it today. It’s a good thing too, or I’d use it to pound that Luxton’s head in. Why didn’t you put him out of … my misery when you had a chance?”
“Well, Joenf, the thought did cross my mind, but I thought you might want to have a say.”
“What are we suppose to do with him?” Captain Joenf asked.
All of a sudden a small tremor shook the ground beneath them. Everyone stopped whatever it was they were doing, and looked at each other as if waiting for something terrible to happen. However nothing ever came of it, and about ten minutes later the ground came to a rest, and everyone eventually continued doing whatever it was they had been doing before the tremor started.
The captain and Washburrn looked at each other. “So … what was it I was saying?” Captain Joenf glanced at Luxton. “What are we going to do with Luxton now?”
Washburrn scratched his whiskers. “Those tremors sure get a Zacs blood stirring.”
“Yes, yes they do.”
Washburrn glanced at Luxton, and began to tell the captain who the captive really was. When he had finished telling the story, the captain leaned on his good leg. “So let it be then,” he said angrily. “We let the courts deal with him. But if he tries to escape, shoot him.” His smile held a hint of satisfaction.
Washburrn nodded as he reached into his pocket. “He’s one slippery Zac,” he said as he handed Captain Joenf a small pouch. “I think you should be the one to carry this magic crystal. In case we need it on our escape from this island.”
The captain looked him straight in the eyes. “So refresh my memory,” he slightly opened his cloak and slipped the pouch into his vest pocket. “What does this one do?”
After Washburrn explained the particulars, the captain looked at him oddly. “Sounds like one of Kyhawn’s dreams, these strange creatures.” He ran his fingers through his beard as if pulling some foreign object from his whiskers. He looked at Washburrn curiously. “So you say this crystal summons up Sydallons from the forbidden island of Cambella? Don’t they come in all forms, shapes, and sizes?”
Washburrn nodded. “Yes, it all depends on the bugs a crystal such as the one I gave you lands next to, or touches. I do believe that to be the case.”
The captain pondered the thought. “This Emaya, she must be one powerful wizard,” he said with a pause. Then he abruptly started for the medic cabin with a somewhat stiff leg as Washburrn followed. “I need to write all of this in my diary. I’m so far behind, it’s unthinkable.” He shook his head. “We captains do that, you know. It’s the law of the high seas, keeping a record of everything that happens.”
“Yes, yes, I know the laws. But as for Emaya, wizard or not, if those Grongels ever get hold of that chest, she’ll be a powerful ally against them.”
The captain slightly bowed to Washburrn. “I’ll speak with you tomorrow.” As he drew the blanket aside and entered the medic cabin where he had set up private quarters in the back room, Washburrn turned to join those sitting round the fire-pits.