Princess Electra Book 4 School of Medicine

by Dory Lee Maske

  Chapter 35

  Manoa

  Serafina looked out her cabin's porthole at the city of Manoa. Palm trees waved in a flower scented breeze. Bird calls filled the air. She packed her cape in her bag and changed to her lightest cotton dress. She checked her make-up in her mirror. She looked old but not poverty stricken. She piled her dyed grey hair atop her head and waited until most of the other passengers disembarked.

  Feigning a limp, she took up her cane and walked down the gangplank. The sailors looked at her without interest. She had taken all her meals in her cabin and had stayed aboard at Sea Chase, the ship's only stop along the way. She had made no friends on board to necessitate farewells.

  Vendor stalls crowded the wharf area. The movements of one young flower vendor caught Serafina's eye. The girl was blind. She felt her way gently, hands held out, touching her wares with her fingertips. Serafina moved closer.

  The attractive young flower seller seemed happy, humming to herself as she watered the tropical flowers that surrounded her.

  "Your flowers are lovely," Serafina commented. "Do you grow them yourself?"

  "I do, Madame. Thank you for your compliment."

  "Is it difficult to be surrounded by so much beauty and be denied the sight?" she asked.

  The girl laughed, a pleasant contralto sound. "So many people comment on the beauty and so few comment on the scents. And yet the world I inhabit is made up of the most enchanting aromas. I would not trade my world for one I have never known."

  "You are content."

  "I am."

  "I share your interest in the cultivation of plants. In fact I have traveled here from a distant land to find a source of fertilizer. I believe such a place exists here. An island, I am told, where birds of many species travel to make their nests and lay their eggs."

  "I am sorry you have come so far for this purpose. I know the island you speak of. I am afraid the new owner has closed down the trade."

  "Do you know why?"

  "It is rumored he is a recluse. He will not tolerate trespassers or visitors."

  "I have come so far. I think I will try to change his mind."

  The young woman looked alarmed. "I must caution you against this. He employs guards, armed guards, to defend his island against trespassers."

  "Surely he would not see an old woman such as I a threat. If I am successful would you like me to obtain some fertilizer for you as well?"

  The girl shook her head. "I see I can not dissuade you. Perhaps your age will save you. I can only hope as much. As for me, I love my flowers and would like to give them bits of fertilizer, but not enough to risk life and limb."

  "If I am saved then by my age and handicap I will return to bring you as my guest for my second visit to the island."

  The girl put her hand to her mouth. Then she smiled a beautiful smile. "Only if the owner agrees to my coming."

  Serafina walked from the wharf area into the city. Except for the warm humid climate, it was a port city much like Henge. The monarch's castle sat high on a hill that overlooked the harbor. An army was not in evidence and she surmised that Manoa's neighbors were peaceful.

  By evening Serafina had settled on lodging at an inn with a good view of the harbor. She purchased a map showing the island of White Cliffs. It looked to be an hour's sail from Manoa. She left her comfortable suite to have dinner in the dining room.

  The innkeeper brought her a dinner of fish and coconut. "What brings you to Manoa?" he asked in a cheerful voice.

  "I am old. The warm climate is good for my bones."

  "That it is," he agreed. "I feel the difference myself when I travel north. So you'll be staying for a time then?"

  "For a time. I enjoyed fishing here as a child when my family visited. I thought I might hire a small boat and see if I still have the knack for it."

  The innkeeper seemed surprised. "Good for you, then. You put us younger folk to shame. You won't have any trouble finding someone to take you out. There are boats to let all along the wharf." He paused to think. "I wouldn't mind buying your catch if you should have any luck. And I could cook up a fish for your dinner if you would like."

  "I would like nothing better."

  The next morning Serafina had a good breakfast at the inn and walked down the hill to the wharf to look at boats for let. She was directed to a man who had a small sailing craft and let it out for day excursions. She found the man patching a hole in his sail.

  The man was eager to find a customer. "I am called Sloan," he said. "You'll not find a better craft at any price."

  "I fished here as a young girl. I would like to go back to the same spot."

  "I am at your service. I know many good spots as well."

  "The spot I remember was near an island called White Cliffs."

  Sloan's expression changed. "Visitors aren't welcome there no more, I'm afraid. But I know places where I promise we will find fish."

  "How near the island could we go without causing trouble?" Serafina asked.

  Sloan looked out over the bay. "I'd feel safe if we was to get no closer than an arrow could fly."

  Serafina smiled. "That will have to do then."

  Serafina and Sloan anchored some distance from the shore of White Cliffs and threw out their lines. White Cliffs got its name from the cliffs that rose up on the far side of the island. Likely limestone, she guessed, though they appeared to be covered in the white guano that formed from bird droppings. The near side of the island sloped down to a sandy beach. A large manor house could be glimpsed amid the thick tropical foliage that covered the island. Two guards armed with bows stood on the beach, making sure that Serafina and Sloan stayed a good distance from the island.

  Serafina felt a tug on her line and pulled out a fat snapper. Sloan pulled one up a minute later. "You were right about this place," he said, excited with his catch. "This is a grand fishing hole."

  By the end of the day, they had a pile of six good sized fish.

  Serafina held up one of her snappers. "It feels to be about six pounds. I think my innkeeper would like to buy it."

  "I'll bet he would. Make sure he gives you a fair price. I think I will keep my three. I like a good snapper stew now and again."

  "I have enjoyed my day," Serafina said. "Would you be available to take me out again tomorrow?"

  "Lady, I'll be available whenever you've a notion. Same time?"

  "Same time."

  Sloan and Serafina continued to fish every day. She surprised Sloan by occasionally taking over the sailing duties. On the fourth day she saw what she was waiting for. A small boat rowed by an elderly man took off from the beach of White Cliffs. Serafina watched him row laboriously toward the port of Manoa.

  Serafina grimaced as she spoke to Sloan. "I think I shall have to cut today's fishing trip short. My leg is giving me some trouble. Let us set sail back to Manoa."

  They arrived at the wharf quickly on a favorable breeze and Serafina lingered at the dock, waiting for the elderly man in the row boat to arrive.

  He finally pulled into shore and beached his small boat. Serafina followed as he moved from vendor to vendor, buying supplies for his master, the two guards and himself—the only four inhabitants of the island. She judged he bought enough to last a week. This was likely a trip he repeated every week on the same day.

  The old man took his supplies into a waterfront tavern and ordered a cup of ale. Serafina followed and took a chair by the entrance. The tavern's proprietor joked with him as though they were old friends.

  "Henry! How are things on the island?" he asked.

  "About the same. Nuthin' new ever happens now Tristan's cut us off from the world."

  "Here ya are in the big city. Might as well have yourself a bang up time while yer here," the tavern owner teased.

  The old man held up his cup of ale. "Fer the likes a me, this here is a bang up time."

  The two
men laughed and Serafina slipped quietly out of the tavern. She knew all she needed to know.