A Woman's World

by Lynne Hill-Clark

  At times the sea was calm; it would gently rock Baya to sleep. Sometimes it was impossible to sleep as they would be tossed about like a child’s rag doll. The nights and days were clear with only occasional wisps of clouds. There was nothing to prevent them from knowing which direction they were heading, day or night.

  Vicaroy’s skin turned from a light black to a purplish-black and Baya’s skin was no longer an olive tone. She turned into a golden-brown sun goddess. At least that’s how Vicaroy saw her. He tried not to be too obvious — only stealing occasional glances at her — her long legs, her bare midriff …

  Baya was true to her word. She spoke to Doba more than she did to Vicaroy. She was all business with Vicaroy. They spoke only when it was absolutely necessary.

  It was his turn at the helm. He was so used to it that he hardly had to think about his job. At regular intervals he would glance up at the stars and then make any adjustments at the helm without thinking about it.

  He was going through the same old motions, nothing more. His thoughts automatically strayed to the usual things; how to get Baya to forgive him and how it felt to kiss her … how it would feel to caress her soft skin …

  A shiver passed through him. He focused on the water. All fantasies disappeared. He was suddenly yanked into the present. The sea had gone completely calm. Not a wave in sight. Not a puff of wind to propel them through the water. For the first time in a month the boat did not rock. They sat perfectly still in the water and the sail hung limp. He had no idea why but he didn’t like the calmness. This was … eerie. “Baya, something is … not right.”

  But she was already crawling out of the cabin. “It’s so still and I had a dream I was back in my bed at home. I thought I smelled Rus’s cooking,” she muttered, still half asleep. Her eyes widened when she studied the glassy water around them. “It’s the calm before the storm. I’ve read about this.”

  She scanned the horizon but there was nothing but the dark sky and stars touching the black water.

  “We can’t see it yet but it’s coming. We have to prepare the boat,” Baya said.

  Vicaroy didn’t question her. He moved to secure the sail.

  “No. We have to take it down entirely. Everything, if we wish to keep it, must be put inside.”

  He nodded and went to work.

  Baya bit her lower lip, as she watched for any signs of the impending storm. She hoped that she was wrong, or that the scrolls had been misleading, or that she had somehow misread them.

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of light along the horizon, then another.

  “Vicaroy.” She pointed to the south. It was coming fast and it was enormous.

  Darkness was swallowing the stars and the waters. In no time, a wall of black clouds spanned across the entire southern horizon. Lightning flashed through the clouds giving away their true colors — variations of pink and pure orange. Distant thunder rolled and rumbled through the air with such force that Baya could feel it vibrate in her chest.

  “It will be on us before we know it. Go! Get everything inside. We have to close ourselves in,” Baya said.

  She gave one last glance at the furious storm before heading into the cabin. A part of her wished that there was some way she could watch the beautiful power of the storm. But there wasn’t, not if they had any hopes of surviving.

  Vicaroy closed the hatch once Baya was inside. With no windows and no more moonlight it was pitch black inside. She lit a ball of fire so he could see to secure the latch to the hatch.

  “That will keep the rain out.” He looked at Baya with concern. “Will your protection … make the storm go around us?”

  “No. The storm doesn’t care if it can see us or not. My powers only work on humans and animals. It will pass right over us like it does everything else.”

  “Can you do something —”

  “Like what?” Baya was losing her patience.

  “Like force it away?”

  “I can’t control the weather if that’s what you were hoping,” Baya snapped.

  “That makes sense, there was little need for that on Pathins where the weather was most always pleasant,” Vicaroy mused.

  “We aren’t in Pathins anymore.” Baya curled up on the bed with Doba. She held him close. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered as she rubbed his chin.

  The only place left for Vicaroy to sit was on top of the sail, which was on the floor at the foot of the small bed.

  “I should conserve my energy.” Baya put her fire out — plunging them into complete darkness.

  It started slowly. The boat rocked gently at first. Baya tried to force herself to sleep. It could be a large storm and therefore a very long night. She could use the rest. But there was no way her mind would allow sleep to come.

  The rocking grew more intense. The wall of torrential rain could be heard as it pounded into the sea, moving closer. Then rain drummed on the roof of the boat in a heavy rhythm. It could have been a relaxing sound except for the giant waves they were now floating over. It seemed like they were heading straight up. Then the bow of the boat slammed down with a loud smack as they headed down the other side of the wave.

  It felt like they were free-falling for a mile before the boat would head up the next wave. Every sudden turn of the boat caused Baya’s stomach to drop. She braced herself against either wall as did Vicaroy. This kept them from sliding from one end of the cabin to the other as they rode the monster waves.

  The hours endlessly passed, each one just as dark as the last.

  “Surely we must be about out of the storm,” Baya’s voice broke the black silence.

  “It’s like the storm is sitting on top of us. It’s not letting up,” Vicaroy said.

  They had spoken too soon. The wind howled even louder through the thin cracks around the hatch. Up and up they went. As Baya’s stomach turned again she found herself on her face. A thud beside her told her that Vicaroy had done the same. “We’re … upside down!” she yelled. The boat had capsized. It hadn’t made it over the last wave. They were under water.

  Darkness. Water.

  Thoughts of being trapped in a well flooded Baya’s mind. She couldn’t breathe. They were going to die. As suddenly as she had found herself face-down she was now on her back on the bed. “Doba!” she remembered. She hadn’t felt him in a while. There was no response.

  Oh, Great Goddess, I’ve crushed him, she thought.

  “Baya! I feel water,” Vicaroy said.

  That was it. She could no longer stand the darkness. She lit her fire and found Vicaroy standing on the sail. At least it had offered him some cushion when the boat righted itself.

  Baya barely had time to put her hands out to keep her face from hitting the ceiling as the boat tried to top another wave and didn’t make it. The shock broke Baya’s concentration and the fire ball was extinguished.

  She relit her light. This time Vicaroy was upside down. He had braced himself against the ceiling and floor with his legs and arms outstretched. Baya was in a pile on the ceiling of the cabin along with other loose belongings. She wanted to look for Doba but there was no time. Behind Vicaroy was the most terrifying sight.

  Chapter 40

  Water poured in around the frame of the hatch. Yet again, Baya found herself on the bed. Something hit her head but she didn’t let it break her focus. She managed to keep her fire lit.

  Vicaroy stood in a couple inches of water. They looked at each other with wide eyes.

  “Get ready for another wave,” he said as they headed upwards.

  Baya was learning — she threw her arm up to brace herself against the ceiling that would soon be the floor. She couldn’t fully support herself with one arm when the boat capsized again. More gracefully this time she caught herself with her legs and she was able to keep the light on. Which she regretted as it gave her a clear view of the water rushing in.

  Her breaths grew quick and shallow. What should she do? She was no match against the raging sea a
nd storm outside.

  Two more turnovers passed. Vicaroy now stood in a foot of water.

  “Think, Baya!” she yelled. But she couldn’t stop the storm. She couldn’t keep the boat upright.

  Stop worrying about what you can’t do and think about what you can do, she yelled to herself.

  “I can —”

  But she was upside down again. Water splashed in her face and belongings jostled around and slammed into her. What can I do…? she thought. I’m no match against a storm but I can … change matter.

  “That’s it!” she yelled. She crawled through the water to the leaking door. She held out her arms as the water rushed in through the cracks. She found herself sitting at Vicaroy’s feet as the boat righted itself once again. Jumping up she worked quickly to seal the door.

  Baya transformed the wood, making it one solid piece. There was now a wall where the hatch had been. Bracing for another upside-down ride she placed her hands against the ceiling. Water washed over her as it fell to the roof, which was once again temporarily a floor. She got to her feet and studied her work — no more water rushed in.

  “You did it!” Vicaroy moved to wrap his arms around her in celebration but they both had to brace for the next go around.

  Again and again — around and around but no more water leaked into the cabin.

  Baya was growing weak and she had to extinguish the light to save her energy.

  “Do you feel faint?” Vicaroy asked.

  “I thought it was just me — losing my strength.”

  “No. I think we’re running out of air.”

  Baya heard Vicaroy stumble. “Are you okay?”

  “The cabin is sealed too tight. We need air,” he sputtered.

  “I can’t make air.”

  “You’re going to have to open the hatch when the boat rights itself.”

  “I don’t have enough strength to reseal the hatch every time we go under.”

  They braced for another upturn. Nothing. They waited through another wave. Still nothing. The boat remained upright.

  “Do you think …” Baya was afraid to hope that the storm might be calming.

  A long silence as they waited in the dark. The pounding rain outside slowed to a drizzle. “Vicaroy?” Baya panted. She was terrified that he may have passed out in the water. He might be drowning. She lit her light.

  “Open the hatch,” he gasped.

  She scrambled to her feet. It was a risk but she had to take it, knowing they were going to suffocate otherwise. Breathing in what little air she could, she focused all her remaining energy on the wooden wall where the door had been. The wooden slats and the metal latches reformed.

  Vicaroy fumbled to open the hatch. He threw the hatch back and they fell out of the cabin, taking deep breaths. A gentle rain still fell but they didn’t care. They were already soaked. What did matter was the sweet air that filled their lungs. And the fact that the worst of the storm was swiftly rolling away from them in the distance. They watched the lightning and clouds slowly move to the north.

  Baya noticed that the boat sat lower in the ocean with all the water the cabin had taken in.

  “You did it. You saved us … again.” Vicaroy gave her a warm smile.

  Baya put her head down. “Not all of us. I don’t know how Doba could have made it through that. Surely he was crushed or drowned. I haven’t heard his thoughts since the storm started.”

  “Let’s look for him. He has to be in there somewhere.”

  The first sun of the day barely peeked over the water and they dared to head back inside. The cabin was a disaster and there was no sign of Doba.

  “I’ll start cleaning. He’ll turn up.” Vicaroy rather dreaded finding the large insect, dead or alive.

  There was so much work to do ... and all Baya wanted was to somehow dry herself, eat twice her rations and fall asleep. But there was no way to do any of that. All their clothes and bedding were soaked. The food was in disarray. Goods that had not been sealed in jars were ruined.

  “Well I’m not just going to stand around and watch you,” she said.

  Vicaroy smiled. “You never have. You always help, even though you don’t have to.” That’s why I love you. He refrained from saying that last bit out loud.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I’ll help. This is no time to make distinctions between men’s work and women’s work.” Baya was at her wit’s end. “You really need to give up on that old crap. We’re not in Pathins anymore. We both have to work if we are going to survive out here.”

  Just get to work and don’t argue, Vicaroy told himself. Yet his mouth opened anyway. “You already did so much — you kept us alive through the storm. You had to use a lot of your powers and I know it drains you. I wouldn’t blame you if you needed to rest.” Plus he worried that if she grew too weak to use her powers then all would be lost. He chose not to voice this last concern.

  Vicaroy hated to see her like this; tired, uncomfortable and still having to work. She was royalty. She deserved better and it was his job to do the physical work. If he couldn’t properly take care of her and keep her comfortable then he was a failure and that was why he hadn’t wanted her to come. He knew he couldn’t properly take care of her out here.

  Baya glared at him and headed into the cabin.

  They untied the bedding from the frame and placed it out to dry on top of the cabin. The ropes that were usually used for hoisting the sail were used to air their wet clothes. Baya was handing buckets of water from the cabin floor out for Vicaroy to toss overboard. After only the second bucket her arms shook with exhaustion. She needed food and rest … and dry feet.

  A jar floated out from the storage area which was under the bench seats in the back of the boat. Baya didn’t notice it until it bumped her leg. When she looked down she let out a scream.

  Vicaroy poked his head into the cabin to see what was wrong. It didn’t take long for him to realize that it was a scream of joy. Inside the jar was Doba, who uncoiled himself and crawled out. The opening was barely big enough for him to fit through. He scurried up Baya’s leg and wrapped himself around her as usual.

  This place is a mess, he thought as he surveyed the cabin.

  Baya laughed and broke into tears at the same time. “You’re alright!”

  “The damn thing just floated around in his own private boat in the cargo hold all night.” Vicaroy had secretly hoped that the insect hadn’t made it through the storm.

  “You slept through the whole thing!” Baya yelled. “I could kiss you and strangle you.” She plopped down in the water and let the tears fall — really fall.

  Doba rubbed his head against her neck to comfort her.

  Vicaroy lifted Baya to her feet. “Come on. We all need a break. Come out under the suns and let yourself dry while I find us something to eat.” Vicaroy helped Baya stretch out on the bench in the back of the boat.

  Thankfully the suns shone brightly in the clear purple-blue sky. The warm rays calmed her. She wrapped her arms around Doba and closed her eyes.

  Vicaroy rummaged through the jars. Nothing was in its place so he had to pull the cork on every jar until he found the nuts. Baya needed food, and quickly, if she was going to keep going like this. He didn’t have time to cook grains.

  When he came out Baya was fast asleep with Doba tucked under her arm. He wanted to throw the insect overboard. She should have her arm wrapped around him, not that insect. Vicaroy was the one who should be comforting her.

  He shook his head. I can’t believe I’m jealous of a bug, he thought as he tossed a handful of nuts in his mouth.

  Doba wormed his way out from under Baya’s arm, as Vicaroy sat on the bench across from her. Vicaroy tried not to stare at her long bare legs drying in the sun. There were some dark bruises in a couple places. It had been a brutal night, but they were alive.

  “Whoa!” Vicaroy started when he noticed that Doba was only inches away, staring at him intently with all four black eyes. Vicaroy pushed him a
way but Doba moved in even closer. “Don’t touch me. Shoo, Shoo.”

  Doba hissed but was not deterred.

  “What do you want?”

  Doba made a clicking noise and appeared to be staring at the nuts in Vicaroy’s hand.

  “Here …” Vicaroy tossed some nuts to the far side of the bench in order to get the creepy thing away from him.

  Doba silently slithered away, his segmented body curving and weaving as his many legs moved him toward the food.

  How can she stand that thing? Vicaroy wondered.

  Doba turned his many beady eyes on Vicaroy and gave an open-mouthed hiss before he began chomping away on a nut.

  It appeared to be able to read his mind as well as understand what he said. Vicaroy shivered.

  Chapter 41

  Baya woke with a start. The sea had gone completely calm … again. It was the type of calm that filled her with dread. Her heartbeat increased as she searched the sky for another storm. The last sun would be setting soon. No storm in sight … yet.

  “I’ve slept all day?” She jumped to her feet. She was sore and bruised in various spots but she felt much better. At least her strength was back.

  “It’s okay. You needed the rest. And I took care of the boat,” Vicaroy smiled with pride. He was feeling less a failure after taking care of things while she slept.

  Baya looked over the side. The boat was sitting higher in the water. “You got all the water out of the cabin … by yourself.” Baya sighed. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m glad you rested. You’re going to need your strength for the next storm.”

  “Another storm?” She searched the sky. “Do you think we’ve entered a monsoon season?”

  “I’m afraid so. Our time of peaceful sailing is over.”

  Baya slumped onto the bench.

  Vicaroy handed her a plate of food. Her stomach growled when she saw it. “We can’t keep heading east if we’re stuck inside that cabin all the time,” she said with her mouth full of food. She was starving and didn’t care about manners. “There’s no telling where the monsoons will take us. We may have been pushed westward last night, for all I know.”