by V. R. Janis
When we reached the house, Father was standing on the porch waiting. His arms were crossed over his barrel chest. I reached for the drum and held it in front of me like a shield of armor. I was aching to go get the sock, but I forced myself to stay still to look at my father—after I sent a glare at Iyatan.
Father’s booming voice echoed in my ears. “I heard a story of a drum disappearing minutes before my daughter, son and nephew vanished. I looked all over for you and all I found was Wagnuka sitting and packing for the voyage. What do you have to say for yourselves?”
I could not meet his eyes. “I borrowed the drum, and see, here it is.”
My father’s eyes bulged with anger. “I am looking at it and am sorely disappointed. It took a long time to make that drum and so short a time to destroy it.
“Tomorrow the three of you will tan hides and make drums. Then when we set sail, you can use your time to fix that drum and you will not help on the ship until it is done. Go clean up for supper.”
I bowed my head and went past my father; I knew when a battle was lost. The disappointment in his eyes was worse than the punishment.
I ran and grabbed my brother's sock, then threw it in his face. I went to my room and thought about how much trouble my brother and cousin had got into because of me.
I sneaked out my window and went to Wicahpi’s stall. She was pacing in agitation, but calmed a little when I walked in.
“Where did you go earlier? You left me out there and I had to walk back.”
She snorted and shook her head.
“I understand it was not your fault. What should I do?”
I laid my head against her neck and thought about what my father had said and how he had looked. I absently filled Wicahpi’s grain bucket and placed it at her feet. I patted her neck as she bent to eat. She raised her head, nudged me and then went back to eating.
My father was always talking about how he wanted me to be mature and show him I knew the meaning of responsibility. I would show him.
I went to my father in his study, one of my favorite places to lose myself. The smell of the fireplace and books was comforting. This was our spot. My brother and cousins hated coming in here unless it was for lessons, and then they left quickly. Sometimes I would curl in an armchair with a book while my father worked at his desk. We shared comfortable silence.
He sat at his desk as I peeked around the door. He filled his chair and it seemed to groan under his giant stature. He was a tall, strong man and he knew his size intimidated people. He looked up as I called.
“Ate, can I talk to you for a minute? It's about earlier.”
He stared up at me with solemn eyes. “Han.”
“It was my fault the drum was ruined. I do not think it fair that Tanagila and Iyatan have to suffer. They really want to learn about the ship. I take full responsibility for the drum.”
My father’s booming laugh startled me. “If you want to take the punishment for them that's fine, but I know they had a guilty hand in the mischief too.”
“I want to take the punishment.”
“I see. Well, maybe they will owe you.”
“Ate,” I sighed, “that is not why I did it. You should know me better than that.”
My father winked at me. “I believe I know you very well, my mischievous fairy princess.”
I grinned.
He laughed again. “Call them in.”
I went to search for the boys and found them taking care of Iyatan’s head in the kitchen.
“Ate wants to see both of you.”
My words made them both jump. They followed me back into the study, heads bowed.
“Boys, I have some interesting news for you. You will not be partaking in the punishment of tanning hides or fixing drums. Wakangli has asked to do it alone.”
Their heads whipped up and they stared at me, their mouths hanging open. I stared back with a blank face.
Iyatan turned his head slowly back to our father. “But…but that….”
My father held up his hand and silence fell quickly. “I did not command that she do this; it is her choice. She will do the punishment and you both will help load the ships. You can go. Wakangli, wait one minute.”
The boys left and closed the door softly behind them. I turned toward my father and smiled. He held out his arms. I hugged him hard and he held me to his side as he talked.
“I am proud of you. You did a good thing.” I glowed with pleasure until he spoke again. “But you should probably get some sleep. It is going to be hard work tanning hides tomorrow.”
My shoulders slumped. “Okay.” I walked to the door slowly.
“Oh, and Wakangli.” I lifted my head to see the huge grin on his face. “I will make sure they have hot water ready for you when you are done. We don’t want you smelling like the tanning house when we travel. Don’t forget to pack.”
I stuck my tongue out at him and stomped to the door. His laughter followed me all the way to my room.
I was happy that we did not leave the day with both of us angry. I was not looking forward to the punishment, but at least my heart felt lighter.
I went to sleep thinking about sailing.
CHAPTER 2
I sat straight up, excited. Then I remembered I had to fix drums and help in the tanning house today. Yuck.
I washed my face and then wondered why I had bothered. I was determined to go through with this. So I quickly dressed in some of my worst clothes, one of my brother’s old shirts and pants. Then I braided my hair and twisted it up and under an old piece of cloth. I did not want to wipe hide goop out of my hair. Gross!
I ate a small breakfast; my stomach could only handle one muffin and a small cup of tea at the thought of tanning. I pushed away from the table and crept down toward the docks. The entire town was still sleeping with the sun. The sky was lightening in the east and I quickened my step. If the sun was up before I made it to the docks, I would be considered late. Then father would think of another punishment.
On the shore lay a pile of jumbled hides waiting to be cleaned and tanned. Father must have told the tanner that he would have help today.
The tanner had left me all the worst hides. I sighed, knelt in the sand and grabbed the first one.
I untangled ropes and other hides from the one I was working on. I stretched the hide onto a rack and used the rope to tie it on. After it was completely stretched, I started in one corner and scraped along it to clean the guck off, flinging it to the ground.
I worked section by section, letting my mind wander. It took me hours to clean this one hide and I took it to the tanning house to hand it off. I grabbed the next one and began again.
Some of the men on the ships stopped occasionally to watch. I didn't think it was that interesting. We could trade jobs if they wanted.
I caught the eyes of seven men watching more than the others. I studied them and remembered all the details I could about them. They seemed to have nothing in common, from clothes to features.
I felt a twinge of worry. Why were they so interested in what I was doing?
I discovered Wagnuka watching and I waved. He glared at me and turned the other way. A frown deepened on my face. What had I done to him? What was his problem? It wasn’t as if he had gotten into trouble with us.
What had happened yesterday was normal for all of us. Even though it was closer to sailing—this was the first time we were going with father—Wagnuka did not have to be that way. He frustrated me to no end because he could never let anything go.
I caught the sight of a flash of silver in the sun; I looked up into eyes the color of moonlight. I was swimming in his gaze and could not look away. I felt a pull toward him.
Then I blinked and those beautiful eyes were gone. Hmm.
I finished another hide. As I walked back to my spot I met the gaze of another sailor, one with golden eyes. I smiled at the sailor and watched as he turned slowly away.
All of these new faces must be some of the sailo
rs father had to hire to crew one of the new ships he had built. He said that he didn't have enough of his regular sailors to help with all the ships. He was unwilling to leave one of the ships, so we had new people around.
I understood that this voyage was a first for father too. He had never taken any of us with him. Now he was taking all of us at once, so we could learn. Some big deals were also supposed to happen on this trip.
We were taking three ships on this voyage and I could not wait for the morning.
I had helped name the new ships: Flying Waves and Floating Dreams. The one I would sail on was named Touch of Light. This was the old ship and the one on which father spent a fortune to repair it every year. It was the ship my mother had named when I was born.
I groaned as I felt a splat of fat and slime hit my face. I needed to pay attention to what I was doing or I could end up in a big mess. I focused on the tanning, but it was hard to keep my mind on the job. It was a task that did not require much except muscle and persistence.
I picked up the last hide in the pile. My patience was fading fast and I wanted to be done. The day was almost ended. A massive chuck of fat and meat still clung to the hide and did not want to be scraped off. I pulled on it with one hand and angled the blade differently. I ran the blade down the hide, but it slipped off the meat. I yelled in pain as the blade cut open my hand. It burned.
I looked up to see a few sailors jump from the ship into the water and wade toward me. The sting in my hand made my eyes water. The first sailor to reach me had a face full of terror.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, sorry. I did not mean to alarm all of you. Stupid blade sliced my hand.”
“Will you allow me to heal you?”
“I can heal myself.”
“Please, it's the least I can do.”
“Will it make you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then go ahead, even if it is unnecessary.”
He reached out and gently held my hand in his. He sent healing into my hand and I felt a little something else–a pull toward him. I looked up and was lost in his golden eyes. He smiled; I smiled in return, unable to help myself. I felt a tingle in the hand he was still holding. I felt my heart flutter as his smile broadened.
He was a handsome man of twenty years. He had tan skin and broad shoulders. That was all I could tell since I could not tear my gaze away from his.
Someone cleared his throat. I jumped and our eye contact was broken, but he still held my hand. I looked up into the face of my father. I felt the blush as it crept over my neck and face.
“Hello, Ate.”
“Hello, Wakangli. I see you are almost done. Why don’t you hurry and then you can get cleaned up for dinner.”
“Yes, Ate.”
“Sailor, thank you for assisting my daughter, but she seems fine now. Why don’t you go finish your duties on the ship?”
“Actually, sir, I finished my duties and was helping a few others. If it is possible I would like to stay and help Wakangli finished this hide. Then I could gather the finished hides for the trip.”
“Hmmmm. Well, I guess that is okay. But keep your hands to yourself.” Father looked pointedly at our hands, which were still connected. Golden Eyes slowly released my fingers. “Finish up then. We have a big day tomorrow.”
Father walked away from us, but he kept looking back. I grabbed the hide and started to work on the stuff left on it. I felt Golden Eyes stare at me.
“You know my name,” I said. “What is yours?”
“You can call me Wi, but my name is Wiahinapa.”
“Why did you become a sailor, Wi?”
“To learn from the best, your father. I have always wanted to sail around the world.”
“To see amazing new things and people.”
“Exactly.”
I laughed because he seemed excited and serious at the same time. His eyes flashed to my face and we lost ourselves again. I heard my father’s voice in the distance and stared at the hide.
I sighed. “You are a dangerous man, Wi.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don't know, but I know you are going to change things for me. I am just not sure if they are for good or bad yet. I am a little scared of what is to come.”
“I will change things for the better. Definitely. Watch and see.”
I wondered if he was right. “I guess I will have to wait then.”
“Yes.” He grinned. “Now we had better hurry and finish this or your father is liable to come over here and throw me into the sea.”
“I wonder how far you would go?”
“Let’s not find out, okay?”
“Thank you for helping me.”
“Not a problem.”
We finished my punishment quickly after that. My eyes searched the ships, but I did not see the owner of the silver eyes anywhere. I studied each of the sailors as I worked. I wondered where he had gone.
I looked at Wi. “Thank you again. I have to get back now. Ate is waiting on the dock for me.”
Wi grabbed my hand and bowed over it. “I would kiss your hand, but umm…it's kind of gross.”
We both started laughing.
Wi paused. “Well, I hope I was a great help to you today. It was my pleasure to assist you, and I hope to see you over the course of our journey.”
I shuffled to the house, exhausted and smelling of hides, but smiling. I had started out the day not so good, but I thought it ended on a better note. I hoped Father wasn’t joking about the hot bath.
I sank into the bath waiting for me. At least it was hot. My stomach grumbled, but I stayed in the bath until the water turned cold and my feet were shriveled. I got dressed and went searching for food. I had not eaten all day because the strong hide smell made me nauseous.
I ate a quick meal of deer stew and fresh bread. I went to my room and finished packing. I sat on my bed and thought about those silver eyes and Wi.
Hours later, I woke with a start to pounding on my door.
CHAPTER 3
I jumped up ready for anything, wondering why someone would be pounding like that on my door when the sun wasn’t even up. Geez!
Iyatan’s voice boomed so loud the door and my head rattled. “Get up! It is time to load your trunks. You have five minutes before I send the men into your room.” He snickered.
Oh, sometimes my brother drove me crazy.
“I'm up! Stop pounding! You probably woke everyone in the village too.”
I grabbed my clothes quickly, knowing he would be true to his word and only give me five minutes. It was still dark, so I stumbled around the room, not wanting to take the time to light a candle. I crashed into the table and started shouting words that would have made sailors blush.
I bit my lip to cut off the rest of the words. I knew there were people standing out in the hall waiting for me. I heard them snicker and shift when I fell and started to shout. I yanked the door open to stare into a sea of faces, most of them red, Iyatan in the lead.
“That took you four minutes, thirty-seven seconds. You were cutting it a little close, weren’t you?”
I glared at him and stepped back into the room, letting the men pass. I had three trunks and my pack. He had brought ten men, which was way too many.
I growled, “We only need four men to help us. The rest can see if father needs anything.”
As some of the men passed by me, I caught a silver flash and then a gold one in the light of the lamp Iyatan carried. The rest of the men turned and left. I watched the remaining men reach for my trunks. Studying them, I grabbed my pack and shrugged the straps onto my shoulders. I grabbed a trunk that was being carried by a young man with dark hair. He never looked up. Iyatan sighed and hefted the side of one of the remaining trunks.
I turned to the man who had my trunk. “Lead the way, sir. I will follow.”
His eyes flashed back and I saw gold in the light as he smiled. Then he started to walk and I was almost jerked off my
feet. I laughed.
The walk to the ship seemed longer. By the time we had the trunks stowed in my cabin, my arms were aching. Maybe I had packed too much. Since I had not been on a journey in a long time and the last time my mother had packed for me, it was to be expected. I didn’t know what I needed and was worried I would forget something. The boys seemed to take it in stride, though.
I went to the deck to watch the land, feeling mixed emotions. I was excited to go with my father but I was nervous. I was also feeling sadness bubbling up in me. The last time I had been on a ship, I lost my mother.
It had happened on a family voyage to visit my mother’s family. On the way home a massive storm hit our ship. Just thinking about it, I braced my feet for balance. I was made to go below, but I had forgotten my doll, a gift from my grand-mother. I really liked her and did not want to lose the doll. I went on the deck and grabbed her.
A wave hit while I was on deck, knocking me off my feet. I was going to go over the side, but I felt hands grab my dress. I was yanked back and then dragged to the door to go below. My mother shoved me through the doorway, but before she could get the hatch closed, a huge wave came and swept her away.
She went over the side and my father searched for months, hoping to find her. I heard that in every port he goes to, he searches the faces of all the women, hoping still.
I felt it was my fault. If I hadn't gone on deck, she would not have had to worry about me. That was ten years ago and still the scene played in my head. Being so close to the water made it play more clearly and repeatedly. It seemed to be torturing me. All I could hope was that this would not continue for the whole trip or I would definitely go insane.
I heard a whinny and scream come from the stables. I guess Wicahpi knew I was leaving and she was staying. If I could have taken her, I would have. She was one of the only friends I had.
I whispered on the wind, “Peace, wo’wahwa, friend. I will be back soon.”
I looked to my father as he shouted the orders to trim the sails. I met his eyes, which swam with sadness and unshed tears. Then he turned and guided the ship from port.