Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before

by Charles Kaluza

Chapter 2

  Heather worked hard on her planning but things never went as smoothly as she wanted. There was always another bureaucratic hurdle. Those of the Forest had been delayed for over a week while the church elders completed their decision making process. In the end, Heather got what she wanted but not without playing their game. Her father counseled patience but it was not her nature.

  She wanted to have a formal going away party for those of the Forest, who would be leaving, but Daniel insisted they would enjoy more an evening at the Rusty Tavern. The evening had gone well with good food and stories upon stories. Jeremy seemed intent on closing the tavern down, but for Daniel and Heather it was time to leave. Opening the door of the tavern, they were greeted with heavy snowfall and a cold wind. They pulled their capes tighter around themselves and started back towards the palace. As they climbed the hill away from the harbor, Heather's sense of contentment seemed to dissolve and she became anxious. Daniel was only minimally aware of the change in his bride until she uncovered her sword. He asked, "What is bothering my love on such a good evening?"

  The words were no sooner out of his mouth than the attackers were upon them. They seemed to come from everywhere in the narrow street intersection. Their weapons were simple spears and a net. Heather's sword flashed and she said, "Stay next to me and we'll try to work our way along this wall."

  Daniel did as he was told and they began working their way back down the hill with Heather's sword their only protection. Her fierce thrusting kept all the attackers just out of reach and those who tried to close upon them paid the price. They had made it almost halfway back to the tavern when Heather slipped on the snow. It was just enough of an opening, and Daniel found himself entangled in a net. He was suddenly dragged away while his wife was surrounded with attackers, unable to respond to his cry.

  The net was wrapped around him tightly, preventing all struggles on his part. He was thrown onto a horse-drawn sleigh that immediately departed. Heather cried out but the snow blanketed all sound. She went on the offensive and suddenly all of her attackers seem to disappear. She was alone with several bodies and wounded scattered around the narrow street. Sliding and running down the hill she reached the Rusty Tavern and threw the door open. Jeremy and the few hunters left were immediately on their feet grabbing their own cloaks. The look on Heather's face said everything. She said simply, "Near the top of the hill, they took him in a sleigh."

  When they reached the site of the battle, Jeremy and the hunters immediately began tracking the horse sleigh. Heather continued on up the hill towards the palace, running as hard as she could in the heavy snow. She arrived at the gate and found Elrod on duty. She told him to sound the alarm and prepare those of the Forest to travel. She made her way to her father's quarters. The alarm had already sounded and he was partially dressed when she arrived. She said simply, "They have kidnapped Daniel and I wasn't able to stop them."

  Her father looked at the blood splattered across her and knew it wasn't because she hadn't tried. He asked, "Your plan?"

  "Jeremy is tracking the sleigh, I am leaving in pursuit with some of those from the Forest. I would like you to reinforce us."

  "I will send half of the palace garrison but we must not leave the palace unguarded. I wish my strength were back because I would lead them. Go, may the God of the Sacred Water go with you. My troops will follow as soon as they are ready."

  Heather reached up and gave her father a hug, tears were streaming down her face but she said nothing else. Her father returned the hug with his one arm and wanted so to comfort her and protect her, but the time was for action. He said simply, "Go. The one you love needs your help."

  In the few minutes she was gone, Elrod had gathered forty of those from the Forest who were ready to travel. He was also dressed for travel with his pack and spear. Heather did not even try to argue with him. She said, "My father's troops will follow us. Jeremy is ahead scouting. I know not where this journey will take us, and I thank you for your help."

  As they headed through the gate another of the Forest, Ben, arrived carrying Betty on his back. She too was dressed for travel with her small backpack and short sword. Heather acknowledged them with a nod and said simply, "The trail begins just below the top of the hill above the Rusty Tavern. Some will go ahead and scout the way Jeremy has gone."

  The main group made good time and arrived at the scene of the attack less than two hours after Daniel had been taken. The heavy snow continued but those of the Forest were able to easily track the way the sleigh had gone. Their small lanterns made only the smallest dent in the blackness of the snowstorm. Heather trudged on, with her small militia, and a heaviness in her heart, fearing the loss she should have prevented. Occasionally, one of the Forest would appear out of the darkness and report before another would leave in their loping run to maintain communication with those ahead. It should have been nearly daybreak when they arrived near an abandoned wharf area, but the darkness had receded only to a muted grayness.

  Jeremy was waiting and reported, "I caught up with them just as they were loading Daniel aboard a boat. They left immediately and sailed down stream. Others of the Forest are trying to track them from the bank but in the darkness the sound of oars is their only guide."

  Heather thought but for a moment before saying, "We must find Captain John and give chase. I would those of the Forest divided into two groups, one to continue tracking onshore, the other to set sail with me."

  Elrod spoke up saying, "Captain John should be with the boat at the military docking area which is back upstream about two miles."

  Jeremy named four others from the Forest to continue with the other scouts who had already headed off downstream. They needed no other instruction, but would continue their leapfrog technique and try to keep up with the boat. Heather found Ben at her side and without saying anything, he guided her back upstream. The snow was heavy and the trail in poor repair, making the going slow. Those of the Forest tried to create the path but it was still very tiring and the pace much too slow for Heather.

  By the time they arrived daylight was evident only by the lighter grayness; visibility was still less than 100 feet. There was activity aboard the ship and men were busy shoveling snow from the deck and clearing the rigging. Heather could hear Captain John's voice giving orders but could not make out the words, so muffled by the heavy snow. Nobody seemed to notice Heather and her small militia until she began carefully climbing the narrow walkway that connected the ship to the dock. Captain John appeared and said, "Princess, it would be best if your men could get below quickly so we can cast off. You and your Betty should take the Ambassador's cabin. We will be ready to give chase in just a few minutes."

  Heather did not even reply but headed towards the cabin where her father had slept on their journey north such a short time ago. She tried to shake as much snow off as possible before entering the cabin. It was still furnished in all red and nothing seemed to have changed. She was just taking her cape off when Betty appeared. Betty took the cape from her and told her, "Princess, you need to rest. Take off your wet leggings and climb into bed. I will get them dry for you."

  Heather protested saying, "I need to confer with Captain John. Sleep will have to wait."

  Betty chided her saying, "The captain doesn't need your help. If we're going to rescue Daniel we have to be rested. It's your turn to rest."

  Despite her weariness and concern, Heather had to smile just a little at the commands Betty was issuing. They made sense and so Heather did as suggested and climbed into bed, knowing she would be unable to sleep. She felt the ship begin to move and the rocking and creaking soon allowed sleep to overtake her anxiety. Her dreams were not pleasant, with images of Daniel being tortured continuously entering her sleep. The darkness of sleep between periods of dreams did provide some rest, and when the character of the boat's motion began to change, she awoke. The small window let in enough light that
she could see the grayness of the snowstorm was receding. Betty was sleeping on a mat near the door.

  She arose and dressed but could not leave the cabin without awakening Betty. She told her, "It is now your time to rest. I need to speak to Captain John."

  Betty slid her mat away from the door and replied, "If you need me, I come."

  Heather nodded a reply and opened the cabin door. The short passage led to another door that opened to the outdoors. The snow had definitely slackened but the biting wind remained strong. She made her way to the small pilothouse, holding on to the rail to compensate for the rolling of the ship. The pilothouse provided some protection from the elements and within she found Captain John staring intently ahead through the snow. From there, he would give correction commands to the young man at the helm. Another sailor would relay his commands to those controlling the sails. Only after the coming about would he allow his attention to waver from the course of the ship and acknowledge Heather.

  He said, "The oars give our enemy some advantage here in the river. I may not be able to catch them until after they cross the bar. Your friends from the Forest seem to have kept up somehow and occasionally give us an update from the shore. I don't think those in the other ship know they are being pursued."

  "How far behind are we?"

  Captain John replied, "I figured those who kidnapped your Daniel had at least a ten mile start. It would seem we have closed the gap somewhat but they are still several miles ahead. We will reach the ocean bar in about two hours, not enough time to catch them."

  "The ocean is large, how will we find them?"

  Captain John peered silently into the snow before answering, "They must be sailing south for the ice is to the north. We will meet them in the passage."

  It was Heather's turn for silence. She stared out into the snow watching the swirling white and gray letting a thought try to form. She quietly asked, "How do we decide which passage?"

  Captain John was somewhat surprised by her question and replied, "I would expect the kidnappers to know only of one passage. How would they have knowledge of the secret passage we used?"

  "The knowledge is not secret, it is just not used. If the kidnappers know of this passage we will not be successful in rescuing Daniel."

  Captain John objected, "But how would they know of it?"

  Heather was still feeling the effect of her hard march and the fatigue slowed her thinking. She replied, "I would expect Daniel's kidnapping has something to do with the Red Ambassador. He had full access to the library of the Southern Kingdom. They have transcribed many of the ancient scrolls. This knowledge may have been contained in the library and have been discovered by the Red Ambassador."

  "We have but one ship and must choose. It is your Daniel and you are the warrior. The decision must be yours."

  "When must I decide?"

  "By morning."

  "I will decide."

  They sailed on in relative silence. How Captain John found his way amongst the swirling gray was a mystery to Heather. Visibility was only a little better and most of the time she could not see the shore. She asked, "Do you know the ship and crew who have taken Daniel?"

  "From the description Jeremy gave it would be one Captain Dirk and his ship the Crow. Amongst those of us who considered ourselves free traders, he was not trusted. His desire for a profit always overrode his concern for everyone else. He could not be relied upon to give aid when aid was needed."

  Heather asked, "Could he have had contact with the Red Ambassador?"

  Captain John was busy giving orders and did not reply until he saw something he recognized onshore. Heather felt the ship turning as people carried out his orders. A small break in the clouds was visible on the horizon and it appeared the sun would be setting soon. Captain John finally replied, "The storm has about blown itself out. We will have clear weather for several days now but the wind will be brisk. I'm afraid sickness of the sea will be an issue for those of you not of the Sea. My mistress means to dance with us and without your sea legs it will be hard for you to keep up. The temperature is also going to drop and we will need to be chipping ice."

  Heather was about to repeat her question about the Red Ambassador when Captain John continued, "I had never heard of this Red Ambassador until my release from prison. While in prison I did hear stories of many things. One of the stories was about a secret voyage to unknown lands. I know not if the story concerned the Red Ambassador but it is possible."

  Heather could feel the change in the wave action, a slow rolling motion was being added to the regular choppiness of the waves. From her last voyage she knew that it meant they were nearing the bar. She said, "I will check on those of the Forest to make sure they are ready. I will tell you my decision at first morning light."

  Heather made her way back below. Those of the Forest were scattered amongst the many small holds. Their spirits were good and Elrod had made sure their hammocks were properly made and aligned to limit rolling with the ship. She sought out Jeremy, who was already looking a little green. He said, "I think those of the Forest were not meant for the sea."

  Heather asked, "Have you taken of Elrod's ginger tea?"

  "I told him I would prefer a glass of ale, but I drank some anyway. Now I'm not sure if I even want the ale."

  Heather told him of the decision she needed to make but Jeremy had little to say other than, "Heather of the Northern Kingdom, Daniel told us you were a warrior and you have proven this to be true; we will trust your decision. In the Forest we are taught to trust our hearts when deciding. You must make this decision."

  Heather left to check on Betty, the rolling and pitching of the ship continued to increase. She had to concentrate as she made her way to the cabin of the Red Ambassador. Inside the cabin Betty was now lying in a hammock stretched from the foot of her bed to the cabin wall. The light from the small window was fading but Heather could tell Betty was not doing well. Heather tried to sound cheerful when she asked Betty if she was okay.

  Betty replied, "I be okay, are you okay?"

  "Captain John says we'll have to dance with the sea for a while. I think it would be best if you tried to get some more sleep."

  Betty said, "Us little ones don't dance well. Do you need something to eat?"

  Heather said, "I'm not hungry but some of Elrod's ginger tea might be good for me. Have you had any?"

  "Yes Princess."

  Heather was about to go look for Elrod when she heard a soft knock on the door. She opened the door and there was Elrod with a pot of his ginger tea. He said, "Princess, it would be best if you had some tea and maybe some sailor's bread. The sea will be unsettled for a while."

  Heather opened the door allowing him into the cabin where he set the tea and some hard biscuits on the small table. Heather sat and took a sip of the tea. It was somewhat bitter with a sharp flavor. Elrod said, "Try dipping the sailor's bread in the tea."

  Heather did is suggested and found the bitterness of the tea to be tamed by the biscuit. She wasn't really hungry but wanted to avoid the sickness of the sea so did she was told. Elrod lit a small lamp and checked on Betty while Heather slowly ate her two biscuits. The pitching and rolling of the ship had increased significantly and Elrod said, "We must be crossing the bar. It will settle down some pretty quickly."

  Heather had to brace herself against the table and hold on to her cup of tea to prevent it from falling onto the floor. Her thoughts were of Daniel and how he was doing as a prisoner with no one to care for him. Her expression must have given her away because Elrod asked, "Princess, are you okay?"

  Heather gave him the slightest smile before replying, "I was thinking of Daniel and how he must be suffering as a prisoner."

  Elrod was uncharacteristically quiet and said only, "Those of the Forest have a toughness."

  By the time Heather had finished her second biscuit and her tea, the sea was indeed a little more peaceful and a more reg
ular rhythm was evident. Elrod picked up her cup and said, "We are across the bar. It would be best if you got some sleep."

  "Thank you. Those of the Forest will need your help."

  Elrod said nothing but quietly closed the door. Heather prepared for bed and thought about how fortunate she was to have with her people of such qualities. She turned the lamp down very low and climbed into the bed which had been made for the Red Ambassador. She lay in the darkness with thoughts of Daniel and all they had been through. Her mind was no longer racing quite so badly and her thoughts became more organized. A comment made by those of the Southern Kingdom now became quite understandable. Daniel's knowledge and his powder made him the single most powerful person in their world. It was this knowledge someone wanted, but who? It had to connect with the Red Ambassador and his stealing of the sacred water, but how?

  Heather had used a spare blanket to wedge herself tightly against the cabin wall so as the ship rolled from side to side she stayed pretty stable. The rolling seemed to gradually relax her and she finally fell asleep. Her dreams were mostly of Daniel; some were pleasant and some were of Daniel being tortured. It was nearly morning when a different dream took control. It was her grandmother, the one who had given her the clasp which she used on her cape. She just stood by the bedside looking at Heather. She was wearing a fighting cape which was closed with Heather’s clasp. After what seemed a very long time she said, "Our people are in great danger. You must save the one you call Daniel and prepare for a great struggle. You know in your heart the right course."

  Heather realized she was awake and in the very pale light of early morning she could tell her grandmother was not in the room. She now felt intensely calm, which she could not explain but was most certainly from her grandmother's visit. She arose from bed, which woke Betty and they completed their morning ritual. Making her way topside, she found Captain John giving orders to those at the helm. The boat was still dancing with the sea, but Heather seemed to have adapted fairly well.

  Seeing her walk without difficulty Captain John said, "Morning Princess. Seems your sea legs are developing well."

  "I am learning to dance. How are we progressing?"

  "The ship does well and we have most certainly passed those we wish to intercept. The sea will stay stirred up for a while longer. Have you made your decision?"

  "I would know a little more about this Captain Dirk and his ship."

  "Not much more to tell. A capable captain with a good ship. He doesn't always follow the rules of those who consider themselves free traders."

  "Has he been gone for long periods?"

  Captain John was thoughtful and said, "Now that you mention it I haven't seen much of him in the past year. Do you think he's been sailing for the Red Ambassador?"

  "That is my thought. Do we have enough of a speed advantage to pass through the normal passage and still have time to secure the secret passage?"

  Captain John stood nodding his head slightly while he calculated mentally. "Aye Princess, a good plan. We notify those on watch to stop the Crow if she appears and we secure the other passage. We can do this." Captain John studied the chart in front of him and gave commands for a new bearing.