Chapter 12
They had just gotten underway when another thought occurred to Heather. She asked Jeremy, "If the ship close to shore put a party ashore would they have time to climb the mountain and spot us before the sun is gone?"
Jeremy thought but a little before replying, "The trails are not good. We of the Forest could not travel fast enough to race the sun."
Heather nodded and said, "Those of the Sea almost certainly could not travel as fast as those of the Forest. I worry no more about this."
Jeremy was posted as one of the lookouts and he climbed willingly to the top of their temporary mast without even bothering to change his wet clothes. They stayed within hailing distance of the shore until they approached the northern prominence of the island. The darkness was becoming full when Jeremy spotted the shoal he had seen from the mountaintop. Captain John was forced to sail out from shore much further than he liked to avoid the reef. He ordered, "One watch to the West and pray they we see not any sails on the horizon.”
They continued to sail north through the night with Captain John insistent upon maintaining the helm watch himself. Daniel and Heather awoke at dawn to a sky which was painted with pinks and oranges. No land was visible. Daniel went topside while Betty and Heather completed their morning ritual. Larby was already there at the front rail surveying the open ocean. He was adapting well to his crutches and seemed very comfortable at sea, moving easily with the rolling ship. Daniel gave him the morning greeting and Larby replied with a somewhat similar sounding phrase. They stood together looking at the sea saying nothing further.
Heather and Betty joined them and they all stood quietly before the sea. Betty interrupted the quiet by saying, "Princess, you eat. Captain John will expect you to take the watch."
They moved below with Betty helping Larby more than he needed. She fussed over him as they broke fast with the morning meal. As soon as they had finished, Heather and Daniel again went topside to plan with Captain John. The night had gone well but he wanted to get the new mast installed. Heather asked, "Should we not find shelter first?"
Captain John replied, "It would be better but I fear our discovery. The peaceful night has given me a chance to plan. We can change the mast while at sea, if the winds do not rise too strongly." He continued, "I would the ability to judge the weather in this foreign land."
Daniel said, "I will have the young priest ask Larby of the weather. He seems at home with the sea."
As Heather and Captain John discussed his plan Daniel left to find the young priest. Together, they found Betty still fussing over Larby. Daniel listened to the young priest translate his question; he was beginning to understand Larby's language. The words were similar but the way they were spoken was different. It was easier to get the sense of the words when spoken by the young priest but Larby's speech was also making some sense now. The weather would stay good for at least another sunrise.
Larby asked a question. Daniel could not make sense of the question and had the young priest explained, "He would know if we are to start fishing?"
"I know not of fishing in the sea but I will speak to Captain John."
Daniel returned top side and was followed by Larby on his crutches, receiving help from Betty which he didn't seem to mind. The crew was already busy removing the bark from the tree that Jeremy and those of the Forest had delivered. Captain John was explaining how they would first move the temporary mast and use it to help raise their new mainmast. The log had much taper and would need some trimming to fit, and new wedges would be needed to secure the mast. Daniel watched the work proceed for a while and then asked Captain John about Larby's request to try fishing.
Captain John replied, "I am not a fisherman but if your stranger thinks he can catch fish we should try. Our supplies are getting low and fresh food would be much appreciated."
Daniel found Larby and Betty sitting far forward watching the sea. He repeated Larby's pronunciation of fishing and nodded his head in the affirmative. Larby became excited and began speaking much too fast for Daniel. He held up his hand and motioned Larby to follow; Betty followed along at his side. The young priest was studying a small book in the main eating area and Daniel asked for help interpreting. Larby needed fishing gear. Daniel said, "I will have the guard whose wife's name is Martha see what he can find."
Hooks were soon made from nails and light line made by unwinding the strands of a heavier rope. Larby used some red cloth to make a bait and one of the ballast stones for a weight. Those of the Forest not working on the new mast watched closely as Larby played out the line. The red cloth appeared as a bright colored fish swimming just below the surface. Larby sat intently watching his bait with a long coil of the line next to him. For about an hour nothing happened, then suddenly the water erupted as a large fish grabbed the bait and jumped completely into the air. The fish had what appeared to be a sword extending from its upper jaw. Larby was now playing out line as the fish dived deep below the ship.
Daniel now understood the thick calluses on the stranger's hands. Most of the line had been grudgingly played out when the young stranger began slowly pulling the huge fish back to the surface. Three more times, each with somewhat less vigor, the fish sounded below the boat with the line gradually played out and then pulled back in. With the fish now spent, the question of raising it up to the deck became the issue. Captain John had reduced sail power to a minimum. Larby asked for two ropes, even before the young priest interpreted the request, hands were returning with the rope. Tying one end of each rope to the gunnel cleat, Larby tied one of the ropes into a loop around his chest and the other into a slipknot.
His intentions were now obvious, and while one of the Forest held tightly onto the fishing line, Larby climbed over the gunnel and was lowered down the stern of the ship. When he reached the surface Larby try placing the loop with a slipknot over the great fish's tail. Every time the rope touched the fish it would become active and thrash the water. It was only on the seventh try that Larby succeeded. The rope was cinched up tight and Larby was lifted aboard. Those of the Forest wanted to immediately hoist the great fish aboard but Larby instead relaxed the fishing line so that the great fish was now being dragged backwards through the water. In a short time all struggles ceased and Larby ordered the fish raised aboard the ship.
Willing hands hauled the creature aboard. It was much longer than even those of the Forest were tall and weighed more than a large deer. Everyone on board came to look at the creature, especially the sword built into the fish’s snout. Captain John allowed the gawking but then ordered, "Back to work or we'll never see home again."
Larby and a few of the Forest were left to dress the creature. Daniel asked what the great fish was called and Larby's response was translated as, "Fish of the sword. It is the best of all eating fish."
The butchering of the fish was begun. Daniel asked what part treated the goiter and Larby responded by reaching below the heart and pulling out a fist full of fish guts. He handed the blob of tissue to Daniel who began teasing it apart. Amongst the fatty tissue were several small gland-looking things any of which could have been the thyroid. Daniel asked Larby which gland treated the goiter. Larby responded with a gesture of eating the whole mass of tissue and said, "Eat all."
As Larby and those of the Forest cut the great fish into slices, Daniel teased out the gland-looking things and split them open. The paler one seemed to look a bit like thyroid tissue and Daniel carefully sliced it into thin strips, which he placed in the sun to dry. He would test the tissue for iodine when they got home, if they got home.
Those working to butcher the great fish stopped their work and went to help raise the new mast which was tilted up and dropped into the hole in the deck. While those below set the base of the mast, those above pounded wedges to fix the mast to the opening in the deck. Soon those of the Sea were climbing the mast and attaching lines fore and aft as well as port and starboard. The sun was settin
g as the first sail was raised on the new mast. Captain John kept the sail partially furled but the ship's speed was noticeably improved with the new mast. As the darkness completely overtook them they continued sailing north, far out from shore. Captain John's fatigue was obvious and Heather ordered the first servings of their fresh fish brought to him. She said, "You have done much, eat and then sleep. We need you to be rested."
Captain John objected, saying he would take the night watch. Heather said, "I will take the first four hours while you get some sleep. You can take the watch after that."
Captain John took a big bite of the fresh fish and nodded his head saying, "This is good stuff, almost like eating some sort of wild game. Your plan makes sense; I could use a little sleep. You must feel the ship, a change in feel occurs long before any change is visible, especially at night.”
Captain John was yawning throughout his meal and no sooner finished when he left to get a little sleep. Heather stood in the darkness concentrating on the feel of the ship. The seas were gentle and the movement of the ship was almost pleasurable. She thought of the storm the crew had endured and wished not to experience such herself. The storm had even shaken Captain John. She tried sitting but could not feel the ship nearly as well. She stared off in the darkness but there was nothing to see except the stars which were blackened intermittently by clouds. She kept the star of the north just to the left of her forward vision.
Daniel arrived with a plate of hot food. She allowed him to take the helm while she ate. Captain John was right, the fish did taste almost like some wild game. Daniel was not very adept in maintaining his direction and she could feel the change in the ship. She hurried her meal and retook the helm. Daniel was still excited about another possible source of iodine but Heather's mind was concerned more with the danger represented by the strangers who had invaded Larby's people. Their talk was mostly superficial until Daniel asked, "Why did the invaders act so brutally?"
Heather answered, "To establish total control. They obviously were demonstrating their superiority thereby preventing any resistance. They are a dangerous enemy and I'm afraid their goal is subjugation of our peoples."
"But why?"
Heather took a moment to answer saying, "They want our sacred water." She added, "I'm sure now, this ship was built for transporting the sacred water from the Southern Kingdom."
"Why not just establish trade?"
"They must consider themselves so superior, others matter not. They want all of the sacred water, not just some."
Daniel was quiet for some time, watching the partial moon slowly rise to the east. He asked at last, "You are expecting a major war with those of the Red Ambassador?"
"Yes, Daniel of Issip. I fear greatly for our peoples."
"What is it they wanted from Larby's people, they have no sacred water?"
Heather answered somewhat slowly, "A good question, may be just safe harbor but more likely a source of supplies. We need to question your young stranger about this. His answer will provide a major clue to their plans."
Daniel sat with Heather, watching the moon ascend. Violence was not the way of the Forest and confronting those who would bring such violence into their world would change the very nature of the Forest. Yet his people would suffer terribly if subjugated as were Larby's. Deprived of the sacred water, their way of life would end. They could survive as scattered small groups only if other sources of the iodine could be found, otherwise they would not survive as a people.
Daniel shared the entire watch with Heather. They spoke relatively little and mostly shared the peacefulness of the night. When the sea was at peace it was incredibly soothing. It was a chance for thinking. Daniel's thoughts were of the Forest and of the life he would share with his bride. Then images of the brutality towards Larby's people would invade his thoughts. He refused to let them dominate and would force his mind back to the peacefulness of the Forest. Enough war and suffering had been caused by the Red Ambassador, they needed not more. An image of his young bride with her long blonde hair streaming behind her as she led a charge on her horse against an invading army suddenly filled his mind. There was no doubt that this warrior of his would lead the battle. He shuddered and Heather asked, "Daniel of Issip, what bothers you so?"
Daniel placed his arm around Heather's waist and held her tightly saying, "I had an awake dream and you were leading a charge on your horse against an army. I fear for you."
Heather relaxed against the arm Daniel held her with saying, "As the God of the Sacred Water has ordained, so be it. I would you know that my love for you surpasses all."
They finished their watch in almost complete silence and when Captain John returned they said little of their thoughts. Captain John said, "I needed the sleep and will take the watch now. The ship kept steady; Princess, you could become one of the Sea."
Heather replied, "When the sea is at peace I enjoy her. I am not sure I could handle a storm such as you experienced. We leave you with your mistress and will again take the watch after the breaking of the fast in the morning."
The remaining hours of the night went quickly and the noise of the awakening ship had Daniel and Heather soon awake. After Heather completed the morning ritual with Betty, they rejoined and broke fast together. Daniel, with the help of the young priest, learned from Larby the intent of the invaders. Larby's people were being forced to stockpile a huge quantity of fish. To meet the quotas, their own food supply had been severely curtailed and they had overfished their local waters, forcing them to venture far out to sea. Such a venture had trapped him at sea and resulted in his shipwreck and injury.
With this new information, Heather again took the helm, telling Captain John, "The people of the Red Ambassador are forcing Larby’s people to stockpile salted fish.”
“How much fish”
“I understand not his dimensions but enough to fill several ships this size.”
“Food for an invading army?”
“So it would seem.”
Captain John stood by buried in his own thoughts. Heather said, “Time for you to get some sleep. I have the watch.”
“I guess my worrying helps us not. I pray the God of the Sacred Water will guide us home safely. Princess, I leave you the helm. Maintain this tack and if land is spotted, come around forty-five degrees to port. I would we stay just out of sight of land. If the wind changes, wake me.”
That pattern was set and they continued sailing north just out of sight of land. Captain John had been infected by Heather's fears. Each evening, as he was finishing up the night watch, he would turn toward shore until the lookout spotted land and immediately again sail away from the land. The weather had remained fairly peaceful with only minor storms to disrupt their comfort, yet they were making slower headway than their trip south. They had been sailing for over two weeks when Larby began to worry about the weather. Sunset had been spectacular with an unusual amount of deep red in the sky. By morning, the sky to the southwest was looking ominous.
Captain John sailed closer to the shore looking for a landmark he would recognize. When Heather presented to assume the watch he said, "I think your stranger is right about the weather. We should be near the mountains with the protected anchorage. I will stand the watch for now."
Heather responded, "I would help."
"Work with your Daniel and the pictures he has drawn to see if you can determine our position. If my calculations are wrong we will need to ride out the storm at sea."
He added," I am still not confident about our repairs."
Heather found Daniel and relayed Captain John's request. Jeremy was all too happy to drag Daniel up the tall mast for a better view. This was not at all like climbing the tall trees of the Forest. Those trees from long ago swayed with the wind enough to be pleasurable to a youth, his perch now markedly amplified the movement of the ship. To Daniel's surprise, he kept his morning meal down. They sailed several hours be
fore Daniel was sure of his drawing. They were approaching the anchorage of the fierce willowaws. Jeremy called down, "Ahead is the anchorage we seek."
Heather called back, "Jeremy of Issip, bring down my Daniel. You have done enough for now."
The winds had begun picking up with earnest; the pitching and rolling on the deck was bad enough. Being sixty feet in the air magnified the effect, making the move down the mast much more difficult than the climb up. When Daniel's feet finally touched the deck it seemed solid when compared to the movement of the mast. He told Jeremy, "As a youth climbing with you was a joy, I need not climb the mast again."
Jeremy responded with a huge smile, "You did appear a bit green around the edges up there. Wait until I tell those of the Forest you could not handle a little sixty foot climb."
Their bantering was interrupted when Heather said, "I would those of the Forest prepare for a possible battle."
Daniel asked, "A battle against whom?"
"The other ships of the Red Ambassador. If they have been looking for us they may also seek shelter in this cove."
Daniel was silent for a moment before asking, "You would do battle against two of their ships?"
"If we must, we will. They are of the Sea, our best chance would be to land and fight them ashore. We can not outrun them because our ship is not whole, but I will not surrender to them.”
Jeremy spoke up saying, "It would be a hard journey overland but possible. There is life enough in this desert to sustain our party if water can be found."
Heather concentrated hard on her planning and said, "A better plan, if we can survive the desert rather than die fighting, our mission will be successful." She added, "Prepare everyone for the journey. I will speak to Captain John. If the enemy ships have taken shelter we will ground our ship and continue over land. We need to warn our peoples."
Heather went and spoke to Captain John. He agreed with her assessment but said, "I and my crew are of the Sea, we can not travel on land like those of the Forest."
"Hopefully, I plan without cause. If we do need to proceed through the desert those of the Forest will provide for us. It will be a hard journey but your crew will make it."
They stood together watching the waves crash against the shore and Captain John said, "I will run the ship aground on the far side of the cove. My crew will have little time to prepare."
"By the God of the Sacred Water, I hope my planning is unnecessary."
Amidst the confusion of preparation, Captain John sailed the ship into the cove. It was empty and everyone said a prayer of thanks to the God of the Sacred Water. While Captain John worked with his crew to drop anchor, Heather worked with her planning. The winds howled overhead but only a light rain was falling. She interrupted Captain John to ask, "Could some of the Forest go ashore and look for signs before the rain comes in earnest?”
“I’ll have one of the boats lowered in a few minutes. If the wind picks up, they may need to stay ashore.”
“Not a problem. I may even post a lookout on the headlands to watch for the enemy.”
Heather went below to confer with those of the Forest. She allowed three to go ashore. Two would stay ashore as lookouts on the headland leading to the protected cove, the other would return and report. As always, Jeremy was one of the volunteers saying, “A chance to be ashore would be worth getting a little wet. Would be nice if there was a tavern close by. What am I looking for?”
Heather answered, "Signs of someone else having landed. If those of the Red Ambassador had spotted our ship after the last storm they will be looking hard for us. I think it not a coincidence they showed up at the island."
While those of the Forest were gone, those aboard ship continue to prepare for an overland journey and possible battle. The sun was nearly down when the boat was pushed off from the shore and began making its way back to the ship. Jeremy was alone in the boat and worked hard to try and row straight. When he climbed back aboard he said, “It is not as easy to row in the wind as those of the Sea make it appear.”
Heather asked, “Any signs?”
“Several tracts, maybe two or three days old. Wearing boots with a funny shaped sole. They stayed pretty much down on the beach and did not try the cliffs. We marked a trail up the cliff to the headlands, we will only have a few minutes warning if another ship appears.”
"The watch is set?"
Jeremy replied, "There was no way to set up a relay because of the cliff. We will need to watch the cliff to the south for a signal fire. Hopefully, the clouds will not lower below the cliff tops." He added, "Traveling will be pretty easy once we reach the high ground. The ground is open with only moderate slopes."
Heather said, "Hopefully no ships will appear." She thought for a moment and added, "Establishing a land route may be worthwhile. Do you think some of those of the Forest could mark a trail to the Southern Kingdom?"
Jeremy asked, "Was it not just two days of sailing to reach this anchorage?"
"About."
"I would think that it would be less than a week's journey by foot, less once the trail was established. Water will be the main issue, definitely doable. A group of four could scout the trail and look for possible water sources and still make good time."
Heather said, "I would this be done. Those of the Red Ambassador seem to be searching for us, and splitting up would ensure the warning reaches our peoples." She added, "The trail might allow us to develop a method of advance warning of an invasion to the Southern Kingdom using your mirror signals."
Jeremy asked, "When would you have me set out?"
Heather listened to the rigging whistling and snapping in the wind and said, "My heart says immediately but my mind says wait until morning." After a pause she added, "But not you, Jeremy of Issip. Let others do this exploring; another journey is awaiting us."
Both Jeremy and Daniel pushed for more information but Heather declined saying only, "My planning is not yet finished. Prepare those of the Forest who are willing to explore overland and pray to the God of the Sacred Water for theirs and our safety."
Nobody slept well that night. Despite the protection of the mountains, the wind continued to whistle through the rigging and the ship tossed and turned on the anchor. By dawn things had settled down a little and four of those of the Forest set out with a letter to Jason, King of the Southern Kingdom. They were heavily loaded with supplies and water. Heather and Daniel watched them being put ashore, standing side-by-side. Heather said, "I fear for them. It is hard to send others on a journey I know will be perilous."
Daniel said nothing and just held her closer. Captain John came up to them looking like he had slept little. He said, "The wind has shifted enough to the north that we could sail out from here."
"You think the storm is finished?"
"Not finished yet, but manageable. I too fear being found by the other ships."
Heather said, "Let us prepare to depart. I will have the lookouts on the headlands brought back. Those of the Forest should be ready to depart within the hour."
Captain John said, "We set sail in an hour. The ride will be rough but better than being trapped here."
It was a rough ride and the sickness of the sea again made its appearance. As nightfall approached, the winds finally began diminishing, but only a little. It was two more days and nights of sailing in the rough seas before they finally turned into the river of the Southern Kingdom. Those of the Forest gave thanks for the safety and calmness of the river.
Heather debated trying to maintain some level of secrecy, but the ship needed repair. Captain John was adamant, "She is a good ship and I will not risk her to the sea if she can be repaired properly."
The decision made, they sailed to the harbor of the Southern Kingdom. They had been gone almost two months and spring was already in the air of the Southern Kingdom. The ship had no sooner been secured than a messenger arrived from King Jason inviting them to the palace. It was mi
d-afternoon and Heather replied to the messenger, "Report back to King Jason; we would be honored to share a meal with him."
Heather asked Daniel how they could keep their accomplishments from the spies who almost certainly still existed in the Southern Kingdom. Daniel replied, "By our presence and the condition of our ship it is plain that we have had an adventure. Our future plans are the only real secret and even I do not know what they are."
Heather objected, "I have not finished by planning. I mean not to keep things from you."
"Heather of the Northern Kingdom, I and those of the Forest trust you. We will do as you say and you need not share your planning with us. It is probably best that the secret is kept with you."
Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before Page 14