The Scarlet King

by Charles Kaluza

Chapter 20

  Morning came but the breaking of the fast was much delayed, for the evening had been long and the night had been so short. After Heather had completed her morning ritual, she and Daniel joined the others for a quiet breaking of the fast. Jason and Rheon were the last to arrive, with Jason looking very tired but Rheon sparkling with energy as always. Only after Jason had finished eating did Heather broach the subject of their departure. Jason was quiet for some time before responding, “I would not have my adventure with these wonderful people end, but I expect you are right and we must return.” He then asked, “When would you have us leave?”

  Heather responded, “On the day following the morrow, assuming Captain Cook and the weather agree. Larby’s people have offered us dried fish and kelp for the journey.” She asked Jason, “Would you yet stop at the Island with the Flightless Bird?”

  Jason replied, “We have seen so much, but yes, I would still like to see this flightless bird.”

  “So it shall be. A few more days absent from our homes should make little difference after so much time. I will speak to Captain Cook.”

  Heather had some of Larby’s people take her out to the ship so she could meet with Captain Cook. He welcomed her aboard and asked, “I would expect you are planning our departure.” Heather but nodded in the affirmative, giving him one of her small smiles. Captain Cook continued, “The ship and the crew are ready but I would yet take on more water and more food if it is available.”

  Heather responded, “Larby’s people have offered us dried fish and the dried seaweed that they eat and store. It is time we go home.”

  Captain Cook asked, “When would you depart?”

  “On the day following the morrow.” She then added, “Jason would yet see the Island of the Flightless Bird.”

  Captain Cook rubbed the ever present stubble on his chin before replying. “It would be easy enough to think of that island as a cursed place, but I guess it made us do what we needed to do. I see no reason we cannot stop for a short time assuming the weather is good.”

  They visited for some time about their journeys, and Heather told him how Jason was dreaming of trying to sail around the entire world. Captain Cook listened intently and said only, “It is a journey that needs to be made. Jason is at home on the sea but he is not a captain. Who will serve as his captain?”

  Heather smiled her small smile and said, “Only the God of the Sacred Water knows this. I would expect there are few who would be as competent as you for such a journey.” They visited some more and then Heather needed to depart, for she had meetings with the elders of Larby’s people.

  After those of the ship had dropped her ashore she first checked on Daniel and their baby. Her beloveds noticed not her standing in the shadows, as they played with the ball made of the leaves of the kelp plant. Her Daniel appeared as a young child rolling the ball to their baby with complete joy. She disturbed them not and went on to meet with the elders about possible trade and the supplies they needed for the journey.

  They were assembled as before and Heather was welcomed most graciously. She was understanding more of their language, but still needed the assistance of the young priest to fully understand the conversation. The elders were most concerned about their claim on the ship they had recovered. Heather had discussed this briefly with Captain Cook, who had advised that the rule of the sea is that the salvage belongs to the one who first claimed the stricken vessel. The elders received this news but then asked of the black ships sunk in their harbor.

  Heather thought before speaking. “In war, captured supplies and equipment become the property of those who captured them unless the peace agreement says otherwise. Our peace agreement speaks not of the ships. I would therefore expect the ships are rightfully yours.”

  The conversation turned to potential trade and one of the elders spoke up, saying, “We have not the timber to fully restore the ships. I would we could trade with those of the Forest for such timber.”

  Heather nodded her head in agreement but said only, “The trading guild of those of the Forest will need to make this decision. I would assume they would be in favor but will speak not for them.” The conversation continued until it was time for the noon meal. Heather was treated with great respect and served prior to the others. She waited until all were served and then began eating the soup and bread she had been served.

  They were not quite done eating when Daniel appeared carrying baby Geoffrey, who was demanding to be fed. Heather arose and said as she departed, “I look forward to our trading agreements and the growth of your people. I feel you have an important role to play in the future of all our peoples.”

  It seemed the afternoon passed all too quickly. Soon the campfire was lit and the evening meal was being prepared. It was a simpler meal than the prior night’s celebration but still far richer than their normal travel rations. There was no ale or wine for the storytelling, but the campfire seemed to suffice and Jeremy again led the way. Several of Larby’s people joined in the storytelling with stories of their people in the ancient times. Jason as always was very interested in the stories of creation and how they compared, for a common thread seemed to run through them all.

  The evening was not so long as the prior night, but Heather and Daniel had retreated to their tent long before the stories ended. Morning came and again the breaking of the fast was later than usual. It mattered not because the tides dictated they could not leave until midday.

  Jason and Larby spent time together discussing the navigation to the island. Initially Larby tried to describe how easy it was to navigate by simply feeling the directional changes of the waves that the island produced. Jason knew he had not that ability and was more interested in the angle of the sun and the stars as a means of guidance. Only after he was satisfied that his mental image was correct did he join the others in moving aboard their ship.

  Heather’s heart was heavy but she knew not why until she realized that Betty was not dressed for travel. They spoke not as their minds searched for meaning. Betty spoke first, saying, “You need me not anymore.”

  Heather could retain the tears no longer, and through her tears asked, “What will you do?”

  “I stay with Larby. Maybe we sail with Jason.”

  Heather’s tears were flowing so heavily that her vision was blurry, and with the sunlight it made Betty seem to glow. She asked, “Will I ever see you again?”

  “You see me all of the time. We hear each other. Matter not where we are.”

  “I do not want to lose you.”

  “You not lose me. I always with you.”

  “What will I do without you?”

  “You not need me. Your babies need you. The Spirits of the Forest will look after you.”

  The ship’s bell began to ring, for Captain Cook wished to ride the outgoing tide out of the harbor. Heather turned and looked at the ship and saw Daniel waiting for her. She looked back and Betty was gone, nowhere in sight. Her crying seemed almost uncontrollable even when Daniel came up and put his arm around her. He guided her to the ship’s boat waiting for them. As she climbed into the boat an image of Betty formed in her mind and brought her comfort.

  By the time they reached the ship she had controlled her tears. As she and Daniel climbed the rope ladder she noticed all of Larby’s people in their canoes and fishing boats. As soon as they were safely aboard, Captain Cook had the anchor raised and some sail set. They began to move with the tide out of the harbor accompanied by the flotilla of Larby’s people.

  As they approached the harbor entrance some of the small boats and canoes turned back while others worked hard to keep up with the ship, which was now gaining speed from the wind. As the ship reached full speed, all of Larby’s people except those in one small boat with a makeshift sail fell behind. Heather looked hard at the boat and realized that someone was standing in the bow waving at them. She knew in her heart that it was Betty and waved bac
k. As soon as she had waved the small boat gave way and fell back, and all too quickly was out of sight.

  Daniel had been standing next to Heather, holding their baby in one arm and embracing Heather with the other. He spoke not for some time, letting Heather cry. In a very gentle voice he said, “It is how it had to be. That is the way of the God of the Sacred Water.”

  The end.

  I enjoyed writing this series about the Sacred Water because it allowed me to explore my interest in historical medicine as well as the prejudices we all carry. I have so enjoyed being part of Heather and Daniel’s world that I did not want to leave it. The constant support and encouragement of my wife allowed me to continue writing even when my health made it difficult.

  The story is told and it is time to move on to other stories and other worlds. I would like to thank Marv Lincoln for the editing work and Tatiana Fernandez for her artwork. . I can be contacted at: dockaluza@gmail.com.