The Scarlet King (14 page)

Daniel explained, "The tooth is fairly loose
and I think I can pull it without using a chisel." He added, "The
ale will taste much better when the infected tooth is gone."

When Edna returned she found her Jeremy even
less happy than when she had left. As Daniel explained his need for
a strip of very thin sinew to wrap around the tooth, Jeremy's
disposition seemed to deteriorate even further. She spoke to
Jeremy, saying, "Jeremy of Issip, if the tooth needs to come out it
needs to come out. I was afraid I was losing you and now there's a
chance for you to heal. I would you stop complaining and get it
over with."

Without waiting for Jeremy to reply, she left
to search out the very thin, strong sinew that Daniel needed. She
knew what she wanted: the wings of the large soaring bird had bands
of very tough sinew. It made the bird almost inedible. She grabbed
a bow and headed towards the cliff. She lay on her back with the
bow pointed toward the sky and waited. The birds would soar along
the edge of the cliff, rising above the edge before again diving
down. Edna waited until one of the birds circled far enough in from
the cliff for her to get a shot.

The first shot was a miss as was the second,
but the birds seemed not alarmed and continued their soaring. The
third shot was a success and the bird tumbled from the sky, landing
near the edge of the cliff. Edna quickly got up and grabbed the
bird before its flopping threw it over the edge of the cliff. It
had a wingspan equal to her height and it resisted by trying to
thrash Edna with its wings. A practiced jerk on the head ended the
struggle.

Edna returned to their camp with her prize,
and with Daniel's help carefully pulled out the long sections of
sinew which Daniel split into smaller strings with his scalpel. The
sections he created were like flat ribbons, which were strong
enough that he could break them not by pulling. He told Edna, "Make
a marrow soup for Jeremy. We need to get some food into him."

Larby had left in the boat to meet the ship,
and Daniel needed help. Jason was the unlucky choice because he had
not yet left the campfire. He agreed, saying only, "I will do my
best." His anxiety was evident by the beads of sweat that showed up
his forehead almost immediately.

When they returned to Jeremy he greeted them,
"Why does it take two of you for one tooth?"

Jason responded, "It is your Daniel's idea
that I help but I'm not sure how much help I can be."

Daniel positioned Jeremy on his makeshift
chair and had Jason stand behind him. He told Jeremy, "I need to
wrap this sinew around your tooth. It will cause some pain but will
allow me enough traction hopefully to remove the tooth without
using a chisel. You must keep your mouth open and let me work."

With Jason supporting Jeremy's head, Daniel
began pulling the sinew between the broken tooth and the adjacent
healthy teeth. The space was tight and Daniel used a back-and-forth
movement to force the ribbon between the teeth. Jeremy did his
best, but could not help reaching up and grabbing Daniel's arm
trying to stop him. Daniel said, "Jeremy, put your arm down or we
will need to bind your arms."

Jeremy was again sweating profusely but did
as he was told, putting his hands under his legs. Daniel continued
his work seemingly oblivious to the pain he was causing his friend.
Only when he was satisfied with the position of the sinew, which he
had looped around the tooth, did he stop and stretch. He told
Jeremy, "If this works, the worst is over."

Jeremy wanted to ask him what happened if it
didn't work, but decided he really didn't want to know because it
apparently involved using a chisel. When Daniel asked him if he was
ready, Jeremy but nodded his head. Daniel looked up at Jason, who
tightened his grip on Jeremy's head. Daniel then carefully wrapped
the free ends of the sinew around his right hand and shrugged his
shoulders, loosening up his arm. Daniel told Jeremy to open his
mouth as wide as he could.

When Jeremy had done as he was told, Daniel
gave a sudden violent jerk on the sinew and the broken tooth came
flying out of Jeremy's mouth, striking the roof of the cave. Jeremy
had not time enough to scream and it was over. His mouth had the
salty taste of fresh bleeding and his tongue immediately found the
large hollow where the tooth had been.

Daniel looked at Jason, who had gone very
pale, and said, "I would you lay down now and take some deep
breaths."

Jason said, "I think maybe outside would be
better. I am not made strong enough to be a healer."

When Jason returned to the campfire Edna
asked, "Is he okay?"

Jason replied, "The tooth is out and your
Jeremy did better than I did."

Edna said, "We must thank the God of the
Sacred Water for bringing Daniel in time and I thank you for the
help you gave."

When Edna returned to the cave she found
Jeremy and Daniel visiting as if nothing had happened, but she
could tell that Jeremy's tunic was drenched from sweating. Jeremy
greeted her, saying, "Well, I think Daniel is done torturing me
except he still has me stuffed with these rags." He added, "I think
it is time for some ale."

Edna could not help smiling with joy at
hearing the positive tone in Jeremy's complaints. She replied, "I
am making you some marrow soup. Larby is guiding the ship into the
harbor so we will have to wait a few more hours for your ale."

Jeremy rolled his eyes and complained, "Why
is it that the ale always has to wait a few more hours?"

Chapter 8

Heather and the others of the forest much
wished to go ashore but Captain Cook insisted instead on raising
the sails and heading back to the safety of the sea for he trusted
not the anchorage. Heather stood at the rail watching the campfire
on the beach retreat ever further into the blackness of the night
and could but wonder how Jeremy was doing. They could hear not the
screams coming from the cave.

The stories being told following the evening
meal interested Heather not and she retired with baby Geoffrey to
her cabin. In the solitude of her small space she could worry about
Daniel and the illness of Jeremy without distraction. Baby Geoffrey
had other plans—demanding to be fed. Breastfeeding relaxed her and
when the baby fell asleep so did Heather. Morning light found their
ship many miles from the island.

Captain Cook had put the ship into "irons" by
setting the sails to starboard but turning the rudder to port and
pointing the ship into the wind, which had limited the drift of the
ship. By the time Heather had completed her morning ritual, taken
care of the needs of her baby and broken the morning fast, they had
recovered over half the distance back to the island. Leaving her
baby with Betty, she went topside to meet with Captain Cook. The
brightness of the morning light made her squint her eyes ever so
slightly. She was greeted by a hearty, "Good morning,
Princess."

Heather replied, " And a good morning to you,
Captain." The discussion immediately went to the problem of
anchoring, and Captain Cook explained how the bottom felt as if it
was a solid sheet of rock with nothing for the anchor to grab hold
of. Heather finally asked, "How else can we rescue them?"

Captain Cook rubbed his bearded chin and
replied, "We may need to use the harbor the one you call Larby has
told us of."

Heather objected, saying, "Is the channel not
foul with rocks?"

"Aye, so it is, but the moon is nearly full
and we will be having big tides. Hopefully the high water will
carry us safely through the channel." He was not willing to risk
their ship and crew to the changing winds of this location if the
anchorage seemed unreliable.

While those onshore watched with growing
impatience, Captain Cook and his crew repeatedly approached the
shore, turning up wind and lowering the anchor. They would then
allow the ship to back down and the anchor would slip, forcing them
to turn again out to sea after raising the anchor. By midmorning it
was obvious that anchoring would be impossible. Captain Cook had
the boat lowered from the ship and the crew commanded to return
with Larby. The seas were fairly calm and yet returning to the ship
was a challenge, for the rope ladder was swinging wildly at times.
Captain Cook’s apprehension did not diminish until Larby, his crew
and the boat were safely aboard. He then gave the order to turn out
to sea.

As they sailed towards the harbor on the
windward side, Captain Cook asked Larby, “Remember you the
passage?”

Larby cocked his head to the side and had a
faraway look on his face. After a moment of silence he replied
simply, “I remember.” He then described in detail the location of
the rocks they had struck in their passage through the channel. He
explained, “The passage is fair if you enter on the starboard side
staying close to the cliff, and then cross over to the port side as
you near the end of the channel.”

Captain Cook asked, “Would it be worthwhile
to explore again the passage before we do the crossing?”

Larby but shrugged his shoulders, saying,
“The rocks move not.” He then added, “If this ship has a draft
similar to the one we were on, passage should not be a
problem.”

As they approached the entrance to the
harbor, the tide had already changed and had begun to run out of
the harbor. Captain Cook studied the entrance; for all he was
worth, he could not ascertain any reason to doubt Larby. He gave
the order and the ship turned towards the starboard side of the
channel. The winds had increased with the tide change, which caused
Captain Cook enough anxiety to partially lower the sails. The ship
was under far better control with the trained crew and Captain Cook
at the helm, but still the wind and current seem to fight them as
they made their way through the channel.

Larby kept urging Captain Cook to sail closer
to the cliffs on the starboard side. It was all Captain Cook could
do to bring his ship so close to the rocky cliffs. When they neared
the end of the channel Larby had the Captain make his way to the
port side of the channel. Now the reduced sail limited their power
because the winds had diminished markedly as they progressed
through the channel. It was as Larby had said; and after several
intense minutes they were again in deep water inside the harbor. A
spontaneous cheer arose from the crew and those of the Forest who
had been watching.

Once inside the harbor Captain Cook gave the
order, “Prepare the anchor and lower the sails.” Larby objected,
saying, “The other ship is secure and would make a satisfactory
dock.”

Captain Cook but nodded before replying, “I
expect what you say is true, but we have taken enough chances for
the day. From here we can easily ferry those on the island and
refill our water tanks.”

When the anchor was secure Captain Cook gave
the order to lower the boats. The first wave of those of the Forest
made their way to the damaged ship. By climbing the rope ladder
onto the damaged ship and from there across the rope bridge to the
top of the cliff, they felt land beneath their feet for the first
time in almost two moons. As those of the Forest gathered on the
cliff top, they were all experiencing a feeling of unsteadiness as
they developed again their land legs.

Captain Cook and his core crew stayed aboard
along with Heather, Betty, and the little ones, while everyone else
proceeded to the camp of those stranded. They were soon met by a
very excited Edna. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, but Edna
soon noted the absence of Heather and Betty. Those of the Forest
explained that they trusted not carrying their babies across the
rope bridge. Edna responded, “We have many stories to tell but
waiting another day would matter not.” She then remembered her
mission and asked, “Have you any ale left aboard?”

One of the hunters from the Forest said, “I
would expect that your request is connected to Jeremy’s needs.”

Edna replied, “Daniel says he needs more
liquids and that ale would be satisfactory. My Jeremy has had a
hard time.”

The hunter who had spoken up nodded and said,
“I will return to the ship and catch up with you, bringing Jeremy’s
medicine if any is available.”

Nightfall was approaching when the large and
somewhat noisy group arrived at the camp of those stranded. They
were met with even more noise and confusion and the celebration
began. The food was simple fare of the sea and the land, but the
celebration noticed this not, for the stories needed to be told.
Jeremy, who still had some difficulty speaking and appeared gaunt
and very pale, was disappointed that no ale had arrived. Edna told
him, “There may yet be hope for your ale. You must be patient.”

Darkness had become complete before the
hunter appeared at the campsite carrying a small keg. With great
ceremony he proceeded to set it in front of Jeremy. Jeremy for once
seemed to be without words and finally mumbled, “I think there is
now hope.”

With trembling hands he worked the cork loose
and smelled the ale. He rocked back on his haunches and the smile
on his face was evident as he replied, “It remains sweet.” A mug
from the ship appeared and he ever so gingerly poured himself a cup
of the ale. With the first sip the foam was evident on his upper
lip and glistened with the light of the fire. Only after the second
sip did Jeremy speak up, saying, “Finally medicine from Daniel that
tastes good.”

Daniel spoke up saying, “Medicine it is, for
your body needs much to rebuild what you have lost.” He then added,
“Are you planning to share with the rest of us?”

Jeremy looked around and there were many
people at the campsite; then he looked down at the small keg. A
look of anguish appeared on his face, for there was certainly not
enough ale for even a sip by everyone.