The Scarlet King (15 page)

Edna came to his rescue, saying, “I would
that we share a mug of your medicine, leaving the rest to speed
your recovery.”

Another mug appeared and Jeremy ever so
carefully filled it with ale. The single mug was passed around to
everyone, and each person touched it to their lips. Some took the
smallest sip of the ale before passing it on. When all but Daniel
had sipped from the mug, Jeremy passed an almost empty mug to
Daniel, saying, “I expect I owe you more than this small sip of ale
for all the pain you caused.”

Daniel with great ceremony drained the cup
and replied, saying, “I expect our debts to each other far exceed
our ability to pay. I would, however, hear not the story of your
changing into a bear again.”

This produced rich laughter from those that
knew the tale, but a look of bewilderment on those who knew it not.
Jeremy objected, saying, “Told right it is a good story.”

Jason spoke up, saying, “It is a good story
but tonight we should hear the stories of our shipwreck and our
rescue.” He then began a summary of all that had transpired since
they had departed their homeland. Jeremy was content to simply
listen and enjoy his ale. Both Daniel and Edna kept a close eye on
him, and he had no sooner drained his second mug of ale when his
eyes closed and he began to snore softly. He had been resting
against Edna’s shoulder and now was asleep in her lap. Daniel
removed his cape and draped it over Jeremy. He slept on as the
stories continued.

In the morning preparations were made to
secure supplies and transport Jason and his shipmates back to the
harbor. The hunters were eager to apply their skills after the long
voyage. Jason gave specific instructions as to which birds and how
many they should harvest. It took three days to restock the ship
for the expanded number of passengers. Elrod took charge of
arranging the ship for those rescued. The already tight quarters
were now quite cramped. Heather asked Captain Cook, “Have you any
worries about the increased load?”

Captain Cook replied, “Ships are designed to
carry freight. Our human cargo weighs very little but takes up a
lot of space. Fresh water may be our biggest concern.”

Daniel returned to the ship to be with
Heather and their son. They were soon joined by Edna and Jeremy,
leaving the others to complete the work required. Jeremy’s ale
supply was long since gone and his healing was progressing well.
Daniel began removing the strips of cloth he had used for packing
of the wounds. Now that Jeremy felt better he was able to complain
much more vigorously about the treatment he was undergoing. Daniel
simply ignored him and twice a day removed a little of the packing.
Jeremy asked, “Why do you torture me a little at a time? Just
remove the rags and be done with it.”

Daniel looked up not from his work, saying
only, “We must allow the wound to heal from the inside out to
prevent the infection from recurring.” He added, “A few more days
and all of the strips will be out.”

Jeremy replied, “I would rather face a bear
then you and your instruments of torture. Just get on with it.”

When they were done with the wound care,
Daniel was full of questions about the type of animals and plants
Jeremy had found. Jeremy’s descriptions were mostly of the eating
qualities and where things were found. It was not until Jason and
his book of drawings came aboard that Daniel became fully aware of
the strangeness of the island. He and Jason would sit for hours
discussing the characteristics of some critter or plant that Jason
had drawn.

On the third day they prepared to cast off.
It was just after the high tide with little wind. The current
carried them swiftly towards the channel, but Captain Cook had
difficulty staying to the edge of the channel and crossing over
because the wind was so limited that it powered their sails only a
little. Small whirlpools had formed with the heavy flow and looked
as if they were trying to suck their ship into the depths. The
tides were getting smaller and the ship was heavier, so the fear of
hitting the rocks in the center of the channel was greater. Larby
became much agitated when the ship failed to reach the port side of
the channel, and he yelled, “Rock ahead! Come to port!”

Captain Cook did his best but there was just
not enough wind to power their ship. Those on watch could see the
large rock outcropping just below the surface. As the ship
approached, it was only the curve of the current that prevented a
catastrophic collision. The bending of the current carried the ship
to the side, and they but scraped along the edge of the rock with
their keel. The force was enough to vibrate through the hall and
cause their ship to lean sharply to starboard. And then it was over
and they were again in deep water. Captain Cook ordered inspection
of the bilges but felt the damage would be minimal. He told
Heather, “We were lucky. I should have waited for better winds and
a slack tide.”

They settled into life at sea quickly enough.
Elrod was following Captain Cook’s instructions and severely
rationing their use of fresh water. The weather was favorable and
the boredom of an ocean crossing soon became an issue for most of
the passengers. Heather spent her time with Jason discussing the
dangers that those of the black ships represented.

As they neared the Great Cape the young
navigator became ever more important for his knowledge. Heather
still trusted him not completely, but Captain Cook seemed to accept
him as part of his crew. A small cove two days’ journey from the
Great City was chosen as their landing site. It was Heather’s plan
to go and meet the Red Ambassador accompanied only by a small troop
of those of the Forest. Jason, however, insisted that he accompany
the mission and it seemed all of the Forest also wished to
accompany her. Only Betty seemed content to stay aboard the ship,
saying, “I stay here and care for our babies.”

Jeremy was insisting that he was recovered
fully and should accompany the troop. Daniel cautioned otherwise,
and Heather made the final decision. She said, “Jeremy, I would you
and twenty others of the Forest stay with the ship to provide
protection.” She then added, “Besides, Daniel will need some
company and there may yet be some ale aboard.”

Heather finally put an end to the discussion,
saying, “I go because my grandmother has commanded me. I will not
risk those who are so important to our future.” She finished by
saying, “Jason you are a leader but not a warrior. I would you stay
with Daniel aboard ship, and if danger presents to flee to our
homeland.” She then continued to explain her plan of having those
of the Forest create a relay with their mirrors to maintain contact
with the ship while it was at sea.

The day of the landing was busy as everyone
prepared. The young priest approached Heather, saying, “I would
bother you not but I have found something in my memory which may be
of use.”

Heather stopped her preparations and listened
as the young priest recalled a memory picture of one of the scrolls
in the Cave of Knowledge. It was a description of the trail which
led from the Great City across the narrow peninsula to the ocean.
There was no image of a chart to go with the description. The
journey took the explorers on a west by northwest route over the
mountain range, which created the peninsula. The journey was
accomplished in but seven days but not without the loss of life
because of the rugged terrain.

When the young priest had finished, Heather
thanked him, saying, “The description in your memory may be
important, as it would allow us to move the Army of the Red back to
their homes.” She then asked the young priest to accompany her as
she sought out Jason and Captain Cook. Captain Cook insisted they
include the young navigator and Heather agreed.

As they worked with the charts trying to lay
a course as described in the young priest’s memory, it appeared the
trail if followed would end at the creek that supplied the fresh
water to the cove where the Army of the Red was camped. The young
navigator knew not of any passage over the mountains, saying, “The
mountains are known to be impassable.”

Heather pushed him, asking, “If somehow
someone was able to cross the mountains, where would they end
up?”

The young navigator studied his charts,
comparing the recorded angle of the stars, and finally replied, “If
the mountains were crossed on a west by northwest course, then you
would indeed arrive at the cove you mentioned.”

Jason was busy scribbling his own notes and
numbers and finally spoke up, saying, “I am no navigator but it
would appear the peninsula is indeed very narrow and should be but
a few days journey if not for the mountains.”

Land was now visible, and as Captain Cook
prepared his crew and ship for the landing, Heather met with those
of the Forest. She sought out those willing to be scouts searching
for the trail that the young priest had found in his mind. When
four had been chosen, she said only, “May the God of the Sacred
Water guide your way. Leave marks that only those of the Forest
will see.”

Jeremy again insisted that he should lead the
scouts, but Heather would hear not of it, saying only, “Your part
is yet to be defined. Most certainly we will need your skills and
you must do all you can to recover fully.”

The lookouts above in the rigging saw no sign
of life along the shore, and Captain Cook sailed his ship into the
cove as directed by the young navigator. The cove was deep but the
bottom held the anchor well. Those of the Forest were then ferried
to shore and a perimeter was quickly established. As more of those
of the Forest arrived onshore, the exploration of the surrounding
lands proceeded quickly. Captain Cook wished for more fresh water
but no local source was found.

When it came time for Heather to transfer to
shore, the tears flowed not just from her eyes but also from
Daniel’s. She held her baby close and covered it with kisses and
her tears. She handed the baby to Daniel, who insisted on one final
hug before releasing his wife. As she climbed down the rope ladder
to the waiting boat, her golden hair tended to float in the breeze.
By the time the boat pulled away from the ship her transformation
from mother to warrior was begun, and when she climbed ashore on
the rocky beach it was complete.

She heard the initial reports from the scouts
but wasted no time before moving out. They traveled light,
depending on the land to sustain them. The young navigator who
accompanied them had never traveled with those of the Forest and
had great difficulty keeping up. Those of the Forest worked hard to
cover his tracks, but it was difficult for he wore hard boots and
knew not how to travel without leaving signs. Water was in short
supply and they detoured to a small spring, which the scouts had
found, to refill their water skins.

At the first night’s camp their dinner
consisted of game birds and a few rabbits added to their travel
rations. The stories were subdued and Heather was tired from the
preparation and travel, but mostly from being separated from Daniel
and her baby. Before retiring to her tent she told the young
navigator, “I would you allow those of the Forest to carry your
charts and possessions. There are times when we may also need to
carry you to prevent our trail from being found.”

The young navigator spoke up, saying, “I can
manage.”

Heather smiled at him ever so gently in the
campfire light and said, “It is not your ability to carry a load
that we need but your knowledge. Please do as I ask.”

The young navigator’s face was red from
embarrassment, but in the dim light no one could see this. After
but a moment’s silence he responded, “I will do as you ask.”

Heather asked when they would see signs of
the city. The young navigator responded, “In another day’s travel
we will come to the edge of the agricultural lands, and from there
it is another half day journey to the city.”

Heather explained, “I would we not be known
to those who work the land. We will stay clear of the settled
lands. A few of the Forest will accompany you to the city wall but
you will travel at night. They will await your return and guide you
to our new camp.”

The young navigator was obviously unsure of
his ability to function as an envoy and had many questions. Heather
explained, “I have written a letter to the envoy whom you call Don
the Great. I expect he will wish to meet with me. Your task is
simply to deliver the letter and to speak not of our adventures to
other than the envoy himself.”

It was as the young navigator had predicted,
and from their second night’s camp they could see scattered lights
off in the distance. In the morning they divided their camp with
the majority circling to the north to establish another camp. Those
chosen to accompany the young navigator spent the day resting and
looking at his charts. As the sun began its final descent of the
day they departed, and by the time darkness was complete, they had
arrived at a cart trail headed in the general direction of the
city. They no longer worried about leaving a trace and traveled
fairly fast, especially as the moon rose. Other than the barking of
dogs, no disturbance was raised.

When they arrived at the western wall of the
city, they needed to decide if attempting to scale the wall was of
less risk than having the young navigator simply approach the gate.
There was no doubt listening to the young navigator that he felt
scaling the wall was impossible and that they needed to use the
gate. Those of the Forest just shrugged their shoulders and did as
requested, guiding him to the gate.

The gate was closed and the guard apparently
asleep, for no one responded to the calls for opening the gate. It
was not until the sun peeked over the horizon that activity was
evident, and finally their calls were answered. As the gate opened
those of the Forest simply disappeared into the shadows, leaving
the young navigator alone. The guard demanded identification, which
the young navigator had not. He was forced to stand outside the
inner gate until the supervisor could be found. An older man with
but one leg finally approached and again asked for identification.
After repeating his name the older man asked if he was related to a
certain sea captain. The young navigator explained that he was a
navigator and assigned to a special mission. The older man asked a
few more questions and then had the gate opened, saying, “I served
with your father many years ago. I welcome you home.”