The Scarlet King (40 page)

The scholar struggled but was no longer able
to make sense of the remaining scroll, for the handwriting had
deteriorated markedly. Heather spoke up, asking, "Does it speak at
all of the people of the caves?"

The scholar squinted as he strained in the
light of the fire to make sense of the remaining writing. After
more study he but shrugged his shoulders, saying, "There is no
other mention of any peoples that I can decipher."

Heather persisted, asking, "There is no
mention of the fishing boats used by the people of the caves?” The
scholar spoke not but simply shook his head in the negative.
Heather was quiet for but a moment before she looked up at Betty
and said, “The people of Larby’s left before those of the East
arrived. How did they know?”

Betty just shrugged her shoulders and
replied, “I saw black ships.”

Heather asked, “Where did they go?”

Betty kept chewing on a piece of dried meat,
and replied, “They followed Larby.”

The others around the campfire just watched
the exchange, not fully understanding what was going on. Heather
asked, “They escaped to the island of the shipwreck?”

Betty just nodded her head and then added,
“Almost home now. Babies fine.”

Heather was quiet for some time before she
spoke up and explained to the others, “Betty foresaw the ships of
the East and somehow warned Larby’s people, who fled to the island
of the shipwreck. They are apparently on their way back here, but
there is more that I sense.”

Jason had many questions but Heather had few
answers, and soon Jeremy was again entertaining them with his
stories. When Daniel and Heather left for the privacy of their
tent, Daniel asked, “What is it that you sense?”

Heather squeezed his hand and replied, “There
is some change in Larby’s people but I cannot yet determine what it
is.” She then added, “For tonight we are together and what the
morrow brings we will leave to the God of the Sacred Water.”

The next two days were relatively quiet, for
the barren lands held little for the hunters of the Forest to
harvest. The sea was rich, but they knew not how to harvest the
bounty; only Larby was successful in providing them fresh fish. It
was at high tide that the lookout signaled that a ship was
approaching.

Captain Cook aboard their ship prepared
quickly for a possible battle, readying the cannons and pulling
anchor. Those of the Forest prepared their bows, and the others
began climbing the trail preparing for a possible escape into the
wilderness.

Betty was obviously calm but said not, and
Heather could sense no danger. She felt her breast swell ever so
slightly and a smile formed on her face, for she felt that her baby
was most certainly near. She and Daniel stayed with the hunters of
the Forest and watched as the ship sailed into the harbor
accompanied by dozens of large canoes and fishing boats.

The flotilla seemed to fill the harbor and
Heather’s anticipation increased even more. As the fishing boats
and canoes came ashore those of the Forest helped with the
landings. The ship looked much like their ship except the sails
were but small patches of cloth and it seemed to have no mainmast.
They could see those on board lowering a large rock that acted as
their anchor.

As Larby’s people came ashore they talked
with great excitement, but Heather could understand little of what
was said and it was Larby who translated for them. It seems that
when they had heard Betty’s warning they simply fled to their
canoes and boats, fleeing out of the harbor with the outgoing tide.
It was at low tide when the enemy ships appeared on the horizon and
tried to enter the harbor. Larby’s people avoided the black ships
and continued on the way that Larby had taken being guided by the
Listener’s memory of Larby’s journey. They landed on the island of
the shipwreck and established a temporary base. Soon they were
examining the ship and figured a way of patching it and re-floating
it.]

The discussion ended when Larby’s mother came
ashore with Betty’s young son and Heather’s baby. Both Heather and
Betty rushed forward to greet their offspring. Larby’s mother just
watched with a smile on her face as Betty’s young son ran to his
mother and jumped into her arms. Betty covered him with kisses,
telling him how much he had grown. She bothered not to wipe her
tears.

Heather reached out and took her baby from
Larby’s mother and said not, but the look on her face was of such
happiness that only another mother could fully understand. The
smile on Larby’s mother’s face seemed to grow as she watched the
reunion of mother and child. Heather held her son close to her
chest and nuzzled him and allowed his scent to permeate into her
very being. Images of the fresh born baby flooded into her mind and
she seemed detached from all around her. The baby Geoffrey
recognized his mother also and began rooting at her breast. Heather
could not help but enjoy the sensation, but told her son, “I am
sorry but there is no milk anymore.”

Larby’s mother said in her language, “Let him
suckle—you may yet be able to make milk.”

Heather could understand little of Larby’s
mother’s words but yet understood what she had meant. She turned
towards Daniel and asked, “Can I still feed my baby?”

Daniel replied, “It is possible, for wet
nurses are known for this ability.”

Heather’s tears of joy flowed ever more
freely as she retreated to their tent with her baby. Both Heather
and her baby responded well initially to the attempt at feeding,
but the baby became frustrated when no milk was available. Larby’s
mother soon appeared with a bowl of warm soup and handed it to
Heather, motioning with her hands to drink it. Heather did as she
was told while Larby’s mother held the baby. The soup was salty and
had just a hint of fish flavor to it. When she had finished the
soup, Larby’s mother handed the baby back.

Heather concentrated on being calm as baby
Geoffrey again searched for the milk he remembered. Heather felt a
small letdown of milk, and her baby seemed to relax as he again
tasted his mother’s milk. Larby’s mother watched while speaking
not. It was obvious the baby had gotten some milk, and she but
nodded her head before turning and leaving mother and baby
alone.

There was joy in everyone at the reunion, and
only those envoys from the Northern Kingdom had complaints. They
were filling Jason’s ears with their trials and tribulations and
how they needed to leave immediately for their homeland. Jason
listened to this litany for some time before rising and saying,
“These people saved your lives and yet you have no respect for them
or their abilities. Have you learned not that others may be
different but yet have a special role that is essential for the
balance in the world of the Sacred Water?” He then added, “We will
depart for our homelands soon enough, but first we must give thanks
to these people for what they have done. I would you think of the
debt you owe these people who have rescued you twice.” Jason had
spoken with such authority that the envoys from the North replied
not and kept their complaining to a minimum.

When Larby’s people had stored again their
meager possessions, they prepared for the evening meal. It was a
simple meal combining the travel rations of Larby’s people and
those of the Forest. The tide was low and they made their campfire
on the beach. Before eating, thanks were given to the God of the
Sea and to the God of the Sacred Water in the custom of both
peoples. The food was shared amongst all with each trying the food
of the other people.

As the simple meal was finished stories were
begun, with Larby and the young priest working hard to translate.
The evening wore on and Heather whispered to Daniel that it was
time to try to feed the baby again. They departed for their tent,
leaving the others to continue the stories.

As the sun rose so did baby Geoffrey,
demanding to be fed. His crying seemed to stimulate the milk within
Heather and her breasts swelled more noticeably. Baby Geoffrey
suckled forcibly enough that it cost Heather some pain and her
breasts were all too soon empty. She began chewing small pieces of
meat and feeding it to the baby on her finger. Daniel was content
to lie there and simply watch his bride and their baby.

When the baby was finally satisfied Heather
handed him to Daniel and completed the morning ritual. The three of
them joined the others for the breaking of the fast. The envoys
from the Northern Kingdom were speaking again about departing soon
for their homeland. Heather simply ignored them and asked those
assembled what sort of celebration they would have that
evening.

Betty spoke up, saying, “A wedding
feast.”

Daniel was very puzzled by the statement and
asked who was getting married. Heather understood in her heart what
Betty’s words meant but said not. Larby finally spoke up, saying,
“Betty and I would marry.” He then looked at Heather, and with a
pleading look on his face asked, “With your permission.”

Heather smiled her little smile and replied,
“I have not the power to grant you permission, for it is as the God
of the Sacred Water has willed it. I would add my blessing to your
wedding.”

Betty then spoke up, saying to Jason, “You
marry Rheon. She smart and pretty.”

Jason was obviously quite startled by Betty’s
pronouncement and just looked down at the ground for what seemed a
long time. He finally looked up at Rheon and said, “Betty speaks
the truth and I would have you for my wife if you are willing.”

Rheon seemed almost aglow with the radiance
of her black skin sparkling as she replied simply, “I would.”

A cheer went up from all assembled, which
brought even more people to the fire and discussion in both
languages intermingled. Everything seemed quite confused on the
surface but a general plan was forming quickly. The decision was
made to combine the weddings and celebrate them with the customs of
both peoples.

Edna and Heather worked with Larby’s mother
and the other women to fashion wedding garments for Betty and
Rheon. Fishman went out to obtain fresh food for the evening
celebration. Jeremy went on a search for ale but the small supply
they had aboard the ship was clearly inadequate. He then began to
explore the storage room, for he had seen an empty cask at the edge
of the building and suspected that further supplies might be
hidden. Using a torch he climbed down into the storage cellar and
began moving crates and boxes. Many were empty but a few were
filled with cloth and other items. As he moved the boxes he finally
saw what he was seeking: against the back wall were two casks. With
some anxiety he tilted them and was more than a little surprised to
find them full. He maneuvered the casks to the small opening and
then climbed out, seeking help to lift them through the small
opening. Others of the Forest were more than happy to assist
him.

Those of the Forest were somewhat frustrated,
for they were unable to make their normal drums because of the lack
of trees. They approached Larby and asked if he knew of any other
material which might work as a drum. Larby replied, “On the outside
shore there are frequently small broken logs washed up on the
beach.” He then added, “The tide is wrong and you must wait till
the afternoon tide.”

Those of the Forest asked, “Can we not just
walk to this beach?”

Larby thought of the rapid pace those of the
Forest had and but nodded his head. He then instructed them to just
follow the left-hand shore of the harbor until they came to the
beach. Several of the Forest set off immediately at a rapid pace,
climbing to the high ground for the easier travel it provided.

It was late afternoon when they returned
carrying a large load of firewood and, more importantly, several
hollow sections of logs for their drums. Stones and sand had been
used to create a raised platform for the wedding celebration, and
just in front of the platform those of the Forest created a
campfire pit. They carefully arranged their log drums in a circle
back away from the fire pit. Seats of honor were created for the
elders of Larby’s people and for the wedding couples.

The envoys from the Northern Kingdom
participated not but grumbled amongst themselves. Heather overheard
them speaking against Jason and his acceptance of a bride not of
the royal blood and from a strange land. Heather’s temper flared,
and without thinking she drew her sword and turned to face the
envoys of her native land. She spoke sharply, saying, “If you wish
to challenge the freedom that the King of the Southern Kingdom has
in choosing his own bride, I wish you to do it now.”

The envoys looked at each other and at the
sword in Heather’s hand before the senior envoy, swallowing hard,
said, “Princess, we meant no harm and were but discussing the
cultural differences.”

Heather shook her head and slowly returned
her sword, as she said, “Despite your experiences you still have
not learned of the great value that diversity brings. If our
peoples are to prosper we must accept and honor the different
customs of other peoples.” She then turned and walked away, for she
heard baby Geoffrey in the distance demanding to be fed.

Evening was approaching and the celebration
began. The people gathered in front of the platform, leaving a
walkway that extended to the water’s edge. One of Larby’s people
then began to blow into the shell of a sea creature, which started
as a soft sound but continued to build until it resonated from the
entire harbor. He continued to blow until two canoes appeared, and
those of Larby’s people walked into the water to guide the
ceremonial canoes to the shore.

Inside the canoes were the wedding couples.
The dragging of the canoes was made somewhat more difficult because
of Jason’s size. Jason and Larby then both stepped out of the
canoes and bowed to the elders seated on the wedding platform. With
great dignity they then helped their brides out of the canoes.