When Rémy learned that he had earned a share of the recovered vessel, he was incredulous. He left a portion of the funds with a contact, who promised to ensure that his friends in the cave would have food supplies long into the future.
After completing their errands in town so they could send money home, an elated crew sailed out of Port Louis.
*
The ship headed southwest, in the moonlight. The prince and the colonel huddled around the table. The candle had melted to a small stub by the time they finished their meeting.
Prince Drayaen tapped his fingers on the table.
“What are you thinking?” asked the colonel.
“They’ll hit us when we least expect it.”
“On the open seas then?”
“Maybe. I know one thing for certain. Their first target will be Aisling and the two women.”
“Hanu and Maehwa? But they aren’t a threat.”
“They’re not looking for threats. They’ll be looking for leverage.” The prince sighed and looked out at the water. This is the most dangerous situation of all, he thought.
The stakes were getting higher, and they had a lot to lose.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ILLUMINATION
The ships were docked off the coast, near the Kingdom of Lions.
A soft drizzle formed a hazy mist over the harbor.
Aisling looked out over the white-capped waves that skimmed the surface of the sea. The melodic rhythm subsided as the waters dissipated into cool sands. In the distance, jagged mountain peaks jutted into clouds that billowed and swirled to their own rhyme. She inhaled the crisp air and thought about the past few weeks. Since leaving Mauritius, there had been no more enemy sightings.
After their arrival several days earlier, they had negotiated trades with local merchants and replenished supplies of food and water.
There was excited chatter as the crews returned from shore, laden with fresh stories and vivid memories.
Soon, they would be leaving for a new destination. Aisling admired the sweeping views and felt protected.
“We’re safe here,” she murmured.
Or so she imagined.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps on the deck.
It was the prince, followed by Ryen. As they drew closer, she could see that both were frowning.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Maehwa is missing.”
“Did she go into town?”
“Yes, but according to Maológ, she had returned to the ship.”
“How many men will you need?”
Drayaen said, “I’ll take a dozen of my soldiers. We’ll search the Cara first and branch out from there.”
Aising nodded. “All right. Ryen, can you let Uncle know the prince is on his way?”
“I’ll raise the flag and get the boats ready.”
Aisling’s mind raced. There were a number of possibilities that could explain Maehwa’s disappearance. None of them were good.
A short while later, the prince, the colonel, and his men made their way to the Cara.
Maológ was there to greet them when they boarded.
“Any news?” asked the prince.
“No, not yet.”
“Who discovered her missing?”
“Hanu.”
Drayaen nodded and turned to his men. “Let’s split into groups. Start with the lower decks and work your way up.”
The soldiers divided into teams and disappeared into the deep recesses of the ship.
*
Hanu’s eyes were red-rimmed and she stared at her hands.
Colonel Lex spoke in soothing tones. “This must be very distressing for you.”
Hanu nodded, and her eyes began to water. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Maehwa is my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to her.”
“I understand,” he said, trying to minimize her anxiety. He was surprised to find that Maehwa’s disappearance distressed him as well. “When was the last time you spoke with her?”
“When she returned from her trip, a few hours ago.”
“Did you notice anything unusual?”
“It’s my fault,” said Hanu.
“What is?” asked the colonel, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I sensed that something was wrong.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Her trip to town was very short. I wondered why she came back so soon.”
“Did she say anything?”
“No, and that’s unusual. On the whole, she’s very talkative.”
“Was there anything else that seemed odd?”
“Yes, she left her things here.”
“Her things?”
“There’s a small bag she takes everywhere. It’s still on the table.”
“Anything else?”
“There might be. I did think it strange at the time.”
“What?”
“It’s cold in here, and she was sweating.”
Drayaen interjected. “Is there a place on the ship where you do your mending?”
Hanu gasped. “I think I might know where she is. There are rooms, where we store our sewing materials. They’re more like big closets. We stayed there during the typhoon, because it felt more secure.”
The colonel grasped her arm. “Hanu, can you show us?”
She nodded, and the three of them rushed to the lower deck.
As they entered the chamber, Drayaen noticed several compartments in the back. He began opening doors. As he reached the second closet, he stopped. There, on the floor, was Maehwa. Her eyes were closed and her face was blotchy and red. A rash had started to form on her neck.
The prince turned and held out his hand. “Don’t come any closer,” he said. “She’s sick.”He looked at the colonel. “Let the others know she’s been found.”
He gathered Maehwa in his arms and lifted her, hoping it was a minor ailment. An inner voice told him otherwise.
A few hours later, the prince huddled around the table with Maológ and the colonel. The surgeon appeared in the doorway. Drayaen made eye contact with Patrick.
“What’s the prognosis?”
“It’s not good. It looks like ship’s fever.”
“What should we do?” asked Maológ.
“I’ll tend to Maehwa, and see if Hanu can help.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to expose others?”
“It’s a risk, but we have limited options. We’ll need to quarantine this part of the vessel, to be on the safe side.” Patrick turned to the prince and the colonel. “Since you weren’t in close proximity for any length of time,” he said, “it’s safe for you to return to your cabins.”
Maológ nodded. “I’ll tell the crew that it’s an isolated case. We’ll hope for the best.”
“Captain, it would be prudent to plan for more patients.”
“All right, I’ll tell the officers.”
“Thank you for your help,” said Patrick, glancing around the table.
“If you need us again,” said the prince, “let us know.”
Drayaen and the colonel left the Cara and rode back to the Saoirse in silence. The prince ran his fingers over his brow, preoccupied with thoughts of Aisling. Sometimes, he realized, the enemy was something you couldn’t fight with a sword.
Aisling paced along the upper deck, waiting for Drayaen to return. She was pleased that Maehwa had been found, but that relief was short-lived. As soon as Patrick had been summoned, she imagined the worst.
As the sun disappeared over the horizon, she shivered and began the walk back to her Captain’s Quarters, but stopped when Drayaen and Lex approached the ship.
After they boarded, the prince thanked his officer and turned his attention to Aisling. They walked down the deck, to an isolated spot.
“How is she?”
“It’s serious. The doctor is with her now.”
Aisling shook her head. “We�
��ll have to hope this is an isolated case. It’s a reminder to appreciate every day we have.”
He locked her in his arms. “I missed you today,” he murmured.
“Me too,” she said.
She leaned against his chest and felt her worries evaporate. Her eyes closed as she breathed the crisp air and thought how lucky they were to have each other.
After awhile, he grasped her hand and they walked back to their chamber. As the door closed behind them, he pulled her closer.
“Aisling,” he murmured.
He set aside his sword and reached out to unclasp her buttons. She wrapped her arms around him as he leaned down and kissed her, his lips embedding hers with irresistible softness. As they meshed together, she could feel his large hands on her back. He lifted her up and moved them both to the bed. His dark eyes emanated intensity and light as he ran his thumb over her cheek.
“I love you,” he murmured.
She was about to speak, but he covered her with languorous kisses that soon migrated to a fevered tempo. All sense of time faded. It was the two of them, entangled in a heated dance, igniting the smoldering embers into a blazing flame. She gasped as he filled her with a radiating warmth, moving them to that special place where nothing else mattered.
CHAPTER NINE
HOPE
The prince opened his eyes and peered into the darkness. The moon cast slivers of light across the chamber, creating shadows that swayed with the rocking of the ship. He turned and looked at Aisling, asleep in his arms.
As he propped himself up on one elbow, he brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and thought about his good fortune. A year ago, he’d been a lone warrior, engaged in endless battles to protect the throne. It was a path of no return. He was expected to marry a political ally and hold a government position. He shook his head at the thought of being controlled by others. Somehow, fate had intervened and brought Aisling into his life. It was extraordinary that their futures were now intertwined.
It made him realize that every day was a gift. He vowed to cherish each one as though it were his last.
Dark clouds swirled over the harbor, cloaking the morning in shadow. Aisling and Drayaen ate breakfast in the Captain’s Quarters. As they prepared for the day, she summoned her first officer, who appeared moments later, out of breath.
“What is it, Ryen?”
“I’m afraid the news is not good.”
“Is it Maehwa? Is she worse?”
“No, it’s Uncle.”
“What’s wrong?”
“He has the fever.”
She grasped the side of the table. “Has anyone else been stricken?”
“Aye, a half dozen.”
Aisling turned to Drayaen, her eyes full of concern. “We’ll have to confine everyone to their respective ships.”
“I’ll send messages to the other captains about security. What are you going to do about the situation on the Cara?”
“Sean is second in command. He’ll take over the ship until Maológ recovers.”
“Should we delay our departure?” asked Ryen.
“We do have enough supplies to ride out the crisis if we want to continue,” said Aisling.
Drayaen nodded. “I know we want to get back to Ireland as soon as possible,” he said, locking eyes with her, “but if the disease spreads, our forces will be weakened. We’ll be easy prey on the open waters.”
“All right, let’s wait a few days.”
“In the meantime, I’ll meet with the colonel,” he said, heading to the door with Ryen.
As the sound of their footsteps faded, Aisling paced in her chamber. Her mind raced with possible solutions for healing the sick. With my magic powers, there must be a way, she reflected.
A short while later, she was poring over the notes that King Yi had given her before they left the East Kingdom. They included possible treatments for known diseases. As she thumbed through the pages, she came across a list of innovative ideas. She grabbed her quill and wrote a hurried note to the surgeon.
“On second thought,” she said aloud, “I should tell him myself.”
Aisling summoned a ship’s assistant. “Please tell the oarsmen I am making a trip to see the doctor.”
“Aye, Commander, right away,” he said, dashing out the door.
She grabbed her cape and headed to the lower deck.
A short while later, Aisling boarded the Cara and noticed it was quiet. Of the few men on deck, most were subdued and spoke in hushed tones. She nodded to the crew and headed to the sick bay. As she approached, Patrick stood and hurried to her side.
“Commander, you shouldn’t be here, it’s dangerous.”
“I know, but I need to talk with you.”
“What is it?”
“Let’s get some air.”
“All right.”
On the open deck, Aisling locked eyes with the surgeon. “What is Maológ’s condition?”
Patrick shook his head and gazed into the distance. “It’s serious, I’m afraid. His temperature is high, and nothing we’ve done has brought it down.”
“He will recover, though?”
“He’s strong, so that’s in his favor.”
“How many men are afflicted now?” she asked as they walked along the railing.
“About ten. Our temporary hospital won’t accommodate many more.”
“I understand. Do you have any ideas for preventing the spread of the disease?”
“I’ve been giving it some thought. It seems that many of the afflicted have bunks that are near each other. That part of the ship is damp. Perhaps the vapors are spreading the illness.”
“What do you suggest?”
“When I worked for a dispensary in London, we visited the sick, in their homes. Often, living conditions were unsanitary. That may be the case here, on parts of the ship. Since we’re delaying our journey, what about having the healthy men scour the vessels?”
“Good idea. There might be other actions we can take as well.”
“I’ll try anything.”
“Within the East Kingdom, they’ve identified ways of reducing contamination.”
“How?”
“By using heat. We could start by sterilizing our food and water.”
“It’s worth a try. Perhaps all the clothing and bedding should be washed too.”
“Good. I’ll talk with Sean. We’ll take precautions across the fleet.”
“If we can accomplish this, it may save lives,” Patrick said, clasping his hands together.
“What can we do for those who are already ill?”
“Draw down their fever.”
“Is there anything you need?”
He nodded, and exhaled a deep breath. “Among the medicines I carry, there’s a substance called Peruvian bark. I’ve used it to quell fevers. It’s made from the cinchona plant. We need more, I’m afraid.”
“How much?”
“At least four times the amount we have now.”
“I’ll see what I can do. If you have the raw material, would you be able to make the medicine?”
“Yes, I’d grind it into a powder and mix it with other ingredients.”
“Can you give me a sample, and more specifics about the quantity, before I leave the ship?”
“Yes, of course. How are you going to find it?”
“I’m not sure yet,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ll let you know if I can help.”
She met Patrick’s gaze and ran her hand through her hair. “Please tell Uncle we wish him a speedy recovery. I regret that I’m not able to visit, but I’m worried about exposing more men to the danger.”
“I understand.”
Aisling thought about the times when Maológ kept her company during childhood illnesses, and felt a heavy weight on her chest. The doctor reached out and patted her arm.
“Commander, I’ll send a message if his condition changes.”
“Thank you, Patrick. I’m most grateful.”
A
isling headed to the Captain’s Quarters and connected with Sean. They talked about their mutual concern for Maológ and reviewed the plan she had discussed with Patrick. After receiving her cousin’s unconditional support and more details about the plant extract, she walked to the ramp and signaled the crew.
As they rowed to the Saoirse, Aisling considered the doctor’s request and whether any of her powers would be useful.
Aisling sat in the Captain’s Quarters and rifled through her Book of Magic. There seemed to be a few ways to approach the problem, she reasoned, but immediate results were needed. “I’ll have to experiment,” she concluded. Her thoughts were interrupted as the first officer appeared in the doorway.
“Ah, Ryen, perfect timing.”
“Commander, how was your visit to the Cara?”
She sighed and shook her head. “There are more men who are infected. Maológ is in serious condition. We’re going to try some new approaches for eliminating the sickness, but I need your help.”
“What can I do?”
She updated him on the new plans to minimize the spread of disease.
“If we’re planning to boil the clothes, what will the men wear in the meantime?”
“I’ve looked at our inventory. We have enough cotton outfits to clothe everyone in the fleet,” she said.
“All right. I’ll have the garments distributed after the cleaning is finished.”
“Excellent. Oh, one more thing. I’m going ashore tonight and will need Owen and Fionn.”
“I’ll let them know, Commander.”
After he closed the door, she retrieved her dagger. Her mission was clear.
She needed to grow a forest of magic trees in a matter of minutes, not years.
And she needed to do it now.
The sun faded over the horizon. Dark clouds swirled overhead, obscuring any trace of moonlight.
Aisling sat across from the Prince. He clutched the hilt of his sword and stared out over the water.
“Is everything all right?” she asked. “You seem quiet.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“What do you mean?”
He turned and looked at her with his familiar intense gaze. “I understand you went to the Cara today.”
“I had to go. Time is critical.”
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