by J P Nelson
“Precisely …”
Jha’Ley slapped the desk himself, “How dare he?”
Dropping back in his chair S’Getti feigned disgust, “You cad!”
Jha’Ley was trying not to laugh, it hurt, but he needed this.
“Despicable soul … you drive an old man to despair! Take care, your wounds will---”
“I can just see …” Jha’Ley could not stop laughing, he was near tears and clutching his ribs, “… I can just see his face, and yours …”
With a serious grimace S’Getti added, “It grants me satisfaction to know this brings you such hilarity; and I with heart open and fragile.” He threw a napkin at the commodore.
As Jha’Ley settled, he said with lingering chuckle and clutched side, “I would apologize, but cannot. It has been a tense time.”
The captain nodded with a somber expression, “Those were good men we lost. Mantel remitted an exhaustive report.”
Jha’Ley shifted his jaw from side to side and doodled upon the desk with his right pinky finger. Absently he noticed the ring on S’Getti’s own matching finger; a nice gold ring with a black onyx stone set with a small diamond in center. It cast a pleasant glitter in the candle light. He thought of the stone in his pouch, and the chunk of quartz and gold he had put in his personal effects.
“Do you wish to make words of your jungle journey, or tarry a time, mayhap to render first to quill?”
Jha’Ley doodled a bit more. He finally found a tolerable position in the chair and was holding his mug in left hand, a mug from a fresh pot made just for him. Pursing his lips, he replied, “I do not wish to render at all, but …”
He discussed the journey up the river, finding Greybeard’s lake, Ruben’s grave, pretty much everything. Should he discuss the cavern’s contents, other than the eel-like fish? He decided not. Starting a search for treasure was not his intention. Besides, how would anyone get it out? He suddenly felt a jealous urge to protect the secrets of what he was thinking of as Rock Tower; but why?
Of a surety, Jha’Ley was not discussing the floor symbol; no, he would report going into a room and waking in a different one. That was true, even if certain parts in the middle were omitted. He made a mental note to word his report in quill with care.
Could he conclude, since technically he had given Dessi the con, his own exploration, which began when he went backward in time, did not involve the team, since they were not there, yet, that could be classified as personal time, therefore he was not required to divulge the experience into official captain’s log?
Likewise the ice cave; the cave was discussed and chains, but not the craft, if it was indeed a craft of some sort. Suggesting it was a craft could have detrimental effects. Consider if it was not a craft at all, but simply an enclosure within the cave. If he suggested it was a craft, he would have horribly misrepresented an archeological item, or artifact, or whatever. Better to suggest finding undefined objects encased within ice. He thought, ‘Yes, such will be my description.’
As to the cavern ceiling and floor, he couldn’t take time to describe every step of his journey, could he? According to existing rules of discovery, a second, and preferable third person at minimum, were required to report sight of an article for validation. No one else could attest to what he had seen.
Tapping the side of his mug in thought, Jha’Ley finally came to a resolution for his report. He now knew exactly what he would put to quill … and still be truthful about everything.
Misunderstanding his friend’s tapping of mug, S’Getti refilled it once more as he made comment, “It would appear, yours was the more arduous adventure, yet gratifying in parts?”
Slowly nodding in agreement, Jha’Ley replied, “Yes, yes … gratifying in many ways. Mister Rufus is drawing in detail the cleaned pottery pieces we found.”
Looking to S’Getti with a profound expression, “The artwork is exquisite; you cannot tell how the color was applied, but it was not by brush. I do not know what it is. You must see it.”
“I will, Jann Raul, I will. You should rest, my friend, you are beyond depletion. And those bones need healing.”
Jha’Ley breathed a deep sigh, then savored his tea. It was quite good. He was getting ver-r-ry sleepy …
___________________________
Sixty miles south and east along the coastline, another river entered the gulf. Under S’Getti’s command, they made two days of the journey while the commodore slept in his cabin.
Jha’Ley was still abed when they reached river’s mouth and there they dropped anchor. There was widespread concern regarding the commodore as he stayed in a constant state of slumber. Yeau kept him supplied with a special blend of herbs in his tea at S’Getti’s suggestion, and Caroll went in daily to check his longtime friend.
Rufus told S’Getti, “Captain, I fear the blows to his head to be of grave nature. He recovers, but I apprehense another such injury would be mortal, it is my surprise he lives due to nature of wounds to his head already sustained.” He was shaking his head, “The blow to the chest should have ruptured his insides.”
S’Getti made no verbal reply, but listened with somber attention.
On the fourth day at anchor, S’Getti was reclined in a chair in Jha’Ley’s cabin, reading a book and puffing on an aromatic long stem pipe, when the commodore slowly awakened.
“Wh---what are you doing here?”
“Taking enjoyment of the commodore’s personal garderobe.”
A knock at the open door was followed with Caroll’s gravel low voice, “Permission to enter?”
“Of the course, bosun, come to see. He is making as if to rise.”
S’Getti watched with curiosity. Several mornings before, Caroll came in and saw Jha’Ley in deep sleep and asked, “Would the captain grant favor? I wish make supplication for the commodore’s health.”
The captain had no problem with that. He knew Caroll practiced a deeply spiritual type faith. S’Getti knew many priests, respecting none of those he knew, which he admitted was a major reason he paid no homage to any religion. Poseidon was but one member of the pantheon recognized in Vedoa’s official religion, and as typical of Vedoan Sailors, was the one S’Getti thought of on occasion. But, the captain could remember no given time he felt heard or comforted as a result of prayer or offering.
Something about Caroll, Caroll and what he practiced … it felt different being around the man. It made S’Getti wonder, sometimes, if there was more to this Ehl’Rohlahn than just ritualistic behavior. When the man did his prayer thing, Jha’Ley actually looked a bit better and seemed to rest better when the bosun left. He did not wake, but his breathing improved.
Caroll came in and cheerfully greeted Jha’Ley, “Good morning commodore. It pleases me you have made to open your eyes.”
Jha’Ley was groggy and started to get up. S’Getti sat upright in his chair, prepared to stop Jha’Ley. But Caroll reached his own hand forward and said, “Do not make to rise. Your strength is yet to return in full. Suffer me render modest prayer and be upon my way.”
Yeau was in the door with a tray bearing fruit and his tea.
Jha’Ley held up a grateful hand, “Is that some more of your herb-laced potion?”
The quarter-master nodded, “Aye ssuh.”
Jha’Ley contorted his forehead up and down as if trying to gauge his thoughts, “Mayhap we can hold on that a while? But the fruit will be welcome, and later some hot bread with cheese …”
S’Getti gave Yeau the nod.
“… and mayhap some brandy.”
S’Getti pursed his lips and gently shook his head. After all, Jha’Ley had not given the word he had reclaimed ship’s con; so, technically, the captain was still in command.
Yeau placed the tray down and claimed the pot of tea, then left. Caroll took a still groggy Jha’Ley by the hand … something S’Getti did not understand … why did he need to touch in order to pray, but it was not hurting anything … and knelt on his right knee. Bowing his hea
d, he began to pray, if that was what he was really doing.
S’Getti would never say such in shot of the man’s ear, or in general speaking … from conversation with Jha’Ley, he knew Caroll came from a highly educated sect of people … but from the captain’s perspective, by the looks on the bosun’s face, he appeared engaged in difficult movement of the bowels. Well, that was S’Getti’s thinking.
For an instant, Jha’Ley’s eyes grew wide as if in surprise, but only for and instant. Curious, S’Getti’s eye’s grew wide as well. Caroll began to sweat … he had done that the previous mornings, as well … to which S’Getti kept watching but wrinkled the side of his face to the point he closed his eye. What kind of prayer was this?
Caroll finished and appeared to be tired, but he was smiling, “It is suggestion, commodore, of deepest intent. Lend yourself to rest.”
S’Getti dramatically affirmed, “Aye!”
Caroll bid good day and left as Jha’Ley asked, “Just what have you been imbibing me with?”
Innocently, S’Getti replied, “Whatever implication is meant?”
“How long have I been sleeping?”
“Not long enough.”
“How about I hit you on the head with my guitar in yon corner?”
“Does your whim fancy making reach of said instrument in quick manner?”
“How about I yell for help?”
“Have you given not notice? The stern is tilted high off the sea’s level. All hands are forward on deck, singing in loud earnest to relieve boredom felt as their commodore rests unto healing.”
S’Getti leaned back, took pipe back between teeth and relit it. After several puffs of satisfaction, he opened his book and said, “The fruit awaits you, after consumption, your pillow. Trust that we are holding position until the illustrious Jann Raul Jha’Ley stands tall, giving word to lay claim of castle’s lake.”
“What fruit is this? I do not recognize it.”
“It has been infused with toxin of mortal nature. Consume, my friend, consume. Further adventure of amorous sort awaits you.”
The day moved forward, and the next day as well. It took that long for the medicines to functionally leave his system. During the time, Jha’Ley took counsel with all members of the away-team who surveyed lake and castle. He wanted all perspectives in advance.
S’Getti had sent two fire-teams plus Caroll and Lebracio with the Clyde as second team. Jha’Ley had been impressed with all reports.
Of course, he expected nothing less than precise detail from Caroll. It wasn’t because they were good friends, Caroll was an accomplished and seasoned explorer; he had been at the right hand of Logan, one of the most successful adventurers, if you will, of his day.
Of all personnel currently on this expedition, Jha’Ley figured it was Caroll, Rufus, and Toagun Sealer who had seen and experienced more than all the rest combined, himself included. Some of the tales Caroll had shared with him actually raised his neck hair on end.
On the sixth day at anchor, Jha’Ley opened door of his cabin and squinted as he stepped into sunlight. Behind him S’Getti muttered, “Make entreaty, I pray you, upon thy loyal subjects and steadfast crew, that they cease design of storming cabin door to gain clarity of mind their commodore does yet live.”
Cheers from both ships were held in unison as Jha’Ley walked upon deck.
Rufus was all smiles as he declared, “Good sir … we thought we had lost you for a time.”
Jha’Ley casually passed it off, “I am fine,” to all he sheepishly added, “thank you, fellows.” Seeing Yeau he remarked, “Tell these men it was not all so bad.”
Yeau smiled, but slowly shook his head with a grave expression.
With incredulity Jha’Ley remarked, “Really?!”
Seedle answered, “Sir, really. Can you describe the return trip?”
There was a long pause as it looked as if Jha’Ley were really trying to remember, and couldn’t. The commodore raised his eyebrows in resignation, looked about, breathed in deeply, exhaled slowly and said, “Well then, uhm-m-m … where is Mister Telr---, ah … Mister Telroy? Let us follow the river, sir.”
“Aye sir … to follow the river!”
Chapter 54
THE THIRTY-SEVEN miles were taken without effort and at a leisurely speed. All was smooth and the abundant coniferous growth afforded a pungent and refreshing scent in the air. Holding to center, the ships found the river to be deep, with an average width of two hundred and sixty rods, and characterized by a moderate amount of gentle bends.
At about twenty-nine miles, it wrapped around a four acre heavily wooded island on the starboard-side. A stream about eighty feet wide branched from the river, separating island from mainland, then rejoining the river about one hundred and sixty rods later.
On either side the forest was tall and the land rolling with hills, but not yet mountainous. From the crow’s nest, however, mountains covered by ice could be seen in the distance. According to all survey notes taken on this expedition, this area represented by far the largest green territory apparent along the entire Uordak Gulf shoreline.
Jha’Ley asked Toagun, “Mister Sealer, do you know anything about this place, the castle, stories, anything?”
“No sir, I surely don’t. But those moose were a nice surprise.”
Jha’Ley nodded his head. Twice while he had been down, the hunters had gone out, although not too far afield, and came back with good supplies of meat. Toagun and Dessi had been among them.
At about twenty-nine miles, the river made a gradual turn to port, Jha’Ley’s compass now showing due south. The eastern side began to steadily rise in elevation, the riverbank becoming rocky as the tree line receded further and further from the shore. The river then rounded to starboard, then again to port. As they sailed around the final bend the water course widened by twice its width, dead ahead the peninsula loomed before them.
Jha’Ley and S’Getti scoured the castle with telescopes as the ships sat their point.
S’Getti remarked, “Such precision presents itself not this day and time, e’en with what we marvel as technology of advanced nature.”
By invitation, Lebracio was standing between Jha’Ley and S’Getti at the bow, pointing as he explained the visual before them, “To port, sirs, see how the land is somewhat level at thirty odd feet above the waterline? At our ten o’clock position it is without trees. From there it rises about ten feet over span of one hundred rods until it reaches the castle gatehouse. Sirs, we are viewing the place from its port-side. From here, the wall foundation begins at forty feet above waterline.
“The drawbridge is up, and we have not attempted entry by climbing, but it appears from outside there are two more foundation levels. The castle’s aft wall foundation, to our starboard, is ten to twelve feet higher, although the curtain wall top is even all the way around at well over one hundred feet above waterline, including the crenellations.”
He pointed, “The lesser round and square towers reach about fifteen feet higher, the great round towers and what we believe is the keep inside, another fifteen feet.”
The coxswain glanced from man to man to ensure they were following his oratory, “From the castle’s aft, you can see the wall foundation rises at least another ten feet. From the lake side, the far side of our vision, the wall foundation rises another ten feet. Bosun Caroll believes there are at least three distinct ward levels in there, maybe more, and that the place was built upon an irregular plateau. He estimates the great towers at sixty feet in diameter across the top.”
Jha’Ley declared, “Miu’Ganté! What do you suppose they were guarding against?”
S’Getti shrugged his shoulders in reply, “Trolls?”
Lebracio continued, “From here, it appears the river splits evenly and encircles the castle as if it is on an island of rock, but it does not. It goes to our port and back a little way just out of our sight, then comes to end at fair sized docks. The docks will accommodate one of these vessels and two c
raft of, oh-h-h, thirty feet. We cannot see them from here, but if say, the Ubank was moored there, we could see the half of her with ease.
“We saw the ruins of four buildings just beyond, and there is a road still in good repair leading up to a crossroad. The second road leads to the right across a land bridge onto the peninsula and up to the gatehouse. It leads to the left into the woods, but we turned back at five miles having seen but more woods. Crossing and continuing dead ahead leads to remains of a village and on beyond, Sergeant Corad believes into the southern mountains, perhaps to the glaciers. It was around the village ruins we found fields of a wild variety of corn. There is also a kind of bean out there.
As Lebracio was speaking, sprinkles of snow began to fall.
Jha’Ley brushed his face, then looked to S’Getti, “An omen, captain, would you say?”
S’Getti looked up, caught a flake in his eye, shook his head and glared at Jha’Ley as if it were his fault.
Lebracio continued, “There is very little left standing of the village, but some well laid foundations are still there. A winding stair made of stone also reaches from docks to gatehouse. It is much faster than taking the road, and Bosun Caroll identified what he believes to be hitching posts of carved stone and water troughs. The road is easily wide enough for two horse-drawn carts to pass each other by.”
He pointed right of the ship’s bow, “To our starboard, the river continues around the peninsula, which reaches nigh to two hundred rods from the mainland, and somewhat more across. It reaches beyond our vision and engulfs this peninsula, shaped like a buttonhook, and originates in a lake we cannot see from here. It reaches a half mile that way,” he pointed to the other side of the castle, “and is three quarters of a mile long. The lake is fed by three streams and a smaller river, and it is-s-s cold.”
Jha’Ley had his telescope out, “This is no lord’s castle home, she is a regular military post. Those walls are tall, really tall, for the kind of fortification this is, and it appears to have spacious wards. There was something big they were trying to keep out.”
