Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before

by Charles Kaluza

Chapter 9

  Those of the Forest were in high spirits as they returned to the ship. Jeremy kept suggesting they should check to see if any of the taverns were still open. Heather was lost in thought about Arthur's warning and just ignored the banter. She balanced the warning of her grandmother against that of Arthur, and finally decided to heed her grandmother. The ship was dark and silent when they arrived with only the sentry to greet them.

  The remaining night was short and they were awakened by the sounds of woodworking as the final repairs were completed. It was late afternoon when a wagon was seen approaching. It was an old farm wagon driven by the soldier who had guided them through the city. He was dressed in the simple clothes of the farming people. When the unloading was complete, he handed Heather a newly copied chart and two books. He relayed Arthur's message, saying, "The chart is our best effort of compiling several old charts, I cannot verify its accuracy."

  Heather thanked him and asked of the books. He replied, "The books are from our King and are for the healer from the Forest. I know not their content."

  "I will pass the books on to Daniel. We thank you for the gifts you have brought and ask that you take the evening meal with us."

  The soldier replied, "For your offer I thank you but I must return to the palace. I wish you well on your journey and may the God of the Sacred Water guide your way."

  Heather returned the blessing saying, "And may the God of the Sacred Water watch over you and your people."

  Captain John spoke up, saying, "I would have you deliver our prisoners to your dungeon master. They are what remain of the crew that kidnapped the healer from the Forest."

  "This I will be happy to do. I'm sure our dungeon master will watch over them. Secure them in the back of the wagon and I will depart."

  The wagon had no sooner left than Captain John began examining the chart. Only a small section of the lands to the north were included but they were obviously accurate. To the south of the river mouth was drawn a gently curving coastline with only occasional small bays. A small mountainous area was visible about two day's journey south with a small bay which was marked with the anchor symbol. Otherwise the land seemed pretty featureless without other anchorages or visible landmarks. No significant islands were indicated, but some areas of rocky shoals were marked. Captain John said, "It would seem we can sail within sight of land but will have the shoals to be concerned with."

  Heather asked, "When do we sail?"

  "If we leave at first light we will not be able to pick up the other hunters and still make the first anchorage. I would suggest we depart at moonrise and sail by the moonlight we have been given."

  "How long until moonrise?"

  Captain John looked at the setting sun and replied, "The moon will rise in about three hours and will be almost full tonight. We will have to sail against the tide but the current and the winds are favorable, and by the time we reach the bar it will be slack tide."

  Heather was in her planning mode and thought for a moment before replying, "My hunters may have not yet returned to your Smuggler’s Cove but by late morning will be there with fresh meat."

  "A short wait would be acceptable, but we need the security of daylight to enter a new anchorage. Shall we sail?"

  "We sail on the Captain's orders."

  Everyone on board was busy stowing supplies and preparing the ship for departure. As the moon rose over the hills to the east, Captain John called out orders to cast off the lines and raise the sails. The sails filled with the wind from the north and they began moving, ever so slowly at first. As the sails filled completely, the waves began lapping against the bow of the ship and the gentle rocking commenced; they were underway.

  The excitement gradually settled down and those not involved in sailing of the ship gradually drifted off to sleep. Daniel retired to the cabin to explore the books he had been given. Heather spent time with Captain John just watching the subtle changes in the ribbon of current which were visible in the moonlight. She asked, "Does this ribbon also flow in the sea itself?"

  "It does. Most of the time is more like a broad cloth than a narrow ribbon but flow it does. It would be good for you to learn this."

  "I will try, but I think it is a difficult thing to learn. How did you learn this?"

  It was Captain John's time for quiet reflection before he replied, "My grandfather was of the Sea and taught me. My mother and father were not of the Sea and at first refused to let me sail with my grandfather. I think the sea was in my blood though, and eventually they gave up and let me sail with him. I have always been most happy when at sea."

  Despite her interest, Heather's need for sleep was making her yawn. Captain John told her, "Go rest. We have a long journey and plenty of time for learning."

  Heather nodded in agreement and returned to the cabin where she found Daniel intently studying his new books. He started to explain how interesting but difficult to read the books were, but Heather's yawning interrupted him. She apologized saying, "After some sleep you can tell me more. I expect you will have plenty of time for reading and explaining."

  The seas were fairly gentle but with the wind out of the north much tacking was required to make headway. It was midmorning before Heather and Daniel joined the rest for some food. They were nearing Smuggler’s Cove and soon everyone was on deck watching Captain John's crew gradually reduce sail and glide into the cove. Several of the hunters were working ashore preparing the meat. The skiffs were lowered and the ferrying of meat and hunters was begun. The hunting had been difficult and only a few animals taken. It was just past midday before they again set sail and headed south. Captain John asked Heather, "Would you take my place while I rest? The crew is capable but it is always best to have someone in command."

  "I will try. Will they listen to one who is not of the Sea?

  Captain John laughed before replying, "Princess I would expect that even our King listens to your orders. The crew will do as you say."

  Heather was embarrassed and said nothing other than, "OK."

  Sailing with the wind required much less effort from the crew and their speed was good. In three hours of sailing they again reached the mouth of the Southern River. With less than an hour of light, Heather was not sure of the proper action. Captain John arrived back on the deck and said, "I felt the change in seas and figured we were near the Southern River. There is an anchorage a little ways further south where we could spend the night."

  Heather replied, "Your ship, Captain. I will check on Daniel and those of the Forest."

  Heather found Daniel in the cabin reading by the light coming through the small portal. He was so intent on his book that he did not even hear Heather enter. She asked, "Daniel of Issip, what are you studying?"

  He looked up with a surprised look and apologized saying, "I heard you not; I'm sorry. This book is a diary of an exploration from the early days. The language and writing are difficult but it is a fascinating story."

  "Where are they exploring?"

  "A group left the Southern Kingdom in small sailing boats, they sound more like the canoes we use in the Forest but with sails. They made their way south along the coast. Their small boats held few supplies and they lived off the land and sea. Fresh water was the biggest problem."

  "Where did they travel to?"

  "I'm not really sure. There are no maps, just descriptions of the coastline. Mostly it is a story of the people struggling to survive."

  "Enough reading for now. Come watch the sunset with me."

  "My eyes are tired, I will watch with you."

  They stood together at the rail watching the sun settle behind some low clouds to the west. To the east the land appeared barren, except for an occasional small brush and some grass clumps. Captain John had entered a small bay and was looking for the best anchorage. They lowered one of the skiffs which went ahead sounding the bottom with a weighted line. To the south the water was deep and rocky. On
the north side the bottom was soft enough for their anchor to bite and somewhat shallower. Captain John positioned the ship and the anchor was lowered. All sails were lowered and the ship secured for night. Those of the Forest had already started cooking some of the fresh meat. They would eat well tonight.

  Everyone was in a festive mood and the crew of the ship joined with those of the Forest in the meal. Captain John excused himself just as the stories were begun. He returned carrying a small cask. He set it on the table saying, "King Jason added this to our supplies." He then read the note accompanying the cask, "This is a small gift to Jeremy and the rest of those on this journey of discovery. Use it to celebrate your journey. I wish I could be there to share your stories. Forever yours, Jason."

  A cheer went up from everyone as Jeremy knocked the tap into place and began pouring small mugs of the hearty ale for everyone. He made sure each mug was filled properly by taking a sip before passing the mug on. Good-natured groans accompanied each leveling sip Jeremy took. It was fitting that the last mug was only half full, as it was Jeremy's. He complained, saying, "I have done all the work of pouring and I end up with only half a glass."

  After the ribbing had settled down some, Captain John arose saying, "I toast those of you with whom I share this journey and to those left behind who have made it possible."

  Each toast was accompanied by a small sip of the ale. Unfortunately the ale ran out before the toasting did, but each toast was still accompanied by the tipping of the mug. The stories followed. Those of the Forest made an effort to include the crew of the ship but it was only partially successful. Different customs and differing pasts kept them somewhat separated, but both Heather and Captain John watched the mingling with interest. They needed to trust each other if more difficult times arose.

  The anchor rose with the sun and they were on their way. The wind had shifted from the north to a more southwesterly direction. When Heather joined Captain John at the bridge he said, "Can you smell the change in the weather?"

  Heather breathed deep and studied the aroma of the Sea before replying, "The air smells more earthy. Is this what you meant?"

  "Means weather is headed our way. No change in the sky but we will have to watch. Hopefully we can make the next anchorage before the weather sets in."

  Captain John would occasionally call out an order to change one sail or another. The steersman held a steady course to the south staying about a mile offshore. Captain John pointed out an area ahead where the seas were somewhat more jumbled. He called out a course change to avoid the area and asked Heather, "Can you see where the ribbon is being distorted?"

  "It is like the cloth my mother worked on when her scissors were underneath, the smoothness is lost."

  "A good analogy, Princess. The sea is reacting to a submerged island of some sort. It is probably deep enough that we can sail over the top but we will not chance it. It would be a good place to fish but we need not fish now."

  Captain John pulled out the chart and made a notation. Heather could see they had a fair way to go to the next anchorage. She glanced up at the sky and could see some clouds on the horizon. She said, "The clouds are forming, your weather is coming."

  "Aye, it will be a bit of a race. If we lose we will head out to sea and dance out the storm."

  The day wore on as the high clouds dimmed the sun and the dark clouds obscured more of the sky to the southwest. It was midafternoon when the small mountain range depicted on the chart came into view. The winds had begun to pick up and a steady chop had built on the sea. If the chart was to be believed they needed to sail to the south end of the mountains and an inlet would lead to the anchorage. To Heather it looked as if an island had floated up against the land leaving the opening to the south. Their speed had dropped as the wind shifted more to the south. Heather asked, "Are you ready to cede the race?"

  Captain John turned his face into the wind and smelled the air. He studied the clouds which were appearing very ominous and said, "Not yet. The chart has been accurate so far; we should be able to duck inside the inlet before the storm overtakes us."

  Heather excused herself saying, "I will check on those of the Forest and make sure they're prepared for the dance."

  Heather found that Elrod had already been working hard on preparations. They were as ready as someone not of the Sea could be. She checked on Daniel, who was glued to his book and did look up as she entered. She said, "The storm approaches. Captain John says we may yet make shelter but if not we will ride out the storm at sea. Are you ready?"

  "I have not yet finished the book but what else do I need to prepare?"

  "Some of Elrod's ginger tea may help prevent the sickness of the sea. I think reading will make it far worse."

  Daniel realized that his stomach was already a bit queasy and said, "Now who is the healer. I would go above with you and watch the storm approach."

  The sky already seemed darker to Heather but Daniel concentrated on the small mountains. He said, "It is as they wrote. Ahead is Anvil Mountain and the inlet is on the far side."

  Captain John asked, "How do you know this?"

  I have been reading the book Jason gave me. They described these mountains and named the flat top one Anvil Mountain. The voyagers found safe waters on the other side in a long inlet with several small bays. There was a small stream for fresh water in one of the bays. They hunted a wild goat which lived on the cliffs. It was their first fresh meat."

  "Who were they?"

  Daniel replied, "They were early explorers of the Southern Kingdom. The book is a diary of their exploration; it is a difficult but fascinating read."

  Captain John asked, "Do they have charts or drawings?"

  "No, only some descriptions of the coastline. They were in very small boats and the diary deals mostly with their struggles to survive."

  "How far did they travel?"

  "I know not. The numbering is difficult to follow but it would seem their outbound journey lasted about six weeks. Most of the journey was spent ashore exploring and looking for game and water. The land was harsh and thirst was their overriding concern."

  Captain John said, "I would know more of this journey."

  The conversation was broken as Captain John called out new orders for the sails. The wind continued to freshen and the seas were becoming angry. The rain had not yet begun but visibility was already dropping. They were sailing almost into the wind and the ship had begun its dance with the sea. To Heather it seemed they had lost the race but Captain John pushed on towards the safety of the inlet. When Captain John called out a new heading, the ship heeled sharply to port and their speed picked up appreciably. Sailors were busy making the changes in the sails called out by Captain John.

  There was no mistaking the look of happiness only partially hidden by Captain John's concentration. He was enjoying the race. Not until they rounded the point did Captain John reduce their sails and allow their ship to slow. They sailed up the inlet and the wind gradually let up as the mountain's shelter became more complete. Daniel was trying to figure out which small bay held the fresh water stream. The writing in his book had described the bay only with general terms but he remembered it being the third bay on the mainland side. He said, "I think the bay ahead is the one with the fresh water."

  Captain John replied, "We will stop and look. It was a good race don't you think?"

  Heather replied, "I would have ceded the race to the storm. I am glad you pushed on, for the sake of those of us not of the Sea."

  For the next two days the storm howled overhead but their anchorage was secure and high cliffs surrounded them. The hunters scanned the cliffs for the goats described in Daniel's book but visibility was quite poor with the heavy rain. Other than boredom, they suffered not. On the third morning they were greeted to clearing skies but the wind howled and buffeted them much worse than the storm had. The wind was very confused and buffeted the ship from all sides.
Heather had grown impatient and sought out Captain John. She said, "The storm grows more fierce despite the clearing sky."

  Captain John responded, "So it seems, but perhaps it is the willowaws the old-timers spoke of."

  "What are these willowaws you speak of?"

  "They are squall winds caused by cliffs and mountains. We will need to sail into open water and see if the wind goes away."

  "You would sail in stormy winds such as these?"

  "Only into the inlet proper. If it as is the old sailors say, the winds will disappear in the more open water. If not, we will need to wait out the weather."

  Heather tried to balance her impatience with the risk to those aboard. Her need to move on was great, but she wasn't sure why she felt such a great need. A sudden shift in the gusty winds spun their ship around on the anchor. The wind was whistling through the rigging creating an eerie sound almost if demons were screaming at her. She said, "I like not these winds and if it is safe to leave this place I would leave."

  Captain John thought but for a short moment before saying, "If we reef the mainsail and those of the Forest man the windless for raising the anchor, we should be okay."

  "I will prepare those of the Forest to depart."

  While those of the Sea prepared the ship for departure, several of those of the Forest prepared to raise the anchor. Jeremy thought manning the windless was as painfully tiring as turning the milling wheels to grind Daniel’s powder. The job needed doing, however, and when the call came to raise the anchor, he and three others put their backs to the task. The wind continued to buffet the ship, causing it to heel over first one way than the other and the sail would snap in the wind. As the heavy anchor rose from the bottom, the ship started moving slowly forward. Captain John continually called out orders making small changes in the sail and the tiller to compensate for the crazy winds. As they slowly moved out of the small bay into the inlet the winds all but disappeared. Only a gentle breeze from the north was evident.

  Daniel had been top side watching the activity with a keen interest. He asked, "How can the winds exist only in the confined bay?"

  Captain John explained, "It is the wind up high blowing across the mountain tops that sucks the air up from the closed in spaces. It was good to experience the willowaws." He asked, "Does your book talk about the willowaws?"

  Daniel thought before replying, "They had mostly good weather during this part of the journey and did not complain of the turbulent winds."

  Heather said, "I am glad to be done with them. It is time we continued our journey of exploration."

  They sailed south out of the protected inlet and into the open sea. By noon the land had again flattened out and the shoreline became almost featureless. As they were taking the noon meal Captain John asked Daniel, "Does your book describe other protected anchorages?"

  Daniel thought for a moment before replying, "No, they mostly pulled ashore on the open beach. They turned back after several weeks without ever finding habitable lands. They describe some areas of hills but fresh water was almost nonexistent."

  "Do they talk of reefs or islands?"

  "The reading is hard but I remember no description of such things. Their fear of dying of thirst and heat is what they write most of."

  Captain John was quiet as he finished his meal. He asked Heather, "Would you be willing to stand watch during the day?"

  Heather responded quickly, "Yes, but why?"

  "I would sail at night also. It sounds as if anchorage will be difficult and we will make much better time."

  Heather asked, "How will you know your way in the darkness?"

  "There is some risk but if Daniel's book is correct we will not find anchorage anyway. It sounds as if our way is clear and very long. Our supplies are limited and we need to make the most of them."

  "When would you have me start?"

  Captain John responded, "Now. I will rest and assume the watch at nightfall."

  And so the days went for the next two weeks. Heather spent her days on watch with Daniel at her side much of the time. The landscape to their left was almost unchanging with dry desert meeting the ocean. The weather held with only occasional rains squalls. The crew was adept at using sails to harvest the rainwater, but still their supply seemed to decrease much too quickly. At the change of watch Captain John remarked, "It is winter and still water is the issue. In the heat of summer this would be a most difficult journey. I understand now the concern of those who wrote your Daniel's book. We have but one week more to explore if we find no fresh water."

  During the evening meal Heather and Daniel were discussing the issue of fresh water. Betty was sitting across from them next to Tivi; who said something in a low voice which Heather and Daniel could not hear. Betty spoke up saying, "Tivi says the water is where the land turns and the strange people live."

  Daniel and Heather looked at each other with a look of embarrassment for they had forgotten to seek the advice of the little one. Daniel asked, "Tivi, could you draw a picture of how the land looks?"

  Tivi responded by speaking to Betty in a quiet but excited voice. Betty in turn said, "He will try but he's not good at drawing."

  Daniel got up to retrieve his writing book and pen. He carefully trimmed the end of the quill he used and dipped it into the small bottle of ink. Tivi took the instrument and with an intense look of concentration began drawing a line down the page. Near the top was the inlet they had hid from the storm in. The line then descended nearly vertically until near the bottom of the page when it made a gradual turn to his left followed by an abrupt turn back towards the top. It ascended about an inch before turning towards the right. Tivi then drew in a river entering the large bay he had drawn. He added some mountains around the river and then put the pen down. Turning towards Betty he said something in a low voice.

  Betty spoke up saying, "It is how he remembered the picture in Captain Dirk's room."

  While Heather examined the map Daniel asked, "Tivi why do you say the people are funny?"

  While answering to Betty, Tivi wrinkled his nose up. Betty then repeated him saying, "They smell like fish and dress funny."

  "Are they small people like you or big like us?"

  This time Tivi responded directly saying, "No little ones but not so big as you."

  Heather excused herself to discuss the map with Captain John while Daniel continued his discussion. The people apparently dressed in simple clothes with shells for decorations. Their homes were made of grass and wood poles without doors or windows. Their speech was difficult for Tivi to understand, but Captain Dirk talked to them. Daniel's questions about sacred water went nowhere but when he asked about boats Tivi said, "Lots of boats but small and skinny."

  Daniel tried to figure out how big of a community it was but Tivi could not be specific. More people than their ship but much smaller than the city of the Northern Kingdom. Tivi was kept up late drawing pictures and trying to explain things to Daniel. At least he was now communicating directly, but would still avert his eyes when speaking. Daniel knew much time would be needed to help heal the abuse the little one had received.

  When Daniel and Heather arose in the morning they were greeted by a new view: the land was no longer visible. Captain John explained, "A few hours ago we sailed into an area where the waves changed. They became closer together and aligned in a different direction. It's a narrow band and I have been sailing back and forth slowly up the band."

  Heather asked, "What does this change mean?"

  "I think there is an island just ahead."

  Heather and Daniel both peered forward but could see nothing. Heather asked, "How big of an island?"

  "The band of wave change is a couple of miles wide so the island would be at least that big. The wave changes have become more defined so I think we're getting close."

  Almost on cue, the lookout atop the mast called out, "Land ahead and slightly to port."