Chapter 11
Daniel asked, "How far away?"
"I would guess three or four miles to the northeast."
Heather's warrior nature was showing when she asked, "Jeremy of Issip, are you sure it is our ship?"
The drop in Jeremy's face was enough of an answer. The silence deepened as thoughts of other possibilities began to weigh on everyone's minds. Heather spoke up saying, "It is a small island and someone who looks will find us. Perhaps we could cover our tracks enough so if they're not looking they won't see us."
Jeremy said, "I'll try and make the fire look like a lightning strike but I've cut many branches and the cuts would show if someone looked."
"Spend no more than thirty minutes on the mountain and try to cover your trail as you return. Daniel and I will begin policing this area. I would expect we have a couple of hours before the ship would land on our side of the island. This cave is probably as good of a hiding place as any."
Jeremy hurried off and they started cleaning the area of their sign. Those of the Forest disturbed little by their very nature but they had been many days in their camp. Footprints in the wet soil which was now drying were their biggest worry. Larby watched from the mouth of the cave with an anxious look on his face. Daniel knew not how to explain what was happening. He used his hands to emulate a sail in the wind and a ship riding the waves but was unsure if the meaning was fully received. The anxiousness seemed to increase in the young man's face but they had no way of communicating any better.
The time went quickly and even to Heather's eye they had not hidden their tracks well enough, but as the ship came into view they had done all they could do. The ship looked like their ship except the mast was much too short. They watched in silence as the ship neared. Jeremy had moved to the edge of the small cliff and was staring intently trying to identify the ship positively. Daniel glanced at Larby and saw the look of intense fear on his face. Heather followed his gaze and was alarmed at the look of fear. She moved towards the young man and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. He was trembling.
The call from Jeremy that it was indeed their ship did not quiet the fear of Larby. Daniel said, "The ship of the Red Ambassador is known to our young friend – or at least the ship type."
Heather said, "I expect he has a reason for his fear which we need to learn more of. Jeremy would you go and greet our friends? It would be best if we kept Larby here for now." She added, "Bring back the young priest with you."
Jeremy left with the easy loping run of those of the Forest. Heather and Daniel stood by Larby, who was on his makeshift crutches. Their presence seemed to help settle down the young man but a slight trembling persisted until the ship sailed around the point and out of their view. Daniel said, "I'm hungry." He turned to Larby and asked, "Soup?"
Larby responded with a nod of his head saying, "Supee."
Daniel kindled a fire and soon they were sharing the warm soup. The sun was setting before Jeremy returned accompanied by the young priest. Daniel began to introduce the young priest to Larby and realized he had never called the young priest by a specific name. He looked questioningly at Heather who smiled slightly at his discomfort and said, "Larby this is Arnold."
The young priest held out his hand and Larby said, "Arnol."
The young priest pronounced his name again and Larby did a better job of repeating it as he tentatively shook hands.
Jeremy interjected, saying, "Captain John would speak to you Heather of the Northern Kingdom."
She looked at Daniel and asked, "The language lesson can go on without me?"
Daniel nodded and said, "I would think it best if we limit our new friend's exposure. I would you return to me yet tonight."
Heather gave Daniel a kiss and departed with Jeremy leading the way through the darkness.
Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before Page 12
