The Long Road To... - 39. Into the Deep End

A small group of us, split from the main caravan to head to the far side of the bay. The plan was simple. We get the canoe out into the water at nightfall. It would go out to the ships and direct them around the peninsula to the next inlet where the wagons would be waiting. Everything would be laboriously transported using the small dinghies from the main ships. If everything would go smoothly, we would not attract any attention from either the defending or sieging forces.

We walked through the growing shadows under the trees towards the water in silence. We hoped that if there were any spies, they would be following the wagons and not a threat to our small group. We lit no light so as not give away our position. The boat would have none either.

I walked close to Leaf. There was concern on his face, but there was also determination. A good look. I was still worried about him. I could not imagine what he was trying to prove. Another could have taken his place. This was dangerous, this silent walking in the forest and a launch into the darkness. The waters in the bay would be rough we expected. He could swim, but we did not know for how long if the boat capsized. With every step, I felt more helpless.

We stood among the last few trees before the water, waiting for the shadows to lengthen. There was no other sound than the waves gently rolling in and washing over the flat rock. It did not look to choppy. Phaetheon’s ships looked so small from here. On the other side of the bay fires blazed around the fort.

“It’s time,” Marius whispered.

The boat was carried gently to the black water. I turned to Leaf, he was already facing me. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came.

His strong arms embraced me, and before he could pull away, I tightened mine.

“Come back…” was all I could manage.

He pulled back, nodded, and let go.

Marius and I stood at the tail of the boat and held it solid until all three were aboard with paddles at the ready. With the help of Teucer and another we shoved them out into the cold water.

I could just see the paddles begin their work before they disappeared.

We waited a short time for them, to listen for anything that might give us a sign. There was none.

“We should leave,” whispered Marius to us. I scanned into the blackness again.

I felt a tug at my arm.

“Come,” Marius breathed to me. “Before the moon has fully risen, before we are seen.”

We were in camp before dawn. Marius and Teucer went to report to Phaetheon. The rest of us went to find places to sleep. I found Blade and flopped down next to his sleeping form.

The morning was dull, expectant, as if it could not decide if it should rain, or let the clouds roll through. We waited. My midday meal was tasteless. Blade encouraged me to eat more. I did, but did not enjoy it. We waited. In the afternoon, I walked along the shore along the side of the peninsula. We waited. Nothing, no sails on the water. We waited. There was a lot of mumbling at the evening meal. We waited. Phaetheon did not look pleased and he stood abruptly and stalked away from us, away from the water, and into the trees. Blade shook his head. We waited.

I sat on the shore with my back against a large rock well into the night and watched for a sign. I woke to moonlight. It would have been more beautiful had it shown the ships. I looked around me. There were a few men awake, presumably keeping watch. A flicker caught my eye. I turned to see Phaetheon, lit by the moon. His head was down and meditation or prayer. It gave me a strange mixture of comfort and concern.

Eventually, I wandered back into camp any fell asleep near Teucer’s group.

The morning brought no comfort or ships. Blade and the other brothers meditated together under the trees. Phaetheon sat in a small group and held council.

Tecuer approached me cautiously at midday.

“Galehault and I are crossing back over to the bay tonight to check on the ships. Do you want to come with? We could use your experience.”

I nodded.

We left well before sunset, crossed the peninsula, and came out onto to bay.

No ships. Not one. I blinked several times. Nothing. The fort was visible, as well as the smoke from it. Black smoke. The clouds shifted and structures appeared black, even in the growing blackness.

“Defeated,” whispered Teucer.

“Dead,” Galehault replied.

The sieging force was gone. There were no fires marking an encampment. There was nothing else now, only the sound of water on rock.

“What do you think happened? Should we go and take a look?” It was Teucer.

“Too late,” I said.

“Yes,” Galehault agreed. “Too late. The ships are gone now anyway. Hopefully, we will catch them on the other side tomorrow.”

We stood a few moments longer. I thought I heard movement, but could see nothing.

“Let’s go. Once the word is out, there will be scouts or raiders coming for whatever remains at the fort,” Teucer said.

I nodded to them and we turned to go. I heard the sounds, louder. I stopped. They continued.

“Help me…” a voice in the dark said.

“What was that?” Teucer was at my side, bow drawn, Galehault’s sword was ready.

A man staggered toward us.

“Stay back,” Teucer warned.

“Help me.”

“What is he saying?” Galehault extended his sword.

“Help,” I replied. “Ally tongue. Not common.”

“Please… help me.” He came forward, slowly.

“Hold,” I said.

The stranger stopped, he appeared to be leaning, or at least not standing straight.

“Light.”

“They might see,” Teucer whispered.

“Here,” Galehault said while shifting position. The reflected light from his raised small shield was enough. The man was indeed an ally of ours, I could tell by his skin color. I could also tell he was hurt. Between the blood on his head and the dazed expression, he had been lucky to escape.

“He’s injured,” Galehault whispered.

“He might be being followed,” Teucer added.

“Should we bring him with? He might have information for Phaetheon…” Galehault did not sound certain.

“Will you come?” I said in his language.

He nodded. “Help.”

I took him by the arm and Teucer led us away from the bay and into the woods.

We kept a fast pace in spite of our injured companion. After some time, we needed to stop. It was the first I let hold of the injured man. Galehault lit a small torch.

A wound on the side of the head showed clearly.

“Here.” Teucer handed some cloth strips and began wiping the blood from his face. The man’s expression continued to show confusion. His eyes still were unclear.

“Must have been a good crack on the head,” Teucer sighed.

“If we can get him to camp, we can see to him properly,” Galehault added without turning to us. He was much more a man now. He was focused and his guard was up watching around us for enemies. It was good to see him that way, no longer the boy of so long ago. “We should keep moving,” he said without looking at us.

“His arm too,” sighed Teucer. He wrapped and did what he could to improvise a sling. The man winced with every movement.

“Finished,” Teucer finally said while tying off the bandages.

I resumed my hold on the man and we started off again. We were slower now. Slower for lack of rest and to accommodate our new companion.

We came to the other side mid-morning, and, through the gaps in the trees, we could see the sails of the three ships.

“There they are!” Galehault called out.

“Your friends…?” The man said looking out to the boats.

“Yes.”

He stopped walking and I stopped with him. Galehault and Teucer kept on.

“They didn’t help us…”

I shook my head. “Not their war.” I tugged his arm and he began moving again, slowly.

“What is your name?” he huffed out as we came down the hill.

“Talon.”

“Begayar.”

Galehault returned. “They have been shuttling to the ships. A lot of the camp is packed up and gone.”

We caught up and looked down. There were a number of men keeping guard, but the majority of goods were already gone.

“At least we missed the loading!” Galehault elbowed Teucer who laughed.

We struggled down to the camp and made our way through. Teucer and I sat Begayar down. Marius found us nearly immediately.

“It is good to see you safe.” He looked at Begayer briefly. “And one more beside. Phaetheon is aboard. The last of the supplies is on the way out now. Just the rest of us and the horses are left.”

“What about the fourth ship?”

“Wrecked. I assume we will find out more once on board.” He frowned.

I did not dare to ask about the three whom were sent in the canoe, paddling into the darkness nights ago. The ships were here, so at least one, at least one, got through.

We waited patiently on the beach. Begayar did not ask any questions, I did not offer. He sat quietly as I did. Teucer sat next with us.

“Shame.” Teucer shook his head. I followed his gaze to the men setting the last of the horses free. I knew what he meant, a necessity, but we could not take them with us. They would have to find their own way now.

“I like the horses back home better. Still… these were not all that bad.” He sighed.

Some of them had made for the forest already, no doubt looking to graze. Some would stay free, others would be caught and ridden by men again. I glanced at the water. The boats were on the way back. I looked among us, there was enough room for all. This would be the last trip it seemed.

Marius returned to us. “Come, together at the water’s edge.” He looked beyond us.

“Trouble?”

“Scouts in the trees.”

I helped Begayar up and we joined the others. The waves wet our feet.

“I don’t think they will approach,” Marius said. “They will probably try to get the horses instead.”

I looked along the woods and did not see anyone. There was only a dozen of us left, so it would be foolish for a few scouts to approach without an actual force behind them.

The first of the boats landed in front of us.

“Here.” Marius waved us to it. “Put him in and off you go.”

Begayar and I and a few others climbed in as the second boat landed. I had just sat down with I saw Teucer stand tall on the sand with his bow drawn. He was joined by a few of the others.

A few men, presumably the scouts, came out on the strand from the forest. They were not approaching, but did not appear to be afraid either. I had my sword in hand and prepared myself to jump out. We all watched tensely as the men up the beach approached one of the stray horses. An arrow landed at his feet and he backed away. He and the others watched us.

Teucer laughed.

“Come on.” Marius called.

The last two boats had landed while we were watching the horses. Our boat jerked out into the water as the remaining men scrambled into the last boats. I joined the rowers in pulling away from the sand and out to the ships. Once the final two boats pulled into the water, the men on the beach were bolder and went after the horses, corralling them with ropes.

As we got closer to the ships, I chanced a few looks over my shoulder. I could not tell which one was the flagship. One seemed larger than the others, but that meant literally nothing. Maybe it was the fourth one, the missing one.

Through calls from the above deck, we were directed alongside one of the three and one by one, we were hoisted up an aboard. From the rail, I could see that we were the only boat to come to this vessel. The rest were amongst the other ships.

Once completely boarded and the boat was hauled up, I felt lost. Other than Begayar, there seemed to be no familiar faces.

I scanned all the other boats from where I was. Surely, Leaf or Blade would come to watch for me to come aboard. I studied the nearest boat for any sign of them. Nothing. I cursed under my breath for not being able to see the last ship clearly.

There was a shout from behind me.

“Prreparre to sail!”

The accent was thick. I turned to see a man, coming toward us flashing a huge smile. His face and coloring suggested one of Phaetheon or Marius’ people, but he was clearly not. He was of another race altogether. His accent had only confirmed it.

“Welcome aboarrd my new phrriends! You are hurrt.” He went to Begayar and looked him over. “We must get you below and attended to.”

Begayar looked hopeful, but uncomprehendingly.

“Does not speak common,” I said.

The man seemed surprised. “Well you do. I am Huallpa, Captain of the Inpherrno.” He nodded his head and beckoned to one of the hands.

“Talon. Begayar.” I motioned to us.

He nodded again. “Show them to the doctorr,” he said to deckhand. “I will phind you aphterr we sail.”

We were brought below to a very small cabin with barely enough room for the two beds. The doctor, such as he was, looked me over quickly. He looked too young.

“Him,” I said while thumbing at Begayar.

He nodded and we got him free of his bandages and shirt. Salve was applied to the head and he was wrapped up again, cleanly and properly.

We felt the first jolts of the ship as the other wound was being assessed.

“Arrrow hit him harrd,” the doctor said as he tried to steady himself. “Bone stopped. Brruised. No brreak. We stitch him up.” He had the same accent as the captain. I could see the same race in him.

He fixed up Begayar and then left us alone, presumably to rest. Begayar dozed off nearly immediately.

I sat for a while and tried to sleep. It eluded me. The nagging questions fought their way into my brain. I had to assume that Blade and his brothers were picked up. Did we lose any on the beach to the scouts the night we had crossed the peninsula? What happened to the fourth ship and the men aboard it? Who made it to let the ships know to come around to pick us up? Was Leaf safe? Injured? Alive?

I peered at Begayar. His injuries did not seem to be affecting his sleep. He was snoring lightly. I got up and made my way to the deck to ask for news.

We were gliding along the shore much farther out than we had been. The land we were skimming past held the light from the low sun on the sea side of the ship.

I stood a moment or two trying to get my bearings and figure out who was the most likely to be able to give me some answers. One of the hands approached me.

“Looking phorr the Captain?”

Another of the captain’s race. I nodded.

He nodded back and led the way to him.

Captain Huallpa was standing by the wheel in the stern. He was speaking with one of the men. The hand who brought me silently left me to figure out the rest on my own. I stood and waited.

Huallpa finally beckoned me to him.

“…keep pace with Harronus. Be rready should he want to anchorr for the night.” He dismissed the man and turned to me. “Talon, yes? Is yourr phrriend doing betterr?”

I nodded.

“Good. Lloque, ourr doctorr, is my kinsman. He is young but well taught. In my opinion, best of the expedition.”

I nodded again and cheated a glance at the other ships. “Four…?”

He nodded and looked down then out at the others. “Sad business. We lost the Tsunami. The captain was a good man.” He looked down at the deck a moment and made a sign with his hands. “We rrescued many.” He sighed and looked out over the water.

“Close quarrterrs now. Even morre so now with those Phaetheon collects.” He smiled. “I saw two morre with yourr look, otherrs the look of holy men, and now you two.”

I nodded again, hiding my relief. Two more like me meant both Leaf and Blade were safely aboard. The brothers of the Artifex were with us. We were on our way.

“We must phind a place forr you to rrest,” Huallpa said quietly, “now that you know yourr phrriends arre saphe.” He smiled broadly.

Begayar stayed in the infirmary, such as it was, ostensibly to recover. Lloque kept to the second bed in there. After some offers of tight quarters and a little searching, I found a space on deck, sheltered behind crates. I had had far worse in my time. I curled up among the sacks and supplies and spent a restless night listening to the sea.

I did not want to get up with the sun, but the increased actions of the crew made that decision for me. I rose to see the land behind us. Nothing I could see could tell me how far up the coast we had come before heading out to sea. I had some guesses.

I went to search for food. The well-stocked galley had everything needed for a feast. I got what I needed and made my way to Begayar. He was sitting up in bed alternately laughing then holding his shoulder in pain. LLoque and he were eating together and trying to talk.

“He sounds phunny!” Lloque chuckled.

“He is trying to teach me!” Begayar laughed. “But I think he is not good with it himself! I don’t know what I am learning!”

They fell into laughter then Begayar grimaced and held his chest tightly. Lloque rose to his side.

“Too much phun, must rrest.”

I left them together, calm in each other’s company.

The food was good, especially for ships fare. I ate on a crate near where I had slept. No one bothered me, I heard no gossip, not even from the crew wandering the deck. Phaetheon was a collector of men and a few of those collected stood and watched the sea as I did.

I dozed on an off most of the day. There was nothing to see. Begayar was safe enough below for now.

It was dark when I woke. I sat up and looked over the water. There was a hint of light behind us. It would be sunrise from the direction and the stars. We were moving easily forward, the sun catching up. The call for land went out moments later. I stood and could only make out a darker shadow between sky and water ahead.

I went below to check on Begayar. He was asleep, LLoque was not. “He slept well. He is good healerr. I expect him to be phine. Maybe catch in arrm, but no morre. Some pain phorr time.” He smiled.

I nodded.

“I expect we will be at RRustwarrd Village by midday. I phind morre herrbs phorr pain.”

I nodded.

“Do not be concerrned. He will be well.”

I left. Begayar was not my responsibility. We had helped him, but he would go on alone in time. I was his friend by default because I could speak to him. I grabbed some bread and munched my way around below deck. Crowded storage and lots of cramped quarters. I wondered if the other boats were as packed.

By the time I came topside, the sun was fully up and the sheer walls of the island were visible. Rustward was the only entry port to the land above. I had been there once, long ago. The small port had let us dock and the village let us roam. The carved passage to the lands above had been barred to Thorn and I, not surprising considering enemy allies made their home on the plateau above. This was the home of some of the brothers from the opposite side of the place of creation, a few were aboard our ships with Blade.