The Scarlet King (10 page)

With the main sail down he next had the storm
sail raised and all other sails lowered and secured. Jason had no
sooner asked why they needed to change directions when the first
flash of lightning and crash of thunder occurred in the distance.
Larby said simply, "A whirling storm approaches. We cannot make the
harbor."

Jason wanted to learn more about the whirling
storms, but for now he let Larby take charge for he was of the sea.
Edna did her best to control the helm but she did not have the
instinct to respond to the waves. Jason took over from her. Larby
seemed to be everywhere aboard ship making sure everything was
secure and all hatches tightly closed. He said only, "We will try
and run before the storm but it will be not pleasant."

The day still had a few hours left when
darkness descended upon them. With it came the rain and the thunder
and lightning. The winds began to blow violently and the seas began
to lose definition as the wind sheared off the tops of the waves
and turned them into froth. Only Larby and Jason were left topside
as their ship was tossed about like a leaf. Conversation as such
was not possible, for the wind and the crashing of the waves
obscured all words not yelled directly into the others’ ears. Those
below did their best to keep from being thrown about with the
crashing of the ship, but all were bruised and many bleeding. The
pumps needed to be manned, as the waves crashing over the ship
would leak through the deck hatches. It was all those below could
do to keep up with a single task.

For what must have seemed like the longest
day that ever existed, the wind blew and blew. Suddenly the wind
stopped and the sun was visible. The waves were no longer being
pushed by the wind, but they continued being formed and pushed by
some invisible force. Larby began to inspect the ship and let out
an epitaph when he realized the mast had broken and was being held
only by their storm sail lines. He and Jason struggled to free the
lines without losing the broken portion overboard. They were
successful in freeing the lines, but the sea claimed the majority
of their mast. There were left only with a small stub, which he
doubted would give them enough control to sail. Larby had Jason
call Jeremy for help at the helm.

Jeremy saw the bright sky and sunshine and
began thanking the God of the Sacred Water. Larby spoke sharply,
"Thank your God of the Sacred Water not yet for the worst of the
storm is yet to come. You must man the helm while we make a sea
anchor."

Jeremy did his best to keep the ship pointed
with the waves, for without a sail for power the ship responded
very poorly. Larby was tying knots furiously creating a large
basket out of their storm sail. He kept looking up to the southwest
judging the speed at which the line of clouds was approaching.
Finally he said, "It is the best we can do. Now it will be up to
the God of the Sea.”

He and Jason dragged the adapted sail forward
and he secured the anchor line to it. He then yelled at Jeremy to
turn into the seas but Jeremy could hear not. Jason carefully made
his way back to the helm, holding on at all times, and took over
turning the boat very slowly into the waves. Larby began letting
out the line of the sea anchor which filled quickly. Their anchor
line was short because of their escape but it was all they had.
When the anchor line became fully taut, the ship pointed directly
into the waves and rode a little less wildly.

New flashes of lightning could be seen
approaching. Larby simply said, "We have done our best and now it
is up to the God of the Sea."

When they were below, Jason asked of the
device Larby had made. Larby responded, "It is called a sea anchor
and will slow the drift of our ship." He added, "The back side of
the whirling storms is usually worse because the wind begins to
shift direction and the waves know not how to respond."

Jason asked why the wind had ceased to blow
for a while, and Larby responded, "It is the eye of the God of the
Sea which you have seen. It is only seen in the center of the great
whirling storms." He spoke no more but simply fell asleep wedged
against the bulkhead. The others fared not so well with the
sickness of the sea being uncontrolled. Even those who were not
initially sick could no longer take the stench. For an additional
day and night they were tossed about by the storm.

With dawn on the third day the storm finally
began to abate. Larby was topside arranging containers to collect
as much water as he could from the remaining showers. He was soon
joined by Jason, who breathed the fresh air and could not help but
fill his nostrils and chest with the freshness of the sea. He was
soon at work with his numbers, trying to figure out where they
were. By using the angle of the sun, which was peeking through the
clouds, he knew that they had drifted significantly to the south
but could not tell how far to the east they had traveled.

It was midday before Jeremy and Edna felt
well enough to join them. They too filled their lungs with fresh
air and Edna said, "To be free of the stench is truly a blessing of
the God of the Sacred Water."

Larby replied, "A blessing it may be but we
are now adrift in an unknown sea. Hopefully the God of the Sea will
bless us with landfall so we may repair our ship."

Jason began asking questions about how the
wind shifted during the storm, but Larby had few answers, saying
only, "The wind swirls around and if it started in the south it
usually ends in the north, but only the God of the Sea knows for
sure."

Larby put Jeremy and Edna to work organizing
what was left of their sails and deck equipment. It was late in the
afternoon when they finally turned their attention to the broken
mast, which now stood less than two man heights above the deck.
They had on board a spare spar, which if attached to the broken
mast would give them a minimal amount of sail. Control and balance
of the sails would be very limited but at least they would be able
to make some headway. Making the connection was the difficult part,
and they spent the evening trying to figure an appropriate method.
Jason’s suggestion was to split the top of the remaining mast into
sections and then force the spar into the split.

After the breaking of the fast, work
commenced on the mast repair. The tools of the shipwright were in
good shape, and with a few hours of work Jeremy had sawed the mast
vertically into four sections for a length of three feet. The
chisels were used to create a somewhat hollow center between the
sections. With effort they were able to pry these apart and insert
wedges, which allowed the spar to be inserted. Larby then took
charge, using rope to carefully and tightly compress the wedges
against the spar. By midday the work was done and a small sail was
secured to their makeshift mast. Gradually the boat began to turn
and make headway, which allowed them to retrieve the sea
anchor.

They were again under way, if ever so slowly,
and Larby asked Jason, "What course to steer?"

Jason looked up from his numbers and said, "I
would expect we need to sail west by northwest but for how long I
have no idea."

For the length of one moon cycle they slowly
made their way west by Northwest. Larby became almost a tyrant
about the need to conserve their water and to capture any rainwater
that the rare shower would bring. His skill as a fisherman provided
just enough food to keep them going. The heat was oppressive and
the boredom overwhelming. It was only Jason who was always busy
either working with his numbers or reading the books he had found
in the Captain's cabin. He complained not and would eat less than
his share, saying, "I come with plenty of reserve. Worry not about
me."

When land was finally cited off in the
distance many refused to believe it was real. Jason was concerned
because it was to the south of their course and he had expected
land to appear to the north. It mattered not and their course was
changed. Slowly they made their way towards the land they had
sighted. The change in direction had slowed their course even more
and they inched ever so slowly towards the land. Darkness was
falling and they had covered little of the distance separating them
from the land.

They continued to sail during the night and
the morning light brought a great relief when the land was very
evident. It appeared to be an island of relatively large size but
they could see no distinguishing features from this distance. As
the day wore on and they gradually closed the distance, they could
see cliffs arising directly from the sea.

They sailed as close as Larby dared but saw
no place to anchor and land. They continued to sail around the
island with only rocks to greet their eyes. As they started around
the windward side the black clouds on the horizon became evident to
everyone. Another storm was brewing and the memory of the sickness
from the last storm was enough to force everyone to pray for a safe
landing site. On the windward side there was a definite break in
the cliffs with a small opening visible. They were unable to tell
if it was an opening into a harbor or a stream which had cut down
through the rock. Flashes of lightning could now be seen in the
approaching cloudbank.

Larby spoke up, saying, "I fear this landing
is not safe. We must trust ourselves to the sea."

Others complained that they could not survive
another storm and the landing looked safe to them. All eyes turned
to Jason for the final decision. Jason looked at the storm and
asked Larby, "Is the storm another whirling storm?"

Larby shrugged his shoulders and said, "I
feel not the energy of the whirling storm but only the God of the
Sea knows for sure."

Jason thought for several moments before
saying, "I would we approach the opening in the cliffs for a closer
look." He then asked, "Could we not lower the boat and check the
opening?"

Larby responded, "I would expect the storm to
be upon us before then."

Jeremy asked, "If we stay at sea will not the
storm force us from this land?"

Larby said, "As is the will of the God of the
Sea."

They were close enough now to see if there
actually was an opening in the cliffs. There appeared to be water
extending inland, but they could determine not if it was river or
harbor. Jason glanced once more at the approaching storm and made
his decision, saying, "With the grace of the God of the Sacred
Water, let us test this landing."

Larby said not but simply turned the helm,
directing the ship towards the narrow opening in the cliffs. The
wind and waves were now behind them and they speeded up
significantly as they approached the cliffside. As they got closer
the opening appeared to not grow any larger, and Jason began to
have second thoughts, but they were committed. They had not enough
power in their sail to turn and escape.

As the waves and wind drove them forward,
they could see water breaking against the rocks on the side. Larby
intently studied the surface of the water. At the last instant he
cranked the helm to port and the ship heeled sharply, knocking
Jason off his feet. Jason arose just in time to see the large rock
just under the water that Larby had avoided. He was not so
successful with the next rock, which smashed against the side of
their keel, but the next wave lifted the ship free and propelled it
forward.

Suddenly the cliff opened up and they were in
a natural harbor. Larby had Jeremy drop the sail, and he turned the
ship into the wind. When the ship had slowed sufficiently he
ordered their makeshift anchor lowered. The water was surprisingly
deep and most of the anchor rode was played out before the anchor
hit bottom. Everyone held their breath while the ship slowly began
to swing on the anchor. After several moments Larby said, "The
anchor holds." As everyone began to cheer, he added," I trust it
not. For the water is deep and our line short."

Jeremy immediately wanted to go ashore but it
was obvious that the storm was about to break. Jason said, "I share
your desire but the darkness and the storm are upon us. Let us wait
for the light of the morrow and for now give thanks to the God of
the Sacred Water."

All went below for protection from the storm
and to celebrate except for Larby, who stayed at the helm. The rain
came and the winds howled. But their shelter was good and the waves
reached them not. For the better part of an hour Larby watched and
the anchor held. As darkness became complete he gave up the watch
and went below, but with an uneasy feeling in his heart. The
stories that evening were told with far greater vigor and the
overall atmosphere was dramatically improved. Jason finally
announced, "If we are to begin exploring at first light I would
suggest some rest for all."

As everyone gradually left the mess area,
Jason asked Larby, "Should the watch be posted?"

Larby responded, "It is a dark night, there
is nothing to watch. The anchor holds or not, as is the will of God
of the Sea."

Jason put his hand on Larby shoulder saying,
"I understood your reasoning for wanting to stay at sea but I
feared the others would not fare well. Your judgment has served us
well and I thank you."

Larby but shrugged his shoulders, saying,
"Mine is but one voice. Your decision was valid; now we will
see."

It was nearing dawn and the storm was finally
blowing itself out and the wind began to shift. The change in the
sound of the waves lapping against the side of the ship awakened
Larby. He made his way topside and tried to see if the anchor was
dragging but the night was too dark. He made his way forward and
sat with his hand on the anchor rode, feeling the strain of the
line as the ship responded to the wind and small waves.

He was almost asleep sitting there monitoring
the tension when a change occurred. The anchor rode no longer
pulsed with the waves but rather moved in fits and starts. He was
now instantly awake. He could detect no change in their position
but the anchor rode would catch for but a brief moment and then
release. There was no doubt but they were dragging anchor.