The Scarlet King (8 page)

The entrance to the harbor was but a small
slot in the wall of the cliffs that faced the ocean. Even in their
small boats Larby's people would not challenge the rocks and
riptides at low tide. Just north of the entrance was an island they
called "The Waiting Island." If needed, they would hide in the
shelter of this island until the tides were proper for return to
their homes. It was just a few hours by sail or paddle from the
shelter to the entrance of the harbor.

It was midday before the lookout sighted the
headlands which marked the northern approach to the harbor. Captain
Cook was informed and returned topside. He was struggling to
determine his position when Daniel explained what he had learned
from the young priest. Captain Cook listened attentively while
gently shaking his head. He responded, "I cannot believe I'm going
to again trust my ship to the mysticism of a priest." He turned
towards the young priest and said, "You I trust, for you seem not
like the others of your kind. I would you stay here as we approach
this island and repeat again the words you remember."

As they approached the island slowly from the
north the young priest repeated the words he remembered: "The water
is fair and deep near the island but rocky and foul shoreside.
Anchorage is not secure and a watch must be kept, for the winds
change. When the tide is nearing high, the center of the passage
into the harbor is open and safe."

The Captain ordered the sails reduced as they
slowly approached the island. The crew kept sounding the depth
using a line and stone, and as the young priest had said, the water
was safe. The tide was past high and darkness was but a few hours
away. Captain Cook gave the order to lower the anchor and drop all
sails. When the anchor had set, the watch was posted. Heather had
finished feeding her baby and returned topside. She asked, "Could a
boat be put ashore on the mainland?"

Captain Cook responded only after examining
the shoreline carefully. "A boat could be landed but what
then?"

Heather responded, "I would have those of the
Forest scout ahead."

"You would have them climb that cliff?"

Heather nodded in the affirmative saying, "If
those of the Forest are willing and able it would be best."

Several of the Forest were examining the
cliff and said, "If we can use a light line from the ship the cliff
can be scaled."

Heather said, "I would that four of the
Forest set out and scout the defenses that those of the Red may
have erected. We would expect to pick you up shortly after dawn so
that we can use the tide to enter the harbor."

Those of the Forest chose amongst themselves
and the four chosen prepared their equipment. The sailors lowered
one of the boats and those of the Forest were taken across the
small waterway to a small beach where they landed. The beach was
almost completely covered at high tide. The sailors advised those
of the Forest, "You may need to get wet in order to return."

Those of the Forest acknowledged the warning
and climbed onto land for the first time in several weeks. They
felt real joy at having solid rock beneath their feet, but noticed
that if they closed their eyes the world would roll as if they were
aboard the ship. They wasted little time and began their ascent of
the cliff, which was composed of different layers of rock, some of
which appeared markedly eroded and others very sound. The series of
ledges thus produced made for a relatively easy ascent. Then they
were gone from sight.

Aboard ship it was mostly a time of
preparation with a checking and rechecking of their weapons and
other preparations. Daniel was fascinated by the layers of rock he
was seeing and so wished he could explore them, but was trapped
aboard the boat. Heather too felt confined but used the time to
practice with her sword. Her right arm remained stiff and somewhat
weak from an injury sustained during an earlier battle. She found
it easier to control the sword with her left arm. She practiced
holding a knife in her right hand and using the sword in her left.
This produced a better sense of balance but she definitely lacked
the finesse she had enjoyed before the injury to her right arm.
Betty interrupted her practice, bringing her baby forth who was
demanding to be fed. Heather sheathed her weapons and resumed the
role of mother.

The night passed slowly, and as dawn
approached the boat was lowered and those of the Forest retrieved.
They were in high spirits as they returned to the ship. They
reported to Heather that a catapult was mounted on the cliff
overlooking the harbor. They explained that it was unguarded, so
they took the liberty of slicing almost completely through both the
launching and the controlling ropes. There were no other ships to
be seen. They then described the harbor, which was large enough for
only six or seven ships of their size and connected through the
cliff by a very tiny channel. The people lived in stone homes
carved into the soft layer of stone about a quarter way up the
cliff. A more traditional building seemed to house those of the Red
and was adjacent to a dock structure. The boats of Larby's people
were simply pulled ashore on the small beach.

Heather and the Captain received the report
and Heather thanked those of the Forest for their efforts. She and
Captain Cook then conferred only briefly before the order was given
to hoist the anchor and raise the sails. Slowly the ship moved
forward, and with but an hour and a half of sail they spotted the
cleft in the cliffs. Captain Cook lowered the sails to half and
cautiously made his way into the narrow channel. The water was
indeed deep in the center but to either side rocks were visible a
stone's throw away from the ship. Once they entered the harbor the
sea breeze almost disappeared, as they very slowly made their way
to the center of the harbor. Again the anchor was dropped.

They could hear the sounding of a horn which
came from the building that housed those of the Red. Soon a boat
departed the dock and made its way towards the ship. Standing in
the front was an important looking man dressed all in red. The
sailors manning the oars wore uniforms with red stripes across the
shoulders. In the rear stood another manning the rudder and
chanting the rhythm for the rowing.

Watching them approach, Heather said to the
Captain, "Perhaps you should wear your uniform jacket. I will have
the young priest translate for us but I would the nature of our
mission not be known by those of the Red." She then added, "Those
of the Red have some sort of myth about a warrior with golden hair.
If you need to explain under whose authority you sail, it may be
best to use this myth."

Captain Cook disappeared for but a few
minutes and returned looking quite official. They were flying no
flag and the official approaching became obviously concerned when
he saw the cannons. They stopped an arrow shot away and the
official spoke up, saying, "I am the royal Councilor representing
the Scarlet King. You will identify yourself and state your
mission."

Captain Cook responded, "I am Captain of the
ship and would speak to the people of this land." This was
translated directly by the young priest into the high speech of
those of the Red.

The official responded, "Do you sail under
the authority of the Scarlet King?"

"I sail under the authority of Heather with
the Golden Hair."

At this point Heather stepped forward with
her hair blowing in the gentle breeze but spoke not.

The official was quiet for a moment before
announcing, "This land has been claimed for the Scarlet King and
you must depart immediately."

Heather now spoke in the language of those of
the Red, saying, "I come in peace to speak with the people of this
land and mean you no harm." She added, "I intend to fulfill my
mission."

The official hesitated before pointing
towards the catapult saying, "You will depart immediately or be
destroyed."

Heather spoke quietly to Captain Cook,
saying, "I would we demonstrate Daniel's cannon. Could you land a
shot just to the left of their building?"

Captain Cook was smiling as he stepped back
and gave orders to his crew to prepare to fire and selected a rock
pile to the left of the building. He nodded their readiness to
Heather who then spoke to the official, "I would you surrender
now."

The official began speaking so fast that even
the young priest could not translate. He waved a flag as a signal
to those manning the catapult. Heather turned towards Captain Cook
who said simply, "Fire."

The roar of the cannon reverberated amongst
the cliff walls and the smoke and fire from the muzzle of the
cannon obscured temporarily the view of the official in the boat.
Those watching the catapult gave a cheer as the machine itself
collapsed because of the damaged ropes. Heather turned her
attention back to the official and repeated, "I would you surrender
now."

The force of the cannon had rocked the ship
enough to create waves which had forced the official to sit down.
He arose not but simply replied, "I have not the authority to
surrender but will submit to capture."

Captain Cook asked quietly, "What is the
difference?"

Heather responded, "I would expect it is a
question of honor. It would seem that the Scarlet King does not
tolerate failure and those under his rule fear this greatly."

Heather spoke to the official, "You and all
of your party from this point forward will be confined to your
compound. We will transfer you to the care of the army serving
under Don the Great, who has agreed to a peace treaty, as soon as
possible."

As the official returned to his building
compound, Daniel asked, "Now what do we do?"

Heather chewed on her lip before replying, "I
think now we will wait and allow Larby's people to come to us."

All of Larby's people had disappeared with
the firing of the cannon and only slowly did they again appear in
the doorways of their homes. Fishermen returned from the sea and
gave wide berth to their ship. It was only late in the afternoon
that a boat approached again. This time it was a simple canoe
paddled by a single young man. He reached within hailing distance
but said not. Heather had the young priest call out, "We bring you
news of Larby and come in peace."

The young man stared at them before nodding
his head and returning to shore. Soon another small boat departed
the shore carrying three people. The elderly female sat in the
front while two others paddled. They came close to the side of the
ship and she spoke up saying, "I would hear the news of Larby."

Heather had the young priest explained how
Larby was rescued a year prior from the Island of the Flightless
Bird. Heather then asked if she would be willing to come aboard.
The lady agreed and the ladder was lowered over the side. Despite
her age the woman climbed the ladder easily. She was assisted onto
the deck and the boat pulled away, staying within calling distance.
Betty came forward and smelled the woman before speaking like
Larby, saying, "You smell of Larby. Are you his mother?"

Tears began to flow from the old woman and
she but nodded her head in affirmation. Betty held her hand and
some of the tension drained from the woman's face. She asked, "Does
my son really still live?"

Betty said not but simply looked into the
woman's eyes and smiled. More of the tension drained from the
woman's face and her eyes were now filled with tears of joy. She
reached over with her other hand and covered Betty's small hands
asking, "Is he here?"

Betty looked at Heather who said, "Your son
travels to the south and we are on our way to meet with him. We
bring news of the war and defeat of those of the Red but also of
another danger. I would speak with your people."

The woman listened to the young priest’s
translation and responded, "I will speak to my people." She arose
and prepared to descend the ladder, adding," You have brought
happiness to an old woman, may you be blessed by the God of the
Sea."

It was midday of the following day before
their ship was again approached by the same young man whom they had
first seen. He said simply, "The elders would hear your story."

As Captain Cook had a boat lowered, Heather
chose those to accompany her. She had not to choose Betty, who was
already prepared. The young priest would be needed as a translator
and of course Daniel would want to come just to experience a new
people. But then who would be left to care for the little ones?
Betty spoke up saying, "They will like our babies, we should bring
them with."

Captain Cook counseled that some danger was
present, but Heather responded, "I would trust these people, for
they have suffered much. We will go forward in good faith."

The sailors maneuvered their boat next to a
low stone wall which served as a loading platform. Before Heather
and the others departed they were advised that the shallow water
meant they could only be returned to the ship at high tide. Heather
acknowledged and thanked the sailors and her group climbed on to
the stone wall. A small party was waiting for them on shore.

They spoke not but simply turned and began
walking across the rocky beach towards the cliff face. There they
stood next to a ladder, which led to the first ledge of rock which
was red in color. As Daniel was climbing the ladder he was feeling
the texture of the rock and even tasted a piece trying to determine
its nature. At the first ledge they were directed to the right to
another ladder which led to a wider ledge on which the houses were
built. The rock here was white in color and seemed soft to the
touch. The cliff ledge above acted as an overhang, providing a
natural roof.

They were directed through a small doorway
covered only by the skin of an animal into a chamber which was cut
into the soft rock. The only light was through a small window which
was covered by a very thin skin. In the center of the room were
gathered six figures.