Crispin: At the Edge of the World by Avi

Author:Avi
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Europe, Family, Action & Adventure, Juvenile Fiction, ebook, Fiction, Voyages and travels, Historical, General, Middle Ages, Medieval
ISBN: 9780606124829
Publisher: Turtleback Books
Published: 2008-04-21T10:00:00+00:00

23

THE SOUTHERN CLIFF that fronted Rye was rocky and steep, but more steplike than not, so that we could climb down with ease. Moreover, Luke knew a path that in the growing darkness we would never have found on our own. With him going first, followed by Bear, Troth, and finally me, it took moments for us to reach the rocky base.

“Keep close,” Bear whispered.

Going as quickly as we could, we picked our way over boulders and stones until we turned the bend of Rye’s bluff Coming round we saw a large fire burning on the beach. By the gleaming firelight, I saw the two cogs I had seen earlier. They had been hauled up on the beach.

I looked to Bear. “There, you see.”

“We can but try,” he said and turned to Luke. “We’d best go on alone. Your mother may need you. In any case, if we can’t leave by boat, we’ll leave by another way. I’ll send word. Many blessings on your kindness.”

Luke had no desire to linger. “God give you grace,” he said and hastened away, running back the way we’d come.

As soon as he left, we three continued along the beach. Drawing closer, we could see that while there were two cogs, just one had people about—four in number. By the light of the fire we could see they were brawny fellows, working in pairs to load a host of barrels. Once the barrels were on the ship they wrestled them down a hatch to the hold. On the beach were some sixteen more tuns.

“Keep a look about,” Bear warned.

That said, we advanced upon the cog.

“God mend all,” called Bear as he approached. Troth and I held back some steps.

The men paused in their work. Once they saw who we were, they went on with their labor.

“Might I speak to the ship’s master?” asked Bear.

One of the men standing on the beach, who was just bringing a barrel forward, called out. “I’m here.”

He was a squat, bulky man, whose flat, weathered face featured bulging eyes, a high forehead, and small nose. Curly hair encircled his head like a fuzzy halo. His bare arms were thick and well-muscled.

“Godspeed,” said Bear with not the slightest hint of urgency. “Peradventure, would you be sailing soon?”

“Aye. When we load.”

“Where might you be sailing to?”

“Flanders.”

“Bringing wool?” said Bear, with a nod to the barrels.

“We are,” said the man. “Is there some matter here for you in all this? I’ve no time to gossip. We must sail at dawn.”

Bear advanced a few more steps. “My name is Bear, and I, along with my children”—he gestured back toward us—“are—may God grace our way—seeking passage to Flanders.”

“Are you now? For what reason?”

“I’m a weaver,” said Bear. “I’m seeking employment there.”

“And I’m short two men, and eager to load, but the attackers destroyed the machinery. You look strong enough. If you lend a hand I can offer a voyage for a shilling. With luck we should take no more than a day or two. But I’ll want to sail with the morning’s tide.

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