Goldskull (The Wai-Vara Chronicles Book 1) by A J Webster

Author:A J Webster [Webster, A J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scarab Press
Published: 2023-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Farris pointed to a seat as we entered his quarters, requiring me to sit in it. He moved to the windows on the far side, keeping his back to me. He stared out at a bloody-red sun, that had already begun to set. He lit a pipe, while Horus shifted restlessly upon his shoulder.

‘That was Belial.’ he said. ‘a Verhross…a sea-horse. He is one of three brothers offered the choice of knowledge or power. Each brother chose power, each was given dominion over part of the world. Belial was given the One-Water after the first two brothers chose air and land. He was tormented by the freedom he observed in his brothers; he felt that the One-Water was a prison and was overcome by bitterness. Over time he found liberty in blood and destruction and the One-Water has feared him for a long time. Perhaps,’ he said slowly, ‘there is no longer any need to be afraid.’ He turned to look at me and let silence fill the gulf between us. ‘What did you do Miss Gray?’

Before I could answer, Joe knocked and quickly entered. ‘Begging your pardon Master, but I have that there report you wanted.’ He seemed to wait for permission to continue, but Farris said nothing. He turned away to resume gazing out of the window. ‘Four souls lost Master. Isaac Lewis, Jimmy Baker, Larry Byrne and Alonso Bianci.’

‘Akira parvanu lert sum Wal-Wai anhera.’ (Blessed winds for these One-Water angels) Farris said solemnly.

‘Sum Wal-Wai anhera.’ replied Joe automatically. He waited for what he deemed to be an appropriate time and continued with the grim news. ‘There’s fire damage all over the top deck, but nothing that can’t be rightly repaired and Ben is fixing up the portside railings as requested. But, as you’ve seen, there ain’t no mainmast and there ain’t going to be one unless we stop somewhere, but the only place to stop is the place to which we were headed anyway and didn’t want to stop long. Micky the Stitch is working on a new sail, but he don’t have enough cloth to finish it. On the upside, the patchwork brilliance Ben performed on the hull is holding and we’re not taking on any water.’

Joe stood looking nervous, which didn’t suit him. He used his index finger to pick at pretty much every orifice he could find, inspecting and sniffing his finger after each excavation. ‘Is there anything else?’ Asked Farris.

‘Well yes.’ Said Joe quietly. ‘I was perhaps being dainty with you Master; there’s a bit of news that ain’t the best. We took on a good slurp of water and we ain’t got much in the way of food.’

‘How much?’

‘If we go straight to emergency rationing’ we could last a week to ten days.’

‘Joe, I don’t think this is information the rest of the crew need to know. We will go to emergency rationing, but as a precautionary measure. Do you understand?’

‘I’ll be as silent as Sam.’ He said, winking at me. ‘I ain’t got the tongue of no woman.

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