THE THIEF OF KALIMAR (Graham Diamond's Arabian Nights Adventures) by Graham Diamond

Author:Graham Diamond [Diamond, Graham]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Booksurge
Published: 2012-02-22T07:00:00+00:00

IV

On to Aran

14

The decks of the Vulture were cluttered with carefully lashed stores of equipment tightly fastened to the new railing and the bulwark. New canvas gleamed in the soft Tartanian morning light; new and sturdily fitted masts glimmered dully over the freshly mopped decks.

It was a warm day, bright and fair, almost cloudless. Spring had come to Tarta and the North. Once bleak hills now glowed with thick grass, abounding with multicolored wildflowers. Mariana tugged gently at the shawl over her shoulders as she eagerly awaited the ship’s long-delayed departure. Six full weeks they had berthed in Tarta, waiting restlessly for the repairs to be completed. Now, at last, the day had arrived. The spanking ship was as seaworthy as any in the world. Captain Osari himself had overseen the work, watched sternly as every plank and pin was fitted. His new crew was one of which he could be more than proud: good, fine sailors all. Some from Cenulam, a few from Tarta, all from seafaring lands. They were the best, the best Oro’s gold could buy, and perhaps as adventurous and eager to conquer the lost black lands as she and her companions.

Mariana glowed with exhilaration, though it was hard to believe all this was really happening. She glanced to the starboard side of the gently bobbing ship and gazed across the open sea; a dark Northern blue, crested with magnificent whitecaps that smashed majestically against the long rocky breakers beyond the tiny harbor. Then she glanced to port, recalling fondly the small city nestled at the base of the endlesss hills. A quiet town, peaceful and serene. Perhaps a good place to settle down one day, she mused. A place where she and Ramagar could live simple and happy lives, raise their family, and remember fondly this grand adventure each time they gazed out to the beautiful sea.

Looking up to the sky, smiling, Mariana caught sight of a seagull, a large bird with enormous wings fluttering and reflecting sunlight. The gull squawked harshly and flew in a figure-eight pattern as it buzzed the topsail. The sailor in the crow’s nest tried to shoo it, but the pesky bird paid him no heed and continued its little dance above the ship.

Mariana laughed with bright eyes. A good sign, she told herself. A good sign for sure! An omen that the Vulture’s journey would begin on a sound note.

Captain Osari saw the bird from his post on the bridge. Looking to Mariana he grinned, sharing her thoughts. Then to their surprise, and that of the sailors scrambling to their posts, the bird dived and glided its way slowly to the deck. Having landed, it moved about brazenly in tiny circles inspecting this and that with its beak. The new first mate gave chase with the back of his hand, but the bird merely flapped its wings, flew a few paces, and resumed its curious walk a bit further away.

“Leave him be, mister,” shouted Osari bemusedly.

“Sir?” said the bewildered sailor.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.