And All the Seas Beheld by J.E. Ellis

Author:J.E. Ellis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feral Child Media
Published: 2024-06-21T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

I turned to Callan, the heat from this celebratory causality rising from my neck to tickle my scalp. “We must immediately investigate this astounding discovery, ser!”

“I advise caution, Aeden,” he answered. “We should scope out the lay, make plans for a thorough—and safe—exploration.”

“Already been done, Cap’n,” Aleric countered. “Behind the falls’s a channel that leads back more’n two furlong. The temple lay in a cave, deep under the riverbed. Fedoragh be settin’ up a camp on the beach, havin’ the men gather wood f’torches. We but need oil an’ rags.”

After a moment pregnant with suspense, the White Eagle’s master acquiesced. “Very well. Baerl, if y’please.”

“Let’s see t’it, ye scalliwags!” the mate bawled at the nearest crewmen. “Two measures o’ lamp oil an’ a score a tatters!” He followed the scrambling sailors down the main hatch.

I swung over the rail, gripped a line and descended with all haste, heedless of the burn as the hemp slipped across my palms. Landing solidly amid the boat’s crew with surprising accuracy—I missed bodies and oars and tackle—I called to Callan, who stared down, his expression a picture of concern at my reckless plunge. “If indeed this is a shrine to our ancestors, we may yet bring to light all our needful answers!”

Aleric alighted next to me, his rubicund face split in a wide grin; once again I am, in writing this, speared with pain at the loss of this man’s faith and joy, which had so profoundly affected my approach to life. To wallow in grief would dishonor his memory and the lessons he imparted to this poor student. Rather, I choose to memorialize this moment of shared felicity.

I put my hand on his sinewed shoulder and matched my smile to his. “I believe, ser,” declaimed I. “This development augurs naught but propitiousness for us.”

“If nothin’ else, Aeden, we can thank All-Lord f’this lively step on His path.”

Once the torch materials had been handed down, the jolly carpenter barked orders to the oarsmen. We were quickly turned about, and the crew stroked mightily for the shore.

The hopefulness painted on the faces of those who crowded the rail drove my elation to new heights.

Once arrived at the beach, Aleric and I sought out Fedoragh, whose productiveness lay evident across the pebbled strand. Most of the tents which previously surrounded Aleric’s factory had been relocated to the shore, as well as many barrels of water and baskets of foodstuffs.

“I intend an immediate survey of the temple,” I said as I walked up to my locraen companion. “As soon as adequate torches can be made.”

“Aye, Sar. Sander, Dik, if you’d begin?” The two seaman appointed took the jugs and rags from the boat’s crew and started their chore.

Aleric encouraged the others to partake of a quick meal of fruit, jerky and water, as well as provision several of the packs, while the torch-makers labored and I paced impatiently to and fro. The carpenter interrupted my restive ambulation by stepping in front of me; from behind him, Little Red peered, owl-eyed.

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