Joachim's Magic by M. L. Stainer

Author:M. L. Stainer [Stainer, M. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Action & Adventure
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Published: 2015-07-18T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

THE PLANS OF PEMISAPAN

THE NEWS OF Pemisapan’s hostility greatly disturbed Ralph Lane and the others. They met the next morn to discuss strategies. It seemed that Ensenore had died. Ensenore, who had been the father of Pemisapan and a member of his council, believed that the English held special powers and had urged caution in dealing with them. Now that he was dead, Pemisapan was planning a massive attack jointly with Tarraquine and Andacon, chiefs of the neighboring tribes. Skiko, who did not appear a reluctant prisoner, had revealed all of this to Philip Amadas.

“My father wishes to keep the peace. He is meeting with his warriors and will return soon.”

Reis walked over to where Jeremie lay. The boy had spent a restless night, coughing harshly and sometimes moaning aloud. Several times the kettle had been re-boiled and Jeremie made to breathe its vapors. Master Gans had added special herbs to the boiling water, their fumes stinging the eyes of Hariot and himself. But they stayed by Jeremie’s side all through the night. At dawn’s light Reis had stumbled out of bed and made his way to his master’s tent, intending to ask about his friend. But he was met by Sir Thomas as he was just leaving.

“Hist boy, let him sleep. ‘Tis the first time he’s slept without coughing. Leave him be.”

“Will he be all right?”

Sir Thomas hesitated.

“He’s still poorly. Joachim tells me that you knew of his following us and said not a word. Why is that?”

Reis was so distraught he could hardly speak.

“He… made me promise… not to tell. He was afraid….”

“Afraid of what?”

“That Sir Ralph would send him back to the main camp. Especially after being told he couldn’t come with us.”

Master Hariot frowned.

“Your oath of silence may have cost his life.”

“Master Hariot, what can I do?”

The great astronomer and mathematician walked past him.

“Say your prayers, boy, and hope that Almighty God is listening. For we’ve much need of prayers now, for the boy and with Pemisapan’s anger on the rise.”

Reis started after him, wishing he could be just like him and knowing he probably never would. Now even Joachim Gans was thinking badly of him for not telling anyone about Jeremie and because of it, the boy was ill and maybe dying. Reis did his tasks with his mind numb and his eyes glazed with worry. He wondered if he should take Master Hariot’s advice and pray to God.

But talking to the Almighty was not an easy thing. Reis wasn’t used to praying and though he tried to remember the psalms that Uncle Allyn had taught him or even the Our Father, he got no further than three lines of each before his mind ran dry. For the fourth time that day he wandered close to the tent of his master and listened to Jeremie’s deeply congested cough.

“Hist now,” said Master Altschmer’s deep voice in his ear. “You can not do gut by vaiting around like this. Come here und help mit this fire.”

Master Altschmer beckoned him to follow and Reis did, the guilt like a stone in his stomach.

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