CHAPTER 23
Carnatic
A knock on the door and the call of Hugh's voice produced the cry from Paddy, AWake up lad! It's yer
[email protected] Davey jumped out of bed in a panic, when he heard the sound of his father's cough followed by his slow footsteps making their way up the stairs, he ran hither and thither. AShould I put the helmet on Uncle Paddy and make meself
[email protected] AGet in the
[email protected] hissed Paddy. Davey barely had time to close the door behind himself when the door to the bedroom swung open.
AMornin' Pad,@ called Hugh cheerily, Alovely day out there today, bit fresh
[email protected] AAlright there Hughie, how's the
[email protected] AYeah Liz's fine, she's just baking some scones, you know, the ones you like, I'll bring some over for yer when she's
[email protected] ACan't wait
[email protected] Hugh decided to broach a tricky subject with his friend, AShe was a bit worried about the lad last night Paddy. You haven't noticed owt have
[email protected] Paddy blustered, AN..nothing Hughie, he's
[email protected] AGot himself off to work this morning did
[email protected] AYeah fine, no problems, couldn't wait to get back in there, got some feller named Bert showing him the
[email protected] Hugh seemed relieved, AYer doing a grand job Pad, I tell yer I was getting worried about him the other day, what on earth do yer reckon he meant about that helmet, I tell yer what Pad I've hardly stopped worrying about it since he mentioned
[email protected] ALike I told yer Hughie, >magination. The lad's got spirit, that's all. What's the harm in that? Gets it from you I reckon. Don't be worrying about him, he's doing alright now he's out of that flippin' school and from under the feet of that
[email protected] Paddy coughed and laughed at the same time as he mentioned the teacher's name.
Hugh could barely speak for laughing, AI told Liz and the lad that.. yer always was... a crack
[email protected] Paddy joined in, the pair of them lay on the bed cackling away until their lungs got the better of them and they were forced to bring themselves under control. Davey huddled in the cupboard biting onto his lower lip to prevent himself from joining in. It was good to hear his father so happy. Downstairs he heard the front door being slammed as Mrs Murtagh came back in from her morning trip to the corner shop, she called up the stairs, ANeed anything
[email protected] ANaw,@ barked Paddy bad-temperdly.
ACome on lad, don't be rough on her, she's doing yer a grand job, you know that,@ said Hugh.
Paddy was not so generous, AI knows yer right mate but...well, you know how it
[email protected] Hugh knew. AI'll look in on you later on, I promised I'd help her with the housework today,@ he got to his feet. Paddy merely nodded. ACome on now old feller, keep that chin up,@ chirped Hugh as he left.
Mrs Murtagh bumped into him in the hallway, AMr Mac, I didn't know yer were here or I'd have put the kettle on,@ she said.
ADon't go to any trouble, just popped over to see Paddy and find out how the lad's getting
[email protected] Davey and Paddy listened intently for her reply.
AWhat did Paddy tell
[email protected] AHe said he's doing brilliant and that he's started his >
[email protected] AThat's right lovey, that's right,@ agreed Mrs Murtagh.
Paddy and Davey looked at each other in disbelief. After they had watched Hugh make his way back to Number 99 Davey burst out with, AHow come she isn't saying anything Uncle
[email protected] Paddy sat chewing his lip, AShe must know that we're doing sommat, question is what does she
[email protected] They sat quietly in the room trying to find an answer to the question. After some minutes Mrs Murtagh made her way up the stairs, AJust though I'd make yer a nice cuppa tea,@ she carried two steaming mugs into the room. Davey looked towards Paddy and began to say something to her but seeing what he was about to do Paddy intervened, ATa Mum, that's just the
[email protected] He motioned for Davey to keep quiet. After she had gone safely back downstairs Paddy told Davey, AShe must have her reasons for saying nowt lad, let's let sleepin' dogs lie, if she gets the wrong idea the game's
[email protected] Davey sat looking worried. Paddy asked, AWhat's the matter now
[email protected] AWell, thanks to all this magic stuff, and flaming mirrors I have lost me
[email protected] AI see what yer mean,@ said Paddy, Abut is what yer saying quite right, I mean it weren't as if it was the Shaman that tied yer up and dragged yer over half the town was
[email protected] AI don't know about that Uncle Paddy, I'm beginning to get the feeling that he knows exactly what's going on, he's too clever, too powerful and too evil not to be able to get at us. He's onto us, I can feel
[email protected] Paddy was quiet for some time then said, AWell what yer goin' to do about it? The girl's still stuck up in Carnatic, are yer still going to go up there today like yer said yer
[email protected] Davey gave a deep sigh, AI suppose so, but I'm getting bad feelings about
[email protected] AWell first things first, yer've got to try to get the girl somewhere's safe. Now I reckon that if she was here with us she could help us. I mean she's there in the past, in the mirror, and if she could see herself in there she'd be able to do something about what was going to happen, wouldn't
[email protected] ALike you said Uncle Paddy, it's doing my head in, I can't figure it all out. I mean I thought that what was in the past was in the past but we seem to be able to see things as they're happening. How could she see herself in the past but be able to see what she was doing before it
[email protected] Paddy burst out laughing, ABlimey, give it a rest, me flippin' head's starting to
[email protected] They both sat chuckling away. AI've got it,@ said Paddy, Athe trick is that we don't try to explain what's going on, we just get on and do what we've got to
[email protected] AThat's the first bit of sense I've heard from you all week,@ joked Davey.
[email protected] Paddy pretended to hit him with a feather pillow, which, as it was compacted so tightly, would have been like hitting him with a mallet.
ARight, okay then, I'll go up to Carnatic and see what I can do,@ Davey paused, Abut what if I run into the Shaman
[email protected] AFlamin' heck lad, we said we'd ask the old man what yer could do to protect yerself from him. We got so flippin' carried away by it all we never bothered to ask. Stick it on yer head now and give him a quick onceover, ask him what the method
[email protected] AThere they
[email protected] cried Davey.
The reed-boat bobbed along between the towering sides of a deep chasm, the roar from the river as the racing waters were pressed between the unyielding rocks was tremendous.
AThey've got a long ways to go, look, up there, it's that bridge them Spanish
[email protected] Davey swung their view up the cliff face to the intricate structure, the winter sunlight had melted away the last remnants of snow from its cobweb-like framework.
AThem fellers sure knew their stuff
[email protected] Davey nodded in agreement which sent their view up and down the cliff face, they watched as the boat raced on powered by the mighty waters, the old man sat near to the bow, Chacuti still remained crouched in the stern.
AGo on then lad, ask him,@ urged Paddy. As Davey spoke to the old man Paddy called out the various points along the river which he recognised as the little craft hurtled along below.
AThat's where the mule fell in; here's where they swung Bonampak from the tree; look, there's where the priest whipped the
[email protected] The speed of the craft compared to the laborious toil of the column as it had climbed into the mountains was quite fantastic. Davey turned to his uncle.
AHe says we should wait Uncle
[email protected] AWait! what's he mean
[email protected] AHe reckons it could be dangerous to go up to
[email protected] AWell what about the girl, isn't it dangerous for
[email protected] AHe needs more time to think about what to
[email protected] To reinforce his answer Davey pointed at the little vessel as it veered out of a great eddy into a stopper wave which held it and subjected it to the full force of the river before buffeting it back into midstream.
Hearing Mrs Murtagh's footsteps on the stairs Davey removed the helmet, AQuick lad, the chess
[email protected] /> A slight tap on the door was followed by Mrs Murtagh's entrance, AJust come for yer cups, havin' fun
[email protected] she said looking towards the game.
AYe-es thanks,@ stammered Davey.
Mrs Murtagh picked up the cups, APaddy yer haven't finished yours, if yer don't drink it all up don't expect nothin' from me
[email protected] AArr give it >ere,@ moaned Paddy, draining the mug. After she had gone he complained, AIf she doesn't stop interferin' we're never going to get anything
[email protected] They did not have any more interruptions from Mrs Murtagh. She sat in her little kitchen cradling Paddy's mug in her hands, the moistness of her eyes betrayed her thoughts. For some time she stared into the mug then burst into tears crying over and over to herself, AMy Paddy, my Paddy. Not my
[email protected] AWell I don't know if we actually needs that old man to tell us what to do,@ said Paddy, AIf it weren't for us he'd be in a right state, he'd probably still be stuck back in that flippin'
[email protected] ABut you said last night that what he was saying made sense Uncle
[email protected] AYeah an' I said he's no idjit but he must be if he can't tell that the helmet is protecting you just like it does for >
[email protected] exclaimed Paddy.
AWe don't know that do we though, I mean the Shaman hasn't attacked me has
[email protected] Paddy shook his head and muttered, ABah! Well find out what he's up to now, with any luck he's fallen and broken that priest's flippin'
[email protected] The Shaman had begun the descent of the mountains, hurtling downhill he powered on, the icy wastes of the high peaks were left behind him as he raced onwards. Sparse and hardy plants which had died back in preparation for the coming winter were replaced by thin outcrops of trees which eked an existence from the weak soil. The priest's cassock was in tatters, the Shaman's dagger was plain to see. As he neared the jungle his progress became more difficult, masses of foliage slowed his pace, the vegetation thickened in places almost barring his path. The hands of the priest tore at the obstructions but the mass soon became impenetrable. Eventually he sat down cross-legged and placed his hands upon his knees.
AI've got a good idea what he's up to,@ said Paddy. They both sat watching, AI knew
[email protected] The reptile slithered its way through the vegetation twisting and curling between dense undergrowth where little light penetrated. Occasionally it came across narrow pathways made by the passage of small animals which were carved like tunnels through the solid foliage. The snake made use of these, in one place a tiny deer stood startled by the giant reptile. Fear froze the terrified animal but the reptile brushed it to one side, its sinewy body pressed the deer against the unyielding branches which encased the tunnel as it rushed on after its chosen prey.
AThey're never goin' to get away from this feller, I can't stand watching it anymore. Yugh snakes! Can't you hurry it on lad to where it catches
[email protected] AWhat if we can stop it catching them Uncle Paddy? If we rush along and see it catch them we won't be able to do anything about it will
[email protected] AYou've started that stuff again lad, I told yer there's no point, let's just get on and do what we've got to do. Tell you what rush it on to where the Shyman starts getting close to them. Then if we've done owt we shouldn't have done they've still got a chance to get
[email protected] Davey was still not sure but couldn't stand the suspense himself any longer, watching the great reptile as it bore down upon its quarry was more than he could bear. He moved in quickly towards the mirror. Days and nights flew by.
The old man was using a piece of driftwood to paddle their way across the river's huge estuary to where four great sailing ships were moored at a wharf. Close by the ships a small fort had been built from wooden logs, it straddled a narrow spit of land which extended out into the slow moving shallow waters of the rivermouth, virtually surrounded by water the fort was in an excellent defensive position.
Staring out towards the flat curve of the sea's horizon Chacuti was stunned by the vast expanse, AMy father has told me of this great lake,@ she said to the old man.
AIt is the ocean, child, it is bigger than all the lakes of the world put
[email protected] The land which bordered the estuary was covered with thick patches of reeds, little rivulets cut their way through the reeds pouring their clear waters into the brown, mud-laden waters. Near to the fort Chacuti pointed towards a group of what appeared to be huge rats, bucking and bounding they ran through the reeds then plunged into the water and swam strongly away against the slow-moving current.
ASee them, rats again! They've got something to do with the
[email protected] asserted Davey.
AThem things weren't rats lad, they didn't >ave
[email protected] For fear of alarming the crews of the ships or the soldiers who could now be seen lining the wharfside and patrolling the battlements of the fort the old man cried a hello. The sound of his voice echoed across the water to the guards.
AAdvance and be
[email protected] yelled one of the guards.
On board the ship nearest to the reed boat a single cannon was being levered round as men struggled with tackle and handspikes to bring it to bear. Under its threatening black muzzle the old man paddled, it was not the sight of the cannon however which caused him to give the ship a wider berth than necessary but the sight of the three flags fluttering from the top of each of the galleon's towering masts. Each flag showed a black spot on a white background. He paused from his rowing when he glimpsed someone watching his slow progress through one of the many leaded windows which lay under the poop deck at the stern of the ship, whoever it was quickly disappeared. Beneath where he had stood, carved into the side of the ship, was its name, CARNATIC each letter was painted red and set into a green background.
AIt's called Carnatic! Same as the
[email protected] AWell we're on the right track, that's for sure lad. Who was it lookin' through the window? Was it the Shyman feelin' too shy to show >
[email protected] Davey zoomed their view in through the leaded lights. They found themselves looking into a large cabin with wood-panelled walls. A cot, suspended at each end by twin ropes, served as both a bed and a seat for the man who was sitting upon it. Its swinging action indicated that he had just sat down. In front of him was a large table covered with navigational maps, an astrolabe and other instruments. In one corner a massive oak chest rested, it was half-opened but filled with broken links from a huge anchor chain. The man appeared to have just arisen, his long hair was unkempt, his small goatee beard awry, only his bottom half was properly dressed; he wore breeches tied above the knees with purple knee-bands, twin white hose ran down from the knees into black, silver-buckled shoes, he was busy fastening a lace shirt when a tap-tapping came at this cabin door.
[email protected] he barked.
AThere >e
[email protected] cried Paddy as a man wearing a cassock entered. AWhat's >e up to
[email protected] As the man moved into the cabin and nearer to the light which fell in through the windows his face became clearer. AIt's not
[email protected] said Davey.
Paddy's eyes were not so strong, AIt must be him lad, who else could it
[email protected] The captain rose from his cot. AFriar Domingez, do you bring good
[email protected] AI am afraid that the disease has taken another good soul Captain,@ the friar crossed himself, AI fear that it is gaining a grip on the rest of the crew, in the night another man broke out in the dreaded spots, I fear for us
[email protected] The captain crossed to his map tables, AWe were due to sail on the morrow. The Winter winds will soon increase to such an extent that to return to Spain will be out of the question until Spring. Is there no treatment which can be
[email protected] AFaith in the Lord is our only
[email protected] The captain shook his head, AIf we can just prove to that fat-bellied fool Espadrille that we are fit to sail he will load the rest of our cargo and release us. We must do something, the men who are suffering must be left behind, there is no other
[email protected] The friar pursed his lips, AI fear that what you are saying is no longer a possibility, Don Espadrille has placed guards along the wharf to prevent such a
[email protected] AWHAT! WHEN! I am the master of this ship, who is that maggot to stick his interfering nose into my
[email protected] AThe guards were placed during the night. They act directly upon his orders, no other may countermand
[email protected] AWe shall see.
[email protected] The captain stormed out of his cabin followed by the friar. He emerged on the top deck level, immediately below the upper or open deck. Two rows of great cannon lined each side of the deck; swinging hammocks, some with men who lay moaning and groaning in them blocked his path. The captain pushed the hammocks aside and ordered the crew of the cannon which had targeted the old man to stand down. AWhat are you doing! Stand down! Can you not see it is but one man and a
[email protected] They ran up a flight of stairs onto the upper deck, crossing quickly to the bulwarks at the side of the ship the captain yelled down to the lieutenant commanding the detachment of guards, AOn whose orders do you quarantine my
[email protected] AI am responsible to Don
[email protected] barked the officer, ANobody may go ashore without his express
[email protected] Although the captain felt like turning his guns upon the guards he realised that the situation was very delicate; a ship with an outbreak of smallpox, men who would not be able to sail her, and above all an oaf like Espadrille to exasperate him. Nevertheless he yelled back at the lieutenant, AWe shall see about
[email protected] Further along the wharf the old man was making his boat fast to one of the uprights of timber which had been piledriven in to the riverbed to anchor the structure against the strong tides. He listened to the exchange between the captain and the officer then began to ascend the wharf by mean of cross-pieces nailed onto the upright. From out of the fort marched a squad of pikemen, they were led by a stout gentleman wearing a three-pronged hat and who carried an umbrella made from reeds woven together to protect himself from the sun which was still strong on the coast.
When the squad reached him the stout gentleman asked in a peculiarly high-pitched voice, AWho are you, where do you come from, what is your
[email protected] The old man slowly removed his helmet and placed it into his knapsack, a musket was trained upon him but he replied calmly, AI am the cook from the expeditionary force, I have returned from the Inca city Sit-Nalta bringing an Inca child as a
[email protected] One of the soldiers in the squad recognised the old man, AHe is who he says, Don Espadrille,@ he addressed the stout gentleman. AWe'd heard the Incas had killed
[email protected] AVery well then, it appears that our friend has yet to meet his
[email protected] He glanced towards the galleon and decided that he did not wish to risk a confrontation with Captain Alonzo. AWelcome old man, come, I wish to find out what is happening and when the next raft-load is due to
[email protected] The emphasis upon the latter half of his question was plain to all.
Rough hands hoisted the slave girl up onto the wharf, the old man took her by the hand and at the head of the squad they entered the fort.
Chacuti was clearly astonished by the sights and sounds she witnessed. It was like nothing that she had heard, seen or even dreamt of. Men patrolled the top of the log walls upon narrow walkways, they carried great muskets with long fierce bayonets attached to their length, upon each castellated corner of the fort two cannon were positioned covering every approach. Beneath one of the castellations a collection of small reed-roofed houses huddled shabbily together, horses were tethered outside the houses, men tending to the animals turned and stared at the child and the old man as they walked past.
ADon't be minding them now missy,@ said Don Espadrille in his high-pitched voice, he turned to the old man and told him by way of explanation, Athey're a bit nervous, the Carnatic's got the pox onboard. We've put the ship and crew under quarantine but you know how these things are. Mind you the pox did a lot better than we did at sorting out those Caribs on Hispaniola. Might not be such a bad thing for us to give these Incas a taste of
[email protected] He led them down a filth-filled alleyway which passed for a street until they reached a ramshackle doorway set into the side of a lean-to, APlease enter,@ he squeaked. Inside was even filthier than outside, he sat down upon an upturned barrel opposite a rough bench which rested against a wall. The wall had been formed from sticks covered with river mud baked hard in the sun, cracks and gaps ran along its length. APlease be
[email protected] He looked at Chacuti, Athe child must go into the compound with all the other slaves,@ he started to shout orders to the guard who waited outside but the old man reached into his knapsack and withdrew one of the nuggets. Don Espadrille's eyes fastened upon the gold...
AWhere's the Shyman lad, I thought yer were going to get to where he catches up with >
[email protected] AI didn't want to get too close Uncle Paddy, I'll chance it again but what if the old man tells this Espadrille feller something he shouldn't. Maybe we should stay with him in case he needs our
[email protected] AHe's not going to say anything to get him and the girl into trouble lad. He'll fill him full of blarney don't you be worrying about him
[email protected] Davey again speeded the images up, the sun rotated through the heavens and brought a new day. The old man was leading the girl by the hand along the wharf. They approached the guards who were preventing the crew of the Carnatic from going ashore, as they neared the lieutenant of the guards he saluted smartly and allowed them to pass on a narrow gangplank which led up onto the ship. The hulking sides of the majestic vessel loomed above them as they made their way onboard. The old man counted the gun-ports, eleven on the top level, thirteen on the central, and thirteen on the lower. Some of the gun-ports were open others were closed, he suspected the reason why but was interrupted from his thoughts by a loud cry.
AAhoy there
[email protected] called a pig-tailed sailor in typical sailor-speak, AWhat you doing back here so soon. Did the expedition realise you were more of a danger to them than the
[email protected] The sailor held his stomach and simulated a bad case of food-poisoning.
AI'll give you something solid to chew upon Juan,@ joked the old man clenching his fist towards the heckler. AIs the captain
[email protected] AAye, he is, but have you got a death
[email protected] he pointed over their heads to where, high above, the black spots fluttered.
The old man ignored the question, AWho is the captain, do I know
[email protected] AKnow him, you used to cook for him, it's Pedro Alonzo, best man in the king's navy, worked himself up from cabin-boy to
[email protected] old man grimaced. Juan continued, ABut I don't know whether he'll be so pleased to have you come onboard. We've had two dead already and another five suspected cases, pretty soon we're all going to start dropping like
[email protected] Juan led them across the deck of the galleon; beneath webs of rigging, past a great mast which carried three sets of thwarts to where a heavy carved doorway led beneath the raised poop-deck. They entered, Chacuti held tightly onto the old man's hand as her head darted from side to side taking in the alien surroundings. Juan led them down a flight of stairs, past the cannon to the captain's quarters, AThis way old man,@ he motioned to the door which led to the captain's cabin, knocked for them then stepped back.
The captain appeared, still in a state of half-undress. He stared hard at the old man, AIt has been a long time old man,@ said the captain clasping him by the hand.
APhew, thank God for that,@ said Davey, Aat last a friendly
[email protected] AWhere's the Shyman lad! He must be flippin'
[email protected] Their view swept out of the ship, along the wharf, over the fort and along the shoreline which curved around in a great arc providing sheltered anchorage for the ships. As they passed over a sandy beach the Shaman's face jumped into the mirror. He stood on a small curve of sand, staring back towards the ship.
AThere he
[email protected] Davey moved towards the face of evil. Set deep into its beard the mouth of Father Salamanga betrayed a faint smirk, he spoke softly to himself, AThe Revelation of John has seen it all: The Devil who is called Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, he pursued the woman but the woman was given wings that she might fly into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times and half
a time. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the serpent. Then the serpent was angry with the woman and went off to make war on her and all those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the
[email protected] AWhat does he mean Uncle
[email protected] AWell he's goin' a long way about it but I reckon what he's trying to say is that he's on the flippin' warpath. He's right about sommat - he's at the seaside, but I don't see any signs of his bucket and
[email protected] AWho's he talking to? What if he's talking to the skulls Uncle
[email protected] AWhat makes yer think that, don't be wastin' any time with them things. Get on and see how the old man's doin'
[email protected] But Davey was already back in the temple, in the chamber of the skulls. They sat upon their stone blocks, AThe boy is
[email protected] rasped a harsh voice out of the darkness. Then there was total silence. Nothing could be heard, it was as silent as a tomb.
AHe's talking to them, I know it. They're helping his every
[email protected] ADon't be worrying about them things lad, come on get back to the old
[email protected] The old man sat with the captain upon a bench covered with a horse-hair mattress, Chacuti sat on her haunches crouched down in one corner.
ADon Espadrille tells me that all goes well with the expedition,@ said the captain. He filled a glass of rum for the old man and one for himself. Both men downed the grog in one swig.
AThe commander is a clever man,@ replied the old man.
The captain gave a slight shrug of one of his shoulders, to indicate that he might not agree with the old man's sentiment. AHe has found great wealth,@ said the captain, the gleam in his eye betrayed his weakness. ATell me old man is what they say true, are these people the richest that walk upon God's
[email protected] The old man reached into his pocket and withdrew a lump of gold. He held the weight between forefinger and thumb as the captain's eyes feasted upon the dull yellow metal. The captain recovered his composure, ATell me old man why should I need that when I carry a ship-load of the
[email protected] AFor the same reason that Don Espadrille wished to find out whether I had come by any gold,@ replied the old man, Ayou are to sail for Spain with tomorrow's tide, the gold you carry has already been melted down into ingots and stamped with the seal of the King. His treasurer is onboard as we speak, all is accounted
[email protected] The captain smiled, AYou always did talk straight old man, but there is one small problem in what you are saying, we are quarantined, pox is onboard, Don Espadrille himself is preventing our sailing. It is my belief that out on the ocean, away from these low-lying, fly-infested swamps the men would be a damned sight healthier than staying here waiting to see who is the next to
[email protected] AI have seen Don Espadrille, he did inform me that you were quarantined but, as a special concession to me (the old man smiled at the lump of gold) he has granted permission for you to sail as you
[email protected] AI perceive a change in you,@ said the captain, he stared into the old man's eyes then looked away, Athere is a brightness about you which brings disquiet to one such as me. And this scar, it pulses most
[email protected] He put his fingertips to the old man's temple. ABut put your gold away, I, Pedro Alonzo, do not take from my friends. What do you want of
[email protected] The old man pushed the ugly lump into the palm of the captain, AI want passage to Spain for me and the child. There'll be another like it when we
[email protected] The captain hesitated but then closed his fist over the nugget. A breeze caught the galleon causing it to rock gently at anchor as he thought over the old man's request, AAnd from whom do you
[email protected] AYou were never one to mince words Don Alonzo, they are matters of which I do not yet fully understand but the life of this child is in
[email protected] He waved his hand towards Chacuti who, unable to understand their conversation, shrank back even further into the corner. AYou know the priest, Father
[email protected] [email protected] AHe is possessed of the devil. He desires to tear the heart from this
[email protected] AAnd do you have proof of this, these are dangerous accusations to make,@ the captain walked to the cabin door and quickly opened it to check that nobody was there before resuming his seat.
AThe priest will arrive at your ship. Do not allow him onboard, he is a danger not just to me and this child but to the whole
[email protected] ATo prevent a man such as the good father (here the captain mocked scornfully) from coming aboard is not in my power, you know that. He is one who has acted with the brothers of the Inquisition
[email protected] AAnd who ought to be tried by the Inquisition itself,@ added the old man, Abut Don Espadrille's men are still under orders not to withdraw, they will not allow anybody aboard. Don Espadrille himself will prevent the good father from risking his scrawny neck with the pox. Withdraw your gangplanks, then let anyone argue that they have a right, god-given or not, to risk the spread of the
[email protected] AI shall do as you say old man. Your fear of this man you say is a demon must be great for you to prefer to risk the pox. But the sooner I can get my ship out of this god-forsaken hell-hole the
[email protected] AYou have made a wise decision Captain Alonzo, I thank you,@ said the old man.
Davey and Paddy watched as the captain gave orders for the gangplanks to be raised. Don Espadrille's guards remained at their posts as the old man had said they would. Night was falling when the last remaining supplies were swung aboard the vessel by men who only worked when the wind blew away from the galleon. Every inch of it had already been inspected and prepared for their voyage, the three towering masts had been refitted and the supporting shrounds and halyards re-tightened; the canvas had been checked and stitched then tied securely into place upon the thwarts far above the deck of the proud ship.
ASo far so good lad,@ said Paddy.
Davey shook his head. He moved slightly nearer to the mirror and positioned himself so that they could watch the ship tugging at its moorings as it slowly rose on the incoming tide. Night fell, although there was a sliver of moon lighting up the wharf, the captain ordered torches to be lit and placed alongside the gunwales, they cast their glare over the wharf allowing the guards to see anybody who might approach.
AWhat's
[email protected] Davey swept their view swiftly in, with its coils tightly wrapped around a mooring rope the reptile was slowly sliding its way up from beneath the wharf. It slid so slowly that even if a man looked towards it in the half-light he would not detect any movement, with infinite care the snake wound its way higher.
ACheck where the old man and Cutey
[email protected] Davey swept back to the captain's cabin, AThey're not
[email protected] he concentrated and found them together in the bowels of the ship. A single candle burnt lighting up bulwarks of timber, stanchions, great chests, kegs and barrels which filled the hold all around them. The old man was holding the helmet and using it as a crow-bar to prise apart planking between two baulks of oak.
AI can't tell him the Shaman's here, he's not wearing the
[email protected] exclaimed Davey.
They went back to the mooring rope, the snake had gone.
AFind >
[email protected] panic was in Paddy's voice.
The friar had finished tending to one of his flock, as he was making his way down a passageway to his quarters a man stepped from the shadows. It was but a moment before the shocked friar recognised him; in torn clothing, with a battered appearance, blood running from numerous cuts and bruises, AFather
[email protected] The Shaman used his dagger with a skill developed through much practice, the friar slipped to the floor of the passageway. It was an engorged snake which slid swiftly down the mooring rope and disappeared beneath the wharf.
AWhy's he done that? Why didn't he just get the old man and Cutey? It must have been >cos they're protected by the
[email protected] AOr maybe he knows that they're onto him and that he wouldn't be able to find them quickly
[email protected] AYer right lad, the fiend's plotting each of his
[email protected] Mrs Murtagh called up the stairs, ADaveee, you stayin'
for yer dinner or are you goin' home to yer mam and dad'
[email protected] AI'm not hungry thanks Mrs M,@ he called back without even looking away from the mirror.
ANeed anythin' Paddy,@ she called.
ANaw nothin',@ he replied gruffly.
They heard her tutting as she went back to the kitchen.
ADo you think I'd better make out that I've finished work for the
[email protected] asked Davey.
AIt's up to you lad. Might be best, yer dad's already starting asking question's hasn't
[email protected] AI'll go home but come back as soon as I
[email protected] He took off the helmet, the image in the mirror showed a skeleton structure of the galleon before fading away completely. He placed the helmet carefully under the bed. As he was leaving the room Davey turned back, ADo you think they'll get out of
[email protected] AWell Shark-cutey's in Carnatic lad so some way or other she must have got herself here. It's up to us to make sure it stays that way and those flippin' skulls don't do their changing the fates bit. Hey rub some of that oil that's down in the shed into yer hands before yer
[email protected] Davey stood in the shed putting a day's worth of work into his hands in a few minutes.
AHere's the tyke Liz,@ Hugh called, Asmelling like an engineer, look at the state of >
[email protected] Hugh's face beamed with pride. Davey could have curled up and died of shame.
They all sat and ate dinner together during which Davey told lie after lie about the work he was doing in Stilson's, AYeah, they've got machines in there that will cut a block of metal in two and shape it before yer can say Jack
[email protected] However, finding that he had no idea what he was talking about and inventing machines that had yet to be invented he got off the subject as quickly as possible. As usual the war provided the opportunity to deflect the conversation. Davey desperately wanted to ask questions about the helmet but was careful not to do so in case he alerted his father to the fact that his suspicions were far more than that.
AGoing over to Paddy's
[email protected] asked Hugh after they had all settled down to read.
ANaw, think I'll have a rest tonight,@ said Davey.
He lay on his bed thinking about what was taking place. He needed time on his own to try to get his mind round the events of the last few days. Try as he might he could hardly begin to build up a picture of everything that had happened, the one thing he remained sure of was that the girl was in Carnatic and he had to do something to save her, but what? A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the Shaman floating up through the water towards him. If it was possible for the skulls to change fate maybe they were working on him even as he lay there. He could feel himself beginning to sweat. His guilt at deceiving his parents was also beginning to eat into him. It was to be another sleepless, tormented night which gave little rest to his mind or body.