CHAPTER 28
Brotherhood of Toledo
The schooner was drifting past a tropical island; a coral reef fringed a lagoon filled with lapis lazuli water, the lagoon lapped onto a pink beach of sand formed from the eroded remnants of millions of tiny sea-shells, multi-coloured parrots >kee-kecked' through the air and through the verdant undergrowth. On deck Richard, the old man and Chacuti stood gazing onto the image of paradise. Chacuti cried excitedly as the dolphins which coursed along on the bow waves of the schooner looked up at her, they appeared to be smiling.
AShe's looking happier Uncle
[email protected] AShe could do with sommat to cheer her up
[email protected] AI wish I was
[email protected] ANothing beats New Brighton lad, what yer complainin' about,@ Paddy joked.
The schooner threaded its way through a narrow passage in the reef and dropped anchor in the lagoon, the water was so transparent that far below they could see the anchor bite into tall upright columns of coral. Thousands of multi-coloured fish began weaving in and out of the anchor-chain seeking anything which might be edible. Even as they began lowering a boat to collect fresh-water the smells of the island undulated over the shimmering lagoon to their waiting nostrils; bougainvillaea, hibiscus and citrus fruits.
Richard made a proposal to the old man, AI fear that for a Spaniard to return to England would be most dangerous,@ he told him, Awould this not make a suitable home for one such as yourself, a man who has acquired an insight into the enigmas of
[email protected] The old man stood dreaming. No more being ordered about, no more preparing food for men whose only thanks was a grudging curse, to live in the Garden of Eden for the rest of his days.
AAnd what of the
[email protected] he asked.
AI shall take care of her as though she were my own,@ said Richard.
AI have given my word to her father that I would do just
[email protected] AThen is your word not carried out knowing that she will be in good hands. Consider the wealth I have taken from the Carnatic. I shall return to England a rich man, whatever the child desires I will be able to give to
[email protected] ALet us go ashore that I may make a decision on
[email protected] AWhat's there to
[email protected] exclaimed Davey, Ahe'd be mad not to
[email protected] Orders were given to furl the sails, high up in the rigging a man sang a sea-shanty to give the men the correct rhythm as they drew in the canvas;
Reef that knot
Reef that sail
Reef that kit-bag
Or yer lands in jail
A boat was lowered Richard, the old man and Chacuti climbed in and seated themselves, even with the use of only one hand O'Neill climbed nimbly down and sat upon the bow platform. Four other men took the two pairs of oars and sculled shorewards.
Chacuti dragged her hand in the warm translucent water and giggled as a dolphin emitted high-pitched clicks and playfully pecked at her fingers. Even the air had a delightful feel to it, they were in fine spirits as they watched the dolphins leap out of the water, turn a cartwheel and splash beck in showering them all with cooling spray. After the gentle waves had pushed them up onto the soft sand the three passengers left O'Neill and the other men to pull the boat up further onto the beach whilst they began searching for water.
They made their way inland, chipmunk-like creatures chased each other, a family of monkeys gambolled across the velvety sward, one of them had a baby underneath its belly, ALook how it clings to it
[email protected] cried Chacuti. She was so taken in by the visions around her that her torments of the past weeks were all but forgotten.
Richard smiled, ACatch him Chacuti and you can keep him as a
[email protected] They laughed as she chased after the troupe which jumped up into low branches and swung themselves up to sit scolding her.
AThe old man's thinking about the last time he went looking for water,@ said Davey. AYou know with his mate Jésu. He says he doesn't know what happened to him that day, he said it's known only to the
[email protected] As they passed into a band of tall palm trees the expressions on the two men and the child suddenly altered from smiling to one of deadly seriousness.
AWhat's up with them lot
[email protected] asked Paddy.
Davey moved their view forwards and saw what they had already seen. A giant stone head stood staring down upon them, beneath it, reflecting the strong sunlight, shone a pool of clear water.
AIt's that head we saw! We saw it in the Shaman's mirror, in the temple! How'd it get
[email protected] The old man answered, AWhat you saw in the Shaman's mirror was a future possibility, the skulls have already acted to change this fate. Look, there in the
[email protected] Davey gazed down into the tranquil depths. He remembered what had been embedded in its sandy bottom, AThe skulls aren't
[email protected] The old man spoke, AAlready the Shaman has delivered them back to their resting
[email protected] ASo he's winning then is
[email protected] asked Paddy.
AThe vision allowed us to learn of the power of water over evil, that knowledge has allowed us to trap the Shaman. Nothing is over until it is complete,@ said the old man. AYou have the dagger and the helmet, without them the Shaman and the skulls remain
[email protected] At that moment O'Neill and the other men joined them, the old man and Davey both recollected the image of O'Neill hurling the skulls into the pool, they observed his injury, AIs the man not out of
[email protected] asked the old man. AHave his scales not been tipped by the evil
[email protected] They watched as the empty water-kegs were pushed underwater and listened to the bob-bobbing sound as they slowly filled. Each man carried a heavy kegs upon his shoulder back to the waiting boat. The giant head which loomed above them kept their voices down to a whisper and induced a state of awe upon the people below.
AHave you reached a decision old
[email protected] asked Richard as they neared the beach.
AI believe my fate was to have been to remain in this island paradise,@ said the old man, Abut events have already been altered, this dagger must pass from my hands to the hands of another, only then can I ensure that these matters take place as destiny has decreed. I must go with you, I shall protect the girl from the evil which stalks
[email protected] ABut has that evil not already been taken care
[email protected] asked Richard, Awill not these dreaded Inquisitors be able to perform the tasks you have requested of them in the letter you passed to Captain
[email protected] AThe future is a myriad of possibilities, but one thing is for certain, the child will live with you for many years. I must be there to protect you
[email protected] For a moment Richard's face showed an expression of sadness but it quickly passed, AThen let us be good company for each other old man. And if those years you speak of are good years then let us not worry, for the good Lord will have given us more than the next
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