The Hag of Calix

Chapter Seventeen

  AFTER THE women and children left the village, and while the battle raged on the beach, Felic sprinted from his hiding place to the hut where Gwenay lay bound. Without bothering to release her, he threw her lightly over his shoulder and trotted unseen from the village. His daring exploit went unnoticed. In the cover of the forest, he laid her on the grass and cut her bonds.

  "Who are you? What are you doing?" she asked.

  He looked at the red swollen rings of flesh that puffed her eyes shut and realized she couldn't see him. "It's me ...Felic."

  "Oh Felic, Felic..." She clutched for him and embraced him, drawing her body against his. "I'm blind, Felic. I'm blind. The priest did this to me. I wouldn't tell..." Her voice broke into short choking sobs.

  Felic patted her back and tried to comfort her. "It is all right now. You are safe. I will take you back to the yacht."

  "I'll never see again ...never." She clung to him fiercely. "All my plans...everything ..."

  "Come on now. Get control of yourself. We have to keep moving." He gently disengaged her. "Hang on to my hand and try not to make any noise." He led her down the trail to the beach and the dugout canoe, a bewildered and frightened queen trying to cope with a strange dark and unfamiliar realm.

  Chessa helped the queen out of the dugout and onto the deck, then took over, hovering over her, deeply moved by the tragic figure. At Gwenay's behest she found a soothing salve in the queen's effects with which she administered to the inflamed areas. When the queen was settled down and resting in her berth, Chessa came on deck to help Felic with his preparations for departure.

  "Did you see Bargonast in the village?" she asked.

  "Yes. You don't have to worry about him. He was leading the Dagran attack. Stet-Arnak traded Gwenay for him before the battle. I think he was conniving with the priest all along.

  "Felic weighed anchor and shook out the mainsail. With Chessa at the steering oar, they scudded out of the cove and set a course east for Antillia. Handling the yacht was busy work for two. Chessa's earlier interest in learning the names and uses of the lines was now invaluable. Felic was anxious to get as much distance between them and the Dagrans as he could, and while the breeze held he kept both lateen sails drawing, crowding the little ship to its utmost. After sunset the breeze faded. In the last light of twilight they thought they could see the Dagran galley on the horizon, but neither could be sure. The stars came out and Felic gave Chessa the first watch. He stood by her side and watched the phosphorescent bubbles that marked the yacht's quiet passage through the night.

  "Felic, have you told Gwenay that we found the gem?

  "No...not yet."

  "I think she would feel much better if you did."

  "Yes, I know. But it bothers me...the thought of so much power in her hands. I must have more time to think about it."

  "But what else would you do with it?"

  "I don't know. Maybe throw it overboard."

  "Felic, you're joking!"

  "Yes, I suppose I am. But there is time to decide before we reach Calix."

  "But didn't you agree to help her get the gem in return for the yacht?"

  "Yes, but I must have more time to think."

  "After we take the queen to Calix...what then, Felic?" She paused. "I mean...what of us...you and me?"

  He laid a reassuring hand over hers where it gripped the steering oar. The warmth of the tiny hand surprised him. She appeared to be an alabaster figurine in the light from the stars. The queen's borrowed gown rippled in the night breeze like gossamer, lending an ethereal quality to her slight figure. Felic drew her face up to his and kissed her. For long moments their lips were joined and the swirl of emotion and the slow roll of the deck floated them in buoyant detachment from earth and time.