“With James’s powers and your craftsmanship, do you think you could make a two-person boat from a single tree?” Luno asked.
After pausing to think for a minute, Roger replied, “Aye, I think we could.”
“Very well. James, Roger, and William will begin working on the new boat immediately. Kilani and I will start to break down camp. I want to be aboard the Queen Mary before nightfall.
“And what of the plant?” Kilani asked. “We can’t just give up the search and move on.”
“Given the circumstances I think it’d be foolish to stay another night,” Luno replied.
“Let me search today while they make the boat and you break down camp,” she said resolutely.
Luno paused for a moment to consider her proposition. “I don’t want anyone traveling alone,” he finally said.
“Then come with me. James and Roger can work on the boat and William can break down camp.”
It was clear there was no changing her mind. In the end Luno decided to go along. James was more than a bit concerned about Luno and Kilani spending that much time alone. He felt as though he and Luno were vying for the affections of the same woman, and Luno had just been given the opportunity to plant seeds of dissent in her mind. His only consolation was that Kilani was so driven to find this plant that he doubted she would afford Luno the opportunity to have a conversation, especially since they’d planned for an early departure.
So it was that Kilani and Luno headed off into the jungle as James and Roger studied the task at hand. While James now had a mastery level understanding of the native language, his practical experience with the incantations limited his effectiveness. Compounding the issue was the absence of some words “he would have liked to use from the native vocabulary. Instead of “cut,” which wasn’t in the vocabulary, he first tried “disassemble,” lehtinen, splintering a massive tree. His second attempt detached it at the base but didn’t allow enough trunk to make a proper boat because it had cracked a large section in the process. In the end, James simply lifted a large tree, roots and all, from the ground and laid it on the beach.
He was able to break pieces of stone from the boulders lining the beach that were sharp enough to use as carving tools. As Roger trimmed away branches, James practiced a technique that would make quick work of the major carving. He was able to move large quantities of sand through the air at will. Once he got them moving fast enough, he was able to abrade away layers of wood very rapidly. It did, however take him quite a bit of practice to get the sand to work where he wanted. Several times he left nothing but a pile of dust. Eventually, he managed to fine tune this skill enough to first cut away the root ball and tree top, which would have taken Roger virtually all day, and hollow out the center. With Roger’s guidance they had a roughlooking canoe by midday.
By then, William had broken down camp and was able to help. Together they shaved away enough of the remaining wood to make the boat seaworthy. James was even able to cut paddles with his sand technique before the boat was finished. James strengthened the boat with incantations to assure it would survive the journey through the water. William and Roger tested the boat, made some modifications with James’s help, and then tested it again. It took four runs before they were satisfied enough to consider it seaworthy.
The three men loaded the boat with supplies, and William and Roger paddled the canoe into the harbor toward the Queen Mary hoping to limit the need for multiple trips once Kilani and Luno returned.
The remainder of the afternoon passed slowly for James as he waited for Kilani and Luno. He tried to imagine what Luno had told her and how upset she would be when they got back. James decided to take a walk down the beach toward the easternmost point of the island.
His head was so full of thoughts that he didn’t even notice the small man standing at the tree line watching him. The man simply stared as James passed with the curiosity of a cat watching a mouse. His skin was darker than Kilani’s, and he wore no clothes save a thin rope belt slung with patches of fabric. Over his shoulder was slung a bow and a quiver of arrows. Also tucked into his belt was a short stone dagger on one side and a leather pouch on the other.
James stopped where the beach ended and looked at the horizon. The sun had all but set behind the infinity of the sea. They’re late, he thought. He grew increasingly anxious as the sun continued to fall away in the distance. Finally, he decided that if they didn’t return by sunset, he would order William and Roger to board the Queen Mary, and he would search for them alone.
The small man stood on the beach just in front of him. His bowstring was taut, an arrow resting on his hand that gripped the rise. James jumped back in surprise. The man spoke, and James understood. It took him a moment to process what he was hearing because he’d never heard anyone other than himself speak the language of The Never in full sentences before.
“I will take the man and the woman,” he said. “You must go and never return.”
“I come in peace,” said James. “My name is James. What is your name and where are you from?”
The little man was equally surprised to hear James speak the language and immediately lowered his bow.
“It is true. You are here,” the man said with a sense of wonder.
“What is your name so I may address you properly,” asked James.
After a moment, the man appeared to awaken from deep thought and replied, “My name is Peroc,” he said.
“Peroc, where are you from?”
“This is my home,” said Peroc. “Where are you from?”
“Far beyond the sea. I shall tell you the story sometime. Please tell me, where are my friends?” James asked.
“Friends? The man and the woman?”
“Yes, my friends.”
“They are making their way back. They are not far.”
“Are they safe?” James asked.
“Not for long. As the sun sets these lands become dangerous.”
“We would like to meet your tribe. Will you take us?” Asked James.
“I will do as you wish, Chief. I do not suggest we travel at night considering what roams this land after the sun has set. You and your… friends have been careless and somehow lucky not to have run into… trouble.”
“If we wait until morning, you or your tribe will not hurt my friends, correct?”
“I will see to it that the Chief ’s bidding is done. Your friends will be safe. Celebrations are in order. We have awaited your arrival for generations. I must tell our tribe the good news. I shall return here in the morning. I suggest you sleep on your floating tree. With each passing night, it draws nigh.”
Floating tree? James thought for a moment and realized there was no word in the native vocabulary for boat. He couldn’t help smiling at the translation.
“Aren’t you worried about this creature you speak of? Darkness falls as we speak,” said James.
“No,” said Peroc.
“You must wait until dawn. Until then.” Peroc gave a respectful bow, reached into his pouch, sprinkled the transporting powder Kilani so desired, and was gone in a flash of orange light and smoke. James ran back to the stream inlet where William and Roger were waiting by the canoe. Luno and Kilani had joined them in his absence as well.
James urged everyone to make haste in boarding the Queen Mary. Once on board, he recounted running into the strange man and what he had learned. Sleep was hard to come by that evening as the place came alive with movement and sound. The trees and shrubs rustled and screamed. James likened it to the large colonies of walrus he and his father had encountered on one of their trips north.
The thought of his father brought back, all the longing and guilt that had been pushed deep inside. James remembered the cave. It was so real. For a short time he had believed it was his father and the weight, the burden had lifted and in that moment, he was free. It all came crashing back down when the truth was revealed. His thoughts strayed to the black castle. To Akil. Why had he not said anything about traveling to The Never? As his thumb ran over the cold steel of the key, he knew the answers were there. He would not be distracted from reaching the black castle again-even if it meant going on alone.
— 27 -
