Donald took her aside where they could talk without being overheard. “All is not lost. We have the information we need.”
“You don’t understand. How could you. What do I do now?”
“Andrea. We have what we need.” Donald’s voice was low and confident. He was a man to be listened to.
“How do we know? There may have been something else we haven’t untangled from the map. Do you have any idea where to begin looking once we arrive at the castle?”
Before he could answer she continued.
“No. I didn’t think so.” Standing tall she went on. “Is that because you had no intention of looking? Did you plan to put me off when we reached Alnwick and not even go to Bamburgh Castle? Or tramp around the castle hoping I would see the error in my thinking and give up?”
She jabbed him in his chest with her finger.
“I. Will. Not. Give. Up. I will find the relic with or without you.” She marched away from him. Not knowing where to go she went onto the aftcastle where Howard supervised the cleanup.
Donald stared after her in disbelief then turned angry that she would think him so callous. He had no intention of smoothing things with her. She was an exasperating woman. He should never have agreed to this adventure.
She watched him storm off the deck into the cabin. He didn’t even try to settle their differences. Her anger spent, she stood with the captain.
“How did the ship fare?” She asked the captain.
“Always Faithful lived up to her name. We lost everything in the passageway in the stern. I regret some of your things were among them. I’ve had the bedding removed. You’ll have a replacement by nightfall.” He didn’t glance at her. She tried to keep her face from showing her frustration and anger. What did it matter? There was no help for it now.
“The blow moved us off course but within reason. Rather than weigh anchor tonight we’ll sail. We may even get to port earlier than expected.” The captain searched the sky. Rays of golden light broke through the scattering clouds. The sky had large patches of blue and was brightening. “It will be smooth sailing from here out.”
The crew took the storm in stride. Only minor repairs were necessary and those were made before nightfall. In the evening, the crew took to the deck. Someone played music. The others sang along.
She sat on the steps to the aftcastle. Donald stayed with Scully, Rufus, and the crew. He didn’t pay her any attention. She stayed far enough away to discourage anyone from speaking to her. With her head propped up on the side of the ladder she listened for Donald’s voice. Every so often his laugh reached her ears and she felt more guilty.
The loss of the map was her fault. Not only losing the pouch but taking the last piece from him. If she hadn’t they’d still have some hope of finding an answer to the next step. Over and over, her thoughts went to the map, first one piece then the next, and the next. Faster and faster they flashed in her mind. This was pointless.
One of the sailors brought the mattress back into the cabin. She sprang up and went in after mumbling her thanks.
The cabin had been straightened. Donald’s satchel which had been in the cabinet was on the table next to hers.
Exhaustion overtook her. She lay on the fresh bed. How could he laugh and sing when her world was falling apart? She tossed and turned waiting for him to come in. They needed to decide what to do when they got to the castle.
She waited.
And waited some more.
Her planned words for him changed from what they would do at the castle, to what she thought of him, and finally to not needing his help. Then came the tears.
The music and the men quieted. The ship swayed gently as it glided along. Her eyes got heavy, but she forced them to stay open. There were things she needed to tell him. The music turned soft and her eyelids grew heavier.
How dare he avoid her. She made her way through the cabin door. The passageway was cluttered with items that were dripping wet. Moving forward, the deck door appeared beyond her reach. For every step forward, she took two steps back. Her legs were weighted down by anchor chains, a gale blew in her face. All was lost to her until the deck door flew open.
She rushed forward to find Donald but instead found herself at the beginning of a maze. With only one way to proceed, she stepped into the game and followed the path of hedges into the center. Six paths branched off. The first path took her back to the center and a great sword.
Andrea stepped to the next path. Her hand on the hedge, and adamant she would conquer the game, she once again found herself in the center facing the sword.
Urgently, she went down the next path with the same results and the same with the next. She ran down the last path but knew what she would find at the end. She wasn’t disappointed. The sword was the only way out.
Andrea woke with a start drenched in sweat. “Donald,” she called out.
There was no need to adjust her eyes to the darkness and search the room. She sensed his absence.
Pulling on her shawl, she went onto the deck. A few men were at the bow. No one acknowledged her. She stood at the rail and looked at the distant coastline. The wind in her face refreshed her. The cobwebs in her head cleared as the images of her nightmare faded.
A shiver of excitement rushed up her spine. Only a short journey was between her and Bamburgh Castle once the ship docked in Alnwick.
It was a good walk to the castle, most of the day but manageable.
