“It won’t change, I promise,” Lasgol said.
Astrid smiled at him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
They went on looking out at the horizon, and Lasgol had the feeling that Astrid’s worry would soon come true.
Chapter 22
They continued their journey to the Turquoise Queen’s archipelago. The mission had to go on, despite the attack, or anything else that might happen on the way. Eicewald took over command of the ship while they waited for Captain Olsen to take up his functions again. He was recovering little by little as the days went by, and would soon be able to resume his duties. The pirates were not giving any trouble once they had been chained to the rowing benches, as Olsen had anticipated. They knew what was expected of them, and also the ominous alternative. Viggo, who did not trust them, watched them out of the corner of his eye. The rest of the group took up their usual activities on the ship once the wounded sailors had begun to recover.
The days went by peacefully and the journey turned quiet, though a little monotonous, except when they saw sea-creatures. Then it was all excitement, particularly for Camu, who had never seen animals like this.
They leap over the waves!
They’re dolphins, Lasgol explained. They’re beautiful animals, and they’re said to be very clever.
I clever too.
Yes, you’re clever too, nobody’s saying any different, but they say that out of all animals, dolphins are among the most intelligent.
So… not hunt?
Exactly. You should never hunt dolphins.
Can have one?
No.
Ona gave a mournful moan. She too wanted to have a dolphin.
Lasgol could not believe it. He slapped his forehead and shook his head emphatically.
We can’t have a dolphin. It’s not an animal anyone can have. They have to be free, roaming the seas, with other dolphins.
I want a dolphin.
Ona joined in the request with another moan.
You two are hopeless.
Days later they saw an enormous whale, and excitement returned to the ship. The sailors talked about hunting it, but luckily Olsen refused. They had no time to waste and they had to reach their destination.
Whale monster? Camu asked watching the great mammal.
Because it’s big?
Yes, very big.
Suddenly the whale leapt out of the water, and they were able to see it in all its splendor.
A magnificent animal. D’you still think it’s a monster?
No. Not monster.
That’s right. It’s a beautiful, peaceful animal. It communicates with other whales by whistles that they can hear under the water …
I want wha—
You can’t have a whale, Lasgol interrupted him. He glared at Ona, who was about to moan, but seeing Lasgol’s look she was silent.
What a hopeless pair you are.
A thousand and one questions and comments followed his refusals either to adopt sea mammals as part of their company or to add to the family.
The days began to turn never-ending, since there was nothing but league upon league of water around the ship and no sign of land in any direction. Puzzlement and exhaustion were beginning to affect everybody, and they were rather more irritable than usual.
Lasgol went to see Olsen and Eicewald at the stern, hoping to get some information.
“Hi there, Lasgol,” the Captain greeted him.
“Sir,” Lasgol replied respectfully. “How are the wounds?”
“They’ll leave some pretty scars,” Olsen assured him, “but there’s nothing to worry about. I’ve survived worse things, wounds as well as illnesses. I’m an old sea-lion, hard to kill.” He winked.
“The Captain’s an experienced man,” Eicewald said, “and he knows how to handle himself. I’m sure this isn’t his first encounter with pirates.”
Olsen smiled. “And it won’t be the last either, I’m afraid. By the way, I’ve already said it to the great Mage” – he gave Eicewald a deferential glance – “but I haven’t had the chance to say it to you. I’d like to thank you for the way you fought during the raid. It was truly impressive, something exceptional. I’d never have thought six people could repel a pirate raid.”
“They aren’t just any six people,” Eicewald pointed out. “They’re six extraordinary Rangers. That’s something that was made very clear during the fight.”
“More than clear. I still find it hard to believe the way you fought and saved the ship. It was amazing. I’ve carried Rangers before and seen them fight: very good and very well trained, always efficient. But I can assure you that the way you fought is on another level altogether. It was truly spectacular. If all the Rangers were like you, I’m sure we’d conquer all the known seas.”
“And half of Tremia,” Eicewald added with a smile.
“Thank you, sir. We only did what we could to repel the attack.”
“Please pass on my congratulations to your companions. Now, tell me, what was it you needed?”
“I was wondering …” Lasgol began, feeling a little like a child with an awkward question.
“… how long before we reach our destination?” Eicewald finished the sentence for him.
“I’m sure everybody’s thinking the same thing,” Olsen said.
“We’ve been traveling for a long time, and we’re not used to it,” Lasgol said apologetically.
“It’s natural. Only old sea-lions like me enjoy spending a lot of time at sea. You’re all mountain cubs, and here in the middle of the ocean you’re lost.”
“We’re getting close,” Eicewald put in.
“We are?” Lasgol looked at the horizon and could see nothing but water.
“The problem is that we haven’t any certainty of where this archipelago is,” Olsen explained. “We only know the approximate location, and that’s
