Seafarer Vol.3

Frightened and disoriented he swung wildly in attempt to to fend off what he perceived as an assault. Within moments it became quiet in the cave once more and the seafarer managed to calm himself. He climbed to the mouth of the cave and peered out into the night. Other than the wild calls of the bats swarming through the night sky it appeared that all remained calm on the island. He scanned the low lands down by the shore in hopes that he might catch a glimpse of a campfire, praying someone else from the ship may have survived. Seeing nothing there he glanced toward the night sky filled with brilliant stars and felt blessed that the storm had not returned. With very little effort in spite of the adrenalin caused by the sudden swarm of bats exhaustion led him right back to sleep.

Even before the eastern horizon released the sun from its grasp the morning birds in the jungle below him called out loudly for their mates. The calls woke the mariner from his slumber and he stretched attempting to shake pull the soreness from his arms and legs. He looked down on the wide game trail below wondering how he had not yet spotted a single animal on its path. He decided he would like to reach the plateau before midday so he quickly glided down to the trail and began to slowly walk its winding path to the summit.

As he walked he continued to wonder what he would find at upon the hill, the wide trail caused him to consider that perhaps some sort of herdsmen might inhabit the isle and used the path to lead the animals to the merchant ships on the beach. As he considered the sharp and jagged reef that lined the beach he quickly discounted the thought. Just thinking of those rocks and how they appeared like the sharpened teeth of a great and terrible beast forced his mind to think about the terrible night once again.

He remembered the break, the unimaginable crack that streaked across mid deck from broadside to broadside. The sound as if a titan had snapped the Gilded Lady over its knee like a rotten tree branch. Hovering just above the planks he remembered how his fellow crew members all stumbled and collapsed under the mighty jolt. He could still see the fear in the Captains eyes as he began to yell Abandon Ship!. He remembered watching in awe as the bow and stern of the ship both began to fall away from each other, and at the stouthearted sailors leaping overboard all around him. Many of those men landed on the jagged teeth that were the reef guarding the beach.

The seafarer shook the memories from his head and focused on the trail instead. As he arrived near the top of the mound the natural trail have way to an ancient set of stone steps that climbed the last twenty feet onto the plateau. Even as he started up the stairs he could hear something squeaking in the distance slow and steady. It reminded him of the sound the helmsmans wheel would make when the Captain gave the order to turn about. In his mind he imagined there must be a village on the hill and carts being drawn about to carry loads.

The sun beat down from its apex in the sky as he finally stepped out on the plateau. The seaman stood in wild wonder at the sight before him. No village of people, nor carts being drawn, the summit seemed little more than a quiet and abandoned meadow occupied only by the four people he could see near its center. Three women diligently pedaled and worked their spinning wheels and a tall man in a three pointed hat stood with his back turned toward the mariner. The large man seemed to be watching the three women intently oblivious to the young seaman arriving on the plateau.

As he slowly crossed the meadow the mariner called out Pardon me so as not to startle any of the people before him. The three women looked in his direction but continued their ceaseless spinning. The large man spun on him with grace that rivaled even an elf. Drawing a a razor thin rapier the big man bellowed Halt and prepare to join the spirits! Seeing the various medals decorating the breast of the large mans long coat, the mariner knew the man instantly to be a Captain of the sea. Head and shoulders taller than any man the mariner had ever seen, the barrel chested Captain with arms like a ships mast began to close the distance.