Kilani bent over tracks in the sand that abruptly ended at the tide line. “The boat was untied and drug into the water. Whoever did it wasn’t alone. There were at least four of them. And…” she looked up at the group, “and the tracks they left were very small.”
The rest of the group gathered around to inspect the footprints in the sand. Kilani positioned her foot beside one of the prints for scale. Sure enough, the footprint was roughly one third smaller than her foot.
“Natives?” James asked.
“Not a chance,” said Roger. “That was European craftsmanship on the top of that hill eff I’ve ever seen it.”
“The questions we need to ask are where did they take our boat and how do we intend upon getting back to the Queen Mary once our time here expires,” said Luno.
“I heard summon in the jungle last n‘. A screaming o‘ sorts. Twas like a small animal been eaten by a larger. Didn’t sound t‘ alarm ’cause it lasted seconds,” said Roger.
“Perhaps that was a means of distraction,” said James.
“No bloody way summon could pull t‘ boat into t‘ water n row away without me heain‘. Leastways, what of yer protective incantations?” Roger replied.
James had forgotten about the protective incantations he’d cast the previous night. They would have covered the beach area surrounding the boat for sure. The thought of someone being able to bypass them was disturbing.
“Regardless of what happened, we need a way to get back to the Queen Mary and quickly. I believe we shouldn’t spend any more time here than necessary,” said Luno.
“I could summon the Queen Mary close to the cliffs, and we could jump aboard.”
“Too risky. We don’t know what lies beneath the surface. It’d be too easy to tear a hole right through her hull,” said Luno. “William, Roger, how long would it take you to make another boat?”
“Without our tools, it’d take weeks, Cap‘in,” replied Roger.
“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.