“I guess we’ll just have to see,” he says.
“…a thin, white blanket. You then walk with a lantern underneath and it makes the glowing apparition appear.” From across the room James hears the miner, who has yet to tell anyone his name, explain to Qyrll how he produced some of the spectral effects. “You have to make sure you are far enough away so no one will see through the disguise.”
Nodding, Qyrll says, “Makes sense.
James just shakes his head at them. Qyrll has been after the miner for his secrets on haunting Ironhold and he’s been more than glad to share them. Seems he’s been out of contact with people for a long time and Qyrll’s keen interest makes him feel good.
When at last the meal is over and James can put it off no longer, they all go down to the lake where the makeshift raft sits. Uther was there securing the last few logs together while the rest finished their lunch. The whole thing looks rather dubious. Having put it together without the aid of an axe has left many branches sticking out at odd angles. To James it looks like a giant porcupine, at least there will be plenty of handholds to keep him atop it.
Jiron plans on coming along and has a long stripped pole which he’ll use to move the raft away from shore. Lying in the center of the raft are two wide strips of bark which they’ll be able to use as paddles when the pole is no longer effective. Moving to the raft, Jiron boards it first while Jorry and Uther hold it steady.
“Hurry up man,” Jorry says from where he stands in the water. “I think my feet are going numb.” He makes his way on and then holds onto a protruding branch while James comes forward.
Stepping carefully, he makes his way onto the raft and takes his place in the center. Once he’s seated firmly on the logs, he nods to Jorry and Uther who release the raft and hurry out of the water.
Taking his pole, Jiron begins pushing them away from shore. “How far should we go?” he asks after they’ve moved out a dozen yards or so.
“Middle, if we can,” he replies.
“Don’t think my pole is going to be able to reach the bottom much longer,” he tells him. The depth of the water has steadily increased, especially once they’ve moved fifty feet from shore. Suddenly, the pole sinks almost to the surface of the water before Jiron brings it to a stop. Pulling it up, he lays it across the raft.
Picking up one of the pieces of bark they’ll use for paddles, he hands it to James and says, “Looks like we use these from here.”
James takes the ‘paddle’ and moves to the side opposite Jiron and begins paddling. At first they start to spin as either he or Jiron paddles harder than the other, but then they get a good rhythm down and start moving in a more straight line toward the middle of the lake.
As he paddles, he glances back occasionally to those still on the shore and the mountain behind them. They remain there, staring at their progress across the lake. The sun riding high in the sky keeps the chill at bay. At times water splashes onto him from when he dips his paddle in the water and he realizes just how cold this water is, freezing may be an understatement. They paddle until the raft reaches roughly the center of the lake and then they stop.
“Now what?” asks Jiron.
“I haven’t a clue,” he says. “For all we know that line may simply be there to throw people off. Nothing ever said that every line of a prophecy has to mean something.”
“Can you give it to me one more time?” asks Jiron.
“Sure,” he replies.
When the Fire shines Bright,
And the Star walks the Land.
Time for the Lost,
Will soon be at Hand.
At the foot of the King,
Bathe in his Cup.
Pull his Beard,
To make him sit Up.
Seven to Nine,
Six to Four.
Spit in the Wind,
And open the Door.
“Hmmm,” muses Jiron as he contemplates the words. “The second verse refers to the king in every line. Seems important.” He then turns his attention to the mountain which dominates the entire area. Kiliticus rises immensely behind their comrades on the shore.
“Does a mountain have a beard?” he asks after a few minutes of silence.
“I don’t think so,” replies James. “Is there an outcropping of rock perhaps that appears like a beard?”
They both stare at the mountain and scrutinize its surface. There are many outcroppings and overhangs, but nothing which even remotely resembles a beard. “I think we may be going about this the wrong way,” Jiron says.
“What do you mean?” asks James.
“This isn’t accomplishing anything,” he says. “Think we should return to shore and see if we can come at this another way?”
The only other way which James can think of is to take the line literally and get into the water. He’s simply not willing to do that unless there’s no other alternative. “We haven’t been out here very long,” he says. “Give it a couple more hours and if we’re still without a clue, we’ll go back.”
“Very well,” he says. Making himself as comfortable as possible, Jiron waits. At first the view from the center of the lake is enough to keep him distracted, but after awhile he begins nodding off. Not too concerned, he’s sure James will wake him should anything happen.
If he didn’t have the possible future of going into the water, James would find this a lot more relaxing. Out here in the middle of the lake is very peaceful. The mountains surrounding them give the area a charm he hasn’t found for a long time. Snowcapped mountains covered in trees with the blue sky above them, absolutely beautiful.
Over on the shore the others have given up watching him and begun to explore the ruins. He doesn’t blame them, he’s sure at first they thought something important was going to happen. When it failed to materialize they grew bored and began finding something else to do.
The quiet seems to rejuvenate his spirit, bringing him a peace he hasn’t had for some time. What with all the fighting and bickering between the various members of his group and all the attempts made on his life, this is really the first time he’s been able to completely relax in weeks. Putting his cares aside for a moment, he tries to enjoy the tranquility.
His mind drifts back to the time he and Meliana spent together on her father’s ship just after they came to his rescue. You can bet he was surprised when he saw who it was that rescued him. A smile comes to him at the thought of what his grandparents would say if they knew he was in love. Yes, he is in love. All doubt had been shattered when he looked at her at the railing as he was climbing up from the rescue boat.
Once things settle down he’ll return to Corillian and find her, though how long that will be is uncertain. Most likely she’ll find another man by then, the thought dampens his mood somewhat. But then the fact that she made the long voyage all the way from Corillian on the off chance he may be in Cardri comes to mind. She wouldn’t have done that unless her heart was driving her, and it’s unlikely she’ll find another unless all hope of their union is gone.
Hours drift by and he realizes nothing is going to happen, but the peace of where he is keeps him there. The gently rolling of the raft as it floats upon the water and the sun beating down on him lulls him into a deep relaxation which brings him to the brink of sleep.
Splash!
“Aaaaaahhhh!” he cries as frigid water drenches him from head to toe.
“What happened?” asks Jiron as he’s wrenched from slumber by James’ cry.
“Some damn fish just breached and splashed me with water,” he says.
Jiron looks over to him and sees where water is running down the side of his face. Laughing, he says, “It must have been some big fish.”
“It’s not funny, I’m freezing,” he complains. His hair is now slightly matted to his face and his clothes are sticking to him.
“Time to return?” asks Jiron.
Nodding, with teeth slightly chattering he replies, “Yes.” Picking up one of the crude paddles he begins paddling back to shore. The day is already coming to a close, he had no idea they had been out there that long. Over to west the sun is nearing the peaks and the shadows are beginning to grow long.