The path to paradise begins in hell.
Dante Alighieri
CHAPTER 51 ~ THE VOYAGE
"Get those supplies loaded in the galley. Be smart about it, we're tryin' to stem the tide!"
"Aye, aye Captain!"
"I dunno know how you and Artemis talked me into this. I must be outta me mind!"
"Virgis, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have accompany me on this voyage."
"Oh, we're accompanying you are we? Let's get this straight right off the bat, lad. You're accompanying us. This ain't gonna be no pleasure trip, so I hope yer prepared ta meet yer maker.
"Here, take this manifest an' make sure all this stuff gets aboard."
Cross smiled. "Aye, aye sir!"
They'd decided to sail aboard the Nellie-Joe, making Virgis, captain; Artemis, the first officer, and Cross, honorary captain of Abaddon, if they reached that far.
The busy bilander which normally carried four officers, fourteen able seamen, four ordinary seamen, five deck boys, four cooks and a donkeyman was stretched with a crew of only twelve.
Seven were able seamen; one, a donkeyman named Gints; a cook named Slake; and Virgis, Artemis and himself.
"Alright men. Can I have yer attention!
"This is the last chance I'm gonna give ya to take yer leave. We're gonna do somethin' only one other person's ever done that I know of, so if anybody's got second thoughts, now's the time to voice 'em!"
It was as silent as a graveyard.
"Alright then. We sail to Prince Port, then 'round the Dark Circle. If we survive that, we head up Damnation Straights, then out ta Abaddon. Any questions?
"Right! Mr. Tilly . . . take 'er out!"
Cross looked back towards the dock and saw the sun scatter the last of its light across the ships, setting their masts ablaze in a burnished hue.
Daylight was morphing quietly into dusk, as the evening stars began to appear along the eastern horizon.
Cross felt the familiar dysphoria this particular time of day seemed to precipitate, bringing with it a great blanket of weariness. He suddenly realized the enormity of the responsibility he had undertaken, and felt overwhelmed by it all.
What was he doing? Why was he doing it?
If the ship went down, they would all go down with her; Artemis, Virgis, the entire crew.
As if reading his mind, Virgis came and set his hand firmly on Cross's shoulder.
"We all know what we're doin' lad, and each of us has his own reasons for doin' it.
"I'm a damn good captain lad, and one of the things a captain knows is that ya gotta have good morale. Understand?"
Cross smiled.
"Good!
"Smooth sailin' tonight lad . . . nothin' but smooth sailin'."
The first night out, the men enjoyed a hearty dinner, a bold port and a round of sailing songs.
Away, away, away we'll sail
With our backs to the wind; an ahoy, and a hail
We'll sail in the fair, in the wind and the rain
YOU ARE READING
Cross
General FictionIt has been said that every life touches and makes a difference in every other life. Like a pebble dropping in the water; the ripples spread far and wide, and while no one life is more important than another, there are those who take upon themselves...
