Mariner's Song

10

The seas had calmed by the next morning, much to Cally's relief, as though the storm had never occurred. The only evidence of the storm was the disaster on the deck. The crew was clearing the deck. Cally watched as the green mist came in from the mops and cloths.

On the Dawn Treader, Drinian was watching his crew closely and every so often, they would look up and glare at him.

"How much longer?"

"Where are we?"

Caspian and Edmund entered from the study and walked up.

"What is it, Drinian?" Caspian asked wearily.

"The storm has blown us off course."

Edmund thought a moment before speaking. "So keep heading east."

"And when we run out of rations?" Caspian questioned.

Edmund had an annoyed look.

Drinian let out a sigh. "I don't like the looks we're getting. Something's got into the men."

One crew member made his presence known and asked, "What's going on?"

Caspian noticed the angry look in his eyes as more crew members began making their disdain known. "Where are we?"

"They got us lost."

"Look, just order them," Edmund told Caspian.

Another crew member asked, "Your majesties, what some of our have been wanting to ask for some time now is how are we going to get home? We'd like to know what hopes we have of seeing Narnia again."

Caspian looked to Edmund and the younger boy glared at the king. "Gentlemen, I understand how you feel. But our mission is to continue east."

"No."

"How much longer?"

"We wanna go home. Turn us back."

"What's the matter with you all? This is just your fear talking," Rhince said.

"We demand you turn us back."

"Are you threatening mutiny?" Drinian asked angrily.

A man up in the crow's nest suddenly yelled, "Land ho!"

Everyone turned to see that there was indeed land looming closer to them upon the horizon.

"Well? Land ho!" Drinian repeated, motioning for his crew to get back to work.

Drinian walked closer to Caspian and Edmund. They had since made their way to the main deck. "And not a moment too soon," he stated, taking the wheel.

The group boarded a boat, as did Cally and her crew. Reepicheep caught their attention by yelling out from the second boat, "I doubt the lords stopped here, my lieges. There's no sign of anything living."

"Right. Well, once we get ashore, take your men and search for food and water. The six of us will search for clues," Caspian shouted back.

"Hang on, you mean the seven of us," Eustace piped up. Everyone turned to look at him. "Come on; please don't send me back to the rat." Lucy let out a soft laugh.

Cally, who had overheard, smirked lightly and said, "Heed your words, young lad. Tales of the mouse aren't to be undermined."

"I heard that," Reepicheep said.

"Big ears," Eustace muttered with a roll of his eyes.

"I heard that too."

Everyone laughed quietly as Eustace huffed and looked down with a mix of slight shame and annoyance.