The Plains of Abraham

Chapter 27

Our plan was on the lips of the entire community, and precisely no one thought it was sound. Eva tried to convince Malcolm the venture was reckless, that he wasn't fit enough. But he pooh-poohed her. Jonah argued we'd wind up on someone's dinner plate.

"Garhogs police the waterways and comb the land," he said, "in search of fools like you. Your smooth skin, free of lumps and pus, makes you a tasty snack."

It was time to share with Malcolm what Eli had said about the western passage. I told him about the atlas I'd found in the library. That it depicted the Father of Waters flowing south, not west. That it depicted the Vermillion Sea much farther away from us than Malcolm supposed. "We should take the atlas with us," I said.

"You can make an atlas depict anything you want," he answered. "The western passage is the main reason we made the trip. To venture out this far, all the way to Ellanoy country, and not finish the job, would be irresponsible if not downright criminal."

He had apparently forgotten that the main reason we'd made the trip was to avoid prosecution, and that we were in fact criminals. Men on a mission turn a deaf ear to rational dissent and inconvenient facts. I wanted to go on the voyage because I wanted to get away from Bounty Rock, from Adrienne. Also I knew Malcolm would take up the mission regardless, and I'd have to look after him. Might as well get it out of the way.

We had to borrow a canoe and beg supplies. The canoe was extra long—it held four paddlers comfortably—but also sleek and fast. For food we packed jerked meat and dried corn for sagamité. We would hunt and fish, and for these we packed our rifle, powder, shot, and fishing tackle. And of course paper, quill, and ink for continuing my narrative.

Adrienne showed up at the launch. I spied her in the crowd, looking at me with pain in her eyes. She lifted her eyebrows as if to say, Can we talk? but I looked away.

King Berthold himself lent us a calumet. "There are Ellanoyans at the mouth of the Markette River. Show them this and you'll pass in safety. Beyond their village are dragons and monsters," he warned. "I implore you to go no further than the mouth."

"Thank you for your concern," Malcolm said, "but our path is set."

"So be it," the king said. "May the sun shine brightly on your path."

As we turned to head to the river I almost collided with Adrienne, who had been standing behind me, waiting for an opportunity.

She slipped me a pouch full of gem crystals. "You'll need these as gifts when you meet new communities. Give them to whomever is in charge."

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"René, the cultures in which you and I were raised..."

"Save your breath."

"If the reason you're making this trip is because of me, please know I'm sorry for having hurt you."

Brushing past her, I went to catch up with Malcolm. She called after me: "Please take care."

Malcolm and I locked arms and marched down the bank to the launch, the population of Bounty Rock following us. We found Eli sitting in the canoe.

"Are you here to say goodbye?" I asked. "Or to give us rowing lessons..."

"I'm coming with you."

"Say what?"

"My addition to the party will double your odds of surviving this foolhardy mission. Besides, with me around you'll have all the wild cow you can eat."