Paths of the Sea

Chapter 2 The Island

Henry Balliot's POV 

Henry and Jack were both quite puzzled by the lack of crew on the yacht, but there was no help for it with the leak on their small boat getting worse by the minute. "Well, all aboard." Henry told the others reluctantly, lowering the ladder and helping both of the ladies. 

"Why, it is nothing less than a fairy craft." Madeline said as she looked around on deck. "What if it were to dissolve beneath our feet and leave us to sink to the bottom to the laughter of the tricky sprites who created it?!" 

Henry couldn't help but smile at her imagination, "Heaven forbid! It seems quite substantial enough, though strange as to how it got here." 

Just then Benjy poked his head out. Being quick to clamber aboard the moment he had been allowed to, he had been exploring... or rather, looking for food. "It's the best thing yet! There is the best kitchen ever, with everything we could possibly use! It is even stocked with food! And it is good food, I checked!" He quickly said, taking a bite of something he had found as if to prove it.

Henry laughed at the lad, "Well how about you make us sometsomething to eat instead of eating it all yourself!" He replied as Benjy nodded and slipped away again. Henry, in the meantime, climbed up into the rigging to see if he could spot any land or ship. 

"Well, what do you make?" Jack asked from the deck.

"Land, I believe. And not to far distant." He replied as he tossed the scope he had been holding down to Jack. 

Jack nodded as he took his turn looking while Henry climbed down. "We should be able to make it by evening tomorrow in this glorious little craft. See how the spray flies from beneath her forefoot?! But she isn't built for bad weather, so we best hope that none comes before we can anchor her." 

Henry nodded absentmindedly. He had not heard of any land in this part of the ocean... and this yacht made it all the more of a puzzlement. Henry took the helm while Jack went to see about the food, being completely absorbed in his thoughts when he was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. He turned to see Madeline. "What are you doing on deck?!" He quickly asked, "I thought you and your mother were going to rest below, you must get out of those wet things. I ussure you than none of us will disturb you." Henry was actually quite concerned about having two sick women. Though he would never admit that the thought of seeing Madeline sick seemed worse to him.

"I am sure. I know full well that I am not an able seaman, but only a woman, and therefore unnecessary and seriously in the way-" she replied, slightly irritated.

Henry was surprised for a moment. "What can I say to assure you-"

"You may tell me whether or not it is true that you have sighted land. My mother sent me to find out. In tough times people are forced into all kinds of situations they don't like." She quickly cut in, still irritated.

Henry stiffened a bit. "I have the pleasure of informing your mother that we have sighted land and should reach it before sunset tomorrow." He replied curtly. He couldn't help but feel a little bit disappointed when Madeline turned abruptly and headed back below deck where her mother no doubt was. He wondered what he had said to irritate her so when all he had been doing was showing concern for her well-being. 

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The next day, both the ladies came on deck dry and well fed. "Would you like to examine the shore with the scope?" Henry asked Madeline as he held one out to her.

Madeline nodded and eagerly looked at the place they hoped to land at soon. "I don't see any people. Only hills covered with trees and the beach below. How will we land?" 

"That's what I want to know." Jack cut in. "What do you say sir to skirting around the island to find some bay or creek for our find little craft?"

Henry nodded, "By all means." He replied as he altered their course slightly, to go around the island. They were about halfway around it when the spotted a creek. As they approached it, they found that their vessel fit through the channel with ease. As the steam quickly turned to the left, all on board quickly let out gasps of astonishment. They were fast approaching what seemed to be a dock, beyond which a path wound it's way about in the direction of the massive castle in the distance.

As soon as they pulled up to the dock, Jack exclaimed. "It seems our beauty went straight back to her nest!" Henry looked to see that Jack who had went to tie the ship fast had found that the rope to tie her with had been cut and that laying in the deck was the matching rope. "Yes, we can expect a hearty welcome at yonder castle for returning her I daresay."

I'm the meantime Madeline couldn't help but notice the lack of lights in the castle in spite of the fact that it was growing dark... "I fear that we shall be unwelcome guests, even though we brought back thier yacht..." She said uncertainly.

"Well.." Henry replied thoughtfully. "If you wish it, Jack and I can go ahead and announce our arrival. We will come back to tell you how we are received."

Madeline nodded, even as her mother seemed to hesitate. "Yes, let us remain here mother. You are hardly strong enough to attempt such a walk tonight, and who is to say how we will be received?" At that, she reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"Very well, come along Jack. We will return as soon as we can!" He replied as he waved a brief farewell. Soon it was dark... the hours ticked by... by midnight, then one o'clock, then men had still not returned.