23. Isla
Isla
A knock on her door woke Isla from a sound sleep. The combination of sea air and the exhilaration of listening for the bells of the other ships and ringing hers in response had tired her sufficiently to allow her to get several hours of uninterrupted sleep. “Come.”
At first, the door opened gently, but Isla sat bolt upright when someone kicked it hard enough to slam it against the adjoining wall.
“Oops.” Alpia looked sheepish as she stood at the door holding a tray three times larger than her diminutive frame.
“Sorry, Milady. I had to open th’ latch with me elbow, and when I shoved it, it came right back at me, so I had to kick it, ya ken?
Anyway, th’ cap’n said to let ya sleep till nine bells, and that’s right about now, so I brung ya breakfast since ya missed eatin’ with th’ others.
And he said to tell ya to eat quick like since we’re comin’ up on th’ island that he thought ya’d want to see when we anchor, and that’s comin’ up right quick too. ”
Ilona walked in and ruffled Alpia’s hair before taking the tray.
“And who loaded you down with this enormous platter, little sprite?” Without waiting for an answer, she took it from her and set it on the side table next to the outer bulkhead.
She turned back to Alpia, who was still standing in the doorway.
“Get on with you, now. And shut the door as you go.”
Alpia used two fingers to give her a mock salute. “Aye, aye, Cap’n.” She giggled and ran out when Ilona playfully lunged for her.
Still chuckling, Ilona opened the closet and removed a robe hanging from a hook on the back of the door. She held it by the shoulders and waited for Isla to climb out of bed and slip her arms through the sleeves.
“I expected Lily this morning. Helping me dress hasn’t been part of your morning activities.” Isla pulled her long hair from beneath the robe and let it drop to the middle of her back.
“She’s feeling a little under the weather this morning.”
“What? She’s sick?” Isla’s eyes widened in worry as she looked toward the wall separating the two cabins.
“No.” Ilona tapped the side of her head.
“She was out in the sun too much yesterday and has a headache. It happens if you don’t drink enough water, especially out here on the ocean.
The cool breezes can be deceptive, and before you know it, dehydration sets in.
I took her some willow bark tea and gave her a cold compress for her head an hour past. She’ll be as good as new by the time we leave for the island.
” She winked at Isla. “And she says even if she’s not, we’d have to tie her to the bed to keep her down. ”
“How long before we let the anchor down?”
“It’s called dropping anchor, and it should be within the hour. I’ll be back after you’ve had a chance to eat, and we can get you dressed then.”
Isla was almost too excited to eat, but since she didn’t know how long they’d remain on the island, she dutifully ate a full breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. The sun shone brightly on the water as she walked through the wardroom door onto the quarterdeck.
Lifting a hand to shield her eyes from the brightest rays, she exclaimed in delight at the sight of an exotic tropical island off their port bow.
“It’s exactly like the island in Robinson Crusoe. It’s enchanting.”
The others were already standing near the railing. When Celie turned to greet her, Isla was taken aback by the tears streaming down her friend’s face. “Celie. What’s the matter?” She hurried to her friend and took her by the shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
Celie pulled her into an embrace and wiped her eyes on a handkerchief she held wadded in her fist. “There’s nothing wrong.
It’s just that I’ve always dreamed of exploring a tropical paradise, and here we are.
I only wish your mother were here to see it.
She’d grab us both by the hand and run across the beach, laughing at the adventure. ”
Since that’s precisely what her mother would do, Isla decided that when they stepped onto the beach, she’d grab Celie and Lily’s hands and run away from all her troubles.
The clanking roar of the anchor chain startled them into pulling apart and turning to face the fo’c’sle.
They watched the heavy iron links rise from below deck and play out over several wooden devices not ordinarily present while six crew members worked to lower the anchor.
Jonto stepped beside Isla. “That’s called a capstan. Four crewmen on the bars control the speed of descent. The other two work to maintain the tension and guide the chain as it feeds out, ensuring it doesn’t tangle or jam.”
“What do you call those heavy wooden blocks? They’re not normally there.”
“Chocks. We keep them stored out of the way until it’s time to raise or lower the anchor.
That’s the only time they’re brought out and bolted to the deck.
They keep the chain from direct contact with the wood to minimize damage.
” He gently took Isla’s elbow and directed her to the starboard side and called over his shoulder.
“Join us, Celie. You’ll want to see this. ”
They stood looking out over the water until Isla’s curiosity got the better of her. “What are we looking at?”
“Patience, Isla. You’ll see.”
At his use of Isla’s given name, Celie glanced at her friend.
Isla rolled her eyes as the side of her lip quirked in amusement.
“Yes, Celie. I gave him permission to call me by my first name. It’s not all that surprising given the amount of time we’ve been spending on board his ship, now, is it?
” Her attention focused abruptly back on the sea, and she drew in a quick, astonished breath.
“Oh my God!” An enormous whale breached the water’s surface, rose high into the air, and crashed back down, sending waves of water rising to envelop its massive body.
Isla rushed to the rail and bent over, wanting to get as close to the behemoth as possible.
“Isla! Don’t lean over so far!” Pris hurried over and attempted to pull her friend back, but Isla was having none of it.
“Look at him, Pris! He’s magnificent!” The beast’s streamlined, cylindrical profile spoke of power and elegance, while its long snout wasn’t something Isla would have expected on a whale.
Jonto stepped to her other side, and Celie hurried up beside him.
He grinned broadly at their reaction. “Actually, that’s not a male.
She’s a female humpback. They’re usually not as acrobatic as the males, but we’ve seen this lady before.
She loves to leap into the air and play around our ships.
And there’s her calf. See? Over there. Looks like it’s just as active as its mother.
” While the smaller whale wasn’t nearly as agile, it still put on an impressive display of leaps, twists, and turns.
Movement astern caught Isla’s eye. She turned to get a better look and nearly shrieked. Grabbing Jonto’s arm, she tucked herself up close. “Jonto. Pirates!”
The other ladies spun around, and Pris didn’t exactly scream, but she most certainly squeaked in alarm before covering her mouth with her hand.
Robert paled and looked at Jonto, trying to judge how much trouble they might be in. “My God, Man. Should the ladies go to their quarters? Where’s that woman? Can she protect them?” He began frantically searching the deck for Ilona.
Jonto shook his head. “No. Don’t be afraid. Do you remember the King granted a second parcel of land to the other captain who chased away the ships threatening your kingdom? That’s him and his ship, the Amanita Virosa.”
Still clinging to Jonto’s arm, Isla whispered, “Why is it flying the Jolly Roger?” She glanced up at the flags fluttering above the Jest. “You aren’t, so what does that mean? Should we be worried?” She thought a moment. “Amanita Virosa. I’m sure I’ve heard that name before.”
Celie nodded. “It’s another name for a deadly mushroom. You probably know it as the destroying angel.”
Stepping forward and putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders, Robert shook his head.
“Not only that. I guess I didn’t realize, or at the time, didn’t care, that its captain is Jack Dubbin.
His reputation—” He stopped himself from saying something that might panic the women. “Well, it’s not good.”
Sensing Robert’s concern, Jonto nodded. “He’s notoriously aggressive, there’s no doubt about that, but he’s also one of my best friends.
You’ll meet him later today, as he’ll probably come aboard to join us for dinner.
If you look at it from a practical standpoint, we’re guaranteed safe passage from any disreputable pirates sailing in the area.
No one would dare go up against the combined might of the Jest and the Virosa.
Add the Syren and Red Rover, and we’re as safe as any naval fleet sailing the oceans today. ”
Robert still looked unconvinced. “You’re sure you can trust him?”
“I’ve known him for six years or more, and we meet to play chess or cards at least once, if not twice per month.
I trust him with my life and with the lives of my crews, and if necessary, I’d trust him to take any one of you on board his ship.
He’s rough around the edges, unrefined, and blunt as the day is long, so I suggest you decide right now that you’ll not take offense at his coarse ways.
He won’t bow down to your aristocracy, Robert, and I suggest you prepare yourself for that. You don’t want to insult him.”
“And if he insults my wife or Isla?”
The fact that he’d left out Celie and Lily wasn’t lost on anyone.
“He won’t because he knows I’d challenge him over it.
As I said, we’re friends, and he honors that friendship by treating my crew and guests with respect.
None of you…,” with an all-encompassing look, he made sure to include Celie and Lily, who’d joined them on deck, “…have anything to be concerned about.”