Cerulean Isle (29 page)
“Cora.” I went to her. She took my hand.
“I do not want you to go, Jacob.”
“When you look at me this way, I am tempted to stay.”
~~~~~~
After a return swim with the help of the dolphins, Konopo led us back through the wilds of the island and we came into the main cove. We stopped suddenly as our eyes met an incredible sight.
The sloop
Destiny
waited on the shore. The large and broken bow had been hauled up onto the sand. The stern remained in the water and all around were brawny Merlords led by Manta. Our crewmates looked up at the ship as its planks dried in the sun.
I met Manta in the shoreline. “How did our ship get here, Manta?”
“Ha! How do you think?” He lifted his great arms and flexed his muscles. “And my friends helped.”
One of the crewmates ran up to me. “Manta and his team went below
Destiny
and forced her from the stone’s grip. I stood here on the sand and watched as our wounded ship sailed toward the island. Never in all my life have I seen a wrecked ship sail.”
“And ready to be repaired,” added Manta. “Lord Sydin has our smiths working in the deep to forge new beams and reinforcements for the hull. When this boat is done she will be half wood and half azumetalla. A wonder the likes of which men have never seen.”
That evening, a fire was set in the middle of the beach. We burned the broken boards of the sloop and reveled late into the night. It was a celebration of Man and Mer. A great victory had been won and an unbreakable friendship formed. We feasted on fresh fish, meaty stews, and spiced ale. The surrounding waters were filled with Merfolk of all colors and sizes. I saw Merchildren leap from the water with their dolphin companions. Lovely Mermaidens, each with unique patterns and colors, curled on the sand and teased the men. Merlords and crewmates grouped together and spoke of common interests and shared yarns. Laughter filled the night, and music rang out as the stars wheeled over us.
Driften sat on the edge of a boulder and strummed an enchanting, guitar-like instrument made from a deep turtle shell. His fingers plucked the strings to create a rippling melody with notes that were light and soft.
Grant and Pearl stole away from the revelry. He came back to the fireside for more ale and stew, then hurried away. Cora and I relaxed in the warm sand near the fire. The light of the blaze made her purple fin shimmer with a rosy glow. Her eyes were violet gems.
“I love the music my brother makes,” she said. Her fingers made looping designs in the sand.
“I have never heard anything like it. He’s very talented.”
“And he is very protective.”
“Oh?”
“Well, he was when I was young.”
“Tell me more about who you are.”
“What would you like to know?”
“Whatever you’d care to tell.”
“To start, I am six years after twenty in age. Driften is three years after thirty. Our parents are from the frozen waters of the south. Driften was born there in the icy blue realm of Lord Keltu’wah. Driften was born small and without the thick skin of his folk. Keltu’wah told my parents that he would perish in the cold.”
“So they left to save him?”
“The Caribbean Sea is warm, and as you can see, my brother is well. My parents were wise to travel here. I was born seven years later in Cerulean Isle. However, my birth was not joyous.”
“Why?”
“Because my father died before I was born. An illness ended the beat of his heart. Not all Mer are able to acclimate to new climates.”
“What about Manta? He’s from the north and seems well.”
“Yes. The northern waters are cold but they are nothing compared to the arctic. The challenge is not only temperature. Plants and animals that also call the ocean home affect us. Something in this sea poisoned my father. Being a female, my mother was able to acclimate and resist the harsh changes. Mermaidens adapt better than Merlords. They must, since they bear life.”
“What of your mother? Is she still with you?”
“No. She died two years ago at the age of two years after seventy. We miss her a great deal.” Cora sat up a little straighter and put her hand on mine. “What about you? Tell me of your life. Tell me of your mother and your father.”
I told her about the day my father sold me to Jean L’Ollon. I told her about my mother’s death and the promise she made. Cora listened intently, and her compassionate gaze fueled me on. I told her all about Rosewing and of all the things that led me to Cerulean Isle. She asked me to tell her more about my horses, and when I described the farm, she closed her eyes and imagined it all. She laughed when I laughed, and when my eyes watered from painful memories, hers did too.
The merriment lasted throughout the night. The roaring fire shrank and died to glowing embers. Soon, the stars faded from the rising morning light. Cora Star remained with me. We lay in the soft sand; her head rested on my chest, and her great fin draped over us. With the Mermaiden in my arms, I let sleep take me away.
The following day, the Merfolk started rebuilding our ship. From out of the ocean, the Merlords brought long gleaming beams of silver and gold azumetalla. With the ruined bow resting on the beach, the men were able to work easily and safely. Merlords swam in the water around the stern, diving under to make repairs and reinforcements in places that we could not reach.
The designs for the new bow were fanciful and efficient. The ship would be unlike any vessel man had ever seen. The Mer metal was lightweight, buoyant, and resistant to corrosion. The new bow and bowsprit would be strong enough to break through ice and deflect cannonballs. The only weakness was fire. If the azumetalla were touched by flame or searing heat, it would soften quickly.
Within five days, the repairs were complete and our ship was grander than ever. Swirling patterns of silver, gold, and cerulean streamed along the length of the hull. The new bow looked as if it had been dipped in silver and dusted with gold. A sparkling azumetalla bowsprit stretched in front of the ship. Gold bands interlocked with the original wood planks. The keel was a slender blue and silver beam. Our beautiful vessel drifted on the waves gracefully.
“There is no limit to the amount of weight that this sloop can carry,” said Sydin. “Her buoyancy is far greater than you can imagine.”
“It is the finest ship in the Caribbean,” I professed.
“That may be true,” he said with a proud smile. “Tell me, have you scheduled your departure?”
“Not officially. Though I know the men are ready to get back to port. It’s strange, Sydin, a part of me wants to stay.”
He pointed to the beach where Cora sat with Pearl and Driften. “Saying farewell is not something she desires either.”
“I mustn’t let my feelings come before the welfare of my crew. We can’t stay, Sydin. This is your home, not ours.”
“I understand well. Our end of the deal is complete. My Mer are prepared to load our cache aboard whenever your men are ready.”
“Where should I bring such treasure?”
“I have put much thought in this. Sail north and into the gulf. Along the coast of the mainland you’ll find many caverns. I know of one that would be perfect. It rests in the side of a towering stone cliff at a place the humans call Black Water Cove. A normal man would have great difficulty accessing it, but with rigging and a team as skilled as yours, you will be able to get in and hide a large portion.”
“And what of the rest of it?”
“Reward your men for their bravery and hardship. Make them rich in payment for their secrecy.”
“I will ensure that when mankind speaks of the Water People, they tell only tales of generosity and kindness. Thank you, Lord Sydin, for all that you have done.”
~~~~~~
That afternoon, two dozen crates, ten trunks, and twelve heaping sacks of the purest gold, finest jewels and the most reflective silver were hauled aboard
Destiny.
The sails were set and the riggings manned. Grant calculated a northwestern course and Waylin took the helm. Bart made an inventory of everything brought aboard. Konopo secured the new store of fresh provisions and tied down the precious cargo.
The men took the rowboats to the ship and were helped aboard. The boats were then hoisted from the sea and battened to the bows. It was time to leave.
I sat on the beach and watched our drifting ship. My rowboat waited in the sand. Cora emerged from the water. The rushing waves brought the Mermaiden to my side. She positioned herself comfortably against me and leaned on my shoulder.
“Grant is a fine captain,” she said, “and with Waylin at his side, the two can ride the waves safely. Must you go with them?”
“It’s a dangerous matter to sail with such wealth. The crew needs me.” I took her hands in mine. “I wish I didn’t have to say goodbye.”
“I can grant wishes, you know.”
I smiled and brushed a strand of purple hair from her soft face. “You already have.”
“When your journey is over, where will you go?” she asked.
“Back home to Grenada, to Rosewing.”
Cora smiled. “Then that is where I will find you.”
“Then that is where I will be waiting.”
We held one another tightly. When the embrace loosened, our eyes locked and in her stare shone the glimmer of sunlit waves and the endless depths of the sea. She leaned into me and our lips met. Her kiss was passionate, slow and soft. When it was over, a small tear fell from her cheek.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Before I could respond, the surf rushed over us, pulling the loose sand from under me. In that instant, Cora slipped away.
~~~~~~
Destiny’s
sails inhaled the wind, blooming to look like powerful white clouds. The sloop cut the sea with precision. A cool mist sprayed from under the starboard and port bows. The sun glistened off the metal bowsprit so bright that we had to look away. At the stern, Grant and I watched the island of the Mer shrink from view. Cerulean Isle shimmered like sunlit sapphires before vanishing on the horizon, lost in a mosaic of blue.
Special thanks to my circle of readers: Maureen Chabot, Carol Childers, Hannah Fraser, Diane Johansen, Patti Mazzone, Cassandra Mens, Donna Sullivan, Jonathan Taylor and Robb Zerr. Your belief in me has fueled my imagination and it always will. Sincere thanks to good friend Jim Shanley for the use of your name.
Very special thanks to my talented editor, Karen Gowen. You’ve made me a better writer.
Loving thanks to my wife, Devin, who makes living with a writer look easy. I cannot express how special you are.
Lastly, to Jacob and Grant, thank you for a great adventure. It was fun!
Gardner M. Browning
G.M. Browning, known as “Buddy” to his friends and family, is a published author and poet. Born in New Hampshire, Browning resides in a quiet neighborhood along a picturesque river with his wife, Devin.
His first novel,
Timeless Love: The Legend of Black Water
was published in 2006 by a small Wisconsin press. This novel sold close to a thousand copies just six months after its release. Unfortunately, the publisher closed a year later and
The Legend of Black Water
fell out of print; the sequel,
The Heart of the Cove
, never saw publication. This short taste of success motivated Browning to continue pursuing his writing career.
After fourteen months of extensive research, work on
Cerulean Isle
began. The first draft took eighteen months to complete. Another year and half passed that brought rejections from publishers and agents all over the world. Keeping the mentality of “they can’t all say no,” Browning found a home for
Cerulean Isle
at long last in WiDō Publishing.
WiDo Publishing
is dedicated to publishing books that appeal to a wide audience. A well-written book with a compelling story and identifiable characters transcends the boundaries of religion, culture, politics, age and gender. Each title will be marketed to its primary audience, with the expectation that the overall excellence of the book will carry it beyond its initial demographic to a broader audience.
Website:
www.widopublishing.com
E-mail:
[email protected]
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Cerulean Isle
, try
The Pirate Slayers: Ghost Waves
by W. Everett Prusso.
