* * *
Aboard ship, the waves were splashing over the stern. A steam stack leaned to the right making a squeaking sound as it slightly swayed from side to side. Kyhawn and those who were taking part in retrieving the lucown powder medicine with him had finely gathered near the stern.
“Come on, Kyhawn.” Aestasol grabbed his arm. “We’re the youngest. We’ll go down and grab the lucown. We’ll have it topside in no time at all.”
Kyhawn wanted to go below, if anything to prove his courage; not so much to them, but to himself. However, he looked to Washburrn for guidance.
“It’s your choice,” Washburrn said. “You did tell me you were an excellent swimmer.”
Kyhawn looked around at the others. From the expressions on their faces, it was obvious none of them were too excited about going into the sunken medic room.
“Are you going or not?” Zeal asked.
They felt another tremor. Washburrn took Kyhawn by the shoulder. “I’ll show you where you need to enter.” He led them to the stern area beneath the second floor walkway. Just around the corner, the door to Room 10 swung open and then closed, but no one seemed to notice.
Soon they found themselves close together standing under the second floor walkway near a fallen mast, which had been hit by lightening just above the height of the walkway deck. While one end of it lay on the walkway still partly attached to the lower section, the other end angled down into the waters near room 10. Nearby the steam shaft made an eerie screeching sound. The two remaining cables holding it in place—snapped. One of the cables moved like the end of a whip towards them standing under the walkway.
Washburrn and Tailk ducked. But if it hadn’t been for the mast lying in front of them they might had been badly wounded or killed by the heavy metal whip.
The steam shaft slammed onto the deck and rolled off into the ocean. They were frightened , but they knew what they had to do—and quickly.
As the one remaining steam shaft stood alone in the rain, Washburrn took Kyhawn by the shoulder again. “You don’t have to do this.”
Kyhawn eased his arm away. “I know where to go,” he said as he slipped off his boots and stripped down to his shorts again.
Zeal opened the door, which led into the two-story structure and down a spiral staircase. He glanced at Washburrn, then at Kyhawn. “Aestasol knows where the medicine is located.”
Washburrn looked at Kyhawn. “I’d go, but I don’t think my lungs could hold out. Let that be a lesson to you—never start smoking.”
“I wasn’t aware you did.”
“I quit a few years ago. Even though I feel much better now, the effects linger. Now go on. Remain close to Aestasol.”
“I know exactly where the cabinet with the dome-shaped top is mounted,” Aestasol said as he handed his outer garments to Tailk exposing his silverish-blue body.
Nervously Kyhawn crouched and strapped his dagger to his leg.
“Follow me.” Aestasol gestured as they stood before the spiral staircase that led to both the captain’s quarters, and the medic room. “It’s to our left,” Aestasol told him confidently as though he had done this sort of task before and enjoyed the danger that came with the job.
“In the dome-top cabinet,” Kyhawn mumbled.
“If there are any problems with the ship slipping, you two swim straight back here.” Washburrn stood at the top of the spiral staircase. “Medicine or no medicine—is that understood?”
“Look for air pockets,” Tailk the rugged-looking shipbuilder stressed. “The stern’s not completely underwater. There should be one.”
Kyhawn glanced up at Washburrn and nodded respectfully. Aestasol’s feet touched the cold water. “We should stay toward the top and see if there’s an air pocket.”
Kyhawn took a deep breath to calm himself.
Aestasol pointed, “This way, to our left.”
The small group stood at the top of the spiral staircase and watched them completely disappear underwater. They knew the ship was ready to fall into the ocean. All they could do was hope for Kyhawn and Aestasol’s quick return with the badly needed medicine.
As the ship rocked gently in the water making strange sounds as it rubbed against the rocks, Washburrn and the others kept a lookout for the snake-like creatures.
Kyhawn and Aestasol held their breaths as they searched for an air pocket. Kyhawn felt a tug on his leg. Not being able to see well in the murky water, he pulled away. Seconds later, he realized it was only Aestasol gesturing that he had found an air pocket.
Kyhawn followed close behind and emerged, treading water. He took in two lungfuls of air, threw his head back, and wiped the water from his eyes.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Aestasol chuckled. “It is hard to see down there.”
Kyhawn nodded. With only a foot between them, Kyhawn felt he was looking at Earron. With the exception of Aestasol being slimmer than Earron, their features were much alike, and he wasn’t much older than his good friend as well. “Do you know what the lucown bottles look like?”
Aestasol nodded. “You ready?”
Kyhawn swallowed his fear and tried to look prepared for an adventure. “I’m ready when you are.”
“The cabinet could have come loose from the wall. You hunt by the door for it. I’ll look near the windows.”
They both took in a deep breath of air and swam to the floor going in different directions. Kyhawn used his hands to search for the cabinet, but it wasn’t there. When his breath was running out, he returned to the air pocket. A few seconds later Aestasol emerged. Kyhawn wiped a piece of seaweed from his face. “I guess you didn’t find anything either?”
“No, but one of the windows is busted. It’s confusing. Strange thing too, as you’d think the hole in the window would let small fish in.”
As they propped themselves against a wall holding onto a ceiling beam, Kyhawn again started to feel afraid. However, he got up his courage and said, “We should make another attempt before those sea snakes start snooping around.”
Aestasol took a deep breath and let loose of the ceiling beam. They swam down together toward the windows, but there was no sign of the domed-top cabinet. To Kyhawn, even Aestasol was only a blurred image. Aestasol tapped him on the shoulder and pointed, then began struggling to open wooden cabinet doors. Kyhawn came over to help, but in the midst of their efforts, a wave rocked the ship. The room shook. Kyhawn tapped Aestasol’s shoulder, then went to the air pocket. Aestasol quickly followed.
Above the rain continued as the small group on deck reacted to the shaking with the same dread as Kyhawn and Aestasol.
“They’ve been in there too long,” Zeal proclaimed.
Washburrn peered down the narrow staircase into the flooded compartments. “If they haven’t returned in a minute or two, I’ll go down myself.” He slammed the wall on the far side of the staircase and headed out the door under the second floor walkway.
Tailk adjusted his eye patch as he glanced around at the worried looks on everyone’s faces. No one said a word. He finally offered, “Surely they located an air pocket.”
In the murky water below, Kyhawn and Aestasol had returned to the dome-top cabinet. They struggled to stabilize themselves beside it using their daggers to pry the doors open. Kyhawn held them wide while Aestasol reached for the medicine. But before he had a chance to grab it, the ship shifted, then dropped a foot or two, the impact throwing Kyhawn and Aestasol around like seaweed. Kyhawn was tossed in one direction, Aestasol the other.
Still conscious and holding his breath, Kyhawn opened his eyes to find himself only a few feet from the cabinet. His heart raced as he searched for Aestasol, but he couldn’t hold his breath any longer. Frantically he swam to the air pocket, but found himself alone. He filled his lungs to their fullest and dropped again to the floor.
A few seconds passed, then a few more. Kyhawn tried his hardest to remain calm. Suddenly he saw a long, blurred image. He whipped
out his dagger and slashed at it madly, then realized it was only a twisted-up sheet from a bed. He shoved it aside and saw something else moving. A split second later, it stopped. Not being sure whether it was Aestasol, he carefully swam closer and found that it was him. But he was trapped under a flattop cabinet. Aestasol—I’ve got to pull this off him before he drowns. Come on—move! I’ve got to … move it!
Kyhawn shoved upward on the cabinet that bound Aestasol. The motion of the water helped him ease it aside. He grabbed him, one arm under his armpit.
Seconds later, they reached the air pocket. But now the space was only two-thirds its original size.
It’s too cramped for both of us. And there isn’t enough air. But let me see if I can get him to take a breath before we try to get out. Kyhawn took a deep breath himself and dropped under as he fought to keep Aestasol above water. He continued to push upward as he gripped a pipe attached to the wall.
However, the weight was too much for Kyhawn. He surfaced only inches away from Aestasol. Urgently he held Aestasol’s head up near the ceiling. Aestasol’s usual silverish-blue skin was now only a pale blue.
Kyhawn shook him. Aestasol’s eyes rolled back. His head dropped to his shoulders.
Desperate and almost worn out, Kyhawn slapped his face. “Come on—snap out of it!”
When there was no response Kyhawn shoved his hand against Aestasol’s chest.
A few more seconds went by. Kyhawn took hold of Aestasol’s seemingly lifeless body and slammed his chest again.
Aestasol gasped for air and spit in Kyhawn’s face. He opened his bloodshot eyes, looking dazed and breathing rapidly, Kyhawn continued to cradle him. “Can you swim?”
“What happened?”
“Never mind what happened. Can you swim to the stairs?”
Aestasol shook his entire body and made a few odd sounds. “The medicine—did you get it?”
Kyhawn sighed. “I’m afraid not. But I know where it is.” He paused, holding onto Aestasol. “You swim to the stairs. Notify the others. I’ll be up soon.”
Aestasol hesitated. “Okay but .…”
Kyhawn took in some air and swam for the medicine.
The seconds seemed like minutes. Kyhawn finally relocated the cabinet. But which bottles contain the lucown? There are so many different ones. He grabbed a piece of cloth floating nearby to wrap the bottles in, and began to grab them all. The room was swaying when something brushed over his head. He looked up to find Aestasol pointing at the bottles and shaking his head. He pushed Kyhawn aside, grabbed the bottles on the bottom shelf, and shook them at Kyhawn as if they were the correct ones. Kyhawn pointed toward the air pocket. They resurfaced at about the same time.
Aestasol studied the two bottles more closely. He nodded with a tired smile. “We got them,” he said quickly adding, “Where are the ones you got?”
“Tied in a piece of cloth I found. Then I tied it to my shorts, so I can keep my hands free.”
Aestasol nodded, “Good idea.” He quickly took off his uniform scarf, and secured the two bottles he had retrieved within. “Hold this,” he said, reaching for his dagger, he punched a hole in his shorts, and returned his dagger to its sheath. Seconds later he too had secured his bottles to his shorts.
Their lungs full of air, they dropped under and started for the staircase. But a split second later, Kyhawn found himself swimming alone. He turned around. One of the snake-like creatures had grabbed Aestasol’s foot and started pulling him out the window.
Aestasol went for his dagger, but dropped it.
Kyhawn got out his dagger, swam over to the window, and sliced the snake in two. He dropped his dagger, grabbed Aestasol, and they quickly swam for the door as two larger snake-like creatures entered through the window.
The ground began to shake. The ship made a horrid ripping sound. Yet when they were only inches away from grabbing Kyhawn’s leg, the sea creatures vanished into the darkness.
Looking up, Kyhawn realized that Zeal and Tobben had come down the spiral staircase and entered the water. Zeal quickly realized Aestasol was hurt and gave Kyhawn a hand in taking him topside. Fortunately the rain had stopped. Once all were up, the three carried Aestasol to the main deck where Washburrn and the others awaited them.
Aestasol was limp and dazed as though he felt nothing at all. Zeal and Tobben hurried to get him off the sinking ship. Washburrn grabbed Kyhawn and along with the others they ran for the rocks.
Someone screamed. Tailk swung his dagger at a large snake-like creature, but it was too late for Callon, one of the crew. The snake creature had coiled itself around him, piercing his flesh with it sharp claws that seem to cover its underside. It looked more like a tentacle then a snake, thought Tailk as he lay on his back in pain only to watch his new friend being taken underwater. They all hurried to the front of the ship, afraid they’d be next if they didn’t move fast enough.
An enormous sea creature slammed onto the deck in front of Tobben and Zeal. The tremors continued as the ship dropped another few feet. Another snake slapped at Zeal and all three of them hit the deck. As Zeal drew his sword, Tobben rolled over to see a snake coming at him. Up close, they could see some of the creatures had faces and some didn’t. One of the strange creatures went for Aestasol and within a few seconds had him in its grip. Zeal staggered to his feet and swung his sword at it, shouting a few choice words. From his opposite side another snake like creature slapped him against the building. He swung his sword at it slicing it into. The severed end of the serpent like creature flopped around on the deck.
Tobben rushed to help his friend Zeal. Washburrn fired his pistol at the creature holding Aestasol, but it didn’t seem to do much good. Two more shots were fired.
At the same time, Kyhawn had managed to put on his trousers and boots, he also managed to place the bottles he recovered wrapped in a cloth, he tied them to the railing near the bow of the ship where they had climbed aboard. He wished he had some arrows and a bow, somehow thinking that might help. Nevertheless he grabbed a sword from Washburrn and attempted to save Aestasol along with Zeal and Tobben. But the Sealander was in motion, slipping ever further into the ocean. Kyhawn slipped on the leaning deck and fell flat on his back. He dropped the sword but grabbed it just in time. A snake creature slammed the deck beside him, then reared up and came down at him. Kyhawn swung the sword cutting the snake in two. He got to his feet, but Aestasol’s body had been carried over the side into the dark, cold ocean.
The tremors continued, and it started to rain again as a loud cracking sound echoed the deck. The second steam stack crashed into the water. Once more the snake-like creatures had disappeared into the darkness.
Moments later, there was a horrid screech as the ship came completely free from the rocks. The stern vanished under the waves. There was a loud scream. Tobben had slipped and hurt his back. “Zeal—get over here!” he shouted, lying on the main deck, he rolled over onto his stomach. The water touched his feet, then began sucking him under.
Zeal grabbed hold of him. Kyhawn too ran to his rescue, and together they managed to drag him to safety.
As they helped Tobben over the railing where Washburrn and Treb stood waiting, the ship stopped sinking.
Kyhawn climbed over the railing. It must be caught on more rocks, he thought as he untied the bottles.
They carefully helped Tobben down the net and over the rocks on to the beach, where Dylc, Jayden, Bekim, and a few others who had remained behind came up to help.
Not much was said on their walk back to camp; they were in a sad daze. Dylc spoke up, “Did you get the medicine?”
As the rain pounded on the leaves above them, and filtered its way to the ground they treaded upon, all eyes were on Kyhawn. He shook his head. “Aestasol. He had the two bottles we needed.” He lowered his head, taking a bottle from the cloth. “I managed to grab these. But Aestasol … they’re gone now.” He sighed deeply. “Along with him.” He hardly knew him, but he felt for his loss, especially as for a while
he thought he’d saved his life.
“No medicine.” Dylc frowned. There wasn’t much anyone could say, as at this point there was no medication to heal the captain or any others who needed the lucown.
All was quiet as Washburrn wrapped his cloak around Kyhawn. He nodded with a thankful look. Washburrn returned the gesture then began to stare at their tropical surroundings on both sides of the trail, noticing the many different colored flowers. He looked at them as if they were a clue for him to remember something, but then seemed to shake off the thought. He turned to Kyhawn. “This land being here where there should be only water seems unreal.” He discreetly grasped the book he’d been reading, which was now tucked inside his long vest under his cloak, treating it as a safety net from all of this madness. “A white flower,” he said as though a hidden door had opened in his mind.
Kyhawn looked at him oddly. “I’ve seen some … what about them?”
“White flowers surrounded the tree where I found that shoe.” Washburrn raised an eyebrow. “We need to tell everyone to stay away from all trees possessing white flowers.” He mumbled bitterly, “If there was a God, I’d curse him—or her.”
Before they reached camp, Washburrn told everyone among them about the two Zacs who had come ashore with him. Without saying anything about the chest, he explained what he thought might have happened to them.
“A white flower tree that eats Zacs,” Dylc said scornfully. “I think that flu’s making you delirious, Washburrn.”
Washburrn avoided Dylc’s comment by turning to Kyhawn. As they trailed behind the others, Kyhawn once again told Washburrn about the necklace he had found in Room 10.
“We should keep that fact to ourselves,” Washburrn said to him softly. “It might be a clue—a clue that could indeed connect the killer, or killers to the deaths of Korts and Turnar. Whoever tied them up must have been a land-Zac, because a seafaring Zac would have used different knots.” He paused. “That’s what Alil told me. They were the knots of a land-Zac.”
When they arrived at camp, the news had already spread about their experience on the Sealander.
“It’s a miracle the buildings here are still sanding.” Alil hugged Washburrn. “By golly, those giant sea snakes? You all are lucky to be alive.” She stepped back a few feet. “But what are we supposed to do now for the ones who need the lucown?”
“I’m sorry, Alil.” Washburrn scratched his whiskers. “I don’t know.” He lowered his head and slowly turned it from side to side.
Alil went on about the need of the medicine.
Washburrn placed his hands on her shoulders. “Aestasol didn’t make it …”
She continued on for a brief moment longer before realizing what her dear friend and colleague was telling her. “Didn’t make it. What do you mean didn’t make it?” she slowly realized what he did mean. She took a deep breath and turned away. Her hands over her face in tears. “No…oh no. It can’t be. He was my responsibility. Oh Washburrn please tell me he’s not dead.”
Washburrn explained in the most gentle way he knew how. But it didn’t seem to matter; dead was dead. And there was nothing anyone could do about it.
“And we can’t even give him a proper burial,” she fell into his arms with a cry.
Shellean and most everyone else were also devastated by the bad news of Willow, Aestasol, Callon and the medicine. Soon after they buried the bodies they did have, in the graveyard, about a half mile from camp, behind the kitchen and shower cabin.
On their return the camp was quiet. And despite the gloomy faces, Washburrn and Kyhawn decided this would be a suitable time to question all the remaining new crew-Zacs. For the moment, their need to know more about Emit over powered the strong grief they were feeling. When they asked Shellean about Emit, she quickly responded that she hadn’t known him before the voyage. None of the other new crew-Zacs had anything more to add, and none were wearing a necklace with an abstract bird.
When they question Jayden again, Dylc jumped in. “I told you before,” he shoved Washburrn, “I’m sick and tired of your ways of doing things.”
Washburrn pushed Dylc’s arm aside, got in Jayden’s face.
Dylc approached with revenge, but before he could get a word in Jayden stepped between them. “I can speak for myself, Dylc, sir.”
Dylc reluctantly stepped aside.
Washburrn gave Dylc a respectful bow, “Now if you don’t mind….” He turned to Jayden. “Your records when you signed on, mentioned that you sailed on the same ship with Emit a few years back. Now I’ll ask you ones more … did you or did you not befriend him before your employment on the Sealander?”
Ones again Dylc shoved Washburrn aside. “I dare you to accuse him of treason!”
Washburrn looked like he wanted to slug him but was holding himself back. “I’m not accusing anyone of anything.” He stared at Jayden. “Just tell me, did you know him or not?”
Dylc spoke sharply, “Go on and tell him what you told me.”
“It was a large ship. I was only on it for a short while.” He hesitated with a cough. “But to answer you question, I knew of him, but we weren’t mates. Only worked alongside him when the need called for it.”
Washburrn gave him a suspicious look, glanced at Dylc, who wanted to clamp him in shackles, but he knew the X-detective was too valuable a Zac to execute the idea. Instead, Dylc grabbed hold of Jayden and walked toward the medic cabin. Washburrn nodded to one side at Kyhawn to follow him. And he returned to the sleeping cabin with Kyhawn by his side. It was hopeless—no one admitted knowing Emit as a comrade before the Sealander voyage. And worst of all, there was no medicine.