* * *
A little later, Dylc, who deep down, was a good-hearted Zac. But he didn’t want the responsibility of being in charge, and even worse, he envied Washburrn’s courage. Dylc stood in the center of camp to say a few words. “Listen to me everyone—please give me your full attention.” Dylc looked around, seemingly unsure of his command. “Based on the best of our knowledge, we’ll be here for at least a week or two before another ship is scheduled to pass these waters. It all depends on the weather.”
“Two weeks…” Malla complained, sitting next to her husband Kyltic. “It’s cold and wet here. Shouldn’t a tropical island be warm?”
“Yes,” complained another passenger. “It’s too darn bloody cold here ... wherever we are. I’m on vacation.” He glanced around at the others. “I paid a lot of tiallup to set sail across the Zacton Ocean on that Sealander.” Many others started to complain as well about the accommodations and the weather being cooler then one might expect from a tropical environment.
Dylc raised his arms waving them back and forth trying to calm everyone down. Finally Dylc managed to quiet the group. “There is nothing we can do about the weather. And as far as I’m concern, it’s the least of our problems.” He paused, trying to think what the captain might have said in this situation. “We’re hoping the bonfire will act as a beacon to capture the attention of a passing ship. And please, help each other. Most importantly, even though this place seems deserted, don’t go off by yourself. And there’s no swimming in the ocean.”
After a longer pause, he continued. “I’m sure all of you are wondering how we managed to get shipwrecked. For now all I can tell you is … the storm threw us off course.” He paused. “I know it’s late, but with the help of a few volunteers, Darhcir has prepared a good meal. If you’re hungry, enjoy it, and be thankful we’re alive.”
Washburrn rose from the log on which he’d been sitting. “Dylc, warn them about the white flower trees.”
Dylc waved his hand as though Washburrn were speaking nonsense. But when he looked around at everyone’s curious expressions, he added, “And by all means stay away from any trees that have white flowers growing on, or around them. Washburrn claims two Zacs have already been eaten by them.”
Of course this rumor had already spread throughout camp, but hearing Dylc mention it only intensified their fright at the thought of being eaten alive. A male Zac in a fancy garment clutched his pet caterpillar. While at the same time a mother held close her child.
As everyone waited for the food to be served up, Kyhawn and Washburrn used Kyhawn’s lead stick and parchment pad to draw up a list of everyone present. They then asked the crowd to look around and tell them who was missing other than those known to have perished.
An elderly lady in a fancy dress sitting next to a fire-pit stood up. “The geologist and his two children aren’t here,” she said, turning to her Oowed. She gave him an empty cup for him to refill for her.
“They were here earlier,” one passenger volunteered. “They went exploring over that way.”
Tailk, the shipbuilder, cleared his throat. “His name’s Gerit. I’m not sure about the names of his young lads, but his wife was one of those we buried.”
Dylc turned toward the medic cabin where the captain lay, as though seeking his guidance. He glanced back at them. “We can get their names when they return.”
“Actually, here they are now.” Tailk motioned toward three approaching figures.
The geologist and his two sons came close to the fire-pit nearest the mountain behind them. “We’ve been exploring.” Gerit pointed to his left, as he stood on the far side of camp between the fire-pit and the mountain behind him, “That way a few miles.”
Dylc twisted his mustache, his neck twitching. “We’re drawing up a list of everyone, so you’ll need to give your names to Kyhawn.”
“Wait!” Gerit said excitedly. “We found an extraordinary cave.”
Dylc gave him a tired look. “First give Kyhawn the information.”
After Gerit had done so, Washburrn smiled at him. “Now you can tell us about this cave adventure of yours.”
Gerit spit out the leaf he’d been chewing on. “There was this cave with tree roots draped all around the entrance, but the opening to it was large. Remarkable, it was. Remarkable,” he said as his sons stood in front of him, both chewing on something. He placed a hand on the heads of each of his sons. “We went inside. At first the cave appeared normal except for one small area on the back wall where there was a hole. We got really excited. You need to keep in mind, I am a geologist, and I do know my cave markings.”
“Yes—yes, please get on with it. I’ve had a long day.” Washburrn rubbed his weary eyes.
“The real fascinating thing is that the marking, this hole, was in the shape of a keyhole. There was even an outline of what might possibly be a door.”
Washburrn raised an eyebrow at Kyhawn as Dylc chuckled and said, “I’ve heard enough. I’ll be at the captain’s bedside if anyone needs me,” He said, adding in a soft voice as he went to the medic cabin. “Keyholes in a cave wall… nonsense.”
However, Kyhawn was curious about the unknown, and wanted to hear more of the story. “Please excuse them, they’ve had a long day. But tell me again—you found a door in the back wall of this cave?”
Gerit patted both of his son’s heads again. “There isn’t much else to tell. But yes, I think there may be a passageway just beyond that cave wall.” Gerit knelt between his sons and held them close. “Did you all feel those tremors earlier today?
Kyhawn nodded, “Yes, but go on.”
Gerit dropped his arms to his side. “That’s about it. After the second tremor, I felt we should do our exploring elsewhere, so we ventured on ….”
“Dad,” the eldest son tugged on Gerit’s cloak, “tell him about the dragonflies.”
“There were a lot of dragonflies hanging from the ceiling. I’ve never seen them so large, but they were harmless. Though I must say, they did give us a fright at first.” He paused. “They’re good eating, if you know how to cook them.”
“That’s if you can catch one,” the younger son piped up.
Gerit eased his sons aside and looked at Kyhawn. “Anytime you want to go with us, I’ll take you there.”
“I’d like that.” Kyhawn smiled. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt a connection between the cave and the sandcastles.
Gerit slipped a pouch off his shoulder. “I also know my herbs. Just another hobby of mine, but I find them quite magical. That’s if one takes the time to understand them.” He rested the pouch on the ground, loosened the drawstring, and reached inside. “Knowing we were low on medicine, I thought these might do us some good.” He gave a leaf to Kyhawn. “Eat one. It comes from a plant called zuetia. Cures infections and eases pain. Might help us get rid of this darn flu going around. Plenty more where this came from.” He pointed to the far side of the path that led to the ruins. “We picked them at that waterfall lake. There are a lot of them growing on both sides of the waterfall.”
All eyes were now on Gerit.
Alil, Shellean and Dylc, who had heard the commotion came from the medic cabin and quickly approached. Before long most everyone had gathered around Gerit and his two sons. One of the passengers by the name of Professor Romeous stepped forward. The elderly Zac introduced himself. He studied a leaf closely. “This is indeed a zuetia. I too know plants.”
“You’re a lifesaver!” Shellean held a few leaves and cried as she embraced Gerit, and everyone rejoiced. Gerit and his two sons were the heroes of the moment. Even Dylc gave Gerit a big hug. Before the hour was over, Gerit’s pouch of zuetia leaves had been emptied out as Kyhawn related their frustrating experience onboard trying to retrieve medicine from the Sealander.