At Sea

The bearded man stepped into the inn. He looked about the dark room and noticed that there were few travelers. Not unusual for such a night as it was. The fog off the sea was thick. The few lanterns along the roads of the small fishing village, glowed dimly. The inn had one lamp in the center of the room. Three men sat playing cards. One looked up and saw the man standing in the doorway.

“Come, my fellow traveler, and join our game of cards,” he called out, cheerily.

The bearded man shook his head.

“Come now! Don’t be shy," said the man at the table.

With a shrug, the bearded man crossed the room and sat down.

“Ah, that’s better, my friend! Now what does ye call yourself?”

“Barlow,” said the bearded man, gruffly.

“Barlow it is!” exclaimed the other. Then studying the bearded man carefully, “Though, from the looks of it, that’s not the name you were born to,” continuing reassuringly, “Now, now! My good fellow. I don’t say something’s wrong with the name. Barlow suits you just fine. There ain’t much in a name, anyhow.”

Thereupon, they started a game of cards. The stake went high, and the man called Barlow, seemed to have a stroke of luck.

“There now, that’s the last of me money,” declared the other man, who seemed to be named Payton.

Then, as he drew a losing hand, he watched the last of his money disappear.

“Ah, that’s too bad, and me with a wife and young un’s.” said Payton, ruefully.

Then he watched in amazement as Barlow carefully divided all the money between the others.

“Hey! What are you doing? Are you giving all the money back?”

“I don’t need it,” muttered Barlow, “And you do.”

Then raising his voice, he called out, “Innkeeper! Is there a room I could have for the night?”

The innkeeper hurried from the back room, “Yes, milord. Right this way.” And the two disappeared up a rickety staircase.

The other three sat, staring at the piles of money before them.

“Well, I’ll be!” exclaimed Payton, “He done give us back all our money! Now, that is a good man!” turning to the others, he said, “I propose a toast in the honor of our friend Barlow!”

The three lifted their mugs of ale and drank heartily.

“Ah. Too bad he’s not here right now,” Payton said, “But, fellows, I vote that in the morning we find out what he’s after and give him a hand. What do you think, fellas?”

“Aye, aye!” called out the others. With that, the three turned in for the night.

The man called Barlow rose the next morning and descended the stairs. He was greeted by loud cheers. The three men sat down with him.

“Now, me lad, to return the favor, we’d like to give ye a hand. Lad, what are you seeking?”

“I wish to take passage in a ship,” answered Barlow.

“Ah! As a passenger or part of the crew?” asked Payton.

“Part of the crew," replied Barlow.

“And what experience have ye at sea?” inquired Payton.

“None, but I am willing to learn,” said Barlow.

“All righty! You’ll ship out before dark!” exclaimed Payton, “Me and my buddies will put in a good word for you with the cap’n. we’re mighty short of hands, presently. He’ll be glad of a chance to get an able-bodied man.”

The sailor was right. The captain took him on, and by that evening, they were at sea in the Fairy Princess.

* * * * *

King Raymond stood looking through the grate of the door. Kylos sat on one of the narrow cots, his head in his hands. King Raymond looked over at him.

“Kylos, you needn’t look so downcast. We will be fine,” he said quietly.

“Yes, I know,” Kylos said, his voice muffled in his hands, “But I’m worried about Adara. If Lord Garth has her in his power…”

“I had forgotten. Yes, your sister is in greater danger than us. She is only a girl. I hope she will be safe,” King Raymond said.

He laid his hand on Kylos’s shoulder. The boy trembled. “Father, if he even so much as touches Adara, I’ll…”

“Yes, yes,” said King Raymond, “I know. But there is no point in losing your temper. I only wish I knew what Lord Garth wanted.”

* * * * *

Adara paced her narrow cell. Where did Lord Garth have Kylos and King Raymond? She hoped that he had not harmed them. Because if he had, Adara clenched her fists.

Days passed. Lord Garth remained in the palace, seeing no one. Though King Raymond had requested a hearing, Lord Garth refused. Adara stayed in her tower chamber, and King Raymond and Kylos in the dungeon cell.

* * * * *

The moon was behind a cloud. A few stars glimmered in the night sky. The lone guard on the battlements stood silent, his musket leaning against the wall next to him. His eyes swept rapidly about the silent courtyard.

It was Walter, and he looked preoccupied. He had seen the man enter the courtyard that day, and had recognized him as Lord Garth, the King’s counselor. What, wondered Walter, was he doing here? He felt faintly irritated with himself. Why did he have to get mixed up in this?

It was then that Walter decided that he would leave. Glancing about, he saw no one. He carefully lowered himself over the wall. His feet scraped the wall, as he searched for footholds. When he found some, he cautiously climbed down. He hit the ground with a soft thud. Picking himself up, he ran into the forest and disappeared among the trees.

* * * * *

The ship tossed to and forth on the rough sea. The wind shrieked overhead. The man in the oil slicker clung to the rail. Slowly he made his way to the captain’s quarters. Opening the door, a gust of wind blew him inside. The door slammed behind him. The captain looked up.

“You sent for me, Sir?” asked Barlow, for it was he.

“Yes,” replied the captain, “You, Barlow, have caught on quickly. I need a third mate. I thought I’d ask you, first. You are better fit than most for responsibility.”

“I’d be glad to, Sir,” said Barlow.

“Good!” said the captain, shouting to be heard above the wind, “This fog is so thick, I’m afraid we might run into an island of sorts. There are many around here.”

As if the ship had heard him, there came a crunching sound, and the Fairy Princess shook from bow to stern.

“We hit something!” cried the captain. They hurried on deck. The Fairy Princess had sailed directly into the rocks off the shore of an island.

“We’re going to sink!” shouted the captain, “Man the lifeboats!”

The lifeboats were lowered one by one. The captain and Barlow stood watching them. The first flipped over, and the occupants disappeared. A few heads appeared, only to disappear seconds later. The second boat smashed on the rocks. Barlow took a deep breath as he stepped into the last boat.

“Well, lad,” shouted the captain, “Maybe we’ll make it! I doubt it, but we can always hope!”

With that, the boat pushed away from the ship. Through the wind and rain, they watched the Fairy Princess sink into the dark water.

A wave hit the rowboat, flipping it over. As he disappeared into the murky water, Barlow thought to himself, “Adrian, you shouldn’t have ever left Adara with that man. But now, it’s too late.” Under the water he went, and then, everything went black.

End of Chapter Six

(Wow, I can't believe that I was only 13 when I wrote this. I felt SO old back then! Let me know if you want to be tagged when new chapters come out!)