Chapter 58. On the Waves Again, I Just Can’t Wait.

  To the far north

  The burrowers had slowly adapted to life in their new home. The caves and dugouts were familiar and this helped, but the environment helped more. With wood closer and much more abundant the families could spend more time living and growing, as compared to a few months ago. The temperature was warmer here, more snow but less ice, the folk hadn’t realized what a difference this was. Now that the winter equinox had come and gone the days were lighter longer, just making things better. The fence around the burrow area was strong and high now, watch posts looking over the compound gave an unparalleled view of the surroundings. In time the fence would be extended as needed, more caverns dug out of the limestone below. Still though there was a concern. The ground shakes had subsided but never really ended. Several families had constructed above ground dwelling’s now rather than the traditional burrows. Rock walls piled high and interlocked, a thatched roof reinforced with solid logs. Harder to build but giving security from possible cave ins. This hadn’t happened yet, but the threat was here and most families were not willing to risk their future on a hope.

  One such family was the Obbs. Katya and Therd were not willing to take any risks with their children and had been one of the first to build the above ground dwelling. The cottage was still partially dug into the ground with the foundations dug 6 feet down, Therd felt that even if there was a bad shake and collapsed the building there would still be a good chance of survival, and being below the frost line meant the cottage was warmer. The older boys of the family were coming and going from the far camps, by the mountains. Tens of days travel from here to there by sled, risky in bad weather, even for these experienced people. Tor had just come home after a arduous trek, he and Arno’s oldest daughter Giselle had been on the trail for the past month, they brought news of the camp. How the herds were doing, any accidents, that sort of thing. “Do you get over Jeri?”, Katya teased her son. He rolled his eyes, “Mother, Giselle could come back at any time. She’s good friends with Jeri and knows I was just being silly then. The only one that girl will ever be interested in is the captain, even after these months.”. His mother sighed “How romantic.”.

  “How were the earth shakes near the mountains, they were bad here, but then stopped?”, Katya asked. Tor shook his head “They were awful for a while, we couldn’t stay in the caves but had to build shelters outside, caves started collapsing. Then it stopped, moved on maybe?”. “Well I’m glad it’s over, we can enjoy living again, now tell me more about Giselle.” Katya teased.

  Laketowns busy days

  The Rose was a bit of a beehive of activity, crew quarters being readied, supplies stored and menus readied, the boys room construction was nearly done, just needed the head door fitted on. “I don’t want to be weird guys but.”, Will was addressing the two lads. Sitting on their beds, he was cross legged between them. “You do know what a bathroom is, what the toilet and sink are for right, I only ask because the last time I saw you guys you were using a litter box.”, how embarrassing he thought but had to ask. Ron nodded and took a sip of his tea, “We just knew all of a sudden, when we were growing still.”, he gestured at Percy to continue. “We came here as cats, but started changing soon after. Starting to talk, think, stand up. From where he brought us through, then to here was a while, we don’t know how long. But then we just knew things, to wear clothes, and yes father how to use a toilet.”. “Even if we didn’t have one’ and had to pee in the bushes.” Ron added. There was a knock on the door and when Percy opened it he found a grinning Minnie, “All done your private talkie, about knowing how to pee properly? Dad had to ask me the same thing, don’t worry. I told him I use his shoes, like I always did.”. Ron had to laugh hearing that, so did Percy. Will just sighed.

  Now that was out of the way there was another meeting to be had, deciding what role the boys would have on the boat. Ron had decided early on that he was more comfortable belowdeck, helping Naomi with her tasks and duties. Percy had thought to be more on the running of the boat, repairing and maintaining systems, learning to pilot. An assistant and aide to Minnie and Will. So with a little ceremony on the bow, complete with a cake and tea, the two boys were made official third mates of the steamship Rose. Will showed them his palm with the tattoo of a rose etched deep into his skin, Minnie and Naomi held theirs beside his. “We’ll have another ceremony after this gathering trip, to bond with the Rose, it’s a tradition now, we would do it now, but I’m not sure how you’ll react.”, Will said, “Minnie and I passed out, I woke up pretty quickly but Min was out for a while, Naomi stayed awake but was tired for a few days. So we’ll wait.”.

  Travis had dropped off the sleeping bags and had a tour of the boat. What seemed so small on the waters was massive up close. The broad sweeping main deck, with various benches and tool boxes, storage lockers and so on, then below to the quarters, galley and mess,then the lowest deck. The engine and boiler room, coal bunker, and the cavernous fore and aft holds. Supply and tool rooms, cold weather gear storage, emergency supplies and more. “Thank you captain, I never went on a voyage and I’m getting on, feeling nervous getting near but I loved to see all this while I still could. I hope the bags work out, I have the next batch ready when you return.”. Naomi saw him up and out, escorted down the quay to his wagon and she returned quickly. “That was okay, wasn’t it dad, that I asked him to make more sleeping sacks?”, she asked. Will nodded “Yup, you’re in charge of this, if you want them made her and not Newton that’s fine with me.”. Minnie had a thought then, “Hey did you find out if that equipment is here, the piling driver? You were going to ask Stephen.”. Will laughed “Nope, completely forgot. Maybe we’ll go to the tavern for a meal tonight, he’ll probably be there. Regina might know too, how does that sound?”. The consensus was overwhelmingly yes, so a few more things were going to be finished off, them cleanup and out.

  Will finished hanging the facility door on the hinges and tested the fit, straight and true and shut well without binding. He had built a closet area on the side of the small water closet, for any kind of storage they might need, and looking over his handiwork he patted the hull of the boat, “Did the best I could sweetheart.”. Packing up his hand tools and cleaning up a bit of shavings and dust he exited the small room. Walking down the corridor on the mid deck he could see into the gathering crew quarters. The bunks neatly made up with the sleeping bags resting on top of the sturdy mattresses. Should save us some work, it was getting a bit much washing all that bedding, he thought. Checking the radiator valves were open, in case of cooler weather, Will did a final check, yup this rooms ready. Taking a look at the identical room across the corridor he did the same in opening the radiators up as well. The galley was fairly bursting with supplies, the larder and pantries full as can be. “Just need the fresh stuff, we’ll get that when we get the kiddies though.”, the words made him jump a bit. He hadn’t noticed Naomi come in behind him. “Oh yeah.”, he nodded after recovering, “This could be a longer trip.”. He looked at the calendar, today was January the fourth, “We’ll take tomorrow off, it’s part of the weekend anyway, and leave on Monday. Sound good?”. She nodded “Fine with me, I’d rather be on the water anyway, I don’t like the feel of dry land too much anymore.”. Truth be told, Will felt the same way. When they were on deep water everything just felt better, he slept sounder too and had a better appetite.

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  Wandering around the boat he was looking for everyone, he knew where Naomi was but had no clue where Minnie and the boys were. No one on the lounge, he knew their cabin was empty, his and Minnie’s were clear too. Lower deck was the same, engine room was empty, storage and workrooms, nothing. Must all be upon deck, doing what though? Climbing up the stairs to the deck he could finally hear voices, coming from the bow. “When you cast you have to flip this thing back, hold it with your thumb then release it casting forward, like this.”, Minnie said. Walking quietly he saw all three standing near the bow, rods in hand. They were practicing casting, and looking pretty good. He was just hanging back, looking at his little family when it happened. Percy made a mighty cast but forgot to let go of the line and followed the lure into the lake. “”Eeeeeeek.” came a high pitched scream followed by splashing and gurgling. Minnie was off and into the water like a shot, seconds later Percy was tossed back on the deck like a wet bag of fur. He landed on his feet and looked around in shock. Will was happy to see he was wearing his lifebelt, Minnie popped back on board beside the drenched little guy. “You have to remember to let go of the line or that happens.”, she said kindly. Will couldn’t help it, his stifled laugh broke out. Ron joined in, even as he handed his angry brother a towel to wrap around. A clatter of feet behind announced Naomi’s arrival, “Dad, what did you do to Percy?”. “Wasn’t me.”, he laughed, “Total accident, someone forgot to let go while casting.”. “Oh, well we’ve all done that. Remember Minnie?”, she said. “Nope, no idea what you talking about, nothing happened, wasn’t me it ever did.”, Minnie countered.

  After drying his fur, and getting into dry clothes the fishing lessons started up again. As they sat or stood by the rail casting away the two boys were getting the hang of things. Wills luck was getting better, he had caught and released a couple of little guys, Minnie had done the same but hers were a better size, same with Naomi. Ron let out a squeak of excitement and was fumbling with his rod as a fish bit his lure and bit hard, then started pulling hard. “What do I do, just pull and pull?”, he screeched. Will held the rod steady, for just a moment, “Crank the reel, pull up a little, then crank and pull until you see the fish in the water, then we’ll scoop it with a net.”. At that same time Percy had also had a bite and it was a strong one, the rod pulled and shook in his little arms. Naomi went to help him, just a bit though. He was bracing his foot on the rail and hauling back on the rod as hard as he could. “Wonder if it’s a sea monster?”, Minnie asked helpfully. Will shrugged “Might be one of those huge sharps, remember? The ones that tried to eat us up north.”. The look on the little guys face was amusing, but Will knew it was nothing of the sort, he had seen the silver floater threshing in the water. Ron had brought his in, a good sized floater. Holding it proudly. Percy finally managed to bring his close and Minnie snapped it with the net. “Wow, that’s a big fish Perce, nice catch!”, she said admiringly. Nearly as tall as he was and fat. “Do you see it, I caught it Ron, my fish is bigger, hahaha I got one.”, he was dancing around with glee. “Good job boys,we can keep them for dinner if you like, have fish and chips.”, Will asked. “Yeah let’s do that guys, eat their first catch, with nummy chips.” Minnie answered for them. And it was decided, the others started fishing a little more seriously, needed more fish. Will didn’t bother, he had more fun watching his little family having a great time. And someone had to clean them, might as well be him.

  The fish bucket had filled fast and after an hour they had plenty for dinner, probably enough for third helpings for all, and that was fine by Will. While he was waiting for more fish, he had cleaned and prepped the grill. Fresh wood instead of charcoal, big pot of oil clamped to the burner besides, batter mixed, two big cast iron pans for the fish ready to go. A mountain of chips had started frying to golden delights, battered fish doing the same. Minnie and Naomi had dashed below for plates and silverware. Ron and Percy were still practicing casting, but that turned into a mess around splash game that no one won. Looked like it was a bath night tonight.

  The sun was dropping fast, even though it wasn’t cold here the days were still shorter than the endless summer ones. Will lit the bow lamp and pulled his sweater on, his Christmas present. Ron had been sitting close, sorting through some floss for his first attempt. He sniffed at Will sweater, “Smells nice, like sheepy, saw them before when we first came here.”. Dinner being ready he asked Ron to ring the dinner bell, everyone had kind of scattered to wash off fishing goo. Ringing the bell with glee the missing crew stampeded on deck, apparently starving now. Filling plates and settling to eat took a few minutes. “One of my favourites you know, along with shrimpies, I love them the most I think.”, Minnie said through a mouthful of fish. “What are shrimpies?”, Percy asked. “Little slimy sea bugs, we catch them a couple of times a year, good spot a few hundred miles from here.”, Will answered. “Sea bugs, are they crunchy, cause I likes a crunchy bug now and then.”, Percy said as Naomi looked at him in horror. “We fry them in butter, or deep fry in batter, or boiled and cold with spicy sauce.”, Minnie replied. Will had a question for the boys, “Can you tell me anything about the person who brought you here? Elaith is how I know him, did he give you a name?”. “No, we weren’t really us then, he was nice though, smelled good too, like tea.”, Ron answered, his voice soothed by a cuppa. Percy went on, he was resting between his second helping anyway, “One minute we were nosing around, smelling you and Minnie, then he was there and we were different. He asked what we were doing, told him looking for you and he brought us to this place.”, he took a sip of his milk. Then went on “It was nicer here, where we came from it was so cold, and we were so hungry all the time, but he just snapped his fingers and there was no snow anymore or ice, our feet hurt all the time, and my ears were sore.”. He was getting a bit upset and Minnie sat beside him and put her arm over his shoulder, “You’re safe now little bro, never gonna be hungry like that again .”. “That’s right, you guys are home now, and forever.”, Will said, raising his glass, “To Elaith, wherever you are, whatever you are, thank you for bringing our family here, and thanks again for the life you gave to Minnie and I. Cheers!”.

  In a place that is not on any map

  A certain being felt a thought coming to a facet of their mind, a facet they had developed to enjoin with anyone lesser than them, and to be honest, every other person in existence was a lesser being. But immortality gave him/it/she/them an appreciation for everything and was grateful to be remembered/worshipped/thought of in a nice manner.

  Their evening continued on, the fish and chips a fond memory now. Naomi and Will had whipped up some sticky gingerbread and that too was disappearing fast. They had tried cards but were too full to concentrate and were now just sitting, watching the stars. Leftovers and scraps had gone over the side to feed the fishies and the dishes were quickly done. Will was pointing out various constellations that really only made sense to Minnie, their navigation skill was tied to the stars. Naomi had a bit of the talent but hadn’t developed it too much and to the two others the stars were just a beautiful mishmash. They were both dozing in the comfortable chairs and eventually Will picked up Ron’s limp form and Naomi carried tiny Percy. Carrying them down to their warm bedroom he tucked them into bed, “You’re safe and sound here my boys, never going to be hungry or cold, here your loved.”, he murmured as he looked at their sleeping forms. “They’re gonna be lots of fun dad, wonder what they’ll be when they grow up.”, Minnie asked as they readied for bed. “I think there’s a lot of growing coming soon.”, Will answered as he hit the head. Coming out he saw Minnie was sitting on the bed with a blank look, checking her Menu apparently. Hmmm, Will thought and clicked that mental switch.

  Menu

  William Harris

  Age 35 (stabilized)

  Intelligence 41/50

  Strength 50/50 Maximum level.

  Vitality 48/50

  Stamina 48/50

  Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner ,

  Captain of the heartboat Rose

  Minnie Harris

  Best dog of all

  Age 17

  Intelligence 22/25

  Strength 24/25

  Vitality 24/25

  Stamina 24/25

  Affinities for fishing, swimming, husbandry, mariner

  First Mate of the heartboat Rose

  *The tinker skill has been upgraded*

  Naomi 0’Malley

  Age 18

  Intelligence 38/50

  Strength 43/50

  Vitality 40/50

  Stamina 44/50

  Affinities for cooking, fishing, gardening, swimming, mariner

  Second Mate of the heartboat Rose

  Ron Harris

  Was once a cat, changing from day to day.

  Affinities for needlework and tailoring.

  Third mate of the heartboat Rose

  No skills.

  Percy Harris

  Was once a cat, changing from day to day.

  Affinities for gardening.

  Third mate of the heartboat Rose

  No skills.

  “Hey, I got your last name finally, like officially from the menu thing, the boyos too, nice huh.”, Minnie chortled happily. Yes, it was pretty nice indeed.