The Scarlet King by Charles Kaluza Page B

which
created several small caves. It looked out to sea but had not the
safety of the harbor. The shore was reached only by scaling the
cliff, but a small beach area was present at low tides. They
arrived back at the main camp after darkness had fully developed.
The others had already begun the evening meal.
    Only after the meal was finished did they
report what they had found. Jason was most excited about having
seen many new birds, but those listening were most interested in
the comfort and safety the caves represented. They discussed at
length the work involved in moving their camp and all decided the
effort was worth it. Larby expressed his concern about leaving the
ship, and Jason agreed that the ship represented a valuable
resource. He doubted the ship would ever again float but the planks
aboard the ship could be used to build other boats. A compromise
was reached and the main camp would be moved, but a work party
would be kept to harvest as much lumber as possible from the
ship.
    The peace delegates from the North and South
Kingdoms had never been involved with physical labor, and the move
was particularly hard for them despite the help from the others.
Larby and one of the guards stayed behind to work on harvesting
materials for a boat. Jeremy and Edna became the primary providers,
using their skills as hunters to provide meat enough for everyone.
Jeremy was forever experimenting with the roots and seeds they
found, trying to determine what was edible.
    The caves were small but well protected after
they had erected walls of driftwood and fronds from the trees. They
had a central cooking and eating area. Jason continually encouraged
those who had never worked to participate more fully in the general
welfare of the group, but they did so only with ongoing complaints,
for this was a life for which they had no preparation. Jason
himself had become a major contributor of eggs and edible plants.
His huge bulk had decreased markedly and he found himself enjoying
the physical exertion of exploration and collecting.
    They had been on the island for a full moon
cycle when a small boat was seen approaching. Aboard were Larby and
the guard who had been working with him at the ship. They beached
the boat to cheering from all. They had adapted the small Captain’s
skiff from their ship by adding a deeper keel and used a spar from
their ship as the mast. The boat now supported two small logs on
either side that were held out by booms crossing the boat. There
was a fore and aft sail which Larby dropped as they beached the
boat.
    That evening Larby told the group that he
planned on setting sail by himself, trying to locate his people and
secure their rescue. When Jason asked how he would find his way,
Larby responded, "I will sail as my people have always done, using
the currents and waves to find land and the stars to guide at
night." He continued, "I will sail outbound for two weeks and then
return if I have not found my people."
    Jason asked, "You can hold supplies for a
four week journey in the small boat?"
    Larby said, "I will require only containers
to store water and line for fishing. The sea will provide what I
need."
    Jason was greatly troubled by the risk Larby
was taking but knew not what other choice they had. He said, "If
you would sail for your homeland I would expect it to lie yet to
the north and somewhat west. We have not any charts for these
waters but the stars are yet too low in the sky." He then asked,
"How will you navigate without the compass?"
    Larby replied, "My people have always
navigated without the compass. I will let the God of the Sea set my
course." Larby explained how he was unable to feel the ocean
properly while aboard the ship and needed the compass. In his small
boat the currents and waves would tell him where the Great Cape was
and from there his home.
    That evening the stories had a mixture of
sadness and hope as they prepared for Larby's departure. With the
morning light Larby loaded his small