Beyond the Hills - Chapter 10

Prologue: topic37432.html

Chapter 1: topic37490.html

Chapter 2: topic37965.html

Chapter 3: topic38391.html

Chapter 4: topic38444.html

Chapter 5: topic38742.html

Chapter 6: topic38872.html

Chapter 7: topic38914.html

Chapter 8: topic39094.html

Chapter 9: topic39095.html

CHAPTER X

Awy was quite small, and about Rachel's age.

"Have you ever been on a ship before Elvy?" Awy asked, completely ignoring Rachel.

"No," Elvy replied.

"Oh well, then follow me," Awy said, leading them to the back of the ship.

"Hoist the anchor, hoist all sails, lower the stay sail and spanker!" The captain called out. Rachel saw many bodies working, and suddenly, she saw all the white sails rise up, and all the connecting sails being lowered.

"That big wheel there, is the helm," Awy started. "We're standing on the back of the ship, that's called the stern. This big yellow sail is called the spanker. And this mast here is called the mizzenmast, the top sail on it is called the mizzen-royal, the one below that, the mizzen topgallant, below that, the mizzen upper topsail, the one below that, the mizzen lower topsail, and the lowest one is the mizzen cross-jack. A lot of names right? But it gets worse, believe me, it gets worse." Rachel's head was spinning. There were so many names! Then, Awy continued while he was walking back to the middle of the ship.

"This is centre ship, and thats the main mast. The top sail of the top sail on that is the main sky sail, the one below that, the main royal..." Rachel's head spun.

"Stop," She said. Awy glared at her.

"Why?" He asked.

"Can't you just give us a paper with it on or something? Do you honestly believe that we're going to remember all this?" She asked.

"Sure," He said scornfully, sticking his hand in his white shirt, producing a crumpled up paper. He stuck it in Rachel's hand.

"Now, I think you should follow me now," He told them, heading to the back of the ship. Between the two staircases there was a big double door. He opened the doors, and walked in.

"This is where all the cabins are. We have one left open. Go down here, turn left, and take the first door to your right. That's yours," He told them, walking away. It was surprisingly bright in the hallway. The ship was swaying from side to side, it was enough to make Rachel wretch. They walked through the hall, the beams creaking with every step. The planks were rough, and it looked as if it was made from of strands of wood. It must be awfully easy to get a splinter here. Rachel thought while she walked. At the end of the hallway, they turned left, and saw their door. It was as rough as all the other doors. It was unlocked, and she pushed it open. Inside there were two hammocks, and a small table. Instead of the rough floorboards, there was a smooth carpet. On the table was a key.

"Well, wonder where we're going," Rachel said.

* * *

Esmassma stood before millions of Akhluts. It was his army.

"Now hear me!" Esmassma called out. "I want you to oil your bones, for we're going to hunt!" The Akhluts roared with delight.

* * *

"Lower the foremast and mizzen mast!" Rachel heard the captain above them call out, "Hoist the stay sail and the spanker, hoist the flying jib, outer jib, all jibs! Swing the boom south! Lower the main course! Stiller! Get down from the crow's nest!" The ship rocked. Rachel was nauseous. She stood-up, swaying form side to side.

"Elvy, I'm going above deck." She had gone through the paper Awy had given her, and knew a few terms. She stepped through the hall, and up through the hall. Suddenly, the ship stopped swaying.

"Hoist the main course, fore mast and mizzen mast! Swing the boom north! Stiller! Get up the crow's nest!" the captain called out from above. Rachel opened the double doors, and ran to one of the railings, and wretched. When she looked up, she saw no land. Only water for as far as the eye could see. The entire crew stood still. All the sails were up, and from the mast at the top, more triangular sails were stretching to the bowsprit. Then, she heard the captain talk again, but in an other tone of voice.

"Well crew, it's been seven long years, but welcome to the great world of the ocean."

* * *

Dran cried. Out of joy for his daughter who was becoming well. Out of misery that he had heard the Elders' call, and he had to go. He had said goodbye, and left as soon as he could. On his way, he encountered a few Akhluts. He drew his knife, and cut through them without difficulty. That was where he saw Esmassma for the first time.

"I would want that knife," He had told Dran. Dran's daughter was getting well, he wasn't going to risk his life for a stupid knife. He gave the knife away, and Esmassma had let him go. Dran had raced to the Elders, where they told him what he must do. There, he stepped through their door. Where he talked to Rachel and Elvy's dad, where he met Rachel and Elvy.

He was at the crown of the hills once more.

* * *

Elvy stared. So did Rachel. So did everyone.

"We should get sailing to Tauge now." The captain said, spinning the wheel. A wind lifted, waves battered the ship's sides, and they were off. Rachel walked up to the stern.

"Sir," She asked the captain, "Where's Tauge?"

"It's the only island here! It's were we'll load up on goods. from there we'll find a cargo of silk to take to the sea of grass," The captain replied.

"How long will that take?" Rachel asked.

"About ten days. We got you two here to help us out, so go scrub the prow," The captain said.

"What do we eat?" Rachel asked.

"We eat in one hours time, and we eat dried meat," the captain replied. "But till then, get Awy to lower you down to the prow and get scrubbing!"

* * *

Rachel dangled from a measly rope down the front side of the ship. In her hand was a hard sponge, and next to her hung Elvy. They were about two meters above the sea, but the spray still got them soaking wet.

"Scrub!" Awy shouted from the deck.

* * *

Rachel was cold and sad. What a first day! She thought to herself. After an entire hour which seemed to go on for ever, she and Elvy had finished the hour of scrubbing. If wood could sparkle, the ship's prow sparkled. Rachel was now studying the paper Awy had given her again.

Main mast middle. She memorized. Foremast front, mizzenmast back. Hold underneath ship. Jib's, triangular sails at the front of the ship. Stay sails, the sails connecting the foremast to the mainmast. Spanker, triangular sail at the back, bowsprit, the big staff at the front. Ensign, flag at the top of the mainmast. How she was ever to get those things into her head was unknown to her. Then, she heard a horn sound in the ship somewhere, and a great commotion of rushing people.

Chapter XI: topic39128.html