But these long distances bring challenges even I was not prepared for. I can only thank the stars we found fresh water on the island I named Valetta or we would never have made it back to civilisation. I had hoped we would find the homeland of whoever had abandoned the Ochre Isles not far away, but alas, much to my frustration, it was not to be. I had convinced the captain to continue onwards, but even I could read the mutinous mood of the crew.
We had been out of port for eleven weeks, we were running out of food and water, and in the end the captain would go no farther. Against my arguments, we turned back for Castlemere. I still maintain that the Great Western Ocean is not endless, merely very large. Perhaps the barren islands we discovered could be used as a staging point for another mission. Perhaps the Buchalanti will answer my questions, if I ask them in the right way. I would give anything to see what is on the other side of the world…
Miro started when his cabin door opened, and then relaxed when he saw Amber push back her long hair and shut the door behind her.
"Ho," Miro said, smiling. "I wasn't sure if you were taking a nap."
"You're still reading that book?"
"It's fascinating. Toro Marossa found these islands, yet the people who once lived there were all gone. He tried to find land further on but had to turn back. Who were they?"
"Don't tell me you want to go exploring, Miro."
"If the islands are still abandoned, we have to face the fact we may have to travel further."
"Don't say that! I don't want to spend a moment longer on this ship than I have to."
Miro sighed. "Nor do I. Don't worry, I understand."
"I'm not sure you do," Amber said. "Miro, I need to talk to you. I went to the hold to see if there was any fresh fruit; this diet is making me ill. I overheard some of the sailors; they were expressing… misgivings."
"What did they say?"
"They swear a lot," Amber said, "but they aren't happy. One of them said if we don't find the islands soon he's going to knock some sense into the captain. Another said something worse about us."
Miro's mouth tightened.
It was time to speak with Captain Meredith.
~
MIRO found Meredith on the bridge, conferring with the helmsman, and politely waited a short way away for them to finish.
Helmsman Werner, an unassuming man with sad eyes and drooping moustaches, nodded at something the captain said and then returned to the helm.
"Lord Marshal," Meredith said warmly, coming over. "What can I do for you?"
Miro smelled rum on the man's breath.
"Can I speak with you alone?" Miro said.
"Of course. Actually, there is something I wanted to show you. Please, come with me."
Meredith took Miro down to the lowest deck and brought him to the rail on the port side of the ship. "We're now eight weeks out of port," he said. "See," he indicated the heaving sea, "the water here changes colour, becomes darker. The ocean here is deep, as deep as we ever voyage on. Perhaps close to a thousand fathoms in depth. The water beyond," he gestured ahead, "is deeper still. Deeper than we can, or would be willing, to measure. The waves will become much bigger. We are leaving the open zone and entering the deep zone."
"It must be difficult for your men," Miro said.
"My men?" Meredith turned, wobbling slightly, and Miro realised the man was quite drunk. "They're superstitious fools, but their fear is warranted. I know of no ship that has intentionally voyaged into the deep zone."
"Toro Marossa did," Miro said.
"Or so he says," Meredith said wryly. "His stories were always a bit fanciful for my liking. The word is that he returned from his first voyage, wrote Explorations, and then made a second voyage, from which he never returned. A similar fate may await us. But never fear, Lord Marshal, we're following the course he's described. If these islands are there, we'll find them."
"Your men are what I came to speak with you about, Captain," said Miro. "They seem discontent. What if they were to… try something?"
"Carver is a good man, Lord Marshal. He knows how to keep them in line."
Miro looked about the deck, his soldier's eyes taking note of marlinspikes for grabbing wayward lines and axes for cutting through thick hemp rope in an emergency.
"What about weapons? Are there any real weapons aboard the ship? Cutlasses and the like?"
"We have an arms locker," said Meredith, "but I'm the only one with the key. Please, put your fears to rest, Lord Marshal, and have faith in my men. They'll get you to these islands, if they exist, and home again."
"I hope you're right, Captain."
Miro decided it couldn't hurt to be seen in his armoursilk from now on. Amber had the tools of her trade with her; they were neither of them defenceless, but it would be best if she stayed in her cabin as often as possible.
Miro hoped they would find the Ochre Islands soon.
7