Chapter 13. Can You Dig It?

“What a day.”, Will said as he finally had a cuppa. The deck had been cleaned as good as it could be in the subzero weather, while steaming along the coast. When they got back to warmer climes the Rose would be scrubbed, but this was as good as it got now. The dead fish were long behind them now and curiously enough, the reindeer herds followed the shriek of the steam whistle. Minnie made sure to blast it every few minutes and every time she did there were always answering bellows. “Weird right?”, she asked. They were sitting in the wheelhouse, just the three of them. Naomi had dozed off beside Will, head resting on his shoulder. Even the whistle wasn’t waking her.

After the attack the villagers had needed a rest, strong and fit as they were, the water was not for them. The lake was not their home as it was the crews. Being rocked as they travelled still made most of them sick but not for much longer, they would be dropped off in a couple of hours then the Rose was steaming back to get more people. In a little while they were going to anchor, close to shore again, hope no sharps attacked and have a hot meal. Stew and bread, maybe some cheese and sausage too. Problem was the supplies wouldn’t last forever not with the hungry horde below. Will remembered how the Obb family had reacted to the dinner when invited aboard. If the resting villagers were anything like, the possibility of being eaten out of house and home was real. “Maybe we’ll have oatmeal tonight, and toasted bread. Oats we have bags and bags of”, he said aloud. “Bleargh,”, Minnie gagged, “I mean it’s okay, with fried ham or bacon, even left over pork chops, but just oatmeal, needs a lot of honey to be okay to eat and it’s still just kinda goo.”. Will agreed, “Stew it is, and bread and butter of course.”. He looked outside, and realized it was getting too dark to be this close to the shore. Never knows ahead, “You know, I think we’re going to anchor for the night, drop off the kids tomorrow morning. It’s too cold and too dark, shut us down Min.”.

Anchored and sealed up as the sun slipped down and full night was on them. The mid deck light was on while Will and Minnie, and a now awake Naomi headed below for the night. As they trudged to the stairs Will missed the warm summer nights, sitting on the deck for hours, just sailing along. No snow to shovel, no ice to clean off , “After this trip, we’re not coming this far north, maybe to trade once or twice a year. But I’m not liking this cold much, what do you guys think?.” Minnie agreed “Yup, let’s go back where it’s warm, these guys are nice and all but my feet are tired of being cold, and my nose.”, Naomi just yawned and nodded her agreement too. Opening the doors to the stairs and heading down was wonderful, warm and dry. Their winter gear was a mess, and would take way too long to dry to wear again tomorrow morning, but it needed washing badly. They all had other winter clothes, purchased in Newton last trip. Not as long lasting as the coveralls but just as warm. For now Will took all the mucky gear to the small laundry room, it would take several rinses to get all the sharp blood and goo out. Minnie had gone to their quarters to get clean clothes and a wash. He was heading there now.

The young people had perked up now the boat was at anchor and cheered upon hearing they would be on the Rose for a night. Sitting in the mess they were reliving todays battle, for that’s what it had been. Will didn’t know what had caused the sharps to follow them so far, some kind of instinct, to strike back perhaps. “We’ll never know.”, he said to Minnie, who was perched on a stool in the galley with him. She shrugged “Nope, can’t know everything.”. Pretty good attitude thought Will. The galley door was open so they could see and hear what was happening in the mess hall. “It’s so warm here, and the food is so good.”, the normally quiet Din said. The others nodded, much like the Eld did. Minnie’s eyes widened in glee but didn’t say anything…yet. The visitors were all seated at the long tables and were talking amongst themselves, quietly for the most part.

Naomi had gone to wash up so Will had lighted the stoves and put on water for stew, and the kettle of course. Chopped carrots, onions and potatoes all went into two big cast iron cauldrons , opened a few jars of salt pork and rinsed the salt out Pulled down two big cast iron fry pans and started the meat browning. There was a commotion in the mess that cause him to stop cooking and Minnie to stop stealing bits of crispy pork for a minute and see what the heck was going on now. Apparently there was a contest happening, an arm wrestling competition. Friendly enough with much laughter and gentle jeering. So far Tor was winning, but his brother was doing well too. One large lad, hugely muscled arms came up to Will and asked if he would like to try, Will laughed “Sorry lads, dinner won’t cook itself, lots to do in here.”. He turned back to the galley, hearing the boy mutter “Women’s work”, under his breath. Minnie had heard this too and jumped on a stool “I’ll give it a try.”. The boy, Arnon, laughed at her, but then seemed to remember the fight this afternoon. Looking slightly worried now he sat opposite to her at the table. Tor came to referee and the others clustered around. Minnie and Arnon clasped hands, covered by both of Tors, “When I let go the games on, Arnon don’t hurt the little one.”, he said. Counting to three he let go, Arnon slammed his arm back and then down, smashing his opponent’s hand to the table, winning again. At least that’s what he thought was going to happen, in reality Minnie’s small arm didn’t move at all, except to slowly press his arm gently to the table. “Sorry guy, I didn’t hurt you did I “, she smirked across the table at him. Will was watching and smiled at her “Good one Min.”. A few others tried but failed as absolutely as Arnon had. “You’re all made of iron.” Tor said admiringly. Naomi had entered behind the group “Yar, we’re pirates, rough and tough.”.

That made Will laugh from his spot at the galley door, they were much more than meets the eye. But back to his stew, everything had boiled nicely, potatoes nice and soft, same with the carrots. Time to thicken the sauce, he hated watery stew. Lots of garlic, salt and pepper, then boiled again for a few minutes. The smells were drifting out and he could have sworn he heard stomachs rumbling, even in the galley. “Hey dad, are you going to eat all that yourself?” called Minnie. “Yes.”, he yelled back, “Kidding, two minutes, get plates and stuff ready in there.”. There was a clattering of plates, bowls and silverware as they got ready to attack. A few final stirs and the two huge pots were ready . “Incoming.”, Will called out and carried the hot pots in to the mess. “Hurray for dinner.”, Minnie called out, and quickly ladled a generous helping into a bowl, buttered two thick slices of bread and dived in. The others did the same and for the next little while it was quiet.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“You’re a wonderful cook captain, thank you so much.”, Jeri was smiling at him. Behind her Naomi rolled her eyes and Minnie made a gagging motion, this made Will smile, which Jeri thought was for her. “You are all very welcome, it was not the day we planned for sure, but we got through it. Thanks to you all.”, Will raised his mug in salute. No one knew what to do, until Minnie and Naomi did the same, then it was cheers all around. Second helpings and even some third helpings until the stew was just a happy memory, tired and stuffed people headed for bed. With one exception, Jeri had helped by clearing the tables, helping Naomi as best she could. A fast learner and a generally happy person, very willing to assist with anything. It was hard for Will to see the spear wielding banshee of the afternoon with this chatty young women. He knew what she was up to, even if she didn’t think he did. A pot of tea was on the table and the four were sitting enjoying a final cuppa, Will was anyways , Minnie still thought of it as yucky weed dirt water, Naomi didn’t mind a cup now and then but really preferred coffee. Jeri had taken a cup but wasn’t drinking it, it didn’t seem to be her cup of tea.

Minnie was telling stories of their travels so far, whales, dolphins, shrimp, all the people she had met. To Jeri it was very exciting, but the water was terrifying. The adrenaline of the fight had kept her going, but once it was over, the fear of deep water and what horror’s were below came back. “I would love to live as you do, but the water is so, I don’t know what. The thought of what’s underneath us right now, it makes me shake if I think about it too much.” she said. “This isn’t a life for anyone but us, Minnie and I came to this world and bonded with the Rose.” Will showed her his right hand and the tattoo that covered his palm, Minnie did the same. “Naomi was waiting for us here, I think. She bonded with the boat too”, and Naomi opened her hand to reveal hers. “When she did I got the feeling we were going to be the last crew of the Rose, our life is not a normal one.”. He sighed and Minnie took over the tale “Dad was an old old guy when we got here, he got young and tough, I was a dog but now I’m me, Naomi was, well she was mostly the same but she’s my sister now, we don’t get old, some bald guy told dad we can live forever.”. Naomi spoke up “I could feel the change in me, when Will and Minnie appeared it was like something had just become right in the world. That first day I went to the lake and saw the Rose steaming out of her long sleep, I knew that’s where I would be.”.

At these revelations the young girl looked sad, “Are you going to be alone forever, Will you find someone to love, have a family with.”. Will gave a slight laugh “I found that someone fifty years ago, we had children, a life together, then she was gone.”. Talking about his previous life was still hard but he didn’t want to lead her on, better to get things straightened out now. “I don’t know if I could find someone again, it has only been a year since she passed, just before we became who we are now. I’m still grieving, I don’t like to think of getting over it, but I will come to terms with it eventually.”. Jeri reached and held his hand, the one with the tattoo, in her hers. Not saying anything, just giving what comfort she could. “When mom left I nearly remember, I know it now, there’s a piece of us missing,” Minnie shook her head “My sister helps, she fills that gap of someone to love, dads my guy, he’s everything to me and I’ll love him forever, but I’ll always miss mom.”. Shaking his head and trying to lift the somber mood he squeezed Jeri’s hand in thanks. “Guys, I am tired as heck, it’s been a busy day. I am going to check up on deck then catch some z’s.”. In a bit of confusion everyone looked around, what was he catching? The other three were staying in the nice warm mess, Minnie had offered to come with but it was more like “I’ll come if you really really need me, but it’s so cold and I’m nice and warm here, but.”. He took pity on her with a laugh, said “I’ll be back.” and left to get dressed warmer.

The deck was icy, wind blowing and a light snow falling. It’s odd, he thought, that’s it’s warmer when it’s snowing. The mid deck lantern was on as usual and painted the boat in a warm light. Very peaceful up here, compared to a few hours ago. He still couldn’t figure why the sharps had followed them for so long. They were just fish. Again he let it go. He checked the anchors, made sure the wheelhouse was tight and the radiators were working. The dory was safe on her davits and wouldn’t be damaged by the wind and snow. Taking a final look over the railing at the inky black water, he heard footsteps behind him. “A cold night Will, it’s warmer below.” Jeri said in a low voice. “I know it is”, he paused and then “I don’t think I can be who you want me too, not yet, maybe not ever.” he replied, “I’m sorry Jeri, you’re a good person, anyone would be lucky to be with you.”. She put her arms around him from behind, “You don’t have to be sorry for loving someone, I can wait, I will wait if you think it would be possible between us. I know you think it’s rushed but I just knew when I saw you.”. He could feel the truth in her words. She turned and faced him “You don’t have to decide now, I don’t want to push my way into your life, the lives of your daughters. I’ll be here. Reaching up with a soft kiss on his cheek, then the other, “I’ll be here”. She turned away, and went belowdecks, leaving Will to his memories.

He stayed for a little while until the cold was too much, and went below, sealing the doors. Hanging his gear up the went to his cabin to find Minnie was already on the bed. “Hi dad”, she seemed sad. “What’s up, you feeling okay”, he asked worriedly. “Nah I’m fine but how are you, is Jeri going to be on the boat with us too, she’s okay you know, very brave and tough, pretty too.”. Aha he thought. “No sweetie, it’s not going to happen. I am happy with the life we have now, couldn’t be more satisfied. And she doesn’t like the water, scared of it. It would be hard on her to try to get over it, not fair.”, he said to Minnie. “She told me and Naomi she really likes you, and us. She didn’t want to be sneaky, that’s not how her people are.” Minnie told him. Will rolled his tired shoulders “I know, they are good folk, I’ll be happy to visit a couple of times a year to trade, but that’s all. What we have is enough for me, I have had the love of my life with your mom, my dearest memories are of her.”. He pulled Min into a hug “This is enough for me, now and forever.”.