Chapter 4 Bows on the Bow

Minnie woke early the next day, when she looked out the port it was dark, very dark. Dad was still sleeping, that lazy guy so she hurried on deck, yup still dark. Scampering to the wheelhouse she checked the watch, it was only four thirty, a bit early to get up. She was sure excited to start using a bow, she hunted all the way to their cabin, got under the warm heavy quilt and was gone in moments. Will stirred, cold little feet were kicking at him and made him aware he needed the head. Returning he could see dim light outside but still mostly dark. Wondering why her feet were so cold he got back under cover and dropped off again. Next door Naomi stirred at the noises but was quite used to ignoring them, and she passed back to sleep.

Ah dreams, aren’t they wonderful. Things you are dealing with, coming to terms with, events in the past that affected you on levels you didn’t even know you had. Stories you read, in Wills case there were moments in movies he had seen, tv shows that had decided to live in his brain forever. A phrase or paragraph from a favourite book rising up, to choose this moment to twist out and say hi. Let’s think about everything you should have done, or said…maybe even not said.

He had nothing specific, not structured dreams, that really never happened. But a few seconds of something that you’re reliving. Years ago when Minnie broke her leash and chased off after a rabbit, the feeling as he ran after her, seeing her run away and out of sight. That lived on his memory, the feeling when he returned home and she was there waiting. The anger and fear instantly replaced with utter joy, picking her up, tiny face looking into his. So happy she had chased a rabbit. This memory was in his mind when he woke again, with a start, fading fast and gone. All he did was pat her sleeping form and get ready for the day, a quick look outside showed the same mild weather, so shorts and flip flops it was.

A head check showed he was in need of a shaving so sharpening his straight razor he went to work. Quite practiced now, he was still aware of the danger of lopping off an ear if a big wave hit, but today was successful. A sleeveless shirt finished him off and he exited the cabin. Quietly shutting the door gave him an appreciation for the craftsmanship that went into the boat. Solid wood, brass screws and fittings, everything was polished and perfect. Patting the bulkhead he muttered “Good morning” and headed to the galley. Dark and quiet, smelling of bread, tea, bacon, he lighted the lanterns and opened a porthole for fresh air, going back into the mess he did the same to get some cool air flowing through. Hot weather was not really a problem while at sea, it never got uncomfortable just pleasant and always much cooler at night.

The galley stove was lit, just one of the two large wood burners. They usually used one or the other, never both unless there was a work crew onboard. Will preferred the one on the left, it had hot water jackets built in on the sides to provide a steady supply for the kitchen. The other did too, but the outlet was not as handy to get to, so the left one was it. Building the fire only took moments now and the kettle was filled and on the hob. Eggs were getting low so bacon, fry potatoes and toast were what he planned.

He knew Naomi liked her galley a certain way but he still like to cook occasionally and had promised not to mess things up. Reminding her that she wasn’t just the cook, or the cleaner, was ongoing but it seemed she was nearly ready to take the wheel of the Rose. It would be nice to have another person ready to pilot, especially when they were hauling barges. When the stove wood took and was burning nicely he took a turn on deck. Sunrise was later and later now, the days were shorter and soon there would only be a few hours of daylight. All was good on deck, no invasions of crabs overnight, anchors tight. And now for tea, no special today, just his regular blend. Taking his mug to the little office he wrote in ships log, just the day to day info. Course, estimated travel distance, coal burned, all those little details that would never be read by anyone. Then jotting down more ideas that had sprung into his head, which happened many times during the day.

Making darts and a dartboard, he thought that would be an enjoyable crew game. Question was would Minnie need to use a stool to stand on throw, so she would be in line with the target. Hmm points to ponder. Like what was a dartboard made out of? Wood might be too hard. Then he remembered. It was either fibre like the ends of a broom all compressed together or cork. He knew cork was available in this world because of the bumpers and various floats and buoys they used, also from the few bottles of wine he had purchased last shopping trip. But cork might be a little hard to get now, where as bristles would be easier to source by themselves.

That was one idea he had, another thought he had was ring hockey but Minnie was so small if she got checked hard it would be over the side for her. So that got written down but he had no plans for it. I have to talk to Naomi about skating or cross country skis, he thought. And wrote those ideas down as well. “Plotting are you, what is it this time hmm?”, the squeaky voice made him jump. “Are you trying to scare me half to death Min?”, he asked. “If we both did it, what would happen then?”, came a different voice. Apparently both Minnie and Naomi had sneaked up and were now giggling madly. “Well har de har har, morning to you too.”, he laughed. A morning hug all round and off to the galley. Minnie was happy to see that breakfast would be soon and Naomi was glad not to cook today.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

But before bacon was tea, of course. The kettle was warmed again and his fragrant yuck water, thanks Minnie, was ready. Now the large black iron pans were brought out and the potatoes and bacon started. Minnie picked herself off of the floor where she had pretended to pass out from hunger. Will laughed “Drama queen, you’ll live.”. “I’m a queen, like the evil queen in Snow White?.” asked Minnie. “Maybe your just misguided, not evil. With the power of breakfast you’ll become good.”, laughed Naomi.

While food was cooking Will asked Naomi if she had ever heard of skating or skiing. After explaining what they were Naomi understood. “I’ve heard of the skiing, but we call it gliding or skidding. Laketown doesn’t get a lot of snow, just wet snow mostly. I’ve not heard of the skating thing.”. “Did people like being outside in the cold, playing and stuff? Will I like it dad?” Minnie asked. Will wasn’t sure and said so “Its up to you, some people do, some people don’t. If a family does an activity together then it will probably be continued by the children and so on.”. “Did you ever go gliding or, what was it again?”. Minnie asked Will. “I see to do both, when I was younger but those days were long gone for me, I would like to try again though, lots of fun.”, Will replied.

Naomi had gone quiet when he spoke, fiddled with her teacup for a minute. “You mentioned that before, you were younger, then got old and now young again, are we all going to stay young.”, she asked. Uh oh, thought Will, we never really discussed that.

“When Minnie and I arrived in this world, things were different for us both. Minnie was a dog, my pet, still my companion but limited. I was old, in my early seventies. We started changing, sometimes overnight when we slept, especially Minnie. The first few days, the first couple of weeks she grew so much.”. Will shook his head. “Then when I started accessing my menu I saw I was aging backwards. When I check it now it says I am 35, and the person who brought us here, a being called Elaith, said we would live a long long time.”. Minnie spoke up “I hope you’re the same Naomi, like me and dad, living here forever, no Ed’s to bug you.”. What’s an Ed, oh that guy Will remembered. “If you ever find someone that you want to be with…I don’t know. They would be welcome here but you know how the lake effects everyone, even if they’re around all three of us.”, he trailed off. “We will worry about that if it ever happens, right now I’m happy just being here, with my little sister and my dad.”, Naomi said. Nothing for it but a group hug then.

The day continued with more northward travel. The waves were not so friendly now, the skies a bit greyer. Will had calculated they usually travelled about seventy miles a day since the left Newton. If he was right and they were in some analog of British Columbia, and Laketown was the equivalent of fruit land, then they were well up the western coast nearing Alaska. In all the miles travelled so far there had been no signs of civilization.

Even when the crew had gone ashore, searching for fresh water, there was no trace. Which wasn’t really unusual given the uniqueness of the land, but it would have been nice to find something. Ruins to show people had been here, moved on or died out. Animals that should have been wary of humans weren’t. An unspoiled land in every way.

A bounding river had been found and barrels had been filled then trundled back to the Rose. Still had to be filtered and boiled, but that was routine now. Between filling barrels Naomi had shown Will and Minnie some archery basics. In all his years Will had never touched a bow before but it was coming along. It was very easy to draw the bow which helped with target practice. Never getting a tired arm was kind of cheating but that’s just the way it was. Minnie was a good shot right away, something had just clicked into place with the way her eyes and muscles worked and she was hitting the targets every time. Will was getting there. Unfortunately the days were getting shorter and it was to get back on board and get going again. Will didn’t like the idea of being on shore after dark in an unknown area. As the last barrel was loaded on board, the dory lifted and locked, everything was ready to go. Minnie was in the wheelhouse and started them moving, just half speed so far and heading out to open water, north again.

After all the usual chores were done they were relaxing in the wheelhouse as the rose steamed steadily along. They were enjoying tea and cake when a thought struck Minnie. “Why doesn’t the lake effect the fishies, and whales and porpoises, make them want to go into the water?”, asked Minnie, then “Oh wait a sec, that’s not what I meant, why don’t they go crazy too.”. Will shrugged “For all we know they are crazy and we just don’t know.”. Minnie went on “Maybe one day they’ll try to come out if the water and all come on land.”. Will laughed “Lets hope the octopuses stay in the water though, I don’t like those much.”. At that word Naomi perked up and asked “What’s that, the octopuses thing?”. Will opened his note book “It’s like a blob with a mouth and eight arms”, as he drew Minnie eyes were growing bigger and bigger. Naomi was drawing away in horror. “Those things live in the water?”, she said. Will nodded “Yup, big ones, small ones, I’ve heard of super big ones, size of Minnie.”. Hearing that Minnie was done “I’m never going in the water again, not if those things are in there, sharps are mean, floaters are tasty, whales are friendly but those things are just weird.”.

“It’s too cold where we are now, for octopuses, so your safe here. Back by Laketown the waters much warmer, they’re probably around there, lurking in the shallows and waiting for fresh MEAT!”, Will yelled and launched himself at Minnie and Naomi. Will the octopus was doing the chasing and catching of the tasty crewfish who were doing their best to escape. As usual Minnie was too quick to catch but when Will had caught and turned Naomi into an octopus she was finally cornered and turned as well.

A quick dinner was enjoyed after anchoring for the night, hatches and portholes battened down. Fresh bread, ham and cheese being eaten while playing cribbage. Tea and cake finished things off later, it was quite late and it had been a long day.

After an eight-armed handshake all around they went to their cabins for a good nights rest.