Chapter 55 Maybe to the North?
Well it turned out that Will had figured it a little long. By the evening of the second day the ore holds were empty. Just the reserve coal kept in one of the smaller sections. But all the copper was gone…thank goodness. Because it had been loaded in wet there was quite a bit of cleanup to do. The pump was brought out the next morning and they started cleaning from the bottom up.
Luckily the hold where the sharps had been was not bad.The buckets had caught most of the goo, just some blood on the walls and floor.The high pressure salt water took care of that.There was sand and dirt covering the main hold though.That took longer, shovelling into buckets and over the side it went.The black tanks from the heads were also hosed out clean and washed out into the lake.No other way to clean them out…but it still bothered Will. He had been an avid camper for years and had always been mindful of waste.
The bilge was the worse part of the boat, lowest point and always gathered the dirtiest water.There was areas to lower a hose and pump it out, then rinse with fresh.Repeat this a few times and that foul smell was gone.After the holds were done they washed the deck, all the superstructure, polished the fittings, washed the windows, checked all the lines…looked like a brand new boat when done.Minnie even hung off a rope ladder and touched up the name on the sides and stern.
They had received an enormous amount of credit from the ore and sharps.It was banked and was used for resupply and the crew was always issued with their own pay…as it were.They didn’t use it as money, but as a means of barter.Everyone did the same and it worked out well.The Rose was viewed as a valuable resource and no one wanted to see them pack up and move. So they didn’t get preferential treatment, not really, but if Will visited a store he wouldn’t wait in line.There was always an empty table at the tavern. Never a problem ordering supplies.
On the morning of their fourth day back the had a crew meeting.In the mess, just after breakfast they had plans to make.“You guys remember we’re going to head to Newton for a quick visit, then north for a couple of weeks. To see what’s there.We should be back here in five or six weeks.”. Minnie didn’t really care where they went, the Rose was her home that just happened to float.Naomi was eager to leave too “Laketown just doesn’t seem like home anymore, just where I came from.”.And like that it was decided, back on the deep water again.Will walked into the town to let Stephen know they would need trade goods, and a good resupply.
He found him in the bakery.“Hey Will, in the market for something fresh…just made cheese buns.”.“No ….well actually yes they smell amazing.But I came to let you know that we are out of here tomorrow.”, replied Will.They took a tray of buns and fresh apple juice through the hot bakery to the small covered yard behind .Much cooler here, the mature trees provided welcome shade to the afternoon sun.A small metal table and several chairs had been set up on the short grass.
“So you’re off again hmm?”, asked Stephen.Will nodded, mouth full of fresh bun.Washing an overly large bite down with the sweet juice he replied “Yup, off to Newton then north as far as we can, realistically.”.“Such a life you sailors have, I guess your roots are in the lake now.”, said Stephen shaking his head.“I’m glad you have company though,” he continued, “Travelling on your own might make you…odd.”.Will laughed “Well there’s no lack of company, between Minnie and Naomi they keep me grounded.”.
Now luckily Stephen understood that so he didn’t have to explain.
“Naomi has always been a sensible person.Regina was amazed by the fact of her being lake immune, like you.”, Stephen said.“Minnie thinks it’s because she’s been around two of us.The previous captains had been by them selves, not able to pass it on.”.Stephen thought for a bit “But none of the kids that went with you changed, they tried to go on the dock.After you left but couldn’t do it.The misery was there right away.”.Will was stumped but said “Whenever we come across something we can’t explain Minnie came up with…a wizard did it.”.
As they talked a young woman came out with tea, Will recognized her as one of the teens from his first trip here. “For you Captain, I know how much you need it”, she said. “Ah, thanks Violet, I didn’t know you were lived here, or do you work here now.”, said Will taking a sip…perfect. “That’s my uncle, Willow and I live here. Our parents passed early but uncle Stephen took us in.”, she replied, “we’ve lived her for years, can hardly remember any different.”. She went back in to the bakery. “The lake took them too, fishing from shore but got on to the dock and …they were pretty young parents , my brother and his wife. She was related to Harold.”, said Stephen…lost in memory. “Family is important my friend.”, said Will. They sat for a few minutes, sipping tea, thinking of the past.
Coming back to business Stephen promised to send supplies today and trade goods tomorrow morning. More of Laketowns oils and iron and copper fittings. All things that Newton had welcomed before. If Newton didn’t need this time then maybe the next town they found would. Will had a feeling though, the barges of Newton would need filling when they got there. That ore from last time wouldn’t last through fall and winter and the business would definitely need more. Again time would tell.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Bidding farewell to Stephen he headed back to the Rose, to let the others know what was……..frozen again. In mid step that time stop had happened again. One for on the ground the other lifted, he had no feeling at all, just stuck in his mind. No idea of time passing, he could see birds stuck in the sky, people and carts beside him. All frozen. And then over. Foot falling to the ground heavily, barely keeping his footing. All around him the voices rose, scared and questioning. He hurried to the boat.
Naomi and Minnie were on deck waiting when he showed up.“Finally dad, I was so scared, where were you, did you freeze up too, me and Naomi did, we were gonna go swimming, me and her,good thing we didn’t get in the water, we could have drowned, does the water freeze too, cause the birds do and there’s no wind so everything just stops, are you okay?”.She hurled herself against him as she talked on, hugging hard and scared.Will stroked her head and back, smoothing her soft fur in comfort, “I’m okay, glad you guys are too.”.Naomi was standing close so he reached around and brought her in for a hug too.“We’re all okay, I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t hurt us.”.
They stayed that way for a minute then sat down by the railing. The world seemed normal, but not as comfortable as before. There was always that lingering fear it would happen again. No damage was done yet…but you never know when that would change. “I wish I had answers but I have no idea. All I can say is just go on with our lives.” Will said. Minnie nodded, bouncing back quickly as she always did. “It’s just scary, we don’t know how long it will be, could we be stuck like this forever?”, asked Naomi. Will shrugged “I don’t know, I wish we could talk to Elaith, the one that brought us here.”. He was sure that mystical little person would have answers. “He told us we were on our own when we got here, he wouldn’t be meddling in our lives.”, Will added.
They were sitting, just quietly comfortably. Minnie had brought up a couple of fishing rods and they would occasionally cast a line to see if they could catch their dinner for tonight. So far there was one nice fat fish, but as the day waned down their odds on catching were better. And two filets were just not enough. They kept on casting, a couple more fish were in the basket, when they saw the supply wagon at the end of the dock. Minnie scampered down to escort the drivers.
Will saw it was Owen driving the wagon accompanied by his daughter Rose.It was nice to see friends.As they backed down the dock Minnie was chatting away with both of them.Presumably about the time stop that just happened.The wagon stopped beside the Rose, a heavy load of supplies aboard.Will readied the crane to start loading as Owen unstrapped the wagon.There was a larger load than usual.This showed their trip was going to be long.They could resupply in Newton but it was better to plan ahead.
The holds were ready for the large load of supplies.Will brought up a pallet that he had constructed, to make things easier.When Owen saw what he had made he was very interested.Loading the supplies to the pallet, them lowering it as one load was amazing to him.He was used to hand loading and carrying.“I could have a crane in the warehouse, to load onto the wagons.That would sure make things faster.”, he said admiring how fast unloading went.Will could see that he just might have made a big change in their lives.
There were three large loads emptied into the Rose. Supplies of every kind in bags, barrels, crates, packets…of every kind. Their larder and galley would be stuffed to overflowing again. With the three of them they were good for months, just the fresh foods that they would miss. They would pump in fresh water tomorrow from the well in town, for the tanks, as well to fill their fresh water carboys and barrels. Putting the supplies away could wait though. They had worked up an appetite and it was time for dinner.
Owen and Rose had been invited and, after taking the wagon to town, walked back. Met again by Minnie they walked down the long dock. It looked like they had stopped at Stephens bakery as they held a long cake box. Will could imagine Mins excitement at that. Cake and cookies were her favourite. Rose knew the boat well and asked if she could show her dad around, Minnie happily accompanied them. She showed them things the young girl wouldn’t have seen. The engine and boiler, which fascinated Owen. Tools and work rooms, holds, storerooms and the galley.
Owen had never gone on a trip, he had volunteered years ago but had never been picked. Just bad luck on the name draw, and then Magnus was gone and no more voyages for years. You could tell by the way he looked at the horizon he would have loved to, but sadly that time was gone .
As they sat at the bow, Will and Naomi cleaned the fish, sliced onions and potatoes for dinner.Minnie was showing Owen her sketchbooks, images from their trips.Her skill had grown so much.You could look at her rendering of the harbour and dock at Newton and nearly hear the gulls. She had tried colours but preferred shades of black and white, just the way her eyes worked.
As their dinner was cooking, a hearty casserole, the subject turned to the latest…the time stop.“People were scared at first, but they seem to be getting used to them now.”, said Owen.“Nobody has been hurt yet”, added Rose, “But it’s hard not to think it’s going to last forever, just stuck.”.Will couldn’t help but agree, that was a scary thought.Every night since the first time stop he had been…not exactly praying to Elaith, but asking for a sign.
School was starting soon, for the younger children. They attended from age six to 14. Learning the basics, the history and limited geography of their world. It was fascinating to think that maps of the Roses travels were used as teaching tools. Again Will was thinking that this world had been designed to keep peoples apart. The impassable barriers breaking the country, the ore shoals, the lake effect, it was like someone had thought it up and then created it to see how things went. As he was looking into the distance, lost in thought again, Minnie’s face appeared in front of him. “Knock knock, anyone home?”, she laughed. Startled Will nearly slipped over the side, “That would have been great, the wise skipper falls off own boat.”, said Naomi, giggling madly with Rose. Laughing Will shook his head “Sorry about that, just thinking.”.
The casserole was done, filets fried up nicely, fresh bread and butter, dinner was ready.Will was still surprised by the amount of food Minnie could put away, enough to fill him twice.Naomi was still growing and could eat a large amount too, must be our lifestyle he thought.Owen and Rose seemed to enjoy the meal, the cake they brought had been thoroughly appreciated…with tea.
The evening was winding down, this time Naomi escorted Owen and Rose down the long dock. Her and Roses slight figures beside the hulking driver were a comical sight. She returned slowly, revelling in the fact that the lake had no power over her anymore. Minnie and Will walked down to meet her, they all sat on the edge of the dock, dangling their feet in the cool water.
The light was beginning to dim.Endless days of summer were changing to the shorter days of fall.Soon the harvests would start and the village would be very busy.The crew would be gone for this time but back before the snow fell, hopefully.He didn’t know what the colder weather would be like yet.This world was so different yet so much the same.
The boat would be ready to go tomorrow, just waiting on their trade goods. Will could hardly wait.