Chapter five The Heartboat

So that might be why Elaith sent me here Will mused, these people need someone and he knew I might be that person.But what is a heartboat anyway.When Stephen laughed Will realized he had said the last part aloud.“A heartboat is made from a special tree, not that rare but the only kind of wood that will survive the lake” Stephen said.“and only a certain type of person can, link, with the boat” added Regina.

Will looked to his glass only to find he had long finished.Regina rose and gathered their glasses, “I’ll get us another round and see about some food as well”.Hearing that Minnie’s ears perked up, a small whimper escaped.“Yes Min, food for us” said Will.“I’m starved too”. She looked up at him and seemed to nod.

As Regina was busy at the counter Stephen continued. “There’s an effect on the lake, a feeling that comes on after being on the water after a short while, and not in a good way.Makes you want to not be there anymore, in every way you can imagine.”“And you’ve experienced this, not just heard from a friend”, replied Will.Stephen nodded “ Aye I did, most young men give it a try.Go out in a canoe or coracle and see if you have it, I didn’t, no one does.”.

“There’s another thing or two that’s been bothering me.Will wasn’t sure how Stephen would take this but pushed on.“Not to be offensive but you all seem …umm how to say this…low tech?”Stephen frowned “I don’t know that term but I think I know what you mean.We do live simply.”.“That’s right and it’s how we like it” Regina said as she put a tray of cider and what looked like bowls of stew in front of them, and put a bowl down for Minnie too.“We live the way our people always have, change comes slowly but it does come” said Stephen, “A new way of doing things isn’t always better”.

Will couldn’t agree more and said so.“I do like things simple” he said “things were getting a bit carried away in my old world”.What an odd thing to say , my old world.“But yes, it was a busy time, even for an oldie like me.Mad rush here to do something fast, then rush on again.” Will said“I had a good life, some regrets sure, we all have those but a great life.I have been lucky that Elaith decided to help me to a new one. “So,”, he raised his glass in a toast, “How do I find out if I can sail a heartboat?.

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William Harris

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Age 69

Intelligence 15/50

Strength 10/50

Vitality 10/50

Stamina 8/50

Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner

That’s getting easier and easier to do.How am I doing? Things are looking up …still getting younger and tougher. Nice!

“Let’s finish up here” said Stephen “ and we can go take a look at the boat we have kept in storage.”. Getting up from the table Will help load his dishes to the tray, not forgetting to grab Minnie’s well cleaned bowl from the floor.“Excellent thanks Regina” said Will as he stood up.She gave a nod and carried the tray back to the bar, turned and said “Your welcome here anytime Will, Stephen there’s no charge for tonite…special occasion and all.”.Stephen thanked her and they walked out of the tavern and headed back toward the lake.

“We keep her in a covered slip just by the main quay”. Stephen pointed as the headed back to the lakeside.Will was still having problems wrapping his head around the size of the lake, was it really that or were these people just not really aware of what it was.If it’s saltwater then it’s usually an ocean, he thought, but there were saltwater lakes in his homeland, just not many.“Has anyone ever travelled around the lake” he asked.“Not lately but it has been done” Stephen replied”, “ a long journey, it took them years but they mapped out the country too”.“ The country is very rough in places, many wide rivers, cliffs, bogs…quite impossible”. “This is why it’s so important that we have a heartboat captain…if that’s the case you will be a busy man indeed”.

As they they talked they had reached the waters edge.A high long covered dock could be reached by a ornate wooden gangway.The sides had been painted a deep red which had faded over time and weathering.Sturdy wooden shakes covered the roof but Will could see gaps where the wind had taken them….I hope she’s not damaged he thought.Wait..she?Large wooden doors covered each end of the dock but no lock were on them, just long bars to keep them shut.At the top of the gangway a sliding smaller door hung on iron rails, with a simple latch.

“No need for locks” Will asked. “Oh no” replied Stephen “Mostly out of respect for the heartboat but also because of the effect…as soon as you get over the water you start to feel it, a few children try to brave it but no…don’t need locks”. He gestured at the gangway…”Shall we?” Will could see that Stephen was looking closely at him as he stepped on…he had a sudden urge to fall to the ground screaming..but no. Grasping the handrail, making sure Minnie was close he started up.

The sound of their steps echoed back to them from the water below.Green and deep, moving as the waves lapped at the pilings.A brisk wind had picked up, the daylight was starting to dim as evening came on.“Summers coming fast “ Stephen remarked, “last couple of months were busy busy, planting, calving and lambs.Good for business though”.I’ll bet a baker is busy every day “ said Will “ I don’t know much about it but every one needs bread”.Stephen nodded..”That they do”.

They had reached the top of the gangway now and were a few yards over the water.Will noticed that Stephen had been looking at him trying to see if there were any signs that he was affected.“Still nothing” he said “are you doing all right?” “ I am” replied Stephen.“Let’s not put this off any longer.”He pulled the door to the side revealing a pitch black interior.To the dude of the door was a large valve, Stephen turned this and with a hiss several glass globes began to glow , lighting the dock with a warm light.

Rocking gently in the water of the dock was the heartboat. Will could make out the name painted proudly on her stern…Rose.