Chapter six The Rose

Will had had a few boats in his life, mostly like the one that sent him on this journey. Small motor boats, a canoe or two, even a small wooden dinghy.But nothing like this beauty floating in front of him.The gas lights were brightening and showing more and more details, 20 metres long and sitting high in the water, deep draft hull with a tall smokestack.A large windowed wheelhouse sat near the front rising at least three metres to give a pilot an unparalleled view of the seas ahead.

Cranes perched both fore and aft to aid with cargo or nets.The wooden hull was reinforced with iron bracing and looked strong and enduring.Portholes showed that there were cabins below as well.At the stern was a large transom with rails, now in the raised position.Anchors were on either side of the high bow…showing wear from years of use.In fact that could describe the whole of the vessel, in great condition but definitely a working boat.

“What do you think my friend?” asked Stephen “Are you the new captain of the Rose?” As if in a daze Will walked over to where a stylized rose had been carved into the hull beside the ladder to the boat. As he placed his hand onto the carving there was a deep inside…perhaps inside his soul. Something missing had been found, something he didn’t even know he needed. At his side Minnie gave a long howl and jumped up to paw at the side of the boat, touching the wooden rose when he did.

As his hand still rested on the rose, information was flooding his mind.The exact dimensions of the boat. Tonnage, cargo capacity, passengers, boiler specs, cruising speed and distance.How she ran in a storm, what the anchor scope was, how much fresh water..the best way to poach an egg?The history was there too, previous captains, voyages of all kinds.Back to the day the keel was laid.It was difficult to tell how long but Will got the impression of hundreds of years..reaching back.

As he came back to his senses he found he was sitting with his hand still on the rose, arm stretched over his head. Pulling his hand free, with some effort, he found a slight impression of the rose seeming tattooed in his hand. “Sign of the captain “ Stephen murmured “Thank the powers, you have come to us”. Reaching out a hand he helped Will to his feet.

Will looked down to find Minnie lying beside his feet, getting no response from rubbing her head he picked her up and smoothed her ears back.Resting her head against his chest he patted her side, thiswoke her and she wriggled to be put down.Setting her on the dock she gave a shake to put everything back in place.“Hi Min, you okay.?” Will asked.Min seemed to nod and gave out a huff that sounded suspiciously like “Yeah”.“What was that.” Will asked. Minnie’s response was to yawn .“Never mind then, I must be tired”.

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Stephen was still standing beside Will, hand on his shoulder…”Are you all right?No ill effects from bonding “ he asked.“ I feel fine Stephen”, he replied “getting very tired though, it’s been a long day, much has happened and I think we need a lie down “, gesturing at Minnie.“Both of us”.

“Well, your home is right here.Why don’t I leave you two here for the night and we can continue our talk tomorrow?”.Stephen pointed at the Rose.Reaching up he undid a latch on the boats rail and a section levered down, revealing stairs.“A bit easier than a ladder”, he said.Minnie scampered up and started exploring.Before he left Stephen showed Will how to control the lights of the dock.A separate gas line ran to the boat which supplied the gas lights within.

Damping all of the gas globes but one and turning that one down to dim Will bade Stephen good night and latched the door. Turning back to the dim outline of the boat he could hear Minnie barking inside. “I’m coming, I’m coming” he called, and made his way back to the steps.

Climbing aboard felt like coming home.That feeling you get when, after a long holiday, you walk in your house and it seems to settle around you like a blanket.The deck was solid under his feet and he could feel a gentle rocking.He turned and pulled the stairs up and locked them in place.

First place to head is the wheelhouse he thought.Minnie rushed up from the lower stairs in a gallop and ran up to the door of the wheelhouse.Will followed her, opened the door and in they went.In the dim light he could see a valve just inside the door and when he turned it..with a click..the lights came on. “Hmmm, self igniting…very handy.”, he said.Through the thick glass windows that surrounded him he could look over the length of the boat and the surrounding dock.How marvellous it was.

The bridge was fairly large, centre was a large wooden wheel surrounded by a railing. Various controls were around the rails, compass and throttle, map cases and so on. Two captain chairs at the rear and cupboards and draws took up the rear wall. Will was feeling very tired now and that chair looked amazingly comfortable but no…he decided to go below decks and see what the main cabin was like.

Taking a lantern that was hanging by the door he checked and found it full of oil.A box of match’s were lying nearby on a cabinet, so he lit the lantern and shut off the gas lights.Leaving the wheelhouse and heading down the stairs he was passed by Minnie who seemed to know where she was going.The next deck was dark but the lantern threw enough light to see well.Several doors were along a short hall with adoor at the end of the hall, with a sign …Captains Quarters. Minnie was pawing at the door so Will opened it up.

A small yet well appointed room, neat and tidy as if the previous occupant had cleaned before they left.A comfortable looking bed drew his attention first and foremost.“Minnie, time for bed little one.Been a long day and we both need our beauty sleep.”He pulled the top quilt down and the sheets looked and smelled fresh and clean.She looked up at him, jumped on the bed…turned a few circles and plopped down.Will removed his shoes, stripped down to boxers…looked around and found what he was looking for.A small door led to a tiny bathroom with toilet and sink.After doing the necessities he returned to the main room and climbed into the bed.

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William Harris

Age 67

Intelligence 15/50

Strength 10/50

Vitality 10/50

Stamina 9/50

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

Captain of the heartboat Rose, navigation

“Night Min, busy days huh.” Min snored in response. Will laughed and reached for the lantern on the cupboard beside the bed and snuffed it. The darkness was near complete and he dropped off as soon as his head hit the pillow.