The Wanderers of the Water-Realm (29 page)

On the first occasion, the travellers had come ashore and taken great pleasure in sitting upon the sunlit plaza of a small town, and watched the woman and children weaving the brightly coloured Thoa-fibre matting that was the prime product of the settlement. The second town they visited stank like a veritable brewery, and the numerous barrels of Thoa-nut beer, standing upon its riverside quay, left them in no doubt as to the town’s principle manufacture. Indeed, Wilakin had laughed aloud as they drank the foaming brew, and had persuaded the boatmaster to purchase three kegs of the finest beer to supplement the narrowboat’s stores.

Darryl had often gazed across the Life River to the distant eastern shore, but the boatmaster had never been tempted to visit the narrow strip of land bordering the territory of the Saxmen barbarians. Furthermore, Myra had stated that an aura of menace lay over the distant shoreline, and she felt sure that terrible acts of cruelty were frequently perpetrated upon its soil.

“Never be foolish enough to land on yonder shore,” she often said, “or it may well be our undoing, for I feel that a terrible evil lurks there.”

The boatmaster quit the reeking cabin and stepped into the cockpit, for it was now time to relieve Wilakin who was coming to the end of his watch at the tiller. His first act was to review the progress of his vessel and he immediately realized that the pilot had steered the craft out into south flowing currant, until it was riding only a stone’s-throw from the centre of the river, and he looked quizzically towards the man at the helm.

Wilakin smiled. “Master, I have steered our craft as near to the centre of the waterway as possible, so that you will be able to gain a clear view of an artefact that will interest you greatly.” He pointed across the river towards a short spit of land jutting out from the eastern shoreline.

The boatmaster let out a gasp of surprise, for his gaze fell upon a small promontory supporting a grove of giant Thoa-trees, some of which, he perceived, stood a good two hundred feet in height. But the feature that really caught his eye was the upper portion of a huge obelisk reaching upwards for a further hundred feet above the existing tree-line. The structure had been engineered from some strange material that bore a close resemblance to burnished copper, for intermittent beams of light from the five suns were caught upon its polished surface and reflected in every direction.

Darryl knew at once that he was viewing yet another artefact of that mysterious race,‘The Ancient Dead’and his respect for their physical achievements grew immeasurably.

The river pilot seemed to read his thoughts.

“An impressive sight master, the reason for its original construction is well beyond our understanding. Yet, for long ages, it has served as the marker defining the outer-most limit of Saxmen power. So far and no further is the rule. A few inland clans do have settlements to the south, but it is generally understood that no Saxmen Chieftain may send his troops beyond that shining marker, without incurring the wrath of the Dark Priests and even the wildest barbarian would be loath to take such a terrible risk”.

Wilakin paused. “That obelisk is also a welcoming landmark to all river-folk who are faring south along this waterway, for they know the shining walls of Holy Ptah can be reached in forty more days, if the Gods are willing, and the long and hard journey is coming to an end; also, from here and until we reach Holy Ptah, the river is patrolled by the war-galleys of the priests overseers and few pirates are foolish enough to raid shipping on this well protected stretch of the Life River.”

“That’s good to know.” Darryl said, as he took over the tiller from the pilot.

“Now perhaps we can sleep safe in our beds at night, and it’s especially good to know that we are nearing Holy Ptah, for I have only two of the merchant’s bonds remaining. Soon, we must exchange these bonds for copper discs and somehow purchase enough food to last us until we reach Ptah and find a buyer for our cargo of timber.”

Wilakin smiled.

“Have no fear on that account master. By tomorrow noon, we shall be nearing the ‘Island of Plenty ’situated on the eastern side of the river, there you can obtain the very best rates of exchange for your merchant’s bonds, and you can also purchase all manner of provisions at extremely low prices.”

“There is an island amidst the waters of the Life River?” Darryl asked incredulously.

The pilot shook his head. “No master, not in the way that an island stands in the middle of a lake. Let me explain. A sizeable river flows down from the eastern hinterland and then divides into two separate waterways, at a point about one days march from the bank of the ‘Great Life River.’The two waterways then discharge themselves into the Life River by separate mouths that are situated about one good days sailing from each other. A great triangular tract of fertile land is thus enclosed that we river-folk call ‘The Island of Plenty.’ The farmland is certainly the most productive in this portion of the Water-Realm and grows enormous crops of vegetables, but most especially a type of nutritious tuber that is called ‘ginna.’ The vegetable cannot be grown anywhere else but upon this Island. Ginna tubers are traded along the length and breadth of the Life River, either fresh to the settlements lying close at hand, or in a dried form to markets that lie further afield.”

Darryl looked keenly into the pilot’s face. “Are you sure this ‘Island’ is a safe place for strangers to visit?” He asked anxiously.

“Unquestionably” Wilakin replied. “The inhabitants are prosperous and extremely hospitable and it has long been their custom to welcome strangers with open arms.”

The pilot drew a long breath and continued.

“We are doubly fortunate master, for tomorrow begins the festival of ‘Persephone’ the local goddess of agriculture and celebrates the divine gift of the ginna. Three whole days will be given over to holiday-making by the entire population of the Island, whilst people from other riverside communities also arrive by water to join in the revelry.”

Wilakin smiled and winked knowingly.

“Aye master, the first day of the festival of ‘Persephone’ is entirely given over to feasting and all the many pleasures of the flesh. On the morning of the second day, a great ceremony will be held at the temple of the Goddess, when naked priests will sacrifice fat narr in the flames of the sacred fire. Afterwards, beautiful virgins will copulate with handsome athletes and take the men’s seed into their bodies as an offering to the powers of nature.”

Darryl appeared doubtful.

“Are you sure that we can exchange our merchant’s bills and purchase provisions during this season of celebration?”

“Without the slightest difficulty,” The pilot immediately replied. “For a great many factors ply their trade throughout the festival, in order to serve the needs of the numerous visitors. Why I know of a merchant who will cheaply supply us with…”

“Coffins perhaps,” a women’s voice broke in, and the two men looked up to see Myra standing upon the cabin roof. She slipped down into the tiny cockpit and faced her brother.

“Wilakin gives you sound advice, as far as it goes. Yet my brother, I beg you to remain on our side of the river and go on half-rations, if needs be, rather than visit this ‘Island of Plenty.’ My witch’s inner-eye has constantly warned me that danger lurks on yonder eastern shore, aye, ever since we first rode upon the waters of the Life River. I tell you plainly, that feeling still remains with me, ever though we are now clear of the territory of the Saxmen barbarians.”

Darryl turned and faced the pilot.

“The delights of that Island certainly attract me Wilakin, yet I have come to respect and heed my sister’s warnings, for without them I would have been dead and forgotten by now. It is therefore my resolve, as leader, to continue upon our present course and eke out our remaining provisions until we lie beneath the shining walls of Holy Ptah!”

“A wise choice my brother,” the wisewoman said with a smile, “and one that might well save us from some terrible catastrophe. Now let us speak no more of the matter!”

Despite the boatmaster’s best intentions, the ‘Bonny Barbara’ was destined to put into the ‘Island of Plenty’ for the reeking compound that Dromon had applied to the leaking outrigger failed to hold and the stabilizing pontoon began taking on water almost as soon as they attempted to resume their voyage at first light. The river-pilot had immediately stated that no alternative existed but to put into one of the boatyards on the aforementioned island and have the leak attended to by professional tradesmen.

Darryl discussed the matter with his sister, but it was quite obvious that a forced visit to the Island was inevitable and she reluctantly agreed.

About mid-morning, the look-out in the bows of the craft, pointed towards the eastern shore and shouted out that he had sighted the mouth of the northern waterway marking the beginning of the Island of Plenty. Darryl took charge of the tiller, and, under the pilot’s careful direction, he headed for the middle of the Life River, whilst Dromon lit a smoke-signal, which they knew would eventually attract a towing galley. A great many other vessels were also attempting to obtain a similar service and some two hours were destined to elapse before a sleek multi-oared craft nosed alongside and passed them a stout towing-line, in exchange for a number of copper discs. A further hour passed before the ‘Bonny Barbara’ was riding in the north-flowing current and fast approaching the gaggle of docks and wharves serving as the Island’s river port.

As the narrowboat nosed its way landwards, the newcomers were soon ableto view the ‘Island of Plenty’from close quarters and they were forced to admit that it bore no resemblance to anything previously seen in the Water-Realm.

Docks, warehouses and the dwellings of the common folk did indeed line the water’s edge. Yet beyond the built-up area, the crewmembers clearly viewed rank upon rank of terraced fields seeming to stretch as far as the eye could see. Nor were the fields of a similar colour, for the predominantly red hue of Water-Realm crops was interspersed with patches of unfamiliar green, yellow and brown vegetation. In addition, small irrigation canals could easily be seen following the contours of the ground. With difficulty, they were even able to make out the vast web of narrow ducts carrying the life-giving water to the crop-laden fields; and the three newcomers quickly came to understand why this great tract of fertile land was known as ‘The Island of Plenty.’

The narrowboat was soon berthed in a small repair dock, and Wilakin, after much protracted haggling, persuaded the owner of the dock to forgo some of the pleasures of the public holiday and immediately begin work on the faulty outrigger, upon the guarantee of a substantial bonus once the repair was completed.

Darryl viewed the nearby quays and noticed that very little commercial activity was taking place, but, here and there, an odd merchant was selling food to newly arrived boat crews. It was quite obvious that most of the men who would normally have been found toiling in the dock complex were absent and enjoying the public holiday.

The fact that a celebration was taking place was easy to define, for many of the structures near the docks were decorated with bunting and fronds of freshly cut creepers; whilst occasional groups of revellers could be seen leisurely threading their way between the riverside buildings. Some of them were festooned with sprays of freshly cut flowers and singing loudly as they moved, and it was obvious that Thoa-nut beer was already being consumed in considerably quantities.

Wilakin hailed a young urchin and instructed the child to run swiftly to the chambers of a factor with whom he had previously done business. The message invited the man to immediately attend the ‘Bonny Barbara’ and bid for the boatmaster’s last remaining merchants bonds. The urchin returned half an hour later, followed by a rather portly factor riding in a light one-man litter. Wilakin formerly introduced the man to his master and, after an hour of intense haggling, a suitable deal was struck and the bonds were exchanged for an ample supply of copper discs. In addition, the factor agreed to deliver enough cheap provisions to feed the entire crew of the narrowboat until they reached the Holy City of Ptah.