Free The Scarlet King by Charles Kaluza Page A

has agreed to a peace treaty, as soon as
possible."
    As the official returned to his building
compound, Daniel asked, "Now what do we do?"
    Heather chewed on her lip before replying, "I
think now we will wait and allow Larby's people to come to us."
    All of Larby's people had disappeared with
the firing of the cannon and only slowly did they again appear in
the doorways of their homes. Fishermen returned from the sea and
gave wide berth to their ship. It was only late in the afternoon
that a boat approached again. This time it was a simple canoe
paddled by a single young man. He reached within hailing distance
but said not. Heather had the young priest call out, "We bring you
news of Larby and come in peace."
    The young man stared at them before nodding
his head and returning to shore. Soon another small boat departed
the shore carrying three people. The elderly female sat in the
front while two others paddled. They came close to the side of the
ship and she spoke up saying, "I would hear the news of Larby."
    Heather had the young priest explained how
Larby was rescued a year prior from the Island of the Flightless
Bird. Heather then asked if she would be willing to come aboard.
The lady agreed and the ladder was lowered over the side. Despite
her age the woman climbed the ladder easily. She was assisted onto
the deck and the boat pulled away, staying within calling distance.
Betty came forward and smelled the woman before speaking like
Larby, saying, "You smell of Larby. Are you his mother?"
    Tears began to flow from the old woman and
she but nodded her head in affirmation. Betty held her hand and
some of the tension drained from the woman's face. She asked, "Does
my son really still live?"
    Betty said not but simply looked into the
woman's eyes and smiled. More of the tension drained from the
woman's face and her eyes were now filled with tears of joy. She
reached over with her other hand and covered Betty's small hands
asking, "Is he here?"
    Betty looked at Heather who said, "Your son
travels to the south and we are on our way to meet with him. We
bring news of the war and defeat of those of the Red but also of
another danger. I would speak with your people."
    The woman listened to the young priest’s
translation and responded, "I will speak to my people." She arose
and prepared to descend the ladder, adding," You have brought
happiness to an old woman, may you be blessed by the God of the
Sea."
    It was midday of the following day before
their ship was again approached by the same young man whom they had
first seen. He said simply, "The elders would hear your story."
    As Captain Cook had a boat lowered, Heather
chose those to accompany her. She had not to choose Betty, who was
already prepared. The young priest would be needed as a translator
and of course Daniel would want to come just to experience a new
people. But then who would be left to care for the little ones?
Betty spoke up saying, "They will like our babies, we should bring
them with."
    Captain Cook counseled that some danger was
present, but Heather responded, "I would trust these people, for
they have suffered much. We will go forward in good faith."
    The sailors maneuvered their boat next to a
low stone wall which served as a loading platform. Before Heather
and the others departed they were advised that the shallow water
meant they could only be returned to the ship at high tide. Heather
acknowledged and thanked the sailors and her group climbed on to
the stone wall. A small party was waiting for them on shore.
    They spoke not but simply turned and began
walking across the rocky beach towards the cliff face. There they
stood next to a ladder, which led to the first ledge of rock which
was red in color. As Daniel was climbing the ladder he was feeling
the texture of the rock and even tasted a piece trying to determine
its nature. At the first ledge they were directed to the right to
another ladder which led to a wider ledge on which the houses were
built. The