Prudence Short Stories Hathia's Rainbow - 2
| Hathia's Rainbow - 2 |
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| Written by Andy Taylor | |
| Friday, 16 February 2007 | |
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2 I will try to relate here Prudence's story as faithfully as I can. I have removed some of the more colourful, fanciful and frankly, plainly ridiculous embellishments. Clearly the story was designed to frighten this homesick Englishman into collecting his wayward companion, Sydney Greenburgh and board the next ship for home. I was led to believe the following events took place, some eight or nine years, before I first set foot on Heffen. The slaver was clearly in trouble. Arthur rested a moment on his oars. "I dunno what I'm doing all the rowing for, with a fit young gentleman on board," he complained, glaring at Falcon. "If looks could kill," Falcon whispered to Prudence, who started giggling. "Even you have to be of use for something," Harry smiled sardonically, at his beak nosed comrade. Arthur looked quite hurt at the apparent mirth his protest had caused. "In any case you got it in one Arthur. Falcon clearly comes from a long line of gentlemen. You just ain't ever recognised that. After all it does take one to know one. You on the other hand my ugly old friend are, I am afraid, much more likely to recognise a fellow sewer rat. In saying that, I go on record as not wishing to cause any offence to rodents anywhere." "Why not? The way you insist on continuing to breathe causes enough offence to your fellow humans." "Do they always go on like this?" asked Falcon. He had not taken his handsome blue eyes from the pirate girl next to him. The younger Prudence perhaps lacked some of the majesty of the woman who stood before me now, telling this story. After all, these events had taken place some years before. She was however, I believe, every bit as beautiful then as she is now. If Falcon could be sat here, where I am, he would still recognise her ageless beauty. "You get used to it," Prudence said to Falcon, "sort of, after a while, well almost anyway." The other boat from the Albatross was keeping up with Arthur's, despite having only two men and a sulking child on board. Monkey, as a child did not like to be separated from Harry. How could he protect him if anything happened? "They're going to try to land on Hathia rather than be sucked into the fault." Shouted Dorridge over the noise of the building storm. "I know you aren’t too keen on the place anymore Dorridge. Even so, given the choice, I think you would do the same," pointed out Prudence, shouting over the wind and spray. "I take it you do not visit Hathia by choice?" Falcon looked at Prudence questioningly. "Countless folk have tried and almost all have perished," explained Arthur glumly. "Which is still better odds than the fault itself," shouted Harry, as the small boat leaned over precariously as it rode another wave. "Some days Hathia seems to sit just outside of the dark shadow cast by Mount Niridia," explained Prudence. The wind had momentarily dropped and it was suddenly quiet, except for the sound of the water lapping round the boat. "I love it," she whispered, her big eyes filled with excitement. "It is only a small and rather hilly little island, but it is so amazingly beautiful Falcon. Don't you feel it too? It's so strange, so mysterious and unlike Mount Niridia, it is so very much alive." Falcon looked up at the towering mountain of rock and ash that dominated the far north of the Heffen islands. Up close Niridia was as awesome as he had been told. Black smoke trickled from the highest peak. This was a salutary reminder that the great volcano was only resting. "One thing's for certain, nothing can possibly live there," he muttered. "Something powerful and truly devastating must have happened to kill every living thing." "It is Hathia, not Niridia that interests us today," pointed out the young pirate girl. "Did you know that Hathia has been known to move?" "But that is impossible," Falcon laughed. "Not much is impossible lad, when you are this close to Gabrielle's fault," Arthur assured him gloomily. "So why would so many people visit such a strange and perhaps dangerous place?" Falcon was standing into the wind, letting the spray hit him full on. The salt water trickled down his rugged face and soaked his shirt, which as a result clung transparently to his well-toned torso. "And if it moves, how would you ever find a way to it?" laughed Falcon awkwardly. He was not certain if Prudence was joking or not." "That’s easy," explained Harry. "Those of us with the knowledge can feel our way through the reef. It constantly changes but we have learned to understand that." "That is those of us who can steer a boat eh Harry," interrupted Arthur sarcastically. Poor Falcon looked even more confused. The pirate girl decided he was quite cute. Prudence hadn't had the time or inclination to pay much attention to the opposite sex. Not since those terrible events that befell the Fairweather family and the Sunshine Ranch. She had, back in those happy times only just discovered boys. There had been one young man in particular that the teenage girl had become extremely fond of. In the end he broke her heart and let her down badly. As a result of this, Prudence Fairweather had come to the conclusion that no man could ever be trusted. As most men had become wary of making any advances towards the notorious pirate girl, there was little or no romance in her life anymore. Falcon had, in the short time she had known him, woken the passion in her which had been dormant for so long. He was the man of every young girl's dreams. Ruggedly handsome, the young adventurer was extremely fit and agile. Falcon was a fine swordsman, good enough to challenge Prudence's own skill with the sword. Since Falcon had joined the pirates of Sunshine Island, they could be found most evenings practising on the beach, testing each other's skill to the limit. The confident and jovial young man was not even put off by her frequent tantrums. Although evenly matched either fencing or swimming, the pirate girl's mood swings often helped him to get the better of her. She would become careless, often reckless, making it much easier for Falcon to disarm her. Prudence was used to getting her own way. She was not used to losing and would often sulk for hours. As the little boat rode another huge wave, Prudence touched Falcon's muscular arm and smiled. "Look," she said, pointing towards the slave ship. "They have managed to get her away from the fault. They're going to land her at Devil's Cove." As Falcon was still looking troubled, Harry thought he had better explain. "It's the only safe landing place anywhere on Hathia," he explained, like a small natural harbour. "You haven't told me why people would want to visit this place yet," pointed out Falcon. "If it is so much trouble to land a ship here, why do people bother?" Prudence smiled and leaned up close to Falcon. "If you read and believe all the legend and all the superstition so prevalent on Heffen, then you would know that Hathia is claimed to be the place where all rainbows end," She pointed at the sky over Hathia. The most beautiful rainbow arched across the dark grey sky. It really did seem end on Hathia. "And you know what they say is waiting us at the end of a rainbow," went on Prudence. "A pot of gold," said Falcon softly. "Harry I have been stupid," complained Prudence crossly, her beautiful face creasing into an angry scowl. Arthur had some witty response already formed in his oddly shaped head, but managed to swallow the words just in time. "One word from you Arthur and I'll slice of your manhood," snapped the girl without even looking at him. Harry was about to point out that she had probably already done that, but also felt it best to hold his counsel. "Don't you see? They don't have any gold on board the slaver," shouted Prudence. They have decided to take a short detour, to pick up some of the buried treasure from Hathia." "Well as we were saying, they won't be the first to try," said Arthur cheerfully. "What shall we do?" shouted Harry. The storm was growing worse. "There maybe no gold, but we still need to liberate Burleigh's cargo," insisted Prudence "What about the gold on Hathia," Falcon's eyes glistened in the strange green light, close up to the fault. Gold seemed to have much the same effect on all men. "We should at least take a look, shouldn't we?" "He's right Prudence, I am a thief and a good one," insisted Arthur. "We are so close to Hathia now, we'll probably never get a chance like this again." The ghosts of long dead sailors loomed up from the waves. Their faces white their eyes wide and staring, they moaned in despair at the two small boats. Bony hands, the flesh rotting from long fingers, clutched to the sides trying to capsize them. Another wave rolled across the top, sending their tiny craft spinning towards the sickly green mists. Already Prudence could see a great tear inside the fog through which she glimpsed a dozen more worlds swirling about a stormy sky. "This is madness," complained Harry as the boat was spun around by another wave. "This is marvellous," shouted Falcon over the roar of wind and sea. "I have never ever felt so alive." "He's right you know," agreed Arthur. "Trouble with us Harry is we have been getting too comfortable. As he spoke the other boat tipped over spilling the two men and the child into the murky water. "Monkey," Harry leapt to his feet. Before anyone could speak he had gone over the side. Prudence glimpsed Harry clutching hold of the child as they were swept towards the mist. "I suppose I must save the old fool," complained Arthur. "See you on the beach. Don't be helping yourself to any crocks of gold without me now." "Arthur no!" screamed Prudence "Promise," said Arthur. He grinned at the young pirate girl and then rolled backwards into the angry sea. "I promise, you stupid, stupid old fools," muttered Prudence. She wiped a hand across her face. Falcon was watching her closely. "I got salt in my eyes," she snapped angrily. It was calm on the beach and the sun was shining. The storm seemed a long way away. Prudence had helped Falcon pull the small boat clear of the water. "This is a strange place," muttered the young man, pushing his short black hair away from his face. He had lost his shirt in the struggle to hold onto the boat. Prudence stood back and unashamedly admired her companion. She loved his strong and sinuous torso, almost as much as the exaggerated shape of his muscular bottom, shown off to good effect by his tight wet pants. Prudence herself wore skintight, calf length pants that sat on her hips and a short white vest that clung tightly to her breasts. "I'm not certain I like it here," decided Falcon, looking nervously around him. "I do," laughed Prudence. "Let's explore shall we?" They had gone someway down the shoreline when Prudence put her hand out and clutched Falcon's muscular arm. The body of a man lay face down on the shore, the ebbing tide, which had left him there, running over him and then washing back out again. "It's Dorridge," announced Falcon sadly. "I'm afraid the poor man is dead. Prudence knelt down by the body and stroked his head gently. "How odd you should die here my friend," Prudence looked at her ruggedly handsome companion. She was determined not to let him see her cry, although she wanted to. Prudence had liked Dorridge. "We can't do anything for him. We should explore." "Falcon, it strikes me that I may well have just lost two very good friends and a child, not to mention two very good men and you want to go explore?" Falcon put a large hand gently on her face. He pushed a few wet curls away from her eyes. "It is not a bad thing to shed a tear for our friends," he said softly. "Then feel free to do so Falcon, whilst I go look for them, "replied Prudence coldly. She started along the beach at some speed. "Look we should surely still find the treasure," insisted Falcon, running to catch her up. "I am certain Harry and Arthur will be fine, but let's be honest with ourselves Prudence, neither of the argumentative old fools would wish us to turn our back on this adventure now. Not when there is profit to be made." Prudence nodded. "Suppose you are right. They landed the slaves here too remember. They must have left the slaves around here somewhere." She pulled off her vest and squeezed the water from it. She wore nothing underneath. She enjoyed hearing her young companion catch his breath at the sight of her breasts. Falcon pulled the pirate girl close to him and kissed her. "Who said you could do that," she demanded indignantly, but she kissed him again. It felt good to be held close again. Falcon's strong arms made her feel safe, but also a little vulnerable. Sometimes she tired of being so self reliant, tired of being a leader. Too many people seemed to depend on her. Had she been responsible for Dorridge drowning? "Maybe later," she whispered in Falcon's ear. "If you're a good boy. We must have a look round although I'm sure the others will be ok." She continued to walk along the beach, privately dreading the discovery of another body. Suddenly she stopped dead, clutching hold of Falcon again. "What is it Prudence?" "More bodies," whispered the girl, her voice faltering. "More dead people." As they drew closer, they realised that there were no less than ten bodies, all piled in a heap. "The crew of the slaver," observed Falcon grimly. "Sir John Burleigh does not like his employees disobeying him," said Prudence. "He will have ensured he had at least one man loyal to him in the crew. He will have done this." She lifted a couple of dead slavers onto their backs, until she recognised one. "Burkley," she said softly. "Used to serve on the Albatross years ago. Burkley had the knowledge that’s how they got here." "Knowledge?" "Few people can navigate these waters safely Falcon. If you can, it is known as 'the Knowledge'. It is a skill known only to a handful of natives and an even smaller number of pirates." A little further on, they found more bodies. This time it was some of the cargo that Burleigh's men had massacred before being murdered themselves. "This John Burleigh is truly an evil man," Falcon spoke through gritted teeth. Prudence thought the young man might easily be sick. She had lived through such carnage before, but it made this no easier. "We should get away from here," said Falcon. Prudence nodded sadly and they turned to continue their search of the coastline. There was a cry of anguish from behind them. "The woman over there," Falcon pointed at a black woman sprawled against an old palm, slightly away from the other bodies. "She's alive." Prudence was by her side a moment later. Lifting her into her arms. There were tears in her eyes now that she could never blame on the salt water. She pulled the top of her drinking pouch and gave the woman a few sips of water "You all right?" asked Falcon. "I have witnessed too much death," said the girl quietly. "My daughter," the black woman clutched hold of Prudence's arm. "She is only ten summers old, mam. She escaped Burleigh's men and ran towards the centre of the island." She began to cough, a little blood dribbling from her mouth. "Is there nothing we can do?" asked Falcon. He looked lost, confused even. "Her wounds are bad," said Prudence. "I am dying," said the woman. "You must listen please. They didn't bother to chase after her mam. They said the evil spirits would have her, if she didn't starve to death first. They said there is no way off Hathia." The woman began to choke again, and took another swig of water. "I know you, don't I?" Prudence took hold of the woman's hand. "You worked for my father." "He gave us our freedom your father did. Gave us a good place to live. We took in the child as a favour to him. She's not really our own, but we loved her like she was. You must save her mam, she is the sweetest little thing and it is not her time to die." "I promise you, we will find her, and I promise she will have her freedom back." "There is no way off Hathia for me, but I am happy to die here." whispered the lady, She coughed again and the life faded from her eyes. Prudence closed them and laid the woman down. "I know Hathia is only small, but we will never find a ten year old here," pointed out Falcon. "What's that?" Prudence gestured to a peace of parchment clutched in the young adventurer's hand. "This?" Falcon held out the parchment for Prudence to see. I found it on one of the dead slavers. It's a map. "A map?" "Definitely. Look if you don't believe me." "A map of what Falcon?" Prudence snatched it from his hand. "Be careful," Falcon looked alarmed by her sudden action. "It is extremely fragile, very old I expect." "It's complicated," decided Prudence, turning the parchment around in an attempt to determine which was the top. She frowned. "I can't make head nor tail of it." "That there, "Falcon pointed at a mark inside what Prudence guessed was a cave.”That is your crock of gold and I think we should go and get it." "OK, agreed, but we find this child first." "It tells you that the cave where the treasure is hidden, deep underwater except for one day in the year," pointed out Falcon. "Prudence my beautiful thing, fate must have smiled upon us, our luck is in, for this is the very day." He held the pirate again, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "But I fear that we have little time left, before the cave begins to fill with water again." Prudence frowned. "Perhaps I am meant to have this gold," she said quietly. "The child ran in the same direction as the cave," went on Falcon. "With a bit of luck we should find the girl whilst we are looking for the cave." Prudence nodded. "Let's get on with this then," she said. Falcon cut a way through the lush green jungle with his sword. They had not gone far into the thick tropical forest, before they came to a clearing. Some distance ahead of them, the ground rose sharply, forming a high green and rocky ridge. Clearly the map suggested the cave was somewhere in amongst the rocks. "It's over to the right I think," said Falcon studying the old map carefully. "We've come slightly too far look. Still no harm is done, we can make it to the ridge in no time now." Prudence took just one step forward. One minute the ground was hard, and then old man Fairweather's little princess felt herself falling. "Look out Pru, it's a trap," shouted Falcon. "It is there for the one day that nature cannot protect her treasure." "Please don't call me Pru," Prudence was desperately clinging onto a shiny rock face that seemed to go down into the bowels of the earth. "Only if you do I'll probably have to kill you, when I get out of here." Prudence tried with all her strength, to pull herself back up to the top of the hole through which she had fallen. Did you hear something then Falcon, like a child's voice?" "Help me!" "There it is again," Prudence slipped a couple of feet back down inside the narrow hole. Far below Prudence, the voice of a child drifted back up towards them. "Help, help, help me," sobbed the child. "Please help me." "My god Falcon, this is one of the places." "Places?" Falcon glanced nervously at the slowly setting sun. "I can see," Prudence stumbled on her words. The scene below her was too much for her eyes to believe. There were worlds hundreds upon thousands of them. There was a massive army that she knew waited simply for the order to attack her world. Countless soldiers in dull grey armour some once human, some demon, and some that must have originated somewhere far worse than hell, waiting impatiently to kill every living thing. Then she saw the little black girl clutching onto the slippery rocks. "Help me, please," begged the frightened child. "What's your name child," shouted Prudence. "No wait, I know your name don't I? You're little Meg aren’t you?" "You remember me mam?" asked the child, her eyes wide with surprise. She slipped and for a moment Prudence was certain she was going to plunge into the stars and planets that swam around beneath her kicking feet. "You even remember my name?" "Of course I do, it isn't exactly a difficult name to remember, is it? Now Meg I want you to stay absolutely still. "Prudence looked back up into daylight above them.”I'm coming down to get you, ok? Falcon, we need some rope quickly." Falcon looked down on the two girls, his eyes glinting greedily in the afternoon sun. Both girls clung on precariously, to the slippery subterranean rock face. Either of them could easily plunge to their death at any second. "The cave is flooding fast Pru. If I don't get the treasure now, it will be lost again" "Falcon! Meg and I need your help, please." "I'm sorry, I must save the treasure first. I will be back soon, I promise." "Falcon we cannot hold on that long, help us," screamed Prudence, but Falcon had gone. Prudence nearly lost her hold on the smooth rocks. "I'll kill you when we get out of here Falcon," she screamed. "And another thing. Don't call me Pru." "Are we going to die?" Meg sounded less frightened than a child should in the circumstances. "No of course not," snapped Prudence, desperately trying to get a better grip on the slippery rocks. The pirate girl took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She must have been in tighter spots than this, although she was having trouble bringing one to mind. Worse still, she had absolutely no idea what to do next. Prudence stopped her story at this point to go and check what was happening on deck. I could see nothing so far in her tale to concern me. I had read many accounts of how treacherous pirates can be to one another. "It seems you were taken in by a good looking rouge," I said. "Surely that is the moral of this tale." Prudence laughed. "You need to hear the rest before you make such judgements Mr Anders." She smiled. "Shan't be long." I had to wait for almost an hour alone in the dark galley. I passed the time, trying to convince myself that the gentle swaying motion of the big ship was not making me feel sick. What I think kept me going, was my eagerness to hear the rest of the pirate girl's story. |
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