Mad Ship

The woman nodded. Seeing her do so, Dedge nodded also. Ke

As he walked back to the big house, they followed at his heels. He spoke over his shoulder to them. "My mother can show you all you need to know about the island. Pigs are plentiful. There are goats as well. Almost anything you need, the island can provide. If it is outside the big house, you can help yourself to what you need. All I ask in return is that you do the heavier chores for my mother. That, and be sure the priest never attempts to leave. If he does, simply put him in the cellar with the captain. Encourage him to amuse my mother." He stopped and looked back at them when they reached the cottage door. "Is there anything I've forgotten?" he asked them. "Anything you don't understand?"

"It's all quite clear," the woman replied quickly. "We'll keep our end of the bargain, Captain Ke

He went into the cottage and glanced around. The priest stood in a corner, his arms folded on his chest. He did not look as if he were praying. His mother crouched over the open chest, aahing and clucking over the contents. She had already do

He let the words trail off as he helped himself to a piece of warm bread. His mother gabbled away at him as she poured him a cup of tea and offered him the only chair at the table. He seated himself gratefully. The crutch head was begi

The others joined him in the meal, obeying his mother's gestures to stand about the table. Only the priest demurred. His supercilious stare included Ke

He finished his tea and rose. "Well. I must be going. Now, Mother, don't start to carry on. You know I can't stay."

Despite his words, she caught at his sleeve. The pleading look in her eyes spoke eloquently but he chose to misunderstand. "I won't forget the tea cups, I promise you. I'll bring them the next time I come. Yes, all done with pretty little designs, I'll remember. I know what you like." As he set her hands firmly away from his sleeve, he spoke over her shoulder to the others. "See that you mind well, Ankle. I shall expect to see a fine, fat baby when next I call, Dedge. No doubt there will be another on the way by then, eh?" He felt quite patriarchal as he said this. It occurred to him that eventually he could select others to come and live here. It could become his secret kingdom within a kingdom.

As he stepped away from his mother, she surrendered, as she always did. She sank down onto the chair, bowed her head into her hands and wept. She always wept. It made no sense to him. How many times had she found that tears solved nothing? Yet still, she wept. He patted her gingerly on the shoulder and headed for the door.

"I am not staying here," the priest declared.

Ke

"No. I'm going back to the ship with you."

Ke

The pirate's smooth courtesy seemed to rattle Sa'Adar. He looked all around himself. Ke

"No. I will not stay. There is nothing here for me."

Ke

Sa'Adar gave him a disdainful look. It was as if the pirate had given him a command more suited to a horse or dog. He looked over his shoulder at the weeping woman. "I suppose I could do that."

"I know you could. Take your time. As you have noticed, I do not move swiftly these days. I'll await you at the beach." Ke

Ke

"How kind of you," Ke

"Captain?" Saylah dared to ask softly. "Will you want any help to launch the boat?" She gave the priest a narrowed, sideways glance as she spoke. Her offer was plain.

He managed a smile. "No, thank you all the same. I am sure the priest and I can manage it. You stay here and get settled in. Farewell." He tucked his crutch more securely under his arm and began his swinging trek back to the boat.

The ground of the garden was soft. After that, his path led uphill. Ke