when Tokem streaked by and landed on my shoulder. He startled me and I spilled hot coffee on my hand.
“Tokem, what in the devil are you doing. You nearly got me scalded.”
“Sorry, but I thought you’d want to know that I’ve spotted land. And it is inhabited.”
“And? Out with it or I ’ll make finger food out of you.”
“Touchy, touchy. I spotted smoke when I flew over the treetops. I thought I ’d better come and let you know before, I risked giving our approach away.”
“Good thinking. How far is it to the island?”
Zane pointed to the west, and I squinted to see what he was pointing at. I could just make out an island in the distance. He swung the boat around and started tacking toward the island.
“Do you know what island that is?”
“No and it doesn’t seem likely that vampires would be that obvious. Who knows, perhaps it is a trick? It will take us a couple of hours to reach the island. I suggest you arm yourself and then I’ll give you the helm while I do the same. Tokem, if it isn’t too much to ask would you fly around the island and see if you can find a safe place for us to drop anchor.”
“I ’m on it.”
I went below deck and put on my bracelet, picked up my staff, and strapped on my ammo belt along with my Smith and Wesson. I wanted to make sure I was prepared for all eventualities. These islands could only be harboring traders, pirates or vampires. Better to be over prepared than to get caught unprepared. Satisfied I had everything I’d need I went up on deck to relieve Zane.
Zane nodded his approval and headed below deck. I scanned the horizon and couldn ’t see anything except the island. There weren’t any boats that I could find on this side of the island. Worried I might need to do something besides hold the wheel I yelled for Zane. He popped up a moment later and took control of the boat. We sailed on in silence until Tokem sped back into view. He landed lightly on the spar.
“I found a ship anchored on the other side of the island. There didn ’t seem to be anyone on board. However, there was a dingy pulled up on the beach. I think we should try to anchor on this side and row in. There isn’t any cover on the other side. It is too open and I don’t like it.”
“I agree. Did you see any place that looked safe enough to lay anchor?” Zane as ked as he tacked back toward the island.
“The shoreline is rocky. But, there are several places on this side that looked shallow enough to drop anchor. We wouldn ’t have to row more than a quarter mile or so. And the tree line is close to the water. It should give us some protection.”
“Good. I ’ll head us in. Lauren, when we get closer I’ll need you to stand on the bow and look for rocks.”
“No problem, but I have to warn you the only rocks I ’m good at spotting are measured in carats.”
Zane arched an eyebrow, but he said nothing. We kept zigzagging , closer and closer to shore. I kept my eyes on the water. I yelled out when I could see the bottom. When it looked like we were getting too close to the rocks below us, I yelled. Zane let the main sail down, yelling for me to grab it, easier said than done. The damned thing was flapping around like it was possessed. I finally pinned it to the mast. He tied off the wheel and jumped to the back of the boat, hauling out the stern anchor, he tossed it overboard. Together we rolled up the main sail and tied it off. Then Zane moved to the front of the boat and threw out another anchor.
“That should keep us off the rocks. Do you want to take a look around? I think we can get across to the shore without being too vulnerable.”
“I’m ready, and so far I don’t detect any magic. It is early enough in the day for us to check out the island and return before dark. I’ll put a shield around the boat. If anyone tries to come on board we’ll know.”
“Good idea. While you see to that, I ’ll get the dingy into the water.”
Twenty minutes later , we
“Tokem, what in the devil are you doing. You nearly got me scalded.”
“Sorry, but I thought you’d want to know that I’ve spotted land. And it is inhabited.”
“And? Out with it or I ’ll make finger food out of you.”
“Touchy, touchy. I spotted smoke when I flew over the treetops. I thought I ’d better come and let you know before, I risked giving our approach away.”
“Good thinking. How far is it to the island?”
Zane pointed to the west, and I squinted to see what he was pointing at. I could just make out an island in the distance. He swung the boat around and started tacking toward the island.
“Do you know what island that is?”
“No and it doesn’t seem likely that vampires would be that obvious. Who knows, perhaps it is a trick? It will take us a couple of hours to reach the island. I suggest you arm yourself and then I’ll give you the helm while I do the same. Tokem, if it isn’t too much to ask would you fly around the island and see if you can find a safe place for us to drop anchor.”
“I ’m on it.”
I went below deck and put on my bracelet, picked up my staff, and strapped on my ammo belt along with my Smith and Wesson. I wanted to make sure I was prepared for all eventualities. These islands could only be harboring traders, pirates or vampires. Better to be over prepared than to get caught unprepared. Satisfied I had everything I’d need I went up on deck to relieve Zane.
Zane nodded his approval and headed below deck. I scanned the horizon and couldn ’t see anything except the island. There weren’t any boats that I could find on this side of the island. Worried I might need to do something besides hold the wheel I yelled for Zane. He popped up a moment later and took control of the boat. We sailed on in silence until Tokem sped back into view. He landed lightly on the spar.
“I found a ship anchored on the other side of the island. There didn ’t seem to be anyone on board. However, there was a dingy pulled up on the beach. I think we should try to anchor on this side and row in. There isn’t any cover on the other side. It is too open and I don’t like it.”
“I agree. Did you see any place that looked safe enough to lay anchor?” Zane as ked as he tacked back toward the island.
“The shoreline is rocky. But, there are several places on this side that looked shallow enough to drop anchor. We wouldn ’t have to row more than a quarter mile or so. And the tree line is close to the water. It should give us some protection.”
“Good. I ’ll head us in. Lauren, when we get closer I’ll need you to stand on the bow and look for rocks.”
“No problem, but I have to warn you the only rocks I ’m good at spotting are measured in carats.”
Zane arched an eyebrow, but he said nothing. We kept zigzagging , closer and closer to shore. I kept my eyes on the water. I yelled out when I could see the bottom. When it looked like we were getting too close to the rocks below us, I yelled. Zane let the main sail down, yelling for me to grab it, easier said than done. The damned thing was flapping around like it was possessed. I finally pinned it to the mast. He tied off the wheel and jumped to the back of the boat, hauling out the stern anchor, he tossed it overboard. Together we rolled up the main sail and tied it off. Then Zane moved to the front of the boat and threw out another anchor.
“That should keep us off the rocks. Do you want to take a look around? I think we can get across to the shore without being too vulnerable.”
“I’m ready, and so far I don’t detect any magic. It is early enough in the day for us to check out the island and return before dark. I’ll put a shield around the boat. If anyone tries to come on board we’ll know.”
“Good idea. While you see to that, I ’ll get the dingy into the water.”
Twenty minutes later , we
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