Revelyn: 2nd Chronicles - The Time of the Queen Page 13

They rowed out into the main current and let it take their craft toward the channel that Rema indicated. He crouched in the bow with his crude map and gave the directions as Andes sculled and rowed; with his great power he did as Rema wished... keeping the progress slow enough to be manageable and with the bow into the current. As the whip-reeds came closer, they saw how narrow the channel was and each shuddered a little. It seemed that the reeds sensed their presence and leaned towards them.

  ‘They reach for us,’ Bilgram whispered in horror, and then they were out of the lake and into the swamp channels and the walls of reeds closed about on either side.

  ‘No going back now my friends,’ called Rema loudly, and he saw the reeds shiver with the sound.

  Andes kept the boat in the channels and managed to guide the craft into the branches as Rema directed. The current was not so strong now and the progress was quite manageable, although in places the whip-reeds grew almost to meet from bank to bank and then they had to duck down and were thankful for the protection of Bilgram’s bottomless craft. The sounds of the whips cracked often against the sides but none came close to reaching them and Andes always managed to guide the boat through and on. In this manner they travelled for half the day, from one channel to another branch, through a maze of waterways with nothing above but the sky and the ever present whip-reeds on either side. So they travelled until Rema knew that his map would soon no longer guide them.

  ‘We will come by a small island in a span,’ he said looking carefully at his map. He took his bow and fired an arrow to check his position. Bilgram was dumbfounded for he could not understand the sense if it, and Rema was horrified for he saw then that the island on which he hoped to find refuge for the night was surrounded with reeds. They were not there this morning he thought, of this I am certain. There is a fell sorcery in this place.

  He fired again and saw a lone dead tree standing in the channel by the island. That too was not there this morning. He did not explain his discoveries for there was not time. He guided Andes into the right channel and then to the tree. With little problem they were soon tied firmly to the mighty sentinel and were able to rest as the current tugged gently at their craft. Rema looked at Bilgram, and smiled.

  ‘You must be wondering how all this came about?’ The other just nodded.

  ‘I can see my arrows fly,’ Rema replied. ‘It is as though at times I sit upon the tip. From there I see the land below. It is a gift. I cannot explain it, but that is how I made this map. This is how we have arrived safely at this point.’ The other two absorbed this new knowledge and could find nothing to say against it.

  ‘What happened to your safe island?’ Andes asked. Rema pointed to it for it was close by, surrounded by the whip-reeds.

  ‘It was safe this morning.’

  ‘And this tree?’

  ‘It was not here this morning.’

  ‘I have the feeling that something is not wanting us to leave this swamp.’ Andes whispered looking all about...

  ‘And some other provides us refuge when we need it,’ Bilgram added quietly patting the huge dead branch on which he sat. ‘It is beyond me, but here we are, a full day through the reeds and we are safe.’ He shook his head. ‘I do not understand your gift Rema but there is much I will never understand about matters in this life.’

  Making sure that the boat was secure they climbed carefully up into the tree and found the branches wide and sturdy. Rema then climbed as high as he could and saw that the swamp continued in all directions; there was no sign of the Luminous River. They spent the night quite safely in the boat although Rema had the distinct feeling that the rope which held them safely to the tree was not to be trusted and twice he roused himself to check and sure enough on one occasion he found it loose and the boat beginning to drift toward the reeds. After that he woke Bilgram and Andes and they slept in turns, watching the rope and all else that surrounded them in the faint moonlight. In this manner they passed the night without further incident and at first light Rema climbed to the highest point of the tree and fired a number of arrows, sufficient to continue the map.

  ‘It seems straightforward from here to the Luminous River,’ Rema reported when he had returned to the boat. ‘I have drawn the channels which suit us best, but toward the end of the swamp it is not clear; but I have chosen as best I can.’

  ‘Are you saying that the channels are not clear of weeds?’ Bilgram asked somewhat fearfully. Rema nodded. ‘In the end the swamp seems choked, but we know that the current has always taken us along, so it must get through to the Luminous, there must be a way through. I will fire some more arrows if need be....’

  ‘Just how many arrows do you have left?’ Bilgram asked with a very puzzled look upon his face. Rema hesitated not knowing how best to explain his amazing quiver.

  ‘I have enough, Bilgram,’ was his reply before quickly changing the subject. ‘And now let us continue.’ They ate some dried fish and a little of Andes’ and Rema’s remaining bread and then once more they went with the current as they had the day before; Andes guided by Rema’s directions, and Bilgram crouching safely out of reach of the reeds. The whip-reeds crowded more closely now as if they sensed the craft and its occupants were about to escape. In several places the crack of their whips came in close succession and both Andes and Rema had to duck for cover, but once more no one was struck and by the mid noon Rema fired another two arrows and saw the Luminous Rive now but a league to the east.

  ‘We are almost there my friends,’ he said sombrely for he could not see a clear path through. ‘The channels all come together and the Swifft River seems to be reborn once more, but the reeds block our path.’ He paused to let the news sink in. ‘We will need to go through.’

  They made preparations as best they could, which meant that Bilgram was put in the safest place in the bow under cover. Andes and Rema prepared both sets of oars and as Rema watched they rounded a bend and saw before them a mighty wall of reeds. He had time to fire one more arrow and from on high he could see the thickness and the depth of them.

  ‘Andes we can go straight now. We will turn the boat and row with the current. It is strong again. We will drive through. We have to endure two hundred paces, no more. We can do this.’

  ‘We will indeed,’ replied Andes grimly. ‘I wish to see my Fryn again and no bunch of reeds will deny me that pleasure.’ and with that he heaved on one oar and turned the craft in its own length. The two friends then bent their backs as never before and drove their craft deep into the reeds, carried along by the resurgent current. The whips cracked all about them and tangled the oars. Rema found it hard to keep rowing but Andes could not be halted. Once more his mighty strength saved them, driving the boat onwards and tearing away any whips as they wrapped his oars. The sound of the whips hitting the planking of Bilgram’s upturned boat was deafening for a time...and then they were through and in clear water and travelling swiftly, with clean river banks on either side. They let out a mighty cheer and Bigram wept for he was at last free of the prison which had held him for two summers.

  ‘Thank you. Oh thank you both so much...you have saved my life,’ he said over and over with tears streaming down his face. Finally Andes turned to Rema.

  ‘I think he means we are heroes.’

  But Rema said nothing, for he too was greatly overcome with emotion.

  The clean water of the Swifft River met the muddy Luminous in a swirling line of small whirlpools and eddies. The exhausted party rowed out into the larger waterway and immediately turned north and headed upstream, for Rema was mindful that Bilgram would need to go in that direction in order to get home. When they were clear of the turbulence they landed on the bank and secured their battered craft.

  Bilgram immediately leapt up the bank and surveyed the scene in great happiness.

  ‘I am free Rema!’ he called in obvious delight whilst performing a small dance, and both Andes and Rema could not help but be moved by his great happiness.

  ‘And so are we,’
bellowed Andes cheerfully in reply.

  ‘And so we are,’ whispered Rema under his breath as the enormity of the past two days dawned upon him.

  ‘Well done Rema.’ Andes clapped his friend about the shoulder and almost sent him headlong into the muddy waters.

  ‘Enough of that,’ cried Rema playfully, ‘I did not escape the whip-reeds to be pummelled to death by a giant!’

  When they had regained their composure Andes and Rema removed Bilgram’s upended and bottomless boat from the larger craft which they then examined carefully for any damage. Finding none it was presented to Bilgram as a replacement, and Rema inquired as to whether he would be able to find his way upstream to familiar country, to which Bilgram replied most assuredly.

  ‘The current by the bank is weak and I will have no trouble making way against it. It will take perhaps two days but I will be home with my family not long after.’ He paused with tears in his eyes. ‘How can I thank you both? We have known each other for only a short while but it seems we have journeyed a great distance in that time.’ Rema put a hand upon his shoulder.

  ‘Just get home safely Bilgram and honour your promise… show your drawings. Perhaps that will be the good for you in all of this. Without this sad enforced removal from your loved ones you may not ever have received the reward your gift should have.’ Bilgram nodded and shook both their hands in gratitude.

  ‘But what of you two; how will you get to Ramos? It is still a great journey from here. Many, many leagues.’ Rema looked about.

  ‘This river is frequented by barges, or so I have read. ’

  Andes smiled at this point and breathed quietly to himself, ‘Ah the book…’

  ‘I am sure we can find a willing barger who will give us space on board in return for work…’ Rema continued, smiling. ‘…and Andes is always willing to show off his great strength. We will do just fine Bilgram.’

  ‘Speaking of barges,’ Andes said ignoring Rema, ‘there is one moored up river only a few hundred paces. We could start there.’

  The other two looked around and sure enough, snug in by the steep bank was a large barge. It was painted in a colour which hid it well from first view, but Andes’ sight was not easily tricked.

  ‘I did not see it,’ said Rema.

  ‘And nor did I,’ replied Andes, ‘until now when you spoke of them. Let us row Bilgram up that way and inquire as to what might be offered by way of a further voyage on a river. It seems we are becoming expert in this mode of travel.’ The giant was clearly happy and seemed, so Rema thought... even to be looking forward to continuing their strange journey.

  Chapter 7

  The barge was a large craft and well kept. As they rowed slowly up to it against the gentle current, Rema saw a man sitting on the foredeck as still as a statue. He watched them approach as a hunter might survey its quarry, but he did not move or offer any greeting as they rowed by, but the three felt his eyes upon them, intent in thought and discernment. Rema judged the length of the barge at near enough to twenty paces and perhaps a little more than four in the beam. As they approached the stern a cheery voice could be heard speaking close by above them.

  ‘I saw the big man first, he’s mine.’

  ‘You haven’t the class for one such as he,’ came the laughing reply, ‘one look at me and he will lose his heart. You mark my words Ledjer.’

  The sounds of loud giggling followed and it was clear to those on the rowboat that not only had their approach been carefully watched, but those who had done so were free spirited and female, and it seemed, unmarried.

  Rema raised his eyebrows and looked at Andes who blushed, whilst Bilgram did not know where to look. They secured their small boat to the bank and climbed up to see more clearly who was in charge of the barge. The sight which confronted them was not what they had expected. Two exceedingly large women stood waiting, and one glance was enough to prove that they were identical in every respect. Rema had never seen such solid examples of womenfolk. Their shoulders and arms where massive, and only exceeded in impressiveness by their great girth, for both were rotund in the manner of an ale barrel. They were dressed in the same manner although the cap each wore was different, thereby offering some means to distinguish between the two. Their faces were open and friendly and seemed as much used to smiling and mirth, as the rest of them was to good food.

  The two parties stared at each other in silence, although Rema and Andes and Bilgram could not help but display their great surprise in what was before them.

  ‘You see Ledjer, I was right,’ the large women on the left spoke in triumph turning to the other with her great arms placed provocatively upon her hips, ‘I have quiet captivated the man for he cannot utter a word.’ The two burst into giggles which rippled over their great bodies like a jelly in a breeze, whilst the three on the bank were completely at a loss for words.

  ‘Don’t just stand there, come aboard,’ said the woman called Ledjer. ‘Please excuse my twin sister Sedjer for she is quite mad. I have the brains and the beauty. I am called Ledjer. You are most welcome aboard our barge for we don’t quite get the company we would like on the river!’ This was followed by more giggling.

  Andes finally found his breath and whispered to Rema out of the side of his mouth, ‘I think we could row to Ramos, I feel strong enough.’ Rema just nodded contemplating the suggestion, but the twins would not be so easily refused.

  ‘If you don’t come on board we will just have to come over there and grab you,’ said Ledjer. This brought more laughter, but also a realisation by the party on the bank that the two women although probably mad were equally harmless. Rema led the way up the thick gangplank and soon the three were safely aboard and sitting in the large steerage space in the stern of the barge as the two sisters fussed about them. They all shook hands and introduced themselves; Bilgram was suddenly thankful that he was soon to depart for his hand was crushed by the fervour of the greeting he received. Andes could not miss the manner in which each of the women lingered on his handshake, whilst Rema was just thankful that he was not receiving such ample attention.

  ‘Now don’t you be scared of us,’ said Sedjer smiling genuinely. ‘We don’t bite.’ She looked at her sister with a mischievous grin. ‘Well at least I don’t.’ More giggles. ‘Anyhow we saw you row out of the Swifft like you were escaping some fell beast. I said to Ledjer, those folk have had a bad time of it, I said, no one rows out of the Swifft, not with all those nasty things growing there.’ She paused and took a breath, her ample bosom swelling hugely with the intake. ‘I said they will be coming aboard aforelong, you mark my words Ledjer I said. Those folk will need a good meal and better company than they’ve had for a long time.’ She smiled at her three guests. ‘And I was right.’ Her sister Ledjer nodded vigorously.

  ‘You were right Sedjer.’

  The twins were most forthcoming about their situation. They had spent all their lives on the river and were as happy with each other’s company as any other. They took their barge to Ramos and back to the highest reaches of the Luminous below Lake Majiic on an endless circuit carrying whatever cargo they could procure. They had no family apart from each other and their whole world was their fine craft, the river, and any whom they might chance upon along the way. With few possessions and no fixed abode they spoke warmly of their love for such a life and it seemed to the three, that any travellers like themselves who chanced upon these two were fortunate indeed, for their hospitably and love of good food and a hearty ale was clear to see.

  It was soon agreed that Rema and Andes could travel to Ramos on the barge and in turn might undertake simple tasks of loading and guiding the barge when called upon to do so.

  ‘We have never had so many aboard,’ said Ledjer almost rippling with pleasure. ‘I am sorry you will be leaving us Mr Bogram but your story is a sad one and I trust you will soon be restored to the bosom of your poor wife.’ She clearly chose the word deliberately and soon both bosoms of the sisters were quivering along with their un
ashamed giggling. Andes and Rema could not now help but laugh along with them; such was the great infection of the women’s humour.

  ‘You have another traveller,’ said Rema, thinking of the man who presumably still sat alone like a statue on the foredeck.

  Sedjer and Ledjer fell quiet.

  ‘He is strange one,’ breathed Ledjer.

  ‘Indeed he is,’ added the other in a whisper. ‘We came upon him three days back. He does not speak much and seems to guard his purposes quite closely, but he has had a hard time of it.’ She took a breath which allowed Ledjer to interrupt.

  ‘He comes from the lowlands beyond the Barrier Mountain where the grass and plains meet the Gnabi desert. He says he has business in Ramos but will not say more of it.’ The two women looked at each other as though confirming the story.

  ‘He tells of the land he comes from,’ whispered Sedjer looking suddenly toward the bow of the barge as if concerned that she was breaking a confidence in retelling what she knew. ‘It is eaten by the waters; the sea has swallowed the land. His tribe is lost he says but gives no more. He could not travel east as he desired along the coast for the Barrier Mountains now reach out into the sea. That way is blocked. He was forced to go north until he found some path up and over…’

  ‘ …and he says his horse was taken by a sabrecat in the Rolling Hills many days ago and he was injured in the attack,’ Ledjer continued in the same hushed tones. ‘He wept when he told us that.’

  ‘He surely loved his horse,’ said Sedjer. They looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

  ‘He has a name?’ Rema inquired. The two sisters nodded.

  ‘He is called Orcxyl,’ said Ledjer…

  ‘…and that is all we know,’ the twins spoke in perfect unison; a manner which seemed most natural to them. A quietness settled over the group which was finally broken by Bilgram.

  ‘I shall depart now,’ he said standing politely.

  The two sisters made sure his boat was well stocked with food and ale and in the end the separation was a cheerful but tearful affair. Bilgram thanked Andes and Rema simply but with great emotion and they waved him off and sat watching his figure grow smaller and smaller, until with a final wave he disappeared around a bend and was lost to sight.