Excerpt: Storm Sketch - Fire and Ice

Prologue

“Captain Jacobs’ is an honest and fair captain,” Megwin said. “He’ll treat you well and reintroduce you to the ways of the sea.”

Kadin stood on the dock and looked up at the graceful lines of the Windrider Lady, Captain Jacobs’ four masted schooner. His heart was heavy.

“I’m not worried about that. Once the sea is in your blood it never leaves, no matter how long you are away. It will only take a day or two before it all feels natural again and I regain my sea legs.

“I hate leaving you all.”

“We’ve been over all of this before, Kadin. It’s time for you to move on. There’s nothing more I can teach you.”

“I know,” he answered. “It hurts though. You made part of your family. Now my heart is being ripped apart all over again. It makes that night raw and new, as if it was only yesterday.” He dashed tears away from his eyes without shame.

“But it’s not like yesterday. You’ve grown and matured. If you stay here you’ll stagnate and grow bitter. That’s no real life.”

“I know.” He leaned down and wrapped his arms a around her in a warm hug. “At least, this time, I get to say good bye.”

He pulled the box of coloring sticks out of his bag. “Please give these to Laurinde for me.” He handed them to Megwin.

“But Kadin . . .”

“I know.” He wrapped his hands over hers and closed them around the box. “I can’t explain why, but she is to have these. I’ll find my own way.”

Tears flooded her eyes and poured down her cheeks. She tucked the box in her cloak pocket. “I’ve no doubt about that. You do a mother proud – even an adopted one.” She reached up and pulled his face down to hers. She kissed both cheeks and his forehead. “A mother’s blessing,” she said.

“May your roads be rough enough to teach you patience,
Smooth enough to give you joy,
Challenging enough to give you confidence,
And strange enough to give you new experiences,
May you always strive for wisdom,
May you always meet anger with peacemaking,
And may the end of your journeying bring you to your heart’s desire.

“Go in peace and the knowledge of our love, my son.” She kissed his lips lightly and stepped back.

Captain Jacobs stood at the port rail. “If you’re going with us,” he called down to Kadin. “You’d best come aboard. We’re about to cast off.” He walked away before Kadin could answer.

“Coming, Sir!” Kadin called after him. He hugged Megwin once more, and dashed up the gangplank.

“I’ll send word to your mother,” Megwin called out at the last minute.

Kadin spin around and paused, just before he stepped on board the Windrider Lady. “But, I’m not allowed any contact with home . . .”

“True,” she called back. “But I am.” She waved, truned and strode down the docks to the carriage waiting to take her home.

“Step back son, we need to cast off.”

“Oh, of course,” Kadin jumped back out of the way.

“You can watch us leave port over there,” the old sailor waved to a quiet spot half way down the rail. “We’ll get you settled, after we’re safely at sea.

“Yes, Sir,” Kadin said, picking hp his bags and moving away sot he gangplank could be hauled in.

“Don’t call me Sir, boy,” the old sailor laughed. “I’m just an old sea hand.”

“I’ll remember,” Kadin said turning to watch his home fade in the distance. He stood by the rail his bags lumped at his feet, and watched until Outpost Island was nothing more than a faint mist on the horizon.

* * * * * * *

Janealla raced to the cott, a letter clutched in her hand.

“Mrs. G.! Mrs. G.! Mrs. G.!” she called. “There’s word.”

She burst through the door of the cott as if she were still twelve and running wild.
“Goodness! Calm down. What’s all this fuss about?” Kadin’s mother asked.

“There’s a letter! And it’s about Kadin!”

“What?” Mrs. G. sank into the closest chair, waving a cleaning cloth in front of her face, trying to catch her breath and drive away the light headedness.

“But he’s not allowed to contact us. . .”

“It’s not from Kadin. Look!” Janealla held the rumpled, well-traveled letter out to her mentor.

The address on front simply said:

Janealla in care of Mrs. Germaine
Lord Casteelle’s Manor, Village by the Sea
Fourth of the Nine Counties

“I couldn’t imagine who’d be sending me a letter. I opened it as soon as the Post Mistress handed it to me, and it’s from the woman who adopted Kadin when he arrived on her shore . . . on Outpost Island . . .”

“Great Lords!” Mrs. G. gasped. “Outpost Island! How did he ever end up there?”

“It’s all in the letter. Here!”

“No. Read it to me. My hands are shaking.” Tears filled her eyes. “Fourteen long years and this – the first word.”

Janealla unfolded the letter and began to read.

“My dear Janealla and Mrs. Germaine,

I feel like I know you both. I’ve heard so much about you. While Kadin was with us, I was not allowed to send any word. I cannot tell you where he is bound now other than to say it is off of our Island. In fact I do not know where he is going. Like you, I will now have to wait upon the kindness of strangers to know what may befall our beloved Kadin.

He arrived here after the unfortunate incident that exiled him from you both, at the end of a storm and was discovered, by my two youngest children, shipwrecked on our beach . . .”

The letter went on to tell of the years Kadin lived with Megwin and her family.

And so the first stage of the Curse has passed. Kadin’s art is returning, but barely. He has matured and grown into a man you both would be proud of. Though I know, it will be many long years before he is able to return home, I trust these words will bring you a small measure of comfort. Know, that Kadin became one of our family. He is dearly loved and cherished, as I know you too love and cherish him.

I sent him off, a quarter ago, with a mother’s blessing as I know you would have done were you here, Mrs. Germaine.

He is beyond the knowledge of both of us now, but my heart follows him as I know yours does.

I trust this letter finds you both well and brings you a small measure of comfort.

Yours sincerely,

Megwin
Wise Woman of Outpost Island.