Aiden’s Compass had guided the Dyscovera to this island. The ship eased close to the unknown shore where the hills were dark with evergreen groves and golden with dry grasses—but Criston could see that this was not Terravitae.
By now, however, they were sorely in need of fresh supplies. After dropping anchor, Criston dispatched the ship’s boats to refill their casks with water and take on fruits, vegetables, and fresh game.
He had not yet delivered his verdict against Hannes and his fellow conspirators. When he instructed three of the accused mutineers to go ashore with the supply party, the men looked suspicious of what he might have in mind. Criston snapped, “There’s hard work to be done and heavy barrels to fill and haul—or would you rather have the lash instead?” The mutineers decided they were eager to help. “Prester, you will accompany us as well.”
Hannes had the look of a martyr about him and displayed no remorse whatsoever. “As you wish, Captain. Aiden’s Compass directed us here. There must be a reason for it.”
As Criston considered the island’s hills and pine trees, he called to the Saedran chartsman, “Sen Aldo, I’m sure you’d like to look around?”
Aldo had been staring at the coastline, filing away in his mind the details of the land. “Yes, Captain. Everything I see is vital to my maps.”
Javian joined him at the ship’s rail, bright-eyed and eager. “May I go with the shore party, sir?”
Criston glanced at him with a paternal smile. The cabin boy had seemed so young when they set off from Calay, but during the long voyage he’d matured into a solid and reliable young man. Criston could easily see that Javian’s affection for Mia was progressing beyond boyish infatuation. “Yes, you and Mia will come with me in the first party.”
The supply party used both of the ship’s boats, and as they rowed toward the shore, Prester Hannes sat in the bow, intent on the uncharted island. When they were close, men from each boat, including Silam Henner and one other mutineer, slipped over the side and sloshed up onto the beach, pulling the boats along. Once ashore, Sen Aldo looked closely at the native plants and studied fruits that hung from scrubby trees. Javian and Mia bounded off along the coastline, heading into the hills to explore what the island might offer.
The three cowed mutineers shouldered empty barrels and trudged off, following the sailors Criston had designated to watch them. The accused men were on their best behavior, eager to prove themselves to their captain, but Criston felt a knot in his chest, as the decision—the only decision—brewed in his mind. Silam Henner seemed convinced they were all going to be executed on shore.
Throughout the day, the men filled barrel after barrel with stream water and ferried loads back to the Dyscovera. Additional parties came ashore to help with the work, including the rest of the accused mutineers, who were eager to contribute their labor. Scavenging parties gathered sacks of exotic vegetables and fruits, and the cook was particularly happy when he found a patch of wild onions. The crew used hunting bows to bring down six dwarf antelope in the hills, and they all had a feast of roasted meat on the beach, after which they dug a smoking pit and lit a greenwood fire to preserve the rest of the meat.
They found no sign of human habitation, however—no ruins or any other indication that Aiden had ever set foot here on his journey. By late afternoon, when the Dyscovera’s hold was reprovisioned and most of the men returned to the ship, only a small group remained ashore. By design, Criston had made sure that Prester Hannes and the accused mutineers were among them, as well as some of his strongest sailors.
Having worked so hard on the island, the mutinous crewmen looked hopeful that they might be forgiven. Hannes merely raised his chin, as if he hoped that the captain would finally accept the rightness of what the prester had done.
But Criston’s voice was hard and heartless as he announced his decision. He had rehearsed his words many times. “You all stand convicted of mutiny, and the law of the sea is clear. Had we continued to sail, I would have had no choice but to cast you overboard.” The men groaned with fear; Hannes said nothing. “However, this island gives me an alternative. Maybe that’s why Aiden’s Compass directed us to this place.” He looked at them all with steely eyes. “I will maroon you here. Call it mercy, if you like.”
Hannes looked incensed. “We are nearly to Terravitae, Captain! What would Holy Joron say?”
“I hope I can ask him myself—and soon. In the meantime, you men can build shelters for yourselves, hunt food, remain alive—and that’s a chance we did not offer Enoch Dey. You have an opportunity that he did not.”
Now the prester was shaken. “You must not deny me the chance to see Joron!” His skin turned red, except for the pale patches of his burn scars.
The mutineers pleaded. “Please reconsider, Captain! We will be perfectly loyal.”
Silam Henner fell to his knees in the sand. “Don’t maroon us here!”
“My decision is made.”
Turning his back on them, Criston saw Javian running down the hillside path, with Mia fast on his heels, yelling, “Captain, captain—don’t leave yet!” They hurried up to the others, breathless, their excitement shattering the tense mood.
“It’s a monster,” Javian said, more astonished than terrified. “We found a monster!”