The courier ship steamed ahead, smoke billowing from the stack and the aft as it swiftly traveled north. Yang was optimistic enough to say that their five day journey may only be three and a half. Less comforting was the state of the engine working above safe capacity and the smoke filling the room. Beryl refused to go anywhere near it, claiming their presence would make it explode. Despite these misgivings the vessel made good progress.
Their good fortune came to an end when they reached the ice filled Gulf of Heimneif on the third night. The ice storm ravaged the coastline and made visibility poor as the ship was rocked by savage wind and waves. Yang tried to pace the ship to a crawl but the machinery refused to slow down. They plowed forward blindly towards rocks hidden amongst pack ice.
Yang turned the ship further out into the gulf and called for help. Wright, Beryl, and Tepic went on the lookout for rocks and icebergs hiding in the waves of broken ice floes. Frigid water came over the ship dousing the three lookouts while they clung to ropes and rails for their lives. Below decks Bookworm and Mariah prepared their supplies to abandon ship while Loki frantically tried to correct the engine without stranding them in the storm. The unnatural storm pummeled them unheeding of their struggles, threatening to capsize the vessel with one tumultuous wave after another.
Yang desperately turned the ship towards shore hoping to run aground. He heard Wright and the others calling out a warning he couldn’t understand. The ship struck a rockbed hard, tearing at underbelly of the rusty vessel as the crew were thrown about helplessly. Tepic lost his grip on the railing and went flying towards the thundering ocean, saved only by the rope connecting Beryl, Wright, and the rails. As they pulled him up Bookworm and Mariah came on deck and assessed the damage with Yang.
It did not take long for them to determine they were trapped on rocks several hundred yards from shore, and attempts to break free would only sink them. With the howling wind and freezing waves spraying everyone on board they retreated down to the heat near the smoke filled boiler room. Wright, Tepic, and Beryl had gotten the worst of it, but they all needed dry clothes and wrapped themselves in warm blankets. It wasn’t until everyone was certain they would not be losing toes or fingers that Loki stopped the engine again.
“Sorry everyone,” Loki said miserably, looking at the group huddled and shivering in their blankets. “Oi set the engine ter go fast, not ter stop.”
“A rather unforgivable oversight.” Mariah muttered quietly to Bookworm, but most of the room heard her.
“Not now Mariah,” Bookworm whispered, trying not to dwell on her own feelings about the accident. Powerful waves continued to strike the aft of the ship, but they remained firmly lodged.
Yang picked up his head, speaking in the lads defense, “Even if Loki had done nothing we would not have fared well in this storm. It was much worse than we could have anticipated. Our speed may be the only reason we are so securely nestled onto the rocks now.”
Tepic nodded as he nursed his hands which were feeling the rope burn from his fall, “Yup, slower an the waves mighta knocked us loose and back ter sink.”
“Yes, so there’s no use in blaming anyone for this.” Bookworm stated with a meaningful look at the others. She saw no argument in anyone, bitterness from some, but no argument. “We need to make sure we won’t be knocked loose in the night. Someone will have to go out there and secure us with cables. Then we’ll wait for morning when, hopefully, the storm will have subsided enough for us to take a life boat.”
Yang sat up looking distressed, “That would be dangerous. The waves could knock them overboard, and we have already risked our death from cold tonight.”
“He’s right.” Mr. Wright said as he stood up again to his full height. “Pneumonia out here could kill a man as sure as any bullet, so it should be me to go out Captain. I’ve got the thickest coat.”
Bookworm considered Mr. Wright for a few moments. The water would seep through his natural coat, but he had the best chances of returning unharmed from the elements, “While you’re securing us I’ll start packing for a long hike. I have a feeling we did not pass Professor Falcon after all.”
“Oi’ll get the boiler runnin ter get thu ‘eat pumpin again,” Loki promised. “Should be warm and won’t smoke so bad when oi gets it fixed.”
“I will prepare my own baggage as well,” Yang said with resignation. The ferryman had hoped to avoid the long march ahead of them.
“Can yer fit a sled into a lifeboat?” Tepic asked Loki as he joined him, wanting to watch their mechanic at work again.
As everyone set about getting ready to move out, Beryl collected their blankets and laid down on them. Mariah stopped for a moment to stare before asking, “And what will you be doing?”
“Keeping your blankets warm,” Beryl replied as they put their head down, purring.
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