Foretellers (The Ydron Saga Book 3)

Foretellers (The Ydron Saga Book 3) Read Free

Book: Foretellers (The Ydron Saga Book 3) Read Free
Author: Raymond Bolton
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never been near a body of water as large as the ocean, let alone been in a boat, so it took a few minutes and several attempts to figure out how to work the oars. Eventually, however, after inserting them into the oarlocks, she maneuvered the craft along an erratic course, bringing it alongside the ship after what felt like far too much time. She was looking for some way to board when voices carried across the water and it came to her that she and her daughter needed to be on the side opposite the shore. With the oars creaking and banging, she got the tiny craft moving. Pandy helped push them clear whenever they collided and they rounded the bow just as lanterns were being lit. Soon after they had rounded, they ran into it again.
    Roanna cursed and was trying to shove the skiff clear when Pandy said, “Mother. There’s a rope.”
    “What?”
    “I was pushing us away when my arm rubbed against it. Come here. Feel for yourself.”
    Roanna shipped the oars. Despite her complete lack of nautical experience, she had sense enough to realize if she simply left them in the oarlocks, one or both could slide free, leaving them helpless and adrift. Hoping she had stowed them correctly, she crawled through the darkness towards Pandy’s voice. They touched and Roanna scooted beside her.
    “Don’t let it go. Don’t lose it.”
    “I won’t,” replied Pandy, sounding offended. “Here. Touch it.”
    She found her daughter’s shoulder and felt along her arm. When she reached the girl’s hand, her fingers made contact with the rope’s corded surface. It was as thick as her wrist and its girth surprised her.
    “What’s it for?” Pandy asked.
    “I don’t know and I don’t much care. Do you think you can climb it?” Roanna asked, holding on to it.
    “Don’t be silly.”
    Roanna was chagrinned at having asked. For much of her daughter’s childhood, Roanna had criticized her for being too like a boy. The fact was, Pandy could climb anything.
    “Good. We need to get aboard. I’ll hold it steady while you climb.”
    “Should I wear my pack?”
    “No. It’s too heavy.”
    “I don’t want to leave it.”
    “Don’t worry. I have an idea. Just climb to the top and let me know when you’re there.”
    That didn’t prove necessary. Once Pandy had ascended, Roanna heard the sound of boot heels on wood and she felt the strain on the rope lessen.
    “I did it,” Pandy called.
    “Good. Give me a minute to secure the packs.”
    The rope was long enough that its free end dangled in the water. The extra length meant Roanna had plenty to work with so she gathered up the packs. She fed the free end through their shoulder straps, intending to knot it, but due to its thickness, the act proved harder than she had anticipated. Still, there was enough workable length to create a loop and pass the end back through to form a second, then a third and finally a fourth. When she was done, she pulled hard to secure the series of half-hitches.
    When she had fastened the packs as securely as she could, she grasped the portion attached to the ship and pulled herself free. In this moment, she knew she was risking everything. With nothing but the weight of the packs to hold the boat in place, it could drift away on its own. Moreover, if she were to lose her grip and fall, she would have no way to pull herself back onto it and she doubted there was another way to board the ship. She chided herself for doubting Pandy’s ability and for not questioning her own, but there was no time to dwell on what might have been. Knowing her strength would fail if the climb took too long, she started up.
    She had the soft hands of a laundress and the rope dug into them. But hard work had made her arms strong, so she pulled for all she was worth, pushing with both her knees and her feet as she progressed. Eventually, however, her hands forced her to cry out with each effort, and the way up seemed endless.
    “Pandy,” she cried when she felt she had reached her

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