ROAD TO CORDIA Read Free Page B

trying to be heard over the sound of the storm, over Yonny’s screaming. “Get in the lifeboat. You and Yonny. Tie yourselves in.”
         Ja'Nil just looks at her.
         “Do it,” orders Mama.
         “But Daddy…”
         “I’ll help him. You do what I say.”
         Just before Ja'Nil reaches Yonny, the boat gives a peculiar lurch.    
         “Mama,” says Yonny, his voice filled with horror.
         Ja'Nil looks back in time to see another wave catch Mama and carry her off into the hungry sea. All the while, Mama’s eyes are locked on Ja'Nil.
          Did Mama scream? Of course, but Ja'Nil can’t even hear her own screams over the sounds of the storm.
         “Stop all that noise,” said someone.
         Something grabbed at her. The sea was reaching out to drag her down, too!
         “No!” said Ja'Nil. She struck out wildly.
         “Will you stop that moaning, you useless brat.”
         “Er, Fisherwoman M'eer, perhaps a little kindness.”
         “Oh, go blow yourself, you old fool. She doesn’t need kindness; she needs a good kick in the ass.”
         Ja'Nil opened her eyes. Elder Jo’Oner and Aunt M'eer were standing beside her bed. In the next bed, Sildy was lying very still with the covers over her head. Ja'Nil knew she was awake, because she wasn’t snoring. Also, she could see Sildy’s beady eyes peering out.
         “Are you awake?” asked Aunt M'eer.
         Ja'Nil sat up and nodded.
         “Good, get your stuff together. We’re leaving on the morning tide.” Aunt M'eer turned and started for the door.
         “Leaving?” Ja'Nil’s voice came out as a croak.
         The only answer was the slam of the door.
    * *  *
         Ja'Nil was dragged out of bed when it was still dark, and given a hasty breakfast of hot chocee and a sausage roll. The roll was only half eaten when Aunt M’eer came for her. The terrifying woman marched right up to the bench where Ja’Nil was sitting, grabbed her by the neck of her tunic, and pulled her to her feet.
         “Tide’s upon us. Move it!”
         Ja’Nil’s mouth was half filled with sausage roll, so she was unable to protest effectively, as Aunt M’eer dragged her out the door and down the path that lead to the wharf.
         “No!” Ja’Nil dug in her feet… to no avail. Aunt M’eer dragged, poked, and prodded her all the way down to the wharf. Once there, Ja’Nil was literally thrown into the boat.
         Lying on the slippery deck, Ja'Nil was promptly sick to her stomach. Lord of the Circle, save me… her prayer was abruptly cut off when Aunt M'eer threw a pail of seawater over her, and then gave her an ungentle kick in the side.
         “Clean up that mess.”
         Ja’Nil was still on her hands and knees when her aunt ordered the docking lines let loose.
         One of the watching village woman protested that perhaps it was all too much for the poor child.
         Oh, yes, agreed Ja'Nil. Please someone get me out of here.
         Unfortunately, the woman shut up when Aunt M'eer glared at her.
         Then the tide caught them and Aunt M'eer snarled at her to raise the mainsail. Her only escape was to swim. Swim? Ja'Nil shuddered. She was even more afraid of the sea than she was of Aunt M'eer.
         “Where are we going?” she finally asked.
         “To Cordia.”
     

CHAPTER 3
         At first, it wasn’t too bad. They steered north following the coast. The wind was mostly with them so they made fair time without having to do much tacking. There were no fishing nets out to slow them down. Instead, the boat was loaded with the trading goods the village sent off once a year, usually with Cho.
         So Aunt M'eer is taking Cho’s place, thought Ja'Nil. She’s probably taking Cho’s share of the profits, too.  Lee-Uno will do a fire dance when she finds out. Still, it was none of Ja'Nil’s