The Blue Woman and the High Wood

Book Two in the Nyla Series

Adam Cole

Chapter Five

(C) 2013, 2016 Adam Cole

Published by Nuncici Press, an imprint of Adam Cole Works LLC

They were summoned to the quarterdeck almost immediately.  The Captain glared at them each in turn, Nyla, Vival, and a man who had been bound with his hands behind his back.

“First of all,” the Captain growled, “I want to know why a freakish storm comes up out of nowhere as soon as we cast off.  That smacks of enchantment, and I don’t much care to tangle with magic.”

None of the companions could answer him.  Nyla, who had only recently remembered where she was, shrugged her shoulders as if the question had been directed just to her.

The Captain, getting no answer besides Nyla’s shrug, glared even more fiercely at the girl.  “Second,” he said, looking directly at her, “I want to know who that giant woman was and why she helped us.”

Nyla looked up at the Captain, helpless to answer.  “I don’t remember a woman,” she said.

“Don’t remember, eh?” remarked the Captain wryly.  “Yes, I can see how you might have missed her.  She was blue after all.  I’m sure she blended right in with the water.  Only she was five hundred feet high and she picked us up like a toy boat in a tub!”

“Something happened to Nyla, Captain,” Vival put in, seeing Nyla’s agitation. “She went into a trance.  I’m not surprised that she doesn’t remember.”

The Captain’s face indicated that he cared little for Vival’s explanation.  “I’m responsible for everyone on my ship,” he snapped.  “And that includes silly little girls who run out on deck during a storm.  If you can’t keep her on a tether, I’ll lock her in the hold.  You understand?”

Nyla wasn’t pleased at being spoken about in this way, but she was so confused about the past hour that for once she kept her mouth shut.  She couldn’t remember anything about a woman, and she barely remembered the storm at this point.  The entire experience had left her shaken and a little afraid.

“And third of all,” the Captain said, wheeling on the tall thin man.  “I want to know how this stowaway got on board.  Who are you and how do you know these people?”

“Name’s Sherluck, Captain!” replied the man, flicking his fingers upwards from his temple in a mock salute.  He was wearing a threadbare set of clothes that made him look something like a scarecrow.  His buck teeth gave him a comical expression, but there was nothing particularly stupid looking in the sharpness of his eyes.

“What’dye mean, Sherluck, stowing on board my ship?” demanded the Captain.  “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t throw you off.”

“I’m sorry for the subterfuge, Captain,” said Sherluck.  “The fact of the matter is, you took on a woman named Chere.  It just so happens that I’m rather attached to her.  Where she goes, I go.  But I don’t see her anywhere, and sadly I think you’ll find she was swept out to sea.  That being the case, I think I could lay a claim to her fare.”

The Captain stared at Sherluck, astonished.  “You’re going to claim the woman’s place on ship?  We haven’t even looked for her!  She’s most likely in the hold somewhere!”

“That I doubt, Captain,” replied Sherluck.  “As you may have noticed, I’m an able seaman, and I was helping keep the ship under control, not to mention rescuing your charge here.  I feel fairly certain I saw my poor friend swept off the deck as she tried to help our barbarian ally here.  Terribly sad.  I cried many a tear, though they were washed away by the rain.  It does seem to have stopped, though, doesn’t it?  Lovely day!”

The Captain continued to gape at Sherluck, unable to muster a decent reply.

“Would you agree I’m an able seaman, Captain?” Sherluck asked, looking the Captain square in the face.

“Aye,” nodded the Captain begrudgingly.  “You managed yourself well enough in the storm.  My mate had a word to say about that.”

“Can you use an able seaman, Captain?” Sherluck pressed.

The Captain slapped his fist into his hand.  “Search the ship,” he barked to his First Mate.  “If you find the woman, bring her here immediately.  If not…” and he scowled at Sherluck.  “I suppose this lout can take her place.”

“Much obliged, Captain!”  cried Sherluck.  “Where would you like me to serve?”

More about The Blue Woman and the High Wood

Now that Veer Isle was secure, it was time for the hero Vival to take Nyla to see the Sand Witch.  Accompanied by Chere/Sherluck and Tom the Incredibly Helpful Sword, Nyla and Vival board a ship bound for Zen.  

But trouble begins as soon as the ship leaves the harbor.  A terrible storm comes up.  The sailors want to throw Nyla from the ship.  And rising out of the ocean is the mysterious Blue Woman. 

Adam Cole is an author and music educator in Atlanta, GA.  He has written numerous books and stories for children, as well as a number of adult and non-fiction titles including Motherless Child and Seven Ways the World Can End.  

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