The supplies (what there were of them) had been loaded,
and the make-shift sail unfurled from the high, horizontal yard. There
in the shelter of trees, and running parallel to the wind, it rocked
gently against the mast as the newly tied ends waved fitfully, showing
every sign of readiness.
But Kalus, looking out upon the wide, sweeping waters and thinking of
the still greater pool beyond, could not bring himself to force the
vessel farther. His emotions were running much too high, and the fear
of the unknown wrapped about him so thickly that he could not shake off
its clinging dread and despair. And despite the presence of the girl
and the cub, he felt as small and helpless and alone as he ever had.
Courage alone would not forge this crossing. He needed guidance as
well.
And in this he showed not cowardice, but wisdom. For we are all at the
mercy of winds and currents we cannot always see or understand, and
those who strut about pretending to be in firm control, are usually in
such control all the way past the maw of death, and into the belly of
unmaking.
'Sylviana,' he said finally. 'It may be foolish..... I would
like to say a prayer first.'
She was surprised by the request, but in no way opposed. She felt much
the same uncertainty. So without kneeling or folding hands, whose
gestures he had never learned, he bowed his head and spoke in deepest
earnest.
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