Merchant’s Log www.thetreasuremerchants.com
7th Entry
Morning
The morning dawned cloudy and grey. There was a brisk wind blowing off the sea as my young friend and I made our way down to the docks.
Breakfast had been a rather simple affair of hot grains and toast, washed down with grateful gulps of Morning Glory Fair-trade Coffee.
I doubted that either of us had slept a wink, being much occupied with our own expectations of how the day would turn out. Indeed we spoke very little to each other, even as we made our way down the zig zag stairs to the bottom.
I could practically hear the young boy’s voice in his head, speaking aloud of his well thought out plans, so intense was his inward gaze. In fact, he seemed startled to learn that we had arrived already, and could see the crew readying the ship to sail.
The giant merchant brig was stilled moored, a silent, watchful guardian. Little waves bubbled and slapped up against it’s monstrous sides, the barnacles piled on top of one another like so many years of travel.
The bellowing of the relays across the docks transported me once again to my childhood days and adventures at sea with my father.
Those very adventures shaped my young heart’s dreams.
I had a dream for every port we landed in, every island we discovered on our trade routes. I dreamed of speaking these exotic languages, of singing their traditional songs, and of living as one with the people and their cultures.
If only for a time…. then my dreams would take me on to the next sunset, through a night’s sparkling sky of charts, and on to the new day’s adventures.
At that moment I wondered if the boy really understood the feeling of being land locked. To feel the call of the sea, and not be able to answer. The sea is a mighty, demanding mistress, and not easily refused.
Not a day goes by that I don’t hear her. Like a siren’s call to the depths of my soul. Still, I resist…
“Which is what the boy will have to do” I told myself as I spied the Captain heading our way.
A handsome man, the Captain’s tall stately form was easily distinguished from the others as he strode with purpose toward us. I had a moment to study him as he approached and noticed the tufts of curly red/blonde hair escaping the confines of his Cap.
His blue eyes were kind but stern as he directed them at the boy.
The boy dropped his head, then looked at me in a silent plea. I cleared my throat and spoke in a firm tone. “Good day to you, Captain Bryson, I am…..
“I know who you are, you’re the Merchant “up top”, he indicated the top of the cliff face in the direction of my shoppe with a tilt of his head. I guess, with my father gone, I am The Merchant now. At least, until his return.
“I appreciate you watching out for the boy. Frankly, I’m surprised at you son” He directed this to the lad. You know the penalty for missing curfew. What were you about?”
The boy remained silent. I could see the worry lines on the Captain’s face, and wondered if he had lain awake through the night as well, wondering where the child was. But, of course, the nightwatch must have related to him the whereabouts of the boy, as he had been the one to direct the boy to my home. No, the captain had a host of other worries on his mind, let alone the responsiblity of a young child to care for.
Still, I felt ashamed that I had not relayed some message to the man regarding the child’s wellbeing. I must have been even more tired than I’d realized.
“I say, Captain Bryson, I must speak to you a moment. I am not here to return the child to you, but to seek your permission to care for him in your absence.” There, I said it, and the look on his face was worth a goodly sum of treasure. He was indeed surprised.
But I kept on, “I will see to his education, see that he has a roof over his head, and may possibly even have some work for him to do at the shoppe. It would be good for him to experience home and hearth. I understand the importance of Powder Monkeys but…”
“No. it’s not that, the boy is my ward”. He lifted his hat and ran his hand through his unruly curls. “He is my promise to an old friend”. The boy looked up at that last. “He is my responsibility, and I take that as seriously as my life.” He punctuated that remark with a firm push of his hat back atop his head.
“I understand” I interjected quickly, “and can appreciate the value of your loyal promise, and the protection you have provided, but surely you can appreciate what it is that I am offering?
You must see that he is of an age to begin his schooling, in truth, he is well past.
He is determined to be a Captain of his own ship, very soon I might add, and is ready to be about the business of learning how to become a responsible adult so that he may “Become somebody” as he put it.
I am afraid that you are the one who has instilled this in him, and this admirable desire must be pursued.”
I waited for an eternity while my words were considered. Then he spoke, “We are due to cast off in minutes. Although I know the truth of your words, I cannot make this decision without prayerful consideration in my own time.
I shall seriously consider your kind proposal, and will discuss it further with you when next we meet”.
He put his hand on the boy’s shoulder, not unkindly, “Go on son, get aboard now, there are duties to attend to.” I could see that the Captain did genuinely care for the boy, and felt relieved for the boy’s sake.
“Wait” I said, “Captain Bryson, I was aboard ship the first eight years of my life as well. I know what the boy is experiencing. Adventure, camaraderie, discovery, all of it is unforgettable, and irreplaceable.
Time passes though, and new horizons await us.
Please, think on this while you’re away, and I will await your decision upon your return.”
“I will, and thank you miss….. “Dalena, I told him. I am The Merchant’s daughter.”
“Dalena then, we shall see you again upon our return.” He turned quickly and left the boy and I standing silently. I saw a mixture of sadness and adventure in his eyes, and understood.
Ah yes, the call of the sea…..
I knelt and hugged him. “You know where I am” I pointed up at the shoppe. “Come to me when you return. There’s more corned beef and cabbage to be had than I care to eat!”
“I will ma’am. Thank you ma’am”. He turned and I grabbed his arm, “wait, I don’t even know your name!”
“Oh” he smiled, “it’s Daniel” and then he was gone.
I knew I would miss him, though I’d only known him for a short while. “Daniel, such a polite boy” I mused.
I watched them for awhile then turned to go. I still had some time before opening the shop, but I wanted to get there early to pick some herbs that were growing in the garden ‘round back.
I stood on the landing halfway up the stairs and waved to the tiny figure on the deck of the brig. He waved back to me then continued on with his duties. They were casting off now.
As I watched the brig gliding gracefully out upon the water, I knew that the weeks would pass quickly and then we would see what decision had been made.
In the meantime, there was someone I just had to see…….
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