We talked quietly with Tintinel, giving him more details of the things that had happened since he was taken captive.

Just as the sky began to lighten one of the sailors said "Sail ho!"

"Ah, that will be Captain Jar." said Malcolm.

And indeed it was. We climbed aboard and Captain Jar and Bret gave each other great bear-hugs as the rest of the crew cheered. A couple of the sailors took Tarl under their wings, being from the same town, and he was much heartened. I'm afraid we hadn't paid much attention to him during our escape.

Even as the longboat was hoisted aboard and stowed the ship had turned and Captain Jar told us we were heading toward a rendezvous with the other two ships.

We were all taken to the galley for a celebration. All the sailors were, of course, especially happy about Bret's rescue since he had been the cabin boy. But they were happy for all of us; everybody except the slavers hated the slavers.

We got away as quickly as possible without being rude. Malcolm set his tent up in the hold, which was half empty, and Rose, Mima, Krager and Tarl and went in to bed down for the night; Bret went to his usual hammock outside the captain's cabin. The rest of us gathered in the Captain's cabin; Malcolm, Tintinel, Piro, Fortas, the Captain, Aril, Lira and myself. We all joined with Malcolm's little tree to confer. It made the language problem easier and we could be in contact with the Great Tree and others such as Mrs. Penny and Mora. The latter two had been making brief contact with trees as often as they could to keep up with events and to be ready with council when needed.

There was also word from the Gnomes that the Dwolim had not yet been able to discover Bolgar's timetable but their considered opinion from what they had overheard and from analysis of Bolgar's strengths and weaknesses that we had at least six months and more likely a year or more. Bolgar was very patient and was not going to be hurried unless pressed. Therefore, our secrecy was very important. This news cheered us greatly - with a year to prepare, or even six months, along with the Dwolim spies and the help of the trees, we could be ready for all of Bolgar's assaults and have an excellent chance of winning.

Captain Jar said he knew of a place in the Great Sea where ship seldom went because strange things happened there. Winds and weather changed suddenly, navigators got lost, sailors got mixed up on orders, ropes and sails, food was badly cooked - just everything seemed to go wrong. And the further you went the worse it got.

We consulted with the Great Tree and she said there was a protection set about her island centuries ago by the others who dwelt on the island with her. It was because of troubles that had been brought over the water. She couldn't say what form this protection took, but that might just be where she was.

Captain Jar offered his cabin to Lira and Aril but they said they said they'd rather join Mima and Rose, so we all headed for Malcolm's tent. It was, I'm sure, more comfortable than even the captains cabin.

When we got up the next morning - midmorning, that is, the other two ships had joined us and we were sailing for home. Captain Jar sent messages to the other two ships to accompany us most of the way home. One was going back to Garnet Bay and so would take the message to the families that their children had been rescued and would be home shortly. The other was on the way to Stennisport anyway so they would accompany us all the way. Even if the slavers found us they wouldn't be likely to attack three ships together.

So we sailed in wonderful weather and the third day the ship going to Garnet Bay left us. The next day we made port at Stennisport. Tarl was beside himself and as soon as we were near enough he jumped to the dock and ran home as fast as he could. Many people recognized him as he flashed past and by the time we had finished docking the whole town was in an uproar and were well on their way to preparing a great festival.

Of course we had to stay and be treated like royalty. The party went on all night but we begged off early for we had to sail the next morning. Everyone recognized the reason and approved but they were nonetheless disappointed and wanted us to return as soon as we could.

Early the next morning we set sail and headed for Garnet Bay. When we arrived that afternoon everyone was at the dock and a special place was reserved for the families of the four we were bringing home. A group was playing rousing music; this was the first time I'd ever heard a band - it was exciting.

After the joyful and tearful reunions the band lead us all to the commons in the center of town. Many tents had been raised and there was much free food and entertainment. Everyone wanted to meet us and we grew quite tired of shaking hands. This celebration too went on all night and we couldn't beg off as we had in Stennisport.

I think the celebration would have continued for several days but the next morning brought the second storm of the winter so we were able to retire to Captain Jar's home and continue to be treated like royalty in a bit more privacy.

After a day of rain, wind and recovery we all got together for a much needed conference.

Read Part Fifteen 

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