So he did, until the pleasure left the occupation and fatigue began to run along both arms as the sun dropped slowly in the awesomely vast western sea. The cliffs continued unbroken. Had they found refuge in the one cove along this entire coast? Would they find another one for tonight? He doubted he could stand a longer watch. And he ought to eat something, and be sure that Kasia did too.
“What do I do, Kasia? What do I do?”
“Sail on,” she cried back at him.
The sea was calm as night fell, and the breeze died also. So, lashing the tiller as he’d once seen Captain Gostol do for a quick moment of relief, he clattered down into the cabin, startling Kasia awake.
“There’s nothing but cliff,” he protested as he started the last of the charcoal. He’d have to feed her something. It had been hours since the last cup of soup and some hard crackers he’d found in the cupboard. He must have some klah to stay awake.
“It will have to give to beach soon then, Rob. I’m so sorry, love.
So very sorry.” And she wept piteously.
He comforted her while the water heated. “You kept us afloat all during the storm and used up all your strength, my love. Don’t cry.
Please don’t cry. We can’t have the furs all wet on you.”
His cajolery made her smile and sniff, and brash away her tears.
“But I can’t do anything to help …”
“That’s all right. I’m fine. I just don’t know what I’m doing.” He imbued the complaint with as much humour as he could. Then he left her with more soup, and took his and the klah up to the cockpit.
The night was clear and very cold. But the wind picked up, blowing almost steadily from the south – and that, he felt, was to their advantage. Surely, if they got close enough to Tillek, there’d be fishing ships out on a night like this. Or maybe even someone looking for them?
“No, you two got yourself into this. You can get yourself out of this,” he told himself firmly and dragged the bad-weather gear more tightly about his body, trying to keep warm. “Got yourself in, get yourself out.” He turned the cadence into a chant, rocking from side to side, which eased the numbness in his buttocks. The chant went to his feet, and he stamped them in turn. And he sang and stamped and rocked and thumped the tiller bar with his hands, inventing new rhythms, and altogether enjoying the activity when he suddenly realized that something was coming out of the darkness ahead of him, large and white, and someone was yelling.
“Sloop ahoy!”
“Shards, what do I do now? Steer starboard, right, starboard!” he yelled at the white shape bearing down on him. As hard as he could, he pushed the tiller over and nearly clouted himself in the head as the boom swung past.
They were rescued by the schooner Wave Rider. Two sturdy fishmen lifted Kasia aboard to other willing hands. Robinton managed to climb the rope ladder, awkward with fatigue and stiff joints.
With the little sloop tied on behind, Wave Rider swung round and headed back to Tillek Hold, her mission complete. A glowbasket was hung from the top of the mast to let other ships know that the lost had been found.
The second mate, Lissala, who was also Captain Idarolan’s wife, tended to Kasia while Idarolan did similar services for Robinton, remarking on how a mere harper had managed so well.
“Kasia told me what to do,” he protested between spoonfuls of a hearty fish stew, bobbing with root vegetables which had never tasted so good, and bread which had been fresh the day before when the search parties were organized to locate the missing and long-overdue sloop.
“Aye, Harper, but it was you doing it.”
“She’ll be fine now,” Lissala said, returning and slipping into a seat opposite Robinton. “Wise of you to be sure she drank so much.
No frostbite, but …” She sharply looked at his discoloured fingers.
Startled, because without his hands he was nothing, he held them both out to her and felt the pinch she gave the tips. “No, they’re all right, but another coupla hours out in that’ – she nodded her head to indicate the cold night – “and it might’ve been different. But we’ve got you safe and snug aboard.” She reached round for a cup and poured klah, holding the pot up and looking enquiringly at Robinton, who shook his head.