Friendship 4: Adventures in the land, #3

By PB Fox

The adventures in the land continue. The war between the Dwarves and the Humans from SP22 is over. Sage and his friends are exploring the oceans. We follow them through their latest trials and adventures. Meanwhile a darker threat is approaching with ties to Sage's past. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: PB Fox
• Release date: Feb 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201086251

Book preview

Chapter 1 Life on the Friendship 4

Sage woke up early , the sun just rising. Wade was still asleep in his bunk, and Jaime had spent the night on the beach with Eydan. Sage just lay there looking around the ship’s cabin. Scattered clothes, some were his, others belonged to Wade, littered the floor, along with the leftovers from last night’s meal, dirty dishes and pans.

The two boys had stayed up late last night. It started like so many nights lately, Sage and Wade laughing at the antics of Eydan and Jaime. Those two racing each other across the beach and competing in tumbling or cartwheels until they were tired, then comes the singing and after that they watch the stars together. Sage and Wade play the audience until the singing is done and then last night they took a midnight swim under the moonlight, followed by a late-night snack. The mess didn’t bother Sage, no it amazed him.

Not long ago, he lived in a bush. Now he had a ship of his own. He used to have to find food in the trash and now had food to share and the most wonderful thing of all; had friends to share with.

The ship was now his home. It had been a gift from Eliran. Eliran was a strange old man who helped teach Gilpin the sorcerer and brought Gilpin and Sage to the land of the Dwarves, where he met Wade, Jaime, and Eydan. They had met just before the war between the humans, like him, and the other races, like the Dwarves, Elves and Wizards. It was Gilpin that ended the war.

The Sorcerer had given gifts to each of the boys, enchanted items. He also made changes to each of them. Wade could now run very fast, almost too fast to see. Sage was changed so that he would age very slowly, like the elves and dragons. Jaime and Eydan were changed as well, but it wasn’t clear yet exactly how.

Sage was a very happy boy right now, yet he had this urge to move on, to see more places, meet more people and something else. It was this last bit that bothered him a little. Here he was, with more than he ever dreamed of, and was happy. Yet he knew there was something missing and he didn’t know what it was.

For a while when he traveled with Eliran and Gilpin, the feeling had not completely disappeared but was less, and when he shared special moments with his friends, it receded, but it always returned.

He decided to wait on breakfast and, not even bothering to get dressed, he quietly made his way up on deck. He could see Jaime and Eydan together on the sand, still sleeping from the looks of it. Gazing out at sea now, he made up his mind. This morning, he would ask his friends to set sail. It was time to move on.

THE WARM SUN ON HIS bare skin woke Jaime. At first, he didn’t move at all. It was wonderful to be able to sleep like this and not be startled awake and sent to work long before the sun was up. That had certainly been the case not long ago when he worked as a page in the Grand Wizard’s palace.

How things had changed in a little over a year. Jaime was a wizard, but one with a very weak talent, even for his age. That meant his outlook for employment back in the Wizard lands was limited, now however, traveling with his new friends, his talent didn’t matter at all.

None of his friends were Wizards. Eydan was an Elf, Wade a Dwarf and, Sage, was human. Living together on Sage’s ship was a new, but so far enjoyable, experience. Eydan, Jaime’s closest friend, felt best when he could get to land from time to time, and Jaime always joined him.

It was the mosquitoes biting Jaime that finally got him moving, and as he dressed, he noticed Sage waving to him. He waved back and bent down to wake Eydan.

Eydan, wake up. I think Sage wants us to come to the ship.

Jaime, why don’t you go, and see what he wants, then come back and tell me later.

You know I can’t get the skiff in the water and row it by myself.

So swim over. It’s not that far.

I just put my clothes on. Come on, they probably have the meal ready by now.

Oh all right, just for you, can you grab my stuff, over by the fire pit?

Jaime retrieves Eydan’s clothes and walks back, holding them at arm’s length and keeping his face turned away from them.

I got your clothes, but if you put these on, I am swimming to the ship.

Why? They are a little dirty, but not that bad.

Jaime tosses them over to Eydan.

It looks like some animal peed on them.

Eydan takes a quick sniff.

Oh, that’s nasty! I guess I will just go as I am. I can drag these behind the skiff as we go. Maybe the salt water will wash it out.

You can try, but I think they need soap and hot water, then air them out for a day.

That’s way too much work for this early in the morning.

I’ll do it for you, if you hurry up so we can get to the ship and eat.

Deal! Here, take them. When I push the skiff into the water. Jump in and start paddling.

It wasn’t long before they reached the Friendship 4 and tied up before hopping on board. Wade was standing on deck eating some fruit.

What took you two so long? Eydan, why is Jaime carrying your clothes?

Eydan was tired. We stayed up most of the night watching the moon and stars.

Something peed on my clothes. They stink and Jaime has offered to wash them for me.

What do you find so interesting in stars? They are useful to navigate with, but you two are always staying up to see them.

Eydan has been showing me how his people make groups of stars into pictures of things, like people and animals and trees and stuff, and we also watch the moon.

The moon, that’s even more boring. Once you have seen it, go through the phases. That’s it. Same thing, over and over again.

No, not exactly. Some moons are different, you just need some imagination to have a little fun. Right Jaime? Anyway, ever since I heard the stories of the humans traveling to the moon and stars, I have wondered what it was like and what they found out there. Speaking of humans, where is our human?

You know Sage doesn’t like it when you call him that. He’s down below, eating and cleaning up. We were up late last night too.

Jaime makes his way down into the cabin, leaving Eydan and Wade up top.

You shouldn’t have Jaime doing all your personal stuff.

Why? He’s the one who offers. Maybe he likes it. He did that kind of stuff as a page.

But he’s not your page, Eydan. If he wants to, it’s fine, I guess, but you don’t have to let him do everything. Give him a break.

Fine, I will limit things, but I don’t think he will like it.

So you're going to wash your stinky clothes?

Oh no, that one’s still his. So why did our wandering human want us back here this morning?

I told you, not to call him that. He wants to head back to Philip’s island. We will start getting the ship ready as soon as we’re all done eating. So make your way down and fill up.

I knew it was going to be one of those days when Jaime woke me, first my clothes, now we have to leave this comfortable place. Don’t give me that look. You know I am just joking. I am ready and able, Captain.

Eydan, just go below, get some food and get dressed.

THEY SAILED THROUGH the day and into the night. Eydan and Jaime standing night watch as usual.

Jaime, come over here for a minute. What do you think about our little human just deciding we needed to leave right away to go to Philip’s island?

Why do you always call Sage by his race instead of his name when he’s not around?

Maybe I am just reminding you and Wade that it was his people that attacked us for no reason less than a year ago. How do we know he’s not a spy for his kind?

A spy? You mean like you are for your Queen? Look, Gilpin said Sage was a great kid, and remember, he fought with us against the humans. What more do you want?

Gilpin only met him a little while ago. What if he’s wrong? Fighting with us might just have been a cover. That whole living in a bush thing sounds fishy to me. All I am saying is that we should be watchful of what he does.

Well, I don’t know, I think Sage is nice, Gilpin is smart, and we all did what we thought was right when we were fighting, but if you want to keep watching him I guess that can’t hurt.

Exactly, it’s almost dawn, no mooning tonight. It will be good to get some sleep soon.

I am tired. Maybe tomorrow night we can manage a little time for mooning and star gazing. We should get Wade and Sage so they can take over. It looks like some storm clouds coming.

SAGE, I DON’T LIKE the look of those clouds. See how they are making circles and the light is strange? We might be in for a rough day.

The wind is picking up too. Should we go back?

We are two days away now. We can’t outrun this storm. We will just have to ride it out.

Should I wake up Eydan and Jaime?

No, they just got to sleep. Let’s give them as much rest as possible. It could be awhile before any of us get much more. Help me with the sails.

FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS, the wind never let up. The sky was dark as night, even at noon. Waves several times taller than their mast flung the ship about like a wine cork. The boys stayed inside the cabin as much as possible. All of them, even Wade, feeling sick. Their little ship, however, held firm and except for the times when they opened the door, no water came inside, even with the largest waves breaking over them.

Sage, why are you drifting about and not doing anything?

Eliran, I am so glad to see you! We have been caught in this storm for days. Wait, how did you get here?

The better question, my young friend, is why are you just letting your friends bobble about instead of going to someplace more agreeable? This ship will keep you safe, but without your commands, you will remain trapped inside this storm forever.

Wade said all storms blow over after a few days?

Regular storms due, this however, is not a storm like any other. You need to guide your friends out of it.

Me! What can I do?

Use that ring Gilpin gave you to choose your destination. That should have been obvious, I would have thought.

What good is a direction if we are not even able to steer the ship? We can’t even stay outside and can’t put up the sails?

Sage, I thought you understood by now your ship is no ordinary ship. It will take your commands.

You mean it’s alive?

No, not alive exactly, you can’t converse with it or tell it to do something it’s not designed to do like fly or something and it can’t read your mind, like telling it to bring you where you want to go, you need to give it simple commands. Like you did before when you told her to stay and hide.

Really? I just said those things, but I didn’t know it would work!

Of course it works. Now it’s time for you to wake up and take care of your friends, don’t you think?

So, this is just a dream? You're not real?

Let’s say this is not an ordinary dream, and yes I am real, as much as ever. No more questions. Do what you need to do. Now!

Sage leaped out of bed and promptly flew into the side of the cabin as the ship rolled and pitched. The crash woke up the other boys.

Sage, are you alright? Jaime asked as he made his way over to him.

Yeah, I think so? I know how to get us out of this storm! I saw Eliran, and he told me what to do.

Sage Eliran isn’t here. And you have been in your bunk. I think you better get him back in his bunk and strap him in. He must have hit his head hard.

No Wade, I am fine. I had this dream that wasn’t a dream, and he was there and he said. All I need to do is to command the ship to do it.

Sage, we will be fine. I have been through storms before. If we wait, it will blow out.

No, it won’t, not this one. He told me.

His head looks good, no cuts, or bumps that I can see. So why don’t we let him tell us what he wants to do? It can’t hurt to listen. What else are we doing?

Thanks Jaime. He explained, all I need to do, is use my ring, and get a direction, then command the ship.

Wade moves over to examine Sage himself.

I don't think getting a direction will do much without us sailing the ship, but if that’s what you want to do, go ahead.

Alright, let’s see. We want the closest land where we can rest and resupply.

Sage lifts his hand and his ring lights up on one side.

Friendship 4, we want to go in that direction until we arrive.

That’s it? I feel so much better now. Thanks Sage, I am going back to sleep. Wade, wake me when this blows over. Eydan rolls over and adjusts the straps that hold him in his bunk.

It’s alright Sage, I believe you. I am glad you’re doing something.

Thanks Jaime.

Look Sage, I still think it’s just a storm, and you had a dream, but anything can happen on the sea. That’s what Captain Nessa always said. Thanks for your effort. Anyone want some food? Wade asks.

THE HOURS WENT BY; the boys had taken turns resting, talking and sometimes venturing outside to check on the ship and weather. Sage was looking out the porthole when the first rays of light broke through the clouds and the rain slackened.

Wade, get up. I think the storm is ending.

What is it Sage? What happened?

I can see blue sky up ahead, and it’s hardly raining now.

Alright everyone, get up. We have work to do. We need to check the ship and find out where we are and set course. Now get dressed and move.

While they were getting ready, the ship slipped out of the fog and into a brilliant sunny day. They were drifting towards some large scattered rocks a ways out from the coast of some island.

Hurry, get the sails up, or we will crash on those rocks. Sage, take the wheel, Eydan hall that rope with Jaime.

RICKEY WAS PLAYING with his brothers and sisters. Enjoying the sun, his skin glistening as he breached the surface of the water and into the air. His lungs taking over automatically from his gills. He did this over and over again,

Rickey loved being airborne, even if only for a second at a time. It wasn’t just the breathing of air, or the sunshine on his skin. He could have that just walking on the land if he wanted to, maybe not as well as the landers, but good enough. No, he loved how it felt, the power in his body that allowed him to leap twice his height out of the water and the feeling of falling back into the warm water.

He was the middle child in his family, just at that age where his muscles and senses are developed enough that the entire world seems bright and beautiful and inviting. The water, wind, and warmth on his skin, the smell of the salt air and sounds of the birds, Rickey is bursting with energy and excitement. His big sister Ruth, almost a woman now, is, at the moment, chasing his younger brothers, Max, and Daylin, identical twins. They make so much noise, but are cute and fun, especially when they are busy bothering someone else. Brandon, his other brother, a couple of years older than him, is playing with Cindy, the baby of the family. Rickey loves Brandon when they are not fighting, which unfortunately is most of the time. Ruth is the one that often has to break them up and then makes both boys do favors for her so she won’t tell their parents. At the height of his jump, a flash catches his eye and something forbidden comes into view.

Ruth, a ship!! Rickey calls out.

Brandon, take Cindy home, Max, Daylin, come here now! Rickey, go home with Brandon.

No way, I am staying with you. I want to see the ship!

Boys! Why did mom and dad have to have so many boys? Fine, just stay close to Maxy and Daylin. I am going to find out how the landers made a ship without us knowing. The council will be pissed!

What if they aren’t landers?

Don’t be stupid Rickey, what else could they be?

Just because you’re the oldest, doesn’t mean you’re right all the time.

Keep quiet, stay here and watch Maxy and Daylin. I am going to talk to these landers.

DID YOU SEE THAT? A boy just jumped out of the water! Just like the dolphins do. Sage, take us over there. Jaime, Eydan, trim the sails. Maybe those kids can tell us where we are.

As Ruth and the Friendship 4 move closer together, Wade and the other boys watch her approach.

Hello, I am Captain Wade of the Friendship 4. How are you today?

I am Ruth and I demand to know how you got that ship!

This ship belongs to my friend here Sage, and it was a gift from Eliran, not that it’s any business of yours.

Who is this Eliran? The council will punish him and all of you for the crime of making a ship.

It’s no crime to have a ship! Thousands of people have ships or work on them.

Thousands, what do you mean, lander? There are only a few hundred landers in all?

What’s a Lander?

I told you they might not be landers.

Shut up Rickey. you were supposed to stay back with Daylin and Maxy.

They wanted to see too.

The smaller boys are bobbing up and down behind Rickey, trying to get a look while hiding behind him.

My pesky little brother thinks you are from some other place. If that’s true, you will have to come to the council so they can decide what to do with you.

Eydan steps forward and leans over the edge of the deck.

My name is Eydan and actually all four of us are from different countries and lands. I am an Elf and Captain Wade is of the Dwarves. Jaime is a Wizard and Sage is of the Humans.

You look a little different, but your friends look the same as the landers. I believe they were once called Humans? My other brother went back to Mer-city and my parents and others will be coming, but until they arrive, I must make sure you don’t cause any harm. Bring your ship to that point over there. It’s a spot near the path to the lander village. You can go there but no place else until someone from the council gives you leave. Is that agreeable?

We don’t want to cause anyone harm or trouble. If you want, we will anchor near that place. Will these landers be willing to help us purchase some supplies? Wade asks.

The landers are friendly. I am sure they will try to help you, but you must not allow them on your ship, or teach them about it. If you do, you will all be severely punished.

Sage comes over to the edge of the ship.

Who we allow on our ship is up to us. We want no trouble, but our ship is ours and we invite whoever we please.

Can I come on your ship? Rickey asks

Rickey, don’t you dare go on their ship! Ruth tells him.

Jaime, help Rickey on board.

Sage, are you sure?

He looks like he wants to be friends. Let’s show them they have nothing to fear from us.

Jaime puts out the rope ladder and Rickey swims a little ways away, dives under and then shoots out of the water onto the deck.

That was amazing, Rickey. I am Jaime. Would you like to look around?

Until then, Wade and the others could only see their heads. Now with Rickey on deck, they could see clearly how different these people were. Rickey was thin with long hair and had large webbed feet and fins on his back, arms and legs. What looked at first glance like colorful clothes, was actually his skin, very smooth, colorful and shiny. He embraced each of the boys in greeting, as was the custom of his people.

I have never seen a working ship before. Landers are not allowed to have them. Can I stay while you move it over there?

What do you think Captain? Jaime asks

That’s fine. Just make sure he doesn’t get in the way, not that he would be in any danger if he fell overboard. Let’s get to it then.

Jaime, what’s down there?

That’s our cabin. Where we eat and sleep. Would you like to come see?

Yes, if you don’t mind.

Rickey found it a little awkward getting down the steps, his feet being much longer.

It’s a little like the landers’ homes, smaller and shorter, but the same kind of stuff inside.

Where do you people live?

Mer-city, of course.

Is it far from here?

Not far, but deep. If the council wants to talk to you, you will see.

Your sister didn’t seem too pleased with us.

Ruth, she’s not as bad as Brandon, but she likes to have her way with everything. Can we go back up now? I want to watch us move.

Sure after you.

They reached the spot and put down the anchors. Rickey said goodbye and dove off into the water and swam away with his sister and brothers.

I didn’t expect that, fish kids? Sage says to no one in particular.

I think we should take the skiff and find these ‘landers’. Maybe they can help us understand what’s going on. Wade suggests.

Alright with me, ship, stay here and don’t let anyone else on board.

Sage, I think you’re getting a little weird with this talking to the ship. Eydan says.

What, even after it brought us here out of the storm?

The storm just ended, like Wade said. We were blown here by chance.

I know what I know, and this ship can do things. Let’s go find these people.

They took the skiff to the shore, dragged it up the sand past the high water mark and started looking around the beach for signs of people. Eydan spotted the path and called the others over to him.

Chapter 2 New Atlantis

They started down the path, away from the shore. Wade was slightly ahead of the others and as they reached the top of the first rise, he turned back to the group.

So, what do you think the landers will look like? I bet they have long necks or three arms.

Why would you say that? Maybe they are just regular people like us? Sage answered him.

Did you see that boy, Rickey? He had fins and his skin was wild.

I think the colors were beautiful, the way they flowed, it was like art. Jaime adds as he catches up to the others. Eydan, last to make it up, joins the conversation.

Well, I can’t wait to see what his sister looks like.

"Ruth? She’s scary. Why would you