Diana Jones - Drowned Ammet

Then it was over. The sea was rippling and calm. The island had gone on greening in spite of the waves, and it was now as green a hump as the Ganter Islands. There was little of the Wheatsheaf left—just a few spars floating nearby. Nor was there any sign of Al. But where he had been there was a curiously shaped patch of green corn, growing and ripening, and crackling like fire with the speed of its growing.

The crew of the Wheatsheaf called remarks to one another and began rowing in to look at the new island. Navis stood shakily up at the top of the mound and shouted through the twilight to know if Hildy and Ynen were there.

Mitt shook the water out of his eyes. Ye gods! he thought. What happens if you say his big name?

A desperate thrashing in the water just below him caught his eye. He slid carefully down to look. Lithar’s young-old face looked up at him imploringly. Mitt knelt on the salty turf, holding out a hand, and Lithar struggled toward it.

“You should learn to swim,” Mitt said, catching hold and heaving him to land.

“Never could,” said Lithar. “No more tricks, please.”

The nearest boat arrived then, and Jenro leaned out of it. “I will stir you over to Wind’s Road , you and the two other little ones and their father.”

“Thanks,” said Mitt. “And then you take Lithar home and look after him for me.” He looked at Lithar, but Lithar was not attending. He was looking woefully at his knee. His apple tree had gone. “He’s a bit in the head,” Mitt explained.

“We know that he is,” Jenro said, without expression.

“Do what I tell you,” said Mitt. “You look after him. You. And don’t let anyone else get at him.” Jenro still looked expressionless. Mitt was exasperated. “You’ve got to have someone until I come back,” he said. “And he needs looking after.”

“Until you come back,” said Jenro. He smiled. “Very well. Will you all five climb in and I will stir to the Wind’s Road ?”

Riss leaned down to help Navis, Ynen, Hildy, and Mitt aboard Wind’s Road . As soon as they were up, he slid down into his own rowing boat and untied it.

“I think I’d better take first watch,” said Navis, rather wearily, looking at the three tired children.

“You do that,” Mitt said. He felt exhausted. He had barely strength to wave to Jenro and Riss.

They waved back. “Go now on the wind’s road and return sevenfold,” said Jenro. The island men sat in their boats and watched Wind’s Road lean away North in the brown tag end of sunset, carrying Libby Beer behind and Old Ammet in her bows.