LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC – ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL – SECTION 26 

Because the official who had originally chartered the dispatch boat was most eager to reach his destination, soon as Zunrogo's party stepped onto the deck, the anchor was hauled up and the craft immediately headed out.

01- AN OFFICIAL  LUVET

The same official had remained cloistered in his cramped cabin (private quarters) for the remainder of the journey, with always his head buried deep in documents. The crew went about their business efficiently but edgily in that tense, pervading (all encompassing) atmosphere.

Earlier Fradel Rurik Korvald (Nevetsecnuac) had been told that, for security reasons, his true identity had not been disclosed to anyone on board, it seemed to Nevetsecnuac; thus, Zunrogo’s presence alone was sufficient grounds to put everyone on their unease (tenterhooks), including the official, with his self-imposed confinement. Nevertheless, for the next several days their journey passed uneventfully, as both the river current, and the wind sped them downstream until, at the crack of dawn on one overcast day, the government craft safely moored at the designated slip in Kenzor harbor. Had it not been for the vessel's urgent need for repairs, Zunrogo, without a moment's hesitation, would have confiscated the craft for the rest of the voyage and pressed on.  Instead, by the time it took Fradel and Zunrogo to consume a satisfying hot breakfast at one of the prospering tea houses, Tizan had expeditiously booked another passenger boat and had their luggage transferred aboard, ready for their prompt (summary) departure.

02

Later that same morning, when they set off for the Capital, there were only few other boats sharing their course (headed the same way).  By noon the fair-weather-wind, rolling down the river valley from the north had again picked up momentum (speed). To take full advantage, their swift, modern craft at once hoisted its triangular sails and, instantly picking up speed, in no time at all put a considerable distance between them and the rest of the riverboats, save one.  This one seemed to be persistently keeping up the pace.

On the subsequent days this same north wind brought down drizzling rain and fog so dense that the riverbanks became virtually invisible. Then the blustery weather picking up force, out of nowhere herded in, a dark mass of clouds that turned midday into dusk.  The river water, churned by the tempest wind speed, broke up into rolling, silvery waves that tossed snowy foam onto the deck, perpetually rocking the craft until the dowels and bindings that held the craft together were strained to the breaking point.

03

The captain of the vessel, Ortusz Doku, responding to the petitions of his other, sickened passengers and, the insistence of his crew, bent on his knees before Zunrogo to obtain his permission to steer the craft into a safe harbor before the boat was battered apart by the storm.

Neither Zunrogo nor Tizan were affected in the least bit by the incessant rocking of the boat.  Frowning and cursing, Zunrogo denigrated Ortusz with his cutting words until the captain, his pride sorely bruised, made to leave.  But then Zunrogo (on second thought) relented and gave his consent.  Soon after the vessel was expertly steered through the blinding rain into a bend in the river where the anchor was cast, and the ship moored fast by strong ropes to huge trees onshore. Just in time too, for suddenly strong, gale force winds sprang up as the worst of the storm hit. The vessel, safely moored, still was violently, unmercifully rocked, like it was but a toy.  The waves beat against the shore in an angry uproar as torrential, pelting rains drenched everything to the core.  Thankfully, the precautions they had just taken enabled the boat to ride out the storm and sustain only minimal damage.

During this grueling episode, akin (like) other passengers, Fradel (Nevetsecnuac) had fought off the terrible motion sickness; but then, under the watchful eye of Zunrogo Tugo, reluctantly had taken some medicated wine at Tugo’s insistence, which in fact aside from some troubling side-effects, had alleviated (assuaged) his discomfort.  In this partially vulnerable state, chiefly to get his mind off his ailment, he had, moreover, dashed off a few lines of verse about boats and storms.  The brilliance of poetry composed in such dire straits won him Zunrogo’s great admiration and, in due course, eliminated the Captain of the Palace Guard's last (ounce) residue of suspicion. 

Finally (on the third day), when the storm abated, the boat was made ready, with improvised improvements to, just before noon, cast off.

As the journey continued it appeared to an observer, looking only at the deceptive shroud of congeniality spread by Fradel Rurik Korvald and Zunrogo that they were conversing frankly, without the least inhibition.  Yet, after hours of conversation, Zunrogo had to admit that he found this stimulating intellectual sparring more exhilarating, more closely akin to combating a powerful foe on the battlefield and, he began to crave more of it.

Nevetsecnuac’s assumed, present identity had seriously constrained (curtailed) his abilities, forcing him to adapt to more shrewd and indirect means; and so, while seemingly obliging Captain Zunrogo, he used this opportunity instead, to explore (delve deeper into) Captain's innate nature and, extracted from Zunrogo, few, well-guarded detrimental weaknesses and flaws.  Once this was accomplished Fradel (Nevetsecnuac) relaxed his vigil, as he much preferred fighting any formidable foe directly, by way of (via) tangible (physical) combat.

As both Nevtsecnuac and Zunrogo possessed remarkable staying powers, the ensued lively exchange utilizing acumen, wits, and stratagem (subterfuge), had continued well into the night, with no possibility of satisfactory cessation.  There came a time, however, upon discussing a particular concern, after several fruitless turns and diversionary strategies, Zunrogo (the undefeated champion) was forced to, for a spell, capitulate Fradel's point of view.

04- - CAPTAIN ZUNROGO TUGO JP 2

And though Fradel (Nevetsecnuac) at present, incurred deep respect for his brilliance from Zunrogo, captain not being one to cede, with renewed zeal (fervor) he quickly revised his stance (estimation, viewpoint) and retaliated.  His irrefutable logic (analysis) gave him the added edge and, following this up with an all-out offensive, he achieved his absolute victory.  Fradel could have still challenged some of the seemingly unequivocal deductions, but with due practicality, he instead, gracefully conceded to defeat.

Fradel's mind, meanwhile, had been all along distracted by other matters, one of which was their pursuer.  Even though the ensuing (following) vessel had been temporarily lost to sight in the storm, Fradel hypothesized that it would again catch up to them in a day or two after the weather abated.

Several times Fradel, having concluded that it was Lance Diostin; he had wanted to drop that name casually in conversation, to observe Zunrogo’s reaction.  Each time however deciding otherwise, he’d held his tongue in check.

For what possible reason could he give for even knowing the name Lance Diostin?  More importantly, there had been this nagging feeling that he had harbored since they boarded this vessel.  There was more at stake here than what met the eye, more vital and sinister than the threat to his life.  What it was, unfortunately, he had not yet ascertained, and its nature kept eluding him.

 On this particular concern, Fradel's otherwise foolproof methods of inquiry had met an impenetrable wall erected by Zunrogo.  Even after Fradel had yielded the argument to drop latter’s guard, Zunrogo had held on fast to this secret with unusual grit and tenacity.  Fradel could gain no grasp of the actual situation and was left, in the end, with only his unsubstantiated intuition.

                                                                                       ~

Later that night, Fradel fortuitously happened on a confidential conversation between Zunrogo and Tizan and caught a singular reference being made to Lance Diostin's martial prowess.  Fradel was intrigued, to say the least, by Zunrogo’s respectful references to his adversary.

Was Lance Diostin such a competent foe that he cast a doubt in Zunrogo’s heart?  Keeping his hand poised above the door's handle, Nevetsecnuac (Fradel) eavesdropped for a longer spell.

From the disjointed, coded then decoded fragments that were being discussed Nevetsecnuac (Fradel) deduced that Tizan had previously sighted Lance Diostin at Kenzor harbor and Zunrogo had arrived at a similar conclusion as his (Nevetsecnuac),

That Lance Diostin’s craft was indeed trailing them.

Nevetsecnuac further suspected that once the storm had abated the enemy vessel (craft) would swiftly descend upon them for that decisive fray. Despite his readiness however, his intuition (the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach) forewarned him that there was far more at stake here than Zunrogo let on.

Zunrogo was about to instruct Tizan on the finer points of the strategic defenses, that were to be utilized against Lance Diostin’s impending assaults, when Fradel Rurik Korvald's sudden knock at the door startled them both. 

Fradel quickly dispensing with the polite preliminaries took the seat offered to him across from the captain.  Getting right to the point and feigning ignorance, he then confessed to overhearing the name of Lance Diostin as he was about to knock on the door and, audaciously, inquired after the information associated with that name.

Zunrogo's reluctant and evasive answers further piqued Nevetsecnuac’s (Fradel's) curiosity; he, nevertheless, letting it go, pretended to have been satisfied with Captain's makeshift explanations.  Fradel quickly stated what he had originally come to say, and then abruptly rose to bade them good night and then hastily withdrew.

Back in his cabin, with many concerns praying on his mind, Nevetsecnuac did not (immediately) go to bed, instead, he set down in comfortable chair and reflected on the past exchange between Zhadol and Yennic.  As far as he could tell, there were three reasons to account for Lance Diostin's pursuit: a feud between the two factions; Dwengzu's prediction that, should Fradel Rurik Korvald be allowed to reach Channing, it would bring about Egil Viggoaries’s premature death (or, serious downfall); and some third reason which still eluded him.  His thoughts then reverted to Yennic’s (blatant) unabashed approval, when he was informed that Lance Diostin would be guarding the river route.

Thinking of the upcoming confrontation between Zunrogo and Lance Diostin, Fradel grinned wryly.  “That should prove rather interesting, though I doubt that I, Fradel Rurik Korvald, will be allowed to witness this remarkable combat. Yet, what if both Zunrogo and Tizan, despite their combined effort, can’t…? “He lowered his eyes thoughtfully and tersely drummed his fingers on the chair arm.

05- FRADEL (NEVETSECNUAC ) JP 23

“It is conceivable that they might not measure up to the task.  What then?”  Nevetsecnuac reflected short time later, recalling Zunrogo's apparent anxiety when he had casually mentioned Lance Diostin’s name, to him. “What if they did indeed succumb to the prowess of this formidable foe?  If that is the case, I'll be constrained to fend for myself and then eliminate all who witnessed the fighting.  More slaughter!”  He shifted uneasily into the chair.

Aside from the vessel's Captain, Doku, and his crew and their own party, there were four other passengers on board: a young couple with an infant son and a reserved, semi-retired official.  The rest had good fortune to leave the river boat after the storm and preceded the rest of their way on land.  The remaining passengers kept very much to themselves and, for the most part, stayed in their cabins.

“If the circumstances dictate it, would I have the heart?” He knew he would not.

 “There was only one option, the only alternative choice, for him to take; yes,” he nodded decisively.                          

                                                                                      ~

 

The last remnants of the storm had finally abated at dawn, leaving the river a bit more swollen and the currents in the center a touch faster.

As Zunrogo and Fradel had (independently) forecasted, two days later the sail of the pursuing craft was spotted for a split second, bearing swiftly down on them from the distance, just before the river turned to hide them once more.  Accepting Zunrogo's reluctance to discuss the matter, Fradel, acting as though he had seen nothing, occupied himself with the typical scholarly concerns of reading and composing while discreetly noting the flurry of activity among the deck hands. 

They did not see the vessel again for some time after that.

 

 

(END OF SECTION 26)

THE ORDEAL - SECTION 6

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC- THE ORDEAL - SECTION 6

 Mokak cringed at this point anticipating what was to come. Would he dare explore further? He’d better; if he was to find out how she came to be in her present predicament. So, bracing himself, he continued with his probing.

 Shortly after mid-morning, on Captains orders (his command), the storm warning to the passengers had been issued and they were bid to at once take shelter below deck.

“He can’t be serious?” Many of the merchants aired their disgruntled voices since there was not a trace of cloud in the sky; quite skeptical, few even poised to ignore this dictum. They instead watched with amusement the worried expressions on the sailors and the flurry of activity as they lowered the main sails and strapped down all loose articles above and below decks to brace the ship for the impending storm.  It wasn’t long however, when the sudden driving winds converged over their heads a bank of dark, ominous clouds, instantly turning day into night as they blotted out the rays of the rising sun.  Out of nowhere a strong gale whipped the remaining sails and thrashed the augmented waves with fury. The fearful merchants interned below decks, in accordance with the captain’s subsequent, explicit directives, had bound themselves with strong ropes to the beams and to other stationary objects to prevent being tossed about during the anticipated storm.

Under the canopy of the dark mounting clouds and the barrage of pounding water, the angry roar of the winds and the churning sea sent all men’s souls into seizures of fright.  Huge hungry waves leaped to great heights and arched over the mast in crescents like gaping mouths ready to devour the whole ship in one gulp, while the smaller ones vied for the remaining crumbs.

This fair-sized vessel was picked up and tossed about as if it was but a paper toy by the enormous powers of nature.  Drenched to the skin, the exhausted sailors appeared to be nothing more than specks against the mountains of water arrayed against the vessel. Overpowered by a mightier master many were ripped away from their moorings as their binding ropes snapped in two.  Some were simply picked up and carried away, riding on the back of the wind, till they were dropped somewhere in the vast dark waters of the sea, never to be seen again.  Countless others perished under broken secondary masts, collapsed sails, and loose cargo catapulted at them by the waves and wind.  Their cries of anguish were drowned by the roaring mayhem created by the fierce storm.  The luckier ones, still alive, groaned with pain from the bruises, cuts, broken bones or crushed limbs they had suffered, and this was only the beginning stage of the deadly storm- the full (body) fury of it had not yet come.  The hull of the ship laboring under the exerting force (pressure) was strained to the point that it threatened to break in half.  If it were not for the good seamanship of the captain and the ability of his experienced crew, all would have perished at the start.  With their heroic efforts the ship was kept pointed into the wind to ride the waves, but it continued to be tossed about wildly for endless hours without let up, surmounting the danger to their endurance and ultimate survival.

The ship constantly rose and fell, pitching forward and back in the yaw of these giant waves, causing all above and below decks to become ill, with many passing out in their collective pools of vomit.  In the cabins the stench of this bodily discharge assailed all the senses.  Those luckier ones below secured tightly to the timbers sustained minimal injuries from the flying objects, but they still emerged from this adversity (hardship) with pale faces, reddened eyes, and hair standing on end, their clothes in complete disarray.  In this condition they already resembled ghosts.  The ones with stronger constitution wildly cursed their ill fate, while others mumbled prayers to the Sea God to show mercy, to spare their life, promising in return anything under the sun they could imagine.

The storm raged without letup for two days and two nights.  Then, with the same spontaneity as it’d started, all became perfectly still.  Not a whimper of the previously roaring wind remained.

In the hazy mist rising over the calm waters an eerie quiet now prevailed.

Many below deck were well past caring.  The few sturdy ones, rejoicing that the storm had ended, began untying their bonds.  Chenko Haken released himself from his ties, checked Teuquob’s vital signs, and then tried to revive her.

“All of you better keep still,” an elderly merchant warned, “till we are told the storm has passed.”

“Bah!  What need is there to be afraid of.” One scoffed, “Can’t you tell, old man, that the storm has passed already?”

The other shook his head in dismay and asked, “Has it?”

But his caution went unheeded.  Only a few, trusting the old man, remained as they were.  Seeing something in the old man’s words, Chenko Haken took the precaution of again securing Teuquob.  Half conscious, she blearily leaned her head back against the pole she was fastened (tied) to.

Mokak’s interest peaked. Despite his terrible fright, he could not stop now; he had to see it through to the end- if not, to savor just a bit more of these remarkably terrifying, yet exhilarating episodes of life, (brink of) death and destruction.

But first, anticipating more intrigue and decidedly more hazardous development, enterprise, betide above decks, he braced himself for that scenario.

Indubitably (to be sure), at the above decks, the atmosphere was far grimmer.  The experienced sailors and the captain of the ship showed intense fatigue, despair and worse- ultimate dread in their eyes.  Some already stationed in position, clasping their hands together, trembling, with lowered heads prayed to the merciful God Denizir to spare them from certain peril. 

All available hands had been summoned on deck and subsequently were cast into a still greater flurry of activity, as if racing against time itself, to prepare for what was yet to come.  The emerging passengers from below deck were shouted at abusively and told to get back below at once, that worse peril lay in the wake.  Some defiant souls were forcefully shoved or kicked down below.  As they tumbled down the length of the stairs, tempers flared, abuses were (exchanged furiously) hurled freely without reserve from both sides.

Chenko Haken had just finished securing himself to the pole when what they had most feared happened.  First there was a strange hum, then, before anyone had time to react, the most frightening, deafening roar that froze the very blood in men’s veins was heard throughout the sky.  The subsequent experience was still a more fantastic one to beheld, for many felt the ship in its entirety being lifted off the water and sucked into the void of the sky; suspended in mid-air for a second or two, suddenly, precipitately the ship began to twirl around and around with the fiercest force as they ascended, ship and all, still higher and higher, reaching unto the heavens.  The surreal ordeal was harder to bear, and this time around there remained very little for the ship’s captain or his crew to do to avert the impending disaster. Perhaps owing to Heaven’s infinite mercy, hurled right across the sky as if a piece of twig, eventually, for after what had seemed an eternity, the nearly intact ship had dropped back down, only to hit the surface of the sea with immeasurable force.

“Wow wee… that was incredible!”  Mokak could hardly contain his exhilaration. He shook his head in disbelief, mumbling to himself. “Was it sheer luck, or more likely, a testament to the ship’s sturdiness, that it had withstood the worst imaginable catastrophe? Ha hah! I knew it was too good to be believed.”  He grinned satisfactorily, for unfortunately water was now pouring into the cabins below from the holes, gaps and the cracks that had been created by this buffeting, threatening to drown them all.  Those that were still conscious presently shook with greater fear.

“We are finished! We’re all going to be drowned like rats here!” they screamed their forebodings in alarm.  Unfastening their bonds, cramming over each other, they pushed past anything in their way in their rush to get (to above deck) outside.

Having regained consciousness anew, Teuquob’s heartbeat (pounded) wildly with fear as she now realized that she might not survive her ordeal after all.  She grieved that she would not be able to fulfill her obligation to her mother.  “Are we going to die?” her eyes brimming with tears she asked Chenko Haken who was untying her bonds.

“Of course, not…  I won’t let that happen.”  Chenko Haken looked up with the most reassuring smile he could master (manage).

“Why are you so good to me, Chenko Haken?” she asked gratefully.  “I’ve done nothing to deserve it.  In fact, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this terrible predicament. I’m so s…”

“Hush!”  Gently he placed his hand over her lips to silence her, and then   compassionately wiped the tears from her cheeks. 

   “Need any help?” He turned with a start to see Beko standing right over him.

   “We’ll be all right; thanks all the same.” His curt, dismissive words went unheeded by Beko who simply shook his head, responding. “You needn’t be so proud, I’m here to land a hand whether you want it or not.” 

Since she was unsteady on her feet Chenko Haken wrapped his arm around her supple waist and supported her up the stairs in tow of Beko who continuously and energetically cleared all the strewn debris barring their way. 

The moment they’d emerged outside they were swept away in the milling crowd. Two consecutive explosions from below deck just then- since some of the cargo stored in barrels was of combustible nature (substance) - had started a panic-stricken milieu, some rushing away, while others going towards it in their effort to contain or extinguish the raging flames before they became all too consuming.  But luck was against them as there were more explosions, this time trapping those that had rushed down and were desperately trying to douse, snuff or truncate (curtail) the flying missiles of the raging fire. Billows of smoke mushrooming upwards constricted Chenko Haken and Teuquob’s already taxed lungs while heart-rending cries and screams of those trapped in the searing flames below made those above deck frantic with fear.  As Chenko Haken tried to console her, a warning shout was suddenly heard from behind, “Look out!”

Seeing that the broken mast was about to fall on them, Chenko Haken quickly pushed Teuquob away from harms length; the mast crashed down, missing her and Chenko Haken only by a hair.  Others that were nearby weren’t so lucky, some dozen or so men, including Ytuke, were mercilessly pinned down beneath the enormous weight of the main mast; they lay there dying, crying in sheer agony from the pain of their pulverized flesh and bones.  Spotting Ytuke some ways off, Chenko Haken and Beko hastened at once to his side. Then with desperate frenzy they tried to pull him and some others out from under it to safety. “Push…Push!” Beko shouted his directive to Chenko Haken. But despite all their concerted exerted effort, the massive structure, the thickest part of the pole, had stubbornly refused to give (would not budge an inch).

“Leave me be, I’m done for!” Ytuke whimpered with trembling lips as blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

“I won’t let you die like this, hang on!  Someone, help me!”  Looking up, Beko shouted to elicit more assistance from the other able-bodied men, but only a handful of stout sailors came to land a hand, and even those, shaking their heads soon after gave up, seeing the hopelessness of the situation. Clearly, Ytuke and few adjacent men pinned underneath were done for. They were beyond anyone’s help.

“Better try saving your own hides, for it is not over by a long shot, another passerby ominously advised the persistent duo Beko and Chenko Haken; meanwhile, Sunse had been repeatedly pushed aside and told by both Beko and Chenko Haken in turn not to get underfoot and to stay clear of the danger. With her limited strength and capacity, she was being more of a hindrance than help. She watched helplessly from the sidelines, her heart seared in dismay, the tremendous exertion of Beko and Chenko Haken, as they attempted to shift or maneuver the heavy object, both drenched in sweat, the droplets of perspiration on their faces mingling with the sprays of the rapacious sea. 

Despite her bruised ego and hurt feelings, she could not just stand by and do nothing; hence, once more she called out to others to elicit much needed help from them, but everyone was too consumed by their own troubles to even care.  Just then the partial deck beside Chenko Haken gave way; barely missing him, as the hungry, searing flames underneath instantly devoured Ytuke and few others pinned underneath that they’d been so desperately trying to save. This cruel fate would have been Beko’s as well had it not been for Chenko Haken’s agile move. His strong body and hand (grasp) springing into action at that crucial moment had reached out and gripped Beko’s, as latter alongside the pockmarked merchant was about to be claimed by the fiery chasm. 

“I owe you one.” Beko responded by padding Chenko Haken on the shoulder, soon as he was hauled up and on safe footing. “Who would have guessed? You have quite a might (strength, power) and potency in those scrawny, thin arms of yours.” He chuckled trying to make light of his near-death experience; then rushed off to help rescue another known associate that was in dire difficulty (strain).

Wearied (fatigued) to begin with, all these near misses had enfeebled (drained) Teuquob’s already spent nerves. In her sudden fright of losing Chenko Haken, suffering from the shock, she’d started to tremble then all at once she let out a loud scream. Fearing disclosure, Chenko Haken rushed to her side and in haste held her in a tight embrace as the same time smothered her face by pressing her face to his chest in effort to drawn out her feminine voice until she’d regained her senses. “It’s all right, everything’s all right.” He then affectionately caressed her face and wiped away the tears cascading down her cheeks.

“You’re a girl!  I had suspected as much!” A solid piece of board struck Chenko Haken hard on the back of the head, rendering him unconscious, same time a burly hand reaching out grabbed hold of her and started forcefully pulling, dragging her towards the edge.  As she struggled to free herself from his clutches, the dastardly merchant’s lurid eyes flashed fire and he tightened his grip on her wrist. “Wretched girl, you’ve brought this calamitous curse on us all! You are going to pay and pay dearly for this disaster at sea!” Grabbing also her waist, he now tried to throw her overboard, into the foaming, churning sea.

“Please let me go!” she shrieked and struggled hard to break free from his murderous grasp.  “Someone, help me!  Help me!”  But her cries for help did not rise above the wailing and screams of those others also in peril for their lives.

    “Stop fighting me wench! Or I’ll tear you from limb from limb and throw the pieces into the sea!”  Angrily the merchant slapped her with the other hand right across her face, knocking her near senseless to the ground.  Still (seizing) clenching her wrist, with a murderous rage he was about to strike her again and again when his hand was halted by a forceful grip of another’s coming from behind. Beko’s powerful consecutive strikes of the fist onto the culprit’s face and torso then the limber kick, hurled the culprit clear across the deck.

“Beko watch out!” Her warning had come too late, for the friend of the assailant descending swiftly upon him just then, delivered a formidable blow to Beko’s back and head. He had in his hand an elongated solid piece of metal pipe which he’d used like a staff. Before he could deal with the next more deadly onslaught to finish Beko off, suddenly the deck underfoot had violently shifted then altogether gave way, swallowing both the culprit and Beko into the fiery (pit) grave below.  As they fell the culprit let out a hair-raising shrilling cry that hunted Teuquob’s soul, for the remainder of her existence. Presently she’d fallen on her knees and cupping her face, started to sob uncontrollably.

“You must get to safety.” Chenko Haken regaining consciousness by then had at once rushed to her side; ignoring the excruciating pain from the swelling and the deep wound (laceration) where which blood oozed at the back of his head, he helped her to her feet and steadied her. Anticipating the worse, he strove to spare her precious life. “We must find a strong, safe object to secure you with, before the worst comes” He mumbled as he led her away from the crumbling, perilous section of the deck. Despite her protestations, an appropriate measure was soon taken to ensure her survival. No sooner this was done, when just then a frightful noise set a new fear in everyone’s heart. 

The ship’s hull, despite the sturdy construction had already weakened to the point of no return; suddenly it buckled, snapping like a thin piece of dry wafer and dividing the ship instantly in two. By fate’s hand, another explosion that same instant some ways off had thrown the sturdy wooden object she’d been tied to, clear across the danger. As she’d lost consciousness, she did not see what happened to many unfortunates that’d found themselves caught in the middle, and were instantly lost to the dark, foamy waters.   The mighty roar of the sky and the sea drowned the desperate cries of those dying or hurt still clinging to the serrated edges of snapped planking.  The whirlpool that was created by the two sinking halves mercilessly sucked the remaining passengers and crew to their watery grave.

When she came to, she’d suddenly found herself in the middle of a vast ocean in pitch darkness riding the huge waves, fastened (secured) onto a sturdy wooden piece (empty chest, or door).  On the brink of death, slipping in and out of conscious state, exposed to harsh elements of sea, sun, cold, hunger and thirst, she drifted hence, aimlessly for many a day.

Oh, I can’t take much more of this. Mokak hastily withdrawing his hand fell back, his heart racing, palpitating wildly. His fright had been immeasurable. His body curled to a fetal position on the ground now, he laid there for a time, rocking his body back and forth, hugging his knees and shivering and trembling uncontrollably. His temples throbbed; his chest cavity rose and fell with the quick intake and expulsion of air; meanwhile his eyes remained closed tight as a drum as if to dispel all the horrific imagery he’d just experienced firsthand. Try as he might he could not erase the frightful episodes parading before his mind’s eye that now taunted, haunted him.

The vast, infinite ocean and being trapped in the boundless volume of water; he could not phantom a more terrifying, terrorizing outcome than that!

Oh, but then, despite his terrible fright, he’d gotten such a rich experience from all that…More than he’d bargained for! After a time, when his terror had abated, he gradually began to see the upside of his lush, productive experience that presently fed his fertile imagination. Meanwhile, he could not help marveling at the complexities of human nature and, furthermore, felt envious, certain yearning even, for the vast array of opportunities, good and bad, denied to him, that were so readily available to her. More than ever now, he was determined to remedy this.

                                                                                               ~

 

(END OF SECITION 6)