Naomi sighed, and mopped her father-in-law's brow faithfully for the third day in a row, though the days were varying lengths in this world instead of steady like home. She felt trapped in this cabin, but that was still far better than the alternative.
There had still been no rain, which was a blessing and a curse. The heat in this world was slowly building into a humid, oppressive nightmare. It was becoming difficult to breathe as the air around them seemed almost to boil.
A good rain would cleanse the air, but a storm could bring danger in the form of the flying creatures that preyed on women.
Haf had woken only a handful of times, and hadn't been coherent enough to add anything to the information he'd given her before. She had hesitated to share it all with Caspian, but in the end had decided that sharing everything with him was better than holding anything back.
She wasn't sure how to phrase it, so she had just recounted the brief conversation to the best of her memory. She had avoided eye contact when she related the part where Haf asked about children.
Caspian had remained expressionless and left without speaking. They had exchanged few words since then, and she worried that she had done something wrong.
The man in her thoughts stood now alone at the bow, where he had spent most of his time the last days. He took a deep, difficult breath and wearily surveyed the sea.
Clouds marred the horizon, thick and black and roiling. The men who weren't actively on duty lazed about on the deck, trying to catch the barest hint of a breeze as the orange sun glared at them from above.
Caspian blinked, hard. The air was so heavy with humidity that everything seemed a monumental effort.
Edmar's mood had soured with the weather, but not in any productive way. He was more angry that the fishing had begun to be poor as the water heated.
The stillness was discomfiting. With no wind for the sails and no currents for the rudders, the ship seemed to be more or less sitting in one place, as best they could tell from the moving stars.
Instead of seeking out leviathan, they had to more or less wait for one to stroll right up to the boat.
Caspian had suggested lowering the rowboats with towing lines, but Edmar seemed averse to the idea. He seemed to think the wind or current would pick up soon without their intervention.
His attention drifted to his brother's position at the stern, and then to the Captain's cabin. Naomi's reports of his father's words were disturbing in the extreme. If only Haf would awaken so that Caspian could talk to the Commodore himself.
Unfortunately, the man's health seemed to be fading rather than improving. Naomi reported that he'd woken barely enough to take some water and a little food, and had said nothing at all.
Part of him was suspicious that only she had witnessed his waking moments, but then, she did spend all her time in the cabin, and he and Ishamel attended to many other duties. If he wanted another witness to his father's activities, he should have someone stationed inside.
However, the thought of a sailor practically alone with his wife all day long didn't sit well with him. So, she was effectively relegated to solitary confinement. It pained him to watch her become slowly more withdrawn.
His demeanor probably didn't help anything. The longer they spent here, the more anxious and morose he became. He could tell she was scared and tired, but could do nothing to alleviate those instincts or reassure her that everything would be all right.
He was increasingly convinced of the fact that it wouldn't be.
A sudden breeze sent a collective sigh of relief across the ship. All stood or sat taller to fully enjoy the cool caress of the air.
Except Caspian, who shivered instead. The ominous clouds were creeping closer.
Still, the sails fluttered and came to life as if roused from a deep sleep. They couldn't outrun the storm, but maybe they could find a way out of this world before it arrived.
Caspian glanced up at the barrowman high in the crow's nest, who was now leaning out to look at the sea. His expression was one of shock and fascination.
"LAND HO!" Came the shout as he frantically pointed off the port bow.
The sleepy, lazy atmosphere of the deck suddenly burst into activity.
They had never encountered land in these other worlds before. Though the seas were rich with strange and exotic creatures, the prospect of an otherworldly land was something none of them had expected.
Edmar began shouting instructions to the helmsman and those working the rigging to steer the ship towards the sight.
Those who weren't immediately ordered otherwise ran to the side of the ship to catch the first glimpse of this strange land.
Though it was barely visible on the horizon, there was indeed a definite rise above the sea's level. Against the pink sky and green water, the sliver of slate gray was unmistakable as they came closer.
Caspian ventured a look behind them at the encroaching clouds. Though it was not nearing sunset, the sky was quickly darkening. He swallowed and strode towards his brother's position at the Captain's post.
"Cas!" Edmar exclaimed in delight, "Can you believe it? Land!"
"That's amazing, Ed," Caspian agreed. "Truly a life-changing discovery. It makes it all the more terrible about the storm bearing down on us."
Edmar glowered over his shoulder at the mounting clouds.
"It will be fine. Not every storm harbors the gargoyles." His voice was irritated, but lacked confidence.
"We can't take that chance, with Naomi aboard. They could tear us apart getting to her."
Edmar's calculating look made Caspian's blood run cold. Though he looked about to suggest something truly heinous, he once again deflected the concern.
"What do you suggest we do, Cas? I haven't seen any leviathan, have you?"
The younger brother heaved a sigh. While he couldn't argue the point directly, he felt that a lot more was beneath the surface. There were too many coincidences.
Ishamel had confirmed days ago that the oily substance on the rope was likely the same as what Haf had slipped on. Caspian hadn't put all the puzzle pieces together yet, but he knew that Edmar was one of them.
"Please, Ed. She's my wife." Whether it was the simplicity of the plea or the sincerity with which it was made, Caspian couldn't tell, but Edmar's face cleared.
The arrogance and bravado faded for just a moment as he looked into his younger brother's face.
"Has she bewitched you so quickly, Caspian?" He asked.
"Please," Caspian wouldn't speak to the assumption one way or the other.
Edmar studied him a moment longer, and then shifted his eyes back towards the land that grew ever closer.
"Of course, as soon as we see a leviathan, we'll be off home. Just like always. No one will go ashore this trip, so we'll be ready to go at a moment's notice."
That was the best Caspian could hope for at the moment. He decided to let Naomi know what was going on, and get her down into the windowless hold before the storm came any closer.
As he entered the Captain's quarters, he paused. She was sitting, as she had been for days, in the chair next to the bed, wiping his father's forehead with a cold rag, speaking softly to him.
Her back was to him, and she must not have heard the door open, for she kept up her quiet dialogue.
He crept closer, curious as to what sorts of things she spoke to his father about.
"Please, get better," She was whispering, "I've told you time and again how your sons need you. Caspian is... I admit I hardly know him, but even I can see how much he looks up to you. Please wake up for a little longer.
"Take some food, drink some water. Heal, please. What would happen if you died under my care? You wouldn't wish that sort of shame on your new daughter-in-law, would you?" She attempted a smile. "Of course not, you're too kind for that. That's why I know you'll get better."
She took a cup of water and tilted a few drops into Haf's mouth. He swallowed, and she sighed. "There, now. Keep it up. You're my only company here."
"I wouldn't say that," At the sound of her husband's voice, Naomi nearly leapt out of her skin.
"Oh! I didn't hear you come in. How long have you been listening?" She bit her lip.
"We need to go," He ignored her question and held out his hand. She stood and took it without hesitation and followed him.He led her out onto the deck and opened the hold to put her into the dark as he furtively searched for danger.
"Get inside," He said quickly, but his soft voice was interrupted by a crack of thunder and a monstrous roar.
He'd waited too long.