The Ferrymans Daughter

THE FERRYMAN

CHAPTER ONE

THE FERRYMAN

  The reflection of stars glistened brightly upon the ocean as a boat turned upon the waves. Water splashed over the long slender deck of the barge and it pushed the vessel toward calming still waters. The candle lantern lead the way as the bow of the boat slowed to a crawl, then gently pushed, it floated along. The breeze lightly blew back the hair of the ferryman as he steered his ship into the darkened cove. He straightened up his old leather hat while the ship passed through the tall mountain pillars which stood at the entrance to the river. Under the moonlit sky, a beautiful place emerged.

  Birds flew up from the trees in the darkness while the boat passed them by. The deep river before him was full of sparkling shore lines and sandy beaches during the day. At night full of monsters and more. The long river emptied out into a small freshwater lake at the base of Oakwood mountain.

  The touch of his hand to the water brought back memories, those of the simplest pleasures that were available to him in another age. When the boat was steady and true, the wind has false, there was no time for a small break or to take a breath of fresh cool clean air, food and replenishment.

  The boat master decided to take a most welcome rest. The Ferryman threw out his anchors, bow and stern. Disembarking, he looked to enjoy the pleasures that could be found upon the forested beach. He quickly gathered up a few items which he never left alone and put them into a small chest. He clutched the locked box in his arms and from the side of the barge he jumped into the water with a sploosh!

  His hand prints were left behind in the sand upon the shore after he hauled himself out of the water, he flipped over and laid on top of pebble stones for a while. After a short snooze, he awoke and took a long refreshing drink of water from his black leather canteen, then he splashed water on his face. He washed away the salty stains of evaporated salt that had long since plagued him on his ocean journeys. His long tattered garments showed off the wear of time and he stared at his reflection looking back from the stillness of the water. His black hair and beard were long and shaggy. 

  After gathering some wood he hunted for some seafood and berries. A fire was lit and he roasted fresh clams and crabs creating a little beach party of his own. After he devoured his meal the Ferryman laid by the fire resting with his belly full. He reached out and stirred the coals with a small stick that he picked up off the ground, the flames flashed and flickered. The smoke danced in his eyes and his mind was taken back into the distant past and the Never Ending War.

  The Ferryman knew what needed to be done so he gathered up his treasures and boarded the barge one more time. There was no turning back as he pulled up his anchos. The boat began to glide one again, pulled along by the river current. The Ferryman looked over his shoulder back at the shoreline he left.

  Smoke arose from Oakwood Mountain which sat upon the edge the water, it towered over the city and lake below casting a shadow far and wide. Screams and yells could always be heard on the water, traveling like a horrible plea from its shores.

    As the vessel grew closer to, the hardened armies which fought to quell the evil creations inside the mountain could be seen marching down the hilly rocks and back to the city below. The boat master steered his ship across the lake and into the port of Oakwood where the Harbor Master greeted him at the dock.