Sir Augustin of St. Ives sat on a hillock and watched the sun set with his lone eye remaining. Olympia approached softly, as she always did. Her hands were on her weapons for ease and to prevent sound.
"It shall be cold soon."
Sir Augustin managed a nod.
"Shall we build fire?"
Sir Augustin managed a nod.
"Shall I get naked and make love to goats?"
Sir Augustin managed a nod, then checked himself.
"Good, so you are actually listening."
"I always listen, my good lady."
"Dear me, 'good lady?' Now I fear for your senses."
"Ah, but you are a good lady. Your veins hold the blood of the gentle since the age of Caesars."
"That makes me a lady, but not necessarily good."
"I cannot argue with a woman taught by Jesuits."
"The only thing Jesuits taught me was that some of them preferred boys and others liked girls."
"Did any of them...?"
"No. They went after those who could not fight back."
"Is that not the way of the world?"
"This conversation turns darker than sky."
"I am not the one who brought talk of buggery into the proceedings."
"True. But you were troubled before I spoke of it."
"I am always troubled."
"Tell me of your troubles."
"If I were to tell you of all my troubles, we would be up here for years."
"Not all then, but those that crease your brow here and now."
"I am not ready to talk of that just as yet."
"If you do not talk, how can you solve?"
"By thinking."
"Think with me."
"Would if I could. But if I were to open my mouth just now to speak of what ails me, it would be a torrent of fire cascading down Pompeii and it would scald."
"I do not fear fire."
"You should. Have you ever seen a fire gut a town? I have. One time in Holland..."
"First Pompeii and now Holland. Your mind is closer. Let me inside."
"We are fucking lost. There? Happy?"
Olympia blanched. The tone was pure evil.
"Jesu. I am sorry. I am... That was unwarranted. I did not mean to say the last two words. That was... Forgive me. That's twice that I have lashed out at you without cause. I am an idiot. Please forgive me."
"You are no idiot. You warned. I asked, and received. When you say we are 'lost'...?"
"We are lost. The ocean is a very big place and unless you know where you are going, you're finished. And at present we are quite finished. Though this a very pleasant Hell, with birds singing, good water and fresh fruit. Then again, the same was probably said of 'Santa Cruz' by the doomed..."
Olympia sat down opposite Sir Augustin.
"Why do you say we are lost?"
And Sir Augustin explained his thoughts from our previous chapter.
"Suppose the Spaniard is the one mistaken..."
"Then we have a big problem, for it is notes of that man that drove me to come here."
"But you said... Were there not others? The Dutchmen?"
At this Sir Augustin parted his lips quickly and barred his teeth.
"Jesu! I completely forgot about... Yes. Willem Schouten!"
The good Dutchman named by the Englishman was another seeker of mythic Australia, but while he did not find it, he did visit many isles near the area where Sir Augustin now found himself and he published a journal of his findings upon returning to Holland. Sir Augustin had read the original in Dutch and the English translation. But that was years ago, and though Sir Augustin was still a young man, the Journal of Willem Schouten he had read in his teenage years as he sailed along Africa and dreamed those big dreams of Australia. He had not the books on him, but he took copy of charts and after a kiss to Olympia, he bounded to the ship and found them.
The Dutchman did not find the Isle of the Gold Mines of King Solomon, but he found other curious things, and Sir Augustin did take calculations off the charts of the Dutchman, though that was back in Florence, when he was attempting to find an approach. Revisiting the calculations now and scanning the islands on the charts of the Dutchman, Sir Augustin spotted a good test of his abilities: the Isles of Hoorn. Hoorn was the town of the Dutchman's birth, and he named two isles he discovered in the nearby waters after them. If the trouble lay with the Spaniard's note, and not Sir Augustin's calculations, then the warlock should be able to find the two isles using his calculations. If the trouble lay with Sir Augustin, then he should not be able to find the isles. There existed of course a third possibility that the trouble was with both Sir Augustin and his Spanish sailing hero. And still a fourth that the Dutchman was too wrong and Sir Augustin's calculations based on his log were useless. But those thoughts the warlock banished from mind. He had an action to undertake and he did.
Still, he redid the calculations two more times, working in feverish state by the light of the candle, then dawn, but pronounced himself satisfied with them when he reckoned the same location for both isles twice over, and went to sleep as the sun rose. He slept 'til noon, thus sharing at least one habit with his twin sister, for one day at least. Having woke, he swam in the rivers and was once more at peace.
The crew was not sure what change came over the warlock. They could tell he was troubled a bit the day before, but was now yet again cheered, and after a debate that would put the House of Commons to shame, the crew decided that the warlock's woman told him she might be with child and he was riven with anxiety until she told him that she had not in fact missed her blood and her womb was still free. This naturally relieved a man of many fears and he now swam with an ease of man still free of brats.
Five days later, the rested sailors set forth to the Hoorn isles. And within fortnight they sighted them to Sir Augustin's relief and sorrow. Relief, for his calculations were right, once based on the charts of good men, but sorrow, because it means the Spaniard's notes were not entirely reliable. And it was the Spaniard and the Spaniard alone who had set foot on the fables Isles of the Gold Mines of King Solomon.
The bigger of the Hoorn isles met the strange white men with ease. The last such visitation having been remembered from scant thirty years ago. At present, a hog was brought forward to be butchered and a pair of women were offered, for all knew the pale faces were mad with lust at the sight of naked female flesh. But once the first hog and two women were offered for free, the others were bartered. And nails and hammers, as well as good knives, were asked in exchange for pig meat, coconuts, yams, young and willing women and crudely fermented drinks that could muddle men's minds. The sacred king of the bigger Hoorn isle welcomed Sir Augustin of St. Ives, Captain Kelly and the lunatic captain of "Fortune" into his home and much food was consumed, local brew was drank and many items were traded.
The Bastards and Fortunes judged the barter system put in place fair and there were no rape, murder or theft on the big island, but plenty of haggling. Made more active when, upon hearing the pale faces had returned, the king of the smaller isles arrived with fifty boats laden with women and animals and too joined the trade.
Sir Augustin had meant to use the respite of the isles to adjust his calculations and did, and after three days was ready to leave, but both captains agreed the men would not be shifted until they felt true relief and were willing to leave. And so the crews of the two-ship fleet spent an astounding 28 days on the islands, and good friendships were formed, tokens of love exchanged and foreign words learned. And there was a deputation led by One Eyed Battista, who approached Captain Kelly and petitioned:
"Me and lads were thinking, Cap'n, and thought it not a bad thing if you were to give the locals powder and muskets."
"You want to arm the natives?"
"Aye, to stop thieving and murdering bastards from abusing them, should the greedy Dutch return, or the backstabbing French or those whoresons the Spaniards. These people need protecting."
That such a statement were to be uttered by a man such as One Eyed Battista astonished Captain Kelly and temporarily left him bereft of speech, but he found himself nodding. He consulted with the lunatic captain and the warlock, who held no objections. And thus, the crew of the two ships gave out weapons to natives and taught the king's men how to use them and warned them of other pale faces.
The parting when it came was sorrowful for many, but dreams of gold overrode even the pleasure of living in this small corner of Earthly paradise, and so the two ships departed in search of the fabled isles, based on the reworked calculations of an English warlock from on the charts of a Dutchman and the notes of a Spaniard.
Sir Augustin of St. Ives stood at the bowsprit and let sea spray wash over him, his one good eye closed. His heart pounded against his ribs. He was in a cold sweat. Any moment now, if his maths were true.
"Land ho."
The good eye flied open and he took out a spyglass. Olympia was somehow instantly by his side.
"What is it?"
"Santa Cruz, I should think."
Olympia stared and Sir Augustin of St. Ives smiled.
"Though with the Spaniard dead, I should like to rename it. What say you to 'Isle of Ashley?'"
Olympia stared and Sir Augustin of St. Ives smiled.
"Come, let us see if I am right."
The two ships anchored near a natural harbor. Sir Augustin went down into the boat with chain mail under plate armor, with his heavily armed woman. The sailors exchanged a startled glance.
"The natives were much abused by Spaniards and may be ill disposed towards white men."
This explanation did not sooth any nerves.
The oared boat soon kissed the sand bar and the first man to hop over was Sir Augustin, who prowled the shore with difficulty as waves struck his metal, but powered forward til the water receded from below his boots. He found the beach deserted, oriented and as if guided by a spirit, and marched west. Olympia joined him. They soon found what they were looking for, the remains of a Christian colony. Long since abandoned, thoroughly looted and evil looking it is debased state.
"So I was right. Isle of Ashley it shall be. Come, let us leave it."
And with that the warlock left, before any native could see him or hear of the white man's return.
The boat returned to the ships, and Sir Augustin of St. Ives said loud enough to be easily heard:
"In less than a sennight, we shall have gold at our feet."
With that he went into his cabin, Olympia following mutely, though barely just. While on the deck, all started to talk at the same time.
Sir Augustin began to remove his plate and chain mail but required assistance.
Olympia gave none and stared.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because I am right. I know where we are now. I understand it. First the Isle of the Gold Mines of King Solomon. Then Australia."
"Please, keep your voice down."
"We are no longer in Genoa. I can say what I think. Australia exists. It is real. And I shall find it."
"Beloved."
"I am on the far side of the world, Olympia. If I am right, all will be well. If I am wrong, we will all die."
It was not feasible to talk to a man in such frame of mind and Olympia knew enough not to attempt it. But even though she knew, she could not keep silent.
"Suppose there is a storm?"
"Ah, the crew will understand it then. 'Seven days, weather permitting,' did not sound as grand."
"Why not simply bide our time and not...?"
"I am tiring of biding. I have been quite tired of biding for some time. I sat on that island, watching them gorge themselves on pig fat and coconuts, while destiny waited upon me. I will not be denied."
"Jesu! Are you hearing yourself? Where is your prudence?"
"If I was prudent, would I be here, right now? If I was prudent, would you ever meet me? If I was prudent, would you join my quest? I am a chancer. But my dice and cards are my charts."
The words were all wrong. As if uttered by an actor on stage and not a man real, and Olympia suddenly knew it was an impostor before her just now. Not the true man she met. This was a terrified man bluffing, badly. And that understanding made her confusion ease and anger recede. "Santa Cruz" had unmanned him completely. Despite his other successes, despite everything, it unmanned him still. And this sudden loss forced him to mask it so crudely. She took care to remove pity from her voice and gave an indifferent shrug.
"As you say then."
Sir Augustin deflated. He wanted to argue, or maybe he did not, but he still expected it.
"You, uh, agree with me?"
"Beloved, let us find gold and then we shall talk?"
Sir Augustin found his air again and gave a curt nod, and even managed a flash smile.
"It shall be cold soon."
Sir Augustin managed a nod.
"Shall we build fire?"
Sir Augustin managed a nod.
"Shall I get naked and make love to goats?"
Sir Augustin managed a nod, then checked himself.
"Good, so you are actually listening."
"I always listen, my good lady."
"Dear me, 'good lady?' Now I fear for your senses."
"Ah, but you are a good lady. Your veins hold the blood of the gentle since the age of Caesars."
"That makes me a lady, but not necessarily good."
"I cannot argue with a woman taught by Jesuits."
"The only thing Jesuits taught me was that some of them preferred boys and others liked girls."
"Did any of them...?"
"No. They went after those who could not fight back."
"Is that not the way of the world?"
"This conversation turns darker than sky."
"I am not the one who brought talk of buggery into the proceedings."
"True. But you were troubled before I spoke of it."
"I am always troubled."
"Tell me of your troubles."
"If I were to tell you of all my troubles, we would be up here for years."
"Not all then, but those that crease your brow here and now."
"I am not ready to talk of that just as yet."
"If you do not talk, how can you solve?"
"By thinking."
"Think with me."
"Would if I could. But if I were to open my mouth just now to speak of what ails me, it would be a torrent of fire cascading down Pompeii and it would scald."
"I do not fear fire."
"You should. Have you ever seen a fire gut a town? I have. One time in Holland..."
"First Pompeii and now Holland. Your mind is closer. Let me inside."
"We are fucking lost. There? Happy?"
Olympia blanched. The tone was pure evil.
"Jesu. I am sorry. I am... That was unwarranted. I did not mean to say the last two words. That was... Forgive me. That's twice that I have lashed out at you without cause. I am an idiot. Please forgive me."
"You are no idiot. You warned. I asked, and received. When you say we are 'lost'...?"
"We are lost. The ocean is a very big place and unless you know where you are going, you're finished. And at present we are quite finished. Though this a very pleasant Hell, with birds singing, good water and fresh fruit. Then again, the same was probably said of 'Santa Cruz' by the doomed..."
Olympia sat down opposite Sir Augustin.
"Why do you say we are lost?"
And Sir Augustin explained his thoughts from our previous chapter.
"Suppose the Spaniard is the one mistaken..."
"Then we have a big problem, for it is notes of that man that drove me to come here."
"But you said... Were there not others? The Dutchmen?"
At this Sir Augustin parted his lips quickly and barred his teeth.
"Jesu! I completely forgot about... Yes. Willem Schouten!"
The good Dutchman named by the Englishman was another seeker of mythic Australia, but while he did not find it, he did visit many isles near the area where Sir Augustin now found himself and he published a journal of his findings upon returning to Holland. Sir Augustin had read the original in Dutch and the English translation. But that was years ago, and though Sir Augustin was still a young man, the Journal of Willem Schouten he had read in his teenage years as he sailed along Africa and dreamed those big dreams of Australia. He had not the books on him, but he took copy of charts and after a kiss to Olympia, he bounded to the ship and found them.
The Dutchman did not find the Isle of the Gold Mines of King Solomon, but he found other curious things, and Sir Augustin did take calculations off the charts of the Dutchman, though that was back in Florence, when he was attempting to find an approach. Revisiting the calculations now and scanning the islands on the charts of the Dutchman, Sir Augustin spotted a good test of his abilities: the Isles of Hoorn. Hoorn was the town of the Dutchman's birth, and he named two isles he discovered in the nearby waters after them. If the trouble lay with the Spaniard's note, and not Sir Augustin's calculations, then the warlock should be able to find the two isles using his calculations. If the trouble lay with Sir Augustin, then he should not be able to find the isles. There existed of course a third possibility that the trouble was with both Sir Augustin and his Spanish sailing hero. And still a fourth that the Dutchman was too wrong and Sir Augustin's calculations based on his log were useless. But those thoughts the warlock banished from mind. He had an action to undertake and he did.
Still, he redid the calculations two more times, working in feverish state by the light of the candle, then dawn, but pronounced himself satisfied with them when he reckoned the same location for both isles twice over, and went to sleep as the sun rose. He slept 'til noon, thus sharing at least one habit with his twin sister, for one day at least. Having woke, he swam in the rivers and was once more at peace.
The crew was not sure what change came over the warlock. They could tell he was troubled a bit the day before, but was now yet again cheered, and after a debate that would put the House of Commons to shame, the crew decided that the warlock's woman told him she might be with child and he was riven with anxiety until she told him that she had not in fact missed her blood and her womb was still free. This naturally relieved a man of many fears and he now swam with an ease of man still free of brats.
Five days later, the rested sailors set forth to the Hoorn isles. And within fortnight they sighted them to Sir Augustin's relief and sorrow. Relief, for his calculations were right, once based on the charts of good men, but sorrow, because it means the Spaniard's notes were not entirely reliable. And it was the Spaniard and the Spaniard alone who had set foot on the fables Isles of the Gold Mines of King Solomon.
The bigger of the Hoorn isles met the strange white men with ease. The last such visitation having been remembered from scant thirty years ago. At present, a hog was brought forward to be butchered and a pair of women were offered, for all knew the pale faces were mad with lust at the sight of naked female flesh. But once the first hog and two women were offered for free, the others were bartered. And nails and hammers, as well as good knives, were asked in exchange for pig meat, coconuts, yams, young and willing women and crudely fermented drinks that could muddle men's minds. The sacred king of the bigger Hoorn isle welcomed Sir Augustin of St. Ives, Captain Kelly and the lunatic captain of "Fortune" into his home and much food was consumed, local brew was drank and many items were traded.
The Bastards and Fortunes judged the barter system put in place fair and there were no rape, murder or theft on the big island, but plenty of haggling. Made more active when, upon hearing the pale faces had returned, the king of the smaller isles arrived with fifty boats laden with women and animals and too joined the trade.
Sir Augustin had meant to use the respite of the isles to adjust his calculations and did, and after three days was ready to leave, but both captains agreed the men would not be shifted until they felt true relief and were willing to leave. And so the crews of the two-ship fleet spent an astounding 28 days on the islands, and good friendships were formed, tokens of love exchanged and foreign words learned. And there was a deputation led by One Eyed Battista, who approached Captain Kelly and petitioned:
"Me and lads were thinking, Cap'n, and thought it not a bad thing if you were to give the locals powder and muskets."
"You want to arm the natives?"
"Aye, to stop thieving and murdering bastards from abusing them, should the greedy Dutch return, or the backstabbing French or those whoresons the Spaniards. These people need protecting."
That such a statement were to be uttered by a man such as One Eyed Battista astonished Captain Kelly and temporarily left him bereft of speech, but he found himself nodding. He consulted with the lunatic captain and the warlock, who held no objections. And thus, the crew of the two ships gave out weapons to natives and taught the king's men how to use them and warned them of other pale faces.
The parting when it came was sorrowful for many, but dreams of gold overrode even the pleasure of living in this small corner of Earthly paradise, and so the two ships departed in search of the fabled isles, based on the reworked calculations of an English warlock from on the charts of a Dutchman and the notes of a Spaniard.
Sir Augustin of St. Ives stood at the bowsprit and let sea spray wash over him, his one good eye closed. His heart pounded against his ribs. He was in a cold sweat. Any moment now, if his maths were true.
"Land ho."
The good eye flied open and he took out a spyglass. Olympia was somehow instantly by his side.
"What is it?"
"Santa Cruz, I should think."
Olympia stared and Sir Augustin of St. Ives smiled.
"Though with the Spaniard dead, I should like to rename it. What say you to 'Isle of Ashley?'"
Olympia stared and Sir Augustin of St. Ives smiled.
"Come, let us see if I am right."
The two ships anchored near a natural harbor. Sir Augustin went down into the boat with chain mail under plate armor, with his heavily armed woman. The sailors exchanged a startled glance.
"The natives were much abused by Spaniards and may be ill disposed towards white men."
This explanation did not sooth any nerves.
The oared boat soon kissed the sand bar and the first man to hop over was Sir Augustin, who prowled the shore with difficulty as waves struck his metal, but powered forward til the water receded from below his boots. He found the beach deserted, oriented and as if guided by a spirit, and marched west. Olympia joined him. They soon found what they were looking for, the remains of a Christian colony. Long since abandoned, thoroughly looted and evil looking it is debased state.
"So I was right. Isle of Ashley it shall be. Come, let us leave it."
And with that the warlock left, before any native could see him or hear of the white man's return.
The boat returned to the ships, and Sir Augustin of St. Ives said loud enough to be easily heard:
"In less than a sennight, we shall have gold at our feet."
With that he went into his cabin, Olympia following mutely, though barely just. While on the deck, all started to talk at the same time.
Sir Augustin began to remove his plate and chain mail but required assistance.
Olympia gave none and stared.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because I am right. I know where we are now. I understand it. First the Isle of the Gold Mines of King Solomon. Then Australia."
"Please, keep your voice down."
"We are no longer in Genoa. I can say what I think. Australia exists. It is real. And I shall find it."
"Beloved."
"I am on the far side of the world, Olympia. If I am right, all will be well. If I am wrong, we will all die."
It was not feasible to talk to a man in such frame of mind and Olympia knew enough not to attempt it. But even though she knew, she could not keep silent.
"Suppose there is a storm?"
"Ah, the crew will understand it then. 'Seven days, weather permitting,' did not sound as grand."
"Why not simply bide our time and not...?"
"I am tiring of biding. I have been quite tired of biding for some time. I sat on that island, watching them gorge themselves on pig fat and coconuts, while destiny waited upon me. I will not be denied."
"Jesu! Are you hearing yourself? Where is your prudence?"
"If I was prudent, would I be here, right now? If I was prudent, would you ever meet me? If I was prudent, would you join my quest? I am a chancer. But my dice and cards are my charts."
The words were all wrong. As if uttered by an actor on stage and not a man real, and Olympia suddenly knew it was an impostor before her just now. Not the true man she met. This was a terrified man bluffing, badly. And that understanding made her confusion ease and anger recede. "Santa Cruz" had unmanned him completely. Despite his other successes, despite everything, it unmanned him still. And this sudden loss forced him to mask it so crudely. She took care to remove pity from her voice and gave an indifferent shrug.
"As you say then."
Sir Augustin deflated. He wanted to argue, or maybe he did not, but he still expected it.
"You, uh, agree with me?"
"Beloved, let us find gold and then we shall talk?"
Sir Augustin found his air again and gave a curt nod, and even managed a flash smile.
