Aboard the Calabar

 

The trip from the Land of Fairy Tales was long and exhausting. My arms were cramped from holding on to Joey’s neck. Unicorns may fly fabulously, but I was responsible for keeping myself seated and I was growing weary. Intuitively, Raven understood my plight and offered to carry me for part of our journey. Ravens ride much differently than Unicorns. I perched on her back and she wrapped me securely in her wings. There I rested comfortably for the rest of the trip.

Dusk had fallen and the northerly winds picked up. making the last bit of the trip rough going. I smelled the saltwater breeze and grew watchful. Soon we sighted the roiling sea. It took Raven and Joey only minutes to spy the Calabar, docked in an isolated and abandoned wharf. The ship had fallen into disrepair since I had last stood on her deck. When we drew closer, I heard Captain Wilder shouting orders to dumb stricken mates. Evidently she was intent on making the Calabar seaworthy again, but after my long trip I had no energy to hoist sails or swab decks. Joey and Raven consulted with each other. Then Joey flew to the nearest land to keep watch, (he was much too large to hide on the ship), while Raven sneaked me into a cabin through a back way, far out of sight of the curse-wielding, sword-swooping Captain.

The cabin was simple, but more than adequate for my immediate needs. There was a hammock hung from wall to wall, a quilt folded underneath and a basin stand nailed securely to the wall. A small oil lamp, hardly lit, swung from it’s chain. The room was quite dark, only a few cracks of light were seen through the uneven floor boards. I had expected creaking and loud slaps of waves against the ship, but my room was quiet, except for an occasional shout above deck.

Raven bid me lie down and she pecked at the quilt until it was unfolded and covering me snugly. It was then I noticed the beauty of the quilt — pieced in blues and greens, a ship of soothing color crowning every block and sewn carefully with fine linen thread. I wondered mightily who could have made this remarkable coverlet and why it was on the Calabar, but it seemed not the right time for questions.

“It will be a cool night, but you will remain warm enough,” said Raven. “I will keep the lamp dim and fill the basin so you can refresh yourself in the morning. Now let me gather a few things and I will return. Then you shall sleep comfortably.”

It seemed Raven had only taken leave minutes earlier when she re-entered the cabin, a bundle held in her beak. It was a very small bundle, but from it, Raven removed a flask of sweet grog, a loaf of bread and some aged cheese. She pecked inside the bag a bit longer, then proffered me a tiny, silver music box. She surprised me even more by bringing forth my little pouch, the pouch Enchanteur had given me long ago. I hadn’t even realized I’d lost it.

“Eat before you sleep,” Raven said kindly. “Then place a dream seed under your head, and you will find yourself resting in a spring meadow filled with myriad scent and color. Finally, here is a Raven’s music box, indeed a very rare music box. This is my gift to you. Place it in Enchanteur’s bag and comforting music will fill your heart. Perhaps you will hear a healing song tonight.”

Once I had done what I was told, Raven flew to the door in preparation to leave me. I grew fearful at being left alone.

Raven understood. “I will remain outside your cabin and protect you from any harm. In the morning, you will feel much revived and be able to carry out your duties. And remember, Bo, I will be with you throughout this long voyage. You are not alone.”

It was then that I fell into a restful slumber, Raven’s last words whispering gently in my mind and caressing me with light.

More Magic Aboard the Calabar

The cabin was lit just enough by the oil lamp to make out shadows in the room. I timidly poked my feet from under the quilt and then pushed my entire body to standing. Even though the Calabar was anchored, the rythymic motion of the wave disturbed my balance and I fell sideways, banging my elbow against the rough wall. Blood spurted from a deep gash.

“Oh, hell,” I whispered, as I grabbed the wash stand to remain safely upright. Raven heard the commotion and peeked in the door. She was dragging a pitcher of tepid water and she filled my basin. “Wash up, Bo, and change into these clothes. Best if you fit in and I doubt that Ebony Wilder will recognize you. All’s quiet on deck, so I’ll bring you some nourishment and then we’ll find you a proper place amongst the crew.”

True to her word, when I finished washing and changing my clothes, Raven was back with the familiar bundle. She first pulled out a silver candelabra.

“Find Enchanteur’s candlestick and place it in one of the candle holders. I brought Raven matches so once the candle is lit, it will not go out until I command it to do so. We will smother out the oil lamp — it has such a sickening odor — and the room will be black and empty to all that snoop about your cabin without permission — if they can find the cabin.”

Then she retrieved a hunk of bread, a piece of cheese, only slightly moldy, a flask of grog and a bit of salted pork. My stomach turned a somersault at the arrival of the food, but Raven was unabashed. “This is the best I could do, Bo. Anyway don’t be so high and mighty. You’ll be mighty hungry before you sit for your next meal. Eat, then I’ll take you to the top deck.”

Dressed, I went onto the deck wearing a pair of hemp pants, and a loose fitting white shirt which protected my arms from the brilliant sunlight. Raven had also provided me with a large floppy hat which protected me from the Captain. Looking around, I saw many travelers, some whom I knew well, others who were stangers or only vaguely familiar.

“If Wilder asks your name, say it’s Bo the Brave. She shan’t press you as long as you keep working. I’ll perch in the eagle’s nest and stay hidden. When the crew drinks their glog at noon-time, slip down the back stairs. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Even though I recognized the women I was working next to, we spoke not a word to each other, barely even looking each other in the eye. I spent a long morning repairing nets and sails, and my hands were raw and my elbow swollen when I headed to my cabin. True to her word, Raven fluttered to greet me when I reached the bottom of the rickety, rolling stairs.

“You’ve worked hard enough for one day, Bo You’re still finding your sea legs. Anyway that cut on your elbow looks nasty.” There was a patch of blood dried to my blouse. “Let me cover that with my yellow goo — Raven Ointment. Works magic.”

“I can finish the day, Raven. What if the Captain is looking for me?”

“Did you see the number of mateys aboard? I believe the entire Raven force, and we are many, are carrying travelers to the ship. If she does search for you, we’ll have a plausible explanation for your absence. Now to your cabin for some eats and a long nap. I will bring you food and maybe an iced coffee. Don’t want too much glog going into your system.”

Raven flew ahead of me. “Now let’s find your cabin.” We took a back way to reach a lower deck and walked down the hall, still swaying with the sea. I was certain we had passed my cabin when Raven commanded me to halt.

“Here’s the door.”

“Door? What door? I don’t see a door. Raven, I think you’ve been downing grog while I was slaving in the sun. Are you feeling well?’

“Just dandy, Dear Bo. See. Here is the door so go in.”

“But, Raven! That door wasn’t there a moment ago. I swear. What’s going on?”

“Don’t you understand? Living in a secret cabin is to your great advantage. I will teach you how to find the door tonight. You wll only need Enchanteur’s spectacles.” Raven pushed the door open. There were no locked doors on the Calabar, except for the Captain’s Suite. “And I’ve a nice surprise for you.”

Raven opened the door and inside was Joey, standing in the cabin, although looking a great deal cramped. Raven and Joey consulted with each other. I swore they did this frequently and then ordered me to follow their plans.

Raven was glaring at Joey, but trying to speak in a calm tone.

“See here, Joey, it’s the only way unless you want to be left alone on land when we heave-ho.”

“No, Raven. That won’t do. Anyway I must stay with Bo. We’re a team; we’re on a mission.”

“Very well. Then we must follow the alternate plan.” Joey stood up, his unicorn horn bumping the ceiling. Raven flew to perch on Joey’s back. Raven plucked a breast feather and stuck it in Joey’s mane.

Joey was nervously stamping his hooves. “I’ll tell you when you’ve gone far enough, Raven. You must stop then.”

“Sure, Joey.” Raven concentrated on Joey’s neck. Nothing happened. Then suddenly Joey began to shrink. I watched fascinated, as my Joey changed from Unicorn-size to pony-size to dog-size to kitten-size. A golden tabby with stripes about his neck and tail. He dis seem quite skinny, but he meowed sweetly.

“That’s just right,” exclaimed Joey and Raven at the same time.

Joey sniffed a bit. “For now I’ve lost my ability to fly and anyone who sees me will think I am one of the feral cats on board. But I do still have power and magic and secret ways of the Unicorn family. Now you are protected by two of us, Bo. None too few, if you ask me.”

“Neither of us asked,” said Raven testily. “Of course Bo the Brave is well cared for. Now she is to eat. I will scrounge for some food, and then Bo must rest. Once she has eaten everything, give her half a dream seed, no more. Then, Joey, wake her at six bells. Dinnertime. She should make an appearance, and perhaps have some pleasant words with Ebony Wilder. I see she is in a much better state of mind.”

“Righto, Birdie. Yum, I’m hungry too,” chuckled Joey-turned-kitty. Maybe I eat ravens!”

“Don’t get any ideas, Joey. You may feel like a cat, but you still eat like a unicorn. That is, unless you wish to be a mouser.”

“No! No mice!”

“Then you will find grain in the stern hold. You can nibble that until your belly’s near bursting.”

Raven flew out the cabin door and returned with food immediately. I ate, simply because I was hungry enough to eat nearly anything. I did scrape the mold off the cheese, but got hassled for doing so.

“High and mighty, Bo?”

“I prefer to forego the mold, if you don’t care.”

“Fine. Fine. Now lie in the hammock and cover yourself with the sailing quilt.”

“Just what about that quilt? It’s out of place on the Calabar.”

“So is a music box and a candelabra and a Unicorn kitty and a Raven who rules all.”

“Neigh,” disagreed Joey. “I do my share of ruling.”

“You usually do, Joey, but you will be limited in what you can do on board. Kittens aren’t high on the most needed list. There are many birds about and we all look the same. I am well disguised, so I can spy. And Bo, nothing more about the quilt.”

Raven flew to the door and pecked it open. “Now that Joey is here to protect you and you are set up in this cabin, I shall scout the ship. See what’s going on.”

I nodded hesitantly while Joey jumped into my lap.

“Remember Bo. My mission is to keep you safe from harm. There are important plans ahead for you. You will not be left alone. Now have a rest and we’ll meet at six bells.” Then dear Raven left the cabin.

Joey laid upon the hammock, wound about my feet, purring and warming my cold feet. i rested in the slightly swaying hammock. What choice did I have?