The designs for the new bow were fanciful and efficient. The ship would be unlike any vessel man had ever seen. The Mer metal was lightweight, buoyant, and resistant to corrosion. The new bow and bowsprit would be strong enough to break through ice and deflect cannonballs. The only weakness was fire. If the azumetalla were touched by flame or searing heat, it would soften quickly.
Within five days, the repairs were complete and our ship was grander than ever. Swirling patterns of silver, gold, and cerulean streamed along the length of the hull. The new bow looked as if it had been dipped in silver and dusted with gold. A sparkling azumetalla bowsprit stretched in front of the ship. Gold bands interlocked with the original wood planks. The keel was a slender blue and silver beam. Our beautiful vessel drifted on the waves gracefully.
“There is no limit to the amount of weight that this sloop can carry,” said Sydin. “Her buoyancy is far greater than you can imagine.”
“It is the finest ship in the Caribbean,” I professed.
“That may be true,” he said with a proud smile. “Tell me, have you scheduled your departure?”
“Not officially. Though I know the men are ready to get back to port. It’s strange, Sydin, a part of me wants to stay.”
He pointed to the beach where Cora sat with Pearl and Driften. “Saying farewell is not something she desires either.”
“I mustn’t let my feelings come before the welfare of my crew. We can’t stay, Sydin. This is your home, not ours.”
“I understand well. Our end of the deal is complete. My Mer are prepared to load our cache aboard whenever your men are ready.”
“Where should I bring such treasure?”
“I have put much thought in this. Sail north and into the gulf. Along the coast of the mainland you’ll find many caverns. I know of one that would be perfect. It rests in the side of a towering stone cliff at a place the humans call Black Water Cove. A normal man would have great difficulty accessing it, but with rigging and a team as skilled as yours, you will be able to get in and hide a large portion.”
“And what of the rest of it?”
“Reward your men for their bravery and hardship. Make them rich in payment for their secrecy.”
“I will ensure that when mankind speaks of the Water People, they tell only tales of generosity and kindness. Thank you, Lord Sydin, for all that you have done.”
~~~~~~
That afternoon, two dozen crates, ten trunks, and twelve heaping sacks of the purest gold, finest jewels and the most reflective silver were hauled aboard Destiny. The sails were set and the riggings manned. Grant calculated a northwestern course and Waylin took the helm. Bart made an inventory of everything brought aboard. Konopo secured the new store of fresh provisions and tied down the precious cargo.
The men took the rowboats to the ship and were helped aboard. The boats were then hoisted from the sea and battened to the bows. It was time to leave.
I sat on the beach and watched our drifting ship. My rowboat waited in the sand. Cora emerged from the water. The rushing waves brought the Mermaiden to my side. She positioned herself comfortably against me and leaned on my shoulder.
“Grant is a fine captain,” she said, “and with Waylin at his side, the two can ride the waves safely. Must you go with them?”
“It’s a dangerous matter to sail with such wealth. The crew needs me.” I took her hands in mine. “I wish I didn’t have to say goodbye.”
“I can grant wishes, you know.”
I smiled and brushed a strand of purple hair from her soft face. “You already have.”
“When your journey is over, where will you go?” she asked.
“Back home to Grenada, to Rosewing.”
Cora smiled. “Then that is where I will find you.”
“Then that is where I will be waiting.”
We held one another tightly. When the embrace loosened, our eyes locked and in her stare shone the glimmer of sunlit waves and the endless depths of the sea. She leaned into me and our lips met. Her kiss was passionate, slow and soft. When it was over, a small tear fell from her cheek.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Before I could respond, the surf rushed over us, pulling the loose sand from under me. In that instant, Cora slipped away.
~~~~~~
Destiny’s sails inhaled the wind, blooming to look like powerful white clouds. The sloop cut the sea with precision. A cool mist sprayed from under the starboard and port bows. The sun glistened off the metal bowsprit so bright that we had to look away. At the stern, Grant and I watched the island of the Mer shrink from view. Cerulean Isle shimmered like sunlit sapphires before vanishing on the horizon, lost in a mosaic of blue.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to my circle of readers: Maureen Chabot, Carol Childers, Hannah Fraser, Diane Johansen, Patti Mazzone, Cassandra Mens, Donna Sullivan, Jonathan Taylor and Robb Zerr. Your belief in me has fueled my imagination and it always will. Sincere thanks to good friend Jim Shanley for the use of your name.
Very special thanks to my talented editor, Karen Gowen. You’ve made me a better writer.
Loving thanks to my wife, Devin, who makes living with a writer look easy. I cannot express how special you are.
Lastly, to Jacob and Grant, thank you for a great adventure. It was fun!
Gardner M. Browning
About the Author
G.M. Browning, known as “Buddy” to his friends and family, is a published author and poet. Born in New Hampshire, Browning resides in a quiet neighborhood along a picturesque river with his wife, Devin.
His first novel, Timeless Love: The Legend of Black Water was published in 2006 by a small Wisconsin press. This novel sold close to a thousand copies just six months after its release. Unfortunately, the publisher closed a year later and The Legend of Black Water fell out of print; the sequel, The Heart of the Cove, never saw publication. This short taste of success motivated Browning to continue pursuing his writing career.
After fourteen months of extensive research, work on Cerulean Isle began. The first draft took eighteen months to complete. Another year and half passed that brought rejections from publishers and agents all over the world. Keeping the mentality of “they can’t all say no,” Browning found a home for Cerulean Isle at long last in WiDÅ Publishing.
About the Publisher
WiDo Publishing is dedicated to publishing books that appeal to a wide audience. A well-written book with a compelling story and identifiable characters transcends the boundaries of religion, culture, politics, age and gender. Each title will be marketed to its primary audience, with the expectation that the overall excellence of the book will carry it beyond its initial demographic to a broader audience.
Website: www.widopublishing.com
E-mail: information@widopublishing.com
Also from WiDo Publishing
If you enjoyed Cerulean Isle, try The Pirate Slayers: Ghost Waves by W. Everett Prusso.
Ghost Waves by W. Everett Prusso
In the winter of 1846, 238 pioneers leave New York City for a voyage that would take them twenty-six thousand miles around South America to Honolulu, and to their final destination, San Francisco. On a warm, sultry, moonless night, off the coast of Brazil, four teenage passengers inadvertently fall overboard. Thomas, Elizabeth, Nicole and their Australian sailor friend, Matthew, find themselves stranded in dangerous waters. The Caribbean Sea and South Pacific are the backdrops for this adventure that pits the foursome in desperate contests with pirates, profiteers, and scoundrels as they swash-buckle their way to California.
Table of Contents
Advance Praise
Copyright
Dedication
Part 1: A New Life
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Ch
apter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Part Two: Grenada, Ten Years Later
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Part Three: Facing the Past
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About the Publisher