Dwellers of the New World Chapter Twelve ( Pt 1 ) Shocks and Preparing to Set Sail

Cinnamon drifted in and out of sleep in a restless state, the fog engulfed her nightmares leaving her sweating as if in a fever, the dampness and cold taking its toll. Opening her eyes there was only darkness and the sound of the Ocean, even the caged birds were quiet. She lay still almost as if in a trance, her body rigid, unable to move. Again though she drifted off to sleep, succumbing once more to her dreams.

The next time the girl was awoken by the sound of horns. It was not yet daylight, but voices could be heard along the beach and there was movement all around her. Curiosity got the better, so pulling the scarf away from her head, she began to move the sacks she was hiding between. Cinnamon needed to relieve herself...she felt sick and hungry all at the same time, wishing she could leave the place she was hidden.

The girl peeked out being careful not to be seen. Men were moving around the deck, although she couldn't see very clearly what they were doing as the fog was so thick. It was no good her stomach hurt bad, poor Cinnamon cried as she wet herself, this was not how she'd visualised her time on board, there was nothing she could do but sit and wait.

It was not long before daylight came and Cinnamon had a better idea of what was going on. Men were calling to one another and climbing down ropes off the ship. She thought the sound of the horns which was deafening, maybe had something to do with the fog, but as the girl listened, she heard a strange sound coming from the Ocean, it was a loud screeching and bellowing and was very eerie, a noise she'd never heard before.

Shivering...not with cold but with fear and realising the deck was empty, Cinnamon knew it was safe to come out from her hiding place. Men were shouting from the beach, “They're coming...quickly get the boats ready.”

The poor child had no idea what was going on, or what to expect, but although frightened she was also curious. Crawling to the side of the ship's deck, she stared out to sea, the noise got closer engulfing her, then all of a sudden coming through the fog, she gulped and fell backwards mouth open wide, a huge head and neck of a Stag without its antlers appeared. Its skin was smooth and shiny, unlike the Stags of the forest, its eyes were large and piercing, it was as if the creature had seen her, as it came closer. As she lay there staring up at the huge Stag, Cinnamon noticed it was carrying a shell, reminding her of the snails that roamed her parents garden. The creature towered above the ship, then another and another appeared, there was nothing the girl could do but watch in awe, her throat dry she took a gulp of air that started her coughing. Putting her hand over her mouth she almost choked tears filling her eyes, Cinnamon wiped them away with the back of her hand, deciding to pull herself together even though she was still in shock.

Finally, plucking up courage to stand again and looking over the side from her vantage point, she noticed men in sailing boats going out to meet the strange creatures, the men and their boats seemed so small up against the giants. They grabbed the ropes that hung down the sides of the ship, pulling them from the ocean. Cinnamon noticed the ends were tied into a noose. All the strange beings bent their heads ready to accept the noose around their necks. When the men had done their job, the Stags once again lifted their heads, bellowing and screeching in the fog.

As Cinnamon watched in wonder, she decided to creep across the deck to the beach side. Crawling very quietly the girl saw flames rising into the air and quickened her pace. As she came to standing, her eyes beheld beacons lit all along the beach, men continued to blow huge wooden horns that sounded so creepy to the girl. As they continued, it was as if the Stag like beings were answering the call. Cinnamon noticed the Ocean people gathering along the shore line watching the spectacle.

When all the Stag creatures were harnessed, the sounds of the horns reached a higher pitch, as if a new message were being relayed. They turned facing out to sea. Now Cinnamon had lost her fear and became excited, wondering what would happen next. The ship finally began to move slowly down the slipway, until it was in the deepest part of the Ocean.

The strange beings didn't seem to have any problem launching the ship, as an almighty cheer went out. The sound of bellowing – screeching and cheering became all too much for Cinnamon, cupping her ears, she crawled back to her hiding place before anyone noticed, then slipped back between the sacks and barrels wondering whatever would happen next.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Twelve ( Pt 2 ) The Excitement Ensues | ABCtales