26.
Precision was now of the utmost priority. Piloting this sea faring vessel through the mountains would not be an easy task. Despite its smaller size and superior agility in the water the frigate would not be able to turn hard or quickly enough in the tight confines between the mountain peaks. To that end Zarina slowed the ship and posted lookouts on the bow and on both sides of the quarterdeck.
It had been suggested that the quarter-boats would be a better choice, but with so much gold to deliver Zarina decided instead to take the whole ship in with the quarter-boats now assisting with the turns. As an aid in navigation Periwinkle flew on ahead, riding on the back of Milori's Snowy Owl. She performed recon and reported back her findings.
The strong winds that rushed between the tops buffeted the ship constantly. Vidia, who was normally at the helm, was put in charge of countering those dangerous winds. Tinker Bell took the wheel in her place while those who were not on lookout duty managed the sails keeping them from filling too much or too little.
Captain Zarina demanded quiet so she could hear the lookouts making their calls. The silence was punctuated by the creaking and groaning of the planks and masts of the ship while the blowing winds acted as a constant, eerie soundtrack. The bright midday sun was also a factor as it reflected strongly off the snow that surrounded them. Tinker Bell ordered everyone to don goggles with lenses made of wine droplets. This provided protection against the harsh reflections and reduced the possibilities of snow blindness.
Every fairy was on edge, fearing the loss of their ship to the jagged, snow covered rocks on each mountainside and face. With the structurally necessary keel in an already damaged state it wouldn't take much to cause critical damage to the hull. Losing their cargo of treasure would render their entire trip a complete loss. Worse yet, their supply of pixie dust was also located in the lowest deck. Without that the little band of fairies would be stranded here, possibly forever. This provided all the motivation they needed to keep their ship out of danger.
~O~
"It's around that next corner," Periwinkle reported. "On the left. I mean it's to port."
The Wizard's Castle. What they had been seeking. Nearly two weeks had elapsed since departing Pixie Hollow. That was almost twice as long as had been planned. They should already be well into their return trip. One miscalculation led to severe damage to the ship, the loss of the foremast, bowsprit and half their sails. Since then the ship limped along at half speed just to get here. Even with the extra pixie dust stores they would have to take the shortest route possible just for the ship to make it back to Never Land.
Applying a gentle hand to the steering and with some help from the quarter-boats and Vidia's talent the ship successfully completed the sharp turn. Then across the bow the snow covered "castle" came into view.
"It's not exactly what I was expecting," Fawn commented.
Fawn, like the others, was expecting a magnificent, shining castle with several great towers piercing the sky and a sprawling metropolitan area encircled by a giant wall built atop one of the mountain peaks and obscured by clouds and snow. Instead what they found was a single crumbling, dilapidated tower built out of the rock face with large gaps between the ill-fitting stone blocks.
"You know, being a wizard and all you would think he would fix it up a little," Rosetta observed.
"Yeah. I mean if a great wizard lives here then where do the lousy ones live?" Vidia commented adding to the common sense of disbelief.
"Okay, so where do we anchor this thing?" Tinker Bell asked.
"Why not right next to it?" Silvermist suggested.
"Are you kidding?" Spike answered. "One little shake and that whole thing could come tumbling down."
Zarina sighed. Spike was correct. The shamble of a stone tower looked like it shouldn't even be standing. Instead she dropped anchor on the mountainside directly across from it, mooring the ship to any secure protrusion she could find. The precious treasure was moved from the Orlop deck to the quarter boats and sailed across to the precipice where the castle somehow managed to sit.
The structure, which resembled a keep, lacked any bastions, curtain walls or other defensive embattlements. The roof was shingled but a parapet was visible surrounding the upper level. Behind it was a small courtyard that featured the remains of a garden and a single fountain as the central feature which no longer functioned and was covered with snow. Perhaps the most glaring omission was the staircase. Any construction on a mountainside should have a means to reach it by foot, yet this had none. It was theorized by the fairies that because a wizard called this place home magic was how he came and went.
"It doesn't look very inviting," Gliss trembled.
"Yeah, I don't know how many magic users put out the 'welcome' mat," Vidia commented in her usual snarky way. "Not everyone gets the whole 'eye of newt, wing of bat' thing."
This description gave Fawn the animal fairy the chills. "Please don't say that."
"Hey, there's a door," Periwinkle called out.
"A door? Why is there a door but no staircase," Spike said. "It's doesn't make any sense."
"I'm worried about where we're going to tie off these quarter boats. There's barely any room for a human much less two small boats," Tink put forth, addressing the most pressing issue. At that moment, the winds began to howl and a heavy snow nearly left the little pixies unable to see anything in front of their very eyes.
"I think we should turn back," Fawn yelled.
"No, keep pressing forward," Zarina answered over the gale.
"We can't see anything," Fawn protested. "We'll crash."
"Shorten the sail, reduce speed. I'm not giving… up?" Just as Captain Zarina was completing her sentence the winds abated, the snow stopped and the small band of fairies were greeted with a most incredible sight. "What the…?"
Each fairy was utterly astonished. Their amazement left them momentarily speechless. In an instant their entire environment had transformed from a howling, frozen maelstrom to a placid, springtime day. Warm and inviting sunlight shown down upon the ledge. A lush and green landscape existed where, only a second ago, there was only snow and ice. The tower was in good repair and looked as if just recently erected. The courtyard boasted a beautiful garden of blooming flowers surrounding a decorative fountain from which sprang water that filled the circular pool. At the bottom of the keep was a large door made from heavy Spanish Oak. And, to Spike's surprise, a staircase descended from the landing.
"What just happened?" Silvermist asked, both breaking the silence and speaking what was on everyone else's mind.
"I think we found our Wizard," Fawn responded, jittery.
"If he can do all this he can surely restore Pixie Hollow," Tinker Bell assessed.
"Or much worse," Periwinkle replied, reminding her sister what Queen Clarion had told them. This magic user was not to be trusted and could turn his abilities against them to his own amusement.
As they approached the wooden door unlocked and opened entirely on its own. Zarina, barely able to register anything at the moment ordered the boats to enter the keep. "Let's make the exchange and get out. I want to start the homeward leg as quickly as possible."