Ch. 2 – The Voyage Begins

"Mama. Mama. We are on the boat. Mama, lift me up to the window so I can see the water. Please mama."

"Ok baby, just wait one moment while I get up," Christine groggily replied to her all too awake son. She had fallen asleep and didn't even realize when. Her grief did that to her at times. She would sleep and not even know or feel that she had. Most times she was so exhausted that she felt if she closed her eyes while standing up, she could just sleep where she stood. The short nap that she had just taken had done nothing to relieve her of her fatigue.

As she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed, she realized that they were indeed moving. They had set sail and the gentle rocking that she had felt when first coming aboard had turned into a more violent pitch. Her stomach rebelled and she took some deep breaths to subside the feeling. In a moment she had composed herself and tested out her sea legs. She found that she had to hold onto the bed in order to make her way to Charles who was standing underneath the porthole with his arms stretched over his head ready to be lifted up.

"You don't seem to mind the motion do you little man?" she said.

Charles was amused by his mother's precarious approach. "Mama, you can't walk?"

"Oh, I can walk, I just have to get used to this. Ready to see?" At Charles' enthusiastic nod, she lifted him into her arms and he pressed his nose and hands onto the glass to take it all in. What glimpse Christine could get only served to bring back that unpleasant feeling in her stomach so she quickly fixed her gaze on the wall.

"Mama, look at all the water. Do you think that we will see a shark? Or a whale? Maybe I could go fishing like I did with Papa Robert. Did you bring my fishing pole?"

"No sweetie. We had to leave your fishing pole at home." Christine was saddened by the thought of all of Charles's things that had been left behind. Almost all of his toys, his books, his baby things, all left behind. She had also had to leave her own jewelry, trinkets and a majority of the beautiful clothes that Raoul had insisted she have. But she didn't care about her things, she wished her son could have his fishing pole right now. "When we get to America, we will get you a brand new one. Okay?"

Charles didn't answer her as he was engrossed in the sights outside. Christine was finding it hard to balance the boy and keep her wits about her so she pulled the chair from the desk over to the window and set him on top. She sat down on the chair in front of his legs to keep him from toppling over and keep the chair from sliding. Sitting seemed to help. She really hoped that she wasn't going to be plagued with seasickness for the whole journey and she thanked the Lord that her son was showing no effects of feeling the slightest bit ill.

There was a knock on the door and Christine coaxed her son to get down off the chair so that she could answer it. She crossed to her trunk and withdrew her robe, wrapping herself. Before opening the door, she did as Mr. Stone had instructed and asked who was there.

"Tis me, Madam de Chagny. Stone." She unlocked the deadbolt and allowed him entrance. Immediately her son was up and running to the man full of excitement and tales to tell. "Mr. Stone, I think that I saw a whale out of the window. Maybe a mermaid. Mama forgot my fishing pole but do you have one I could borrow? Papa Robert taught me all about how to fish and I am really good too."

"That's enough little man. Let's allow Mr. Stone to enter the room please," Christine chastised.

"It's alright madam, he's a right good lad. I though you might be up and ready for a bit of something to eat," he gestured to the tray he was carrying before he laid it atop the desk. It was when he turned inquire of whether they needed anything further that he noticed Christine's pallor. "You alright miss? Ocean travel not agreeing with you?"

"I'm afraid that I do have a bit of an upset stomach, monsieur. Can you suggest a remedy?" she pleaded with her eyes fixed to his feet. She couldn't help feeling embarrassed in her weakness.

"Every new sailor goes through it," he consoled, "just drink some of that there tea and lemon and in no time you'll be right as rain." He willed her to look at him and she tentatively lifted her eyes to his gaze. He rewarded her with a smile, "see there, it's not hopeless. Now, is there anything else that you think you'll be needing? I've got a full load of work today and I want to be sure that you are all settled in before I attend to my other duties. First day at sea is always a bit of a challenge. Men get lazy when we dock and I have to remind them of their responsibilities right quick or there'll be mutiny." When Christine's eyes widened in shock he quickly added, "I'm just kidding miss. No one has a more loyal crew than Captain Apollos. There won't be no trouble on board this ship."

Christine felt more at ease with Stone's assurances and managed to find her voice once again. "Captain Apollos must be a very good captain then Mr. Stone?"

"Yes ma'am. Finest I ever served under. Oh sure he's a bit staunchy and can get downright nasty, but he runs a fine ship. And please miss, just call me Stone. So, if you aren't needing anything?" He paused for her reply and continued when she shook her head, "Right. Then I'll be off to my duties." He turned his attention to Charles before he took his leave, "I'll see what I can do about a fishing pole okay Tom Sawyer?" He was pleased at the boy's smile and noted his confused look over the nickname. "You don't know about Tom Sawyer and Injun Joe? Well, I'll loan you my copy and your Momma can read it to you. I think you'll like it." Once again, he bestowed upon them a wink and a grin and left.

Christine found that after sipping the tea with lemon she did indeed feel better. She settled Charles down with his drawing paper and pencils while she unpacked their only possessions in the world. She had brought a scant four dresses and some undergarments, along with a nightgown and her robe. It would have been considered absolutely scandalous for a Vicomtess to have no more to her name than this pitiful assortment of her most modest and unimpressive garments. But scandal was beyond her now.

She found that she was growing accustomed to the ships creaks and groans, even to its constant motion. "Charles, what are you drawing love?"

"Papillion," his horse. Another sacrifice. "I miss her momma. But Celeste said that she would ride her everyday and feed her lots of carrots."

"Celeste will keep Papillion happy. I know that you have lost much, but we have begun a great adventure have we not?" She knew that would get his attention. He shifted his eyes from his drawing to his mother. Excitement was evident in his features.

"Adventure?" he asked.

"Oh yes, a great adventure. A journey to a new land. A land full of Indians and frontiersmen. I have read of Davy Crockett who lived in the mountains of America and killed a bear with his two hands!" This was not something that one would hear of a Frenchman doing, at least not a nobleman. However, there was one man that she imagined wouldn't hesitate to slaughter a bear with his hands given the opportunity.

Charles was overcome with wonder, "Mama, tell me the story please."

Christine was happy that she had taken the time to do some research on American legends and culture. She had already read the story of Tom Sawyer and knew that he would love it as she did. A week passed by quickly as she told him stories of America, some true, some fable. He was forgetting all about what he had had to leave behind and now couldn't wait for what was ahead of him. She also found herself less and less looking to the past. She had caught her son's enthusiasm.

Stone continued to be the only contact that the pair had to the outside world. Christine found herself growing more and more fond of the man. She had learned that he was married and had five children of his own. His wife was an understanding woman, but her patience was wearing thin due to his constant traveling. He informed her that this was to be his last voyage with Captain Apollos as he was joining his family in the Carolinas. He had moved them out there a year ago with the promise of just one more trip abroad. One more had now turned into three and in order to save his marriage, he was bound and determined not to leave port again.

During one of their conversations, Christine paused to thank Stone for his discretion with regard to her son's face. Stone merely shrugged and cryptically stated, "I've seen worse."

"Ma'am, the Captain was in an uncommonly pleasant mood this morning and asked if your son would like to see some of the ship."

Despite Christine's shock at the offer, she was overjoyed that her son would be allowed some fresh air and a chance to stretch his legs. "That would be so wonderful!" she exclaimed, feeling the urge to hug Stone. "Please thank the Captain for me."

"Will do ma'am. I'm sorry that I couldn't convince him to let you do the same. He was kind of…adamant that you stay in your cabin." Stone looked as if he were remembering something rather unpleasant.

"It's okay Stone. I understand, superstitions and all that. I am just thrilled that Charles will be able to get out. I assume that you will be accompanying him?" she inquired in a motherly fashion.

"Oh yes ma'am. I'll be watching him like a hawk, I will. Don't you worry your pretty head."

Christine watched her son leave the cabin with the first mate and couldn't help but feel some jealousy. But he would come back and regale her with all kinds of stories of his adventures up on deck. Perhaps he would even meet the mysterious Captain Apollos.

Charles was overwhelmed with all the sights aboard the Fereshteh. He was convinced that they were aboard a royal sailing barge and that the Captain must have been a king of some distant land to have such a big ship. He plied Stone with a hundred questions and then set about asking more questions of the members of the crew that he had been introduced to. His favorite part of the ship was the large wheel and Stone had even let him steer the vessel! The exhilarating mood of the moment was quickly put to an end when Stone eyed the Captain watching them from the top of the stairs. For a few seconds, Stone was at a loss for what to do. Then he remembered that the Captain had given him permission to bring the boy up on deck. It was just the way that Captain Apollos was looking at Charles that disconcerted him. He couldn't quite place it. At first he was frightened to see the Captain looking at the boy with what seemed to be loathing, but then his expression softened a bit and he had no doubt registered the boy's birth mark. Slowly he crossed the deck to where Stone and Charles were standing. Not hesitating, Stone said, "Charles, this here is Captain Apollos. He's in charge of the ship."

Charles regarded the large man with curiosity. His hand moved to his face where the birthmark was as he studied the man's own face. Then his hand settled back at his sided as he said, "Thank you for letting me see your ship Captain. I really, really like it."

Deep green eyes appraised the young boy with admiration. "You are welcome Charles. Stone has told me that you are a fisherman?"

Disappointment found the boy's face and he dejectedly replied, "Yes sir. But my mama forgot my fishing pole." Just as quickly as his face had fallen, it lit up again as he quickly said, "Mr. Stone lent me his book Tom Sawyer. And if we could find a cane pole, I could use that like Tom!"

The Captain laughed despite himself causing his first mate to raise an eyebrow. Stone had never seen his Captain show such an uninhibited response to anyone before. It was almost miraculous! Captain Apollos ignored the incredulous look and said to Charles, "Perhaps we could manage to find you a fishing pole somewhere aboard. Mr. Stone," he said, now addressing his man, "can we accommodate this young man?"

"I'll see what I can do Captain." Stone replied. He continued to look at his Captain with fascination. He was actually smiling at the lad!

Suddenly, Captain Apollos became aware of the questioning look that Stone was giving him and the familiar scowl once again returned to his features. "I'll leave you to it then." He made a move to walk away, then turned back to Charles. "I'm pleased that you like my ship Charles." Then he left them.

Stone returned Charles to his cabin and left him to recap all the details of his exciting outing to his mother. He couldn't help but continue to be puzzled by the captain's reaction to the boy. Of course the boy's face had a lot to do with it. But what of that look of hatred that he saw at first? He couldn't have imagined that. The emotion had been all but rolling off of the Captain.

He decided to keep an eye on the situation. There was definitely more to this story than he knew. When he had first come to the Captain with the request of allowing a woman and her child passage, he had been thrown out of the Captain's quarters immediately. He stood his ground and told the story of the woman and her small son that he had met just an hour previously. The captain was so stunned that the first mate had not obeyed his order to leave that he forgot to throw him out again. But suddenly as he mentioned the woman's name, the Captain seemed to go into shock. He had crossed to his desk chair and put his head into his hands. Quietly, he asked Stone to leave him. This time he had complied.

After an hour, Captain Apollos had sought out Stone on deck and told him that they would accommodate the passengers. He then, very sternly, apprised him of the rules which the woman would have to agree to before they would be allowed to travel. Stone had been thrilled to hear that they would be accepting them. He had felt very bad for the woman's plight, even though he knew that she had not told him the whole story. He immediately left the ship to tell her to pack her things quickly and that he would be collecting her and her son the following morning before dawn. He was glad that she agreed to the Captain's strict terms, but knew that she had little choice.

Now he thought about those events and realized that he had stumbled into the middle of something that he was completely unaware of. Who was Christine de Chagny and why did she have to leave France so quickly? More importantly, why, at the mention of her name, did his emotionless Captain suddenly lose his composure for the first time in the six years that Stone had known him? And what of his reaction to the boy? Oh there is definitely more to this story, he thought