Chapter Two
As Clytie stood on the deck of the Venture, looking at the bustling city in the light of the rising sun, she felt a shiver of anticipation run up her spine. This was it. In only a few days, the rescue party and all their supplies had been gathered. And now, they were leaving New York City to find Clytie's brother.
"Will you miss the city?"
Clytie turned around at the sound of the soft voice. It was Ann Driscoll. "No. Not really." She smiled as the actress came to stand beside her at the railing. "I've never really liked living in the city, although visiting from time to time is quite amusing. I like going to your plays."
"Thank-you." Ann smiled at the girl, feeling instantly that she was a kindred spirit. "I remember meeting you briefly after one of them."
"Yes, I remember that, too."
The ship's horn sounded, and the two women could hear Captain Englehorn giving orders from behind them.
"We're off," Ann said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned to Clytie. "Come on. Let's go to the other side. Somehow, I don't think it will help our nerves any to watch the shore disappear."
"Good idea." Clytie nodded and followed Ann across the deck to the other side of the boat. She leaned over the railing, peering as far as her eyes could see at the horizon. "I love the sea," she remarked. "I always have. I feel so at home on it, so free."
"I can tell," Ann said. "I enjoyed my first voyage on this ship… up until…" She was suddenly quiet, looking down at the railing, her eyes distant.
It must have been awful for her, Clytie thought. All the violence, the horror. And then, once she'd finally bonded with Kong, to have him killed before her eyes. It's a wonder she's not gone mad. She glanced over her new friend's shoulder to see Jack coming toward them. She smiled crookedly. Now that must be why she kept her sanity. A man like that to take care of her… She must feel very loved, very lucky…
As she watched Ann turn and smile at Jack, Clytie felt as if she was missing something huge and all-important in her life.
"Miss Seaborne."
Clytie turned from the scene of Jack and Ann hugging each other to see a small, big-eyed young man looking at her. "Yes?"
"The captain says I'm to show you to your cabin," the young man explained. He seemed a bit nervous.
"All right. Lead the way." She gave him an encouraging smile. "You can call me Clytie."
He visibly relaxed and touched the brim of his hat. "Jimmy. Come on, Miss… Clytie."
Clytie followed Jimmy down below, down a hallway, and into a small cabin, barely large enough for the bed . "Thanks, Jimmy." She frowned, looking around. "Where is my luggage?"
"I'll be bringing it down soon," he explained. He hesitated for a moment, studying her carefully. "Do you like to read?"
Clytie blinked. "Yes. Why?"
"I noticed a couple of books in one of your bags. I was wondering if… maybe you'd let me borrow one."
Clytie nodded. "Of course."
Jimmy once again touched his hat, then turned and walked out of the room.
Clytie smiled to herself. What an odd, interesting little fellow.
Suddenly, the open doorway was occupied by the lean, strong form of Captain Englehorn. "Miss Seaborne. I hope you find your cabin sufficient."
"It's fine," Clytie assured him. She automatically reached to smooth her hair, as she always seemed to do in his presence.
"I know it's a bit small…"
"I'm used to small quarters," Clytie said quickly. "As you may know, Captain, I am a marine biologist. This isn't my first voyage at sea." She winced at the sarcasm in her voice, wishing that she had said the words more gently.
But the captain only smiled that mysterious smile. "I am fully aware of that, Miss Seaborne. In fact, that's why I've come to see you."
Clytie blinked in surprise. "Oh."
"I was hoping you could join me on the bridge. I've heard that you are skilled in cartography and navigation, and I would welcome your help."
Clytie smiled, surprised and flattered. "I'd love to help."
(LINE)
"Clytie seems to be in better spirits," Ann commented to Jack from where the couple stood on the deck. She shaded her eyes to peer up at the bridge. "She's even helping to navigate."
"She's in her element. At sea." Jack looked at his wife with concern. "This is all bringing back some rather… harsh memories for you, isn't it? Same ship, same crew, same old me…"
Ann took his hand. "I'm fine, Jack," she said quickly. Then she sighed and looked out at the sea. By now, there was no land in sight. "Though… I don't think things will be the same without him.. Without Kong…" For a moment, she was lost in memory, then she shook herself. "But we have to keep moving on, don't we?" She smiled at Jack. "And same old you isn't so bad."
"I'm glad you think that." He wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm worried about Clytie, Jack," Ann said abruptly.
Jack frowned. "Why? You just said she was in better spirits."
Ann pulled back from him slightly so that they could see eye to eye. "I think she may be in over her head." She looked up at the bridge again, frowning worriedly. "The captain is quite taken with her. It's strange that he, of all people, should be so accepting of her."
"Are you suspicious of him?" Jack asked. He knew that his wife had never fully trusted the man after his part in Kong's capture.
Ann shook her head. "That's not it. I don't know." She sighed. "I guess I'm just being paranoid."
Jack smiled wryly. "After the last voyage, who wouldn't be?"
They were joined by Preston, who simply nodded to them, then took his place at the railing, looking out at the sea. For a moment, all three of them were quiet. Then Preston said, "Something's going to happen, isn't it?" He turned to face Ann and Jack. "Just like last time, something is going to happen. Probably something bad."
"At least we're more prepared this time," Ann said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Prepared." Preston shook his head. "I don't think anything could prepare us for this. Going back there. It's crazy." He laughed grimly. "If I didn't feel as if I have to go back, I wouldn't be on this ship. And besides, Miss Seaborne deserves to have her brother back." He glanced up at the bridge, frowning. "Does anyone else but me think it strange that she was invited on the bridge?"
Jack nodded. "We do."
Preston shrugged. "Well she is an experienced sailor. I guess it makes sense. But… The captain just isn't the sort of man to take to strangers so quickly."
"Neither is Clytie," Ann spoke up. "Well, she took to me, and she's polite and all, but… I think she's a bit shy, even reserved, really. I don't think she lets anyone really get to know her unless she trusts them completely."
The three of them looked up at the bridge.
"Do you think she's letting him get to know her?" Jack wondered aloud. "They'd certainly make an odd pair of friends."
At that moment, the two objects of conversation were working in silence. Englehorn was steering the ship, while Clytie was monitoring the instruments and glancing occasionally, almost absently, at the maps. Clytie felt awkward and inexperienced, despite her many sea voyages, and she was trying not to show it. "Uhm… Do you think we should turn a couple of degrees south in, say, ten knots or so?" she asked quietly.
"Speak up," the captain replied, keeping his eyes ahead. "I can't hear you."
"I said, should we turn a couple of degrees south in ten knots… or so…?" she repeated a little more loudly.
"That sounds right."
Clytie sighed quietly, feeling relieved, and went back to watching the instruments.
Suddenly, a tall, slim, black-haired man strode onto the bridge. He took a step back at the sight of Clytie, then stood looking from her to the captain and back again. "Am I being replaced by this enchanting creature, Captain?" he spoke up in a thick Irish brogue.
For the first time, Englehorn turned from the wheel. "This is Miss Seaborne, Mr. Galyon, and no, you are not being replaced." He turned back to the wheel. "She has volunteered to assist us in navigation, and she seems to be quite good at keeping her eyes on the instruments."
Clytie raised her eyebrows at his back. Volunteered? I was asked! And did I detect a note of sarcasm in that bit about keeping my eyes on the instruments? "The captain asked me to help," she added quietly, hoping to set the record straight. She shrugged at the handsome Irishman. "I couldn't refuse." She turned back to the instruments. "And these readings are so fascinating, Mr. Galyon. No one has ever invited me to watch their instruments for them before."
Darby Galyon's green eyes were laughing as he turned to the captain.
Englehorn glanced over his shoulder to meet his First Mate's eye, one eyebrow raised, then shook his head.
(LINE)
On toward evening, Clytie sat with Jimmy on the deck. Both of them were reading under one of the ship's lights. Clytie's eyes kept straying from her book to the sunset they were leaving behind. It was if the sun was setting on her past. This voyage, this mission, would change everything, she was sure. If she ever made it back alive, she would be a new woman…
"This is a really depressing poem, Clytie," Jimmy said suddenly, looking up from The Waste Land.
Clytie turned to smile at him. "It is, I guess. 'We had the experience, but missed the meaning.' Isn't that one of the lines?"
"Yeah, I read that a couple of pages back, I think." Jimmy nodded.
Clytie tilted her head to the side and studied him as he got back to the book. He reminded her so much of David; not as much in looks, really, as in mannerisms and attitude. The poor kid had been through so much on that island. Was David going through such horrors right now? She shook herself from her morbid thoughts and trained her attention back on her book. Just as she was getting back into it, Jimmy spoke again.
"The captain sure does like you."
She looked up and gave a small laugh. "What do you mean?"
"He isn't usually so friendly with strangers like he is to you." Jimmy frowned thoughtfully. "Especially since… you know." His eyes grew sad as he remembered. "None of us have been the same," he said quietly.
"I was just thinking that I won't be when I get back," Clytie agreed, leaving off the "if I get back" part.
"Probably not." Jimmy leaned back against the wall. "But… I'm glad he likes you. The last person we went out there for, Carl Denham… None of us really liked him. I'm glad he didn't come along."
"From what I heard of what happened, I don't think I'd like him much, either," Clytie said.
"Well what do you think of us?" Jimmy asked curiously. "I mean, after all you've heard, and after you've met us…"
"Well, I think I like most of you," she answered cautiously. "Ann and Jack are very nice. So is Preston. And you of course. And Mr. Galyon is quite amusing."
"And the captain? You left him out, which is kinda sad, seeing as he's so friendly to you."
Clytie frowned thoughtfully. She wouldn't exactly call the man's actions toward her friendly, but… for him, she guessed they were. And why was she shy to tell Jimmy what she thought of Englehorn? "Well, he's… Fascinating. Mysterious, even, I'd say. I'd like to get to know him a little better, but I'd be a bit scared to."
"Why would you be scared to?" asked a low, German accent from beside her.
Clytie jumped, barely suppressing a startled scream. She leaped to her feet. "Captain… I didn't know you were there!"
He crossed his arms and peered closely at her for a moment, then glanced at Jimmy. "Jimmy, go take over for Wilson in the crow's nest."
Jimmy nodded quickly. "Yes, sir." He turned with a wave to Clytie and hurried to obey.
"So? I'm waiting for an answer, Miss Seaborne. Why would you be scared to get to know me?"
Clytie swallowed. "I don't know," she replied helplessly. Well why, Clytie? Do you even know?
The captain smiled crookedly. "That will do for now."
Feeling suddenly, unreasonably bold, Clytie asked, "Well, you know what I think of you. What do you think of me?"
Englehorn blinked, uncharacteristically caught off guard. Then, he recovered and said, "I don't know," smiling crookedly once again.
"I guess that will do for now," Clytie replied. Inside she was screaming at herself for her audacity, but applauding herself for her wit.
"Come on, Miss Seaborne. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Galyon are waiting for us on the bridge." He turned to go, expecting her to follow.
Which she did, of course. Waiting for us… Clytie smiled. She suddenly felt as if she belonged.
(A/N: If you're getting impatient with all the drama and dialogue, don't worry. Conflict, complications, and action are forthcoming. And all this is setting up for what is about to happen, getting you involved in the characters and all that good stuff. Please review… kindly, if you will. I'm sure your mother also told you "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Lol.)
