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Chapter the Forty-fourth: The Floating Islands
4 Sunbend 2076
Three days after leaving Dragon Island behind, Galen was up in the rigging with some of the sailors when the lookout reported floating objects several miles off the port quarter. A few moments later, the signalman reported a message from Huntress to the same effect. Hastily, the Narnian climbed further up the mainmast until he reached the crow's nest. Borrowing the lookout's telescope, he trained the instrument eagerly on the objects.
The vast, flat objects floated on top of the water, hugging the surface like a skin and undulating with each wave that passed beneath them. Brilliant colors flashed when the objects crested a wave—flame, crimson, ultramarine, and violet. Galen could catch glimpses of vegetation, and all the surface seemed a mat of coppery weeds. Each irregularly shaped object was acres and acres in size, and from a distance they looked almost like an archipelago as they moved along with the motion of the water. By this time, Huntress had run nearly up to the strange things.
"Signal Huntress to keep her distance," the commodore's voice could be heard below. "Ahoy to the crow's nest, what do you make of it?" Torin bellowed.
"They appear to be some sort of floating vegetation, commodore," Galen promptly returned, "bearing southeast and on course to cut across our port bow, traveling with the wind."
The commodore gave orders to match course with the strange objects for the time being. Presently, the ships drew closer together and maintained a reasonable distance from the archipelago. When he returned to the quarterdeck, Galen found the officers and Lyra scrutinizing the objects closely from the port rail. He joined them eagerly.
"I think they're some sort of islands! Look at the peculiar trees!" The princess exclaimed, peering through her telescope still.
"By your leave, commodore," Galen volunteered, "let us explore these curious islands."
"Very well," Torin answered after a moment. "There seems to be no danger at the present. Take a boat and give us a full report of these marvels."
The Narnian smiled broadly and hastened to the deck, Lyra at his heels. Within a few minutes, a longboat with the two friends, two eager ensigns, and several sailors and marines pulled away from the Jewel's side. The sailors made strong strokes, and the senior ensign guided the tiller skillfully towards the nearest island. On this clear day, the sea's rolling waves were not very high for the frigate, but they pitched the longboat remarkably. This posed a pretty problem as the boat attempted to approach the floating island. The rushing water from each wave frothed and gurgled at the edges of the thing, which was all a thick tangled skirt of red seaweed ropes and bladders. The boat paddled up to it, only for the next wave to rush under and drag them away out of reach. At a close pass, one of the sailors tried to leap onto the island, but he fell into the bubbling water instead. He clutched desperately to the trailing vegetation to avoid being swept beneath the island, and gradually he managed to haul himself up onto the surface, breathless, dripping, and rubbing his friction-burned hands.
At last, Ensign Donovan ordered the boat brought along in parallel course to the island. Then, the sailors threw ropes with heavy hooks. After the second attempt, the two hooks bit deeply into the spongy surface, and the sailors hauled in on the ropes until the longboat was tied up at the island's edge. The junior ensign tried the surface gingerly, reaching towards the sailor already on land. As a wave came underneath, they both promptly lost their footing.
After observing the surface's motion a moment, Galen flung himself up as far as he could. He landed firmly on his face, but the heathery surface made the landing surprisingly comfortable. Presently, the remaining members of the party (except the two sailors who elected to watch the boat and eyed the floating island with grave mistrust) floundered ashore likewise.
The young Narnian tried to stand and barely took a step before the surface undulated under another wave and threw him down, to the amusement of all his companions.
"I've heard of getting sea-legs, but this is ridiculous!" One of the marines exclaimed after his own failed attempt. Indeed, trying to walk on this strange land was like trying to walk on the surface of the sea. In the distance, the land's contours changed constantly—the hills became valleys and the valleys became hills as the island floated across the sea.
"Let's make for the forest, yonder," Galen pointed towards the northeast as he managed to take a few wobbly steps. The others began to follow, Lyra grasping his hand tightly as she tried to steady herself. After about an hour and a good many spills, the Narnian and his Archen friends began to acclimate, anticipating each wave as it came and adjusting stride accordingly. But all gratefully tumbled down under the shade of the trees at last. If they could be called trees, that is. Resting on his back, Galen gazed up at the rich canopy of orange, blue, and silver fronds that grew from tubular grey-purple trunks. He ran his fingers through the feathery vegetation growing nearby, fern-like but for its copper color.
"They look more like the corals and anemones in the waters off southern Calormen," one of the sailors mused.
"Maybe the seabed became somehow buoyant and raised itself to the surface," another wondered.
"We've discovered a new world, my friend," the princess remarked beside him. Her knight merely smiled contentedly, drinking in the forest's herby scent.
After a long rest they continued into the forest. The midday sun winked softly through the blue and orange canopy, cascading ethereally in the coppery ferns. Presently, emphatic whispering became audible among the marines at the rear of the group.
"What's the problem?" The lieutenant barked impatiently, turning back towards the men clustered behind him.
Spluttering, the three young marines came to a shame-faced attention. Their officer's hard stare demanded answer
"What if it's poison, sir?" One piped anxiously.
The lieutenant's exasperation soon drew out the rest of the story—that one of their number had eaten one of the yellow gourd-like fruits hanging from the trees.
"Well, then you'd best hope her highness can cure you," he scoffed. "Let's be off."
Overhearing the lieutenant's exasperated chiding, Lyra chuckled and glanced mirthfully at her Narnian friend. The party continued their exploration into the afternoon, and the young marine suffered no ill effects from the strange fruit. By this time, the group approached another shore. Unlike the other shore, densely packed thickets dotted this edge of the strange island, and the small space between this island and its nearest sister formed a small frothing pool.
"Some sort of creatures must live in these thickets, I'll warrant," Galen remarked as he nosed about the nearest, finding a nest of sorts made of trampled vegetation. A giggle is all he heard in response, and the Narnian turned to see his friend crouched down nearby, holding her hand towards another side of the thicket.
"Quick!" she whispered, motioning for him to join her on the ground, "Or you'll scare it!"
As he did so, Galen noticed a pair of bright green eyes peering at them from beneath the coppery ferns. The princess's concern proved unfounded, however, as the little animal, quite ignorant of any danger, emerged from the foliage with a curious trill. The little reptile was indeed strange—it crept low to the ground on webbed fins attached to a slender and snake-like body about three feet long. All its scales flashed green and purple, while vermillion frills and crests ran along its spine and dragonish head.
"It's alright, little one," Lyra spoke soothingly, still holding her hand towards the creature. After a few tentative steps, the creature bounded towards them, smelling them both with great interest. Galen could feel the scales rasp against his boot as it circled him. It even allowed Lyra to gently stroke it's little frilled head before it bounded back into the thicket with another trill.
"What on earth was that, my lady?" One of the marines breathed.
"I have no idea!" Lyra laughed as she stood.
"Look!" Galen pointed back to the thicket just as the creature returned with a half-dozen of its fellows. The strange animals bounded in and around them, moving like seals on their long, undulating bodies. After a thorough (and bouncy) inspection of their human visitors, the pack bounded towards the island's edge and plunged into the bubbling sea pool. Galen hastened to follow them, plopping down on the springy turf at the edge of the sea pool. Bright-eyed, his lady watched eagerly as the little creatures slipped effortlessly through the water. Lyra dipped her hand into the water as the animals frolicked, then laughed with delight as one of them bumped its head against her hand and swam its scaly body past her fingers.
"Begging your pardon, my lady," the lieutenant spoke at last, "but we had better make it back to the ship before the sun sets."
"Very well," the princess agreed, taking Galen's hand as he helped her up. The party set a comfortable pace back towards the opposite shore, where they had left the boat, but they did not go unescorted. The little troop of finned serpents bounced through the underbrush beside them—sometimes crashing into an Archenlander or each other in their exuberance.
"A pity these little dears can't come with us!" Lyra laughed as they went.
"They'd sure make an odd pet, my lady," the marines' corporal remarked skeptically.
"Indeed," she chuckled in response.
Just as the sky began to turn rosy in anticipation of the sunset, the Archen landing party finally reached the shore where the longboat anchored. The dozing sailors within awoke with a start to find strange animals investigating their craft.
"Uhhhh…help! What do I do?" One of the poor sailors stammered and cringed as an inquisitive creature reached up to smell his face.
"Just stay still, my friend," Lyra counseled with a chuckle as the landing party lowered themselves into the longboat one by one.
"You can't come with us, my little friend," Galen spoke as he gently lifted the squirming creature from the petrified sailor's lap and put it on the undulating land mass.
"For which Aslan be praised," the other sailor muttered as he began rowing home.
The creature on shore watched curiously as the boat made its way through the water. After a moment's hesitation, it plunged into the water and began to follow. It quickly caught up to the longboat and leapt out of the water in a graceful arc beside Lyra and then splashed back beneath the waves. To her relief, the creature turned back once the boat reached the Jewel's imposing figure.
"Welcome aboard, your highness, Sir Galen," Commander Randolph greeted warmly as the friends returned to the quarterdeck. "We have strange new islands to see here," he motioned aft and a little port as he handed Lyra a telescope. Peering through it, she puzzled at the low hills spaced at intervals between the ship and the floating islands.
"Odd," she murmured, handing the scope to her friend. He peered through it, watching steadily.
"By Aslan," he breathed, "they're moving!" One disappears and another reappears—coming closer all the while. I wonder—" He stopped short, his eyes wide. "They acted like babies," the Narnian breathed anxiously. "Call the commodore!"
As Commodore Torin was called to the bridge, Lyra puzzled for a moment at Galen's words before her eyes also went wide.
"Dear Aslan," she exclaimed as Galen turned to the commodore.
"Commodore Torin—make haste! We're in the middle of a sea serpent's nursery—and Mother returns."
Faster orders were never given, and sailors rushed aloft to set more sails. Just as the mainsails billowed from the yardarms, the ship shuddered. Something Large had nudged the port quarter.
"Battlestations, commander," the commodore spoke evenly to his first officer. The already highly-strung crew rushed for their weapons.
"Look, Galen," Lyra cried, looking over the rail. "Our little friend is still with us." Indeed, the juvenile sea serpent splashed along at the port stern.
"Small wonder his mother pursues us," Commander Randolph remarked.
"What of the rest of the fleet?" Lyra asked, looking at Commodore Torin.
"The Serpent has not noticed them yet, my lady," the second officer answered, not taking his eye from the telescope. "The fleet follows at a distance—Huntress tries to catch us; she has more sail set than she should carry."
Another shudder wracked the ship, and Galen looked down by the stern.
"There he goes—our friend returns to his island nest at last," the Narnian exulted. "Perhaps mother will follow."
"Or snap us to kindling," Randolph remarked wryly.
"Signal Huntress to keep her distance," Commodore Torin ordered. "Have Valiant close and flank us."
"Aye, sir," the signals officer acknowledged. Presently the flags ran up the halyard, just as the ship shook again. A sailor fell from the foremast yardarm and plunged screaming into the sea to starboard.
"Man overboard!" the shout ran through the ship, and the nearest sailor tossed a rope to the frantic man in the water. Part of the Serpent's length ran under him, and he screamed as the massive head poked above the waves. Like its offspring, the Sea Serpent's rough scales glistened green and purple. Vermillion crests ran along its spine and frills flared from its head. The Serpent fixed an enormous dark green eye on the unfortunate sailor.
"Haul away!" Shouted someone on the lifeline. "Haul for your lives!"
At last, the bedraggled sailor collapsed on the deck. The Serpent had followed his progress with its dark, calculating eye. It observed the quarterdeck, and it took every man's utmost restraint to hold his ground. Without a word, swords snicked out of their sheaths. In response, the Serpent hissed mightily, then plunged its head beneath the waves. The undulating body approached rapidly, and a frothing wake ran ahead of the ship.
"What's it doing?" The first officer wondered. He looked to his commander, whose eyes were grim.
"Archers to the ready—lay for'ard." Torin ordered at last. A tense moment passed as each marine archer knocked an arrow and waited. They did not have to wait long. Suddenly, the Serpent thrust its head out of the water, rising until it towered over the frigate.
"Hard to starboard! Loose!" Torin bellowed the orders in succession, and two dozen sharp Archen arrows shot towards the Beast. Though the arrows glanced off its scales, it roared in anger.
"Hold fast! Another volley!" The Commodore ordered. The bowstrings twanged again, and the livid reptile seized the upper foremast in its bristling jaws. Splinters of wood and shreds of sail rained down on the forecastle. Shouts of injured sailors fell to the ears of their officers.
"Your highness, you must prepare to evacuate to the Valiant as soon as she comes up," Commodore Torin turned to Lyra.
"I'll not desert the Jewel, Commodore," his sovereign answered firmly. "Least of all when the danger is of my own making."
Before the commodore could argue, they heard a shout from the crow's nest. Lyra looked up to see her friend catching the Serpent's attention.
"Galen, what are you doing?" She cried, but he did not hear her.
"By the Lord of all creatures, I command you to stop, Serpent!" He shouted as the Beast fixed a malevolent eye on the Narnian knight. "In Aslan's Name, I bid you return to the deep!"
The Serpent hissed at him but did not attack.
"Return to your children—we will not harm them," he continued to speak to the Serpent. It continued to stare at him. At last, he held the Stone Knife aloft, its tip down.
"In Aslan's Name," he spoke powerfully, "begone!"
As he spoke, the jewel on the Knife's pommel began to glow intensely. With another hiss, the Serpent shook its frilled head, then plunged into the sea beside the Archen ship. Galen hastened to descend to the deck and took up a telescope as soon as he reached the quarterdeck.
"The Serpent returns to her nest!" He exulted, watching as the "hills" of her lengthy tail receded northwest.
Lowering his telescope, the Narnian turned to the others standing on the quarterdeck. They gaped at him in stunned silence. At last the Commodore found his voice.
"What direction is the wind?" He asked quietly.
"North northwest, sir," an ensign responded shakily.
"Set a course East Northeast. And signal the fleet," Torin ordered softly, but evenly. A chorus of "Aye, sir" ansered him, and the men were all too happy to return to their work.
"Commander," the commodore turned to his first officer, "please report the ship's damage at your earliest convenience."
As Randolph acknowledged, Torin turned to the Narnian knight and extended a hand.
"We are indebted to you, sir, for your courage and quick thinking," he spoke solemnly.
"Let us thank Aslan, Commodore, for His protection," Galen responded with a smile.
"Indeed, my friend," the commodore nodded. "Indeed."
Authoress's Note: Voyage of the Dawn Treader Chapter 4 references an old sea story of floating islands existing in the Eastern Seas. C.S. Lewis went on to describe floating islands in great detail in Perelandra, so it made logical sense to import them here. The description of the islands in this chapter comes from chapter 3 of Perelandra.