Guern of Atlantis
this, Wylie. Be in no doubt.If you choose to hear the answer to your question, you may never be allowed to leave this island for the rest of your life." To Aquilla's surprise, the old sailor bursts into laughter. He is forced to repeat himself. "Do you misunderstand me? I said the rest of your life, man."
"I understand you well enough," chuckles Wylie. "But I'd already be dead if you hadn't saved me from the storm. Wouldn't I? D'you seriously think I'd ever betray your confidence after that? As for my stayin' here for the rest of my life, ha, at my age, the rest of my life aint gonna be very long."
Aquilla's mood softens."Very well, Wylie, you shall know all there is to know."
"Are you absolutely sure you want me to tell him, Aquilla?" James asks.
"What difference can it make now?" confirms Aquilla."Tell him."
Now Wylie is even more puzzled."Look, lads, I'm just a poor sailor.I don't understand all of this.An' why d'you need Aquilla's leave to tell me anythin', James? We're all free men 'ere aint we?"
An old sailor named William Wylie has just been rescued from the tempestuous waters of the English Channel by James Robilliard, and his mysterious hooded friend, Aquilla.The two men have carried Wylie to an island cottage, where, they've wrapped him in a blanket, and sat him down before a roaring fire to thaw out.
Wylie's old eyes light up as James produces a bottle of rum - and pours each of them a glass.
A grateful Wylie asks the pair a question."Tell me, lads, how'd you come to be livin' out 'ere in the middle o' nowhere? Were you shipwrecked, like me?"
The room falls unexpectantly silent. Wylie is aware that his hosts would sooner he'd not asked them the question.
Finally, James breaks the silence by turning to the figure still lingering in the darkness."Do I have permission to tell him, Aquilla?"
Aquilla, who's face Wylie has still not seen, replies from the gloom."My Guern, I have come to trust your judgement in all things. Do as you please." Aquilla then turns to Wylie and addresses him in a slow and deliberate tone. "Be clear about
Wylie realises from James's expression, that he probably shouldn't have asked that question either.
James turns and stares into the heart of the crackling fire."If you really want to know, Wylie, I'll tell you.I'll tell you all about my Mary, and our last night together aboard the Golden Jezebel."
Wylie is about to hear a story so strange, that he may well come to doubt the sanity, not just of the one telling it, but his own.
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