Adventures of Len the Bold Ch4

Chapter 4 – The Village Healer

Len walked out of her tent. She could see that the crew was trying to talk to Mara and teach her some new words. When Mara saw that Len was awake, she ran up to her.

“Good Morning.” Mara said with an Elvish accent as she hugged Len.

“Ha-ha, Good Morning Mara” Len said back to the girl. Mara let go of Len and the pair walked over to the growing fire. “Good morning to everyone else as well. Our plan for today is to go out and work as a team to find Will, instead of individually.” Len said to the crew.

They set out, taking their supplies along with them. On the outside of the island, it was all beach but around 30-40 feet from the coast started a huge jungle that covered most of the island. 2 hours later, Len decided that it was time to give the crew a rest.

“Take a rest guys” Len said , sitting down on the ground and taking a drink from her water sack.  Since it seemed that Mara had been following them and camping with them, she considered her apart of the crew. As everyone was sitting down , drinking water, drinking what was left of the rum and eating leftovers from last nights dinner, Len noticed that Sam didn’t look like himself. She got up and walked over to where he was resting.

“ Hi Sam, everything ok?” Len asked him.

“I – I don’t feel so good” Sam said quietly to Len. Len felt his forehead and it felt very hot. Len stood up from where she was.

“ I will have to go out and see if there is anyone on this island at all” Len told the crew.

“Why? What’s the matter?” Someone asked.

“It’s Sam. He has a fever.” Len told everyone.
“Oh no! Go, hurry  and find someone!” the men said, surrounding Sam. “We will watch him.”

“Alright. Stay here! I will be back shortly!”  Len said, picking up her pack and walking away her crew. As Len started her journey deeper into the jungle, the sounds of her crew got farther away and more secluded until the only noise she heard were she sounds of nature. A few hours later, or at least what felt like it, Len had finally came upon a bustling village.

“Hmm…this is strange…a city buried deep within a jungle?” Len thought to herself.  She walked into the front gate, to get many faces looking at her. Some looked surprised, others confused at Len’s presence.

“State your name and purpose” A villager said.

“Lenina James, sir, I am looking for a doctor or healer of sorts.” Len said. She has never told anyone her full name.

“Ah yes, follow me. Lin has been expecting you, but be quiet for she is in hiding” The same man said. “Let me introduce myself, he said as he stopped walking and turned around.” I am John, and this is the Town of La Bodega. The people here are from all over the world. We are all survivors of many shipwrecks, for the seas away from here are dangerous.” John explained to Len. “Now, follow closely.” John said.

“Ok…I understand a little bit better now,” Len whispered to John. She followed John through the busy, crowded streets of La Bodega. Len saw all kinds of things she had never seen before in her life. Spices, cloths, furniture, and more. Finally, they reached Lin’s hiding place.

“You will have to go in alone.” John told Len. “ Good luck” He concluded, and with that he walked away. Len knocked on the door to the hut. There was no answer, so she just let herself in.

“Hello?” Len said, stepping inside to the hut.

“Len! Finally!” A girl’s voice, almost like her own called out. Len looked around the hut. It was very dark, except for a few candles scattered around. It was very dusty as well, with different colored  tapestries along the walls. On the ceiling were all kinds of trinkets hanging of all shapes. In the center of the room was a low table with all kinds of crystals and stones placed on a turquoise cloth.
“Sit down!” Lin yelled to her. Len sat on what seemed like her bed along a wall. She waited for a few minuets until she finally saw Lin. She stood up.

“Lin, I need your help.” Len asked the young woman.

“Yes I know that already. I saw you in a dream the other night.” Lin said, sitting on a pink pillow which was on the floor.

“Oh, do you know why I’m here then?” Len questioned Lin.

“That I do not know.” Lin answered.

“One of my crew members has taken ill. He has a harsh fever” Len said.

“ Ah yes. Stay here” Lin said. She got up and walked into what seemed like a storage closet.  Len could hear mumbling, clinking and crashing coming from the back room.  “ All set!” Lin said coming out with a little bottle. “ Now you better run before you get caught here.” She continued saying, walking towards the door. “ Besides, its  getting dark” She said, putting a tattered shawl over her shoulders.

“Wait, what do you mean get caught?” Len asked a nervous Lin.

“I’m wanted by the leaders of the town for witchcraft. I’m planning on escaping tonight, though I probably will die out there” Lin explained to Len.

“ Hmm..” Len said, pondering her thoughts for ideas. “ I got it! Why don’t you join my crew.. we could use someone like you aboard!” Len offered to Lin.

“I guess I don’t have much to lose, but… walking around… dressed like this? People will know who I am!” Lin said, wanting to take the offer, but afraid people will alert the authorities.

“Don’t worry about that.” Len said walking towards Lin’s clothing chest, “There must be something not too obvious you can wear” Len said, searching through the chest.  

At last, Len found what she considered pirate attire.
“Put this on – and hurry!” Len said to Lin. Lin rushed to put on the clothes. When she was done she collected all of her supplies and managed to stuff it all in  one pack. “ Lets move!” Len said. Since it was dark outside, not many people were out, which made it easier to slip through the shadows. Once they passed by the big entrance gate, they started on the long journey back to where Len left her Crew.

When they started to get close, Len knew something was wrong. There was no sound, not the snoring or wheezing of the men in their sleep, not even the sound of a cackling fire.  Len grabbed Lin’s hand and ran to the site where Len left them.

“Gone. They are gone.” Len said walking around the deserted camp site. “Come, let’s continue onto the ship!”