In The Wreckage: A Tale of Two Brothers by Simon J. Townley Read Free Book Online Page A

few feet away, scrubbing the deck for the second time that morning. “Bergen, one of the great trading ports of the world. Home to half a million, in the old days.”  
    Ruins stretched for miles. Remains of homes and roads, shops and schools, scattered across hillsides around the fjord. “A lot of it’s overgrown,” Hudson said. “There’s tunnels, see boy, cut through the mountains. The work it must have taken to do that. You can’t fathom it. All that power. And it all went wrong.”  
      A scattering of houses rose up one hillside where smoke from the chimneys drifted into the morning air. It seemed to be the only part of the town still inhabited. A crowd had gathered around the houses and harbour, waving at the ship. As the ship drew closer, the entire crew came on deck. Heather clutched Rufus in her arms. The dog howled when he saw Conall, scrabbling at the girl’s clothes to get free. Conall rushed to help her, taking hold of the terrier in a firm grip. The dog lashed his face with its tongue and Heather laughed. The girl’s mother appeared at her side, an arm around her shoulder.  
    His time with Rufus was cut short by Jonah, who arrived with orders, tasks and duty rosters. Faro was to go with the first mate, to help with supplies. Conall was to help the captain and his wife, to fetch and carry and do whatever was needed.
    “Watch yourselves ashore, both of you,” Jonah said. “They’re decent enough folk in this town, good as you’ll find these days, but that’s not saying much. Eyes open, and don’t go wandering, understand?”  

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    Bergen’s harbour-master rowed out to the ship, spoke with Captain Hudson, and guided The Arkady into port. The harbour had been rebuilt and reshaped as the waters rose, but could still take a ship the size of The Arkady , moored alongside the main dock.  
    Conall watched Hudson and Jonah Argent, heads together, debating what to do. The ship would be vulnerable, tied to the dockside. Anyone could board her, by force if they chose. But they could bring more supplies on board, save time and effort, and give the whole crew a break on land. In the end, they decided to take the risk, though Conall heard Jonah muttering to the sailors, urging them to stay alert.
    A crowd of people gathered on shore, wanting to look around the boat, offering to trade. A group of young women with fresh-faces and blonde hair waited for the sailors to disembark, loitering on the dockside, well away from the other townsfolk. Their skirts were short and blouses low enough that there was no mistaking what they’d brought to sell.  
    Captain Hudson stood on the poop deck and announced the ship would stay in Bergen until the following morning. But no one was to stay in the town overnight, he warned. They sailed with the dawn light, and anyone missing would be left behind. “No one goes ashore alone,” he said. “In groups of three at least. And always an able-bodied man among them. The crew will take watches on board The Arkady , make sure the ship is secure at all times. You have your orders, enjoy your time.” He waved as if to dismiss them. “But don’t bring back any diseases,” he added, half under his breath.  
    The houses of Bergen were built from a mix of stone and wood, cut from the conifers that covered the mountains. More trees than Conall had seen in a lifetime on Shetland. Around the water’s edge, many of the buildings rotted away or stood silent and brooding, overtaken by the rising waters and long since abandoned.  
    Conall joined the captain and his wife along with two sailors as the first ashore. Erica Hudson took hold of Conall’s hand and whispered for him to stay close and not go wandering. She held onto his hand as if protecting him, and the sailors behind him sniggered. His face flushed with embarrassment. He was expected to work with the men. He was old enough, fully grown. He’d looked after himself all his life, no mother there to coddle him,