Into the Wilderness: Blood of the Lamb (Book Two) by Mandy Hager Read Free Book Online Page A

glanced up at him sharply—it was so unlike him to snap. She saw now how drained he looked. The rings under his eyes had darkened almost to black. “Let's focus on one problem at a time,” she said, hoping to relieve him of some stress.
    â€œMaryam's right,” Lazarus said. He, too, seemed to be studying Joseph intently. “Let's get there first, then worry about how we'll be met.”
    Joseph leaned against the starboard rail, closing his eyes for a moment before he proceeded back to the ropes to start up the whole tacking manoeuvre once again. Meanwhile Lazarus rummaged in the shelter, returning with a large clay pot nowemptied of fresh water. He flattened himself along the forward deck between the hulls and scooped sea water up into it.
    â€œYou look overheated, cousin. Let me help!” With this, he poured the water over Joseph's head.
    Joseph gasped and wiped the salty water from his eyes. But he was smiling, Maryam noticed, as he wrestled the pot from Lazarus and rushed forward to refill it, chasing after Lazarus until he, too, was soaked right through.
    â€œBeautiful!” Lazarus spluttered, retrieving the pot. “Now for the girls!”
    Soon all four were scrabbling for some kind of container, hurling water over whoever was at hand, laughing and squealing in shock and pleasure at the unexpected release of tension, until not a person or a strip of deck was left undrenched. When at last they'd had enough, they sprawled on the deck to dry themselves before somewhat reluctantly returning to their tasks.
    Two hours on, and the island took on a more solid shape. It rose to a perfect peak on its most northern side, with a plateau to the south that gently fell away into the sea. It was still too far distant for anyone on board to tell if there was jungle or where villages might lie, yet to see the island growing real before their eyes filled all four with renewed drive.
    There were more birds in the skies above them now, and a startling array of creatures in the watery world below. Fine-winged storm petrels hovered on the highest air currents. Frigate birds, with their curious red pouches, reeled and screeched directly overhead, as if they were cheering the travellers onwards as they battled the stubborn headwind, accompanied by a forward guard of streamlined flying fish.
    It was impossible not to feel excited by the prospect ofreaching land. Though the Apostles had claimed there was nothing beyond the small sanctuary of Onewēre, the four escapees now had proof that life—albeit only birds and fish so far—existed beyond Onewēre's distant shores. It boded well, reinforcing Maryam's growing conviction that the Apostles’ dire talk was nothing more than wicked lies to maintain fear. She closed her eyes and tilted her face towards the sun, allowing the golden light to filter through her eyelids and collect behind them in a warm pool of hope.
    Joseph's coughing distracted her. He was doubled over, trying to regain his breath.
    â€œTime for a break,” Lazarus announced, pointing to the shaded shelter. “I'll take the tiller for this tack while you three rest out of the sun.”
    Joseph raised his head, his eyes watering from the choking fit. “But we need to maintain—”
    â€œWe've time enough,” Maryam cut in, grateful to Lazarus, despite herself. He understood his cousin well enough to know he'd never take a break while others worked.
    She nodded her thanks as Lazarus took over the tiller, then she scrambled to the shelter to pour Joseph a drink. He flopped down beside her, his breathing laboured and his eyelids ringed with red. As he took the cup from her she noticed how his hand shook and how he winced as he tried to get comfortable.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    â€œI'm fine,” he said, falling back onto the sleeping mat. “My body's just discovering muscles I didn't know it had.”
    â€œI know what you mean,” Ruth said.