The King he said to the Earl Marischal,

Tanny. The inhabitants had taken refuge on the one highland of the island, but they were already hauling salvageables from the high tide mark and the water. They cheered the arrival of the Pearl, some wading out to float the water-tight supplies in to shore. The exchange was completed in the time it took the Pearl to turn about and head back to the open sea. And that was the routine at a half-dozen smaller islands. Killashandra had had a long look at the charts and the compass; they were taking a long arcing route, her island being the farthest point of their journey to the southwest. The waters were studded with islands, large, small, and medium. All showed the devastation of the storm, and on most the polly trees were still bent over from their struggle with the hurricane: on some of the smaller islands, the trees had been uprooted. As no one made a comment on this waste, Killashandra could not ask how soon polly would reestablish itself. In answer to a faint emergency call, they eventually sailed into the harbor of a medium-size island that had lost its communications masts and had been unable to make contact with Angel. Lars and Tanny went ashore there, leaving Killashandra in conspicuous sight while Erutown and Theach remained below. Some of the urgently needed items could be supplied from the extras on board and Lars contacted Angel for the rest. As they finally lifted anchor and sailed onward, Tannys rising excitement was communicated to Killashandra. She could recognize nothing, but if they were indeed near the island of her incarceration, she had swum away from nearby help. As they approached the next landfall, she didnt need Tannys shout of relief to know they had reached her island; the huge polly tree in the center was a distinctive landmark. Not only had the tree survived but also its siblings or offspring, and the little hut she had made in their shelter. Lars had to restrain Tanny from diving into the breakers and swimming ashore in his eagerness to reassure himself. I dont see anyone! Tanny cried as the Pearl motored toward the beach. Surely she could hear the engine! Is this where you want to dump us? Erutown growled, surveying the uprooted polly, the wind-depressed trunks of more, and the storm debris on the once white sands. Oh, youll be luxuriously situated, I assure you. Lars said. Killashandra had decided that Lars and Erutown were in basic disagreement on too many counts. Lars was delighted to deposit the man out of the way for a while. Weve solar-power units for Theachs dell digital camera software equipment, all sorts of emergency camp gear, and plenty of food should you tire of the stuff the island and the sea provide. And a hatchet, a knife, and a book of instructions? Killashandra asked she was not above priming her surprise. There speaks the polly planter. Grinning, Lars flipped the toggle to release the anchor, cut off the engine, and gestured Tanny overboard. He was halfway up the heights to the shelter before the others had made the beach. Theres no one here, Lars. Ye gods, what shall we do? Theres no one here! Tanny screamed. Consternation smoothed Larss features and he set off up the slope at speed. Killashandra followed at a more leisurely pace, wondering whether she would ease their fears. One look at the terror and hopelessness of Tannys face, and a second one at the shock on Larss eroded her need for revenge. Erutown and Theach were on the beach, out of hearing. You dont know very much about crystal singers, do you, Lars He swung around, stared at her, trying to assimilate her words. Tanny reached his conclusion first and sat heavily down among the storm-strewn polly fronds, his expression incredulous. If you thought Id just sit here until it suited you to retrieve me. Chapter 14 Any discussion of that would have to be postponed. Theach and Erutown reached the height, looking about them for their fellow exile. Unable to look in Killashandras direction, Tanny shot one horrified glance at Lars as the latter smoothly invented a note that she had been removed from the island by a passing vessel. He even flourished a piece of paper from his pocket as he commented that he was glad she was safe. That tears it, Erutown said gloomily. Well all be in trouble. I doubt it. A very good friend of ours skippered that ship, Lars replied without a blink She cant go anywhere without my knowledge. Tanny made a strangled sound and Killashandra grinned, choking on her laughter. Theres nothing you could safely do without jeopardizing yourself at this point, Erutown. It isnt as if youll be out of touch, and Lars handed the man a small but powerful handset. The frequency to use for any contact is 103.4 megahertz. All right? You can listen in on any of the other channels but communicate only on the 103.4. Erutown