Every man in the boat hopped over the side and instantly was in water up to his armpits. The remorseless waves threatened to turn the boat but the crew took hold and hauled it forward. At the bow, Riko and Otus were in shallower water and had a good purchase. They almost ran as they pulled the vessel forward through breaking waves. Some water came in but Dion saw with satisfaction that they’d done as well as could be expected.

The five men grunted as they lifted the vessel, working to drag her up where the rising tide couldn’t touch her. Soon the boat was high on the beach, tilted to the side due to the keel. Dion felt soft powdery sand under his feet as he scanned the cliffs ahead. Beside him Cob was staring up at the sky.

‘Look,’ Dion said, pointing. ‘A cavern. Just above the sand, near the scrub.’

Cob rubbed his chin and glanced down at the boat. ‘I’d prefer to stay close to the boat, ready to depart.’

‘Stay here,’ Dion said.

He ran along the beach while Cob cursed and called after him, telling him to be careful. He reached the bushes and came to a scooped impression in the cliff, not a deep cave, but sandy floored and sheltered overhead and at the sides. Staying only long enough to make a swift assessment, he sprinted back to the group.

‘It’s safe,’ he said. ‘And I have an idea. The wildren will see a boat on the beach, but if we take it into the cavern, there’s little chance we’ll be spotted.’

‘As long as we haven’t been spotted already,’ Otus muttered.

‘It’s a good idea,’ Cob said. ‘Only one downside.’

Dion nodded. ‘We’ll have to take down the mast.’

‘Makes it harder for us to flee in an emergency.’

‘We can keep the mast inside the boat, and we still have the oars,’ Dion said. ‘What do you all think?’ he addressed the group.

‘A cave sounds better than spending a sleepless night watching the sky for flyers,’ Sal said.

Otus and Riko agreed.

‘Come on,’ Dion said. ‘Let’s get it hidden as soon as possible.’

They were all strong sailors, accustomed to coastal trading where every night was yet another round of beaching at an unfamiliar place, and the boat was designed to be easily lifted. Soon they had the vessel well hidden inside the cave, with just enough room left over for the crew of five to stretch out and sleep.

‘No fires,’ Dion said as he looked out at the sea and saw it was growing dark. ‘It’s a warm night. We’ll eat a cold meal.’

‘Captain?’ Riko’s voice came from behind him. The youth’s face was eager; his courage had returned now that they’d left the water. ‘You know the stories. Can we look for gemstones before we leave? We can be careful.’