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She worked hard every day, flying around and around the island, gaining strength. She fished every morning and evening, bringing in food for her human friends. The men worked diligently on building a raft for them to float on in the night time. Also to carry their provisions and the sailors in flight. Shawn worked on making a harness for Airibells, but she kept growing out of it.
One day at dawn she took off flying in a straight line to see how far she could fly in a half a day. At noon she circled around and started back, satisfied with the distance she had made. She flew low, between the clouds and water. For entertainment, she adjusted her eyes to see beneath the surface of the waves. She watched the many multicolored schools of fish dancing and feeding in the ocean below.
On a ridge of shallows she saw a dark shape, bigger than herself. Airibells circled around and dove in to investigate. Upon closer inspection she realize that it was her Human friend's sailing ship! She was elated. Unfortunately the ship was too heavy for her to move. The mast had broken and been driven down through the middle of the ship with such force that it had broken the ship in half. Things were strewn all over the shallows from the ship. She found 4 casks, which she hoped might contain fresh water for the men. Clasping one in each taloned foot, she quickly flew to the surface & up into the sky. She circled high to catch the air currents that would carry her to her island.
She arrived with the sun still a couple of hours from setting. Riding the higher air currents made a great deal of difference in the distance she could cover. It was too bad that the men couldn't breath the thin air. She circled and glided in to the beach in front of the cave. The four sailors ran for the cave. Even after her feeding them and working with them for weeks, they were still frightened of her. It was sad, but she would continue to help them. Hopefully, they would grow to trust her.
She called to Shawn. He came climbing down the rocks where he had been gathering more hemp for rope.
*Look what I found. I hope this is your fresh water.*
"Father, father! Look what Airibells has brought us." He grabbed one of the casks and shook it. It sloshed. "I think it's water!"
First Mate Bozer was the first to reach Shawn. He pulled the bung on one of the casks and took a whiff.
"This one is wine," he announced and replaced the bung.
Shawn was tugging at the bung of another cask, but his hands were too small to pull it out. Flustered, he stepped aside for his father who had come up.
Prince Shane grabbed the bung and pulled it from the cask. He sniffed at the hole. "Water!" he yelled, "Bring the drinking shells!"
After everyone had drank their fill, Prince Shane wiped the dribbles from his beard. "Airibells, is there any more where this came from?"
*Oh, yes. The wreck is strewn all along the ridge. I will take you there in the morning if you like.*
"Yes, please. If Shawn has refitted your harness?"
"I worked on that today, Father. I need to refit it, now, so it will be ready for you to ride tomorrow." Shawn ran to the cave to fetch his handywork.
"How deep is the water where the ship is sunk?"
*It's on a ridge.* Airibells eyed the mountain side. *When I was at the ship, the surface of the water was about at the level where that lone bush is growing up there.*
Prince Shane turned to look were Airibells was pointing. "That's about 8 fathoms deep. That is too deep for me to swim with you."
*How long can you hold your breath?*
"Nearly 2 minutes, but I've practiced diving. How long can you men hold your breath?" Prince Shane asked the Captain and First Mate.
"Less than a minute," they said together.
"But Squidy used to be a Pearl Diver. He can hold his breath for close to 5 minutes. We picked him up at sea after a storm a few years back." Bozer finished.
*Would he be willing to dive with me? He thinks I'm a shark.*
Prince Shane studied the sailor. After drinking their fill, the sailors had returned to the cave to continue stripping the hemp bark to make more rope from the long fibers. Shane shook his head. "He has a bad reputation. I don't trust him myself, and never turn my back on him. Neither do Captain Hayman and First Mate Bozer, I notice." Shane grinned at his companions. "If I hung on to your harness as you dived then I would have enough air to look around a bit before having to resurface."
Shawn returned with the harnace. Shane helped his son put it on Airibells and fit it snug but not binding to her. Shawn stood back and grinned at Airibells and his father. "There all set for your trip on the morrow."
*Thank you, Shawn. Do you need any more fish tonight?*
"Thank you, Airibells, but you caught so much this morning that we have enough for 2 more days," Shane answered her.
Airibells dropped her head down beside Prince Shane and chuckled, a deep bell sound rumbling inside her. *I shall bring you fresh fish every morning. You can save the extra for our trip when I won't be able to blow fire for you.*
Prince Shane rubbed her muzzle affectionately, and marveled at the soft suede feel of her tiny scales. "Good night, Airibells."
*Good night, friends.* Then she took several steps backward before springing into the air to fly to her cave.
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