The Sirens

 

 

Nelson the cabin boy finished tying Captain Roam Far to the mast, making sure that the knots were good and tight. He got to his feet and looked around the deck of the Sleeping Swan and the entire crew that had also been tied up with thick rope. Their hands were tied behind their backs and their legs at their ankles and knees. Nelson didn’t quite understand why this was necessary, but he could sense the fear in them and that was good enough for him.

 

He stepped back from Roam Far who was large man with long grizzled hair and a patch over one eye.

 

‘That’s a good lad!’ he said. ‘Now, you know what not to do, don’t you?’

 

Nelson nodded.

 

‘I mustn’t untie any of you, no matter what you say,’ he replied.

 

 

‘Aye, lad. And this wind that’s pushing the ship along?’

 

‘It’s a magical wind,’ Nelson responded.

 

‘Indeed it is, lad,’ Roam Far agreed. ‘It’s a magical wind that will take us close by the island and then out to sea again. And only when we’re well past it can you untie us again.’

 

‘I understand, captain,’ Nelson replied.

 

‘Good, lad. And you know where we’re headed, don’t you?’

 

‘The Sirens Island.’

 

‘That’s right and though all of us would chop of our right arm to avoid going there, you’ll hear different from us when the Sirens start singing. Now, up to the wheel with you.’

 

Nelson turned and went up to the upper deck to where the ship’s wheel was. As he went he caught the eyes of the crew and could see the fear growing in them.

 

Roam Far watched him go and thanked the blue sky above for having a young cabin boy on board. He wouldn’t fall prey to the songs of the Sirens and with luck, the knots and stout rope would be enough to hold he and his crew down.

 

Beneath him the Sleeping Swan plunged through a heavy swell, its sails full of a moaning wind that drove it forward. It was the tail of a storm that had blown them off course during the night and with the dawn, revealed a heavy mist and fog that now spun and scattered about the ship. In terror Roam Far had realized where the wind was taking them.

 

To the Sirens Island. A place that was a sailor’s nightmare and more feared than storms, sharks or reefs. Terrible stories had surrounded it for an age and Roam Far knew them well. When a ship drew near the island, the Sirens began to sing to the crew, luring them to land their ship and join them. Their songs couldn’t be ignored and it was said that many a ship’s crew had been lost to them.

 

And what songs they were! They were said to promise many things… a life of leisure on the island, each man served by a beautiful Siren who would treat them as if they were kings. But Roam Far knew the other stories that sailors told in ports and taverns throughout Kingdoms.

 

That the Sirens would allow the crew to grow fat and lazy so they couldn’t defend themselves. Then reveal their true forms, that of horrible harpies with rats tails for hair and the wings and claws of vultures. And then they would eat them.

 

Roam Far shuddered with fear and lay back against the mast, hoping again that all the crew where tied down tightly. He knew that if even one got free, they would all be doomed.

 

‘Stout hearts, lad!’ he shouted to them to give them courage, but their muttered replies were not very encouraging at all.

 

Nelson meanwhile was standing at the ship’s wheel, watching it spin and turn as the magical wind bore the ship on. Ahead the mist and fog was beginning clear, shredding apart in the wind. Then it suddenly lifted to reveal an island bathed in bright sunshine like a green jewel.

 

And as they drew nearer he could hear the sound of singing over the wind. It was a sweet melody of female voices and he could hear the words in the song. To him they were silly songs about girls wanting to be kissed and cuddled and he pulled a face at such an idea. Who would want to kiss a girl, he thought. Yuck!

 

But to the crew they were songs of enchantment and temptation. They offered them lives of peace and contentment and to live like kings forever. They began to struggle against the ropes that bound them, trying to break free so they could leap into the water and swim to the island.

 

They struggled even harder as the ship approached and sailed past a pristine shore of white sandy beaches. They began to yell and scream at Nelson to untie them, even Roam Far, pleading with him, then shouting at him with threats and curses if he did not.

 

But Nelson ignored their cries as his captain had ordered and the ship sailed on past the island. It passed close to a low cliff and Nelson could see three women standing at its edge, their faces raised in song. Then the wind suddenly changed direction and began to take the Sleeping Swan back toward the open sea.

 

*

 

The three Sirens on top of the hill, who must be said didn’t have very many clothes on, suddenly stopped singing.

 

'Blast!' cussed a pretty blonde whose hair flowed in ringlets over her bare shoulders. ‘They’re not going to land.’

 

'They’ve tied themselves down again!' complained a stunning, ebony skinned Siren.

 

'I don’t understand!' said the third Siren with flaming red hair and emerald eyes. 'Why do they always do that?'

 

'The others are going to be really disappointed… again!’ said the ebony skinned Siren sadly. ‘I suppose we’d better head back and tell them.’

 

And so with a last, longing gaze they turned their backs on the retreating ship and began to walk away. But they had only gone a few steps when the blonde Siren suddenly turned and shook a fist at the ship.

 

'You idiots!' she exclaimed. 'What do you think we’ll do… turn into harpies and eat you?'