Tilly came to wake us at first light. Emi, Sophia and I rolled out of bed, take turns on the pot, then dress in tunics and shorts. Then we go next door to get Beth and Benny ready, dressing them in the same. We descend to the kitchen where Tilly feeds us porridge with nuts and fruit pieces and hard boiled eggs. Aaron, Benson and Victor joined us. After Emi fetches the basket and Tilly gets hugged goodbye we are walking down the hill to town.

After boarding the ship's boat Victor and Benson row us out the the Marigold. Once aboard we removed our shoes and stocking or sandals in the children's case, stashing them in the cabin along with the basket of paperwork for Four Rivers. Then Emi and I help Benson and Victor rise the mainsail while Sophia keeps Beth and Benny out of the way. Aaron mans the wheel. We catch the last of the land breeze to which gets us a few miles off shore, out into the current and prevailing winds. Because of the direction of the the prevailing winds and the shape of the harbor to sail west we needed to sail north first. Benson and Victor showed us what to do so when Aaron shouts an order we knew what to do. Beth, Benny and Sophia stayed in the cockpit with Aaron, who explains what he is doing as he steered the ship, why he had to do what he did. When we changed direction to sail westward he explained what would happen.

We were now sailing south south west. We hold this course for close to a hour then tacked to the north again. After holding the northerly course for fifty minutes or so we returned to the south south west course. This course is held until we cleared the west end of the island then we sail directly south.

We are making good time as we sail south down the west end of the island. The island could be seen, about three mile off the port side of the ship. There are clouds over the mountainous interior of the island. Between the ship and the shore the effects of the reefs could be seen, white water from the waves breaking over them.

Emi and I prepare sandwiches after we have been sailing south for two hours. Aaron estimates we have another hour before a course change will be required. Emi, Sophia, Beth, Benny and I sit on the deck near the bow after eating our sandwiches, catching some sun and napping. Benson wakes us half a hour later, saying the course change is approaching. Sophia takes the children back to the cockpit, Emi and I readied ourselves. When Aaron called the sail to be set for the new course we bring the sail around. We were now sailing straight down wind, south south east.

After another two hours on this course we are approaching Four Rivers. Victor calls down from the top of the mast that he can see smoke from the town to the east. Changing course one final time we sailed directly east. Approaching the harbor we lowered the mainsail making way with just the foresail. At Aaron's command we take in the foresail. Drifting to a stop about two hundred feet off the dock we drop the anchor.

As Aaron, Benson and Victor pull the ships boat along side, we prepared to go ashore. Emi, Sophia and I donned knee length skirts over our shorts and we all put our stockings and shoes back on before boarding the ships boat. Again Benson and Victor man the oars, rowing us to the dock. The captain of the guard contingent meets us as we come ashore. He asks Aaron the name of the ship and last port of call. He then has the adults sign the log book. When we had signed, he scanned the names. When he got to mine, he frowns, looking at me. I could see the realization come to him, I am who I have signed as. He stood straight, saluting me. I returned the salute.

"Is there anything I can help you with your majesty?"

"You can lead us to an inn where we can get supper and a pair of rooms. Then inform minister Harrison that I wish to speak with him in the morning."

The captain leads us into town. Four Rivers appears much like Haven, the same two story exposed wood frame and white washed plaster walls. As we climb from the dock the buildings become smaller and fancier, the warehouses giving way to shops. We soon enter a plaza, complete with fountain. There we enter a near duplicate of Scott's inn. The same glassless window openings in the common room, the same kegs lining the wall behind the bar. The difference is the inn keeper, a large bellied man, with a loud voice.

"Welcome to the best Inn in Four Rivers, How may I help you?" He shouts.

"Please excuse Francis, he is a bit deaf. He has to shout to hear himself." The captain explains.

"Tea to start with your majesty?" Aaron asks. I nod.

Aaron turns to the Innkeeper, rising his voice, "To start we will have some tea, please."

Francis nods, "Tea for nine, coming right up." He shouts.

We pulled a pair of tables together then sat down to wait for the tea. We chat with the captain, finding out his name is Tyler. I ask him if he has had any security problems, thefts, fights, things of that sort. All is peaceful, no crimes. A young girl, a year or two older than Beth, comes out carrying a tray holding tea cups, a small cream pitcher and a honey pot. Placing the tray on the table beside us, she places the pitcher and pot on the table. Then she goes around the table placing a cup in front of each of us.

"Thank you, Sally." Captain Tyler says as she put the cup in front of him. She nods.

The Inn keep comes out, carrying the tray with two tea pots which he also places on the table beside us. Lifting one, he start serving the tea, switching pots when the first is empty. "Will you be having supper tonight?" He asks.

Aaron answers him, "Yes, we will. Want are you serving?"

"I have pork stew and bread, there are slices of ham available, and a pork and vegetable pie." he shouts.

Aaron looks at me,"Stew and bread?" I nod. He glances at each of the others, they all nod. He asks the captain, "Will you dine with us?"

"I will, thank you."

"Nine stew and bread, my good man." Aaron says loudly to the inn keeper who nods and withdraws.

I ask the captain, "How did he lose his hearing?"

"It was slow, first he would ask you to repeat yourself. Then he would ignore you if you spoke to him when he was facing away from you. Then a few years ago, you had to shout to get him to answer."

I wonder, could it be? 'Sophia, would you examine the inn keeper's ears.' , 'Yes, dear one.'

A few minutes later the inn keeper came from the kitchen carrying a large pot. He is being followed by Sally carrying a tray of bowls, spoons and a pair of loaves. Placing the pot on the table Francis ladled stew into the bowls which are passed around. The girl passed out the spoons and the loaves then leaves, returning with couple of butter keepers. Emi and Sophia hand Beth and Benny their bowls and a piece of buttered bread, then started eating themselves. Aaron took the loaf near us and tore it into pieces, passing them around. The stew is wonderful, meaty with lots of vegetables, seasoned perfectly. We eat in silence, concentrating on the food.

'Fina, I checked the innkeepers ears. The only thing I can find wrong is that they are totally blocked by wax.' , 'I thought that might be the case. Are you able to remove it?' , 'Yes, dear, it will be easy.'

"Inn keeper, would you come here a moment?" Sophia says in loud voice. When he comes next to her she takes his hand, staring into his eyes. He blinks a couple of times, starts to fall then shakes his head. "Hello, Francis I am Sophia." she says in a normal voice.

He start shouting, "Hello, Soph..." then shakes his head, putting a hand to his ear. "What, I can hear, what's going on?" He starts loudly but as the sentence continues the volume drops. "Did you do something?" This last was in a voice of normal volume.

"Yes, I did. Your ears were full of wax which blocked the sound from reaching your inner ear, I removed it for you."

He turned. looking around. Raising his voice he shouts, "Sally, come here please."

The girl came from the back room, looking a Francis, "Yes, papa?" She shouts.

"You needn't shout," he near whispers, "say something quiet, please."

"Oh, papa. You can hear again." She says in a quiet voice, the tears start flowing down her cheeks. His cheeks are wet also. She hugs her father, leaving water stains on his apron.

"Yes child, I can. And you have a very pretty voice. I thought I would never hear your voice again." The tears are flowing down his cheeks. When they stopped crying, Francis turned to Sophia, "Thank you, Sophia." He bows slightly to her.

"You're welcome, Francis."

I notice Benny yawn then I glance toward Beth, she is droopy eyed also. "Inn keeper, we would like two rooms for the night, please. One to sleep three, the other five."

He smiles, looking toward the children, "Yes, mistress. Sally, go prepare the two large rooms, please. I'll clean up here."

"Yes, Papa." She hurries into the kitchen.

Tyler is about to speak, probably to admonish Francis for the way he addressed me. I catch his attention, shaking my head.

Francis returns to the kitchen as Sally ascends to the second floor. I move Benny to my lap, laying his head on my shoulder. He snuggles against me. I start humming a lullaby, one abuela Mendez used to sing to me.

Francis returned, asking if we would like a slice of fresh peach pie. We all said yes to that. He gathered our bowls, leaving our spoons. Entering the kitchen once more he returned with a large rectangular pie and a stack of clean bowls. He sliced the pie into twelve slices, serving each of us one. I poured a small amount of cream over my slice before starting to eat. Yumm.

Sally comes down from upstairs, standing beside me, "Your rooms are ready, mistress."

"Thank you, Sally." I stand, placing Benny on my hip. Taking Beth's hand, I turn to Sally, "Please lead the way." We follow her up the stairs. Walking to the far end of the hallway, she opens the doors on opposite sides of the hallway, "This room sleeps six mistress," pointing to the one on her right, "the other four."

We step through the left hand door. I survey the room, there are two beds against the right wall with small tables beside them. A third bed is against the wall opposite. Between this bed and the door is a slightly larger table holding a pair of basins and a pitcher of water. There is a chamberpot in the corner by the table. The wall opposite the door has a shuttered window opening. I lay Benny on one of the beds, then turn to Sally, "Would you bring two pitchers of hot water, please."

"Yes, mistress." she turns, pausing at the door to allow Emi to enter, nodding to her as she passes.

Emi has our bags which she places next to the beds. Sitting on the bed, "So you are mistress now, are you?"

"Hush you. I don't really wish to be fawned over tonight. I like being address as 'Your majesty.' But it gets tiresome being fawned over all the time. So for tonight I am Mistress Fina, please." She nods assent.

Beth has seated herself on the bed with Benny, removing her sandals. She then goes to the bags, pick each up, finally opening one. Digging around she removes a book. Going to the window she opens the shutters, allowing the the light of the setting sun to fill the room. Sitting on the nearest bed, she starts to read.

I pull Benny's clothes off, then tucking him in. I sit beside Beth, removing my shoes. "Beth honey, could you read aloud?"

"All right mama Fina." She starts reading aloud, pronouncing each word in her clear sweet voice. When there is a knock on the door she stops for a second, then continues as Sally enters carrying a large pitcher,.

Sally places the pitcher on the table next to the basin then departs, closing the door behind her.

Beth continues reading as Emi prepares the water, mixing the contents of the the new pitcher and the old. There are several cloths and a piece of soap in the drawer of the table.

The door opens, allowing Sophia to enter. She sits on the last bed, removing her shoes and stockings. She has just undone her skirt when there is a knock on the door. Emi goes to answer it, opening it a crack. It is Sally with the other pitcher of water, which she has her place on the floor next to table. "The outhouse is out the back door to the right. The back stairs are at the end of the hall. Would like to be awakened in time for breakfast?"

"Yes, please. And when you come to wake us, would you bring another pitcher of hot water?"

"Yes, mistress. Good night to you." She leaves again, closing the door firmly.

Rufina who had been listening to Beth read has her stop. "Time to bathe, sweetie." Beth stands up, laying the book down. Fina lifts the girls tunic over her head. Beth removes her shorts, then her panties. Rufina strips to her panties and bra, then leads Beth over to the basins. Emi is waiting for them, having removed her clothing.

Emi and Rufina start washing the girl, making her moan when they wash her hair and feet. After they dry her off and put her in a clean chemise and panties, Rufina lays beside her cuddling until she falls asleep. As Rufina is doing this, Emi and Sophia wash each other. Once Beth is asleep, Rufina joins them, getting a good rubbing. After each has a couple of orgasms they rinse and dry each other. Putting on panties and chemise like Beth they crawl into bed snuggling up to each other. They are soon asleep, as it has been a long day.