The Island of Echoes: A Novel

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by Roman Blair

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Third Edition 2017

  First Printed 2015

  One Leaf Press, Chicago, IL

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  T here was a time when I believed in earnest that the world and its mysteries were well known to me. I had been a rather unabashed youth and the trait followed me into adulthood. I was also a traveled man. My family, American by birth, had close relations with our European cousins. Trips to the continent were frequent and I was instilled with a desire for foreign places.

  My English grandfather, an old-fashioned military man, beseeched me to explore the exotic before it succumbed to familiarity. He credited his knowledge of life to the distant travels of his formative days. If that were so, I would have never ventured beyond the borders of my home town. My grandfather was a closed-minded and firmly rigid individual. But I trusted that recognizing his unyielding grasp on the past would ensure that I did not fall into the same habit.

  Unmarried, I had devoted my earlier years to study. Perhaps too much like my grandfather, I believed that prestige came in the traditional forms. These were usually titles or series of letters behind one’s name. And so I continued my studies in their pursuit.

  I completed my graduate degree at the Université de Bretagne, working under Professor Thomas Fay. A young man in the field of history could not find a better mentor. He was intent on putting together a research trip across North Africa and I was quick to jump on board. The professor was renowned as an expert in the field. The mere thought of seeing my name printed beside his conquered any doubts I had about the journey.

  Our group began in Marrakech and gradually moved east, stopping in places such as Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. The trip took eight months in all and I enjoyed it immensely, save perhaps for the cuisine. But despite the sense of adventure these exotic place-names evoke, I’m afraid recounting the expedition would not make for an interesting read. Eight months are difficult to relay in several pages, and most of my time was spent in research or translation. But it was as such that I found myself in Alexandria in the summer of 1894 at the age of thirty. Unbeknownst to me, my real journey was only just beginning.

  It all started at one of the harbor markets, a loud unsavory place. People shouted over the sound of crates and barrels being unloaded. The waves of the sea crashed against the docks. And the seabirds screeched endlessly overhead. The smell of fish penetrated every fiber within a mile. I often felt I was stepping over fish rather than wood, as the area was considerably moist and slippery.

  The port of Alexandria had a deep-rooted history as a commercial hub. It was perfectly situated between east and west, at the very core of the ancient world. I wondered whether the chaos of the docks had been a constant throughout that time.

  I made my way from pier to pier, intent on securing passage back to Europe, when I overheard French being spoken, shouted really, amid the bedlam. This was not unusual as France and Britain had quite an interest in Egyptian affairs, but it piqued my interest. The source of the dialogue was difficult to spot. A rather large ox-cart, overflowing with Persian carpets, blocked my view. When it finally passed, it revealed a young man, several years my junior, strenuously disputing something with a leek seller. It was clear he didn’t speak the native tongue and the vendor had no knowledge of French. I wasn’t sure if the young man shouted out of frustration or due to the surrounding noise, but I decided to intervene.

  “Bonjour!” I announced, “I don’t believe this man understands you. Would you mind if I stepped in?”

  Relief flooded the young man’s eyes.

  “Please!” he responded. My French was second nature and the months I had spent in North Africa would cast anyone into a proficient barterer. The dispute was settled in no time and we made our way from the stall.

  “Phillip Laurence,” I introduced myself, extending a hand.

  “Rémy Durant,” he responded, taking it. “A pleasure.” He had a firm grip. His arm, though lean, was well-muscled and his disheveled clothing led me to suspect he worked on a ship. My inquiry was confirmed.

  “Ah, yes. A tramp freighter. We don’t often make port in Alexandria so I am unused to it.”

  “I don’t think one ever gets used to this,” I indicated the commotion.

  “And what about you, Monsieur?” Rémy asked.

  “I’ve spent the last few months traversing the Sahara on a research trip,” I informed him. “My colleagues returned to Europe several weeks ago but I elected to stay a little longer. In fact, I was on my way to secure a crossing. Are you headed back to France?”

  “Not directly. My uncle, the captain, picked up a contract that will stop us in Sicily before we return.”

  “Does your ship also carry passengers?”

  Rémy laughed. “Is it in season to be leaving? We stopped in Port Said yesterday and picked up a man, a missionary intent on returning home.”

  “Oh? Could your ship accommodate another? I will pay an honest fare.”

  Rémy thought for a moment. “Well, Monsieur Laurence.”

  “Phillip,” I offered.

  He nodded. “Phillip. We have the cabins and I'm sure my uncle would agree, but we leave in a matter of hours. Would you be ready in time?”

  “I’ll make certain of it.”

  The ship, named Bigorneau, was a little steamer. It was old, the interior primarily built of wood rather than iron, but it was well-kept. A level of cabins sat atop the main deck with a lone room, the bridge, just above them. The outer walls were chestnut in color with dark brown trim and accents. The harsh sea wind had left an ombré in hue toward the bow of the vessel, though it wasn’t glaring. I expected to see tiny cabin windows on such a ship, but they were fairly large and in a traditional square design. The stairs and railing around the upper deck were fashioned of iron. Although I spotted flecks of rust around their bolts, the ship compared very well to the other vessels in the area. The main deck was swept and mopped, and the hull, black as night, shined smartly.

  Rémy was coming down the stairs from the bridge when I arrived at the wharf. He spotted me and saluted with a wave of his cap. His blond hair reflected the brilliant Egyptian sun. I returned the greeting and paid the local who transported me and my luggage to the docks. The young boatman disappeared into a room on the main floor and emerged with whom I presumed to be the captain. He was a stocky man in his early fifties, with flecks of gray scattered throughout his dark hair and beard. He dressed simply, but stood with the indisputable posture of a man in charge. They walked out onto the pier together.

  “Captain Lucas Travert,” the older man stated, extending a calloused palm. His grip was firm and he struck me as the kind to take charge rather than sit back and delegate.
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  “Phillip Laurence.”

  He gave a brief smile. “Rémy tells me you’re looking for passage to France. Or out of Egypt, at least.” Despite the authoritative stance and deep raspy voice, he had a cheerful disposition. “We are only going as far as Marseilles.”

  “That’s quite alright. I can make use of the rails from there,” I said.

  We agreed on a price and the captain, dropping all formality, patted me on the back.

  “Why don’t we bring those trunks in and enjoy a glass of wine before heading out?” he suggested.

  The cabins aboard the Bigorneau were clustered together on the main level. I assumed everything below was for cargo. There were two larger rooms, one forward, just below the bridge, and another aft. The forward chamber was the captain’s cabin. The aft one was known as the dining room. Four minuscule cabins huddled between them, though I suspected they were once two rooms which had been divided in years past. Rémy and the other passenger he spoke of occupied the starboard apartments. I took one of the port rooms.

  There was a bowl and pitcher in front of my mirror and I took a few minutes to freshen up. I smoothed out my gray suit and hung my bowler on the door hook. My brunette hair, pressed down by the hat, needed a slight tussle and I refreshed my face with a wet cloth. I noticed that my skin had bronzed during the expedition and I even spotted flecks of gold in my chocolate eyes. I was grateful not to have inherited a trait for burning despite my naturally fair complexion.

  The dining room, like everything else on the ship, was rather cramped. There was a table in the center with eight wooden chairs, two of which did not complement any of the others. A large amount of bread and cheese had been laid out on a wooden board and the wine was already breathing. The other passenger, a priest dressed entirely in black save for a white collar, was sitting at the table and commenting on the status of life in Africa. I was surprised to hear that the conversation was in English.

  “Ah, Monsieur Laurence,” the captain interrupted as I walked in. “Allow me to introduce you to Father Daniel.”

  “Father,” I acknowledged, and we shook hands. He looked to be the same age as the captain, though the two men could not have been more different. Father Daniel was tall and slim, with acutely bony cheeks which gave the impression of piety. His face was clean-shaven and his hair, raven black, matched his dutiful garb.

  “I apologize, Father” said the captain, “you were saying?”

  Father Daniel waved a hand passively. “Oh simply that civilized governments should do more to increase the culturing of these inland peoples. I’ve spent the last two years on mission and only helped a hundred or so individuals find truth.” His speech was accented, though I couldn't distinguish its origin.

  “We’ve been listening to the Father’s adventures in Africa,” the captain informed me in surprisingly proficient English.

  “And what about you, Mr. Laurence?” Father Daniel asked, picking up his wine glass. “Was Africa to your liking?”

  “Very much,” I responded honestly, “but my work took me through many attractive locales.”

  “Ah,” the priest retorted, almost disappointed.

  “Please do tell us of your trip,” Captain Travert requested, and I briefly summarized my expedition and its highlights.

  Out of respect and genuine curiosity, I then inquired into the travels of the Bigorneau. I learned that the captain purchased the little steamer in Marseilles just three years prior and worked primarily with textiles. Bringing the raw materials in from the east seemed to be paying off for him as he was already making plans to purchase a second ship.

  “And my nephew has been with me every step of the way,” he stated with pride, raising his glass to Rémy. The young man, I found out, was twenty-six years old. He smiled and drank in thanks. The four of us made small talk for a bit before Travert decided to leave port. I was not a believer in fate, but it chanced that the exact timing of our departure caught the attention of someone else as well. Just as the two boatmen were getting ready to take the ship out, we heard a call from the pier.

  “Excuse me! Excuse me!” came the shout of a young woman. Curiosity got the better of us all and we made our way out on deck. The source was a serving maid standing on the quay. “My lady wishes to speak to the captain of the ship,” she stated.

  The elderly woman behind her could not have looked more out of place amid the Alexandrian docks. Her dress, long and dark, was heavily accented at the shoulders with stylish purple ruffles which led up and formed a collar around her neck. Her gray hair was pulled back below a small matching hat. Three oversized black feathers protruded from its tip. She leaned against a decorated cane and stood as straight as a Parisian mannequin.

  Captain Travert walked out onto the pier and introduced himself. She nodded politely.

  “I am Lady Pearson and this is my granddaughter.” She turned to the carriage behind her and I could barely make out the other woman seated within. Her speech overflowed with class and every word was enunciated in the Queen's English. “We seek a ship to take us back to the continent.”

  I won’t deny that the Bigorneau was more attractive than the other vessels in the area, primarily local fishing boats and foreign transports. But I was caught off guard by her statement. It was certainly not the kind of ship a noble would seek out. The captain felt likewise. “We don’t often take on passengers, Lady Pearson, and we already have two,” he informed her. “And I’m afraid our accommodations are quite meager.”

  The woman studied the vessel as well as the three of us on deck. “Even so, I am prepared to pay handsomely for our transport. This is not a matter of comfort so much as a sensitivity of time. I have been up and down this pier for the last hour and the port master tells me your ship is the next returning to Europe.”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact we were about to depart.”

  The woman’s eyes twinkled. “And how much for the room and board on your vessel? It would only be me, my granddaughter, and young Miss Cynthia over here,” she acknowledged the maid who had gotten our attention.

  “I’m sorry, madam, but we only have one cabin left and it’s rather small. The bed could not fit more than two.”

  “Very well,” Lady Pearson said without missing a beat, “just my granddaughter and I then. I suppose we can make-do without a personal maid for a few days.”

  Captain Travert stole a glance back at the ship. “Do you not wish to inspect the cabin first?”

  Lady Pearson met his gaze. “I have a gift for reading people, Captain, and you do not strike me as the type to swindle an old woman. I simply wish to get home by the quickest means possible and right now that’s you.”

  Travert contemplated this turn of events for a few seconds longer but eventually gave in. “In that case, it would be our pleasure,” he stated, the joviality returning to his voice. The woman nodded with a smile and they agreed on fare.

  Lady Pearson opened the carriage door. “Ella, dear, come on out. We’re leaving. William, be so kind as to bring the trunks aboard.” Their coachman stepped down and began lowering the heavy luggage from the back of the vehicle.

  I leaned over to Rémy. “You were right when you said departure was in season,” I whispered. He smiled and went down to help with the trunks.

  Lady Pearson’s granddaughter emerged from the carriage and looked up at the ship. Her dress was as blue as the sky, with dark ribbon creating an intricate pattern along its bottom. The bodice opened up to reveal a chic pink collar which matched the ruffles of her hat. But despite the extravagant attire, I was struck most by her face. She had fair skin, light chestnut hair, and looked to be in her early twenties. Her lips were darkened ever so slightly, accentuating her natural beauty. I was suddenly very grateful for the unexpected addition to our roster.

  Both ladies stepped aboard with the exaggerated grace of high nobility. Travert introduced Rémy, Father Daniel, and me. “Lady Constance Pearson,” the elder woman introduced herself, “and my granddaught
er, the Lady Ella Pearson.” The younger woman looked up at me, her emerald eyes glittering in the sun. I noticed a sprinkling of freckles adorning her cheeks and I could feel myself blushing. I smiled and bowed my head.

  Rémy opened their cabin door, the one right beside my own, and brought in their luggage.

  “Now if you’ll excuse us," said Travert, "we will take the ship out. I hope you’ll all join us for dinner this evening.” He gave a short nod and climbed the stairs to the bridge.

  “Ella and I shall retire for a bit,” Lady Pearson stated. “It has been a long day.” They stepped into their room and closed the door. Father Daniel likewise excused himself and I was left alone on deck.

  I stood there for some time, gazing out at the port. The sea winds must have pushed the chaos of the docks inland, for I remember feeling very much at peace as I took in the view. I remained on deck as the Bigorneau glided through the harbor. The salty breeze picked up and I relished its coolness.

  I enjoyed sea travel. The lulling of the ship made for a calming atmosphere. We passed the citadel of Qaitbay, a stone fortress at the entrance to the harbor, and I realized with a small pang that I was saying goodbye to Africa after all these months. I watched Alexandria recede on the horizon until, just as the sun was going down, there was nothing but open water around us.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I t was late into the night. Dinner had ended many hours earlier though the wine continued to pour without restriction. Rémy had taken over at the helm and so I sat only with Captain Travert and Father Daniel in the dining room. They primarily talked of ships and the ridiculous tariffs imposed upon them. Father Daniel’s eyelids had gotten heavy, though he still made comments of agreement here and there. The darkening circles on his face made him look even bonier than before. Either due to the wine or a lack of interest, I had gotten quiet.

  The ladies did not join us for dinner. In fact, they hadn’t emerged from their cabin all evening. I would have retired myself if not for the hope of seeing Lady Ella again. After all, they could not stay without food forever. My patience was rewarded when both women entered the room just as I was beginning to lose hope. They appeared a bit tired, as we all were. But my energy revitalized upon their arrival.