About this story
Aboard are the wheat's anxious owner and his daughter Timea, who is silent under a travelling veil until the gorge gives her something to ask about. At the narrowest bend, a storm has torn a water-mill loose and sent it down the only channel with nobody aboard and its wheel still turning. You hand Timea the telescope, point it away, and take five rowers out with an anchor and one cast.
Who you’ll meet
Timea, the grave young passenger who finally asks what the river costs, with her father gripping the rail beside her and old Fabula locked to the tiller as a derelict mill comes down the only channel.
How it opens
Cliffs narrowed the Danube until the river seemed forced through a stone door.
FabulaThirty-two horses are pulling, and still the current steals our progress.
From the deck of the St Barbara, you watched the towline strain toward shore.
SailorCaptain Timar, the next bend hides the reef until we are upon it.
Euthemio TrikalissMy wheat has survived borders; do not lose it to scenery.
Choose
The river does not honor invoices, Monsieur Trikaliss.
Keep your daughter inside until we clear the reef.