Isola: A Novel

Marguerite approaches the men cautiously, but since they don’t understand her language, they are frightened. The leader, Anzar, calls to a man who speaks French, Mikel, who roughly translates Marguerite’s words into Basque. Marguerite mimes the story of her exile, and the men think she is a nun. Marguerite shows them Claire’s ring, which was from Queen of Navarre, to prove her story.

Marguerite cooks eggs for the men and invites them to shoot birds with her. Mikel and another sailor follow her to her cave. Marguerite produces guns and the picture of the Virgin to show she is a religious woman. They shoot birds, and the men marvel at her unwomanly behavior. They feast together, and Mikel explains they’ll travel to France in three days. Marguerite doesn’t want to appear too eager, so she makes herself useful for the next two days to endear herself to the men.

When Marguerite sees the men packing, she dresses and collects a few possessions. Marguerite says goodbye to the three graves and vows to honor them. Marguerite gently pleads with Mikel to bring her with them. She promises she can be useful on the ship, but Anzar refuses. Marguerite changes tactics and pays Anzar a gold coin.