“It’s not soup! Or stew! How wonderful! Finally some-thing worthy of eating again!”
“Neffer let anyone elfe cook again, okay?” Maco begged. Griffin nodded, smiling bashfully.
After dinner, Selene announced their next actions.
“Alright, guys, listen up! As I have said before, we’ll split into two groups. One will remain with the Bat and make sure nothing happens to her. If there is any danger, you can come after us to warn us, Ayalon.” She paused, and Ayalon nodded. “The other group will come with me to travel to the volcano. Ignya is quite large, so it will take a couple of days. We might need to split again once we get to the volcano, but we’ll sort that out later. There are creatures of unknown nature on this island. The books say they are dangerous, but none of them specify exactly what they are. There may also be sirens and such. So be careful and armed at all times, whether you come along or stay here. Any questions?”
“Who’s in which group?” Ryo asked.
‘I’ll reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and decide accordingly. I’ll let you know tomorrow night.’
With that, Selene left the room, leaving the men excited but also curious.
“What kind of animals do you think there are?” Skip asked eagerly.
Maco shrugged, but Balthasar grinned and whispered, “I heard somthin’ ’bout sum five ’eaded bearturtles when we was on shore!”
“No way! They actually exist? They must be delicious,” Ryo exclaimed.
“I’m thinking more along the lines of winged alligators,” Zero confessed quietly.
This caused a major uproar and the group plunged into more theories. Griffin got up, leaving the other men to themselves, and checked on Aestiva. She was sound asleep, so he proceeded to deck.
It was late, and the air was cold. Griffin leaned against the side railing facing the island. He could barely make it out in the darkness. He tried to listen for the noises islands make at night. He had no idea what kind of sounds he was expecting to hear, but as much as he strained his ears, there was nothing.
Only the splashing of the waves and the creaking of the Bat’s wood mixed with the faint voices of his comrades disturbed the absolute silence.
It scared him. He hoped Selene would let him stay on board with Aestiva. It would make sense; Aestiva probably wouldn’t be strong enough yet, and she would never let him go without her. Besides, Selene knew perfectly well that Griffin was useless. She must still remember how foolishly he had acted when they had been stranded. He had panicked and hadn’t had a clue about anything.
He shuddered at the continuous eerie silence.
Then, a shape peeled itself out of the darkness on the bridge. Of course. Griffin noticed that in moments like these, he often met Selene on deck. She seemed to enjoy being here at night. Then again, he couldn’t blame her; it was quite nice. Usually.
He walked over to her.
“What’s actually… there?” he asked, gesturing in the vague direction of land.
Selene didn’t reply. Instead, she eyed him critically.
“You’re scared,” she stated, after a moment of quiet contemplation.
Yes! he thought.
“Pft! No!” he said.
Selene kept watching him. He felt as though her piercing gaze were cutting him open to lay bare everything his mind contained.
“It’s good that you’re scared. It proves you have good sense,” she said, looking back into the darkness, her golden hair hiding her face from Griffin.
“I’m not scared!” Griffin held his ground.
“This island is not like the others. It’s cursed,” Selene continued without even acknowledging Griffin’s reaction. She lingered for a moment, then she turned and dis-appeared. Griffin stared after her and then back into the darkness.
Great. Just great.
That night, Griffin kept having nightmares of five-headed bears with turtle shells on their backs who wanted to eat him if he neither lost nor won a game of cards against them on a blue Tuesday. There were also books – massive ones, on the top of an ice mountain – with teeth that snapped at his fingers any time he wanted to open them to read up on how his parents were doing. Many deranged and vicious creatures confronted him throughout the night, all of them hostile and always stranger than the ones before. The dreams ended with a dainty teacup in floral patterns torturing him by splashing hot tea – which burned like acid – into his face while demanding to know, in a squeaky yet terrifying voice, the secret ingredient in Bartolomäu soufflé.
Griffin had never been more grateful to wake up. Gasping, he shook his head to get rid of the last remnants of the dream, suspiciously eyeing things around the cabin. Especially the hammocks… Who knew what they were up to?
Ryo and Skip had already left. It was just as well. Griffin got up, maybe a little too quickly, and had to sit back down until the dizziness passed. There was at least a day left until some of the crew would embark on their mission. Griffin wondered what to do with the day. He got up again, more slowly, and went to make breakfast for everyone.
Aestiva was already waiting for him in the galley. She had improved dramatically, though at times she still swayed a little. She would need more rest than one day could give her. Griffin told her to lie down, so she wouldn’t overexert herself. The cat obeyed, watching Griffin’s every move with alert eyes.
After breakfast, Griffin decided to spend some time in the library. It was busier than usual. Balthasar and Ference were in their usual spot, discussing one thing or another, but in the back, Selene and Ryo were also hunched over a table.
Ryo!
Griffin hadn’t seen Ryo so much as approach a book before. He was astonished to find his friend in the library, but it all made sense when he approached. Selene was drawing out a vague map directed by Ryo’s previous experience on Ignya.
Griffin left them to it and went to look for books on scary and dangerous creatures. He flicked through them, each beast more terrifying than the last, but none of them as absurd as the ones he had dreamt of. He read about the best ways to stay clear of the different creatures and in case of an encounter, how best to react: stay and fight, climb a tree, lie down, don’t move, run fast, jump and scream, throw an axe, arrow to the eye, get on its back somehow…
There was no end to them. Of course there were also things you were not supposed to do at all: trying to climb on its back, attacking, jumping and screaming, running, not moving at all, lying down, climbing a tree….
The second list was essentially the same as the first. How in the world was Griffin supposed to know what to do when coming across something? He would never be able to remember all of this. And where was he supposed to run away to when he was on the ship? These books were no help at all. They merely showed him how impossible this endeavor was, given the number of dangerous and scary creatures the world had to offer. Take your pick, it seemed to say. Any one of them will end your life in no time at all.
Sighing, he closed the books and stared off into space. Why did life have to be so dangerous all of a sudden? He thought back to the days when the worst danger lay in slipping on his secret path or choking on a pea. So much less fear and danger!
But also less excitement. Less happiness. Less adventure and fewer friends. Less joy. Less knowledge and experience.
It didn’t matter what was in the past. Griffin knew with certainty that he wouldn’t go back to his old life for anything in the world. The Griffin he was now couldn’t stand it any more than the one who had left in the first place.
But it would still be nice if there were fewer scary creatures waiting in the Nether to devour him.
When Griffin’s eyes focused again on his surroundings, Selene was sitting across the table watching him. He blushed.
“Uh… What’s up?” he asked, trying not to look startled.
Selene didn’t reply, but leaned back in her seat, her eyes fixed on him. She seemed to be contemplating something. Griffin
wasn’t sure what to do. Was he supposed to just sit here and wait until she had finished? Or should he leave? Was he supposed to say something? She probably wouldn’t respond to him, so he remained seated, uncertain as to why.
“Aestiva’s doing better,” Griffin ventured. “But she’s still too weak to undertake a journey. I honestly don’t think that’ll change by tomorrow, so…”
Silence.
Griffin couldn’t help but start fidgeting. He was feeling nervous. Selene wasn’t just staring into space, no, she was clearly watching his every movement, assessing something. But what? Did he even want to know? He looked around for someone to save him, but they were alone. Selene must have sent everyone else away. Griffin wasn’t certain how he felt about that. It was nice to be in a room alone with Selene, sensing her strong presence near him, knowing that all her attention lay on him, with those endless, beautiful, green eyes… But at the same time, it creeped him out and made him feel like a little child who knew it had done something wrong but wasn’t sure what exactly it was. The uncertainty made him feel worse than anything else.
After what felt like eternity, or at least several centuries, Selene got up and left. She never said a word. Griffin remained seated, uncertain of what had just taken place. He sighed and gathered up the books and put them back in their places on the shelves. Then he returned to the galley to prepare the next meal.
When he was almost done, Selene appeared in the doorway.
“You’re coming along,” she stated.
Griffin looked at her in surprise.
“But Aestiva…” he attempted to argue.
“I spoke to her,” Selene interrupted him. “She demanded that if I take you, she comes as well. Ryo’s carrying her. He volunteered.”
Of course. Selene had thought of everything. Like she always did.
“But I really don’t think I’m going to be much help out there…” Griffin mumbled.
Selene looked at him in a manner that seemed to be partly angry, and partly… almost as if she were looking at a puppy searching for the stick she’d never thrown.
“Remember when we were stranded,” she said.
“Exactly! You were the one who did everything! I was more in your way than anything else!”
Selene walked out, shaking her head, and Griffin could just about hear her say under her breath, “You’re never gonna see your own worth, are you?”
Griffin was once again left feeling scared. He should’ve known! Selene must find pleasure in putting him into situations that frightened him to death because she kept doing it. But he had no choice. Somehow, he would have to pull it together. He wouldn’t be the only one coming along, and he couldn’t show how scared he was.
At this point, he had seen the island. Well, sort of. It was a hazy day, making everything seem a little more ghostly and surreal. The white mist wafted along the edge of a forest above the rock face that rose out of the sea.
If this island was cursed like Selene had said, then it really showed today. Never had Griffin been more ready to believe in ghosts and curses.
Wait, was he bait? Was he supposed to be a distraction for all the angry spirits and creatures on this forsaken island? Was that his “worth”?
But no. Griffin didn’t believe that Selene would sacrifice a member of her crew. Nevertheless, the eerie feeling that had taken hold of him the night before had not passed. If anything, it had grown.
He did not like being here. He didn’t want any of them to step foot on that island. And yet… Ryo had done it before and come back, hadn’t he? He had been there to get Aestiva’s medicine, so… Surely it couldn’t be all that bad, right? Ryo hadn’t looked scared when he’d returned. But then again, to Griffin’s knowledge, there was only one thing that was capable of scaring the big guy, and that was mice.
Griffin tried to shake the thoughts off. They wouldn’t get him anywhere. After lunch, he had better start packing together what he needed. At least that would be doing something useful. Determined to move on, the boy carried the food to the canteen.
Griffin had spent the afternoon worrying and fretting, constantly checking Aestiva’s condition. She was soon fed up with his smothering and even snapped at his fingers once. Her mind was made up. Griffin’s only comfort was that, should she have a relapse, Ryo had brought enough herbs to make more of the medicine. But that would only be of use if Joe came with them to the volcano.
Now, they all sat in the mess after dinner, waiting for Selene’s announcement. But she stayed seated for a long time, sipping on her drink. She seemed pensive, as if she still hadn’t quite made up her mind about the groups. The crew remained patient and calm the entire time.
Eventually, Selene stood up and let her gaze wander over her comrades.
“Friends,” she began, but she stopped to rethink her words. She fumbled with a few expressions before sighing and giving up on formalities.
“When we get back, there is something I would like to tell all of you,” she said. “But first things first. Ayalon, Klabautermann, Ference, Balthasar and Skip, I want you to stay with the ship. The rest of you will come with me to the volcano.”
Then, as usual, Selene left the room without another word.
Skip nudged Griffin in the ribs with his elbow.
“How come you get to go?” he asked jealously. Griffin sighed.
“I have no idea. But I’m willing to swap if you want,” he mumbled.
Balthasar, who had been listening in, laughed.
“No swapp’n! B’sides, I’m sure Selene knows well why she pick’d ye fer d’jobs she did.”
“I hope you’re right,” muttered Griffin.
“But I do have to interject. I admit to being rather surprised to hear she means for you to remain aboard,” Joe joined into the conversation.
Balthasar grinned.
“I gots a job, too, ye know. Wants me to keep n’ eye on dat one,” he said quietly, pointing in the direction Ference had disappeared.
The men exchanged glances. They all knew what it meant; there was no need to say it: Even though she tolerated his presence, help, and intellect, Selene did not trust the old man, so she needed someone she could place all her confidence in to stay close to him.
Griffin wondered, just for a moment, whether she had asked Skip or Ryo to do the same with him when he had been new. But he put that thought aside. He didn’t believe either one of them could have pretended to be his friends the way they had, and besides, what would have been the point? Griffin was harmless. There was not a thing he could have done. Whereas Ference… Ference was an intellectual who had basically already lived his entire life. He had met many people, done many things, and none of them could guess what kind of person he had once been, or still might be. Sure, he seemed like just another grumpy old man, but how certain could they really be? He was dangerous. As an enemy as well as an ally. They could not be certain that today’s friend would not become tomorrow’s nemesis for one reason or another.
“So, Ryo…”
“Hmm?”
“What’s it like over there?” Griffin enquired gingerly.
Ryo thought about it for a moment. Then he said, in a serious tone, “The mist never really disappears, I think. The closer you get to the volcano, the lighter it becomes, but I’m willing to bet that it’s always around the perimeter of the island. The place is a creepy one, that’s for sure.”
Griffin shuddered. If even Ryo thought it was eerie, then how frightened should Griffin be?
“Selene mentioned something about a curse,” he mumbled, but Balthasar waved the comment away.
“Big deal,” he practically yelled. “She’s cursed herself, ye know. Inherited it from ‘er father. So dun ye worry, boy. We got ‘xperience with curses!”
Griffin’s mouth gaped open. He wasn’t quite certain whether he should be impressed, worried, or terrified, so he was all of them at the same time.
“Cursed?” Griffin’s voice
carried a distinct shake. “Selene’s cursed?”
Skip shrugged, unimpressed, and Joe explained, “Why, yes. You see, it is a hereditary curse. We do not know how it came to befall her family, but Karim carried the same weakness. No matter whether they wish to or not, they see how tainted your soul is and they will not harm the guiltless. In fact, they feel a mighty urge to protect them and preserve their innocence. Such is the nature of Selene’s curse and no soul is aware of a means to lift it.”
Griffin thought of the legends of Black Shadow. It fit. It fit so well, it was scary. The legends had been there long before Selene had, and yet, the description fit her perfectly. Thinking about it made his head hurt, and he felt it was better left for another day. It was about time to check on Aestiva again anyway.
He excused himself and returned to his cabin, where she was sleeping. She looked peaceful. Her side was heaving slowly, steadily. Her eyes were closed, making her look utterly content.
He stroked her silky red fur and she began purring. He lay down next to her and within a few seconds, he was fast asleep as well.
CHAPTER 16
Ayalon and Zero carried them to shore. Selene left the ship in Balthasar’s command.
Ference sulked about not being allowed to come along. In fact, he continuously attempted to convince Selene otherwise until she snapped at him and Ryo had to hold her back to prevent her from punching the old man.
Once they all stood on the clifftop, Selene let her gaze wander over the misty landscape.
“Alright then. Let’s be off.”
Griffin felt stiff from having spent the night in a rather awkward position, so he had difficulty keeping up with the pace Selene dictated. Ryo grinned at his efforts but nevertheless offered to walk a little slower so that, should Griffin get left behind, he would not find himself completely alone. Griffin declined with gritted teeth. This was ridiculous. Surely, he just needed to warm up a little in order for his body to function normally again. Though a break would be nice, he admitted to himself, slightly ashamed.
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