by Garry Spoor
Kile quickly exited the crow’s nest and was replaced by one of the crew members. It was one thing to guide the ship to the island across the open waters and quite another to navigate around it. There were obstacles she didn’t know to look for. When she reached the deck, she ran to the captain’s quarters.
“Daniel, we found it,” she said, throwing open the cabin door.
Daniel looked up from where he was sitting. “The island?”
“It’s right on the horizon. Land.” She laughed. “I can’t wait. It will be so great to get off this ship for a while.”
“Tell me about it.” Daniel rubbed his eyes. It looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. He turned to the bed, where Thomas lay, and pulled the blankets up.
“How’s he doing?” she asked before stepping into the room.
The young man was pale and hadn’t moved in days. His head was bandaged, but he showed no sign of improvement.
“Not too well,” Daniel said. “He hasn’t regained consciousness, and there’s not much more I can do for him.”
“You did all you could.”
“I know, I keep telling myself that, but sometimes I wonder if there was something more I could have done, or… maybe less.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean… this, it doesn’t seem natural. I’m only postponing the inevitable. Maybe it would be more humane if I let it… happen.”
“Maybe it would be.”
Daniel looked up at her. “Do you honestly believe that?”
“It’s the way things are, Danny. You have no control over it. It’s the cycle. It’s life, death, and life again, like the seasons. Winter gives way to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall. Without winter, there’s no spring. Without death, there’s no life.”
“Listen to you, getting all philosophical. Where did you learn that?”
From a dog. “It’s… not important.”
“I suppose when you put it that way, it doesn’t seem so bad, but still, it goes against my nature to give up.”
“It’s not giving up, Danny. It’s letting go.”
“I just feel… I don’t know, like my Edge has let me down. It’s not the first time either. I know I should have been able to save Olav’s life, but I couldn’t. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Like the magic is failing.”
“Yeah, yeah, like the magic is failing.”
“You’re not the only one who thinks that. There are those in the Tower who are working on that very problem.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No. Morgan told me. It’s the reason the mystics haven’t gotten involved in the war. They feel their magic is failing and this may all be linked somehow.”
“All of what?” Daniel asked.
“All of this,” Kile said. “The Maligar, the shadows, the Heart of Nilak, the return of the Alva, the appearance of the Valgar, even the rise of the Sons of Terrabin. There are too many coincidences for things not to be related.”
“You actually think the Sons of Terrabin have something to do with the failing magic or the return of the Alva?”
“I don’t know. Maybe not directly, but I think there’s some connection.”
Daniel shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll give you the others, but the Sons, I think that’s stretching it a little.”
“I’m only saying it seems odd that they would take this moment to make their move.”
“I don’t know. I don’t see the Sons as much of a threat. Personally, I think the whole thing is blown out of proportion, and even if it isn’t, is it really all that bad? Think about it. Even you have to agree, the Hunter’s Guild could use a little improving.”
Before Kile could reply, the door to the cabin opened and Lothran walked in. The large man looked down at Thomas and whispered something under his breath followed by a simple hand gesture, before acknowledging either of the Hunters.
“The captain and Master Heaney want you out on deck,” he told them. “I’ll watch Tom while you’re gone.”
Daniel was a little hesitant but eventually stood. “Make sure he’s comfortable. There isn’t much more you can do for him,” he told the cook.
Lothran nodded and took a seat by the wall on the other side of the room. Daniel placed his hand on Thomas’s forehead. Kile could smell the magic as thin strands of blue light emanated from the healer’s fingers. It smelled like a summer rain, refreshing and rejuvenating. It was probably some spell to energize the fallen sailor, but Kile could have told him it wasn’t going to do any good. It wasn’t the only thing she could smell. The Lasting had already come and gone. Once outside, Kile could breathe a little easier. She never liked being that close to the Lasting. It was like a physical presence at times. She tried to shake off the feeling as she followed Daniel across the deck.
Most of the crew, those who were not on duty, were crammed on the forecastle. With this many people on the bow of the ship, it was a wonder the Charlotte didn’t nosedive into the ocean. Kile squeezed herself between two sailors to reach the rail. When she did, she got her first good look at the island. It wasn’t what she expected, and from the whispers of the crew, it wasn’t what they expected either.
Shenataesi was dead.
The island was a lifeless landmass. There was no greenery; only twisted, naked trees stretched along a barren landscape. It reminded Kile of the wastelands, and since the Heart of Nilak was supposed to restore the wastelands, it didn’t look promising.
“Come away, back to your posts,” the Captain ordered.
Most of the crew were all too eager to turn away from the dead island. The morale, which had once seemed so high on reaching their destination, was now at an all-time low.
Kile closed her eyes and, falling into her Edge, stretched her consciousness to the shores of Shenataesi. Although she sensed no natural life, the island wasn’t as dead as it looked. There was a presence there, lingering just out of reach. If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn it was trying to hide from her.
“Kile, come on.” Daniel touched her shoulder.
When she turned around, he quickly removed his hand and stumbled backward.
“What’s the matter with you?” she asked and remembered: it was the whole yellow eye thing again. She thought Daniel would have become used to it by now, but it always freaked him out. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she calmed her mind the way the mystics taught her.
“Is this better?” she asked when she looked at him again.
“Much,” he said.
“I don’t know why it bothers you. It doesn’t bother me, anymore.”
“Because it’s not normal, Ki. How many people do you know who have glow-in-the-dark eyes?”
“A lot of animals have eye-shine.”
“But you’re not an animal.”
Kile decided not to argue the merits of that particular statement.
“Come on,” Daniel said, as he headed to the ladder. “Heaney wants us.”
She followed him down to the main deck where the company gathered.
“Now that we’re all here”—Heaney looked around the group—“we’ve got a bit of planning to do. Captain Dotol is looking for a place to anchor the Charlotte. There are still repairs to be done before we risk returning through the stormwall. That will give us enough time to search the island. Elmac, Creech, Galan, Darfin, and I will seek out this temple if it exists. Boraro, I want you to help Jasa and Durra Squad set up a base of operations on the beach. The island doesn’t look inhabited, but we can’t be too careful. Hopefully, we won’t be here for long.”
“What about me?” Kile asked.
“I want you and Daniel to stay on the ship. Help out where you can.”
“Get bent.”
“I beg ya pardon.”
“I did not come all this way to be left behind. I am not staying on this ship while you guys get to walk on dry land. I’m going.”
“Look, Kile, we don’t exactly know what’s on
the island. It could be dangerous.”
“Master Heaney, despite my gender, I am still a Hunter, a Certified Level Three Hunter, to be exact. I may not be all that useful on a ship, but I know my way around the wild. I’ve survived the wastelands, lived through the siege of Moran, and fought the Minotaur of Calder Falls… twice. I think I’ve proven myself quite capable of handling what’s out there.”
“Okay, okay, I get the point,” Heaney said. “You and Daniel can come along.”
Daniel cautiously raised his hand. “Excuse me, sir. I’m quite happy staying on the ship.”
Heaney turned slowly and looked at him. There was a silent exchange between them, one Kile had seen before. It was the same knowing look Elmac gave Heaney, the same one Heaney gave Boraro. Each time the topic of conversation was her. Was there something she was missing?
“Yes, sir,” Daniel said with a reluctant nod. “I understand.”
“We should all get some rest while we still can,” Heaney added.
~~~***~~~
Kile lay in her hammock, staring at the ceiling. There was no way she was going to fall asleep. She was too excited. She’d been cooped up on the ship for far too long. The mere thought of walking on solid ground was energizing enough. She was ready to swim out to the island if they delayed any longer.
“Danny, you still awake?” she spoke down to the hammock below her.
“Yeah, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just… I wanted to say I’m sorry about Thomas,” she said, although it wasn’t what she wanted to talk about.
“It’s okay. You said it yourself, it’s the way things are.”
“Yeah, but still…”
“Look, Ki. Can we change the subject? I don’t feel like talking about it.”
“Yeah. Okay. So… what do you think we’ll find on the island?”
“A whole lot of nothing would be my guess.”
“Aren’t you at least a little bit excited? I mean, this is an island no one has been on for quite some time. A lost temple. A magical artifact. This could be an incredible discovery. Who knows, we may even get our portraits hung in the Great Hall.”
“Is that really what you want?”
“Yeah, why not? In a way, it would be kind of cool to be hanging in the Great Hall with all the other notable Hunters. It would be nice to have a little recognition for a change, you know before I leave the Guild.”
Daniel leaned out of his hammock. “You’re leaving the Guild? When did this happen?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” she said. “You’d be surprised what you think about when you’re standing in the crow’s nest, staring out at the ocean all day. I think this will be my last mission.”
“And what? I mean, if you’re no longer a Hunter, where will you go? What will you do?”
“I thought I’d travel a bit. See some of the other provinces. Maybe even visit Balaa. I’ve heard it’s a place you have to see at least once.”
“But, I thought you always wanted to be a Hunter.”
“I did. I was, now… things change. Besides, you know what Sir Oblum said. I have a feeling if I don’t leave, I’ll be forced out. At least if I leave, I leave on my own terms.”
Daniel laughed. “So, you honestly believe all that stuff about the Sons of Terrabin and members disappearing or being forced out?”
“You don’t?”
“No. Of course not.”
“But Sir Oblum said…”
“Come on, Ki. You saw him. He’s nothing but an old drunk these days. The Guild could have kicked him out in disgrace, but instead, they offer him an easy retirement and he sees a conspiracy. He’s a bitter old man with no place to go.”
“Well, what about Master Adams?”
“What about him? He probably asked to be transferred to the archives, you know him. He always had his nose buried in a book. Besides, we don’t even know if that’s where he is.”
“And Master Latherby.”
“Really? Latherby? He wasn’t wrapped too tight to begin with. It was probably for the good of the Guild they replaced him.”
“Maybe.”
“Come on, Ki. There is no conspiracy, no hidden agenda. You’re being paranoid. There’s nothing there.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Sure I’m right.”
“One more thing. What did you mean when you told Heaney you understood?”
“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know, up top, when Heaney was giving out orders. You wanted to stay on the ship, but when he looked at you, you changed your mind and agreed to go. You said you understood. I was wondering what it was you understood.”
“I… you know, I… I understood what he wanted. He wanted me to go with them when they explore the island, that’s all. Probably because of my Edge, you know… the island could be dangerous. It wouldn’t hurt to have a healer along.”
“Possibly, but originally, he wanted you to stay on the ship with me. Only when I said I was going, did he want you to come as well. Why does he want you to keep an eye on me?”
“Ki, come on. You’re being paranoid again. I’m starting to wonder what they did to you in the Tower.”
“Is it because of my feral episodes, or is it something else? What are they worried about?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ki. That’s nonsense. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get a little sleep before we explore the island. Taking care of Thomas has drained me.”
Kile knew that was the end of the conversation. She might not have gotten any straight answers, but at least she was on the right track.
11
Heaney and Creech guided the longboat up onto the beach as Kile finally set foot on dry land. Having been on the ship for so long, it was strange walking on solid ground again. She was positive now, she was not meant for life on the sea.
As she walked inland from the beach, a strange feeling crept over her. It was a dark and heavy feeling, almost like the Lasting but more permanent. The island seemed hostile. It was warning them, telling them to leave. It was letting them know they weren’t welcome. The trees weren’t merely naked and twisted, they were writhing in agony as if they had been tortured throughout their lifetime. She would even go as far to say they were screaming in pain. It was times like these she was grateful she couldn’t communicate with the foliage.
Kile slowly approached one of the trees, and the closer she got the stronger the feeling grew. Bracing herself for the worst, she placed her hand on it, but there was nothing. The bark was black, but it wasn’t burned, it was almost as if the very life of the tree was sucked out, leaving behind a dry husk. When she touched it, it crumbled in her hand. It was as dead as the rest of the island. Maybe it was for the better, she thought. The tree couldn’t feel anything anymore.
“What do you think, Vesper?” she asked the yarrow.
-Don’t like. Wrong,- he whispered.
“I know what you mean. There is something about this place, something familiar.”
Closing her eyes and falling into her Edge, Kile stretched her consciousness into the forest. There was definitely something out there on the edge of her senses. The farther she reached, the more it pulled away from her. It was the same feeling she had on the ship. Something was hiding from her. Opening her eyes, she stared into the darkness.
Were the shadows moving?
“Don’t go too far,” Heaney called from the beach. “We don’t know what’s out there.”
“I don’t suppose anything is out there,” Elmac said. “It doesn’t look as if anyone’s been here for some time.”
“Still, we proceed with caution. We can’t be too careful.”
Kile turned away from the forest and headed back to where the others were. Heaney was running his hands through the sand while Creech stared blankly out into space. Daniel seemed nervous and was walking around in circles while Elmac was mumbling something, his eyes closed.
As for the Alva, they stood off to one side, watching the strange antics of the vir. She had to admit, it did seem odd, but she understood what they were doing.
Heaney was reading the earth. She knew that because she had seen Master Folkstaff do the same thing. She wasn’t sure how good Heaney was, but Folkstaff could tell if something as small as a squirrel passed anywhere within a mile of where he was standing, even if it was a week ago. As for Creech, he was influenced by the sphere of air. She didn’t know what particular skills he had, but she’d worked with a few air Hunters before. Some could see and hear from great distances, so she figured he was simply listening for anything that might make a sound on the island. With Elmac, there was no telling what the mystic was doing, but the colors emanating from his fingers were in shades of green and yellow. It meant he was trying to control both earth and air magic at the same time. Finally, there was Daniel, who was simply walking around in circles.
Heaney got to his feet and slapped the sand from his hands. “Report,” he said, to no one in particular.
“I can’t hear anything out of the ordinary,” Creech said. “Besides us, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else on this island. As for seeing anything, the beach doesn’t give me a good vantage point. We’ll have to seek higher ground.”
“I agree,” Elmac added. “I wasn’t able to detect any forms of life or magic. If the Heart of Nilak is here, it is well hidden.”
“Well, nothing’s crossed this beach or moved in this area for quite some time, if ever.” Heaney said. “It appears we are alone for now. What say ya, Veller?”
“Sorry.” She hadn’t expected to be called on.
“I assume ya did your own reading or scanning or whatever it is ya do.”
“Oh, well… yeah, I guess I did.”
“Well, out with it. What do ya have to report?”
She glanced at Creech and Elmac. She didn’t want to contradict them. They had more experience than she did but she knew what she knew.
“I don’t think we are alone,” she said cautiously as she watched their expressions. “I feel something, although I can quite make contact with it. It seems to pull back when I try.”