Island of the Gods

by C. M. Kane

  ‘Sit.’ He motioned to the chair as he handed her a coffee. ‘Eat,’ he said, grabbing a roll and smearing the jam liberally over the top of it.

  Tae put her cup on the table, grabbed a roll and some jam, and then took a mouthful. ‘Oh by the gods, that’s delicious.’ She licked off the excess jam that had spilled onto her fingers and shoved another piece into her already full mouth.

  Brohan smiled. ‘Glad you’re enjoying it. Mrs Manser brought some over the other day. I thought I’d treat you,’ he said.

  ‘Ot’s oin on’ she mumbled around another bite

  Brohan laughed at her garbled attempts at speech. ‘I’m giving you the day off,’ he said.

  Tae swallowed her huge bite and nearly choked, when she’d finally finished coughing she looked up at him, ‘You’re what’

  ‘I’m giving you the day off,’ he repeated. ‘It’s time to review what you’ve learnt and to make sure you’ve got everything you’ll be taking ready for tomorrow. We’ve also got to go over the plan and all the alternate routes you may have to take one more time.’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Any change of mind about nipping into Ballan or Thortown?’

  Tae scowled at him ‘No’ she snapped.

  ‘Alright, that will leave you a little time to yourself, to prepare mentally, or do whatever it is someone your age does.’

  ‘Music’ Tae said coughing a little as she swallowed another mouthful of roll. ‘I listen to old music from the Ancestors’ time. It’s amazing, much better than the stuff they feed us today. I can call some up for you if you want,’ she added eagerly.

  ‘Not just yet.’ Brohan took a bite from his roll and chewed thoughtfully. ‘There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.’

  Oh shit, not another problem. She thought, looking at Brohans serious demeanour, the last of her roll sitting in her hand forgotten, dripping strawberry jam slowly down her fingers.

  ‘Don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong,’ he said, guessing at the train of thought her mind was taking.

  Sighing in relief she took a couple of mouthfuls of coffee, before sending a sly look his way. ‘You know, I really must tell Valaria to try this jam you’ve been given. I’m sure she’d enjoy it.’

  Brohan scowled at her. ‘Not if you ever want to try it again you won’t. I don’t think Valaria would take too kindly to my being given gifts of free food by another woman, do you?’

  ‘No.’ she laughed. ‘I really don’t think she would at that. So what do you want to talk to me about anyway?’

  Brohan sighed. ‘Straight to the point, as always.’

  ‘Hey.’ She looked at the old com-watch he had given her then grinned at him. ‘Don’t forget I’m on the clock here.’

  ‘I wanted …’ He hesitated, searching for the right words. ‘No, I need you to know that teaching you, and getting to know you, has been the single greatest honour of my life. No matter what happens, I could not be more proud of you.’

  Tae stopped chewing and stared at Brohan as he continued talking.

  ‘Some people who call themselves warriors only ever pick the weak or defenceless to attack. Or a battle that they are sure they will win, or where the chances of defeat are slim. That is simply self deluded cowardice. You though, you charge headlong into the most impossible situations with only your mind, your determination, and your courage as your shield, despite your own fear. That’s true courage, Tae. That’s the true spirit of a warrior, and I honour you for it.’ He bowed his head to her, then leant over and grabbed a black leather sheath. He stood up and presented it to her. ‘I ask that you do me the honour of carrying this with you onto the Island tomorrow. It has saved my life on more than one occasion, and I hope it will do the same for you.’

  Tae closed her mouth and swallowed the lump of bread, she felt totally stunned. After hastily wiping her hands on her pants she took the proffered weapon and unsheathed it, gazing at it in awe as she slowly turned it toward the light. It was a thing of lethal beauty. The wickedly sharp double-edged blade was serrated down one side and glinted as it caught the rays from the early morning sunlight. The onyx handle was polished until it shone, and despite the twelve inch blade it felt perfectly balanced in her hand, as if it were made for her.

  She looked from the knife in her hand to the face of the proud old warrior standing in front of her, and promptly burst into tears.

  Brohan frowned. ‘If you don’t want …’

  Tae threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and giving him a ferocious hug, while still bawling her eyes out.

  ‘I gather this means you like it then?’ He smiled, patting her hair awkwardly.

  Tae let him go still sniffling. Bloody crying again, she thought, bringing herself back under control. She re-sheathed the blade and tucked it into the waistband of her fawn pants. ‘Why couldn’t you have been my dad?’ She sniffed again, rubbing her eyes fiercely with her hands, and then wiping her nose on her t-shirt. ‘You’re seriously the best person I’ve ever met, and if I’m even close to being any of the stuff you say I am, it’s because of the lessons that you taught me. Thank you, Brohan. Thank you for being my teacher, but most of all, thanks for being my friend. You know I’m going to bring this back to you if I can, don’t you?’ She said, patting the knife resting against her midriff.

  ‘You keep it.’ He smiled. ‘You’ve earned it.’

  ‘No.’ said Tae, her mouth setting into a mulish line. ‘I’ll give it back to you.’ She hesitated a moment, then looked at him with renewed determination. ‘I’ll give it back after I’ve freed Loki.’

  ‘After, then,’ he agreed.

  She sat back down, grabbed another roll and after smearing it with jam cast him a watery smile. ‘You know, I really don’t think Valaria needs to know about the jam after all.’

  Brohan laughed. ‘Alright young lady, let’s go over everything once more.’ After Brohan was finally satisfied she had the plan memorised, he went inside and brought out a plate of mixed vegetables and her favourite, creamy dipping sauce to eat for lunch.

  As she was grabbing a large piece of carrot she asked absently, ‘You know, I always wondered how they fit so many people onto the Island before the Gods’ War. I read it was heavily populated before the fighting,’ she said.

  ‘Wasn’t always that small,’ Brohan said. ‘I don’t know the exact size of the landmass before the Gods’ War, but I think it’s about a third of the size it once was.’ He pointed to some small specks on the map. ‘I’m pretty sure this small island chain here used to be a part of the main island,’ he said.

  Tae leant forward, looking at the small chain of five islands he was pointing to. Her eyebrows raised in surprise. ‘What happened?’

  ‘The details are pretty sketchy because they are word-of-mouth only, and there’s nothing in the history books. I only know because I was stationed at the Island’s headquarters for a couple of months. I hunted and helped work out the best placement for their defence grid in the main compound. In my free time I used to go into the local town for a few drinks with the other officers, that’s where I got to talking to an old Maori one night and he told me their story.’

  ‘Maori?’ Tae asked. ‘What’s that?’

  Brohan looked over at her. ‘It’s what the local inhabitants call themselves. Very nice people actually, you’d like them, they’re a lot like you.’

  Tae grinned at him. ‘Sol; they’re good looking, resourceful and highly intelligent then.’

  Brohan’s eyes crinkled in mirth. ‘Anyway, back to the question at hand. After they blew out the volcano and Loki was lost, a ship from the gods appeared over an island in the middle of one of their bays. The island was the tip of a gigantic, highly active, undersea volcano. They fired something into it then left. A short time later the volcano exploded with horrendous force. It ripped the island apart and caused massive earthquakes, and equally massive tsunamis that rocked the region for years after. It showered everything with ash, nearly every living thing on the North
and South Islands was wiped out. Fortunately, small pockets of people and animals survived on the South Island, which was changed forever from how it once was too. The remaining volcanoes in the north erupted sporadically over the next two hundred and thirty odd years before they settled again. Over the next six hundred and fifty years of dormancy, life returned. Seeds sprang to life and thrived in the rich soil, especially when the birds returned bringing more varied seeds with them. With no humans there to interfere it flourished, but the landscape is not what it once was. It is far more mountainous, and there’s the ever-present smell of sulphur to remind you of exactly where you are. There are a few streams and a major river interspersed through the forests before you get to what we call the dead flats. They start about thirty odd kilometres before you reach the Pyre which is what we call Loki’s burial site. The land is barren there, almost totally devoid of life, although I did see some seagulls flying around there, probably because it’s so close to the coast now.’

  Tae gasped. ‘You’ve seen it?’

  Brohan nodded. ‘From a ship as we flew over on our way to the South Island. It’s quite a sight. You will be coming to the mountain from the south-west, so on your approach you won’t see it at first, but when you cut around to the west you’ll see over three quarters of the mountainside is now gone. The ground continues to slope down from the mountain base another three kilometres or so into a valley which continues until it reaches the ocean, about forty-five kilometres further on. Starting from just beneath the base of the mountain and extending nearly to the valley floor you will see a massive mound. That’s what everyone calls the Pyre, and is where they said the remains of Loki’s ship remain. The mountain itself has been quiet for at least a couple of decades, but still no-one is allowed to land there. As it was we only had a glimpse of it from a distance. The hardest part of your journey will be the mountainous forest terrain before the flats. Once you reach the flats you will be totally exposed, you’ll have no water or food from then on, aside from what you carry in.’

  ‘Sounds like the perfect spot for a little vacay.’ Tae laughed. ‘Glad I chose it. I think I’ll be looking for a little peace and quiet around that time, and what screams holiday better than a semi-active volcano and no food or water for a little R and R? And, who knows, with any luck I might finally to be able to shift these last few stubborn pounds.’ She grinned and patted her stomach.

  Brohan absently grabbed the last carrot stick as he laughed along with her. ‘So, it’s about one thirty now.’ He glanced at his com-watch. ‘What are you going to do with yourself this afternoon if you’re still against that trip to Ballan?’

  ‘Well,’ she said, licking away of the last bits of cheese sauce from her fingers. ‘I owe a certain priest a visit, so I’m going to the town’s temple. After I’ve finished I’ll go back to Valaria’s to soak in some water. Apparently she’s got a large tank or something attached to the back of the house that was supposed to be for their non-existent garden. She’s funnelled the water from it into an old pond that Margarete made Mr Willard clean out. I don’t know what went on there, but she said he owed her for getting him out of a spot of bother a few years back. Anyway, I’m to have a chem shower to get clean first, then go soak in the water until I’m the consistency of a stewed prune according to Valaria. My clothes were cleaned earlier this week, and Valaria’s also sewn the plastic in for me. Now I’ve got your knife,’ she patted the sheath happily, ‘I’m pretty much all set.’

  ‘Excellent. I will meet you and Valaria at eleven fifteen. Don’t forget to eat as much as you can stuff into yourself before you leave. And bring water with you to the meeting so you will have a bottle to drink. Before you are dropped off on the Island, I want you fully hydrated and stuffed with food, then you can save the water and protein bars they give you. Tae,’ he hesitated slightly, ‘if another Island entrant should come across you after the initial six hours, you must not hesitate. Kill them.’

  Tae looked at Brohan with a frown.

  ‘You must remember that they are as good as dead anyway, and they stand between you and your destination. More importantly, any one of them will kill you without a moment’s hesitation. I am hoping you won’t have to do this, because killing someone is not an easy thing to live with, but you must not hesitate. Do you understand?’ Brohan said.

  Tae nodded. ‘I’ll do what I have to, Brohan. I promise you. There is too much riding on this not to.’

  He smiled. ‘Good girl.’

  Tae got to her feet. ‘Time to visit the gods,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow at the Acceptance Ceremony’

  Brohan nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Tae smiled and trotted across the training field, jumped the small fence, and jogged away. Brohan watched her until she was out of site, a tear leaked from the corner of his eye and ran down his face, he wasn’t even aware of it.

  CHAPTER 15

  Tae jogged through the centre of town ignoring the stares she was receiving from those who were out shopping. It wasn’t long before she arrived at the Jaxburg Temple of the Gods. The temple itself was the same basic design as any other, the design and contents of a temple were mandatory regardless of a town’s size. It was a large oblong building with a plain portico at the front entrance, shuttered windows ran down its sides every two metres. From the outside it was unremarkable dull brown sandstone. As Tae climbed the three front steps and entered the cool interior of the temple she thought the plain design on the outside was probably done deliberately, so that people would gasp in wonder when they entered the home of the gods.

  The inner floor was made of highly polished marble in different colours, laid out in an intricate design showing the gods lounging about a sparkling stream. Fish leapt merrily while horses and deer drank calmly from its waters. Numerous disciples of every race were serving the smiling gods fruit and wine, their faces pictures of adoration.

  Along each wall, and at the back, statues of the gods were stationed, each in its own private alcove. This way a person could worship whoever they wished. The very first alcove was reserved for a faceless statue, like the one at her school. It was meant to represent all the lesser gods, those gods whose statues were not represented in the temple, but who still might have worshippers in need of guidance or prayer.

  Tae walked directly to the front where she saw a familiar looking priest. He was kneeling at the feet of a statue of Zeus. The statue had its arms slightly out and raised, palms turned up, its head cocked slightly to the side as if Zeus were personally listening to, and encouraging requests. The priest finished his prayer just as Tae reached him. He turned, his face breaking into a smile as soon as he saw who was there.

  ‘Ah, dear girl, I am so pleased you have come. Which of the gods will you be praying to today may I ask?’

  Tae smiled back at him. ‘Just the one your Eminence, I figure I’ll just go straight to the top and start with the big guy here.’ She gestured toward the beckoning statue in front of her.

  ‘Well, not that I would ever call the mighty and all-powerful Zeus the big guy, as you put it, but I can see your reasoning. I’ll leave you in peace and I pray he listens. You’re a good girl, despite what that odious Thalien maintains,’ he said, anger growing in his voice. ‘To try to stop one’s communion with the gods,’ he muttered. ‘Disgraceful. I am sure Zeus will hear and consider your request child.’ He gave her a strange, considering look. ‘I will see you tomorrow for the Acceptance Ceremony.’

  ‘Thank you, your Eminence, I really hope he does too.’ She replied as she knelt on the small red cushion he’d recently vacated.

  He patted Tae’s head lightly. ‘May the eternal love and benevolence of the gods be with you child.’ He cast her yet another of the strange considering looks before turning and walking away quickly.

  Garth had been a fully-fledged priest of Zeus for the last thirty-five years of his life. He had served the needs of this small town for the last fourteen months, after finally earning the right to lead a temple. He to
ok his job very seriously. He had never used what the priests called the Gods’ Communion button that all head priests were given. It had been entrusted to him by the former head priest when he’d first arrived, and he’d been told that in all its long life, it had only ever been used once.

  The button, when turned on, would signal the god to whom the head priest asked for. The prayer from the supplicant that the head priest considered worthy would then be sent directly to the God to whom they were praying, or that was how Garth was told it worked. The God would then know the supplicants cause was just or noble in the mind of their most trusted priest, and would there-for listen. It was only ever to be used sparingly, or the priest himself would be removed from his station and punished severely.

  Garth was still outraged at the rudeness and lack of respect to the gods the thalien had shown. He believed fervently that it was not only everyone’s right to consult the gods in matters of dire importance, but also that making peace with the gods and confessing all sins before death was a duty that should never be interfered with, especially by creatures who Garth personally saw as heathens. Why, to keep someone from such a sacred duty was, to him, unconscionable.

  He looked at the small red button encased under its intricately carved golden filigree cover. Withdrawing a small key on a long golden chain from around his neck, he unlocked it. Taking a deep breath he reached down and pressed it. ‘Please hear this one my Lord Zeus. She is not long for this world and needs your wisdom and guidance.’ Satisfied, he nodded to himself, closed the golden case, and after relocking it carefully, walked away.

  Tae stared at the statue for what felt like an age before she finally spoke. She had no idea that a transmitter had just turned on, and was now forwarding everything she said and did to an Orion class battle cruiser in another section of the galaxy. ‘Well, Zeus, I know you’ll never hear this anyway so at least I can be honest. Right now I feel the need to get a few things off my chest, even if it is to a stupid statue. The truth is, I can’t really say I like you that much, or any of your family, come to think of it. I don’t like how you all have so much control over my life, or how you have butted into it and made me have to do things I never wanted to do. I admit you’ve probably brought a lot of good to this world, saved it, if the history books are accurate, but we both know history is written by the winners.’ She shook her head as a faint sneer curved her lips. ‘Actually I don’t know how real any of it is and how much is pure exaggeration done to suit your own vanity, not to mention the tactical need to look benevolent and all-powerful in our eyes.’