by Al K. Line
Vorce let the memories fade. He was a different man then, so very different to who he was now. Life was pretty good, and it was just about to get a little interesting. To be honest, it had been a quiet century, and he smiled as he heard his wives coming up the last flight of stairs, keen to witness the arrival of a guest. Many of them had been alive for little more than the blink of an eye, so were chatting excitedly, hushed by his older wives, told to stay quiet and not cause a scene.
Vorce smiled.
Let them enjoy their youth, squeal and be excited, say the wrong thing and act like the children they were. Life only happened once and was for enjoying.
As long as you did as you were told, of course.
Wasn't Expecting that
Arcene stepped off the platform, unable to take her eyes off the incredible structure she stood on. "What do you think, Leel? Pretty impressive, right?"
Woof.
A hundred people, maybe more, stared at them. A girl could get a complex if she cared at all about such things. Arcene wasn't keen on large groups of people, but in her current condition she was so weak, and felt so empty, she really didn't care.
Arcene held onto the woman's hand. Talia, that was her name, right? She allowed herself to be helped step off the platform onto the meters wide wall circling the island. What a place! Talk about unusual. Arcene's home was degrees more bizarre than this, but still, it was impressive beyond anything she'd seen in her recent adventures. And out to sea, too. Cool.
People were dotted about the open space where she set foot on welcome land after so long at sea, and her body took a while to adjust. It felt like she was still moving, as if the people were bobbing about, but her brain, with a little help from low energy reserves boosted via The Noise, soon centered her. She relaxed as the feel of solid ground beneath her feet filtered into her mind.
Everyone was curious, that much was clear, but it went beyond that — they were almost in awe. There were little children running around naked, playing games and screaming as loud as the gulls that circled above. There were teenagers, adults, old people, all wearing little in the way of clothes, just covering up as best they could with their clearly improvised clothing.
Over to her left, up a slight rise of land and then a vast series of wide steps, were a group that acted differently to the others. Serious, and better dressed. In charge. They stood at a dark entrance to a two-story stone building, ornately carved with bizarre, abstract shapes and forms that morphed between plant and animal the more you looked at them.
The squat structure had a domed top with a long, slender rod pointing to the sky. Maybe a lightning conductor? She took in the other buildings dotted around the island, many right up on the edge but plenty within the landscape. Some whole, some in ruins. All beautiful.
The entire space was like a natural parkland with only slight human intervention, although the closer you looked the more you realized it probably took an awful lot of work to make it appear so natural. There were rises and dips, large open fields and tiny forests, lakes and dashes of color, everything having a rugged, hardy appearance — built to withstand harsh winters and the salt air that would make short work of many plants and environments.
"Ugh, oops." Arcene staggered and nearly fell. She was weaker than she'd thought.
"Are you okay?" asked Talia.
"Food. We need food and... water. Please." Arcene's voice sounded weird to her, like she had a mouthful of gravel. Her throat hurt, more than she thought possible. But they were saved, and what a place to find!
"Oh, sorry, how rude of me. Come, we must meet Vorce, he is our Leader."
Talia handed Arcene a bottle. "Thank you." She drank gratefully, but it wouldn't go down and she coughed and spluttered, spraying water everywhere.
"Take it easy, take it easy. Just have a sip. Your throat is constricted. How long were you in the blue?"
"The blue? Oh, the water? Um, a day? Two?" Arcene sipped the water, and this time it trickled down her throat. Her stomach felt hollow, like the water just dropped and went ping as it hit the bottom. She poured a little into her hand and Leel lapped at it greedily. Again, and again, until Leel coughed too. "Slow down, Leel, we have to just sip it." How did that work for dogs though? They couldn't sip, could they? "Eh, what?" Talia had said something.
"I said, let's not keep Vorce waiting. He will want to speak to you. We should hurry."
"Um, okay." Arcene focused on the man at the center of the crowd on the steps. There were a lot of women, and girls. And a lot of men with funny looking expressions, like they were trying to act all wise and grave. To Arcene they looked comical, playing at being significant. But not the man, Vorce. He looked important, definitely in charge by his manner and how others kept glancing at him to see how he acted.
For a moment, Arcene was lost in thoughts of the similarities between where she found herself and the place she had not long left. Here was another cut off and remote group of people, although it was the same wherever you went because of the lack of means of transport. But this would be a closeted world, one she knew would have all manner of secrets and strange rituals.
Hopefully nothing like her recent experiences, but she couldn't help but imagine dark and dastardly deeds. People became strange when they were isolated. People were strange anyway, she supposed, but when there was absolutely no outside influence, well, it got downright weird.
How long had they been here, alone? Probably from the beginning of The Lethargy, if she had to guess. Most would be born here. But these Elders, this Vorce, she could tell just by looking at them how old they were, the kind of people they were, their inflated opinions of themselves.
Vorce was different, that was clear with a glance, and although he certainly felt himself a leader, and important, he had none of the ego that often came with such a role and the control wielded over others. No, there was something else about him. He was grounded. This girl, Talia, she seemed nice, so things were looking up.
I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Arcene dragged her legs up the steps after passing the curious islanders. How obvious, make the subjects feel small as they approached the powerful people above. Well, it didn't work on Arcene. Nobody was better than her, nobody. She would not act like a subservient subject, not for anything, or to anyone.
"Hello. Thanks for letting us visit. I'm Arcene, this is Leel." Arcene patted Leel on her head gently.
Woof.
"You are most welcome, Arcene and Leel. I am Vorce. Welcome to The Island."
"Thanks. Nice place." Arcene turned and admired the home of the people, and had to admit that they all appeared happy, and well fed, if a little oddly dressed. Oh, and there were the markings, of course. Would it be rude to ask? "What's with the, you know?" Arcene made a spiral motion around her face. That was all right, wasn't it? Nothing wrong with asking.
"Haha, you're not afraid to ask what's on your mind, are you?" Vorce stepped forward from the excited group. Silence hit like the eye of the storm she'd been lucky to escape from with her life.
Arcene shrugged. "Sorry, was that rude? I've been told before I'm a little blunt. I didn't mean to pry. I apologize."
"No, it's fine. But please, we can talk later, you must be thirsty and hungry, your voice sounds very odd. Here, eat, please."
Arcene turned at Vorce's gesture. Her eyes went wide at the sight of food, glorious food. "Leel! You wait, that's rude." It was too late. As soon as Leel saw what was coming she was on the poor girl with the tray before she even offered it. "Down. Bad dog." Arcene dashed over to Leel, and the terrified girl who was trying to move away from what must be to her a creature of astonishing size, huge eyes gleaming and teeth bared in a mouth that could take her entire head off with one bite.
Leel backed the petrified girl up against a carving while the onlookers stepped away in fright. Trying to be good, Leel sat and lifted a paw, head cocked to the side.
"Sorry, sorry. Leel, you'll scare her, be nice. Are you okay? Sorry
, she's just very hungry. So am I." Arcene eyed the meat on the plate, a mixture of dried squid, something cured, and what looked suspiciously like mouse. Bet they bred like crazy here and then everyone realized that wasn't such a bad thing. Lots of people eked out a subsistence on meat Arcene knew those from long ago found unsavory, but when you were hungry you took what you could get and were grateful for it.
"Will she bite me? She looks dangerous," said the girl, the platter shaking, the food threatening to fall.
"Oh, no. Well, only if she's angry, or I tell her to."
"Please, if you—" Arcene turned and pulled her sword from its scabbard on instinct. She faced a man with a long beard and terrified eyes. He stepped back, the pit of Arcene's sword a hairs' breadth from his neck.
"You don't touch me like that. I don't know you."
There was a gasp from the women that surrounded Vorce, a shriek from out in the crowd that seemed to have doubled in size while Leel was naughty, and Arcene realized she may have overreacted a little. It was instinct, she couldn't help it.
Nobody touched her, not unless they were friends, or family. Arcene's experience with the man that had taken her against her will, almost succeeded in stealing the baby he fathered, and what she did as a result, had left her damaged. She knew it, but it didn't alter the fact that no man would lay a finger on her unless invited, and the chances of that happening were not high.
"I... I'm..." The man looked like he was about to apologize, then puffed out his chest and comically tried to intimidate Arcene.
It may work on others but to her he looked like a fool, a bad actor in a role he was ill-equipped to carry out. "Do you know who you are threatening? How dare you!"
"Haha, I don't care who you are, you have no right to touch me. Try it again, go on, I dare you."
"Please, forgive Elder Boehn. Our customs are somewhat different to yours, that much is obvious." Vorce nodded to Arcene and she lowered the sword, retired it to the scabbard. "There. I'm sure we will all be friends soon enough, but for now, please eat. Leel too. Come, let us move somewhere more amenable to conversation, and you can eat and tell me all about what brought you to us. Talia, you will accompany us?"
It didn't sound like a question to Arcene. As she turned, she realized Talia was closer than she'd thought, and by the looks of it ready to defend the man, Boehn. Arcene looked at her properly for a moment, seeing the woman's true age and nature, and relaxed. Talia nodded in surprise at what was clearly an unusual invitation, and then took the tray off the girl who sighed with relief as her role was done.
"This way, please." Vorce led them down the steps under the intense scrutiny of hundreds of people. They walked across a beautiful garden containing a pleasant mix of hardy grasses and succulent plants that could cope with the weather. Vorce led them past the staring people who watched in amazement and envy as Arcene was given such an honor. There was also jealousy, she noted — Talia was stepping up a few rungs in whatever hierarchy there was on The Island. Arcene made a mental note to capitalize Island. To them it wasn't just any old island, it was The Island — all they had ever known.
Soon they were deep into the garden, hidden by dense foliage climbing up metal trellis — small outdoor rooms for privacy. This was a communal space, as it appeared most of the landscape was. They arrived at a lovely seating area with a simple table and chairs. Talia put the food down, complete with metal jug and a stack of matching cups, and unloaded the platter.
"Thank you, Talia. Now, Arcene, please help yourself."
"Thanks. I can't tell you how hungry I am. Leel too?"
"Give her what you want."
Arcene gave a large dried squid to Leel, who swallowed it whole and stared with pleading eyes at Arcene. "Let me have some too. Greedy dog."
"Talia, I think we will need more food. If you would be so kind?"
"Of course, of course." Talia stood and rushed off.
Vorce studied Arcene in silence for a while as she ate. Time felt disjointed, the quiet different to how it was on the sea. This was nice, nothing to be afraid of.
"Now, how did you happen to come to The Island?" Vorce leaned forward, elbows resting casually on the table.
"Well, we got in a boat, and were actually going somewhere else, just a few minutes away from land, and, well, the stupid currents wouldn't let us, and it brought us here."
"Ah, yes, it brings us lots of things, but not people very often. In fact..." Vorce turned. "Oh, hello, Talia. Thank you."
"My pleasure." Talia put the huge pile of food onto the table and sat.
"As I was saying," continued Vorce, "the current brings lots of things, but seldom people. Where are you from? And I see you are Awoken?"
"And I see you are too. Both of you." Arcene tried not to be rude and speak with her mouth full, so decided to just take small bites while they talked. She got the feeling that if she rushed it would go badly anyway — her stomach wasn't used to being without food.
"Haha, yes, I am. I am the founder of The Island. We have been here since the beginning, since The Lethargy. Before. But you have no knowledge of that time. You are a child, a mere babe in arms."
Is he insulting me? I think he is.
"Sorry, I didn't intend to be rude, just stating the facts. You are young."
"I may be young, but I am no child. Just because you are old doesn't make you wise. Sometimes the wisest of all are those that see the world with uncorrupted eyes. Being a child is no bad thing." Arcene pictured her son, innocent and always full of wonder at the most mundane of objects. That was the essence of being: to marvel at everything, delight in the breeze as it caressed your cheek on a summer's day.
"You are right, and we value children here above all else. I apologize, I am jaded after living so long."
"No problem, and thank you for letting us in. Um, it's on, I suppose. Some people aren't as friendly."
The conversation continued, Arcene happy to recount her recent adventures. They seemed like nice people, and there was no weirdness beyond the strange markings on their faces and the strong accents that made it hard to understand every word.
Vorce was old. He talked of the time long ago, told her a story of how he came to construct The Island. Talia listened politely, but it was obvious it was a tale she, and probably everyone else, knew as a part of their history from an early age.
Vorce told of The Island and its long history, of its traditions, and allowed Talia to talk of herself a little, although she seemed a little too in awe of Vorce for Arcene's taste and was more interested in hearing of Arcene's adventures and life. It was to be expected. She had never known anyone that wasn't from her home, so stories of blue castles and what had happened there were of great interest.
Both listened, rapt, as Arcene told of her home, The Commorancy. A fabled place to Talia, although Vorce knew more about it than he let on, Arcene was sure of that.
Food kept arriving and Arcene and Leel slowly got into their stride, never tiring of eating. Arcene talked and talked, happy to have a proper conversation with people that had no ulterior motive beyond wanting information about a world they had never seen. When Arcene broached the subject of why they lived on The Island, and why they never left, Vorce became strangely silent.
Talia told of the currents, and the impossibility of living anywhere else; Vorce seemed to merely observe and take mental notes. There was something not right, but there were no threats. These were not bad or stupid people, just a little different. Nothing unusual about that at all.
Conversation continued. Food remained on the table, everyone full, including Leel, who had fallen asleep with her head on Arcene's boot. Arcene felt her own eyelids grow heavy, the food sending her into a stupor, the pleasure of sitting in a chair on solid ground allowing her to relax. There was nothing to fear here. This was a nice place. All she would have to do was find a way to get home.
She wasn't worried. There was always a way, there had to be. She didn't fancy spending eternity in the middle of t
he sea.
Arcene nodded off.
The Backup Plan
Vorce was no fool. Once The Island was constructed, his plan for the future set firmly in place, he knew it would be hard to adjust to such a different way of life. But the years went by quickly as there was so much to do, so much to organize, so many plans to be made.
There were endless discussions with the others, who they named Elders. Although talks had already gone on for months between them all on the mainland, certain things cropped up and they did their very best to get everything as perfect as possible.
This was no random act done on a whim, this was to be their future and it was imperative they were all well-suited to both the life they envisioned, and to each other. It wouldn't do to have arguments, or disagree about the fundamentals of such an alien existence.
Even so, there were many things to finalize, and not only did the Elders have to adjust to their new roles, and act accordingly, but the people that were to make up the bulk of the Island's occupants needed a lot of attention and careful steering in the right direction to adjust to their new lives too. It took generations, and even the occasional "accident," before things truly settled into a happy equilibrium where everyone knew their place and society became content with how things functioned.
This was no democracy. Vorce had final say on all matters. Nobody ever questioned him — they did so at their peril, for he was powerful enough to cut off even Awoken with a thought. The population flourished as the children were born. Whole children, and most Awoke.
The Lethargy was almost a thing of the past, although it could never quite be eliminated. But there was food, if a little on the boring side after over a century, and the cattle and other animals Vorce had thought to breed to feed the people lived only a few generations before becoming unviable. Fish, wild birds, and the lucky inclusion of mice that were now specially bred to be fat and tender became the staple. That and the ever-present seaweed, of course.
He was happy, almost content with how his plan had come to fruition. An isolated society that flourished and became something different to how things were in the past: fulfilled, content, in agreement, with no uprisings or bitterness. Everyone had a varied life, progressing in importance as they aged, and switching jobs at set intervals so there were always new challenges and something to keep you interested.
