Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon

by Gregory Ellis

  Inside the dark jungle and away for beach, the attack came so swiftly, no one had the chance to react. The fiendish sounds of the attackers caught them all off guard. Not a shot was fired! He could hear the screams of the sailors as spears and arrows pierced their bodies.

  One of the warrant officers shouted to John, "Run Sir… get away or them buggers will do for ya!" Then he fell on his face and lay still. A spear in his back.

  John panicked. He turned and ran blindly further into the jungle instead of back toward the shore. All at once, he felt a crushing pain at the top of his head. Then darkness encircled him and he fell to the jungle floor.

  John drifted in and out of consciousness as he was dragged through the jungle by his captors. He thought they must be taking him back to their village. That would be where they would kill or torture him till he begged for death to take him. His vision was hazy but he could just make out their oddly painted faces which loomed in front of him. Finally they stopped and he was dropped to the ground and roughly pulled into a sitting position. His feet were bound with rope and his hands were tied behind him around a thin palm tree. The pain in his head radiated throughout this entire body, he just wanted to sleep.

  Out of nowhere, a man with an intricately painted face and a head-dress of colored feathers stood over him. This man grabbed him by his hair and pulled his head back so John was looking up at his face.

  His accent was so thick, John had a hard time understanding him. This much he heard and understood, "JuJu kill you if you come back to island! You seek him who is lost… No come back… JuJu kill you before dark woman get you… no come back!" He let go of John's hair and stomped off. John thought to himself that if he were to escape from this terrible predicament, he most certainly would not return to this island. It was the last thought that went through his head before he fainted again.

  How long he was tied to that tree, he did not know. As if rising through a thick fog, he slowly opened his eyes and glanced around. At first, he thought he was blind, but then realized it must be sometime in the night. He had no idea what time it was. He thought that he must be at the edge of their village because he could just make out several small grass huts close by and a small fire that cast deep shadows on everything. The natives must be sleeping. All was silent except the noise of the jungle. With effort, he looked up, barely able to see through the trees to see the twinkling of the stars overhead. A gentle breeze caused the branches to move slowly. His shoulders were numb from being bent back around the tree. He tried to move his hands and fingers, but they too were numb from no circulation of blood. Next, he moved his feet. There was pain in his ankles, the rope felt like it was cutting into his flesh.

  He tried to break free but the more he struggled the more it hurt - especially his shoulders. Then he saw something move to his left. He closed his eyes to clear them. When he opened them, he did not see anything. Perhaps they had left someone to guard him. Then he heard a sound directly behind him. Perhaps it was the guard. Perhaps he was here to kill him.

  John was startled by a soft, high-pitched voice that whispered, "Be silent as the grave and 'oie will free ye… then follow me to the sea!"

  As if by magic the ropes fell from his wrists and feet. His wrist, hands arms and shoulders were suddenly alive with the stabbing pain of a thousand cuts. He struggled to stand up but fell back to the ground. He tried again and managed to get to a crawling position. He was able to slowly turn to see who it was that had freed him. Whoever it was had already moved off toward the jungle. He could just barely see him. He could tell he was tall and slim. His face was hidden in the dark shadows of the jungle. The man motioned John to follow him. Without a word, he turned and hurried away. John needed no further invitation. The feeling in his legs and arms was coming back. He carefully stood up and managed to limp as fast as he could in the direction the man had gone.

  John was moving just quickly enough to see the man in front of him as he led him through trees and rotting vegetation on the jungle floor. The smell was unlike anything he had smelled before. No matter how fast John went, the stranger seemed to stay the same distance away. It was as if the man was floating above the ground as he moved ahead.

  Although the strength in his legs and arms was returning, John's energy was gone and knew he could not go much further. He gulped for air and his throat was nearly shut by dryness. He was nearly spent, so he stopped to rest for just a few seconds. He put his hands on his knees and breathed in heavily. He was so thirsty! Just one swallow of water was all he wanted. When John looked up, he panicked. He could not see his rescuer. Where had he gone? He thought he might be lost in the jungle and would never to be found.

  He stood up and charged towards the last position he saw the man go. After a few yards, he burst through an opening in the jungle and fell head-long into what seemed to be a pond. He felt himself being dragged beneath the water by some unseen force. He had to breathe and would soon drown. But now, he was being pushed toward the surface. Still under water, he opened his eyes and looked up at the shimmering surface. He saw light above him and struggled to climb toward it but he was running out of air. He was about to give up when his head broke through the surface and gulped air into his stinging lungs. It was daylight, as bright as noon-day. He looked around and just a few feet away was the shore.

  With what little strength he had, he swam toward the shore. Crawling out of the water he lay on the wet sand breathing hard. When he had enough strength, he managed to roll over and sat up. He looked around. The water he was in was a small lake or pond, not much bigger than a quarter-mile across. With a start, he realized it had been night time when he fell into the water and now it was daylight! He couldn't have been underwater that long. With wobbly legs he took a few steps towards the jungle. That, at least, was still there.

  It was just as he took a step, he heard it. He was not sure what the sound was, but it sounded like a dog barking… several dogs barking. The barking came closer. There was no mistaking it now. It was indeed the sound of barking from many dogs. They were coming his way and fast! Fearfully he looked around for some way to escape. He thought about dashing into the jungle but with his weakened energy, he knew he could not get very far. He had no weapon to defend himself. Panic set in!

  From one side of the lake the dogs spilled out of the jungle and into plain view and ran along the narrow beach toward him. All of the dogs look exactly alike: tall, slender and black all over. He could see each had long, white teeth which showed their anger and determination with each bark. He was about to throw himself back into the water thinking that perhaps they would not follow. He turned back toward the water and took one step.

  Blocking his way to the water a light suddenly appeared. It grew in intensity so that he had to shield his eyes from the brilliance. Then just as suddenly, the light subsided. He lowered his hands, blinked and there she was, standing between him and the water's edge.

  She glowed as if the sun resided within her. She had long flowing blonde or white hair that reached to her waist. Her long flowing dress shimmered as if it were made of silver. The light continued to diminish around her so that he could finally see her other features. She had a kindly, smooth face that was also very bright with contrasting deep blue eyes. As if seeing John for the first time, her dark red lips slowly curved up into a smile. With that smile, John's fear left him.

  Without saying anything she turned toward the running dogs. In her right hand, she held a long staff that was as tall as she was. It appeared as though it was made of crystal because the light from the sun was captured within it. She lifted the staff and pointed it toward the dogs.

  They stopped instantly and not a sound could be heard from them. They turned around and ran back in the direction from which they had come. As they disappeared in the jungle, the woman lowered her staff. She turned again to John and the smile returned.

  In a voice that he could only compare to a soft-wind, she spoke. "The Dogs of War defend this place from all would
-be intruders. But I can tell that you are not the intruder they thought you to be." Each word was spoken slowly, with great care.

  Exhausted, John simply slumped to the ground, his strength was completely gone. She moved towards him and held out her hand for him to take. Her fingers were long with perfectly manicured nails. Several fingers were adorned with rings of various sizes and colors. Hesitantly, John took her offered hand. When his hand touched hers' he instantly felt the tiredness of his body leave. He stood and faced her but was afraid to look directly into her angelic face.

  She spoke again. "It is all right. They are gone and you are safe."

  He swallowed before he could ask, "If I might be permitted to ask, who are you?"

  She gently squeezed his hand. "I am Vivien, The Lady of the Lake."

  John feared to ask more but managed to say, "Where did you come from?"

  The Lady let go of his hand as she answered, "I and others live here on the Isle of Avalon. We have been here for a very long time."

  "I think I have heard of Avalon but can't remember where." Without being able to control himself any longer, he burst out, "My ship came here to get water so we could go back to England and we were attacked. I was captured but someone freed me. I was following him, but lost him in the jungle. I fell into this lake. Now, it is daylight and you saved me from those dogs!"

  The Lady gently laughed, "All too confusing to your young mind, is it not? You will return to your ship and go back to England, you have my promise."

  "But how did I get here?" he stammered.

  Vivien looked over John's head as if seeing something off in the distance. "This small lake is like a doorway… a doorway between your world and this world. When you fell into the water in your world, you were brought here… to this world."

  "This world? I don't understand." John said slowly not understanding her meaning.

  She lifted the staff and pointed with it. "Look!" She commanded. John slowly turned around and looked. Across the lake, far away, John saw a beautiful white castle atop a gentle green hill. The castle seemed to have light coming from within its walls.

  "That is where you live?" He asked.

  "Yes, the Castle of Tauroc. It was once as you see it now, beautiful with white gleaming walls. The castle must appear once a week for twelve hours. Those dogs protect during that time. You came at the wrong time." Her voice was soothing and kind.

  John continued to gaze at the lovely scene. Suddenly, the castle faded from white to darkest gray. The green hills turned brown and all the trees surrounding the castle lost their leaves and only the bare, jagged branches were left.

  He heard the Lady say in a solemn tone, "But that was before the dark times! Before she came and imprisoned us all on her island of Avalon!"

  Mesmerized by the sight, John could not take his eyes off the castle, he asked over his shoulder, "Who came and imprisoned you all?'

  She did not speak. John slowly turned to face her again. "My Lady, who did this?"

  Her gentle voice was back, "It does not matter. You must return now."

  "I don't know how I'll find my way back." He stammered.

  She quickly reached out with her staff and put it squarely in the center of John's chest and shoved. "You will!" She pushed him backwards into the water.

  He fell with a splash when he instantly broke the surface of the water again it was night. He pulled himself out of the water and stood looking around. Everything was as it was before. He stood looking around then he saw the man standing next to a palm tree, slightly inside the jungle. "Come follow me. Back to the sea!"

  The man turned and stepped back into the dense jungle. John needed no urging, he ran quickly after him. As he went, he tried to make some sense of what had happened to him and of the Lady of the Lake. Had it been a dream? Had he fallen and hit his head? As he ran after the strange fellow in the jungle, he decided not to think of it until he was aboard the ship, safe from this island.

  Once again he lost the man he was following. Forcing his fears from his thoughts, he stopped and listened. At first, he could hear nothing, then he caught the faint sound of voices - English voices. He crouched down and squinted to the darkness and through the trees. He took a few more steps toward the voices. He thought he could see something up ahead. Then he saw with some clarity, the dancing reflection of the moon on the sea.

  He almost fell as he charged out of the jungle and onto the beach. In the moon's light he saw a group of sailors standing around a boat at the water's edge. They must be from his ship, he thought. Their guns and swords were at the ready as if expecting an attack. John ran toward them waving his hands but did not yell - afraid the natives might be near. The sailors seemed to be expecting him, for not one asked how he had escaped or where he came from. They got busy launching the longboat into the surf. Someone grabbed him and thrust him up and over into the boat. He landed in a heap in the bottom of the boat but did not mind. He was almost safe now. The men shoved the boat into the water, piled in and each took an oar and began rowing back to the ship and his world.

  As the men rowed, John sat up and turned to a man he recognized. "Ives, who was it that rescued me?"

  Ives shook his head, "Dunno Sir. The Capt'n orders us to come here and to wait for you on the beach. So me and the lads waits… then out you come." John sat silently in the boat and looked back at the dark outline of the beach which was now fading in the distance with every stroke of the oars.

  When they arrived at the ship John climbed up the side and was greeted personally by the Captain. "You are lucky to have escaped, Mr. Henry. The Fourth Lieutenant and his men all made it back to the ship. All your men except two were killed." John could see the hurt in his eyes. The Captain agonized over any loss to his crew.

  John looked down and said, "I'm sorry Sir."

  "Weren't your fault Mr. Henry. God's will."

  Confused - John respectfully asked the Captain, "If you please Sir - how did you know I was going to be on that beach?"

  "I had a dream in which a dark-hooded man came to me and told me where you would be. I could also see you running through the jungle and onto the beach. So that is where I sent the longboat."

  "But Sir, someone untied me and told me to follow him. I lost him in the jungle." He decided not to mention the Lady of the Lake and the Dogs of War. By now his memory was dimming like a vanishing dream when first you wake. "… then I saw our men on the beach." John paused. "The man who rescued me is still on the island Sir."

  The Captain regarded him for a moment. "Whoever rescued you will have to stay on the island I'm afraid. Someone or something is watching over you, Mr. Henry. Remember the Griffin that stopped to look at you when it flew over the ship? There is a little known legend that the Griffin protects the royal line… not that it applies to you, but it would appear that you are favored Mr. Henry." Without another word, Wallingford turned and went below.

  John was left standing in the middle of the deck. It was then the words of the native came back to him, "JuJu kill you if you come back to island! You seek him who is lost… No come back… JuJu kill you before dark women get you… no come back!"

  John turned and slowly walked to the side of the ship and leaned over the rail and peered down into the dark water below and saw something moving next to the hull. Straining to see in the dark he saw another startling sight. Peering up from the water and against the hull of the ship was the face a seal. He closed his eyes and shook his head. When he looked again, he saw nothing. Whatever it was, it was gone now. Another strange sight in this very long day.

  Chapter 3

  Home and Gone Again

  Because they did not obtain water and having lost the men from the watering party, the Weymouth sailed to Port Royal and resupplied there. The voyage home took longer than the captain wanted. That made him a bit less friendly during the crossing.

  January in Jamaica is still quite warm but England at the end of February is quite cold. For six weeks the HMS Weymouth fought w
ind and sea as she sailed home. At last the lookout reported land ahead. The Captain strolled on deck in his heavy seagoing coat wrapped tightly around him. The wind blew fiercely and ice hung off the yardarms encasing the ropes in shining crystal. The land ahead appeared grey and cold, unlike the lush green and blue of the Caribbean.

  It took almost two more days of fighting a perverse wind before they reached their anchor-station in the port. Portsmouth was as busy as any English harbor could be. There were merchant ships of various sizes, huge naval warships and small assorted craft all waiting for their next trip wherever their masters sent them.

  When John came ashore he was met by his mother. What should have been a joyous occasion was cut short when John's mother informed him that his father was missing somewhere in the Caribbean, from where he had just returned. On the carriage ride to the Inn used by officers and well-connected families, John's mother told him what little information she had. She would have gone to find him herself, but she explained that she had been sick for a number of weeks. After hearing her story and the unsaid pleading in her voice, John put his arm around his mother and softly said, "Of course I shall go Mother." She buried her face in your son's shoulder and softly cried.

  So after only five days at home, he found himself in the family coach returning to Portsmouth to catch a fast merchant ship back to Jamaica.

  He sat comfortably and relatively warm in his family's ornate coach as it carried his mother and himself to the docks at Portsmouth. John decided not to tell his mother of the events on the island. No sense in worrying her now. He would go and do what was expected of him. Perhaps he would find his father and return before the Weymouth sailed again.