by Adrian Juhl
Chapter Five
After two days of traveling, a thick wall of fog came into view. The men froze on seeing the wall, which towered hundreds of feet above the Oleander. They shuffled about, trying to hide their nerves. Reesus grimaced at the sight. The vessel picked up speed as the wind urged the boat along its heading.
“Easy does it, Reesus. The ship has its limits,” Garos commanded, as the ship’s bow plunged through the water.
“It’s not me, Captain.” Reesus held his hands up to show he wasn’t using his magic. “The wind seems to have a mind of its own today. Should I calm it, in case we change heading?”
“Let it blow!” the prince shouted, full of excitement. “They embrace long awaited company this day. Reesus, prepare that magnificent magic of yours to clear our path!”
Jack looked at Kayne. “Are you sure you want to do this? Once we enter, there’s no turning back. Should Reesus’ magic wane, the chances of finding our way out are slim.”
“Then we’ll have to keep a steady course, just like the map says,” Kayne replied without a second thought. He turned to the Captain and ordered, “Take us in, Garos, and keep the sun at our bow!”
Impressed, Garos nodded to Reesus. The wind blew harder as the ship drew closer to the mist's edge. In response to the Elemental’s will, the wall parted to allow the ship through, and then closed around it, enveloping the ship completely. Reesus’ eyes glowed more intensely, willing the mists to yield to him. Without warning, the mist subsided, dissipating into a fine vapor to reveal a small island in the distance. The ship groaned at the driving wind, seeming to complain to its Captain, but still it moved forward.
Kayne peered through his spyglass. A flat sandy beach glistened in the sunlight, surrounded by clear green water. Stone structures and outcrops dotted the island, interspersed among the trees. Kayne handed the spyglass to the Captain. Garos lifted his hand and refused it, replying, “No need, Sire. I have my own.”
His eyes changed shape, becoming those of a bird of prey. He glanced across the island, and then scanned the water for signs of shallows and coral, which could pose a danger to the ship. “I would suggest we keep our current course. There’s a straight channel leading to the shore. It’s odd.” Garos frowned, the concern clear on his face. “It looks manmade.”
Jack took the spyglass from Kayne, and struggled to identify what Garos was talking about. “How can that be? No one enters these waters.”
“Sire. To the left. Beneath the waves.” Garos pointed.
Kayne raised his hand, signaling the boat to stop. “Drop anchor!”
The men moved to the bow and heaved the anchor overboard. Chain rattled against the surface of the deck. Kayne leant over the rail to watch the anchor sink through the crystal clear water of the channel. The ship heaved against the anchor, drawing the rope taut. Reesus looked at the calm water nervously, until Kayne’s voice interrupted his reverie.
“Reesus. Can you take us down there?”
He composed himself, trying to restrain his fear. “Yes. Yes I can, Your Highness.”
“Good! We leave now,” Kayne ordered. He turned to Garos. “We’ll be back in a few minutes. Make sure the men are prepared for departure as soon as we return.”
“Yes, Sire,” Garos replied.
“I’ve found it easier just to listen when he gets like this,” Jack whispered to Reesus.
Reesus nodded. Air swirled around them, lifting them off the deck. Kayne couldn’t figure out if it was the water or the air that yielded itself to the Elemental’s will. They descended beneath the surface inside the air bubble, down to the devastation on the sea floor.
Curious, Jack pressed against the side of the bubble, much to Kayne’s alarm. Ripples formed at his touch. He grinned at Reesus and then turned to Kayne. “It’s definitely Methuselan.”
Kayne exclaimed, “I know that ship. It’s the Constellar—one of the Regent’s warships. I visited it with mother.”
Jack motioned to Reesus. “Take us in closer.”
Reesus lifted his arm and held it front of him. The air bubble expanded to encompass the shipwreck. The impressive ship rested on the clean, white sand. Its deck lay stark in the crystal water, revealing large bite marks on its surface. Broken planks lay on the seabed.
“Either it was a surprise attack, or they knew their attacker,” said Kayne.
Jack looked at Kayne with interest. “Oh? How so?”
“They were at anchor. The sails have been torn from the masts, and the cannons never made it to firing positions.”
Reesus interrupted, “We need to go. I can’t hold this bubble much longer.”
Kayne nodded, and the men began their ascent. Reesus looked back down at the ship. The bubble around the men rippled violently as Reesus’ heart skipped a beat. He froze in terror at the sight of a black sea snake coiled around the mast.
Kayne grabbed Reesus by the shoulder. “Are you okay? It’s just a sea snake.”
The men rose into the air and landed softly on the deck.
Reesus looked at Kayne. “I’m sure it’s something simple. Perhaps they were blown into the channel by a storm or something. We’ll notify the Regent and the king upon our return and see to the men’s families.”
Kayne lifted his hand against the glare of the sun. “Well, the evidence speaks otherwise. Jack, prepare a small party. We leave as soon as we land. I’m not about to hang around waiting for answers.”
“Lower the sails! Oars at the ready! Let’s beach this boat!” Garos shouted.
As the ship came to rest on the shore of the island, the men lifted the gangplank into position and prepared to disembark.
The sound of a slamming door caught Kayne’s attention. Kayne looked around, and noticed the men gathered, waiting at the plank. Eager to go ashore, and a little frustrated that all members of the party weren’t there, he went below to find Jack. Peering through Jack’s door, he observed his mentor kneeling beside a sturdy iron chest. A large eagle formed the centerpiece of the chest top. Its talons curled over to hold the front of the chest, locking the lid. Kayne pushed the door open, startling Jack.
“Sir, what are you doing?”
“Don’t you know how to knock, boy? I was preparing myself for battle. And you should be too!”
“This is hardly the time for meditation. We’re on a mysterious island in the middle of forbidden seas. It’s adventure time!”
Jack pushed past the young prince and grumbled, “That’s no excuse. Proper prior planning, boy.”
“Yes, yes. I know,” Kayne replied. “Now, how about we go on an adventure?”
