James, Kilani, Luno, William, and Roger sailed to the Severed Heart without incident. They anchored in the northern cove, which faced the same direction as North Harbor and was similar geographically, with beach on the southern portion and cliffs to the west. A thin row of trees ran along the narrow strip of land separating the northern and southern beaches. The row to shore was fast and effortless with James’s newfound skills. Not having to worry about finding a water source, (again thanks to James’s newfound abilities) they made camp on the beach.
When they made landfall, Luno immediately began putting his crew to work. After camp was set up to his specifications, which included moving the shelter three times, he decided to break the group into search parties. This time, he kept a man behind to look over camp and the Queen Mary.
Kilani and Roger would follow the northern coast while James and Luno would follow the southern. When they reached the western shore, they would turn and head back toward camp, following the same line only slightly to the north or south depending upon their respective groups. Kilani and Roger were off at a maddening pace long before Luno had finished relaying instructions to William on what he should do in the event something were to happen while they were away.
“If you are attacked, be it man or beast or other force we’ve yet to encounter,” Luno said, turning William’s calm expression fearful, “you should first attempt to defend the camp. Always leave an escape route. If your defense fails, retreat to the boat. Do not under any circumstances raise anchor, do you understand?”
“Oui, Capitan,” said William looking not in the least bit pleased.
“Very well,” he said cheerfully, “we’re off.”
James leaned forward in preparation to take off at a run, but Luno simply sauntered down the beach.
“Let us, as an old and extremely wise wizard once said, pursue that flighty temptress adventure,” Luno said, picking up a piece of driftwood and inspecting it closely for a moment. He began practicing using it as a walking stick.
“We’re not running?” James asked.
“We have much to discuss, my boy, and I find it most difficult to talk while I’m trying to dodge trees and rocks that are rushing at me. Not to mention, it feels good just to walk along and take in our surroundings rather than pass through them so fast we cannot enjoy their beauty. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Aye,” James said, looking at him suspiciously.
“First things first, my boy. Teach me that primer incantation.”
James smiled. “Tertiri ze Manukto. To perform an incantation in this place, you must first ask permission to do so. Even if you know the incantation, it will be of little use without first asking permission.”
So they continued along at a snail’s pace compared to Kilani and Roger, who’d reached the northern tip of the cove before James and Luno had even reached the stream that ran from the higher elevation down into the cove. James spent most of the beginning part of their walk explaining useful incantations to Luno. They also discussed the language itself, which was completely different than anything either of them had encountered. As James had discovered during his experience with the stone spire, each native word had one and only one meaning and no single word shared the root of another. Both Luno and James agreed this system was highly complicated and extremely difficult to learn.
When they finally did reach the stream, both of them looked at it with surprise. James scooped up the water with his hands and said a word in the native tongue.
“It’s drinkable,” he said, looking up at Luno.
“Perhaps that incantation isn’t necessary after all,” Luno chortled. “We should relocate camp up here.”
He bent and drank from the stream. James could see the tracks Kilani and Roger had left in the soil along the edge. His thoughts strayed to her. What if she were injured? He didn’t like being separated from her in an unfamiliar place. He tried to reassure himself. As he’d learned many times over, Kilani was more than capable of taking care of herself. He cared for her. The more time he spent with her, the stronger that feeling became. Despite her relationship with Luno, he believed she was starting to feel the same.
Luno had dunked entire head into the stream and James couldn’t help but smile as his hair danced on the surface like clouds in a breeze. He finally resurfaced, flipping his hair back and rubbing his bearded face with his now clean hands.
“You should try it,” he said. “The most goddamn refreshing thing I’ve ever felt.”
James did try and indeed it was.
“I think,” said Luno, “we should follow the stream.”
Without waiting for an answer, he began to walk along the bank as it twisted deeper into the jungle. James followed. He felt comfortable for the first time since their voyage began as they strolled along the path, which had been worn by all the creatures that came to drink.
The banks became steeper as they pressed on. The vegetation lining the stream also became more dense, making it nearly impossible to follow while keeping the water in sight. In the end, both Luno and James decided the best course of action would be to wade in the stream rather than travel along its banks. The bottom was rocky and very slick, making travel slow. Luno didn’t appear to mind as he continued to question James about the language of The Never.
“What I find quite intriguing is the lack of a word for death,” said Luno. “There’s ‘life,’ ojala, ‘pain,’ lieska, and even ‘loss,’ tormala, but not death. Fascinating.”
“Perhaps it exists but was intentionally omitted,” James pondered.
“Interesting theory, fascinating in and of itself, actually. I imagine with that word would come an incredible and terrible power, so yes, perhaps you are correct. This place doesn’t want anyone to have that power.”
“Except her, who apparently has no problem wielding it,” said James, referring to the island.
“Again, you are correct. Your powers of perception have indeed sharpened with time in this place. Or perhaps they simply come with age,” Luno said. “How old are you, boy?”
“Nearly seventeen,” James replied.
“My god,” said Luno, “I never realized you were quite so young. This place does things to a man.”
They reached the base of a nearly vertical section of the stream. The water spilled from pool to pool each nested among large boulders. The men climbed to the first pool where they stopped and gazed into the water. The pool was deep, much deeper than the size of the boulders in which it was wreathed. An emerald glow sparkled from beneath the surface. The sun overhead cast rays of light that danced in the moving water.
Luno quickly cast aside the gear he was carrying and held out his hands.
“Tertiri ze Manukto vinka,” he said. Nothing happened.
He repeated this several times, each time James made corrections in his pronunciation. Finally, he had enough and asked James to send a light orb into the pool. As it descended, the walls edging the pool were lighted then faded back to shadow. When it reached perhaps twenty feet, the light from the orb spread and sparkled.
“I believe it opens into a larger area down there. During my travels back in our world, I once visited a place where Mayans lived, before they were decimated by the bloody Spanish. The natives spoke of underground rivers that stretched for miles beneath their jungles. They said men would go exploring in them never to return.”
“Then might I suggest we move on?” James said.
Luno had already removed his shirt and stowed his short sword in his belt.
“If your powers of perception have indeed sharpened, James, then you’ll know I cannot leave anything unexplored. It’s against my very nature. Now, I want you to stay here. I shall return in two minutes.”
Luno slid into the pool, took a deep breath, and submerged. As he descended, James sent three additional light orbs into the water. Each went sequentially deeper, lighting the way for Luno. When Luno reached where the walls appeared to end, he turned, looking around. After a brief pause, he swam out of sight. James looked nervously into the water as the seconds turned into minutes.
“You really shouldn’t dwell on the past,” a voice said.
James turned toward the sound. Above him in the higher grouping of boulders stood Luno with the grin of a much younger man on his face.
“The pools connect. All four of them join. There is a large cave where the pools converge. Fascinating,” he said, not for the first time this day. “At the far end of this cave is another tunnel where I dare not dwell as the current is strong there, and I fear I’ll not return. Now bring my gear and let us continue, we’ve much to discuss, much to explore and little light in which to accomplish either.
The pair continued their journey along the stream. When they reached the top pool, both were relieved to see the elevation flatten and the vegetation thin enough to walk astride the stream rather than through it. Having been submerged up to their knees for so long, their feet were becoming waterlogged.
“ Tertiri ze Manukto poikelo,” said James. A warm breeze swirled around the men drying their clothes and hair.
“I wonder how the others are fairing,” said Luno. “Did you notice there wasn’t one sign of life in the water?” Luno asked, rapidly changing topics.
Used to Luno’s ever-shifting attention, James, whose every thought was on how the others were fairing, replied, “I did notice. Rather strange.”
“Indeed. Neither plant nor animal dwell in such a rich source of fresh water. Well, this land continually perplexes and vexes, that’s for sure. Lets keep moving then, shall we?”
“Tell me,” James said, trying his luck. “Do you know what it is that drives Kilani to seek this transporting powder with such fervor?”
Luno stopped and turned to face James. His face had changed from that of an excited child to an old man, weary and concerned.
“Her desire to leave this place is strong. Stronger perhaps than any other’s. Even your own.”
“She’s made that clear on numerous occasions. My question is what drives her to return? What compels her to this pursuit with such obsession?”
“Each of us comes from a life much different than the one we live here. For some of us, this place, despite all the hardships that come with living here, is a chance to start over, a new beginning. For others it is a prison in which they do not belong. For those wrongfully exiled, they were torn from all they had known and loved and banished to a place from which there is but a fleeting hope of escape. And for those who truly deserve banishment because they’ve committed the most terrible crimes, this land finds quite terrible ends for them. Kilani left much behind. All of it dear to her.”
“What did she leave behind?” James asked.
Luno’s expression turned even more weary as he thought about James’s question.
“I was hoping you had the answer to that,” he said, dismally.
James was shocked. He’d thought for sure she would confide in Luno. He looked at Luno and saw a beaten man for the first time since they’d met on the Harbor Town pier so long ago.
“It is clear by your expression that she did not,” Luno said. “Much remains a mystery with that one. She keeps her own council. We are close, she and I, but ‘close’ is relative with her. I don’t know if she’ll ever let anyone get truly close. And I fear one day, her obsession will be her undoing.”
James couldn’t help but think of the black castle as Luno finished his sentence. He pushed it out of his mind as they continued upstream. The sun reached its apex and began its slow descent to the horizon. Luno was unusually silent for the next several hours. The stream meandered uphill through the jungle then out into a grassy field where it narrowed to a creek not much wider than James’s foot. The field stretched across a large plateau that then rolled back downhill to the jungle below. On the northern side of the field several miles from where they stood, a steep hill rose off the plateau. The grass on the hill tapered to rock toward the top. A small, sickly-looking tree adorned the otherwise barren peak.
“I believe there lies the highest point of the island,” said Luno, pointing to the hill. The gully in which the stream traveled wound its way through the grassy field toward the hill where Luno suspected its source would be found.
“To the peak,” Luno shouted, taking off at a run. James, relieved that Luno’s mood had improved, happily followed. The field stretched farther than it appeared, taking the pair the better part of an hour at full speed to reach the base of the hill. The stream trickled from another pool at the base of the hill. Above it the water spilled down the steep stone face into the pool. Luno paused only for a moment before skirting the base and ascending the eastern and more easily traveled side.
When they reached the top, it wasn’t the view that captured their attention but the small tree. It did indeed stand only a hair shorter than James, and its leaves were small and rather malnourished in appearance. The root system was what drew the gazes of the men. From below, the tree looked as if it sat on top of the rocky peak. From their vantage point, James and Luno could see that the roots created an arced canopy as they stretched across a crater that descended well below the base of the hill. Hundreds of birds (the first creatures they’d seen on the Severed Heart) flew between the roots where their nests were tucked away. James and Luno had spoken extensively about the lack of both birds and insects on the main island, but here it was apparently not the case.
The birds, James noticed, did not once fly out the hole above the level of the ground. Luno sniffed loudly. Then it dawned on James that he too smelled something familiar. Smoke.
Both James and Luno scanned the distance searching for the source. The hilltop view gave them a clear line of sight of the entire island. James’s gaze was fixed on the direction from which they’d traveled. He thought possibly William had started a fire and the smoke had blown their direction. Luno, however, began searching the ground until he discovered something and bent over.
“Here,” he said.
James moved to his side. The dirt was disturbed. Most of the hilltop was hard-packed dirt, but here it was loose.
“Smell it?” Luno asked. “I can feel the heat as well.”
James put his hand over the spot. He could feel heat rising from the ground.
“ Tertiri ze Manukto inari,” he said. The dirt swirled and began piling itself neatly off to the side. As it did, it revealed a small hole in the ground. Bit by bit, the dirt lifted from the hole and into the pile. Beneath the dirt were the remnants of a small fire. Charred wood and hot coals that were still smoldering immediately ignited as the air hit them.
“Somebody was here. They saw us approaching and covered the fire. They’re not far. Perhaps they fled to the jungle or down into there,” he said pointing to the root-filled crater.
Both men cautiously approached the rim of the deep crater and searched for signs of the person who’d started the fire. The birds flew about paying no notice to the onlookers.
“Have you ever heard of one of the other exiles making it to any of the satellite islands?” James asked.
“Never,” Luno replied.
Satisfied nobody was hiding among the birds and roots, both men scanned the surrounding area. James turned to the south and realized he could see clear across to the main island. In its center stood Mt. Misery. James recalled his trip to the top with Kilani. It felt like a lifetime had passed since they’d been there.
“I think it’s time we made our way back to camp,” said Luno. “The hour is getting late and before long, darkness will invite creatures best left in the company of themselves.”
James nodded as he scanned the tree line where the grassy field surrounding the hill met the jungle for any sign of this person. Luno had already started down the hill, and James moved quickly to catch up, realizing what Luno had discovered as he came to his side.
“No tracks,” he said.
“Aye,” Luno replied. “Either this person was a master at traveling without leaving a trace or we’re missing something. Either way, I believe we will be returning to this place before our time on the Severed Heart has ended.”
The pair reached the base of the hill and drank from the stream where it fell into the pool. Luno stood for a moment gazing deep into the pool then up the cliff face to the small tree at the top.
“I wonder,” he said.
“What is it?” James asked.
“What if, when this person saw us coming they covered their fire and simply jumped into the pool? And what if this pool has an underground connection to the others, which he used as a means of escape?”
“That’s an awfully long way to travel under water,” said James.
“Indeed,” said Luno. “Nevertheless, be on your guard when we reach the pools.”
The men continued along the stream back the way they came. Luno still insisted on walking, which frustrated James for two reasons. First it meant risking reaching camp before dark was questionable, and second he wanted to see Kilani as soon as possible.
“Tell me, James, what exactly did you learn about the plant that can be made into transporting powder when you were in that cave?”
“Very little, actually. I made some inferences based on the information I was provided.”
James could tell Luno knew something, and he wondered why he had waited so long to bring it up.
“I understand your desire. I do. I believe if we had gone along with your decision to immediately head for the southern islands all of our lives would have been in danger. You realized this and planted a seed in her head without taking into consideration the impact your so called inferences would have on her,” Luno said, finally delving into the subject James truly desired to discuss.
“Despite what you think, my assumptions are based on fact.”
“She holds you in very high regard. She trusts you. That isn’t an easy thing for her, and it appears as though you took advantage of that trust.”
“Is it any more reckless than risking our lives without the slightest hesitation?”
“Every day in The Never we risk our lives,” Luno replied.
“It was your idea to come here if I recall correctly,” said James.
“Aye, it was. A false hope is better than a certain death.”
“Then we both played a part.”
“Very well. I’m not the one you need to convince that this wasn’t meant to be a fruitless trip from the beginning.”
They continued through the flatter part of the jungle. Luno had planted a seed of doubt in James’s mind, and James didn’t like it. He had gained a lifetime of knowledge in seconds, yet his ability to think through the ramifications of his decisions hadn’t changed in the slightest, he thought. He could potentially be hurting the one he cared about most in this place. Especially if Luno told her what he wanted her to hear rather than the truth. Before James could ponder any more on the topic, Luno interrupted. “James, what do you think would happen if I had touched that stone?”
His tone had completely changed; the friendly perpetually inquisitive Luno had returned.
“Why did you tell us not to touch the stone on the First Widow?” James asked.
“When my hand drew near, I felt a dark energy. I drew away.”
“As I approached the stone in the cave, I too felt an energy. It called to me, drawing me closer until I no longer had control over myself. At that point I had little choice but to make contact with it. Whether the energy was dark or otherwise I know not. I don’t believe the knowledge I received was intended for good or evil. As I said before, it felt more like an awakening than a sharing of information. As if it were there all the time. It was just knowledge and only the wielder of that knowledge can determine its purpose. So to answer your question, I don’t know what would happen if you touched the stone. I do see that you are drawn to it as Kilani is drawn to her means of escape.”
“I do admit I am drawn to such a source of knowledge. You were chosen by the guardians to be gifted passage over the water, so my mind tells me only you could have received that power. But, indeed, my desire for it is strong and I daresay worth the risk. As I said earlier though, with every step we take in this cursed place we risk life and limb.”
“Perhaps we shall return to the widows one day so I may attempt to gain this knowledge as you have. Alas, there are other tasks that take priority. First of which is making it back to camp before nightfall.”
They arrived at the first pool shortly after the end of their conversation. Both men cautiously approached the edge, looking for any sign of disturbance. They saw no tracks or water displaced upon the dry rocks. They did this at each of the lower pools, coming up with the same results.
The sun hung low when they finally reached camp. James was relieved to see Kilani and Roger had made it back before them. From a distance, it looked as if Roger was retelling an exciting story. His hands were moving about as he spoke to William. Kilani stood beside Roger, turning immediately when she caught sight of the men making their way down the beach. She smiled and hurried to meet them. James couldn’t help but smile. He looked over at Luno, who was also smiling.
They gathered around the fire William had made and ate Gail fruit (aptly named after Gail Bisset, who discovered them shortly before being consumed by a croc monster) until they had their fill.
As the others finished up, James walked around the perimeter of the encampment and cast several protective incantations, which would prevent most things from crossing or at the very least, alert them if the perimeter was broken. James remembered casting similar incantations with his mother nearly every time they relocated. He wondered how she was fairing in his absence. James had been all she had thought about after his father died. His heart pained for her, to know that she was okay. He returned to the group disheartened.
The moon had risen in the sky, giving the night its typical twilight glow rather than the darkness that came in the presence of the blood-red moon of the previous night. Luno had considered returning the group to the Queen Mary to sleep but because they had encountered so little hostile wildlife and James was able to cast his protective incantations, he’d decided the group would bed down on solid ground.
“Now,” Luno said, “let us begin our formal debriefing. Roger and Kilani, please share with us your discoveries.”
Kilani nodded at Roger, who stood and began his recounting of their adventure.
“Made it t‘ the northern mos‘ point o‘ the island, findin‘ nothin‘. Terrain along t‘ coast were difficult a‘ best an‘ damn nigh impassable a‘ worse. Decided t‘ head inland t‘ avoid the sheer cliffs along the western side. That‘ when ’e happened upon a village.”
“Village?” Luno asked excitedly, jumping to his feet. “Were there people there? What did they say?”
“Afraid not, Cap‘in. She looked t‘ be abandoned though twas still en good repair. Built by a real craftsman. Looked completely out o‘ place setting there en a grassy field. Whoever lived there mus‘ a‘ been ’ere fer quite a while.
“Blimey,” said Luno. “How many buildings?”
“Five in all. Three houses, the pub an‘ a church.”
“Fascinating. You inspected them all?”
“Aye. Every one. Dust inside look as eff they been left fer ’bout a year is my guess,” Roger said. Kilani nodded in agreement.
“My god. All this time I’d thought nobody could cross the water. Did you see a vessel of any kind nearby?”
“No sign o‘ any. No tracks o‘ evidence o‘ anyone ’cept fer those buildings. Whoever they be, Cap‘in’, ere long gone.”
“Perhaps not as long as you think,” Luno replied, looking at James.
“You discovered something as well?” Kilani asked.
“Aye. We followed the stream to its source at the base of a hill, which is probably slightly southeast of the village, based on your description. Frankly, I’m surprised we couldn’t see it from the top of the hill. We could see clear across to South Harbor from there. Anyway, we came across a fire pit on the top of the hill. The coals were still warm.”
“Ten summon‘ ez ere,” William said.
“Perhaps they relocated for some reason,” suggested Roger. “Though I cannot reckon why one would abandon such fine quarters.”
“Speaking of the stream,” said Luno, “if we continue to stay here, I suggest we relocate to the eastern side tomorrow. The water is drinkable, and we shouldn’t rely on James every time one of us gets thirsty.”
“And what should we do about the people?” Kilani asked.
“We can’t find them because they don’t want to be found. If that changes during our stay here so be it. I don’t believe we should go out of our way to search for them. We’re here for a purpose, and that hasn’t changed. We still need to keep to our deadline. Unless Roger or Kilani have discovered the plant we seek,” said Luno, looking at each of them questioningly.
“No we haven’t. I’ve found several species that don’t, to my knowledge, grow on the other islands we’ve visited but none pass the first test,” Kilani said.
“It’s settled then. William, do you think you can relocate camp by the stream in a day’s time?”
“Tvice wit my eyes closed, Capitan,” he replied.
“Very good. At dawn we will continue our search. I think the pairings have worked out well and should remain the same tomorrow. Any objections?”
James wanted to object. He wanted to get Kilani alone and explain before Luno planted the seeds of dissent in her mind. He would not go against Luno’s orders despite his instincts and so remained silent.
“I shall take first watch. Kilani, second. Then William, Roger, and James. Now rest while you can.”
The second day of searching was far less eventful than the first. James was grateful that Luno had decided to run this day rather than keep the same slow pace as yesterday. They followed the coastline as they had originally intended to on the first day, making it all the way to the southwestern most point just after midday. They saw no sign of the island’s occupants, who Luno was sure were there somewhere. They ran a parallel course just north of the coast making even faster time on the return trip.
Roger and Kilani, had again come across grueling terrain along the northern coast. Despite being further inland, they didn’t arrive back at camp until just before the last rays of daylight fell behind the trees. Exhausted and famished, they reported finding nothing out of the ordinary. They did mention they’d caught sight of the hill.
William had reported seeing unusual tracks crossing over the stream not far from where he’d set up camp, but he had not been disturbed while relocating. That night was as uneventful as the last save a disturbance in the jungle while Roger was on watch. Strange sounds, like those of some small creature being attacked and eaten, broke the silence of the night. Before Roger could alert anyone, whatever was happening had ended and the silence resumed.
The following morning while the group was preparing for another day of exploration, William shouted in surprise.
“Ze dinghy!” he said in a panic standing in the place where it had been tied to a tree.
Everyone in the group stopped what they were doing and directed their attention to William and the missing boat. William looked out over the water at the Queen Mary, still anchored offshore. He saw no sign of the small boat.
“Tide come in and pull ’er out?” Roger asked.
“She was tied to the bloody tree. Not only that, but the tide line is back here,” Luno said pointing to a dark brown line in the sand several feet closer to the water from where the boat had sat.
Kilani bent over tracks in the sand that abruptly ended at the tide line. “The boat was untied and drug into the water. Whoever did it wasn’t alone. There were at least four of them. And…” she looked up at the group, “and the tracks they left were very small.”
The rest of the group gathered around to inspect the footprints in the sand. Kilani positioned her foot beside one of the prints for scale. Sure enough, the footprint was roughly one third smaller than her foot.
“Natives?” James asked.
“Not a chance,” said Roger. “That was European craftsmanship on the top of that hill eff I’ve ever seen it.”
“The questions we need to ask are where did they take our boat and how do we intend upon getting back to the Queen Mary once our time here expires,” said Luno.
“I heard summon in the jungle last n‘. A screaming o‘ sorts. Twas like a small animal been eaten by a larger. Didn’t sound t‘ alarm ’cause it lasted seconds,” said Roger.
“Perhaps that was a means of distraction,” said James.
“No bloody way summon could pull t‘ boat into t‘ water n row away without me heain‘. Leastways, what of yer protective incantations?” Roger replied.
James had forgotten about the protective incantations he’d cast the previous night. They would have covered the beach area surrounding the boat for sure. The thought of someone being able to bypass them was disturbing.
“Regardless of what happened, we need a way to get back to the Queen Mary and quickly. I believe we shouldn’t spend any more time here than necessary,” said Luno.
“I could summon the Queen Mary close to the cliffs, and we could jump aboard.”
“Too risky. We don’t know what lies beneath the surface. It’d be too easy to tear a hole right through her hull,” said Luno. “William, Roger, how long would it take you to make another boat?”
“Without our tools, it’d take weeks, Cap‘in,” replied Roger.
“With James’s powers and your craftsmanship, do you think you could make a two-person boat from a single tree?” Luno asked.
After pausing to think for a minute, Roger replied, “Aye, I think we could.”
“Very well. James, Roger, and William will begin working on the new boat immediately. Kilani and I will start to break down camp. I want to be aboard the Queen Mary before nightfall.
“And what of the plant?” Kilani asked. “We can’t just give up the search and move on.”
“Given the circumstances I think it’d be foolish to stay another night,” Luno replied.
“Let me search today while they make the boat and you break down camp,” she said resolutely.
Luno paused for a moment to consider her proposition. “I don’t want anyone traveling alone,” he finally said.
“Then come with me. James and Roger can work on the boat and William can break down camp.”
It was clear there was no changing her mind. In the end Luno decided to go along. James was more than a bit concerned about Luno and Kilani spending that much time alone. He felt as though he and Luno were vying for the affections of the same woman, and Luno had just been given the opportunity to plant seeds of dissent in her mind. His only consolation was that Kilani was so driven to find this plant that he doubted she would afford Luno the opportunity to have a conversation, especially since they’d planned for an early departure.
So it was that Kilani and Luno headed off into the jungle as James and Roger studied the task at hand. While James now had a mastery level understanding of the native language, his practical experience with the incantations limited his effectiveness. Compounding the issue was the absence of some words “he would have liked to use from the native vocabulary. Instead of “cut,” which wasn’t in the vocabulary, he first tried “disassemble,” lehtinen, splintering a massive tree. His second attempt detached it at the base but didn’t allow enough trunk to make a proper boat because it had cracked a large section in the process. In the end, James simply lifted a large tree, roots and all, from the ground and laid it on the beach.
He was able to break pieces of stone from the boulders lining the beach that were sharp enough to use as carving tools. As Roger trimmed away branches, James practiced a technique that would make quick work of the major carving. He was able to move large quantities of sand through the air at will. Once he got them moving fast enough, he was able to abrade away layers of wood very rapidly. It did, however take him quite a bit of practice to get the sand to work where he wanted. Several times he left nothing but a pile of dust. Eventually, he managed to fine tune this skill enough to first cut away the root ball and tree top, which would have taken Roger virtually all day, and hollow out the center. With Roger’s guidance they had a roughlooking canoe by midday.
By then, William had broken down camp and was able to help. Together they shaved away enough of the remaining wood to make the boat seaworthy. James was even able to cut paddles with his sand technique before the boat was finished. James strengthened the boat with incantations to assure it would survive the journey through the water. William and Roger tested the boat, made some modifications with James’s help, and then tested it again. It took four runs before they were satisfied enough to consider it seaworthy.
The three men loaded the boat with supplies, and William and Roger paddled the canoe into the harbor toward the Queen Mary hoping to limit the need for multiple trips once Kilani and Luno returned.
The remainder of the afternoon passed slowly for James as he waited for Kilani and Luno. He tried to imagine what Luno had told her and how upset she would be when they got back. James decided to take a walk down the beach toward the easternmost point of the island.
His head was so full of thoughts that he didn’t even notice the small man standing at the tree line watching him. The man simply stared as James passed with the curiosity of a cat watching a mouse. His skin was darker than Kilani’s, and he wore no clothes save a thin rope belt slung with patches of fabric. Over his shoulder was slung a bow and a quiver of arrows. Also tucked into his belt was a short stone dagger on one side and a leather pouch on the other.
James stopped where the beach ended and looked at the horizon. The sun had all but set behind the infinity of the sea. They’re late, he thought. He grew increasingly anxious as the sun continued to fall away in the distance. Finally, he decided that if they didn’t return by sunset, he would order William and Roger to board the Queen Mary, and he would search for them alone.
The small man stood on the beach just in front of him. His bowstring was taut, an arrow resting on his hand that gripped the rise. James jumped back in surprise. The man spoke, and James understood. It took him a moment to process what he was hearing because he’d never heard anyone other than himself speak the language of The Never in full sentences before.
“I will take the man and the woman,” he said. “You must go and never return.”
“I come in peace,” said James. “My name is James. What is your name and where are you from?”
The little man was equally surprised to hear James speak the language and immediately lowered his bow.
“It is true. You are here,” the man said with a sense of wonder.
“What is your name so I may address you properly,” asked James.
After a moment, the man appeared to awaken from deep thought and replied, “My name is Peroc,” he said.
“Peroc, where are you from?”
“This is my home,” said Peroc. “Where are you from?”
“Far beyond the sea. I shall tell you the story sometime. Please tell me, where are my friends?” James asked.
“Friends? The man and the woman?”
“Yes, my friends.”
“They are making their way back. They are not far.”
“Are they safe?” James asked.
“Not for long. As the sun sets these lands become dangerous.”
“We would like to meet your tribe. Will you take us?” Asked James.
“I will do as you wish, Chief. I do not suggest we travel at night considering what roams this land after the sun has set. You and your… friends have been careless and somehow lucky not to have run into… trouble.”
“If we wait until morning, you or your tribe will not hurt my friends, correct?”
“I will see to it that the Chief ’s bidding is done. Your friends will be safe. Celebrations are in order. We have awaited your arrival for generations. I must tell our tribe the good news. I shall return here in the morning. I suggest you sleep on your floating tree. With each passing night, it draws nigh.”
Floating tree? James thought for a moment and realized there was no word in the native vocabulary for boat. He couldn’t help smiling at the translation.
“Aren’t you worried about this creature you speak of? Darkness falls as we speak,” said James.
“No,” said Peroc.
“You must wait until dawn. Until then.” Peroc gave a respectful bow, reached into his pouch, sprinkled the transporting powder Kilani so desired, and was gone in a flash of orange light and smoke. James ran back to the stream inlet where William and Roger were waiting by the canoe. Luno and Kilani had joined them in his absence as well.
James urged everyone to make haste in boarding the Queen Mary. Once on board, he recounted running into the strange man and what he had learned. Sleep was hard to come by that evening as the place came alive with movement and sound. The trees and shrubs rustled and screamed. James likened it to the large colonies of walrus he and his father had encountered on one of their trips north.
The thought of his father brought back, all the longing and guilt that had been pushed deep inside. James remembered the cave. It was so real. For a short time he had believed it was his father and the weight, the burden had lifted and in that moment, he was free. It all came crashing back down when the truth was revealed. His thoughts strayed to the black castle. To Akil. Why had he not said anything about traveling to The Never? As his thumb ran over the cold steel of the key, he knew the answers were there. He would not be distracted from reaching the black castle again-even if it meant going on alone.