Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

“What are you doing?” scowled Lady Mystic as she dumped some packages on a chair near the table.

“Where have you been?” Aakuta asked accusingly.

“Where have I been?” echoed Lady Mystic as deep furrows filled her brow. “I have been out taking care of you. I destroyed the boat you left in the forbidden area. Did you think that someone would not find it? Don’t you realize that would have started a search for the intruder?”

“I didn’t know,” apologized Aakuta as he moved to the table and sat down. “I am sorry.”

“I also disposed of that krul child you killed on the beach,” Lady Mystic continued. “Such a fiery death would certainly cause alarms to sound.”

“Child?” frowned Aakuta. “That thing was over seven feet tall.”

“Child,” repeated Lady Mystic. “The average krul is at least ten feet. Some grow to over fifteen feet. Here, try this on,” she added as she tossed a package to Aakuta.

Aakuta opened the package and saw a fine black cloak with a hood. His eyes opened wide in appreciation of the fine craftsmanship. He stood up and held the garment before him. Nodding, he stripped off his hooded cloak and dropped it on the floor. He pulled the new cloak on.

“Much better,” smiled lady Mystic. “You might have gotten by with the old one, but why take chances. Why didn’t you take Smarc’s when you killed him?”

“Smarc was a skinny thing,” shrugged Aakuta. “I could never fit in anything that small.”

“Well, you are a large man,” grinned Lady Mystic. “At least you are properly dressed now. I did not want to be seen in public with you wearing those old rags.”

“In public?” echoed Aakuta. “Why are you doing this for me? Surely you will get in trouble if you are caught with me?”

“Then you had best not do anything to arouse suspicion,” smiled Lady Mystic. “At least not until you have met with Vand. Until then, I think I will enjoy having you around. This island can get quite boring at times. Finish your tea. I want to show you the sights.”

Aakuta finished his tea and placed the cup on the laboratory table. He looked quizzically at the woman and then shrugged with a devilish smile.

“Lead on, Lady Mystic,” he said. “Show me the sights of Motanga.”

Lady Mystic smiled as she opened the door and stepped into the alley. After Aakuta had joined her, she waved her hand over the door to seal it.

“I take it you don’t trust the natives?” Aakuta asked as one eyebrow rose.

“Trust is such a misunderstood word,” chuckled Lady Mystic. “I trust that some people would not think twice about entering my home and making off with everything they could carry. So, in a sense, I trust the natives a great deal.”

Aakuta shook his head and chuckled. He walked silently alongside the woman as she led him onto a wide boulevard. His eyes constantly moved to take in the sights of the strange city. The shops lining the street were much like the stores that one would find in any city, but there was something different about them. Aakuta could not put his finger on it, but there was a feeling of death in the air.

As he studied each passerby with curiosity, he noticed two distinct types of men. Some wore black cloaks and hoods as he did. The others wore bright red uniforms and were obviously military men. The women wore a variety of clothing. Some were hooded similarly to the men, while others wore colorful dresses. Some women wore only plain brown tunics, and Aakuta wondered if they were slaves.

Lady Mystic did not narrate on the journey. She walked at a moderate pace, and Aakuta noticed that she was trying to give a complete tour of the city as she continually backtracked on parallel streets. Eventually they emerged from the houses and shops into a wide plaza. Fine stonework covered the ground for hundreds of paces right down to the harbor’s edge.

When they reached the quay, Aakuta stopped and stared out into the harbor. Dozens of huge ships were anchored offshore. The vessels were obviously new and had not been weathered yet.

“They are large,” Aakuta commented softly.

“They must be to transport the armies,” replied Lady Mystic. “Come this way. I will show you the shipyards.”

Lady Mystic led the way along the quay. They walked for fifteen minutes and around the natural curve of the island. Lady Mystic halted when Aakuta suddenly stopped and stared at the shipyards. A series of monstrous frameworks rose high above the island. Cradled in each of the frameworks was a huge ship under construction. Hundreds of workman moved over the frameworks like tiny ants streaming in every direction. While the ships had looked large in the harbor, they were gigantic up close.

“They must carry a thousand men each,” gasped Aakuta.

“Easily,” remarked Lady Mystic. “This is not the only shipyard, either. There are three others scattered around the island. The army sent forth from Motanga will be the largest ever seen since the fall of Vandegar.”

“Why are you showing me all of this?” frowned Aakuta. “I must presume that the building of this great navy is a closely held secret of Vand’s.”

“As secret as he can keep it,” nodded Lady Mystic. “Any ship sailing near Motanga is intercepted. The crews are either destroyed or captured. The ships are sunk. The arrival of your small ship would be an embarrassment to the authorities. Perhaps your clothing was sufficiently close enough to local garb to spare you from close scrutiny.”

“But you didn’t answer my question,” prompted Aakuta. “Why are you showing me these things?”

“I am not sure,” Lady Mystic admitted after a slight hesitation. “I don’t expect that you will ever leave this island, but I suppose there is more to it. I wanted to see your reaction to gauge where your sentiments lie.”

“And what have you discovered?” inquired the dark mage.

“Little,” frowned Lady Mystic. “You hide your emotions well. You are a mystery, Aakuta, and I find that attractive. This whole civilization is geared for war, but I find wars quite boring. Your meeting with Vand promises much more entertainment than a hundred thousand men charging another hundred thousand men. It will be a battle of wits, and that is the most delicious battle of all.”

“So you expect me to oppose him?” questioned Aakuta.

“I do not know what to expect,” chuckled Lady Mystic. “That is the delight of it. I can hardly wait to see what happens.”

Aakuta turned and stared at the huge pyramid that overlooked the city. He knew that his entrance into the holy temple of Vand might well be the last journey that he ever undertook. The thought brought a tremor of fear to his body, but the dark mage found the feeling exhilarating.

“When will he see me?” the dark mage asked.

“When I am ready to present you,” declared Lady Mystic. “I shall enjoy your company for a few more days before your audience. Excitement is best served after it has simmered a while.”

* * *

StarWind dashed into the temple atop the palace in StarCity. MistyTrail was on her knees in the center of the pentagon inscribed on the floor. Her head was bowed with her chin resting upon her chest. She did not look up when the Sakovan spymaster entered.

“MistyTrail,” called StarWind. “Enough with your prayers. If you have not received guidance enough by now, your answer will not be forthcoming. We have a problem.”

MistyTrail’s head rose, and she turned to look at StarWind.

“I have received what I have asked for,” stated MistyTrail. “I was merely thanking Kaltara for showing me the way. What is the problem?”

“Mistake is missing,” StarWind announced. “I thought she was hiding in her room these past few days as you were in this temple, but I decided that is was time for the two of you to stop acting so childish. I entered her room unbidden and found that she was gone.”