RECOVERY

ISLE OF BONES

It was always a beauty to watch the sunrise in the Island to the east. Many referred to it as the Isle of Bones. There was something almost magical about the Island. People from all over the Outlands flocked to the Island for a wide range of reasons. Some go there to hold or conduct séances and try to communicate with the dead, others go there to seek out fortune tellers to predict and tell them about their futures so they can brace themselves well for it and now most recently, the news has gone round among all who cared that the high priestess Kora has been spotted in the Isle of Bones.

The Isle was a place where powerful and dark magic was practiced. A man once tried to form a government or a ruling system in the Isle but was reported to have lost his mind, murdered all his followers then drowned himself in the Mysterious pool. No one knew what caused such to happen. Everyone who needed to go there, went, completed their business and go their way but if they could only see the kind of magic that operates the Isle, they would reconsider visiting it at all.

Dexagon was just waking up to a beautiful morning in the cave he had taken refuge in. It was not fit for a King but considering what he was after, he judged it necessary. He was going to grab his stuff, find his way to the Isle of Bones, seek out the priestess and with her help, travel to the Outer realm. He thought it would be that easy. But of course who could oppose him, he was the King after all – ah but alas, his army is back at home.

Raven and Pavalon had wandered into a small village with not up to two hundred inhabitants. They walked into the tavern to rest their feets and have some wine. “Good day gentlemen.” A rugged voice greeted them from behind. When they turned, the face was rugged as well and it turned out that the rugged fellow was the owner of the tavern. “Good day to you Sir.” Pavalon responded to the greeting but the fellow showed no sign of easing off and was looking at them, Raven in particular very intently. “Do you have anything strong?” Raven ventured and asked the man. “Of course I do.” The man responded and raised his head to a group of men sitting together in a corner in the tavern. “Over here.”

Pavalon and Raven exchanged puzzled looks as the group of four hefty men circled them. “It’s them.” One of the men said and without warning threw a heavy punch at Pavalon. The impact of the punch sent him straight to the ground. Raven rushed to where he was struggling to get up while holding his chin with both hands. He had a really hard time keeping Pavalon from charging at the man who punched him to the ground. The however stood ready and waited for him to make the move. “Get the cart” another one said and immediately, Raven grasped that they were being arrested.

The number of the men had by then increased to ten and they (Raven and Pavalon) saw how unwise it was to try and fight them off. So they resorted to diplomacy. “I think you have us confused with someone else.” But the response they got was silence.

Clouds began to set indicating that rainfall was nigh and whenever it rained, two things always happens in the Isle of Bones. The first was that while the showers pour down, you can’t afford to be outside because an invincible monster roams about killing whoever and whatever it saw outside thus rainfall is not welcomed with both hands in the Isle of Bones. The second intriguing fact about the Isle of bones is that the lightening that succeeds the rainfall always strikes someone dead before they finish their course.

Standing close to a large tree and cautiously looking left and right as if to make sure no one was watching, Kora looked up at the skies once more, shook her head and disappeared. “Told you it was her.” Tsan one of the girls that had been observing and watching Kora said to her sister Rips and together, they walked towards the tree.

To get to the Isle of Bones, one needs to board one of the many boats that waited for passengers all the time. Two men sat in their boats discussing when they noticed someone heading directly towards them. “That’s far enough.” One of the men said to the traveller as he got close and held his hand out to tell to stop advancing towards them. “How may we help you?” the other man asked him. “I wish to get to the Isle of Bones.” The traveller answered him. “What’s your business in the Isle?” the man asked him again. “My business in the Isle is none of your business.” The traveller responded. “Well it is now.” The man that asked the question remarked. They got up from their sitting positions, jumped down from the canoe and walked towards the traveller.

“You seem disguised. Are you hiding from someone or something? Perhaps we could help you.” They started harassing the traveller physically and in an attempt to fend them off, his armour and sword were exposed. “Are you a soldier?” One of the men asked him. “I was.” The traveller answered. “Lose the sword.” The same man commanded him. “That’s not going to happen.” The traveller answered him. “You must have a death wish then.” “My only wish is to get to the Isle.” The King said but by then, the men were already advancing towoares him.

One of them grabbed his cloak that concealed his armour and pulled at it. The traveller drew his sword and with the same action, slit the man’s throat. He held his neck with both hands as the blood burst forth like sharp arrows before dropping to the ground. The other man charged at the traveller but he too was no match for him, he was swiftly disarmed of the little dagger he carried and killed as well with a stab to the stomach.

The boarding port was a very busy place and the few who noticed the fight showed little concern or perhaps were scared of the man who had just killed two of the most notorious men that made their living in the port without even shedding a sweat. They watched him as he entered the canoe and paddled towards the Isle.

If they had known he was Dexagon the King of Zorak, perhaps they all would have pounced on him.

Raven and Pavalon sat inside a wagon that rode nonstop. They couldn’t see because it had no window. “Wherever they are taking us, it can’t be good.” Raven told Pavalon. “See if you can get hold of the dagger on the side of my boot.” Pavalon told Raven. While they rode, they heard the men talk about some bounty on their heads and they concluded that it was the King of Zorak who had placed the bounty, this strengthened their resolve to escape. Raven got hold of the dagger and they were able to cut themselves lose yet Raven did not stop complaining that Pavalon had the dagger all along and said nothing.

When they jumped out of the wagon, what greeted their eyes was not appealing – not in the least.