Chapter II

Sunlight streamed directly into Silk’s eyes, waking him up instantly. Blunt’s body was a fraction away from tipping over the other side of the seat. Unconsciously, Silk reached out a hand to steady the man before retracting it. It was better to keep his hands to himself. They didn’t know him well, after all. The tavern was derelict but spotless. All of the bedding had been moved, chairs were neatly on tables and there wasn’t a pint glass in sight. There weren’t any people in sight either. No one was walking around outside the window from what Silk could see but they could be around the back of the tavern. Just as Silk contemplated the best way to wake the others subtly, a bird screeched overhead causing them to stir. No one spoke as they gathered their things together and stretched out their aching muscles. Courtesy of the heat, Silk’s clothes were finally dry but he craved a bath. This excursion was progressing slower than he’d anticipated.

Blunt was the first out the door. He tossed his sheets to the floor, scratched his head and strolled out to investigate the morning air. Silk hovered awkwardly by the table as Medri and Alan folded the sheets and placed them in a neat pile behind the bar. He never knew whether to offer help or not but the two men seemed to manage fine. Outside the tavern, Silk examined the patch of white next to the tavern door. Chalk residue. Something had clearly been drawn there but it had been recently removed.

“I assume this is where we part ways?” Silk asked.

He had no plan for getting home without a boat but they’d clearly come to get Alan and they’d since been reunited. The cobblestone path stuck out in the grass urging him towards the western side of the island.

“We can’t leave you stranded here” Blunt scowled at the sun.

“I’m not leaving yet” Medri appeared through the doors.

“We have Alan, the day is relatively young, now is the perfect time to leave”.

Medri looked off into the distance as though he was conversing silently with the lapping waves.

“I won’t get the opportunity to come back here” Medri said to no one in particular.

“There was no sign during the week I spent at the Chieftain’s settlement. They’re a bit guarded over there but a pleasant bunch” Alan clasped his hands behind his back and bowed his head.

Silk and Blunt exchanged a look. They were not privy to the details of this conversation. Taking one look at Medri’s face, Alan seemed to relent.
The tufts of his hair stuck out in all directions, “you won’t get any opposition from me”.

“I appreciate that. I have to see for myself”.

“We came here to get Alan” Blunt repeated.

Medri turned his head a fraction, “you were told to ensure my safe passage. Or do I have to remind you of your own orders, Captain”.

Medri spoke the rank without an ounce of respect. Silk flattened himself against the tavern. Chunks of hardened clay dug into his back.

“You’re going west?” Medri asked Silk, angling away from Blunt.

Silk nodded.

“Then that means we’re travelling together for now”.

Alan led the way. Blunt sank into the background, his complexion was just as flushed as it had been the night before. It was impossible to miss the forest in the distance. A dense green expanse that covered the eastern edge of the island. Silk knew little about the layout of Anzi but his plant had to be there.

It wasn’t long before the cobblestone path gave way to sand. The tiny grains infiltrated Silk’s boots causing an uncomfortable friction. The entire group moved slowly. No one knew what type of shoes would be best equipped to deal with a sand dune but it wasn’t the variety that any of them had on. Blunt endured wearing his armour to avoid having to carry it. As sand gave way to more sand, they noticed a cluster of buildings up ahead. Silk let out a long breath. He could feel his gait becoming little more than a pained limp. His feet were wet. Blood was likely seeping into the soles of his boots. He hoped someone in the settlement would have ointment.

Two screeches overhead elicited a jump from everyone but Medri. The birds had sharp talons and a hooked nose. They were ugly but it was the only sign of life they’d seen in the past few hours and for that, they were grateful. Unlike the ghost town they had left, this settlement seemed to be bustling with people. Or rather, the few people that were there moved hastily about their day. They took notice of the newcomers instantly. Fingers were pointed in their direction though no words were exchanged. The houses, which were identical to the ones by the tavern, all had faded markings drawn on the front in white chalk. It wasn’t a symbol Silk had seen before. A circle with a cross in it and some other embellishments Silk could no longer make out as people frantically washed them away with cloth and water. In fact, all of the tasks being carried out were mundane in nature. Hanging laundry, sharpening tools and gathering stones and yet everyone moved as though they were hours behind. The sun was on its way towards the horizon but there were still hours of sunlight left. Looking towards the expanse, Silk groaned at the distance that still lay between him and the forest. He would not be finding the plant today.

Checking each house carefully was a man in a long flowing robe. It was the colour of the sun and rippled in the heat as he seemed to glide along the sand. His face was hard set and wrinkled. A lifetime of stories mapped into every line. He paused mid inspection and looked at them. He beckoned for them to come closer. They obliged.

“Alan” he said flatly, though a small smile accompanied his words.

Alan bowed his head respectfully, “this is Galbo, the head of this settlement. The Chieftain’s brother”.

The group stood awkwardly waiting for instruction.

“Visitors from the mainland” Galbo spoke at last.

It was neither a question nor a complete statement. He didn’t seem to be expecting an answer.

“The Chieftain has sent for you” Galbo added.

“He knows we’re here already?” Blunt asked. His voice reverberated around the settlement causing more than a few people to flinch.

“I don’t know”.

Blunt frowned at Alan, seeking help but Alan had already wandered off to watch the other members of the settlement with great enthusiasm. No one seemed to be speaking. They didn’t even pause. When one action was finished, another began in a seamless transition. Silk could appreciate their efficiency.

“I think it’s a question” Silk whispered.

“Oh. In that case, no the Chieftain didn’t invite us here” Blunt amended.

Galbo assessed the group. The remaining cloaked figure with calculating features but a small stature, a bald man with sweat cascading from his body in rivulets and veins bulging from his skin followed by a man with ill-fitting shoes, a crooked moustache and a bad haircut that lay plastered to his face. The hilt of Blunt’s sword was impossible to miss but they were clearly not a large threat.

“Is there somewhere nearby where we could fill our water skins?” Blunt tried to fill the silence.

“You have done something to warrant our belongings”.

Another question.

“We’re just very thirsty. Back home retinues are treated with some hospitality at least” Blunt mumbled.

Galbo mouthed the word retinue slowly. His eyes darted up and to the left before concluding he didn’t understand the word. Silk was happy enough that the Anzians could speak the common language. Without communication, finding the plant would be even more difficult. Galbo’s hands were covered in delicate beaded rings with vibrant colours. He scanned the frantic members of the settlement and clicked his tongue dissatisfied.

“Water is over there. Keep yourself to yourself” he walked off to carry on inspecting the houses.

The haphazard direction of ‘over there’ led them towards a group of young people with their heads down, sewing. The basket strewn next to them was filled with neatly folded clothes. They approached cautiously, though the children didn’t look up from what they were doing. Blunt’s eyes were still trained on Galbo.

“Are you sure you’re not Anzian?” Blunt chuckled at Medri, “you have the temperament for it”.

Medri levelled him with a stare, “I am from the south”.

“It was a joke”.

Medri cleared his throat intentionally. One of the smaller girls glanced at him briefly before returning to her work. Her hands moved with precision as she worked the translucent needle in and out of the thin fabric.

“We’re looking for water” Medri said.

Simultaneously, the children pointed mutely towards the sea.

“Water we can drink” Medri added.

As one, they pointed to a large bucket kept under a makeshift canopy. Medri thanked them and detached his skin. Yet another thing Silk had neglected to bring. His drinking vessels were not the kind that could be fastened to the waist but now he’d have to convince one of his companions to share.

“Is there anyone around who’s good with plants?” Silk asked.

He thought they’d ignore him but they seemed to be pondering the question before most of them shook their heads.

“You don’t have a doctor? Or a healer maybe?” the head shakes came again.

“Can you understand me?” he asked, unsure.

They all shook their heads, as if in a trance, apart from the smaller girl who offered a small nod.

“The forest over there, is it part of the Chieftain’s settlement?” he spoke slowly, though the child was probably around eight.

“It’s far”.

“The Chieftain’s settlement?” Silk asked.

She nodded. Silk was slightly discouraged but he had to find some answers from somewhere. He left them to their sewing and walked down to the edge of the beach. All of the people around him were beginning to stifle him. He needed time to think, alone. He removed his boots and socks which were stained. His nose wrinkled at the stench. Bracing himself, Silk dipped his toes into the water. It wasn’t cold as expected but the saltwater stung at his sores. He traced the shore for a little while, looking out at the nothingness ahead. He couldn’t recall whether there were islands to the south of Anzi. The grinding of metal behind him signalled the arrival of Blunt who leant him his now-filled skin.

“Thanks” Silk accepted it gratefully, the ale had completely dried him out.

Blunt remained with his feet firmly planted in the sand. He eyed the water suspiciously.

“So what is it that you want in the forest?” Blunt asked, his voice vibrating through the still air.

Silk hushed him reflexively, “a plant. Lionare Unymajus”.

“Lion what now?” Blunt frowned.

“It’s a long story but it’s a sedative of sorts. Not my usual type of experiment I’ll admit though it’s good to branch out” Silk rambled.

Blunt grunted in assent. Silk didn’t want to get into the intricacies of the plant because that required talking about magic. And magic wasn’t the sort of thing you spoke about with just anyone. If Blunt hadn’t heard of the plant, there was no need to give him a lesson on its unique properties.

“Do you like this place?” Blunt switched the subject.

Silk didn’t see why that mattered. He was here to complete an objective. Anzi served as a means to his current ends.

“I’m not keen on it myself. Trust your gut instinct and all” Blunt scratched his head,
“what kind of place has people that don’t speak?”.

“I don’t think it’s that different to the mainland”.

“You never did say where you come from. I assume it’s not the capital”.

“I live in the swampland near Kali. It’s nice and quiet out there. Sort of like here but less still”.

Blunt grunted and crouched down on the sand, “makes sense why this seems normal to you then. You have a family back home? Parents? Children?”.
Silk willed himself to take a deep breath. He wasn’t a fan of small talk and Blunt meant no harm but he’d come to think and it was difficult to do that with someone breathing down his neck.

“My mother is dead” Silk responded with a clipped tone.

“And you’ve lived alone since” Blunt inferred.

“I didn’t say that”.

“You didn’t have to. I’ll get out of your hair”.

Humans were funny creatures. Whilst Blunt had been talking to him he’d wanted nothing more than for him to leave but now he was ready to go, Silk wanted him to stay. But as Blunt retreated up towards the settlement leaving Silk with the water skin, he couldn’t bring himself to call out.

*

Not much had come from Silk’s thinking time, apart from the fact that knowledge seemed to be in short supply here, so he’d decided to go back to the pile of stones. It seemed to be where everyone congregated. Alan was using one of the nearby houses as shade against the sun as he scribbled in a small notebook, Blunt was unsuccessfully trying to talk to Galbo and Medri was reading his book much to the interest of the rest of the settlement. Silk walked up to Blunt and Galbo.

“How far away is the Chieftain’s settlement?” Silk asked, when there was a slight lull in Blunt’s monologue.

“A good day’s walk. You can’t go now anyway”.

“Why not?”.

The idea of being stuck here for a day was even more disconcerting than sleeping in the tavern. The stillness was beginning to make him feel weird. Everyone moved so fast but there was something about the atmosphere. Even the ferocious pounding for the evening meal seemed almost muted. Silk was acutely aware that there was no fire burning which meant cold food. Not that there were trees nearby to gather sticks from.

“I wouldn’t recommend it”.

“Why not?” Silk pressed.

“Things happen in the night” the man wiggled his fingers in the air in a magical fashion.

Blunt and Silk exchanged a frightened glance. No one seemed to ever provide a straight answer. As the sun sank deeper towards the ground, more people began to congregate around the rocks. Bowls were passed around.

“What kind of things?” Blunt asked.

“Boat stealing activities” Medri shuffled towards them.

His locs were tied back in a haphazard fashion. He cradled his book to his chest.
The man looked around anxiously before lowering his voice, “they let the beasts roam at night. It’s when the rounds are done”.

Silk didn’t know what kind of rounds but he knew that he didn’t like the sound of there being beasts nearby. The only person around with a weapon was Blunt and as much as the man had brute strength, that didn’t make him a great fighter.

“Sounds lovely. Is there a temple on the island?” Medri asked, nonplussed.

“On the western cliff. But it doesn’t welcome those who worship gods, it’s a place to pay respects to the Elders”.

“On the westerncliff” Medri affirmed, “is it populated?”.

The man made a face, “no. It’s more of a shrine than a temple”.

Silk interrupted, “the Elders? As in the first people to live on the planet?”.

Galbo nodded, “they’re not people but yes those Elders. The shrine belongs to the Keeper of Anzi. A mighty being of immense strength. Everything my brother does on this island is to appease him”.

“If we leave at dawn, how long will it take to get there?” Medri had a way of cutting to the chase. Galbo was not eager to respond, his eyes lingered on Silk.
“You think some ancient being is watching what you spend your time doing here on the island?” Blunt scoffed.

“A quarter sun maybe. Those on the mainland have forgotten many things but unlike your gods, the Elders are tangible. They exist, they walk among us, they have excellent memories. You would do well not to anger the Anzian Keeper” Galbo assessed them all again.

“A quarter sun? We could still make it before it’s pitch black” Medri’s circular glasses caught the light of the fading sun.

“Here you are regarded with interest, curiosity” the man nodded towards the people.

They were keeping their distance and carrying out their tasks, but there were numerous fleeting glances in the group’s direction. Still, Silk hadn’t heard anyone else speaking to one another but there was a silent sort of communication taking place.

“My brother does not like outsiders, particularly those from the mainland. If you arrive after dusk whilst the rounds are being done, it is likely you’ll end up gobbled”.

“Gobbled? By the animals?” Blunt said.

“Beasts” Medri corrected, unhelpfully.

“The choice is yours. You are welcome to food and a hut for the night as you mostly stayed out of the way” Galbo looked pointedly at Blunt before going to oversee the food preparations.

“I guess I’m staying the night” Silk shrugged.

“We all are. No one’s getting gobbled on my watch” Blunt puffed out his chest slightly.

Alan showed little surprise in being told the news. Silk couldn’t grasp the relationship he had with Medri but it seemed like he let the younger man do as he pleased. He still couldn’t shake the question of why the men had come. The two men wore the same robes signalling that they were clearly part of the same group but what that group stood for Silk had no idea. With nothing else to do but wait, Silk sat down on the sand, far away from the dinner preparations. He let them carry out their tasks without him hovering. The water beckoned to him again, but the night was soon approaching and the sewing circle had packed up for the day. No one would even know if he was swept away until hours later and he couldn’t really trust that anyone here would bother to save him. He admired the glittering surface from afar. Anzi had an understated beauty to it. It was more varied in scenery than the swampland but not as overpopulated as the capital. Silk found himself slipping into a natural rhythm with the place.

Between the strange cloak and his oversized book, Medri garnered the most attention. Silk felt a small pit growing in his stomach but he pushed it down to the best of his ability. As the sun finally met the horizon, they were gathered together for the meal. Stilted conversations flooded the space. The food came with small sticks to jab at the various pieces of food before placing them into one’s mouth. The dish resembled the surrounding sandy landscape and the huts, beige and mysterious. But it seemed to provide Silk with some much needed energy, even if all of the components didn’t go together, he was probably just eating it wrong. Despite the length of time it had taken to prepare the meal, the food was scoffed down within minutes before people retreated to their houses, passing around pieces of chalk as they went. No one waited around for the sky’s colour to deepen or the moon to fully rise, which was still at least an hour away based on Silk’s calculations.

Medri and Alan retired to the hut early. There wasn’t a lot of reading that could be done without candlelight and Medri didn’t seem to want to take a look around. Silk spotted Blunt wandering off towards the sand dunes and decided to follow him.

“Where are you going?” Silk asked.

Blunt didn’t respond, his eyes were trained on the ground. Blunt pointed towards something etched into the sand. On closer inspection, it wasn’t something drawn, it had been left. Paw prints. Large ones. The only animals Silk really had experience with were horses and alligators. Neither of them had feet of this size.

“I was going to have a look around the perimeter but I think it might be best to return to the hut”.

“What kind of beast is that?” the paw prints were similar to a dog’s foot but with points at the end signalling long claws, “a wolf?”.

Blunt crouched down and felt the imprint with his fingers. He rubbed the sand between them. The trail led off in scattered directions, most likely trodden on repeatedly by the beast itself. Some tracks led west towards the tavern whilst others headed toward the east of the island.

“Wolves aren’t that large”.

“You’ve seen one?” Silk asked, impressed.

“A long time ago. This is something bigger. Something that would definitely gobble us if we come across it” he smiled, before sniffing slightly.

Silk could smell something too but he hadn’t been sure if it was just a figment of his imagination. The same smell that had emanated from the bruise on the edge of the island.

“It smells like wood and yet there’s no trees around here” Silk voiced aloud.
Blunt stood up. He was a large man but smaller than Silk’s lanky frame.

“Not wood, magic. Magic reeks of the earth”.

“Magic?” Silk mused. Blunt did know his stuff.

Silk had only come into direct contact with the stuff once and that hadn’t ended well for anyone in the village, his mother included. Now that Blunt mentioned it, the smell had an edge to it that didn’t seem entirely fresh. It was almost smoky.

“I wonder if that’s why Medri is so hellbent on staying here” Blunt asked, heading back towards the hut.

“How did you end up with Medri?” Silk followed him, taking advantage of the opportunity to learn more about his companions.

“King’s orders, nothing fancy. He arrived at my door with a thick layer of parchment that stated I must aid him in a trip to Anzi. A boat would be waiting”.

“He’s a member of the court? He’s quite young”.

Blunt shrugged, “I’m a mere Captain. I get orders and I execute them without drawing too much attention to myself. Couldn’t tell you the first thing about the court. I never got the chance to serve the palace directly”.

“I didn’t know the king favoured religion”.

“They’re not religious”, Blunt stumbled on the sand before correcting himself, “well not really anyway I don’t think. They’re some of those people in the libraries”.

“Scribes?”.

“Not the writer ones”.

“Historians?”.

Blunt snapped his fingers, “historians. That’s why I think Medri was interested in finding a scientist flailing around in the sea. You’re all brainy types, I’m just the muscle”.

“What kind of history do they study?”.

“Medri said something about the ways of the world in the older times, creation and what have you through the written words” Blunt stared at the sky, “maybe not so different from religion after all”.

They walked to the hut in silence. Silk knew enough about the Elders to know they were old and linked to creation but that didn’t explain the significance of Anzi specifically. The historians were already sleeping. Silk tiptoed around in the dark, trying his best not to wake them as he picked his way towards the corner of the room. It was nearest to the empty window but he didn’t want to sleep sandwiched between two people. The noises from Blunt’s armour made Silk’s efforts all in vain as he stomped his way towards his own bedding.

Silk removed his clothes, tossed them towards his feet and covered himself with the sheet. He couldn’t help but stare at the unfilled windows again. He imagined luminous eyes looking through the gaps, peering at them as they slept. He hugged the wall and closed his eyes. Despite the chilling image and the fact that he was sleeping on the floor, Silk slept well that night.