Chapter V

Drums were beaten, calls were shouted and dancers circled the shell centrepiece in the middle of the square. For the Anzians this was a time for celebration. For Silk this was a time of forced proximity to the Chieftain who he had tried to avoid since his return from the cave the previous day. The scene of the Anzian festivities in front of him was oddly reminiscent of the pictures etched into the cave wall. Whilst Alan continued his account on yellowed paper, Silk and Medri learned the native dance. It helped to keep Silk’s mind off of food as the scent of charred food filled the air from the crackling fire. The dance had looked simple until he joined in. They spun and almost skipped without shoes, feeling the rhythm of the drum as it vibrated around the stone floor. Silk lasted ten minutes before the dance became too much for his newly healed feet. He no longer had to hobble due to exchanging another gold coin with Reya but he didn’t want to split the new, almost perfect, skin. If this was the power of Anzian herbs, he couldn’t imagine how much he could do with even a small supply of the Lionare Unymajus.

Instead of rejoining Blunt who sat glaring at the drums with a goblet in hand or feeling the Chieftain’s stare fixated on him for the next hour as he battled a growling stomach, Silk found his sandals and slipped off towards the north east edge of the square. To anyone else it would appear that he was going to relieve himself but Silk couldn’t let himself get distracted from his true purpose. Entering the forest. If Blunt was quieter and less conspicuous, Silk would’ve invited him along. It would’ve felt nicer scaling the massive sand dune that stood between him and the treeline with this newfound company. But Blunt was loud and shiny. Silk didn’t need everyone in the settlement knowing what he was up to. Towards the north, the slope didn’t seem to get any gentler. Silk picked a spot where he was out of sight from the watchful eyes in the square. He curled his hands to resemble claws and anchored them carefully deep into the mound of sand. It slid away with even the tiniest change of movement. It was doable if he could perfect his handhold. Keeping his legs broad, he pressed his body low and shuffled up the dune. If there was an easier way to scale sand, Silk didn’t about it. He made progress little by little despite the drums echoing around like a permanent warning. When his fingers struck stone, he scrambled to pull himself over the edge of the dune. He exhaled audibly before peeling himself to his feet.

Up close, the forest seemed less enticing. Birds didn’t chirp gently from above. Insects weren’t scurrying across the floor or buzzing within the trees. The silence usurped the serenity. Silk approached haltingly as he stepped into the undergrowth. Immediately he felt the hairs on his arms standing up again. A sneeze wracked his body, causing his eyes to water. He wiped them aggressively before he realised that there was something in front of him, moving through the bushes. An amber orb like the one he’d found in the cave was floating above the forest floor. Moving towards him. As the orb drew closer, Silk scanned the floor for something to use as a weapon. A longer stick would serve him better than the short instruments in his pockets. There were a few twigs by his feet but on second thought, he wasn’t sure whether the thing would respond to movement. Even with his eyes more accustomed to the darkness of the forest, he couldn’t ascertain what was standing in front of him. The orb began to rise higher into the air. It wasn’t floating, it was embedded into the forehead of a creature that now rose to full height. A black hulking figure barely silhouetted against the green backdrop. Silk couldn’t see the beast in its entirety due to the dense shrubbery but it was impossible not to notice its eyes. White with no pupils. With each step it moved forward, Silk should’ve moved back. He didn’t. The stench that filled his nostrils again rooted him to the spot. As the beast finally emerged fully, Silk let out a relieved breath. Seated on the beast’s back, twin swords strapped to his back, was Dolo.

“I had wondered why you weren’t at the celebration. You’re hard to miss” Silk breathed.

“It’s my turn to guard the forest. A shame, as I like a good party” he looked off into the distance where the drums were increasing in tempo.

Silk’s assumption of the beast being akin to a wolf wasn’t far off. It was certainly a distant relative of the common hounds back in the mainland with a few unnerving distinctions. Onyx black fur that stood up in odd angles due to its spikiness. A mouth that could separate Silk’s upper body from his legs with one bite. Those awful pupils.

“Can it see?” Silk asked.

“Who? Oh, Tango? He does run directly towards the people we hunt so I think so” Dolo patted the beast affectionately on the head.

It bared its fangs in response, they glinted in a way that reminded him of Chalcy.

“People?” Silk managed to take a step back as the beast licked the side of its lips with a bumpy tongue that seemed way longer than it needed to be.

“Not people, I misspoke. Animals” Dolo offered a polite smile that did nothing to assuage Silk’s nerves.

“Why are you guarding the forest?”.

“Because the Chieftain told me to. He said you’d turn up sooner or later. I had asked to be relieved so I could attend the festivities but he said no” Dolo shimmied his shoulders to the drums. It wasn’t quite the flowing moves Silk had just been taught.

Silk looked at Dolo, calculating, “the Chieftain knows I want to enter the forest but he doesn’t have to know I ever did”.
Without warning, the beast let out a growl. Its spittle flew into Silk’s face as he squeezed his eyes shut. The impact of the air nearly threw him against the nearest tree. When Silk finally opened his eyes, he could see that the beast had protracted its large claws.

Dolo smiled at Tango, “I wouldn’t tell him but Tango would and I don’t want to get in trouble. I was given strict orders”.

“He’d punish a child?” Silk asked.

“I’m sixteen”.

“That’s still a child” although based on Dolo’s size, he couldn’t see the Chieftain making the attempt to reprimand him.

Dolo shrugged, “not on Anzi it’s not. It’s not him I’m worried about, it’s my mother. If you think the Chieftain is particular about honouring the island and its rules then be happy you arrived after she’d left”.

Silk’s body deflated. Somewhere nearby the plant was calling for him. He was so close to it and yet he knew he wouldn’t be able to talk Dolo into letting him through. A part of him didn’t even want to try. He didn’t know what punishment might be exacted on Dolo because of him. Silk considered attempting to run past the beast but that would probably anger it.

“How did your mother leave when there are no boats? I didn’t think anyone left the island”.

“You’d be surprised at the things we find on night patrol”, a slight crease formed between Dolo’s brows as he peered down at Silk, “even things hidden in rock crevices”.

“So you did steal Alan’s boat too. I thought the Chieftain didn’t like foreigners on the island”.

Whoops and cheers erupted from the square. Until the event, Silk hadn’t ever heard the Anzians raise their voices above a whisper but it was as though a valve had been released.

“Alan’s boat was borrowed, he has done nothing wrong”.

“Is that what the Chieftain told you?” Silk inquired. He was acutely aware that food would be served soon and he wasn’t getting past Tango tonight.

A flat look passed over Dolo’s face, almost like a pout.

“It will be returned”.

“What about the boat from the crevice?” Silk tried to still his shaking hands.

The warmth disappeared from Dolo’s eyes, “please return to the square”.

“Where is the boat?” Silk hissed.
“Please return to the square” he said flatly as Tango growled in warning, snapping its large maul.

Silk didn’t dare to turn his attention away from the two of them until he’d crossed the edge of the forest. Even when his foot caught on a tree trunk causing him to stumble slightly. Coming down the sand dune was hardly any easier than going up. Mud from the forest caked his sandals. A final glance over his shoulder told him that Dolo was still there, unmoving. He wasn’t looking at Silk. Silk followed his gaze towards the square where two slits scrutinised Dolo. From this distance, the Chieftain’s eyes resembled that of the beast’s. Silk descended, tripping over a tuft of sand and sliding down the rest of the way. Burns accumulated on his skin as he rolled. It was hardly the dignified exit he’d wanted but that didn’t matter now. He didn’t dare to shake the sand from his body before rejoining the party in the square with his head firmly down to avoid eye contact with the Chieftain. Very few people knew Silk’s intentions to find the plant and yet Dolo had been waiting based on the Chieftain’s orders. It was possible that he had some divine island insight but that was improbable to Silk.

Watching the Anzians twirl and swoop together, Reya happily in their midst, didn’t stir the emotions of camaraderie it had before he’d left. The whole thing seemed stifling, a performance instead of a celebration. He sat down on a log with the other travellers who sat in silence despite Jun’s attempts to uplift the mood.

“Running off alone as always” Medri’s head was buried in his book.

Blunt frowned questioningly at Silk as he sipped from the goblet.

Silk waved his hand absently, “I’m not used to so many people”.

Jun levelled him with a stare, “you went into the forest, didn’t you?”.

“You could’ve asked us for help” Blunt sighed.

“That would’ve drawn too much attention. Besides, I was only gathering a plant, not catching fish for the evening meal”.

Silk was saved from a response by a couple of Anzians passing around amulets. Everyone received one, including the travellers, alongside a sentence that sounded like a prayer. They each nodded their heads in appreciation as Jun conversed with them in Anzian. Blunt held the amulet up in the fading sunlight, squinting at it carefully.

Silk fastened his amulet around his own wrist before tying Blunt’s to his own. He knew the man would be reluctant to put it on based on his demeanour for the entire evening.

“The Chieftain is watching us” Silk said through gritted teeth as Blunt tried to shake him off.

The Captain relented and looked down at the thing with distaste. Moments later he shot to his feet, went over to the large bowl in the far corner of the square that was likely filled with the local alcoholic beverage and refilled the goblet.

“Do visitors ever get granted access to enter the forest?” Silk asked Jun, quietly.

“No, it’s sacred ground. Everything we need for the safety of the island is there”,
Jun’s eyes were fixed on Reya as she led the procession of dancers around the display of shells in the centre, “most of us aren’t even permitted to enter”.

Chalcy could’ve mentioned that. Large serving plates were finally being filled near the fire.

“If you didn’t actually get into the forest, then why do you smell like you’ve been rolling around in the dirt?” Medri peered at him before shuffling over a log to take Blunt’s seat.

Silk sniffed at his shirt. He did smell like earth, courtesy of Tango most likely.

“Saliva from the beast”.

“You met the beast?” Alan sat with his pen poised at the ready, “what did it look like? I’m still yet to catch a glimpse of one”.

Silk gave a brief description but there weren’t many things he could liken it to and he was bad at describing things. Alan passed him the paper to draw an accurate depiction that ultimately resembled a black cloud with pointed ears and stubby legs. Silk was proud of the teeth and claws at least. He’d managed to capture their sharpened nature well considering he was drawing with a piece of charcoal. Jun watched them in silence and apt fascination. It was possible he’d never seen one either. Silk was amazed by how alive Alan’s eyes became when he uncovered some new knowledge about the island.

The dancers slowed their movements as the drums wound down.

“Jun, what do you know about a cave through the mists?” Silk’s voice was little more than a whisper.

“A cave? I’ve never been near the mists”.

“So the island doesn’t have prisoners? People who have committed crimes, maybe?” Silk used the final shouts of the party as cover. The dancers dispersed. The Chieftain was still watching but hopefully he couldn’t read lips.

“Crimes?” Jun pondered.

Reya glided over to them with very purposeful steps before laying an arm on Jun’s shoulder and saying something in Anzian. She dragged him up and off of the log.

Jun turned towards Silk, “I hope you’re not taking advantage of my kindness. Please remember you are guests on our land”.

Reya and Jun went to sit with some other Anzians on the other side of the circle. Silk knew he’d likely been walking a dangerous line with his enquiries but he didn’t like not knowing information. It unsettled him. The Anzians didn’t move with predictability.

“Scaring off our friendly Anzian guide. We’ll have to start relying on Alan’s Anzian fan club members” Medri joked.

“You laugh but it has worked out well for me thus far” Alan winked.

As he stood up Silk noticed that he’d found an old branch somewhere to use as a cane. With that at his disposal and his paper tucked under his arm, he moved faster than even Silk could hope to. Alan went to speak to the Ozo, who regarded him with a curt warmth. Blunt, meanwhile, was attempting to restart the drumming with an enthusiasm that was certainly linked to the contents of the goblet. Silk could feel his cheeks reddening.

“Medri” Silk said.

Medri didn’t even twitch as he went back to the comfort of his book. Though his face was mere inches away from the page, Silk could tell he wasn’t reading. He was thinking about something deeply.

“Medri, I know you can hear me. If you don’t answer, I’ll just start reading your book with you”.

“Read away, I have nothing to hide. Blunt is not my responsibility. If anything, I was supposed to be his responsibility” Medri responded.

“The two of you are travel companions” Silk protested.

“I wanted to come alone. I didn’t need anyone to come with me and definitely not a failed Captain” Medri closed his book pointedly, leaning on it with one hand.

“He’s out of his depth”.

“On that, we can agree”.

Silk was drawn again to Medri’s hands. The intricate scars were old and faded but they’d easily last a lifetime. Each one seemed to be applied in a very specific direction and with clear intent. But this wasn’t the point where they were going to connect over the intricate scars on his hand or engage in pointless topics. With nothing left to do, Silk stared out into the square. Night was quickly approaching but no one seemed to be concerned about being indoors before the curfew. No one was rushing around looking for chalk or drawing symbols on doors. Dolo waded through the party, without Tango. People parted eagerly. A group of people loosely congregated behind him. In fact, Dolo seemed to get more attention than the Chieftain himself. Dolo nodded once at the Chieftain before strolling towards Jun and Reya. Silk wasn’t surprised when the Chieftain turned to look at him again. The slits that were his eyes narrowed further as he clasped his ringed fingers together.

“I must admit, I’m jealous. You seem to have caused quite the stir. Chaos is usually my thing” Medri said, there was definitely a half-smile on his face.

“No one told me I wasn’t allowed to enter the forest” Silk averted his gaze from the Chieftain, choosing instead to focus on the food that still wasn’t forthcoming.

“And enter mystery caves in the mist with prisoners”.

“That was an accident”.

Medri drummed his fingertips on the cover of the book. Maybe he was actually open to conversation in the right moments.

“I’ve read many books in my lifetime and yet I’ve never heard of your plant. I was sent here with Blunt because few people were willing to journey here from the capital” Medri started.

“Blunt said he had knowledge others didn’t” Silk neglected to mention magic directly.

“There’s no reason to crush his fragile pride so we’ll let him believe that. But you can see why I find it hard to believe that you would make the journey here for something as trivial as a plant” Medri was speaking more to himself than to Silk.

Admittedly, it wasn’t until Blunt garbled something towards the Chieftain and headed towards the beach that Silk remembered his drunken state. Judging by Blunt’s distaste for the water, he would stay far from the shore. There were minimal other ways he could get hurt so Silk remained seated. The Chieftain didn’t seem alarmed. Silk had a warmth for Blunt but that didn’t extend to the point of obligation.

“Maybe I’ll tell you all about the plant one day. The same day you tell me why you’re here” Silk said.

“I think you’ll find me a better confidant than Blunt. I have an understanding of objective truths plus I speak quietly at least”.

“Objective truths?”.

“I understand that everyone has their reasons for things. I don’t think people should be judged for that”.

“One might argue that you actually do enjoy conversation” Silk smiled.

Medri nodded slowly peering down at his book again, “I didn’t claim otherwise. But most conversations are predictable. Those are the boring ones”.

“You don’t think a person can ever surprise you once you get past the predictability?” Silk contemplated.

The cooks lifted the serving plates from the ground and placed them down on the communal table. It was strange that they’d let people help themselves to portions. Someone could easily take more than their fair share and leave someone else without. But that was the difference between living in a community and living with self-interest. The steamed plates called out to Silk but the Chieftain always said a few words before the meal started.

“Not completely. I suppose that depends on whether you have a knack for noticing interesting individuals. Someone might make an uninteresting comment once but that doesn’t make them predictable. You have to notice the person themselves”.

“Poetic” Silk lowered his voice as the Chieftain took his usual spot.

He could feel Medri observing him as though he considered Silk an interesting individual. Silk kept his eyes forward but a dull warmth flooded his chest. Maybe he’d always been seeking the wrong people. It was easy to find people who valued others but they always made Silk feel inadequate by always doing the right thing for the collective. It was impossible to benefit everyone all the time. He didn’t have to hide so much with those who presented their flaws to the world. He could speak freely.

“Tonight we gather to honour the island. We express gratitude for the food it has provided, our continuous health and most of all our community”.

“Czhe” the Anzians responded in unison. Their postures were tight and their voices back to their normal volume.

“It has come to my attention that some indiscretions have been committed on this most festive day. As the direct overseer of the island, and the Keeper’s most trusted advocate, I will handle them” the beads swung as he spoke, “but not tonight, tomorrow when the day has turned. Tonight we enjoy ourselves and drink wine until the sun comes up”.

Those with goblets around the circle hoisted them into the air in a communal cheers though there were no shouts or phrases uttered.

“Do all of the Anzians even know the common tongue?” Silk asked.

“I don’t think so. That speech was entirely directed at you”.

“I made one mistake”.

“Technically, two. You’ll have to take me with you on your next adventure”.

No one ran towards the food with haste. They joined the queue slowly. Usually the travellers waited until all of the Anzians had eaten but Silk was hungry to the point of feeling faint. He joined the queue prematurely. After eating, Silk went for a walk around the settlement. It felt weird seeing the inky sky above. How quickly his body had become accustomed to sleeping at dusk. He returned to his hut and drifted off into a comfortable sleep, despite the pacing footsteps on the sand and the occasional squeak of a flask being opened outside. Silk hoped, for Blunt’s sake, that they wouldn’t perform checks that night.