Forum

[talien]

They had come upon an uncharted island. Baldric called for a longboat to approach the isle and conduct reconnaissance. Clem and Vlad rowed, with Beldin, Kham, and Ilmarė in the center.

“It’s just a barren piece of rock,” said Ilmarė. “This is a waste of time.”

The island was only three hundred feet across, comprised almost entirely of jagged rock. Birds beyond number had roosted on it, as the stony barren provided the perfect resting place for a long flight between islands. Much of the island was covered in bird droppings, and several crags contained nests.

Kham hopped onto the island. “C’mon Clem, let’s go check it out.”

“Yes, sir!” Clem had a wide-eyed, starved look about him. Hair stood out in tufts on his cheeks and chin.

“This entire place smells of feathers and fish,” said Ilmarė in disgust.

Kham climbed one of the outcroppings. He brushed against something that tumbled down the rock face. It was a ribcage.

Kham reached the top. “Looks like a nest.”

Clem reached him a moment later. “Do you hear that?”

Kham sifted through the debris. “Hear what?”

“The singing. They’re calling us.”

“Calling us?” He looked at Clem. “You okay?”

Clem reached down and snatched something out of the nest.

“What have you got there Clem?” Kham’s hands slowly moved to his pistols.

“Nothing. We have to go to them. Can’t you hear them?”

Kham froze. He could hear something. Calling him. Tempting him. It was mixed in with the crashing of the waves, but it was soft and beautiful and longing.

“I think we should go.”

“Yes!” Clem clutched whatever it was in his hand to his breast. “We must go to them!” He started to walk off the side of the cliff.

Kham put one hand on Clem’s shoulder.

“Don’t try to stop me!” The man spun around and stabbed Kham in the arm with a sliver of what looked like glass.

Kham cursed and grabbed Clem’s wrist. Clem knocked Kham down, attempting to plunge the dagger into his eye. They struggled perilously close to the edge.

Suddenly, Ilmarė’s voice cut through the song. She sang of dawn turning to silver glass, of a light on the water, of souls passing.

Clem suddenly dropped the crystal blade and got up. “I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

Kham stood up, dusting himself off. Blood was seeping through his overcoat. “It’s all right. We’d better go now.” He picked up the crystal knife. “And just to be safe, I’ll take this.”

They made it down to the boat just as Ilmarė’s song finished.

Vlad noticed Kham’s wound. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Kham exchanged looks with Clem. “We were just enjoying Ilmarė’s song.” He turned to Ilmarė. “Have I mentioned that I’m glad you came with us?”

Ilmarė was unimpressed. “You can explore the next island by yourself.”