《The Isle of the Damned》


 The Isle of the Damned

    B


    Although, that wasn''t to say that the island was uninhabited.


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    And neither did they die.


    Which was why it may feel strange to find some clearly defined shapes that didn''t match anything that could be found near the island.


    But that did not bridle their ardent desire.


    They were impatient to see what treasure they might have brought with them.


    ?


    Beyond the white shores of Merill, across the blue horizon, a lone rock rose between the waves.


    Yet, not a single one of them had ever seen the island with their own eyes, let alone landed there: it wasn''t visible even from the single westernmost stone of the westernmost coast. It would require a day''s worth of sailing with favourable winds in order to reach it. But not even a veteran fisherman with no fear of death would venture to go this far out into the open sea. For such was the rule of the lord of these seas that none may encroach on his territory: Men could sail as much as they pleased near the white coast they inhabited, and a bit further past the horizon one could see from the shore. Beyond there lied Jovem, and the Great of the Waters did not tolerate intruders. A ship which had the misfortune of violating this sacred rule even by mistake would disappear into a storm. It only returned to the shore by fragments of wooden planks and a shattered mast; those on it did not return.


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    From that point on, the escort had to watch as the judgement unfurled.


    Still, there was one element which stuck out of the whole process like a sore thumb.


    ?


    A


    A cracking noise loud as a thunderclap, drowned by the howling gale.


    Then, piercing through the unfathomable darkness, a light.


    Then, he laid eyes on the Isle of the Damned.


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    He received his answer when at last they reached the innermost chamber.


    But most disturbing of all was its face.


    Those were unmistakably human and they were not only on its person ¨C all around the King, human skulls and bones were laid out and covered in moss. They weren''t haphazardly tossed around but arranged neatly following an unknown yet noticeable logic. Among them were also a myriad of various trinkets; fishing hooks, pieces of oar and even actual gemstones. Everything that was even remotely human on this island was gathered here in the throne room.


    The circle around him was becoming unstable.


    They cherished him so much that, in the end, they tore him apart.


    One by one, the cries faded out. They turned their heads to the centre of the chamber where their guest had been. There was only a pool of red now. They did not feel sad or angry. Instead, order returned to the room and all Waki-jaki lied down in circle around the crimson stain. They closed their eyes with the King''s lullaby as a guide.