The Turquoise Queen, Pedro Urvi [e book reader android txt] 📗

The oars sank into the water, but they did not even hear them, nor could they see anything in the funereal quiet of the Eternal Mist. They might have been sailing through the realm of the dead.

“This thick fog gives me the creeps,” Gerd said fearfully. “I have the horrible feeling that at any moment a giant sea monster’s going to come out of it and gulp us down.”

“The only sea monster in this fog is Viggo,” Ingrid told him, “and he’s right there in front of you, so take it easy.”

“I’ll always be your little monster, my Blondie,” Viggo said playfully.

There came the sound of a firm slap on the head, and for it to have been audible where they were, it must have been one for the record-books. They all laughed. All except Viggo, whose head really hurt and who was complaining bitterly.

Viggo funny, Camu transmitted to Lasgol.

He smiled. Very funny.

Ona gave a moan of agreement.

The slight easing of tension made the journey through this sinister mist rather more relaxed.

At last, they came out of the Eternal Mist and steered west, toward the Ferocious Islands. Lasgol could see that Arrain was actually using a pearl like Eicewald’s to orient himself. When he placed it in his hands and cast a spell on it, the pearl rose and rotated, indicating the direction to follow.

The next two days were passed sailing peacefully under a scorching sun. They tied their scarves on their heads, pirate-style, to protect themselves from it, since it seemed intent on roasting their tender white skins.

A day later they reached the Ferocious Islands. There were three of them, much larger than the ones which made up the turquoise archipelago. Arrain set course toward the central one, after sailing around it to approach it from the north. Night fell and stopped their progress.

“We’ll wait till the dead of night to make the final approach,” Arrain said.

“How many men are there guarding it?” Eicewald asked.

“More than you can kill. I advise stealth and prudence, or you won’t make it. If you’re spotted and the alarm’s given, you won’t leave the island alive.”

“Understood. We’ll go stealthily and carefully.”

“Use the night as an ally.”

Eicewald nodded.

They landed on a hidden beach on the north shore. No sooner had they set foot on the sand than the savages left them there and departed quickly. Surprise needed to be a factor in their favor, and they could not afford to waste it by being spotted.

“Good luck, old friend,” Arrain said to Eicewald. “You’re going to need it.”

“We’ll see each other again soon,” the mage assured him confidently.

“I hope so,” said the Shaman by way of farewell. He took his leave and vanished into the dark in the other canoe.

The beach turned out to be small and surrounded by rocks and cliffs, so that they were well-concealed.

Camu, are you picking up magic? Lasgol asked his companion. Power?

No magic, Camu transmitted back.

Ona, can you see anything strange, or pick up anything?

Ona moaned, and Lasgol interpreted this as a sign that she had not detected anything suspicious.

Eicewald showed them a map. “Arrain has given me this. He says we’ll find Olagar’s base of operations here, in this bay on the other side of the island.”

“They could’ve dropped us off a little closer,” Viggo complained. “We’re going to have to cross the whole island on foot.”

“This is the safest place. The rest of the island is more closely watched, from what he told me.”

“The best thing would be to go into the jungle,” said Lasgol. “Here on the beach, we’re too easily spotted. Let’s go up that cliff. It looks easier to climb.”

“I’m with you,” said Ingrid.

They set off with great care. The climb was not a very complicated business for them, but it was going to be more difficult for Eicewald. It was no terrain for a Mage who was no spring chicken. Lasgol went ahead of him to help him, and Astrid followed him to make sure he did not miss a step and fall. They managed to get him to the top, albeit with a couple of bad moments and considerable delay. Lasgol knew that they could not afford to lose the Mage. He was almost as important as the Star of Life and Sea, because if he were to die, he doubted whether the other Ice Magi were experienced and powerful enough to work the great spell they needed to destroy the Frozen Specter. He had already mentioned this to Astrid, who agreed with him, so that they would take special care that nothing happened to the Mage.

Crossing the tropical jungle turned out to be an intense business. The heat was as strong as in the Turquoise Queen’s islands. The dense vegetation was an obstacle which impeded their progress. Ingrid and Viggo led the way, chopping down undergrowth to clear the way for the others. Lasgol was glad to be amid vegetation again, even though it was so dense and colorful and the atmosphere so humid. At least they were not still on the beach, where he had felt defenseless.

When they came to a clearing with a stream and a small pond, they stopped to rest. The sun was beating down on them. They filled their water-skins, knowing they would need them later on. Suddenly they heard noises coming from the east. Someone was coming, although they could not see who it was amid the vegetation. At Ingrid’s sign, they scattered rapidly to conceal themselves among the trees. Astrid and Lasgol helped Eicewald to hide.

They waited, bows at the ready. The dense vegetation parted in front of them, and feet wearing the typical shoes which the turquoise savages wore appeared in the clearing. The leg, which was the next thing they saw