[fetch]

Athos and Titus walked slowly from one stepping stone to another they were smooth and small folk would have no problem using this strange route to the island . The stones bore the great mass of the giants without moving or shaking under the strain and as the brothers gained confidence their stride lengthened and they picked up speed.

As they got nearer to the island they realised that despite it only rising from the sea a few brightenings ago it was verdant. Majestic trees lined the yellow beach waves lapped onto the shoreline and slipped over the occasional rock situated in pleasing symmetry along the beach. As they stood on the beach the final stepping stone negotiated they could hear waves and sea sloshing and whispering onto a balmy shore the calls of birds in the trees but no hint of human or other animal form.

They walked along the shore shucking their normal heavy leather coats in recognition that the temperature was much warmer than the mainland. Brother this is most strange methinks I prithee hast thou an explanation for this strangeness?…..Nay brother never hast mine eyes seen such a miracle….

The trees parted as they meandered around the island to reveal a path into the hinterlands of the island . They strolled into the avenue of trees and to their delight they were surrounded by a flock of brightly feathered birds wheeling and cawing .Each brother would find that their shoulders were being used as perches by the parrot like birds and a small loaf of bread was eagerly consumed by their travelling companions.

A slight incline took them deeper into the forest and at the top of the hill they caught a flash of white. The brothers surmised that they were heading towards the center of the island and towards the top of the volcano that had gushed its contents towards Trysvale but rather than a gaping crater full of violent lava they found a white building. It was circular, tall ringed by sleek columns of white stone mounted by a dome of the same material.

A sward of green grass fresh and mown surrounded the building and both giants felt the urge to sit down and snooze the brightening away on this green bed but logic prevailed and despite the invitation they pressed on and went inside the building. Even for a pair of giants the inside was enormous far bigger than they imagined from the outside view. It was white bare of ornamentation , the floor was flagged with white marble that shone as if an army of skivvies laboured day and night on polishing. Light flooded in from the roof and the giants cast deep long shadows across the mirror of a floor. The brightest beam of all fell on the only decoration contained within this edifice a single massive statue that dwarfed the giants.

A woman full bodied and of uncertain age dressed in a floor length pleated dress standing on a carved rock facetted like a huge cut jewel. Her hands were crossed in front of her and from her wrists fell heavy chains which held her chained to the jewel. Her face was beautiful wise and sad her eyes looked straight ahead and seemed to bore deep into the souls of the giants.

The brothers stood in awe of the art work but as they stood in contemplation of the rare sculpture a great sense of peace fell over them. How long they stood they would not be able to tell later but when they left the temple for that was what they decided it must be the giants felt alive refreshed and full of vigour

Truly a wonderful place brother …..Aye ….let us return and tell of this wonder so others may visit.

They hurried back to the stepping stones and dashed across the causeway as the bells of Trysvale chimed the end of the brightening and the beginning of the working cycle. The last few stepping stones were taken at a canter as they realised that they were slipping back into the sea midnight had arrived and the single brightening a cycle that the island was open was over.