The Island [open on Solaria only]

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The Island[ Open on Solaria only]

The Month Ist brightening of Imperos , in the Season of Autumn, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

The latest visitor to Trysvale stood a mile off shore conveniently placed that it did not represent a hazard to shipping. The apex of the conical island still glowed a dull orange and only the most unobservant of sea goers would fail to miss the island.

It was a fact that the residents of Trysvale had a good discussion about the island over cups of tea or mugs of beer but after a cycle or two most folks simply accepted the fact that the island was here.

However some brave fishermen took out a boat and decided to investigate the new arrival , they had little problem getting close to the island but when one suggested they try and land they were foiled. According to Samuel the captain

Well mates I tell thee as true as the nose on mine face me and the lads sailed towards this nice bit of yellow beach and well we were just a few yards away when blow me down we found there was this invisible wall that stopped us dead in our tracks. We sailed right around the damnable place and its as though the island is covered in a bubble .I tell thee who ever or what ever is on that place don’t want anyone a visiting the door was firmly shut in our faces!

This news spread around the town like wild fire and the discussion started again. Many different views were espoused all of them incorrect but it kept the rumour mill working for another cycle.

The Lady Glory digested the gossip and sniffed down her nose merely advising her sisters to wait and see what transpired.


10th Imperos Era XIV ~Solaria

The two giants Titus and Athos Chasmbreaker were up at dawn as was their preference. The rest of Trysvale slept in because for most of the population Solaria was a day of rest free from the tasks of the previous nine brightenings. Some considered this slugabed attitude disgraceful , Solaria was a brightening for getting the knees dirty and giving thanks to the gods for surviving another cycle but these few were in the minority, Trysvale slumbered on.

The giants walked and conversed along the dockside stretching their long legs and making sure their domain was in good order in the light of the rising suns. Thus they were the first to notice!

Brother said Athos in his deep slow rumbling way Methinks that thou should cast thine eyes to sea correct me if I am wrong but are there not stepping stones leading to yon new island?……………………………..... Indeed thou dost speak truly replied Titus this is truly unusual me thinks we should test this

The two giants stepped with care onto the stone steps and noted with approval that they bore the great weight of the largest members of the Trysvale community. The line of stones led straight towards the island a causeway had appeared by some means and if the route to the island was there it made logical sense to think that the strange island was open to visitors.

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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.

[Darkthael Morgreed]

20th Imperos Era XIV ~Solaria

Perhaps one of the slowest among Trysvale's inhabitants to catch word of the various town's rumors, by the end of the 10th brigthening of Imperos and thanks to the giant's exaltations of it's wonders, even Darkthael was aware of the tales of the island. He knew of the magical barrier that protected it from landing by ship, even if he never bothered to try see if that rumor was true. He new of the rocky steeps and of the day they had appeared and then been gone again.

Curiosity was never a predominant trait in the cautious moraden, yet the story of what the giants saw in the island and its temple was enticing, interesting and for some reason, confidence inspiring for even the paranoid Darkthael. So it happened that in his free time, the medonian seeming of the dracon took the habit of passing the place where the stones were said to have appeared for the giants during his morning walks. The first nine brightenings he tried so, he found only water in the site of the purported miracle, but the tenth, the tenth was another dawn of Solaria.

As he passed the spot, Darkthael saw, with no small surprise, the fabled steeping rocks. Carefully, despise the two brother's assurances of their safety, he begun to traverse the inviting path. To lack curiosity for little town gossip was one thing, to stand away in the face of true wonder was something completely different. That would be his own words when latter he was asked why had he, normally reclusive, walked each morning to that same steep in search of the stones. When he was questioned in why he, normally fearful, had accepted so easily the island's signal of welcoming.

Once on the newly emerged land, he would walk a path similar to that of Titus and Athos, or what he thought such path might have been like. He would head to the temple eventually, if nothing else interrupted his way, but he would walk slowly, looking around at the strange natural wonder he was now immersed in. Those were Danael's intentions as he walked the steeping stones, and Darkthael found little reason to oppose them.

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The walk was pleasant the stones that guided his feet to the island were solid under his feet and he stepped onto dry land without adventure ,The Moraden dracon was the third entity to step onto the island.

The path to the temple was quiet apart from the parrots that flew about his head in a kaleidoscope of colour. One settled on the strolling dracons shoulder and seemed content to rest therefore the duration of his visit.

The temple gleamed in the sunlight a dazzling white edifice beautiful in its stark simple logical lines. Darkthael walked its circumference his feet sinking into the soft green sward , he felt no inclination to enter its hallowed portals content to take in the vista for the moment. It was at the rear of the temple that Darkthael noticed a further feature a copse of willow trees spreading their billowing boughs down as if in prayer.

It was hot on the island far warmer than the mainland and even the most disciplined of dracons would begin to feel thirsty and logic might suggest that where there were willows there might well be water. Darkthael might feel the need to explore this grove of willows and if he pushed his way through the boughs he would find a pool of the clearest coldest water shimmering in diffused sunlight. As he contemplated this pool his thirst would grow perhaps it was psychosomatic but the sight of the cool clear clean water was mesmerising and the need to drink was overwhelming .

Did he stand there aware of his thirst and the driving need to slake his dry throat resisting the urge in good logical dracon fashion or would he gamble and take a drink from a pool born out of fire and chaos?

Nothing he had seen on the island so far seemed threatening indeed contact with the temple had calmed his mind almost as well as achieving clara

The voice was deep and gruff but with a kindly edge well friend you have found the pool why not take a sip after all its why the pools here .I promise you will feel better for the experience

The old willow tree dipping its limbs into the pool had a wooden sort of face etched deep into a knot half way up the trunk and what went for a mouth was curled into a smile go on my dracon friend be brave the wooden mouth chuckled I have not felt this good since I was a sapling!

[Darkthael Morgreed]

For many uneventful candlemarks Danael Morence walked about the island, dazzling red parrot on his shoulder. Both minds of the dracon could not help but to admire of the colors and sounds and views of the wondrous paradise they were in. Slowly they made their way towards the temple, constantly stopping to contemplate the surroundings, seeing nature as they had never seen it before.

Upon reaching the temple, he found out that he no longer desired to see statues or monuments, or walk upon marble floor. For green grass seemed brighter and more comfortable. And the hundred hues of green of the trees at the edge of the path would surely surpass in beauty and magnificence any frescoed walls. And the fruits and flowers and birds were sure to shame any possible decoration the edifice may hold inside. Rare as it was on him this amazement, this infatuation with nature and life, Darkthael Morgreed could not help but feel his heart fill with love for the land he was in. His minds finding a calm they had not ever known since birth.

He walked around the temple for a while, until he saw the glade and remembered his thirst, long forgotten in his current state of amazement. He approached the glade and saw the pool of crystalline water, inviting him to drink. Truth was that he doubted at first of quenching his thirst in it, fearful as he always was, yet far less so than in any other place or at any other time. For even when he heard the tree speak, he did not jump or run or cower, but stood there in amazement and curious surprise.

"Thank you. Then I will gladly accept your invitation" - Danael answered as the tree spoke for a second time. Lowering his hands into the pool, finding it surprisingly but nicely cool, he made a cup with both hands and took a few careful sips of the pristine water. - "Serale, friend. May I ask you who you are and in which place am I?" - The medonian seeming asked after drinking. He himself was most surprised that he was not scared of the unknown being, but for some reason it was reverence and childish surprise what he felt, yet not fear. Even as the old willow mustered knowledge of Darkthael's most terrible secret, he didn't feel threatened, figuring a creature so wondrous as the sentient tree would have its means of knowing great many hidden things.

He had asked 'who', deeming 'what' impolite, but never had the dracon seen a being such as this, and where fear was temporarily absent, curiosity and amazement burned instead. As he drank a second time, he looked at his rare companion with a respectful but studying eye, trying to discern as much as possible about his nature.

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The willow tree did not answer immediately but after a short delay its rough gentle voice replied with a hint of puzzlement in its tones.

“Well my young dracon friend …. Who I am is not a problem but the puzzlement is where I am? ….My name is rather long and would take much of the rest of this brightening in the explaining and telling of it. Treant names are long and you little folk are so impatient but you may call me “Willowman” it serves. Now my hasty friend the where is a mystery my roots are unused to this place my very being is still feeling its way into the ground of this place but I know one thing for certain this is a good place the water is strong and it sings in my branches and trunk .I was old and at the end of a long life more winters than I can count have passed across my branches and yet this place …..I feel like a sapling fresh from the seed. Where am I my young friend?

Darkthael would be feeling remarkably well, the water was good it was the best water he had eve drunk. Energy coursed through his veins and if he had old scars about his body he would find to his amazement that they were gone.

Trysvale had cottoned on that the island was ready for visitors and the Medonian human Danael was not alone. A family was approaching the pool gossiping and moaning as families do .Grandmother was being born on her chair by two husky grandsons. The arthritis had taken her legs and arms and she lived in a world of pain something she constantly let her long suffering relatives know all about!

Ignoring Danael they set up a picnic by the pool spreading a gaily coloured cloth and bread and cheese on the ground. Grandmother whined I am thirsty bring me some of that water her dutiful grandson scooped up a cup and gently let his granny sip the cool brew.

Danael would bear witness to the next few moments . The grannies eyes widened and a tremulous hand went to her knee and then to her shoulder ….No pain she wheezed No pain her hands went to the arms of the chair and with a little effort she raised herself off the seat and onto her feet. look at me she called out her voice clear and strong. She walked, she stepped easy on the green sward, she raised her arms above her head, she lifted a foot and did a little dance step then raising her skirts she jigged across the grass.

The grannies family looked on in amazement. The old lady had been virtually bound to her chair by her illness for eras and now she was capering across the grass like a twelve year old.

The trees voice sounded in Danaels mind. I told you young man that this water was strong and good.

[Darkthael Morgreed]

A treant, of course, Darkthael should have known that. But only in tales had he before heard of the old race before, and long had been since anyone told tales to the dark dracon.

"Well, my much esteemed Willowman, I'm afraid I don't know of this place anymore than you do" - Answered Danael politely - "I could tell you that you are in an island, along the Libertas bay, near the shores of the town of Trysvale in the province of Carmelyn, in the domains of the Aelyrian Empire. That might give you some information about the air we breathe, but I doubt that would be particularly useful as to the land and water here. If you say you appeared upon this island, I have in turn to say that this island appeared upon ourselves" - With that as an introduction, Danael would proceed to explain about the light, and the eruption, and the appearing island, and the barrier, and the temple. Pausing at anytime the old treant wished, either because the conversation was no longer of his liking, to add something himself or to ask any question.

When the family arrived, the human disguise of Danael disregarded them, as they were far enough away and didn't seem to be interested in him in return. As the grandson approached the place of their conversation, however, the inner-dracon felt fear again, a sensation he had been freed off during his previous candlemarks in paradise. But such preoccupation proved unnecessary, as Willowman remained fully silent while the young boy fetched the water to his grandma, not saying a single word, much less anything about the dracon's secret.

A few moments later, a most incredible thing happened, and aching grandma screamed in surprise rather than pain for the first time in so many eras. - "Indeed the water here is nothing short of miraculous" - Commented Danael in surprise after seeing the wondrous recovery of the old lady.

Not really concerned with the woman's happiness or her family's relief, Darkthael couldn't help but consider the usefulness of such a potent cure in his own hands. Wary however of the great magic operating in the island, he wished some kind of confirmation before taking anything from the place. He took out his traveling water-skin, depleted long before this point, while he was within Trysvale's coast, and showed it to the treant - "Say Willowman, do you reckon someone would take offense if I were to take just a little of this great water with me?"

Apart from quite minor injuries from his youth and from certain unsavory fight in more resent times, Darkthael's body had no need of repairs now. But the dark dracon, planing and fearful as nature had made him, could imagine than in the future he might well be in need of miracles. He just hoped not to offend whatever powers were at work in this curious land.

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Willowman digested the pieces of information supplied by the dracon in human guise , treants take their time and this was astonishing news so there was an interminable delay before he grumbled This needs some thinking about friend as far as I was aware my roots were set down solid in the oldest part of the old woods called the Dolwoods and now they are in new ground and I have no memory of my transfer to this strange place.

The treant seemed agitated and a branch waved up and down er by all means take some water back with you if you can. I need to think about your news young friend

There would be no further oddities the water skin could be filled and no one or anything prevented Darkthael from taking his magic water off the island.

What he had in mind for it was uncertain but there would be people who would find his discovery interesting if he decided to let the cat out of the bag.

[Darkthael Morgreed]

Darkthael took one full skin of the miraculous water for his own personal use. Considering the option of returning some other time for more of it, both as a reserve and for the great potential of profit such a freely available miracle heralded. But first, he would have to find a means of transporting and storing it, and a way to keep the existence of the wonderful water a secret or control it in some other way.

As he saw Willowman deep immersed in his thoughts and contemplations, Danael chose to excuse himself with a silent bow to avoid further interrupting him. Later he would visit his treant friend again. He went back to the town for now, pacing fast as he planed how make himself with control of the liquid blessing. Unknown to him, he had to be really quick, as a published article about the water was already in the process.

Ambition and admiration for the island now waged a perilous war inside the mind of the dracon. He still feared angering whatever forces had originally placed the island and the spring there, but he could not ignore the significance of the knowledge he now possessed.