these islands.”
“Then you ’ve been there before. Hopefully, that should improve our chances. What are the islands like?”
“I haven ’t been to all of them, just the island of the Red Court vampires. I am guessing it is the closest of the islands but, I’ve never been to the others. It is shrouded in mist and shadow. The enchantments give all the islands features a fluid quality. They shimmer almost like an oasis. It is hard to know what is real and what is enchanted. The Mists make everything look like an illusion.”
“It sounds like a dangerous place and an excellent place to hide someone. I s there anything in particular you want me to keep a look out for?”
“Just keep your senses open. I hope we will see the island in time to avoid any traps that have been set. You may as well rest. We can send Tokem out at intervals to scout. Given his stature he might go unnoticed.”
“Hey, now. I’m little, but I’m deadly and don’t you forget it.” Tokem sputtered.
“Tokem, Zane meant no offense. He merely meant that you might fly undetected through their defenses.”
“Well, if that is what he meant, he should have said so. I’ll try not to let the team down.”
“Tokem, I meant no offense. It would be helpful to the team if you would fly reconnaissance for us.” Zane offered as he tacked hard a lee.
Tokem puffed out his chest and cracked his knuckles. He nodded to Zane and flew up and landed in the rigging. I turned and headed below decks. I needed to rest before it was my turn to take the helm. Thankfully, all I’d need to do was follow the compass reading. I threw myself onto the nearest bunk and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, ten minutes below decks and I was ready to lose my lunch. I grabbed a blanket and pillow and staggered above deck. The wind in my face saved my lunch. I found an area out of the wind and threw myself down on the deck. I sure hoped we found Traygen sooner rather than later. My sea worthiness was limited.
Zane roused me some time after dark and handed me the wheel. He pointed out our bearings and went below deck. Tokem was nowhere to be seen. The ocean was calm with a steady breeze. We could have been the only human beings for a hundred miles and for all I could tell we were. The quarter moon provided some light, but visibility was limited. Waves slapped against the hull as the boat cut its way through the water. Rising and falling rhythmically, we slogged on through the night. Zane took my place just after dawn. The sky was turning pink and orange as the sun announced its arrival. I went below decks and grabbed some food. I brought my dried fruits and nuts up on deck to eat. There was no need to tempt fate. Coffee would have been nice but, I couldn’t stay below deck long enough to brew it. Tokem streaked down from the rigging and landed lightly on my shoulder.
“What did you bring me for breakfast? Pancakes, toast, eggs, and bacon.”
“No such luck my friend, I have dry cereal and fruit.”
“This is a new low. No take out, no Price Is Right, and no TIVO. I ’m going to give Traygen a piece of my mind when we find him.”
“I hope not too big a piece.” I ducked to evade his dive. Tokem flew past my head and landed on the mast in front of me.
“You got lucky this time, but watch your back. I ’ll get even.”
“If I could interrupt you two, we need to do some surveillance. Tokem, could you please scan the area and let me know if you spot any islands.”
“Aye, aye Captain Zane, I’ll get right on it.” He saluted and flew out of sight.
I chuckled and kept my attention on my breakfast. When I finished eating, I asked Zane if I could get him anything. That is, anything that needed thirty seconds or less below deck. Smiling slightly he offered to make coffee, if I took the helm. I nearly ran him down in my eagerness for a cup of hot coffee. He was back in ten minutes or so with two steaming cups of heavenly smelling coffee. He had just handed me my cup
“Then you ’ve been there before. Hopefully, that should improve our chances. What are the islands like?”
“I haven ’t been to all of them, just the island of the Red Court vampires. I am guessing it is the closest of the islands but, I’ve never been to the others. It is shrouded in mist and shadow. The enchantments give all the islands features a fluid quality. They shimmer almost like an oasis. It is hard to know what is real and what is enchanted. The Mists make everything look like an illusion.”
“It sounds like a dangerous place and an excellent place to hide someone. I s there anything in particular you want me to keep a look out for?”
“Just keep your senses open. I hope we will see the island in time to avoid any traps that have been set. You may as well rest. We can send Tokem out at intervals to scout. Given his stature he might go unnoticed.”
“Hey, now. I’m little, but I’m deadly and don’t you forget it.” Tokem sputtered.
“Tokem, Zane meant no offense. He merely meant that you might fly undetected through their defenses.”
“Well, if that is what he meant, he should have said so. I’ll try not to let the team down.”
“Tokem, I meant no offense. It would be helpful to the team if you would fly reconnaissance for us.” Zane offered as he tacked hard a lee.
Tokem puffed out his chest and cracked his knuckles. He nodded to Zane and flew up and landed in the rigging. I turned and headed below decks. I needed to rest before it was my turn to take the helm. Thankfully, all I’d need to do was follow the compass reading. I threw myself onto the nearest bunk and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, ten minutes below decks and I was ready to lose my lunch. I grabbed a blanket and pillow and staggered above deck. The wind in my face saved my lunch. I found an area out of the wind and threw myself down on the deck. I sure hoped we found Traygen sooner rather than later. My sea worthiness was limited.
Zane roused me some time after dark and handed me the wheel. He pointed out our bearings and went below deck. Tokem was nowhere to be seen. The ocean was calm with a steady breeze. We could have been the only human beings for a hundred miles and for all I could tell we were. The quarter moon provided some light, but visibility was limited. Waves slapped against the hull as the boat cut its way through the water. Rising and falling rhythmically, we slogged on through the night. Zane took my place just after dawn. The sky was turning pink and orange as the sun announced its arrival. I went below decks and grabbed some food. I brought my dried fruits and nuts up on deck to eat. There was no need to tempt fate. Coffee would have been nice but, I couldn’t stay below deck long enough to brew it. Tokem streaked down from the rigging and landed lightly on my shoulder.
“What did you bring me for breakfast? Pancakes, toast, eggs, and bacon.”
“No such luck my friend, I have dry cereal and fruit.”
“This is a new low. No take out, no Price Is Right, and no TIVO. I ’m going to give Traygen a piece of my mind when we find him.”
“I hope not too big a piece.” I ducked to evade his dive. Tokem flew past my head and landed on the mast in front of me.
“You got lucky this time, but watch your back. I ’ll get even.”
“If I could interrupt you two, we need to do some surveillance. Tokem, could you please scan the area and let me know if you spot any islands.”
“Aye, aye Captain Zane, I’ll get right on it.” He saluted and flew out of sight.
I chuckled and kept my attention on my breakfast. When I finished eating, I asked Zane if I could get him anything. That is, anything that needed thirty seconds or less below deck. Smiling slightly he offered to make coffee, if I took the helm. I nearly ran him down in my eagerness for a cup of hot coffee. He was back in ten minutes or so with two steaming cups of heavenly smelling coffee. He had just handed me my cup
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