Carden Island

There is a legend of a young Celtic King, named Rowan, who sailed to the ends of the earth to rescue his wife, Aithne, from the clutches of the wicked Viking Warlord Arlof. He sailed through snow and ice, through storm and fire to find his queen. This story is one of many in his adventure. 
                                                    * * *
         The land before me was heavy with tall trees, overgrown vines, and bushes. Wild black tulips grew uncontrollably through out the grass. The air was heavy yet bitterly cold. An icy mist ‘rose from the ground causing me to shiver incessantly.
         The sun was hidden by a thick fog allowing only minimal light, and I strained my eyes searching for anything more than trees and shadow.
         I stepped forward towards the forest that was enveloped by darkness. A stagnant smell wafted to my nostrils. I stepped back with disgust. The forest smelled of death.
         The Island grew darker as the sun beyond the fog began to set. I sensed a presence beyond the trees. Yet, there was no movement, and after a bout of silence I settled my mind on finding shelter.
         Finding shelter, though, proved to be unproductive. The island had lost all color except for the outskirts of the forest, which was illuminated by the moon that had managed to escape the receding fog.
         I pulled a thin blanket from my satchel and tied it around my wet tunic serving as a cloak. But, still I found no warmth.
         Managing to curl up on the ground I fell into a light sleep. My sword lay close to my body; my hand lightly touched the hilt.
                                                  * * *
         A howl from beyond the trees startled me from my sleep. I leapt from the ground and gripped my sword daring the beast to attack. But no animal stepped forth, instead a deep guttural growl cut through the air.
         “Who’s there?” I whispered. “WHO’S THERE!” I began to feel foolish. How was a beast supposed to understand and reply?
         Patches of moonlight filtering through the branches revealed a shadow on the ground creeping closer towards me. Suddenly the shadow vanished, like waves withdrawing from the shore and returning to the black sea.
         Adrenaline coursed through my body, giving me a foolish courage. I stepped towards the area where the shadow disappeared. A paw print was left closer to the trees. I bent to get a clear view.
         Two large feet entered my vision and my heart skipped a beat. I stood, my eyes followed after receiving a full view of a man taller than I and dressed in grey fur. His face was nearly hidden by a tangled black beard. All I could see was a long Grecian nose that stood prominent against his face. I was startled by his eyes for the right eye was blue and the left was auburn brown.
         The man stood quiet staring at my face. He then broke the silence.
         “What is a young man like you doing on this God- forsaken Island?” As he spoke I noticed his teeth were jagged and uneven.
         “I was the victim of a mutiny.” I replied. “This Island was the only area I could swim to and find refuge.”
         The man only grunted and turned towards the forest. “You should not be out. Dangerous creatures roam the Island at night.”
         “I’m afraid I have no shelter.”
         The man sighed wearily. “Follow me.”
         I stood motionless as he entered the heavy canopy of darkness and trees.
         Before following I weighed the options. I could trust a stranger and risk being betrayed, or stay on the outskirts of the forest and risk being eaten by wild beasts.
         Both ways I was gamboling with my life.
         I made my way through the vines and branches tripping on twigs and rocks. Finally I broke through.
         Inside the forest portrayed a different scene than on the outskirts. Torches hung from the trees, and a lit pathway was formed. I managed to see the tall man walking far beyond. Quickly I sped up and got closer to his ever moving body.
         I slowed down when I reached him, and followed him quietly through the woods.
         I could see a puff of smoke reaching higher above the trees, and noticed a small hut built of twigs and mud settled in a small clearing.
         “You can stay at my home tonight, but you must find a way to leave in the morning before the fog grows heavy in the evening.”
         I nodded my head in reply, and followed him through the entrance covered with vines.
         Inside there were two others sitting around a fire situated in the middle of the hut, the smoke floated out a square opening in the ceiling.
         There was no comfort to the hut except three mats made of fur strewn on the floor.
         The two others were a man and woman. The man was different from the first; his face had no hair except for little stubble under his mouth. His nose was flat and wide, and his eyes were black, beady, and cruel.
         Also his body was broader than the first and shorter. Immediately I disliked him.
         “Welph, what is this you have brought home?” He growled.
         Welph replied, “Don’t worry Orinn, I found him on the outskirts of the forest. He’ll be staying the night here.”
         Orinn scowled. But the woman beside him smiled. She was tall and slender and her face was slightly freckled. Her eyes, a brilliant emerald green, twinkled as she spoke to Orinn.
         “Welph was right to bring him here.”
         She then addressed me, “You must be new here to not know the danger at night. I am Vesper; this is my husband Welph, and his brother Orinn.”
         I nodded in reply, “My name is Rowan.”
         “You’re home,” I said as I observed the room “is very…cozy.” I fought for a complement.
         Welph sat by the fire. “It’s not very big, but it serves its purpose.”
         He pulled from his jacket a dead rabbit and held it up. “Vesper, I brought you meat for the stew.”
         Vesper grinned “Thank you!” She then winked, “ If you could prepare it, I will surely cook it for you.”
         Orinn, who had been eyeing me suspiciously, looked up at Vesper. “I’ll do it.” He muttered and grabbed the rabbit from her hand.
         Vesper chuckled and sat beside Welph.
          I sat awkwardly in a corner of the hut, listening warily to the growing howls outside.
         “Come closer to the fire, Rowan.” Vesper invited me. “ And don’t you worry, the beasts dare not come close.”
         I edged closer, and warmed my hands. “What is this place?”
         “Carden Island,” she replied.
         “Are there more of you?” I asked.
         “Yes,” Welph now answered, “They are all hidden around the island. Some more than others,” he smirked.
         This comment confused m, but I did not press further.
         “A long time ago,” Vesper began, “This Island was cursed. Our ancestors insulted the gods. They murdered a cruel and powerful druid. This angered the gods for he was their favorite. The people have lived in fear ever since of the beast that come forth.”
         Welph gently touched her shoulder, “I will go and see what happened to Orinn.” He left the hut quietly. Vesper crept over to the small black cauldron; a brownish liquid bubbled inside. She looked out the small opening in the wall.
         “I’ll need more herbs for the stew. You should get some sleep. Don’t wait for us to return.
         Swiftly she lifted the vines away from her face and exited the hut.
         Drowsily I lay down, curling up by the warmth of the fire. The hut was silent all except a little grey mouse that had scurried in.
         My eyes grew blurry and the flames that danced before me lulled me to sleep.
         I was not a sleep long when a small thin finger jabbed me in the back. I awoke startled and gasped as two large eyes blinked back at me. I sat up. The eyes belonged to a small thin man who was no more than four feet tall. His hair was grey and his face was slender and long.
         He leapt with urgency, “You must leave,” he nearly squeaked. “It is not safe here.”
         I was still groggy, and stared at him through blurred eyes.
         The man fidgeted with his grey jacket, and his nose twitched. “They have done this before,” he said agitated, gathering my sack whilst he spoke. “The beasts lure their prey in and pounce when the victim is comfortable.”
         I pulled my sack out of his hands.
         “What are you doing?” I asked him, more concerned with my belongings.
         “Gathering you’re things!” He said and snatched the sack back. “Don’t you get it?” Obviously I didn’t. “They’ll come back in while you’re sleeping and they’ll eat you!”
         “Who’ll eat me? Matter of fact who are you?”
         The tiny man twitched and glared, “My name is Ackley. And if you don’t know who I’m talking about you must be daft.”
         I frowned and leapt to my feet, “I’m not! You’re talking about the beasts aren’t you?
         “Yes!”
         Ackley grabbed my hand and scurried towards the back of the hut.
         “Close your eyes.”
         I obeyed and he pulled me forward. I felt as though I was being dragged through a hole. We stopped.
         “You can open them now.”
         Amazingly we were outside. Before I could express my astonishment he began again to pull me into a racing run. We swept through branches and vines that’s scratched at my skin and made it harder to advance.
         My legs began to cramp and my breathing grew shallow, yet still this little man pulled me farther.
         As though he could hear my thoughts he slowed down and we stopped in front of a very large tree that enveloped both our bodies. I collapsed on the ground fully exhausted.
         “Up,” He whispered. We stood with our backs against the trunk only our heavy breathing could be heard.
         The familiar presence again crawled up my skin. Twigs were heard snapping and dead leaves rustling. I peered around the trunk to get a glance.
         What I saw were Orinn, Welph, and Vesper walking carefully and almost silently on the ground. I watched as they transformed into terrifying beasts. Slowly they morphed. Vesper formed a horrible lanky fox her eyes still twinkled yet it only gave me feeling of dread. And Welph formed an overgrown wolf which revealed the shadow that had haunted my sleep only a few hours ago. But Orinn was the worst of all, he shaped into a large wolverine, his scowl still marked his face.
         They seemed to be hunting; searching for their prey.
         Ackley lurched me back and motioned me to close my eyes. Again I obeyed and my body felt strange as I followed him.
         I opened my eyes. Readers, I will tell you now that not even I believe what I saw. We appeared to be inside the very tree that hid us. Instead it was twice as enormous for truly I tell you that I was only the size of a rodent. The man who had grabbed my hand was instead now a mouse; a long, thin, grey mouse. He was the very mouse that I saw scurrying into the hut through the hole. The mouse curled up on top of a pile of leaves his face towards me.
         A voice was heard in the back of my head; Ackley’s squeaky voice. Boy, don’t worry he seemed to say. This island has so much mystery it is hard to believe any of it. We are cursed people, you see, forced to inhabit the island as both man and animal. Some have chosen to give into their animal tendencies and some have resisted its urges. You must leave before the magic in the air lays claim to you too. In the morning you must take the boat that sets on the edge of the beach to the west. You are fortunate that it is only half a mile. So sleep now, get your rest tomorrow you’ll have a day’s work trying to leave.
***
         I slept long and heavy until Ackley managed to pinch me hard. I jumped to my feet and rubbed my arm where the pain throbbed.
         Sorry, I heard, we best be going now. Take my hand as we leave. I’ll bring you back to human size again.
         We crawled out through a little nook in the trunk. And I took hold of his hand. Slowly the grass grew smaller as I grew to proportion.
         “So the little man comes out from hiding, I see.”
         I turned around to see Vesper, Orinn, and Welph standing before us. Ackley squeaked and transformed again.
         “So much for you friend” Orinn sneered as the mouse entered his house again.               
         I pulled my sword out, “Come no further.” I ordered them.
         They only laughed and stepped closer. Slowly they began to transform. But Orinn suddenly let out a yelp of pain; something was hanging onto his skin. He flailed his leg around trying to shake it off. Seeing that the others were distracted I quietly ran west, hopping faster over rocks and fallen logs. I tried to make as much distance as I could and amazingly I did. But I still could hear their eerie howls and barks. I ran farther and farther west, finally breaking free of trees, revealing the vast sky and sea.
         “Get him!”
         They were close.
         I managed to find the boat, tied to a stake in the ground and floating in the shallow water.
         While untying the large knot I saw the three exit the forest. In panic I quickened my pace. I hurriedly pushed the boat out waist high, and pulled my self in. With the oars, I began to row faster. The animals tried to swim towards but they failed and in the end snarled at me as I floated away.
         Never before had I seen an Island of this mystery nor did I ever want to again. But I knew it was only a little closer to my queen.