"The Unamed Tale" Chapters 1-15

"The Unamed Tale" Chapters 1-15

The Unamed Tale



By: Stacy Harms



Chapter 1



It was a calm night as the Mariana sailed over the deep blue sea.

Many times had her crew made this journey to the mainland and everyone of the trips were different from the other except for the smell of the salt that seemed to keep Captain Jonathan Hanklord crisp and alive every time he was near the sea.

He was born for the sea like the rest of his family, manning a ship was the noble legacy passed down from generation to generation including the Hanklord women.

It’s seemed they were born with saltwater infested of blood and in the hardest of storms they always seemed to keep their footing as if it was nothing but a slight breeze rather then the harsh winds and rain.

Jon stood at the crows nest and looked over the ocean as the moon cast its glow on their path. Some of the crew had gone to bed and others sat down bellow and gambled, Jon could hear their laugher as they found something to amuse themselves.

He set his back against the mast and closed his eyes focusing on the sound of the waves lapping against the hull and breathed in the crisp air of the ocean.

Footsteps came onto the deck and Jon acted like he didn't hear them.

"Two days till shore captain" Jon's first mate called up to the crows nest without turning around.

Jon laughed staying where he was "how the devil did you guess I was up here Eric?"

Eric turned around and looked up at the crows nest as he leaned on the railing of the Mariana.

"Call it a hunch Jon, that and for the last 15 years that I’ve know you always sneak away to be with your lady waves one would think your a fish yourself" Eric said with a laugh

Jon nodded his head 'ie she be a fine lady at that Eric, so beautiful and deadly that makes me love her more and if I could I would be with her forever."

Eric chuckled as he climbed the mast to the crows nest "Jon my boy you need a real lady, one of these days your gonna have to carry on those seaman legacy of yours and the lady blue isn’t one to settle for no land leged man."

Jon shook his head "still believe you’ve seen mermaidens Eric? And you believe me to be the fool of this operation" they laughed and heard a splash as Jon closed his eyes Eric looked up over the sea.

"Jon sun up aint till 3 more hours right?" Eric asked Jon nodded as he kept his eyes closed.

"Why you ask?" Jon asked as he opened his eyes looking at his best friend.

Eric stood with his eyes transfixed over the sea, Jon turned to look at saw that a orange glow came from somewhere out in sea.

"What do you figure it is?" Eric asked as he continued to stare, Jon shook his head

"I don’t have any clue" Jon replied in a whisper.

Right then the Mariana started to shake a little sending a slight vibration threw the ship and threw the crews spins.

Jon took his eyes off the orb and looked over at his once calm ocean that seemed to turn roughly, the ocean got blacker and Jon realized that a huge wave was headed for his ship.

He jumped over the side of the crows nest and slid down the mainsail that had started to loft frantically.

He landed with a thud and ran over to the hatch door and swung it open calling orders to the men inside to bring down the sail and prepare for a rough ride.

Jon looked out over the sea and saw the wave growing taller and closer. "Eric what do you see?" he yelled as Eric stared at the wave staying quiet.

"Eric!" Jon yelled as he began to scale the mast to the crows nest, finally reaching the top and grabbed Eric's arm.

"We have to get below" Eric said as the sound of the crashing wave grew louder in their ears. Jon looked out towards the wave "its to late for that right now its a death wish to leave our station, the wave will pull us far out to sea if we do." he said as the black wall of water came closer to submerging the ship.

A shimmer of light went across the wave like light on a pearl, Jon looked over at Eric confused and saw the same look on his face.

Then the wave hit, and everything fell silent after the roar of thunder.



Chapter 2



Jon hung onto the mast as the storm threw his body in every angle.

He looked around frantically for Eric but saw no sign of him; the storm heaved the Mariana hard against the water knocking it hard enough to cause Jon to lose his grip.

He flew high into the air landing roughly against the quarter deck of the Mariana, barely able to keep conscious Jon pulled himself to wheel next to him and tried to stabilize the ship, another wave hit sending the wheel spinning frantically and Jon tried with all his weight to keep it still, but as another strong wave hit the side of the ship and one of the wheel rigs came around and knocked him out cold.



Chapter 3



Everyone braced themselves for the powerful wave that to crash down on the Mariana.

Eric glanced over at where Jon was standing a second before to only realize that his friend was gone, Eric rushed over to the side of the crows nest to try and spot his friend but didn’t see him anywhere.

Eric called down to the crew that they had a man overboard, after doing so he waited for the next wave to hit with his back turned, waiting for the roar of thunder that would strike the vessel sure enough engulfing it in salt water.

But there was none, after a minute Eric turned to look at the ocean.

It appeared the same as it had a few minutes ago...calmed as if nothing had happened.

The crew stood in bewilderment as the sea became still. Eric leaned over.

"You idiots didn’t you hear me MAN OVERBOARD ITS THE CAPTIAN!" Eric yelled as the men ran to the sides looking for any sign of life at all.

But they found none.



Chapter 4



Jon rose his head slightly as he heard the sound of the waves gently lapping against the Mariana, his head spun a little as he tried to get up, the sun felt hot against his skin and he felt a pain of hunger.

Holding his head he tried to remember what all happened the night before, but couldn’t remember anything but the storm.

He rubbed his eyes and looked around, no one was on deck and it was silent except for a few gulls that rested on the shrouds. Jon stood up slowly and walked to the hatch door and opened it only to find that it to was empty.

Confused he climbed the mast to the crows nest and looked down at the ship, and spotted a island not far away. Jon swallowed as he stared out over the gulf at the shore.

Surly his crew hadn't gone off the island leaving him there alone.

Jon scaled down the mast and looked over the side. The boats where still there.

"What in the devil is going on?" Jon said out loud as he sat on the steps of the main deck.

"They couldn't of swam to the island, never....but could they all of got carried off the ship by the storm?" Jon asked out loud trying to add up anything that had happened to make a lick of sense. But he found none.

His stomach growled reminding him of his hunger. "all right all right Ill get to ya" Jon said as he patted his stomach.

Getting up he walked threw the already open hatch door to the living quarters of the hold, their was water on the floor barley enough to get in a bucket but it was there. And also cooking supplies and cards thrown everywhere. Jon gowned as he put the pots back in the cabinets and continue on his way to the bulkhead.

He reached down inside one of the barrels to retrieve an apple that had some how made the 2 month voyage unharmed. Jon bit in and the cold juices filled his mouth making him feel a bit better, he walked towards the hatch when suddenly the Mariana launches forwards with out warning and stopped.

Jon threw down the apple and ran to the deck and glared over the railing at a massive reef that had caught his ship preventing him from moving unless he wanted a hole in the ship, he would just have to anchor down till high tide to get out safely. Till then he needed to take a boat over the island to see if he can find some of his crewmen.



Chapter 5



Eric sat in the crows nest and mourned the loss of his best friend, the crew was silent them too missing their captain. They went along their duties in silence.

While Eric sat down on the bottom of the crows nest and held his head in his hands trying to think of some way that this could of been prevented but just found a aching pain in the back of his head.

One of the crew men adjusted the lead rope and looked out over the sea sadly when he saw an island that wasn’t there before, he rubbed his eyes and looked again sure enough there it was. He cupped his hands and yelled up to the crows nest “land ho!"

The crew looked up to the island that had mysteriously appeared before them, Eric pulled himself up slowly and looked up at the island with a bit of hope of finding his friend washed on shore hopefully alive.

The crew looked up at Eric for orders and he stared strait forward and said "prepare to go inland" he shouted and the crew began to more efficiently then before as they prepared to find their beloved captain.



Chapter 6



It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to man a ship alone, but it wasn’t the first time Jon had to do it. It was required by his family to know everyman’s duties as they where your own, it was many years of working under rough captains before Jon was thought worthy enough to master his own his Mariana.

Eric had worked next to Jon on the Saint William for 5 years before Jon had gotten enough to get his own ship, Jon had promised Eric the place as first mate on his ship is his dream ever came true. And Jon had came thru on the deal.

Finally Jon managed to anchor the ship and lower the ship; he still felt uneasy about leaving the ship alone but decided to take the risk any way.

He jumped down into the boat bringing with him his revolver that he carried in case of emergencies and started to paddle to the shore with strong strokes.

He watched his ship fade into the distance with every stroke and turned around to see the islands shore behind him after about 10 minutes of hard labor.

He pulled the boat up on the beach and turned it upside down with the paddles underneath.

Hopefully no one would attempt to steal it would really be a pain to swim back to the Mariana but from the look of the island there was no one to steal it.

Jon walked the beach for about a mile or two trying to find any sign of his crew, but didn’t find any. Depressed he sat down in the soft white sand and stared at the now toy like ship that he sailed in on. He laid down closing his eyes for a minute before falling into a deep sleep.

Suddenly a shot was fired, Jon jumped up and prepared to defend himself when he found, nothing not even a sign of disturbance from the calm tropical birds that stared at him with curiosity.

Jon rubbed his head scattering sand from his hair, he turned around to look at the beach.

The tide hadn't changed any it was still low tide; confused Jon decided to walk back towards his boat his worn boots sinking in the sand.

It was about half a mile before Jon noticed a small path leading into the woods nearby, usually he wouldn’t care but something interested him drawling him near.

As he got closer he realized that the shrubs had grown over a rock path.

He felt a little prickle of hope, "maybe, Just maybe" he said as he tore past the bushes onto the path.

It tuned left and right more then anything and soon all the landmarks that Jon had thought of started to look the same about to give up Jon looked up at the sky to see where the sun was in the sky but the foliage prevented but just a little of light to shine threw.

But he could make out the mountain that shadowed part of the island and as he craned his neck to see something reflected into his eyes.

He held his arm up and spotted a figure turn to scale the side of the mountain.

Jon grabbed his gun and proceeded in climbing the mountain behind who ever it was.

Maybe they could have some answers for him.



Chapter 7



After loading the boats and anchoring the ship Eric directed the men that were to go with him to find Jon. Many powerful strokes and soon they pilled onto shore pulling the boats far in with them.

Eric directed half of them to search on half and the other to search the other, "Any sign of life and you fire a shot in the air" he said as he lifted his gun and shot "now lets find your Captain!" The men ran in their directions as Eric walked one side behind them "damn it Jon be here" he said as the soft sand sunk his boots with each step, about a mile and a half down Jon started to head back when something caught his attention some kind of gap in the thick foliage, walking over to he noticed vines and weeds grown over a very old looking stone path. He started to take a step in when he heard one of his crew men running up beside him. "going in alone there "Captain?" he asked looking threw the thick foliage Eric glared at him "Jon is still our Captain boy I’m just looking to you fools till he has found" Eric said with a snarl Eric could here Jon in his head saying "be easy on the boy Eric hes not ever a man yet" Eric looked over at the defeated crew man as he stared at his boots.

"Comon Mat lets go in here and find Jon" Eric said as he pulled back the brush and stepped threw holding it open.

Mat ran threw not waiting a second more for questions.

It wasn't long before they got lost and ended up face to face with a huge solid slab of rock in front of them that made up the bottom of the mountain, it was worn smooth by years of run of and wind. As Eric sat down on a log he looked up at the mountain and sighed "we need to climb it" Mat looked at Eric then at the mountain he started to back away "W wwhy?" he asked pure horror showing threw his stringy hair. Eric looked at him and laughed "you’re afraid of heights right?"

Mat nodded "I nnever thought that sseamen had to be up high" he stuttered.

Eric laughed "boy thinks about every time you’re on water your up higher then the bottom. It’s the same here"

Mat shook his head "ya but you can float on water not on air” he said starting to quiver.

Eric grabbed his shoulder "listen Ill be right there with ya, I’m not gonna let you fall; I like ya to much for that." He said with a grin "but what ever you do don’t look down, I don't need to carry ya all the way down" Mat nodded and they started to climb the mountain.

Part of the way up Eric stood on the flat of part of the mountain as Mat started to climb before him. Eric pulled out his telescope and looked around the island toward the

ship the light reflecting off the glass on the end of the telescope, finally putting it up he turned to follow Mat on the way up the steep climb to the top.



Chapter 8



Jon tucked the revolver in his belt and grabbed on to anything that could he could and climbed the treacherous mountain. Making it to the where he had seen the figure Jon looked around for any sign of someone being there and found none, not a foot step slid marks or even any sign that anything had ever scaled the huge rock before, He lay down breathless and thirsty from his frantic climb.

He shielded his eyes from the sun and looked up at the top from his back; it didn’t look to far away if he made it up there before sunset then at least he would be safe from predators for the night even if he didn't find his crew.

Thinking of his crew reminded him of his best friend Eric, Jon had always tried to look out after Eric’s back and not knowing if he was somewhere hurt and dieing, killed Jon even more.

Wiping the sweat off his forehead Jon started to climb again.

Nearly to the top he reached out and grabbed a small but sturdy looking tree hanging over the side of the cliff and with his other he was grasping a vine.

As he began to put his weight into the tree to pull his way up it started to slip and soon the soil let go of the roots and Jon had to grab onto the vine again quickly unless he wanted to drop to the bottom of the mountain, he watched the tree fall as dirt fell on his sweaty face, he shook his head a little to clean it off but it didn’t work that well, leaving it streaked in mud.

Finally finding his footing he heaved his self up to the top and moved away from the side scooting backwards till he ran into a huge oak he stood up at looked at it.

"What the hell is an oak doing on an island like this?" Jon said in a tired voice.

He touched the wood of the old tree and it felt cool to the touch, looking around he notices hundreds of the trees on top of the solid rock mountain, coming up it seemed so solid and lifeless but now it seemed to be full of life.

Jon moved past the oak and saw the same kind of rock that he saw on the small path by the beach, following it he came up to a huge black metal gate. Jon's legs began to feel weak and his head began to spin again, he opened the gate and walked threw not long before falling in a small opening in the trees that was rocked with smooth cold stones.

Jon lay paralyzed with exhaustion almost asleep but still able to see a little.

He heard the footsteps came near him with soft steps and someone shield the sun with their body as they leaned over him, by now a deep state dilution came on to Jon as he started at the person like a child. They held his head in their hand and with the other poured crisp water into his mouth, all he could make out before closing his eyes was the sight of crystal blue eyes and the smell of flowers.



Chapter 9



Eric watched Mat as he lunged over the side of the top of the mountain to the top and quickly backed up so not to look down. Eric himself threw him self over the steep and hung his legs over looking over the island before backing up onto the top to stand up again to see massive oaks planted on what seemed to be a rock courtyard. Eric walked up to Mat and stared in wonder at the trees before breaking the trances like feeling.

Walked around to a huge black metal gate that lay behind two huge tree limbs, ducking under it he pushed the gate open and entered motioning Mat to follow.

There was a huge courtyard with a little bit of weeds growing over the stones, the trees parted just enough in one stop to let sunlight shine threw on the smooth stones.

"What do you think this is?” Mat asked in a whisper.

Eric shook his head "it seems to be some kind of garden, but why up here?"

Eric brushed some leaves off part of a path that headed into some trees and moved the trees out of the way so he could get threw. There stood in a perfect circle a pool of crystal clear water and the trees all planted the same space away from the water and each other, Eric looked up and the sun shined right threw an opening in the trees down onto the pool making it sparkle.

He walked up to the waters edge and watched as some fish moved threw the clear water that showed that it had more then it showed at first, it seemed to be cut into the garnet of the mountain making it smooth and flawless.

Eric cupped his hand and started to bring some water to his mouth when Mat crashed threw the trees into the clearing scaring Eric.

He looked back and smiled as he started again and looked down at the water and saw Jon's face quickly disappear, Eric threw down the water and backed up slowly from the pool.

"What the hell is this place!" he whispered as Mat looked at him strangely "what did you see?" he asked.

Eric looked at him paranoid "nothing I didn’t see anything, its just he heat getting to me."

Mat nodded and walked to the waters edge and took a drink "you not going to get any?" he asked Eric shook his head "no I’m fine."

Standing up he walked around the pool and tried to see past the thick foliage but didn't have any luck.

"Do you think we should bed down here for the night Eric?" Mat asked as Eric noticed the air getting cooler, "ya sure we can climb down in the morning, but let’s try to see more of the top before night." He said as he pulled on a branch.

"Do you think anyone’s up here?" Mat said as he looked around at the canopy of trees.

Eric shook his head "no this is a sacred place, if anyone was still alive here it would have been tooken care of properly."

Mat sat back on his heels as he inspected Eric carefully "how do you know this?" he asked.

Eric broke of little pieces of the branch looking down at the leaves on the ground "Jon use to tell me about stories his family had passed down of their exploration days."

"Sorry." Mat said after a pause.

"Don't be, Jon's not dead." Eric said quietly and turned around holding a tig tightly, "don't even think for a minute that he's dead." he said with a growl.

Mat drooped his head "I...Im sorry I didn't mean to" he said before Eric turned away from him "never mind let’s just see the rest of this place." He said as he threw the tig into the dark grasps of the canopy.



Chapter 10



Jon felt the cool water splash over his face as he lay still enjoying its tingling coldness on his hot salty face. He was too weak to wake up and to tired.

But stretched out a little moving his fingers against the moist soft ground, coming to his senses he rolled his head to one side and opened his eyes slightly.

He saw dark green and black and little light trickled down on his face as the wind blew the branches high above.

He moved over to get out of the hot rays and tried to focus his eyes to the immediate darkness that crept back easily as the wind ceased to move the branches above.

He slid over as far as he could and came to an end where there was a wall. It was solid with a flawless smoothness; he turned and leaned against it. Confused he touched the ground and it felt like velvet, he pressed down on it and it was springy and soft.

He looked up breathing in the sent of wild flowers and leaned back and stared strait ahead of himself into the darkness. His eyes began to droop and a small breeze moved the limbs above slightly, showering within the chamber.

Jon saw a glimpse of something on the far side of the chamber, but it quickly faded away, all except two crystal blue eyes. He tried to move towards them and fell limp on the ground at her feet.



Chapter 11



Eric and Mat walked back onto the courtyard and looked around. "Which way?" Mat asked as he glanced back and forth at where the paths rounded the thick foliage on both sides. Eric scratched his head "Let’s go west, when the sun sets then well have more light. They walked to where the path turned and stopped mouths wide open.

There before them stood a huge black marble monument with the sun gleaming off of it.

It had massive vines that hung everywhere and it appeared to be 3 stories high. It reflected the greenery around it giving it a tree like quality and there stood in the very middle the most massive oak that either men had ever seen. Its highest limps towered over the top story and its branches stretched out over the floors. The roots made swirling lines under and over the courtyard stones, but they seemed to be done that way since none of the stones seemed out of place.

It was a marvel to see and Eric felt drawn towards it. It wasn't till he heard his own footsteps that he snapped back to reality.

He glanced over at Mat who still stared.

"Let’s go to it." Eric said taking another step forward.

Mat grabbed his arm and pointed at the top of the tree where a hawk rested. Eric glanced and looked back at him

"So it’s a bird" he said walking towards the monument. Mat pulled him back "Eric it’s a hawk...on a tropical island."

Eric looked at him confused "how do you know?"

Mat stared him in the eyes then back at he hawk. "My Pa was the King's falconer. And he taught me before he got killed during a hunt."

Eric looked at the hawk then back at Mat "what’s your real name?" he asked.

Mat stared at the bird “they use to call me Falcon but my real names Markus Antium Telium"

Eric nodded. "Your father was a very respectable man. Why would you give up a spot in the king's court to get paid pennies on a ship?" he asked glancing at Mat.

Mat looked over at him "I'm afraid of heights and didn't seem to be much use back home near the cliffs and mountains." Mat looked down at his feet.

"My uncle took over the legacy that was meant for me; he took my place as Master Falcolner and beat me, because I wouldn't go near the cliffs. That’s why I..." Mat stopped and stared at the ground hard.

"You what?" asked Eric

"That’s why when he hit my mum I killed him." He whispered looking up at Eric then back at the hawk.

Eric stood mouth wide open at the young boy. "If you killed him how did you get here?" He finally asked.

Mat took a breath "uncle was a cruel man but was also loved by the king, after hearing about the murder of him he was furious and demanded that I be hung."

Mat took another deep breath "but before they could mum said it was her that killed em, not me. So they hung her instead. After that I couldn't stand the castle even thought I was already a Master at 17. I ran away."

Eric stared breathless at Mat who had tears gleaming on his cheeks, but he quickly wiped them away on his filthy sleeve.

Eric looked at the hawk "what do you think the hawk means?" he asked.

"That where not alone here." Mat said taking a step forward.



Chapter 12



Jon felt himself being turned over but didn't see by who or what. He was too weak to fight and all he could do is stare strait up into nothing.

His head was lifted onto something soft and silky and he felt a hand brush his hair away from his brow. He saw the two eyes then. They looked down at him lovingly. "Doesn’t worry I wont hurt you" she whispered in a honey sweet voice.

A branch swayed up above revealing her to him.

She was beautiful. With long blond hair bound back half way and a few loose ends falling in her face, her face like a porcelain dolls with a perfect smile instead of a smirk.

And from the corner of her right eye there was a strange black swirling tattoo that turned down and went just above the lobe of her ear on top of her tanned white skin.

"Who are you?" Jon asked taken back by her image.

She petted his head as it lay on her folded legs. "I was once called Alexsha."

"What does that mean in your tongue?" He asked.

She grinned "Protector of man."

"Where am I" Jon asked as he bringing up his hand to touch hers as it petted his thick black hair.

She stopped and looked at him "this place has no name its just here because of Ayla, the temple."

Are you the one that I saw on the mountain?" he asked.

She shook her head "no it wasn’t me...and I’m the only one here...except for them who don't exist here."

He stared up shocked "sprits" he whispered and she nodded contently.

"Where they your people?" He asked calmly seeking the gaze of her eyes that where downcast away from his face.

"No, my people are long gone from these islands. Only I am the only one of them that has ever dominated this isle." She said in a sad tone.

"Where are they? And why did they leave you here?" He asked sitting up.

She looked up at him "they claimed I was Darci and left me here to die on near Ayla. They where headed back and I watched from atop Ayla as they sailed back towards home. And then the light got them and they where gone."

"Darci?" He asked

She frowned "It means dark one."

"Why would your own people do that? Why would they...” he was cut off by her putting her finger to her lips and a sound was heard outside the chamber.

"We have plenty of time for questions but now you must sleep. I must go see Udolf" She said looking at the far wall.

"Wait you said there was no one else on this isle but you" Jon said.

"I am the only one of my kind but Udolf is not what your kind would expect, he's part wolf." she said calmly.

"What! No that’s not possible man is man and animal is animal there is to linking between them." he said hysterically.

"Not here its not." She said and then the howl was heard again and Jon turned his head to look at the far wall where two yellow eyes glared at his testify. Jon moved backwards on the floor near the wall and turned to get Alexsha but was meet b instead a beautiful white wolf with crystal blue eyes.

That’s when sleep took him against his will because of exhaustion.



Chapter 13



Eric and Mat walked side by side not speaking and the world around them grew quiet, no birds chirped as the sun cast its glow over the stones at their feet.

Mat never took his eyes off the hawk that rested on the top most limb of the tree watching them. The forest to the side of them started to get darker and darker as they neared the monument.

They walked threw the archway and came near the oak, strange symbols had been carved into it long ago it seemed, and Eric went to trace one with his finger and when it touched the bark he heard wolves howl.

Both men jumped onto the tree and climbed desperately to the next floor of the monument but stayed on the limbs of the tree that swayed just inches from the surface of the second story. The hawk seeing this flew down to a limb just out of their reach and watched them curiously.

The black marble reflected the many colors of the setting sun and tree that embraced it.

Mat scooted around the tree to where Eric sat looking into the ocean at the Mariana, from here it looked so much like a toy boat. It was illuminated on the dark sea by the crew lighting the lanterns. Eric hoped the crew was safe and that they had at least gone back to their ship for the night. Eric felt the familiar feeling of losing something dear but he would never admit it to Mat, he wouldn't even admit something like that to Jon.

Eric's thought was cut off by Mat pulling at his sleeve and pointing towards the setting sun.

There shadows came that looked like man but as they neared they where wolves. There was so many of them and no two where the same, none of them where even similar in size or color. There was another howl heard and others came out of the forest first only their multicolored eyes visible in the darkness then they stepped into the drying rays of the day.

They all walked to the monument quietly and each one sat between two pillars facing the massive oak strait ahead in a semicircle.

Mat and Eric watched bewildered at this display. As soon as all the wolves where seated they sat in silence, nothing was heard on the entire island except for the waves that beat at the rocks below like drums.

Then the sun sunk low into the horizon and the second it disappeared the island turned black and the wolves leaned their head back in unison howling a long solitary howl.

With this the oak beneath the men started to glow a bright silvery color, and the carved signs illuminated beneath them.

The wolves finished their call and the hawk leaned its head back in a screech and launched strait up into the darkness madly before coming down into a spiral around the tree barely missing the men's faces as it flew past.

It swooped down into the temple and Eric felt Mat's muscles tense as he saw this majestic bird put itself in danger of being killed by the wolves.

But to their surprise not a wolves didn't moved a muscle toward the hawk as it flew inside the monument and did circles around the oak till finally landing on a low branch and turned its head slowly to eye each wolf.

It turned its head and looked up and Eric and Mat before spreading it wings and closing its eyes.

A hum slowly erupted from below Eric and Mat saw an orb formed around the hawk like the one Eric had seen in the wave. They sat staring down mouths wide open as the orb got bigger and flowed over the wolves. And Eric watched wide eyed as he saw beast turn to man. But as the orb got wider it got taller and soon it was near the men and there was nothing that they could do to stop it. Mat felt fear as it started to seep closer to him and yet when it took him it was fast. He felt relaxed and he slip from the branch, He knew in his mind that he would surely die from the fall or if he lived not able to move, he waited for both for what seemed like a eternity but he never felt anything. He just kept falling and falling till finally he landed softly on a soft velvety surface. He felt his eyes droop and he moved them around with what little energy that he now had looking for Eric but found nothing.

He closed his eyes soon to wake to find that he was not indeed himself that he had come to know for the last 19 years.



Chapter 14



Jon tossed and turned restlessly in his sleep and sat up in a state of delusion not sure if it was real or not, he saw a silvery glow up above him on the limbs that swayed above the chamber. And then there was the humming and a low whisper said his name and he fell back not sure if it was a dream or not.

Jon felt a soft hand touch his cheek and he forgot about all the worries of the last couple of days and felt at peace till he opened his eyes and it all flashed back to him as he was surrounded by the familiar darkness of the chamber where he laid.

He no longer felt pain in his body or tired. Jon sat up and turned to face Alexsha as she smiled at him.

"Feel better Jon?" She asked handing him a small cup of water.

He took it and nodded as he sipped the water, he didn't realize how thirsty he really was till then.

He drank it down and handed the cup back to her "thank you" he said as she went to grab it and he touched her hand in the progress.

She blushed and nodded putting it to her side.

"I have so many questions to ask you" Jon said looking at her innocently.

She nodded solely "and I might be the one with the answers you think, am I right Jon." He nodded then looked confused.

"How do you know my name, I never said mine." He said.

"Someone long ago told me your name, which was a very long time ago though." She said looking off into the distance.

"Who?" He asked

"My father."

Jon stopped his questioning and suspected her fathers death from her tone and lowered his head with it bowed towards her.

She brought her hand to his face and he embraced her hand. He brought his head up to look into her eyes that shinned in the dim light.

He took his other hand and touched her cheek softly and she closed her eyes to his touch.

As she opened her eyes once again he leaned in to softly kissed her lips and then sat back, she looked at him smiling and they looked at each other tempting and she leaned a little closer to him and Jon kissed her tenderly. And there was a brushing sound hearted behind Jon and they parted looking back.

Suddenly there was light that poured in threw a doorway behind where Jon had sat and someone entered the chamber quickly and shut the door behind themselves.

There lay the two eary yellow eyes that stared at Jon and moved closer in the darkness of the pitch black end of the chamber.

Alexsha held Jon's hand and she felt as he tensed his hand to the intruder.

She squeezed his hand a little and looked at the nearing eyes.

"Uldolf" she whispered motioning towards the emerging eyes.

Jon nodded still tensed as he saw out of the darkness a man emerged unsmiling towards Jon.

Uldolf kneeled down next to Alexsha and handed her a basket of food and stood up and walked to the near wall of the cavern and pulled at something.

A huge slab of stone moved to let light and the warm breeze in revealing the chamber to be a cave like structure with a spring at one side and the ground covered in moss. Trees grew close to the cave and the held it together while their limbs weaved in and out of the walls.

Alexsha handed Jon a strange orange looking fruit and he smelling it as she bit into hers. It smelled sweet and he bit into it and it tasted like a strawberry cantaloupe mixture and it was good.

Alexsha laughed at him as he ate getting juice all over himself in the process, Uldolf walked over next to Alexsha and sat down grabbing one of the fruits rolling his eyes at Jon's attempt to eat the strange fruit.

Uldolf turned to Alexsha and said something in a strange tongue and she laughed and responded back. Jon lifted his eyes in confusion. She grinned.

"He wanted to know what you are that you eat so wildly" she said with a smile.

And Jon smiled "tell him I’m man" he said and Alexsha's smile vanished as she turned to look Ulldolf, he looked at Jon with a blank face till he turned to Alexsha and mumbled something else she shook her head and touched his cheek as he looked at her lovingly she whispered something to him and he looked shocked and looked over at Jon angry she turned his face to look at her and with her other hand touched his bare chest, where a tattoo of a tree was placed. Jon watched as Uldolf's gaze softened at the sight of her, then she took her hand away and looked at Jon as Uldolf got up and walked out of the cave.

"I take it he doesn't like men." Jon said as he set his food down.

"She shook her head "Its not that it’s just that he thinks your a threat to him." she said rolling the fruit between her palms.

"Why is that your not married are you?" Jon asked leaning forward.

She looked at the doorway where Uldolf looked in then walked by and she looked back at Jon "Uldolf is my mate if that’s what you mean." She said calmly.

"Mate? Isn’t that a bit primitive?" He said reaching for another fruit.

She shook her head "Jon we aren’t like your people, our ways and us aren’t anywhere the same.” She said standing up.

"Do your people believe in love then?" Jon asked as he stood to face her and he took her hands.

She looked down at their hands together and looked up at his as he towered over her. "Yes we do." Se whispered.

"Then we are not so different then, because I love you." He said bringing his hand up to trace he tattoos at her cheek.

She pushed his hand away and backed up walking toward the door then stopped.

"I hope for our sake your wrong Jon, for I cannot take the chance to fall in love with you." She said turning to go out.

And Jon whispered "Alexsha you are my lady blue." And then she turned and was out of sight from him.



Chapter 15



Eric felt something soft nudge him as he slept and he finally opened his eyes after someone shoved him. "Alright I'm up!" He yelled ready to bring his hand up to his eyes but to his surprise is a paw instead, he yelped and jumped to all fours backing up and hitting a wall before turning around to the shiny marble that stood before him and he saw in it his reflection, the visions of a wolf, he jumped at this and went to turn and run when he ran into a gray wolf, he righted himself and backed up bearing teeth ready to defend himself but the gray wolf just looked at him innocently "Eric it me." It whispered and Eric stopped stepping closer to the wolf "Jon?" He said anxious, it shook its head

"No me Mat" He responded and Eric felt his hope slip away.

"How did this happen to us?" Mat asked looking down at his now paws.

"The hawk, the light...this island. None of it is right.” Eric said.

Mat stayed quiet as Eric paced back and forth.

"How do we change back?!" Eric yelled to himself making a small howl in the process startling himself.

"Let’s ask the others." Mat said his ears perking up.

Eric shook his head "No our crew wont understand. They would rather." Eric said when he was cut off by Mat.

"No, the wolves” he said walking towards the cave entrance and Eric jumped in front of him stopping him.

"How do we know their like this and that they would help us?" Eric said holding Mat's gaze.

"We don't, but it’s worth a try." He said walking around Mat and leaving the cave and headed into the cool forest.

Eric watched as Mat walked out of his sight then started after him at a distance.

Mat walked deep into the forest and was quiet, and then he heard talking and laughing.

He crouched down under some brush and watched as a pack of wolves chatted and some pups rough housed. He stepped closer snapping a twig and the pack stopped what they where doing and stared towards him, a tanned wolf with greenish gold eyes stood up and walked towards him and she bowed he head in greeting.

“I am Tala." She said sitting in front of Mat.

Mat bowed to her and introduced himself.

"Where am I?" Mat said as she sat down in front of him.

"This place has no name but it is the home of Ayla." She said sitting up strait.

"And who is Ayla?" Mat said sitting down.

Tala went to speak but was interrupted by a deep hallow voice behind her where a shadow formed atop of some boulders showing the form of a massive wolf with reddish black eyes gleaming in the shadows of the forest.

"Ayla is the temple oak." He said standing high above the rest and they turned their heads to spy him as he walked slowly towards where Mat stood.

The pups sat alert as the giant wolf walked by them his back towering over them.

He stopped and Mat had to stare up at the wolf that had come to stand over him blocking the sun so that it showed his outline and cast a shadow over Mat as the dark eyes looked down at him.

"I am Ulric." He said in a hallow voice and a Mat saw a grin appear on the huge wolfs face in a none threatening way and he took a deep breath becoming more relaxed.

"I’m Mat.” He said bowing his head.

Eric crept closer to the pack still unnoticed and watched as Mat talked with Ulric fearlessly.

He sat among the darkness of the forest his own dark brown fur blending into his surroundings only his pale blue eyes gave away his presents among the foliage.

He sat in total silence sure that none of them knew of his presents and as he scanned the pack his eyes meet with Tala's with a gentle kindness.

He felt himself once again being pulled towards something on the island and this time he didn't resist or realize it till he stood in the clearing in front of her.

"Eric!" Mat busted out barreling into him knocking him down in the dirt.

Eric pushed Mat aside and stood up "what you bloody fool?" he asked embarked by the Mat knocking him down.

"Mat rolled over to look up at Eric from his back and laughed "they know Jon!"

He exclaimed and Eric jumped back "he's here?" he asked looking over the wolves.

And Tala stepped forward meeting Eric's eyes and said "Jon Hanklord your captain is........"


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This story is copyright 2005 by Stacy Harms. All rights reserved. This story may not be distributed for a fee except by permission of the author, and this copyright notice may not be removed.