Isle of Beasts and Shadows (The Forgotten Isle Saga #1)

Chapter 12

Airella woke up in her tent, the early morning light filtering through the fabric walls. As she sat up, a dull ache throbbed in her temples, a lingering reminder of the night’s events. Her mind was hazy, memories of the previous night slipping through her fingers like sand.

Stepping outside, a burst of sunlight that warmed her face greeted her, contrasting with the crisp chill in the air. Looking around, she noticed the other soldiers emerging from their tents, each wearing a similar expression of confusion and disorientation. The atmosphere was tense, a palpable sense of unease hanging in the air.

As she walked, a wave of dizziness washed over her, causing her to sink down onto the sandy ground. Watching her comrades, she observed the growing anxiety etched on their faces, mirroring her own inner turmoil.

“This island is haunted. Let’s get out of here!” Darian yelled out, his voice echoing through the eerie silence of the night. He ran in frantic circles, his hands grasping at the shoulders of every man he passed, his eyes wide with terror. “We’ll all be dead! This place isn’t good for humans! Let’s board the ships!” His words were punctuated by a laughter filled with a crazed intensity that masked the underlying fear.

Amidst the chaos, Airella remained composed, her gaze unwavering as she observed Darian’s escalating panic. Each passing moment seemed to amplify the sense of impending doom that hung heavy in the air, infecting even the most stoic of hearts with a creeping doubt.

As the commotion reached a fever pitch, a sudden cry pierced through the air.

“Duran is gone!”

The proclamation drew the attention of all, their eyes turning towards Brenner, who had just emerged from Duran’s supposedly vacant tent. Airella’s expression remained impassive, a mask of contemplation settling over her features as she made a silent decision to investigate the mysterious disappearance for herself.

With purposeful resolve, she approached the tent, the cloth entrance swaying gently in the night breeze. Stepping inside, a sense of foreboding washed over her as she confirmed the chilling truth—Duran was nowhere to be found.

“What’s going on? What do we do?”

The scrambling soldiers seemed frightened and confused, waiting for the unpredictable. Airella felt a surge of responsibility as she scanned the surrounding faces, seeking guidance and finding none.

“Jonathan,” she whispered his name under her breath before she maneuvered through the crowd of men, her heart thudding in her chest.

Her steps quickened as she made her way towards his hammock, her mind racing with thoughts of what to do next. To her dismay, Jonathan’s hammock was empty, adding to the chaos of the situation.

This moment offered Airella an opportunity to embody the leadership qualities her father was known for in the past. She deliberated on her options—she could take charge, rally the soldiers, and seek a resolution to the madness unfolding, or she could succumb to the overwhelming pressure and retreat to the safety of the kingdom. Despite her inner doubts, a glimmer of determination flickered within her. She knew she possessed the potential to lead, to guide, and to protect the remaining soldiers from the impending crisis.

As she pondered her next move, the weight of the decision bore down on her, causing a momentary hesitation. Airella could feel the eyes of the soldiers on her, waiting for her command. In that fleeting moment of uncertainty, self-doubt crept in, clouding her thoughts. She turned away from the expectant gazes and took a deep breath, grappling with her conflicting emotions.

“Jonathan!” a man yelled, drawing attention to a familiar face emerging from the thick brush.

His disheveled yet charming red hair caught the sunlight, giving it a glistening, almost ethereal quality as he jogged up to Airella with a wide, cheerful smile that seemed to light up the surroundings. It was as if a burst of positivity radiated from him, enveloping the surrounding space.

Airella, taken aback by this sudden encounter, stood frozen in place, her mind racing to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. His carefree demeanor completely stumped her, and she found it slightly unsettling in contrast to the gravity of the situation they were in. As he approached with increasing speed, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of confusion and curiosity.

With a swift motion, he scooped her up by the waist, spinning her around with an infectious enthusiasm that was hard to resist. Airella, though appreciative of the gesture, couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease lingering at the back of her mind. She awkwardly waited for some semblance of an explanation, her eyes silently pleading for clarity amidst this whirlwind of emotions. After all, he had just appeared out of the woods, seemingly out of nowhere, adding an element of mystery to the already bewildering encounter.

“I have so much to tell you, to tell all of you,” Jonathan exclaimed, a wide smile on his face as he raised his arms in excitement.

Airella, noticing his sudden burst of enthusiasm, voiced her concern, “Jonathan, are you okay—”

But before she could finish, he interrupted, “Never been better, actually.” His declaration caught the attention of the men nearby, who stared at him with mouths agape, unsure of what to make of the situation unfolding before them.

As the soldiers scattered in different directions to search for Duran, Jonathan locked eyes with Airella, a look of determination in his gaze. “I’ll take care of him,” she assured the concerned soldiers nearby, her unwavering focus on Jonathan.

He beamed at her, jabbering, “It’d probably be best if I told you first, anyway.”

Intrigued, Airella pressed for more information, “Tell me why—”

“I met him, face-to-face. He is like nothing you’d expect,” Jonathan revealed, the seriousness creeping into his voice as he mentioned Sirius.

Airella halted him mid-explanation, her curiosity piqued.

“Is that where you’ve been?” Her fists clenched in a mix of emotions.

She wasn’t just angry; she was also taken aback by the situation unfolding before her. Contemplating the implications of Jonathan’s association with Sirius, a known threat, she struggled to reconcile his actions with his higher rank. Despite her own encounters with the stranger, she couldn’t shake off the unease of aligning with someone perceived as a danger to their world.

“He’s kind, yet misunderstood. You’ll have to see for yourself. Come on, I’m sure we can find him,” he began tugging on her arm, but Airella stood her ground with wide eyes.

In this moment, she couldn’t help but think if Duran had to deal with this type of nonsense all the time. Perhaps it’s why the old man had built up such an enormous wall meant to keep out any emotion and do what he always thought was best for his people, even if everyone else disagreed.

“You realize he killed Marcus?” Airella grimaced, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and disbelief. “He brought him back from the dead to rip you and Duran to shreds. That thing, Miscreant, Sirius, whatever he is, engaged in battle against us. He even threw you out of a window from a two-story building,” she recounted, her eyes welling up with tears. The thought of this mysterious humanoid being sent shivers down her spine. However, as Jonathan’s words echoed in her mind, a flicker of doubt crept in–maybe there was some truth to it all, maybe she was simply letting fear cloud her judgment.

“We found him!” A group of men rushed out of the woods, assisting Duran as he limped on his hurt ankle.

Airella’s heart raced as she sprinted in their direction, her mind filled with worry and relief intertwining in a chaotic dance. Meeting them halfway, she scanned Duran’s pale face, a mix of concern and fear reflected in her eyes.

“Where was he?” Her voice trembled, her gaze shifting between Duran and the soldiers. Despite the dirt and bruises marring his features, he seemed fine. The air was heavy with tension as she listened intently, her heart pounding like a war drum in her chest.

“We found him wandering around along the border of the camp. We think he saw something.” The soldiers’ words were a lifeline in the sea of uncertainty. With gentle urgency, they carried Duran into his tent, their movements swift and practiced as they began their healing ministrations.

“He was in our camp last night, I’m telling you! He was in my tent, I just know it.” Duran’s voice carried through the camp.

Airella’s eyes flicked back to Jonathan, his silhouette a stark contrast against the backdrop of the camp. His stillness spoke volumes, a silent sentinel in the chaos that unfolded before them. Determination etched in her features, she strode purposefully towards him, her steps echoing the rhythm of her racing heart.

“Jonathan, do you know anything about this?” Her voice was a mix of accusation and desperation, her hand gesturing in an arc before his unfocused gaze. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air, a silent plea for answers amid turmoil.

He hesitated, the lines of his face etched with conflict before straightening his posture.

“He wanted to let you know that he’s sorry.” Jonathan’s words hung in the air, a fragile bridge between past regrets and uncertain futures.

Airella’s expression wavered, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling in her eyes. Shock, disbelief, and a glimmer of hope danced across her features, a storm brewing on the horizon of her soul.

“But that’s not all,” he began, a hint of curiosity in his voice as he looked at Airella. “He wants to learn about us. He wants to know—” Jonathan tried to explain, but Airella’s focus remained fixed on proving him wrong.

“Jonathan,” she interjected, a sense of urgency in her tone. “We can’t just trust this stranger right now, okay? Much less one who has tried to kill us. Our key priority is to scout the island and ensure our survival. Dealing with Miscreants around us constantly won’t make it any easier. I’m in no place to give you orders, but if I were in your shoes, I’d keep this encounter to yourself.” Airella rested her hand on his golden armor, a gesture that hinted at the weight of their situation. She couldn’t deny that she was adopting Duran’s pragmatism, sending a shiver down her spine.

Jonathan gazed at the ground for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “You’re right, I guess I don’t know what’s come over me,” he said, though his voice betrayed a hint of uncertainty that didn’t escape Airella’s notice.

Exhaling a sigh, Airella took a step back, leaving Jonathan to shoulder the responsibility in Duran’s absence. Looking up at him, she suggested, “Perhaps we should explore further. There must be more to this island than meets the eye. Duran’s reluctance to return to Eldaraya is clear, but it’s a decision we need to respect. I can’t mess this up, Jonathan. Being here means my family is going to be taken care of.”

Jonathan nodded in agreement, his demeanor serious and devoid of his usual joviality. Airella couldn’t ignore the absence of his usual smile and laughter, and she wondered if her lack of faith in him was the cause.

Biting on her lower lip in uncertainty, she wrestled with her desire to trust Jonathan completely. Yet, an unspoken doubt lingered, preventing her from fully committing to that trust.

“Attention, everyone,” Jonathan’s voice rang out, commanding authority. “We can’t afford to waste any more daylight. Half of us will remain here to safeguard the camp and care for Duran, while the rest will venture further into the southern region of the island.” His directive spurred the group into action, each member preparing for their respective tasks with a sense of purpose.