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

Chapter 29

Airella wandered aimlessly, her footsteps echoing softly on the dirt path as she approached the outskirts of the nearing village. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Each door she passed seemed to hold a story, a life behind it waiting to be discovered.

As she knocked on each weathered door, the sound reverberated through the quiet streets. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, an elderly woman opened her door with a creak. The woman, with wisps of silver hair framing her face, peered at Airella with kind, yet curious, eyes.

“Please, can you help us? Do you know of a healer nearby?” Airella’s voice quivered with desperation, her eyes filled with worry as she held Sirius close.

The elderly woman, her wrinkled hands clasped together, looked at the peculiar sight before her. A young girl standing before her, carrying a person who seemed in need of help.

“Oh, my... I know of many remedies myself. Please come in,” the old woman said, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. She gestured for them to enter, the warmth of her home enveloping them.

Airella stepped inside, taking in the sight of the small run-down cottage. The room was dimly lit by a flickering candle casting dancing shadows on the walls. The scent of herbs and earth filled the air, creating a soothing atmosphere.

The old woman lived alone, surrounded by books and jars of various liquids. Airella couldn’t help but wonder why someone of her age and standing would welcome two strangers, armed and in need, into her humble abode. But in that moment, the urgency of Sirius’s condition took precedence over her thoughts.

“Lie him on that bed there. I’ll go gather my supplies,” the old woman said, her voice filled with determination as she hurried to the cabinets, the sound of her footsteps fading into the distance.

Airella carefully carried Sirius, her movements gentle as she settled him onto the single bed nestled in the room’s corner. A sense of immense relief washed over her as she did so, yet a heavy burden still lingered on her back—the scythe that seemed to weigh not just on her shoulders, but on her very soul. With a deep exhale, she unstrapped the ominous weapon, letting it drop to the floor with a dull thud. Standing upright, she experienced a sense of relief, as if someone had lifted a weight off her, making her steps feel light and purposeful. The journey had been arduous, spanning at least a day’s worth of travel, but she had finally arrived.

Gazing down at Sirius, Airella couldn’t shake the comparison to Alikad. The notion that Sirius was some kind of missing piece of Alikad lingered in her mind, planting seeds of doubt and curiosity.

“Jonathan,” she murmured softly to herself, fingers absently tracing the intricate design of the necklace adorning her neck. Seeking solace in the familiar trinket, she grappled with the uncertainty looming over them amidst the island’s enigmatic circumstances. Was it possible that Alikad’s arrival from the future held the key to deciphering the imminent demolition of the island? Fatigue crept upon her, her thoughts muddled as the elderly woman approached, a silent presence in the dimly lit room.

“Hold this,” the old woman commanded, pushing a bucket brimming with what appeared to be a concoction of herbs and remedies into Airella’s hands. With a deft motion, she then removed Sirius’s cloak, unveiling his naturally gray chest. The woman, unfazed by the sight before her, hovered her wrinkled hands over his battle-scarred body. “What happened here?” she uttered.

Airella, uncertain whether she referred to Sirius’s wounds or his reaper-like appearance, observed as the woman gingerly plucked a few herbs from the bucket and applied them to Sirius’s injuries while he lay unconscious.

As Airella stood by, a mixture of concern and weariness clouding her thoughts, a heavy sigh escaped her lips, drawing the old woman’s attention. With a sudden intensity in her gaze and her gray hair frizzed in disarray, the woman turned towards Airella, her finger pointing out the weariness etched on Airella’s own features.

“You look pretty rough around the edges too,” she remarked, prodding Airella’s chest lightly with her finger. “Go freshen up. I’ve got this under control.” There was a peculiar gleam in her eyes that left Airella feeling unsettled. Could she truly trust this eccentric woman alone with Sirius, especially considering she hadn’t yet questioned the mysterious circumstances of his presence?

She felt so drained she couldn’t bring herself to do anything but nod her head reluctantly, her mind filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension about what might unfold in her absence. Setting the bucket of medicinal supplies down gently before tentatively making her way towards the door leading to the compact washroom.

As she walked into the room, the dim light revealed a shattered piece of glass hanging on the wall, casting a distorted reflection. Airella’s eyes scanned the fragmented mirror, revealing her face marred with splotches of mud and dirt. Momentarily captivated, she took a step back, her gaze shifting to the metal tub dominating the washroom. The tub brimmed with steaming water, enveloping the room in a warm, inviting aura that left her feeling oddly comforted. It was almost as if the mysterious host had expected her arrival.

Shrugging off the peculiar sensation, Airella shed her dirty garments and eased herself into the tub, enveloped by the soothing embrace of the soapy water. As she submerged herself, a sharp jolt of pain shot through her left side, a stark reminder of her recent clash with Alikad.

Her mind swirled with a myriad of concerns, from ensuring Sirius’s safety to grappling with the weight of unresolved issues. The looming shadow of Father’s enigmatic presence, the haunting memory of her mother’s demise, Arii’s abduction, Jonathan’s tormented soul, Sirius’s injuries, and the burden of her own struggles crowded her thoughts, threatening to overwhelm her.

Alikad had explained to Airella that she wasn’t human, a revelation that stirred a mix of confusion and curiosity within her. Duran had somewhat done the same back on the island, leading her to question her own identity and origins. She had always felt different, her exceptional strength and appearance setting her apart from others. Despite knowing her mother was human, the mystery of her lineage lingered, leaving her to ponder the missing piece of her puzzle.

As she soaked in the soothing warmth of the steaming water, memories of the past few months flooded her mind. Weeks filled with revelations and encounters had reshaped her understanding of the world. The discovery of miscreants and the dark secrets of the island had shattered her perception of reality, opening her eyes to a hidden realm of danger and intrigue.

Amidst these tumultuous thoughts, Airella found herself plagued by strange flashbacks and visions, remnants of her time in Limbo. The ethereal echoes of that otherworldly place lingered within her, leaving her to wonder about their significance. Were these visions a clue to her true heritage, a link to the mysterious girl she resembled in her mind’s eye?

Sirius’s cryptic words and the mention of a name, Emmaline, added another layer of mystery to her already complicated existence. The connection between her visions and the enigmatic Emmaline tugged at her curiosity, hinting at a deeper truth waiting to be unraveled. How was it that Sirius had Emmaline’s blue pendant all this time? She needed answers.

Closing her eyes against the pain of her wound, Airella found solace in the thought of her parents’ peaceful reunion beyond the mortal realm. However, the urgency of rescuing Arii from the clutches of unknown assailants weighed heavily on her mind. The bond between them drove her to embark on a perilous journey, determined to reclaim him from the shadows that threatened to consume their fragile peace.

Airella’s mind was a whirlwind of questions and uncertainties, with Duran’s intentions at the forefront. What exactly did he have in store for the Miscreant-infested island? Had he—or Father—truly assured the King of its safety for civilization?

The sharp stinging sensation shot through her torso, abruptly interrupting her contemplations and jolting her back to the present with a gasp.

“Agh!”

Grimacing, she hoisted herself out of the water, the lingering effects of the battle with Alikad clear in the large cut marking her skin. The encounter had taken its toll on both her and Sirius, with visible reminders of the conflict.

After dressing herself and drying off, she exited the washroom, her eyes immediately drawn to the old woman tending to Sirius’s wounds in the main room.

“How is he?” Anxiousness crept into her voice, concern etched across her features as she awaited the news on Sirius’s condition.

“He will be fine,” the woman began, trying to sound reassuring. With a pause, she added, “Though he is in critical condition... no human could ever survive these wounds.”

Airella felt a shiver run down her spine at the woman’s words. The way she casually mentioned the severity of the situation sent chills through the room.

“I suppose he’s just a lucky one, isn’t he?” The woman’s grin seemed almost sinister, and Airella couldn’t shake the feeling that she was onto them. Perhaps she had just figured out that Sirius wasn’t human after all.

“Right,” Airella replied, playing along but with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

As the woman continued, her tone shifted. “Your side. It looks like you’ll be needing stitches.” She began rummaging through a bucket of supplies, the clinking of metal tools filling the room.

Airella’s heart raced as she questioned, “Oh?” Her confusion turned to alarm when the woman retrieved a needle and thread from a nearby drawer. Airella’s eyes widened as she glanced down to see blood staining the side of her once pristine white shirt.

“Come here, dear,” the woman’s voice was almost sing song as she approached Airella. “You wouldn’t want an ugly scar on that pretty skin of yours, would ye?” The woman chuckled softly, an unsettling glint in her eyes.

“O—Oh, I don’t know about that.” Airella stammered, attempting to mask her unease with politeness.

“I’ve already patched up your friend. Let me fix you up as well. It won’t take but a moment,” the woman assured with a smile. Airella, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension, took a deep breath before giving a hesitant nod.

She lowered herself onto a creaking wooden chair, the rustic scent of aged wood filling her senses, while the woman settled beside her. As the woman carefully lifted the hem of Airella’s shirt, the dim light of the room revealed the extent of the nasty gash that marred her skin.

“Oh my, you sure took a beating,” the old woman remarked with a sympathetic shake of her head.

“It’s nothing compared to Sirius,” Airella replied stoically, bracing herself for the discomfort that followed as the woman deftly began the meticulous stitching process. Each prick of the needle sent a sharp jolt of pain through her, causing her to clench her jaw and squeeze her eyes shut against the sensation.

“Sirius is his name, eh? What about yours?” inquired the woman, her focus unwavering on her task at hand.

“I’m Airella,” she responded, mustering a grateful smile despite the discomfort. “And yourself? Thank you so much for taking us in, by the way,” Airella added, her expression softening with genuine appreciation.

“Odelle,” the woman introduced herself, her hands skillfully finishing the last stitch with practiced ease. “Now tell me, Miss Airella, do you believe in miscreants?” Odelle inquired, her gaze keen as she observed Airella’s reaction.

Airella’s heart skipped a beat as she felt the weight of the old woman’s piercing gaze upon her.

“Miscreants?” Airella chuckled nervously, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her cloak, trying to ease the tension that seemed to thicken the surrounding air. She was determined to go to great lengths to safeguard Sirius’s true identity, knowing the potential risks that loomed ahead. “That sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn’t it?” she added, a faint glimmer of uncertainty in her voice.

“Sometimes being crazy can lead to unexpected outcomes,” the woman remarked before pivoting away from Airella’s gaze. Airella, surprised, remained silent, processing the woman’s words. “Listen, you and your friend can hang around until he’s back on his feet. But once he’s good to go, I need you both out of here, understood?” Her elderly voice took on a different tone, shedding its previous warmth for a more authoritative air.

“Yes, of course. Thank you…” Airella nervously responded, her grip tight on her lower lip as the woman exited the room.

Glancing over at Sirius, she noticed him lying on the bed, his chest swathed in bandages, still unconscious. Airella wished she could’ve provided more help, but felt uncertain about what more she could do. Pulling a creaky wooden chair closer to the bedside, she settled down, resting her head on one of his makeshift pillows.

Airella knew that once they were both ready, she would need to locate Arii, with or without Sirius by her side. She understood the importance of returning to Aramore to warn everyone about the dangers of revisiting the island. Despite their prior attempts being futile and resulting in tragedy, Airella was determined to prevent further losses like Jonathan’s.