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

Chapter 32

Airella stood in the shadows, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had witnessed. As the connection between Sirius and his borrowed body frayed, Airella’s illusion faded, revealing her true form. They were now exposed to the unfolding chaos.

“Cease them!” King William’s voice boomed over the cacophony of gasps and murmurs that filled the room. The crowd of astonished onlookers recoiled in fear, unsure of what to make of the sudden turn of events. But Duran was the first to react, his instincts kicking in as he lunged towards Sirius with a determined resolve.

In a swift and daring move, Sirius opened a portal to the world of Limbo, pulling Duran along with him as they both tumbled into the unknown abyss.

“Sirius!” Airella’s anguished cry pierced the air, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

As the portal shrank, threatening to disappear entirely, Airella knew she had to act fast. With a desperate resolve, she sprinted towards the dwindling gateway, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and rescue. But as she strained to reach the portal, Airella found herself abruptly seized by the guards, their iron grips clamping firmly onto her arms.

“No! Let me go!” Airella’s voice rang out in a desperate plea, her eyes desperately scanning the throng for any glimmer of aid amidst the swirling chaos that engulfed them.

At that moment, King William slowly advanced towards Airella, while the guards unceremoniously pushed her down to the ground in deference to the king. She winced in agony.

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” King William cast a steely gaze towards the guards. “Escort the guests out. We’re putting an end to this celebration. Direct everyone to the waiting ships.” The soldiers swiftly carried out his orders. “And another thing, bring the girl’s brother along. If memory serves me right, he’s languishing in the dungeon. He might appreciate the chance to behold these expansive lands. Also, ensure that all the prisoners are properly accounted for. This could be an opportunity to free up space in the castle’s underground cells.” The king commanded, prompting the soldiers to swiftly usher everyone out of the palace. “Now, Airella, daughter of Lysander Devereaux, I’m certain the former commander of my forces would be utterly disappointed by your actions. You’ve flagrantly defied me and committed treason.” King William’s voice dripped with disdain as he glowered down at Airella, the guards nudging her face closer to the cold stone floor.

“Your Highness...” Airella struggled to voice her thoughts. “You must grasp the perils that lurk on that island, dangers beyond your wildest imaginings.”

“My first-in-command, Duran, says otherwise. Why would he feel the need to lie to me about such a thing?” King William laughed heartily, his booming voice echoing through the grand hall. “This is nonsense. I’m just going to make things simple.”

The guards surrounding Airella eased their grip slightly, allowing her a glimpse of the imposing figure of the king as she strained to peer past him. Behind the monarch, a few guards huddled around the almost closed portal, barely audible over the commotion were their murmurs of uncertainty.

“You’ve become quite a threat. I believe a proper hanging is in order,” declared King William, his tone unwavering. “However, it’s a special night tonight, with our sailing away celebration in full swing. Leaving you here in the dungeon would leave my castle vulnerable, with many of my guards accompanying me. You, along with the other prisoners, shall sail back with us to that island. It is there that justice will be served, and you will face the consequences of your treason.” The king concluded his chilling proclamation with a steely whisper, sending shivers down Airella’s spine.

Desperation etched on her face, the princess hurried to her father’s side. “Father, please, allow me a moment to speak with you,” she implored, her voice tinged with urgency.

“Not now. Get on the ship,” King William commanded, his eyes cold and unyielding.

Princess Thea and Airella shared a moment of eye contact as the guards hoisted Airella to her feet. The disintegrated portal loomed behind her, now heavily guarded, extinguishing any hope of slipping back in to find him.

“Sirius...” she murmured softly, a name laden with longing.

Trapped and desolate, Airella’s spirit teetered on the brink of despair. Her eyes, once filled with determination, now brimmed with unshed tears. The guards led her through the castle’s grand doors, each step echoing her inner turmoil.

The loading docks beckoned, bustling with activity as people boarded ships in search of new beginnings. Airella, however, knew the harsh reality awaiting them—death disguised as opportunity. Her heart heavy with foreboding, she pondered her fate.

Among the vessels, the fifth ship awaited, destined for the prisoners’ journey. Airella stood, now stripped of Dawnbreaker and other possessions. Vulnerability gnawed at her resolve, igniting a fire of defiance within. She refused to be the helpless maiden awaiting rescue; her path to salvation lay in her own hands.

Gazing back at the grand palace, hope flickered within her as she yearned for Sirius to emerge like a beacon of deliverance. Time seemed to freeze, the air thick with uncertainty, as she clung to the belief that their reunion was on the verge of happening.

Yet, there was nothing.

Worry crept through the girl. Could Duran have bested him? Airella attempted to push away thoughts of the worst-case scenario. No, that seemed nearly impossible. After all, Sirius had the advantage of familiarity since they were in Limbo. He was capable, but if he remained hidden, the prospect of reuniting seemed increasingly challenging...

Airella lifted her gaze towards the massive ship while standing on the dock. The guards swiftly secured heavy metal cuffs on her wrists and ankles, linking her via chains to a lengthy line of drowsy prisoners awaiting to board the vessel.

Once all the prison guards loaded the prisoners, they escorted them to the upper deck. Among them were close to a hundred prisoners, clad only in their undergarments and bound in chains. This ship was designated exclusively for their transport, indicating that it would only house them, the guards, and lower-class individuals. The prisoners found themselves vastly outnumbered and filled with a sense of desperation.

A muscular man stepped onto a podium in front of the prisoners as they were all forced to sit on the deck. His shaggy brown hair, tousled by the wind, danced around his face, and the golden hues of the setting sun reflected off his polished silver armor, casting a radiant glow around him.

With a rigid demeanor, he addressed the assembly, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome aboard this vessel,” His voice carried over the murmurs of the captives. “I’ll be your overseer from this point on. Throughout this voyage, you shall receive rations equivalent to those provided at the castle. Expect fair treatment—no more, no less. Your station is here on the upper deck; no requests to venture elsewhere will be entertained. Eat, sleep, and linger here. No exceptions,” he declared firmly. “Given your current circumstances, confined as you are by the chains that bind you, we’ll all grow quite familiar with each other over the course of this journey.”

As the ships set sail, Airella’s gaze lingered on the vast expanse of the ocean before her. Her vessel, trailing behind the others, cut through the waves with a sense of determined purpose.

Thoughts swirled in her mind, contemplating the hierarchy of the ship’s order. Could it be that the first ship bore the Royals, with social standing descending according to the ships’ sequence? Restless with an unyielding spirit, Airella refused to accept this predicament as her ultimate fate.

A glimmer of hope sparked within her as she envisioned a plan forming in her mind. The island marked the destination where her resolve would be put to the test. Three weeks lay ahead, time that she knew held possibilities for change. Escape, seeking aid, or some unforeseen course of action—options brimmed in her thoughts as she steeled herself for the challenges to come.

“Airella!” A familiar voice rang out from behind the girl, causing her body to freeze in place.

“Arii?” Airella whipped her head around, her eyes locking onto a head full of tousled blonde hair. “Arii!” She cried out his name, her voice laced with a mix of relief and worry.

His whitened smile, contrasting with his dirtied face, sent a wave of emotions through her body, despite the distance that separated them. Chained to many other people, she knew reaching him was an impossible feat.

“I’ll get us out of this. I promise,” Airella spoke with a determined tone, her words carrying a sense of reassurance to Arii. A promise made in the darkest of times, one she vowed to keep.

The first night dragged on endlessly, filled with unpleasant smells and the biting cold of the frosty air. The overcrowded space left Airella gazing up at the dark expanse above, mentally counting the stars for solace. Alongside the rest of the dirtied prisoners, they lay haphazardly on the upper deck, their heads resting on one another to find comfort amidst the chaos. The guards, taking shifts to stay vigilant, maintained a watchful eye over the captives.

Airella brushed her blonde hair away from her face, the metal cuffs on her wrists serving as a constant reminder of her captivity. As she exhaled a heavy breath, a voice pierced through the silence, one that she hadn’t heard in what felt like an eternity.

“Airella, are you awake? Can you hear me?” Jonathan’s voice reached her ears, prompting Airella to retrieve the necklace tucked beneath her shirt, a hidden possession the guards had overlooked during their search.

“Jonathan!” Airella’s voice, a whisper filled with relief, cut through the tense air. “I’m so happy to hear your voice! How are you able to speak? We have to be quiet, or the guards will hear.”

Jonathan’s response was hushed yet concerned. “Are you okay? It seems you may be in a bit of trouble. If only I were there to help,” as he spoke, the necklace around her neck emitted a soft, reassuring glow. Airella quickly shielded the light from the prying eyes of the guards with a swift movement of her hand.

“Oh, come on now, Jonathan,” she sighed, a mixture of worry and determination in her voice.

“Where is Sirius?” his sudden question hung in the air, laden with unspoken concern.

Airella hesitated, her mind racing to find the right words. “He—Well, I’m not sure. He and Duran... they went into Limbo, and that was the last I saw of them both.” Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the fear that gripped her heart at the thought of losing Sirius forever. Unspoken emotions swirled within her, undeniable and raw.

“This is Sirius we’re talking about,” Jonathan interjected, a hint of levity in his tone, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere. “The same guy who beat me in a battle of our own. If that’s not tough, I don’t know what is.”

Airella managed a brief, genuine laugh, the tension momentarily lifted by his attempt at humor.

“What’s going on over there?” a guard’s gruff voice interrupted their conversation, sending a jolt of panic through Airella.

She quickly feigned sleep, her breaths slow and even, until the soldier’s footsteps receded into the distance. With a sigh of relief, she carefully concealed the glowing necklace back beneath the fabric of her shirt.

“Jonathan,” she whispered once more, her eyes shut tightly against the harsh reality of their circumstances, “we have a lot of planning to do.” Airella’s melodious voice floated through the air, a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

The necklace adorning her neck glowed with a soft azure light each time Jonathan spoke, a manifestation of the unwavering faith she held in Sirius’s strength.

“Sirius is resilient, Airella,” Jonathan whispered with a luminous reassurance. “He possesses a fortitude that can withstand even the fiercest of foes, including the likes of Father.”

The weight of their mission hung in the air, the urgency of their situation fueling her determination to find a way out of the perilous predicament they found themselves in.