On the Isle of Sound and Wonder by Grauer Alyson

Author:Grauer, Alyson [Grauer, Alyson]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Shakespeare Tempest reimagined, fantasy steampunk adventure, tropical island fantasy adventure, alternate history Shakespeare steampunk, alternate history fantasy adventure, steampunk magical realism, steampunk Shakespeare retelling
Publisher: Xchyler Publishing
Published: 2014-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Karaburan crouched at the foot of a tree, three dead fish at his feet. He had eaten the bird on the beach this morning, much to Truffo’s insult, along with a few fish, but he was hungry again. It was the usual way of his day-to-day activities. He picked each one apart slowly, the eyes and fins first, then the flesh, then the bones and other crunchy bits for last. From time to time, he looked up at Stephen and Truffo, sitting across the little clearing from him.

They stared at him, eating their own food much less vigorously than he ate his, as though distracted by his display of savoring the meal. Both Stephen and Truffo bore expressions of pale disgust, eyes round and glazed, mouths slightly agape as he slurped and gulped his food down. He sucked one of the fish’s eyeballs out of its skull carefully, and saw both men blanch at the sight of it. These strange, soft men do not like it simply because it is not flame-burned. It is a foolish thing to be choosy about, when building a fire is work and there is enough food to be had without a fire.

“Are the berries to your liking, my lords?” asked Karaburan in as sweet a voice as he could muster. “Or can I offer you some of my meal as well?”

Truffo made a terrified guttural sound, his hand halfway to his open mouth with another round yellow fruit.

“No, no, monster.” Stephen shook his head. He had taken to calling Karaburan ‘monster’ as his inebriation grew stronger. “That is not necessary. We are quite content.”

“It does not do for kings—no, gods! It does not do for gods to go without meat.” Karaburan said a little mischievously. He had seen Dante prepare meals over an open fire, and had seen evidence on scorched bits of earth and ashen pits that Mira, in her ranging about the isle, had done the same. Karaburan was not sure why he didn’t mind the raw fish, but it was amusing to him. “Please, my lords.” He held out two of the half-torn fish carcasses. “Let your servant feed you!”

Truffo gagged audibly. Stephen stood upright too quickly and staggered back into another tree trunk, catching his balance there and shutting his eyes firmly, as though dizzy.

“No, truly, that’s enough of that, monster, we want none of it!” Stephen cried, holding his hand over his eyes. “Indeed, please finish your meal quickly. Tasty though it may be, the sight of it is most insulting to our senses.” Truffo groaned in agreement and put his face into his arms, as though he might be sick.

“I would not wish to offend your lordships,” Karaburan laughed, and eagerly tore into the remaining fish. Truffo rolled over and began crawling hurriedly away into the bushes, possibly to escape the sight of raw fish being pulled apart, but Stephen remained stalwart, gazing in horrified amazement as Karaburan ravaged his food.

When the last bones crunched between Karaburan’s teeth,

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