The Island of Echoes by Roman Blair

Author:Roman Blair [Blair, Roman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: One Leaf Press
Published: 2015-10-31T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

R émy and I awoke long after the sunrise horn had blown its rousing call. We were surprised to find the apartment empty. I spotted a note in hastily scribbled French atop a side table in the lounge:

Rémy, the advisor offered to take us to the gardens for luncheon. It did not seem right to wake you, but please join us later if you wish.

– Uncle Lucas

We took a seat at the dining table. Breakfast had long since gotten cold, but I ate a handful of nuts, berries, and cheese.

“Will you join the others in the gardens?” Rémy asked between mouthfuls.

“Yes, will you?”

“I can’t. I am meeting King Eireas for Anuprian lessons again.”

“Oh yes,” I recalled. “I forgot to mention. I learned that he will be traveling to Alexandria tomorrow. I requested that we accompany him.”

“What a splendid idea,” Rémy beamed, his blue eyes sparkling. “The others can finally put their doubts to rest.”

“My thoughts exactly,” I concurred. “So... can I assume that you believe everything we've been told?”

Rémy sighed. "No, I don't. Not yet. But in all honesty, I very much want to.” He appeared embarrassed at the admission. His eyes were cast down and he picked at his food.

“I know what you mean,” I said comfortingly. “I don’t understand it and I’d be lying if I said I had no guilt in it. I find my thoughts drifting to my family from time to time and it saddens me that I did not write them a final letter. They didn't even know I would be traveling out of Africa yet. My disappearance will remain a mystery."

All our fates would be a mystery, I realized as we took a few silent bites of food.

"But all the while," I continued, "I must consider myself lucky. I saw them only every few years and our situation would be much more painful had I been closer to them. And despite these thoughts, there is something powerful about this place which calls to me. I was rather nervous when we first landed here, but the more I learn of this island, the more I find myself succumbing to its charms."

“Yes!” Rémy agreed. “That is exactly how I feel. I am glad to hear you say it. Although I suppose it’s natural for you. Exploring is what you chose to do with your life, after all.”

I chuckled. “It is really not as glamorous as one may think. I read dusty old manuscripts and try to translate ancient carvings. This…” I acknowledged our surroundings, “is beyond even my imagination. A living civilization unbeknownst to all on our world.”

“You would enjoy the study of their language,” said Rémy. “I am no linguist, but even I revel in finding parallels between our words and theirs.”

“I am sure I would,” I mused. “I have a lot of time on my hands now.”

We finished breakfast and took turns bathing. Despite the trunks in our room, Rémy and I again decided to adopt local dress. Our clothes appeared stuffy and monotonous beside the cheerful colors of Capribo.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.