Promises of Gold

9. Seeking Knowledge & Celebrations

The day dragged on after James had informed Cordelia. She obeyed and controlled her curiosity. She decided to spend her day with Oliver. He seemed more shy and reserved, making Cordelia wonder why. They had walked along the west side of the island with Peter walking far behind. They needed someone to look out for them and make sure they didn't wander by accident.

"How do you enjoy it here?" Cordelia asked, walking alongside Oliver.

"I do very much. It's nice to be able to be calm and have some freedom." Oliver told her.

"I agree. I must ask you. What is wrong? You have been so reserved and quiet. Have I done something to make you so?" Cordelia asked sounding desperate.

"No of course not! I have just had trouble adjusting. I have other matters but they are no fault of yours."

"Do they include me? Do you regret this?"

"Yes and no I do not, I am happy with this decision. Cordelia it will be fine. I will try to be like before. You do not need to worry." Oliver told her, suddenly stopping in the path.

"Alright. Promise."

"I promise I will be less reserved and everything is and will be alright." Oliver promised with a sigh.

"Thank you."

Peter followed them in silence realizing that there was something much deeper in Oliver. He shook his head. Why not simply let her go? Cordelia was his not Oliver's. Anyone with two eyes could notice the destiny between them. Except Cordelia. Peter convinced himself she would come around. She had only just arrived. There was time for her have that epiphany.

"We must return. We have gone far. We have a party tonight to welcome you two and at this pace we may make it pretty close." Peter called to them, as he stopped in the green path behind them.

Cordelia turned around after seeing the gleam of the mermaid lake ahead beyond the green bushes. They quietly followed Peter back to their campsite. She couldn't bring herself to speak to Peter still. As for Oliver, it was still tense as they walked alongside each other. It had to be because they were boys. Boys were always odd in her opinion. She wished she could click with more of the girls. However there were only two more her age that she knew of. Suddenly she came to the realization, if she had been responsible for the children arriving and that had been two years ago, where were all the others? Certainly there was more than thirty children they had brought. Had they all been captured?

***

"Yes. In short they have. Some but very few, had returned or gone to live with the Chief on the far side of the island. Most were just manipulated or taken however. We would save them but their hideout is very hidden and well, the past has taught us to stay away." James answered when Cordelia asked him in his tent.

"How old are you?" Cordelia asked suddenly curious. He spoke with authority and wisdom.

"I came here when I was 19, so that is how I look. However, my real age is much older. I have been around before your parents'. Since around 1937. This land and it's inhabitants are much older than you may think. Before the others, it was simply me and Peter. We had come here by mistake but we decided to stay. It is a long and complicated story" James told her.

Cordelia nodded and decided she should leave. She did not want to give Oliver or Peter the impression that James and her were more than friendly. Before she could really leave he stopped her.

"Cordelia? I know more about you than you realize. As much as you and Peter had a past, so do we."

"We had a past? What was it?"