Crimson Tide, Deep Blue Sea

Chapter 5 - A Key of Coral

The moment the last sliver of the orange glowing sun sunk into the sea, a blinding flash of green light flared across Charlie's vision. He blinked frantically and gripped the railing of the crow's nest tightly as a dizzying feeling washed over him. Once he had regained his sight, his mouth gaped open.

Where before the horizon had stretched into endlessness, Charlie could now see a small structure rising out of the waters in the distance, its silhouette jagged and rocky against the quickly darkening sky; it reminded Charlie of the shark tooth Bill wore dangling from his ear. Ava turned from the sight, not looking the least bit surprised.

"Welcome to the Isla des Cuervos," she said and glanced his way. "Now it's your turn, helmsman."

Shaking himself out of his wonder, Charlie was quick to climb down the rigging after her, shouting Bill's name before he had even reached the deck.

Approaching the small rock formation proved to be the most difficult course Charlie had ever steered the Molly's Wrath through; more than once he was convinced they'd hit some underwater rocks or would run onto ground on a hidden stretch of shallow water. He was relieved when Bill and Ava eventually joined him at the steering wheel to tell him they were close enough.

Most of the crew were too spooked by the sudden appearance of the island to even consider joining the shore leave, so it was only Bill, Charlie and Ava in the small lifeboat setting out for the rocky shore. The closer they came, the more silent the group fell; there was something about this island that made Charlie's throat feel constricted, and every word lying on his tongue felt too heavy to leave his lips.

Ava sat at the front of the boat; she had her body turned towards the island, and her spine was painfully erect. One of her hands was gripping the fabric of her coat, the other clutching the black stone around her neck.

When set foot onto the rocky beach, Charlie and Bill shared a look, not sure where to go now. They started discussing what to do next, but Ava didn't pay any attention to them; she was watching the darkening sky with a grim expression.

A winged shadow passed over her head and flew in the direction of a nearby cave Charlie hadn't noticed was there. Ava followed her raven immediately, Charlie and Bill falling into step behind her.

"How does that bird know where to go?" Charlie asked. "What is this place?"

Ava's eyes were fixed on the raven waiting for them at the entrance, and her voice was tense when she spoke. "Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to."

When they had reached the cave, they lit the torches they had brought with them. With a sceptical look at the cave entrance and the crushing waves close by it, Bill shook his head.

"We should wait," he said and looked at the water again, "high tide will be here soon. I don't want to risk getting trapped."

"We'd better hurry then," Ava said laconically and vanished through the gaping cave entrance.

Charlie gripped his torch tighter, squared his shoulders and followed her into the darkness.

He found himself inside a narrow tunnel which led them deeper into the cave. The air was cold and wet and smelled of seaweed, salt and rock; but most of all it smelled old, as if it had been centuries since a living person had set foot inside this place.

The ground beneath Charlie's boots was slippery, and he had to steady himself against the wall of the tunnel, careful not to lose sight of the dancing light of Ava's torch in front of him. She led them deeper and deeper through the winding paths, and with every step, Charlie felt the weight of the massive rock above his head sank a little lower.