Silence

Chapter 6

Capsize

I try not to look too excited about the technology in front of me. I knew this place has some greater technology than back home (though they don't seem to have money) but this stuff looks brilliant. The people explaining it to me and Red (Declan and Champwan) I hadn't met yet, though Sonja and Tucker are helping with testing the communicators.  Tom and Jordan are here but as soon as he brought us here, Jordan took Tom outside for a private conversation so we were introduced by Mianite's champions to the priest and his assistant.

"So this is the second piece, which is an earpiece," Declan starts explaining, showing the part I'm not as excited about. The bracelet part I could actually use but I saw Jordan using his "earpiece", it involved talking. The priest doesn't know that I can't talk, he hasn't seen me signing (though he hasn't seen me talk either) but I can already feel myself zoning out.

This island isn't as odd as I thought it would be. They don't seem to have some of the things we have back home but I'll put that down to how they aren't allowed to leave. I do slightly miss my own house, not that the room that Jordan gave me was bad but waking up in unfamiliar surroundings made me panic.  Jordan appearing did calm me down at least, as surprising as it was that he knew about my bounty (if you can call it that when I'm wanted alive) but I guess Ianite has the right to tell him. He at least didn't tell me that I shouldn't be laughing about it.

"Do you want to try it on?" I'm brought to my attention by Declan asking me about the earpiece. I know that I'm going to have to sign but I still wish this was easier.

I don't think I need one. I don't see any recognition of my sign on his face but as I wait for Red to translate someone does reply.

"Well, just hearing the others will help you and will speed up conversations, even if you can't reply with words. Believe me, this lot aren't as quick at typing as they are at talking," I stare at Champwan wondering how Tom thought I was making sign language up if someone on this island speaks it. Then again Tucker and Sonja are staring at him so maybe this is a talent he keeps to himself. Still, I wish he was at the docks yesterday.

"Champ, you understand her?" Tucker asks looking at him with wide eyes. The masked man shrugs as if it isn't surprising.

"The gods gave me the ability to understand most languages in order to translate for Dec," I smile, not quite understanding why Declan himself wasn't the ability, but still happy that someone other than Red actually understands me here.

I'll try it but I'm keeping my earrings. He laughs but I don't feel comfortable without them. Dad brought most of them for me before he died and I feel safe when I'm wearing them. I'm handed the device (minus the microphone) and slip the device onto my ear, managing to avoid having to take any of my earrings off. It feels weird but it doesn't hurt.

I know that I'm meant to try it with Sonja like she helped me test the bracelet and like Tucker is currently doing with Red. Yet we don't have time. Before I can even turn on the device on my ear, there's a loud bang outside shortly followed by a loud booming voice.

"It's good to see you too, Thomas, my boy," I don't recognise the voice but from the reaction of the others in the room and the voice's words, I can easily guess. Lord Dianite. As the champions rush outside, I follow unwilling to let Jordan stay outside by himself. I can already see the worry in Red's eyes but (unlike a few other events in my life) Red doesn't try to stop me.

The sight in the courtyard isn't all that surprising. Dianite hovers about a foot off the ground, staring down as Jordan points his sword at him and Tom almost bounces with joy. What Dianite holds catches my eyes for all of a few seconds before I realise what it is. I've only been here a day and he's already got the wanted posters out.