The Adventures of the Junior Phoenixes, Part 4: The Pendant of Light

Chapter 29: Dark Passageways

Chapter 29

     According to Alligus Crock, the Merpeople of the Isles of Scilly had long been enemies of the Atlanteans, and later had been enemies of Lazarus Easter and the remnant of Atlanteans that had inhabited the region. The followers of Easter had long harried the underwater realms of the Merpeople. The Merpeople had built a peaceful kingdom below the waves many generations before witches and wizards ever arrived, just off the coast of the ancient island of Ennor, of which only the Isles of Scilly remain. When he returned from his conquests and adventures, after the Banishment of Morgan le Fay, he sank Ennor as punishment for a rebellion the inhabitants attempted. He then sank the nearby island of Lyonesse; his hatred for King Arthur boiled over and in his rage and anger he sank the island upon which Arthur had fought his last battle. Over hundreds of years the Merpeople were gradually pushed away from the underwater city that had sprung from the fallen island of Lyonesse. The Three Lions rock formation were rocky spires that stuck out and signified the last marker of the once-terrestrial island of Lyonesse. Unbeknownst to outsiders, the now-submerged island of Lyonesse still existed, inhabited by the Embers of Easter below the waves.

     “So,” Rouge asked as Crock continued to speak to the Merpeople delegation inside of the bubble-like vessel, “How do we get down there again?”

     The Merpeople handed Crock a small pouch. He took it and walked over to Rain Fox and Rouge. He opened the pouch and smiled at them.

     “Have you ever used a Serpent’s Scale before?” Crock asked them both.

     “Never heard of it,” Rouge answered. Rain Fox shook her head.

     “You put it on your neck when you are in water,” Crock said.

     “What does it do?” Rain Fox asked.

     “You’ll see,” Crock smirked. He drew forth from the pouch a slimy silver scale that glistened with the light from the sun. “Slap it on the back of your neck when you are in the water. Only in the water, not on the ship. Otherwise you’ll flop around and we won’t be able to help you.”

     “What does it do again?” Rouge asked as he held the slimy scale in his left hand. He gave it a disgusted look; it smelled of old fish.

     “Trust me,” Crock said. “We’re going down, boys! I need ten others! Who wants to crack some skulls?”

     “Aye!” several men shouted. Others came forward and joined Crock. He handed out Serpent Scales to the others and they prepared themselves for jumping into the water. Rain Fox, who was still wearing the strange garb Crock had put on her, asked Crock if there was any clothing she could wear that would fit her.

     “You and Destíne are different in size,” Crock spoke, “But we might have some livery that will fit a witch upon the seas.”

     Rouge found a trunk of old pirate gear and threw together an outfit that made him look like a pirate mercenary. He also grabbed knives and a small holster for his wand. He also found his signature red jacket. He tore the sleeves off the jacket and tore out the red lining within. He made a new red vest out of the remnants of his old jacket and a new bandanna for his head out of the lining. As he was getting dressed Rain Fox came to him. She was given similar pirate garb which made her look older and fierce.

     “Wow,” Rouge said, nodding his head slowly, “That’s a good look for you.”

     “I feel really comfortable in this,” she said, “Just hate these boots. They’re not comfortable at all.”