Beyond the Lamppost

XV. Waplis

Chapter Fifteen:

X

Waplis

We've been traveling for two hours before we arrived in an empty part of the island full of trees and rocky shore. We never found a single house and we are camping down on the cold ground with a put up fire in the middle to ease the chilly wind. We settled far from the shore but I can still see the shimmering moonlight dancing in the water beyond the shore.

Albrecht told me that this place holds no inhabitants because this is the only access to the island of Waplis. The mere presence of someone here, if found by Emerald Guards and Knights, is a grave sin. The only people who have access to this place are the Emerald Guards, Knights, and the prisoners that to be sailed to their den. And my innocent mother had been here.

The seven of us changes shifts every hour to guard our surrounding, well except me. Some are preparing themselves and are practicing combat moves. I, on the other hand, strapped my hand dagger on my right thigh under my moss-colored long skirt.

There is a quiet tension while were waiting for Gunrick's signal who is staring unmoved to the direction of the island. His talent is most reliable, I must say. He can see far places clearly even in the dark. He is waiting for the change shift of the guards patrolling the island. The guards on their boat outside the fog of the island.

When he signaled his hands, Cassius, Albrecht, and Jarin carried a boat towards the sea. One by one we boarded and covered ourselves with a black cloth. Only Catrain is left shown, with her def-of talent of shapeshifting, she turns into a guard of a higher rank. She copied the guard perfectly including his clothing and voice as what was planned.

The boat advances until I felt like it was winter because of the cold. It is a sign that we are already in the fog zone and what follows after is an extreme rise of temperature.

I clutched my cloak tightly preparing for the sudden change of atmosphere. Albrecht said that this place was once inhabited. People passing through the fog will immediately die if not supported with proper clothing. It's the island's defense.

With the cloak, we will be protected. Madam Norie made this especially for us which made me quite shock with her talent, a recreational one. She can make and sew any material. She just has to flatten it out with her hand and it will become a fabric.

I felt the atmosphere changes.

"One guard boat approaching," Catrain warned us with her low voice.

"Sire, we have not prepared for your early visit. The prisoners, some of them were out of caged and are working." The man said.

"Never mind. I'll observe from afar this time. Do your job." I heard nothing after those words until Catrain spoke "Ashore". Albrecht is the first to peeked and move out. He held my hand and help me out.

Jarin remained hidden inside the boat. He will be the one to get us out of here after we rescued the Queen, my mother.

Stealthy, we hide among the thin forest of the island. I saw the large sinkhole in its middle and it is giving off steam. It's definitely too hot near there.

Surrounding the sinkhole, tiny cells sprouted with steel rails. It's much crueler to look in reality than in holograms. How can they manage to survive in this place?

Albrecht, Dain, and I moved towards the special zone while Catrain is positioned where guards can spot her to live up to her alibi. Gundrick hides a few feet from her to protect in case an emergency occurs. Cassius on the other hand transforms himself into an animal that somewhat resembles a vulture but it has bat-like ears. Unlike Catrain who can transform into a human, her brother transforms into animals.