Island of Fire

“Well, well, well.” The woman’s voice boomed like a cannon in the silence, startling Samheed. “Your healing period has ended. Time to put a strong young person like you to work.”

Samheed stared. He tried to respond, thinking maybe if the woman could speak, then he might be able to as well, but no sound came out. He wanted to know where Lani was, and if she was okay.

The stately woman narrowed her eyes. “There’s a reason we don’t allow you to speak, you know. I trust you’re smart enough to figure out why eventually.” She rose from the throne to her full height. “Follow your orders and you’ll be treated fairly. If you don’t? It’s back to the dark cave. Simple enough.” She descended from the throne’s platform with languid strides and walked in a slow circle around Samheed.

He stared straight ahead, some of the old anger beginning to stir inside him once again. But he’d follow the rules. For now.

“Oh, your friend,” the woman said, drawing a ridiculously long, curled fingernail across her lips so that it almost disguised a cold smile. “I nearly forgot. She’s fitting in just fine in the women’s compound. Very obedient now, that one. I’m sure you, dear boy, will do just as well in the men’s compound.” She stopped circling when she reached the throne platform once again, and held Samheed’s gaze. “If you wish to see her again, that is.”

Samheed’s face betrayed him. He turned away, glaring at the floor as his stomach clenched for Lani. Did this mean he wouldn’t see her? How long would they be separated? In the absence of Lani’s cool fingers entwined in his, he folded his hands together in front of him and sucked in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He knew what this woman was saying. Obey or else. It was exactly like Quill here, only there were no walls—instead the “safety” came from living underground.

Is every island in the world like this? he wondered.

The brute led Samheed to the men’s compound. He pointed to the wire along the ceiling that Sam was connected to. It was purple. There was another wire next to it that was green. Both wires had elaborate roundabout intersections every twenty feet or so, which would allow two people on the same wire to pass each other.

After walking for a few minutes, they came to a circular cavern with hallways branching off in multiple directions. The purple and green lines split up.

Samheed peered down the green hallways to see if there was any sign of Lani, but there was no long black hair to be seen anywhere. The man pointed to the hallway that he wanted Samheed to take, and they walked down it to a large room filled with cots in neat rows. The man brought him to an empty cot that had a book lying on top of it, titled Handbook for Vagabonds. Samheed sat down on the bed. He picked up the book and looked at the man.

The man nodded, and then he turned and left.

Samheed opened the book and read the first page. Welcome, wanderer, and congratulations. By setting foot on our shores, you have become the sole property of Warbler Island and Queen Eagala. As you have likely discovered in your travels, there is no way to leave the sea that surrounds Warbler and the other six islands contained within. We wish to inform you that Warbler has a growing fleet of ships. Escapees will be hunted and killed. Your orange eyes will forevermore be proof that you are the branded property of Warbler.

Your golden thorns are for your protection and the protection of Warbler. As travelers land on our shores, they are removed of the burden of speech in favor of a simple, quiet life of quality without distraction. Indeed, a spell of silence has been cast over the entire island, quieting all incidental sounds except for human voices, allowing Warblerians to work in the most optimal conditions. As a possibly unwilling newcomer, you will learn to appreciate that we’ve removed the temptation to speak ill of Warbler or its leader to anyone passing by our shores. It was a necessary move to keep Warbler strong and loyal after the recent revolt.

Samheed’s mouth hung open. This place is nuts, he thought. He looked back at the opening paragraph, which contained a line that was news to him. “As you have likely discovered in your travels, there is no way to leave the sea that surrounds Warbler and the other six islands contained within.”

Sam had never thought about traveling beyond the seven islands. Until recently he’d never even thought that there could be more than one island, and that was Quill. But now, thanks to Artimé and Mr. Today, he knew how to think, how to use his imagination. Obviously, based on this book, someone must have tried going beyond the other islands. But what did it mean, “there’s no way to leave”? How would anyone know there was another place to go to? And if there was no way to leave, did that also mean there was no way to enter? And if so . . . how did everyone get here in the first place? It was extremely puzzling.

Plus, there was magic here—a spell of silence, which explained why nothing made a sound except Queen Eagala’s voice. Samheed had thought he’d lost his hearing. But he’d always equated magic with good places. This was no good place, that was for sure.

He turned the page. Warbler uses a simple system of sign language created by Queen Eagala. You will be taught a small vocabulary of signs that pertain to your personal needs and the work to which you are assigned. You will find a loose piece of paper inside this booklet instructing you about your job, hours, requirements, and behavior expectations.

Samheed turned the page and a slip of paper fluttered to the floor. He picked it up and read: SHIPBUILDER

Report immediately to shipbuilding. Hours are sunup to sundown with one break at midday. You are not allowed to touch any tools until you have been assessed.