Silent Rose Library, PaxOku, Homare-jima, Tokuno, Chesapeake (PaxLair Times) – October 17, 2009 – by Tatania Karthina –
The Pirates were wet and grumbling by the time they reached their secret hideout. All the children had been roughly bound by ropes and were wet and miserable. The boys went to kicking and punching the Pirates on the return journey and the girls scratching and biting. Before the drama had been spent, all five kids had jumped overboard to try to swim ashore. The Pirates had to jump in after them and bring them back thus the entire lot were half frozen.
The hideout was in a place that nobody would ever find. It was in the middle of the lost lands where the jungle was full of dangers and few strangers wandered past. The Captain of the pirates lived somewhere nearby but did not remain in camp. Only a few of the pirates actually knew where.
The Children were led through the jungle at a brisk pace and finally into the camp. They were herded into a cave that had bars fitted for two different cells. They were put into the empty cell and unbound. All five children looked to the next cell and saw there a man who wore scraps of clothing. His hair was to the small of his back and matted, his beard nearly the same. Grime covered the man and when he spoke, his voice sounded as if he had gravel in his throat.”What did you lot do to make them angry?” The man looked at the frightened children.
Kelin looked to the man in the dim shadows, “They want to get gold from our parents for us.” he stated.
A guard passed by with a lantern in the darkness and the man in the cell blinked twice as he gazed at Kelin then the light passed on by and all grew quiet for awhile. The man finally spoke again, “Are you all brothers and sisters? I once had a brother and a sister.
They’re safe though.”
Lilly piped up, “I’m Drago’s sister and they’re our cousins.”
“We have another brother and two sisters at home. Oh I hope we get to see Tempest, Chasity and Broadrick again.”, Tara exclaimed.
A guard walked by and barked, “No talking!”
**the next day**
The man had been speaking with the boys in low whispers all during the day, giving them a detailed explanation on how to escape. “I’m too big to fit through the hole in the wall or I would have already been gone. Just remember to follow the road to the west then stick close to the rock wall. You’ll see a sign that says Quarantine Post: No pets allowed past this point. – Go through there and follow the cave to the far end. Hold hands so you don’t lose anyone. You’ll go through another cave and then you’ll be in a long white marble hallway. Once you go up the stairs, you’ll be on an island. You’ll be able to find help there. Don’t worry about me because I’ll be fine, but you all must escape.”.
The girls with Gaius’ help had been digging a hole between the two cells all day while Drago and Kelin had been trying to wiggle the rocks loose where the escape hole was.
***
When darkness fell, the children were ready to try their escape. Gaius went first followed by Lilly, Tara and Drago. As Kelin was about to go through, he looked to the man who had helped them so much. “We’ll send help for you.”
The man sounded as if he was choking as he replied. “You just be safe son and take care of the others.”
***
The journey through the jungle was perilous with Mongbats of extraordinary strength as well as headless creatures. The boys fought valiantly as they pushed through the jungle to the cave entrance the man had told them about. Once they reached it, they all linked hands and stepped inside. They were plunged into complete darkness but felt their way to the far end of the cave and into the entrance of the next cave. Once inside the next cave they blundered for what seemed forever until they came to the entrance of the long white marble hallway.
They walked down the hallway single file, Kelin leading the way, followed by Tara with Gaius behind her and then Lilly with Drago pulling up the rear. As they reached the bottom of the stairs that led to freedom they heard the pirates thundering down the hallway behind them. Kelin helped them to hide in barrels and crates under the stairs and barely got hid himself when they heard the pirates pass and run up the stairs. Communicating through whispers, they waited until they were sure it was dark and crept up the stairs.
They emerged into a large white marble building and out into the star filled night. The children crept to what seemed to be an abandoned mansion and quickly stepped inside while the search for them continued outside.
Here, they waited and listened and watched the door, more frightened than they’ve ever been in their lives.
The Saga of Kelin and his adventures will continue in “The Adventures of Kelin 8 – Savages and the Turkey!”, coming soon to the bookstore at The PaxOku Silent Rose Library!
Peace and Knowledge be with you!
Tatania Karthina
17 October 2009