Forbidden Islands: Dragons Run My Life, #5

By tony lavely

Fresh from helping Queen Miriajona reclaim her throne, Tanial and Liam are bound to explode myths and taboos, or attempt to. Headed south on the Sianel Rhion, Quest, their knarr, rolled lazily in the swell, driven by the steady winds from the northwest. Their goal: the Forbidden Islands, which lay leagues off the coast of Aberystrad south of Traenthe, due east of Hafan Ddiogel. Those Tanial called 'dragons' had invited them and a seizaine troops to "explore" one of these islands, forbidden by myth and fell experience since history had been kept.

Even among the equable 'dragons', disputes between factions had been growing over the future of the Experiment, Territory Two, including Tanial and her mates. She had also been told by these same 'dragons' that she would be needed in her home country of Lindebalgh by her sister, King Jenoele, to prevent all-out war. In a year and a half, more or less. That seemed like an unconscionably long time even for such a major effect until she thought about the speed of travel in her homeland.

She hopes her exploration of the Islands will teach her just how to prevent a war. That wasn't one of the things her maman had shared growing up.

Forbidden Islands is the fifth book of the Dragons Run My Life series, in which the 'dragons' affect Tanial's life more blatantly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: tony lavely
• Release date: Sep 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393053699

Book preview

Elsewhere on Toile

12 Jasel, 551

WELCOME, HARUTO. YOU COME well recommended.

I appreciate your saying so, thank you.

As you have surely guessed, your position as Senior Planner at the Experiment is arranged. I hope it will not inconvenience you.

Not at all. I have prepared since we first discussed this nearly a year ago. But forgive me, has something occurred to make this a propitious moment?

The heavyset man’s expression twisted into a wry grin. "In a manner of speaking. The full update will be later on but for now, the Experiment took a step toward our goals. The hereditary king of the middle country had been killed by a usurper…"

Had?

Yes, had. Or nearly so. Unfortunately, under Governor Zhang, a Senior Planner, a woman named Yuuka, extracted him and resurrected him⁠—

Why? What possible benefit could arise⁠—

The man raised his hand. I do not have time to acquaint you with all the legends that have arisen both within the Experiment and without⁠—see the information servant girl outside⁠—but most of those that have a negative outcome require⁠—

How do you define negative?

The Experiment survives the upcoming upheaval and becomes a viable partner in the eyes of the Council.

"The land would not be available for rational repurposing, then?"

It would not.

That’s an undesirable outcome, certainly.

"Yes. As I was saying, the legends need at a minimum all three of the damned redheaded girls and the king for that outcome. So…"

So Yuuka saved him and will send him back? If I’m not getting ahead? And thus, she expects the Experiment will be allowed to run to completion, however that is then defined.

In the short version, ignoring minor or even major details, yes.

Hmpf.

"Yes. To go back, the resurrected king is healing; he has not been returned. Almost all the subjects believe him truly dead. Rumblings we have heard imply that Yuuka’s team will soon alert a select group that the king lives and will be returned, though they haven’t decided yet when that should occur. Wherever suits the legend best, I suppose. More to our purposes here, Yuuka’s team will extend an invitation to the redhead they promoted, to visit Hua huo shan dao and… explore."

Explore! Haruto pressed calm on himself. I beg your pardon for my outburst… The man merely waved a hand. That seems…

Beyond the pale, as it were? Even given the foolishness these Planners persist in?

Well, put that way, it fits the pattern, I suppose. Still, why would they permit this?

Partially in response to a request the redhead’s paramour made before our first discussion. And I suppose, a reward for living this long. Or some such.

He doesn’t know either. I shall move to the Experiment, then? How soon would be appropriate?

Soon. Before a thir’dar has passed.

The goal?

The man looked around as if spies were lurking in the corners and dark spaces. Without being too blunt, he said, a bit louder than a whisper, the goal is to lose the redhead and her cohort, and as many of the undesirables as possible. Without being so obvious that Zhang or his replacement must react.

Slight and simple nudges, then.

The man nodded, delight oozing from him. That seems a perfect description, Haruto. Go forth and destroy. Cautiously, of course. We pursue victory on several fronts, but yours is a critical one.

Of course.

Hua huo shan dao (Flowering Volcanic Islands)

14 Tainold, 551

1: Experiment Recording Station #2

14 Tainold

FIRST CHEVRON KUMIKO SATO twisted uneasily in her chair across from Senior Planner Haruto, to whom she now reported. Her minuscule office was not large enough for the meeting with him and Governor Zhang, the man in charge of the Flowering Volcanoes Test Site.

In a wash of regret, she now missed the two otto’dars vacationing in the mainland’s mountains, though not the reprimand that precipitated it. Enough! she said to herself. Shika Ito and her boss, Planner Yuuka, would not destroy her work and reputation.

When they were settled. she sat tall, then dipped her head slightly and said, Good evening, Governor, Senior Planner.

Thank you, Haruto said.

Yeah, no one ever hears the Governor talk.

Haruto continued, I hope you enjoyed your time away…

His pause begged a response; Sato made it innocuous. I found the change relaxing, Planner, thank you. In this new assignment, what will my duties be?

In a moment. First, history you may not be aware of…

Zhang stood, nodded to both Sato and Haruto, and left the office. His departure made the room feel twice as large, and obviously relaxed Haruto, perhaps even more than it did Sato.

Good, Haruto said. I won’t have to be quite so careful with my words.

He would not agree?

He is from the contingent that believes the Experiment should continue its course.

With selected deviations?

"With selected deviations. I like that phrasing. However, perhaps not the deviations that we wish."

Ah.

Indeed. Perhaps not the ones you think of… although, maybe, maybe. He paused again, stroking his thin mustache. While I welcome you…

What is he trying to ask?

I received no briefing on your past assignments, nor… Nor the details of your…

My offense, Senior Planner? The reason I am available at such short notice to be assigned to your new team? She paused herself, fearing the anger… No matter. Calm; answer his questions. I was formerly assigned to Senior Planner Yuuka, monitoring several subjects in the Experiment. We disagreed on techniques employed⁠—

How so? He tipped his head slightly. Surely you can understand my interest and concern?

Certainly, Senior Planner. That I understand… You can likewise understand that I may not enjoy disclosing these…

Differences of opinion?

Yes. I am grateful for the opportunity to return to the Station with what is obviously a mere slap on the wrist for punishment, but that makes it no easier to discuss my perceived shortcomings. I apologize if that does not meet your approval.

I would be amazed if you felt otherwise. I would determine if you and I are likely to have similar differences of opinion.

Sato nodded, but carefully, slowly. I agree; without knowing of you, a second… event would make finding a similar position… unlikely, I think. She took a breath. "Planner Yuuka has come down firmly on the side of those who would allow the rénmen of the Experiment to have self-determination. She… At the least, she permits her Chevron to… nudge the subjects slightly… however, lightly enough that the rules are judged unbroken.

I believed… still believe that even if the word of the regulation is not broken, the spirit is. She reassigned me.

And your ‘holiday’?

Her face warmed. You didn’t think you’d get away from that, did you? Only peripherally related. I suffered a fit of pique and ordered a Recorder to Punishment One. Yuuka countermanded the whipping. Thus, I received the mildest punishment.

I warrant your exemplary record played a role as well. Thank you. He wrinkled his brow just enough to notice. Was your difference with Yuuka based on the nudges she provided, or the direction of them?

Ah, that’s his game. Both, to be honest. I see the millions of acres of land taken by the Experiment and wonder… could we find a better use for it? But even without that motivation, the stratagem… a cheat, almost, seems patently unfair.

It does, doesn’t it. Well. He reached across the desk to offer his hand. I believe we can work together successfully for the good of all.

She took his hand and shook. I shall do my best, Senior Planner.

I can see that. Now, I assume, being involved with the Experiment, no one bothered you about the other things going on here, on Hua huo shan dao?

Except to make sure none of the subjects found us, no. Is it interesting? We aren’t permitted outside the compound.

He gave her a wry grin. I suppose it depends on what interests you. Trees and cold lava, mostly. But this is a good place to begin your brief history lesson. From about twenty-five years ago, the Council allowed the defective ones, the albinos, to be settled here, specifically, on Nán dao.

Why?

Why indeed. It’s a long and involved story… Well, no, it’s actually pretty cut and dried. The Council feared… fears the genetic anomalies that lead to their albinism may connote other problems that we also cannot solve.

Sato, unwilling to choose sides more definitively than she had, said nothing. One more misstep like that with Ito and Yuuka and she’d have as little future as these outcasts he spoke of.

Haruto, typical male, didn’t notice her reticence. Here. Your first assignment. He handed her a pamphlet; its amateur creation apparent even before she held it in her hand. Read this by tomorrow. We can discuss any questions at, say, the six hour, with tea?

She dragged her attention from the hand-impressed letters of the title to meet his eyes. Umm. Yes, of course, Planner. Here or…

He rose. As he went to the door, he said, Here in your office will be perfect, Chevron.

Her gaze returned to the… leaflet? It wasn’t thick enough to be thought a book, nor professional enough for a pamphlet, really. Then, she read the title.

Distribution Limited

A Primer to Recovering the Land Used By the Fatuous Experiment

She giggled. Who uses ‘fatuous’ in anything but a dictionary? Still, the first line bothered her. In spite of his words and questions, had Haruto investigated her and found her… ‘Pure’ enough is where her mind went. Or is he like the vast majority of males: certain that his strongly held beliefs are shared by any whom he came across?

The job, Sato. The job.

She locked the door, picked up the leaflet, put her feet on the desk and leaned back. A quick tug straightened her skirt where it had ridden up, then she opened and read.

Her communicator chimed softly to mark the eight hour and the beginning of lunch in the cafeteria. She dropped her feet to the floor, sat up and snorted. Only a couple more pages of this drivel. She kept on reading.

Four minutes later, she closed the back cover on the pseudo-treatise. She put her head down on the desk. Is the job worth this?

Since this was the elimination of the rénmen who populated the Experiment⁠—though the author had used less fraught terms, like eradication and extermination instead of those that seemed to Sato more correct, like slaughter or massacre⁠—the question seemed consequential, unlike, how many drinks do I have before dinner or do I forgo a bra with this shirt?

She opened her eyes again. This time, she noticed a sticky on the back cover. Yuuka authorized a visit to Wei dao by the wretches from the Experiment, from the beginning of Dyjorut for up to five thir’dars. Something must be done!

She snorted again. Unsigned. Did Haruto mean for me to find this, or is he merely clueless?

While she could make all the guesses she wanted, that answer was unobtainable at present. She sighed.

The next morning, she opened her office door and seated herself behind her desk. Somehow, it seemed smaller, less protective than it had just the ’dar before. The evening and a considerable portion of the night she’d spent in research. Two things stood clear of the dross: The Council did not worry about the genetic makeup of the albinos⁠—it was well understood and didn’t even always breed true. Haruto obsessed on the ceremony of morning tea even more than he did about the wrack and ruin facing them if the Experiment’s land was not freed for the general population. She knew what that meant; looking up the ritual of the morning tea took a few moments longer.

The ceremony required a few minutes of set up, so she’d arrived early enough that all would be prepared when Haruto arrived. She unpacked the few items she’d had to bring with her, and started.

The chronometer’s quiet peal announced the six hour; Haruto’s knock on the open door followed instantly.

Good morn, Planner. Tea is just there. With a wave, Sato invited him to set his case down and then join her at the small sideboard where the tea service stood, ready.

Well! Thank you for this, Chevron. It’s far more than I expected.

Sato ended his statement for him: here in this Deity-forsaken backwater.

My pleasure, she said aloud. Only infrequently do I have the opportunity. I hope all is to your liking?

It is. The small deviations add a sparkle, a spice, to the tea, making it more welcome.

When the tea cups rested, empty or nearly so, Sato handed him the leaflet, making sure the sticky was obvious.

Have you any questions?

First, let me say thank you for your trust. I have two questions, I think… Yes, two. What is our timeframe? How much oversight shall I expect? Oh! What limits have you set?

He smiled, and Sato hadn’t seen one as predatory since mistakenly wandering into⁠—and hurriedly out of⁠—a ‘hunt and rape’ game compound a year or so ago. You are welcome, he said. The smile became slightly less feral. I don’t expect you will abuse it. To answer the last, none at present.

Casualties?

Must be expected in our battle. He tapped the leaflet. I suppose they should not be gratuitous on either side, but… No, I think that sufficient. As for oversight… I think you won’t really notice any. Timing, however. He tapped the sticky. The rénmen from the Experiment are already on the way. As a fillip, we might redirect their so fragile, slow-moving boats from Wei dao to Nán dao, where they might interact with the outcasts to our benefit. Or vice versa.

Do we understand why Wei dao was chosen?

An interesting question. Being new here myself… He shrugged. … I haven’t found an answer, though of course, it is larger. The outcasts domiciled there… and more mundane exiled criminals, are on the eastern shores, so they might expect there could be no contact. He flipped his hand over. On Nán dao, the outcasts are more… conveniently housed. For our purposes, if my brief research is correct.

Sato thought about that for a moment. He’s apparently discovered more than I could in a year. Can you describe that research?

The interesting fact seems to me to be that on Nán dao, the outcasts have all been directed to a valley⁠—I suppose it must be of volcanic origin, here⁠—which is close to the western side of the island. From our vantage, a good location.

I will look into that. It should still be hundreds of kilometers from us in the Station.

He nodded in agreement.

She decided a way forward. I believe the subjects represent the greatest risk. She paused but Haruto waited. I have an idea, Planner, but some research is needed to determine its viability. If you permit?

When he simply nodded and said, Proceed, her thought, that it might well save her job, her life and her family, went unspoken except in her head.

On Sianel Rhion off Aberystrad

28 Tainold, 551

2: Aboard Tanial's Knarr

28 Tainold

TANIAL SAW NO EVIDENCE of the storms the dragons had warned them of. She’d found a butt⁠—water, likely, the wine would be in the galley⁠—on the foredeck and perched herself atop it. The ’dars so far had been equally uneventful, leading to her routine observation of the ’dar’s weather. They had seen water creatures, but she had no training in such, aside from Cook’s naming the fish for dinner, so she merely admired them.

The Captain had been instructed to maintain a distance from the Forbidden Islands such that the lookout could see no land to the east of the vessel. As far as Tanial could see, he was doing that perfectly, though she was on the deck and not atop the crow’s nest, several paces over her head.

Tyge, a kriger who’d been with Liam since the trip to recover Jenoele, called the eleven hour. The star shown from aft, but the sail shaded her, Til the wind shifts, she muttered under her breath. The breeze she invoked was fresh, out of the northwest and not heavy; Quest, for so Tanial had named their knarr, ran well before it, heeling slightly to port. The rigging creaked and an occasional gull keowed. Sailors were moving about their tasks without rushing. She relaxed.

Two otto’dars earlier, she’d watched her sister swear to protect Aberystrad as its Queen. Almost the same since the meeting in Liam’s new manse where the troop gathered to introduce themselves to all the others before completing the preparations for casting off. Gareth had recruited Master Emyr Sayer from the University in Traenthe. His proclaimed specialty: I lead students investigating our land’s flora and fauna… the plants and animals we share with. Gareth suggested I might learn from your voyage, as well as mayhap providing some small assistance. With no idea what they might find, they’d welcomed him, Miri’s representative, Gapten Glyndwr Parry, and all the others.

Nearer the helmsman’s platform aft, several of her troop were gathering. Liam was there, speaking with the Captain. Merete, their resident artist, sat by the rail with a sheet of parchment and likely a charcoal stick, sketching. Metha, Bitte and Inga had their heads together; Tanial cocked her head, wondering what they were planning.

While she’d been scrutinizing the three ladies, Liam had headed her way. He came up and encircled her waist with an arm. ’Twill soon be star set. The Captain wishes to review the charts of the approach.

Let’s make sure he is comfortable. She took his arm and headed below, where their bags were stowed. The sianel into the landing spot, she continued as they climbed down the ladder, looks treacherous to me, but, truly, I am untrained.

He just nodded in agreement as she sorted through the bag for the charts.

In a minute, they were on the platform at the stern with the captain and the helmsman, keeping a firm grip on the tiller. The captain slapped his hand on the horizontal plank he used as a table. Can ya lay yar charts an all out here, milady?

Aye. She unrolled the parchment and used the small stones to keep it from recovering. Here ’tis.

With a nod, he bent to examine the lines and lettering. He tipped his head up to glare at her⁠—brows wrinkled, eyes slitted, lips compressed⁠. His mistrust and incredulity could not be faked. ’Tis na the same as ’twas, milady.

’Tis my turn to wonder what could he possibly mean. She flicked a glance at Liam and then at the helmsman, but neither of them offered an explanation. I pray your pardon, Captain, but I do not understand. How is it ‘na the same’?

He turned to the helmsman. The sailin’ orders I gave ya when ya came on watch yester’dar.

The man tapped the tiller and the Captain nodded o’course and took it. The helmsman dug in the pile of similar scraps of parchment and paper til he found the one he wanted, and handed it to the Captain, then retook the tiller.

The Captain transferred his glare to the paper; after a moment he smacked it down atop Tanial’s chart. Here. He stabbed a finger at his paper. We were ta sail southerly along tha coast til tha morrow, keepin’ starrise about two points offa tha port bow. He made a gesture that Tanial took to indicate where starrise should appear. Then we turn nigh five points, ‘round ta tha nord-east, an sail for a ’dar, til we see land offa tha port beam, then folla it in ta a landing. He looked again at his scrap. ’Twas ta be another three ’dars.

He picked up his paper and studied the chart Tanial had laid down. Now, less I read’t wrong… His glare up at her dared her to object. "… we are ta continue as we have been save easin’ closer to tha starrise bearing. That for three ’dars, when small islands should appear ta port and we shall then come to tha nord-easterly bearing keeping the starrise about three points offa the starboard bow. Land shall appear off tha port beam; for another three ’dars, we shall folla keeping… He bent closer and squinted. … keepin’ two or three leagues off shore ta avoid shoals, rocks, islands and such."

Tanial shrugged. "I have no words, good sire. I made no changes to the chart, and ’tis the sole one I have." She glanced at Liam, knowing he hadn’t touched it; he shook his head to confirm it.

The Captain heaved a sigh of great resignation and what-can-ya-do-wi-these-landlubbers, then grabbed a new parchment from the helmsman’s pile and began to make notes. While he worked, Tanial took Liam to the starboard rail and watched Aberystrad’s coast slide by along the horizon. Occasionally, a gull would lazily spin and turn over their wake. She pointed one out to Liam; he watched for a moment, then said, Hoping we shall toss summat o’er the side that they can scavenge.

’Tis good he has wide learning.

Sulphur wafted through her senses; she sagged against him. Your Captain is observant. We applaud his vigilance. He is correct as to the change.

How did you make it change? She was more than a little fearful of the dragons entering her cabin and pawing through her bags. Or slashing Liam’s throat or hers.

We heal your King. Accept that we have… abilities which you are not prepared to know of. We expect no further changes, but caution that things are not determined and no one, least of all us, holds the power to say as to the future, or to hold changes back. The reason we interrupt your musings with your gapten… Our… soothsayers predict a strong weather system is moving north along the sianel and will intercept your path in four ’dars, before you will arrive at the landing. We suggest the Captain select a small island on which to shelter when the weather begins to deteriorate. You will be well served not to attempt an early landing ashore.

Your arrival will be delayed perhaps two ’dars unless your ships incur damage during the storm. Your animals should survive.

Well. She took Liam’s hand and gestured for the Captain’s attention. She passed along the dragon’s advice—without explanation. Ignoring his glare was easier than it had been.

Before she finished, Bitte led Metha and Inga, each of the three carrying a trencher and mug.

Aye, Captain. Cook said you must have food as well.

The Captain nodded, though Tanial could see some irascibility behind his gramercy. After a few bites, he nodded again, and handed her the parchment back, then turned to review the new instructions with the helmsman. Tanial took Liam’s hand and with the three girls they returned to the rail.

After giving them a synopsis of the dragon’s message, she said, Metha, pass the salient bits of our words to… She looked to Liam. If ’tis meet, I would have her speak to Padrig and Cai as well as Jens and Ejvind?

He nodded. I shall advise Parry and Sayer. They will wish to plan.

"Aye, they will. I wish to exercise. Can we do so on deck?"

The only difficulty is that space is limited. Truly, we shall delay til we are on land again. As I have suggested since we pushed away.

She threw her hands up in an only partly faked fit of irritation.

Truly, he said as she dropped her hands, you ken this as well as I and hope to tire me by repeating your plea til I agree.

Her smirk grew til it became a grin, and she stepped into contact with his chest. Too alert you are, my love. Swear we shall⁠—

E’en in the storm, we shall take our practice blades and staffs and work, all of us not keeping us safe. I swear it.

"’Tis as I wish, then. Miss