Forbidden Island

By John Arthur Betts

Forbidden Island

Centuries ago the Lycan were exiled from the mainland to live on what is now known as the forbidden island.
Alex left his home early for his day’s fishing before the approaching storm hits, his fishing grounds are close to forbidden island.
As he dropped his last pots and lines into the sea, the storm was already upon him, forcing him to take refuge in a sheltered bay near the islands only beach.
He was about to drop anchor when he heard a baby crying, how was this possible over the sound of the storm , wind and crashing waves?
The cries were coming from a cave that had been exposed by the low tide, it would be underwater at high tide.
Using his magic to guide the stern of his boat into the cave, he saw a box sitting on a rock shelf close to a tunnel opening.
Reaching across, he pulls the box into his boat, the baby inside stopped crying and fell asleep, racing through the eye of the storm, he returns home.
The baby looks human but no humans are living on forbidden island.
Follow the baby as he grows.
Will he fulfil the prophecy? Is he the one?

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Arthur Betts
• Release date: Nov 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005740870

John Arthur Betts

Enjoyment is writing fantasy fiction,Pleasure is spending time with my long suffering and wonderful wife

Book preview

Forbidden Island

John Arthur Betts

Published by John Arthur Betts

Copyright 2020 John Arthur Betts

Acknowledgements

Smashwords Edition

Table of Content

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

About the Author

Books by John Arthur Betts

Chapter 1

Elise opened her eyes, instantly awake, a light breeze was creeping through the open window bringing with it the sweet scent of the honeysuckle that climbed up the cottage walls.

It was still dark, dawn was still hours away, she reached out with her mind, Sonja her six-month-old daughter slept soundly in her crib at the bottom of the bed.

Reaching out further she found her husband Alex, he was busy in the kitchen, she swung her legs out of the bed and sat up, Lumos she whispered, the candle on the nightstand burst into flames bringing a warm glow to the room.

Picking up the candle, she made her way downstairs, she could now feel the storm approaching, still many hours away but it felt like the biggest storm of the year so far.

You are leaving early, she said as she reached the kitchen, Alex put on his sharkskin coat and slung his bag over his shoulder, yes, there is a big storm coming, I need to get to the fishing grounds before it hits.

He held her for a second and gently kissed her on the lips then he was out of the door, she watched him walk down the path, disappearing into the darkness.

Alex hurried down the rutted track past several other fisherman's cottages, he was soon on the quayside, he waved to the young man that was just opening the receiving shed, two minutes later he released the stern line, then the bowline and jumped on board his boat.

At forty foot long and twelve feet wide it was the largest in the fleet of fishing vessels that sailed from Malin Cove, it should have a crew of three but Alex managed alone with the help of his magical powers.

He liked to do much of the work manually but today there was no time, with a wave of his hand the mast raised into position and the sails deployed, he was soon leaving the calm water of the Cove and into the swell of the ocean.

As the sun rose an hour later a school of Dolphins raced along beside him, two of them leapt out of the water spinning then they were gone.

Forbidden Island was fast approaching, he could now see the marker flag on his first buoy, the sails furled silently as he slowed the vessel.

With practised ease, he swung out the jib and hooked the buoy, he could see the storm clouds building on the horizon and waved his hand, the lobster pots appeared out of the ocean, emptied their contents, baited themselves then vanished under the waves again.

It was a good catch, sixty lobsters, forty green crabs and ten spider crabs, Alex secured the covers and raised the sails, it was then that he realised that the storm was approaching faster than he had hoped, he no longer had time to outrun it.

He turned towards Forbidden Island, there was a sheltered bay just past the only beach, the rotting skeletons of shipwrecks littered the beach, no one that landed on the Island had ever returned, Alex had asked the Elders why it was Forbidden on several occasions but always got the same answer, It is Forbidden, do not land there for any reason.

He rounded the headland into the shelter of the bay just as the rain started, the wind was already gusting to gale force, it took only seconds to drop the sails and mast, making them secure.

Alex was about to throw out the sea anchor when he heard a child crying, he searched the headland but could see nothing, then he saw a cave opening at the base of the cliffs.

The wind was rapidly blowing the boat towards the jagged rocks beside the cave, Alex acted quickly to steady the boat with his magic, gently easing the stern into the cave.

He could now see that the cave would be underwater at high tide, seaweed hung lazily from the roof, a rock shelf ran along one side with what appeared to be an opening at the far end, a passage led upwards.

He saw the wooden basket sitting on the shelf just outside the opening, the cries seemed to be coming from this.

Walking to the stern, he reached across and pulled the box onto the boat, the cries stopped immediately, a feeling of relief and warmth came over him.

A baby could not generate such intense feelings, he knew that the baby was being watched by its mother from a safe place, the baby closed its eyes and was asleep in seconds.

Alex eased the boat back to the mouth of the cave and waited for the calm of the storms eye, knowing he would have to race the storm back to harbour using the eyes relative safety.

As the rain and wind eased, he propelled the boat out into the bay, the mast went up followed by the sails, the boat heeled over as it caught the wind.

Forty minutes later he could see the harbour walls, he reached out and found Elise, she stopped kneading the bread dough and listened, it was unusual for Alex to contact her with what seemed like some urgency, Ask Eli to attend our house, then his thoughts were gone.

Fifteen minutes later he was tied up beside the quay, two runners were hauling his catch up to the receiving shed, Alex grabbed the wooden box and stepped ashore.

Light rain was now falling and the wind was increasing as the storm approached, When he reached the receiving shed, his catch had been weighed and sorted, good catch Alex said the supervisor.

A runner handed him a bag containing two crabs and two lobsters, the supervisor looked up, we’ll get them to market after the storm has passed, he said, thanks Alex replied, the runners were already loading the catch onto a cart.

Throwing the bag over his shoulder, Alex lifted the cloth on top of the box, the baby still slept and appeared to be smiling.

The rain was heavier now and the wind increasing in strength, he headed home already feeling a sense of unease and concern, it was emanating from Eli who had already arrived.

Eli had felt something earlier in the day but was unable to see what it was or where it was from, the summons from Elise was of great concern, at least he knew that Alex was safe but what could possibly be the reason for the urgent call.

Elise sat at the kitchen table watching Eli pace backwards and forwards, Sonja was sleeping in the crib beside the window.

Eli suddenly stopped pacing, Oh my, Oh my, he said turning towards the door, Alex walked in, placed the box on the table and the bag in the tub beside the sink, removing his coat he said, Elise, remove the cover from the box, I found it in a cave, If I hadn’t rescued it, it would have drowned when the tide came in.

Elise removed the cover and gasped, the baby gurgled and lifted its arms, Elise picked it up then went into mother mode, grabbing a cloth square nappy the baby boy was soon changed, his magic is different and powerful, she said without directing the comment at anyone in particular.

Eli had been watching quietly, now he moved to the table and took hold of both the boy's hands, each had a birthmark in the shape of a claw, he released them and stepped back.

An ancient tome materialised on the table, Eli stepped forward and opened it, as I thought, he muttered, the child is Lycan royalty, Lycans will only abandon a child if they are in mortal danger.

When I picked the box up in the cave I felt a sense of relief and warmth, Alex said.

The mother chose you and ensured that you found the child, Eli said, then continued, it states here that a Lycan child gets control of his gifts at the age of five but they will not start the change until the age of eighteen, that remains to be seen, he closed the tome and it vanished.

You have done the right thing Alex, you must treat him as if he is your own but it won't be easy, he will only suckle for about another month then he will need finely chopped raw meat and fish, as the changes appear I want you to keep me informed so I can check that the tome is correct, Eli sat down and put his head in his hands.

Alex sat down next to Eli, I have asked about the forbidden island in the past, I think now would be a good time to give me some history, he said, Eli raised his head and sighed.

You are correct Alex, Eli said in a sombre tone, for hundreds of years the Lycan lived amongst us in harmony, no one knows whether it was the famine or something else that changed everything, a small group of Lycan killed a family, the villagers retaliated, things escalated and many died on both sides.

Eli took the glass of wine that Alex offered and took a sip before continuing, the Lycan King and village elders met and it was agreed that the Lycan would move to the large island which you know as Forbidden Island, the fishermen transported many deer and sheep with a few cows to the island, then six months later the Lycan were transported and left on the island.

He took a larger sip of his wine, since that time there have been many shipwrecks on the rocks around the island, no one has ever survived, the last shipwreck was during a storm ten years ago you must remember it.

Alex recalled the events of the time, yes, your son and his daughter were lost, Alex saw a tear forming in Eli’s eye, then he continued, Yanis and Mila, we found the wreck the next morning, we landed and followed two sets of footprints up the beach but they ended in a large area of blood and large paw prints.

Tears rolled freely down his cheeks as he continued, they were killed by the Lycan, I believe that their King has died or been killed, there is no other explanation for the heir to be abandoned.

Elise had just finished feeding Sonja and laid her in her crib, she picked up the boy and sat down again, as soon as the boy latched on she gasped, the voice she spoke with was not her own.

I have watched you Alex and I know you will take good care of my son, by now you know what he is, he was born the same day as your daughter, he will protect her with his life, I have seen this, if Eli still lives, introduce him to his great-grandson, I am Mila Queen of the Lycan, try to keep my son away from the island.

Elise gasped for breath, Alex and Eli sat staring with their mouths open, Elise gathered her thoughts, what just happened?

Alex closed his mouth but Eli spoke with tears running down his cheeks, the child in your arms is my great-grandson, son of Mila, she is or was alive when the child was rescued.

Elise finished the feed and placed the baby back in his box, Eli stood up, I must discuss this situation with the Elder Council, as he moved towards the door the baby boy screamed