Island of Darkness by Richard S. Tuttle Page A

there,” quipped Mistake.
    “Not by a long shot,” chuckled Fuster as the boat suddenly lurched and changed directions.
    Mistake watched as Fuster’s sinewy arm fought with the tiller. The sailor had a grin on his face as he devoted all of his attention to coaxing as much speed out of the wind as he could. When the boat slid onto the small beach, Temiker and MistyTrail were just entering the village.
    “We won,” grinned Fuster as he hopped out of the boat. “Nothing beats a boat for getting around.”
    Temiker dismounted and walked towards a local fisherman that was working on his boat. Fuster went and held the reins for the horses while the magician spoke to the fisherman. Mistake and MistyTrail gathered around the mage to hear what he would say.
    “You are not at sea today, Gerock,” Temiker said.
    The fisherman turned to look at Temiker and his face paled. “You are dead,” Gerock said as his eyes opened wide with fear.
    “Hardly,” chuckled Temiker. “I made a promise to you a long time ago. I have come to keep my word.”
    “But I saw you die,” protested the fisherman. “I came back without you.”
    Temiker stepped closer and placed his hand on the man’s temple. Gerock trembled in fear as the mage cast a spell. Within seconds it was over, and Temiker stepped back a pace. Gerock looked confused as he gazed at Temiker and then glanced up the beach at the new boat.
    “That is truly mine?” Gerock suddenly smiled. “How did you do that?”
    “It is magic,” shrugged Temiker as he smiled at the fisherman. “I did tell you that I was a mage.”
    “You did at that,” laughed Gerock. “I truly believed that you were dead. What of the men chasing you?”
    “They are all dead,” Temiker reported. “They were a bunch of hired assassins trying to use me in some diabolical political plot. They failed.”
    “Well I am glad that they did,” smiled Gerock. “They did come for the horse, you know.”
    “Did they harm you?” asked Temiker.
    “No,” Gerock shook his head. “They threatened to, but I convinced them that you were lost at sea. I truly believed that you had.”
    “Then all worked out as it was supposed to,” sighed Temiker. “Why are you not fishing today? I thought we would have to wait for you to come in from the sea.”
    “Well,” grinned Gerock, “your timing could not be better. My old boat is not what it used to be. I spend more time repairing it these days then I do fishing. It has a leak along the keel that I cannot seal.”
    “Would you sell it?” asked MistyTrail.
    Gerock seemed to notice the two small women for the first time. He looked from one to the other and then his eyes rested on Temiker.
    “I take it that the women are with you, Temiker,” Gerock said. “The old boat is of no use to me. If you wish them to have it, you have my blessing to give it to them. I am not sure what use they can make of it.”
    “Go and inspect your new boat, Gerock,” smiled Temiker. “I will see what I can do with your old boat to make it worthy for these women.”
    Gerock nodded enthusiastically and ran along the beach to view his new boat. Temiker knelt in the sand and bowed his head over the rail of the old boat. He closed his eyes and began chanting under his breath. As he chanted, his hands ran over the boards inside the boat. Several minutes later, he opened his eyes and stood up.
    “The boat will no longer leak,” he announced.
    “What did you do?” asked Mistake.
    “I caused the boards to swell until they were tight as new,” shrugged the magician. “The boat is just old, not unusable. Are you sure this is a good idea, Mistake?”
    “Certainly,” Mistake replied with enthusiasm. “I learned a lot more from Fuster on the way down here. I know all about tacking now.”
    “Then I wish you a safe journey,” sighed Temiker. “Should you change your mind, I always will have a place for the two of you. I will protect you from the Omungans and keep you