In the meantime, Hyamsam and Bo Jing decided to explore the many small islands visible from the town. They were most intrigued by stories about Bone Island, rumored to be either haunted by ghosts or the home of savage cannibals. More accessible was Bald Island, known for its dome of smooth granite, but also boasting acres of fertile farmland, fertilized by the seabirds that roosted up on the rock. Bayan and Hyamsam, along Peerapat and Ryu, one of the Zipangese made the short trip to Bald Island and encountered the farmers who made the daily trip from the mainland to tend their rice crops. The farmers were extremely wary at first and made preparations to leave almost as soon as the visitors arrived. But Hyamsam, using a mixture of magic and clownery convinced them that he meant no harm. The farmers explained that there was a group of bandits who had a hideout on the island. As harvest time was approaching, they expected that the bandits would demand their tribute. Bo Jing and Hyamsam agreed that they would protect the farmers.
After a few weeks, when the first of the crops approached optimal harvest time, the four defenders asked the farmers to leave them on the island overnight. Hyamsam made himself invisible and waited outside the small cave that the bandits were known to use as a hideout. When the bandit appeared, it was by boat. They came ashore on the far side of the island, but rather than go to their cave, seemed to be approaching the flat area where the farmers grew their crops. Hyamsam followed them. Though he was invisible and the possible bandits were nosiy, he was even more noisy. When he tripped on a rock, they stopped and called out. "Show yourself! Do-Hai!" When Hyamsam spoke, they became more alarmed. They continued to demand that he show himself and refused to answer his questions. Hyasam claimed that he was Do-Hai's little brother.
"We never heard about you!"
"That's because he thinks I'm dead."
The men began whispering to each other and then returned to their boat and rowed away from the island.
Hyamsam and Bo Jing continued to stake-out the island for a few more nights, but the men did not return. The farmers harvested the crops they had cultivated.
About a week later, Hyamsam and Bo Jing returned to their quest to find Bone Island, this time joined by Bayan and Bangqiu. They set out one morning for Spring Island, the "other" island visible from Nokori-Fodo. After landing, they climbed to the top of the nearest hill and from there they could see most of the island. Most notably, one the other side of the island, they saw signs of habitation, including smoke from cooking fires and crops growing in a level space between two hills. They made their way down one hill, toward the center of the island, and crossed through a forest. On the other side, they met five men, heavily tattooed, dressed in skins, and wearing long beards. The men pointed their spears at the newcomers and, in a strange language accompanied by familiar gestures, demanded to know their business.
Ryu spoke for the group. He was able to greet the men in their own language. They softened enough to speak to him in Zipang-- and declared that they did not want visitors. Bayan produced a couple gold coins, souvenirs from Maztica, and asked the men whether they knew of Bone Island. The men allowed that they did and noted that they were five and the coins were two. Bayan added three more coins. One of the men pointed due west, while another pointed at the way the party had come and then swung his spear in a sunwise motion. Ryu explained. "It's west. But they demand that we return the way we came and go around."
The party agreed. Except that the magicians-- Hyamsam and Bangqiu had become invisible. After some whispered arguing-- which did not please the men of Spring Island-- Bayan and the others agreed to go back to the boat. Bangqiu and Hyamsam continued their conversation. The men, looking ill-at-ease, started up the ill. Bangqiu assumed the form of a bird (still invisible) to get a better vantage point while Hyamsam trudged up the hill. As a bird, Bangqiu was able to get a closer look at the Spring Islanders village, but also noted that one of the men was laying in wait for Hyamsam. The other men seemed to be raising an alarm.
When Hyamsam, kicking up dust, passed by the place where the man was hiding, he leaped out, stabbing wildly at the ground. Hyamsam stumbled on the unsteady ground, flattening, the grass but before the man could take advantage of this information, Bangqiu landed on the his shoulder and screeched. Startled and terrified, the man swatted Bangqiu off his shoulder and ran up the hill. Bangqiu and Hyamsam agreed that they should get back to the boat.
The party, reunited, circled around Spring Island and then sailed west. Soon they saw the outline of land, and in time, noted a tall, rocky island, its upper heights, bare of vegetation and indeed looking something like a skull. Before they could make landing, they were attacked by blood-sucking birds. In the confusion, Bangqiu got stabbed (he looked like a bird himself at the time). The party landed and encountered an animated skeleton. Ryu raised his holy symbol and drove it away. After a quick conference, the party decided they had indeed found Bone Island and that they return another day when they were well-rested and hadn't stabbed each other.
Another day never came. Bangqiu finished making repairs to the ship and the time came to leave Zipang and sail to Zhou Deng. The voyage to the port of Heng-shai was easy. After making their reports to imperial port officials, Bayan announced her intention to return to Beatriss's stronghold at Happy Valley and invited her fellow voyagers to join her. All except Shoji accepted.
No comments:
Post a Comment