Bab 16: Torino Island #16
'So this is Torino island...' I mused, my eyes widening slightly as the small island's outline became visible through the horizon.
The more the ship approached, the more I could see of the small island, and the first thing I noticed was the giant curved tree in the middle with strange branches that intersected, forming several nest-like shapes around it.
"This is as far as can go..." The ship captain said as the crew lowered the raised the sails and dropped the anchor. "Them birds are making the lads nervous..." He added, gesturing toward the giant birds flying in circles around Torino island.
"Can't say that I blame you..." I said with a chuckle as I raised my head and saw the birds looking directly at the ship and threateningly cawing as if they were warning us.
"I guess I'll swim my way to the shore..." I added with a shrug as I put my foot over the ship's railing and fastened the spear to my backpack. "Don't forget to pick me up in a year's time," I concluded as I jumped into the seawater without waiting for a reply.
Though the ship stopped some distance away from the island, I quickly reached the shore before the crew set sail, and I didn't bother to see them off as I scanned the coast.
Once I was sure the coast was clear, I sighed as I removed my shirt, hung it over a tree branch to dry off, and began looking for a suitable place to build a shelter as the sky was getting dark.
After some searching, I found a small clearing between the tree line near the shore and settled on it as I took out the folded tent I'd bought from the town before departing.
It was supposedly made from the skin of some aquatic animal, thus making it waterproof, or that's what the trader said to justify its outrageous price, prompting me to rob him at spearpoint.
In any case, I quickly set up the small tent and froze as my stomach growled, protesting its hunger. I had some dried fruits, meats, and biscuits to last me a couple of days, but even the idea of putting them in my mouth made me gag after several days of eating them aboard the ship.
"I guess I'm having seafood today..." I said, smiling as I picked up my spear and headed to the shore.
...
I couldn't help but sigh contently, feeling the warmth of the fire on my face as I lay on the ground. I looked at the starry sky and leaned into the tree behind me.
'It almost makes all that training and murder worth it...' I mused as I took a sip from the whisky bottle beside me, feeling completely relaxed. 'Being all alone isn't that bad with a beautiful view and stomach full of good food and hooch..." I smiled, slowly closing my eyes as sleepiness began to overcome me.
However, I only closed my eyes for several seconds before jumping to my feet and picking up the spear as I heard a faint rustling sound in the bushes near the bonfire.
Suddenly, a short, round child wearing nothing but a loin cloth and a strange bone amulet sprinted through the bush, and I barely held back the urge to impale him with the spear out of pure reflex.
The child paused, frenziedly looking around, only for his eyes to widen as he met mine. "Help!" He said as he hurried to my side, the howls of wolves echoing behind him as they jumped through the bushes, hot in pursuit.
I merely sighed as I swung the spear down, crushing the head of the first wolf to charge me before impaling the second's skull, which seemed to shock the third as he growled at me before turning tail and fleeing.
"Oy, kid, are you alright...?" I said as I turned to check on the child and couldn't help but frown at the sight of the little brat devouring the fish I had roasting over the bonfire.
'He's probably been lost for a while...' I mused as I watched the kid stuff his jaws full of food, huffing inside his mouth with every bite to cool off the hot roasted fish.
"Take it easy. The food is not going to fly away..." I said with a chuckle, feeling genuine amusement as I sat down and leaned on the tree. "Where are your parents...?" I asked after waiting for the child to finish eating.
"Back in the village..." The child said as he sat near the bonfire, patting his now bloated stomach. "I should have never listened to that idiot Shanbee," He added, muttering to himself rather than me.
"Oh? So it was a dare thing, eh...?" I asked, causing the boy to lower his head in shame. "Meh, it happens. So what should I call you, kid?" I added, dropping the subject.
"I am is Shanbaga, son of Shanba..." The boy replied as he stood up, proudly slapping his chest, much to my amusement.
"Well, Shanbaga, son of Shanba, it's getting late, so you better get some sleep," I said with a chuckle. "We'll get you home early in the morning," I added, resting my head on the backpack and closing my eyes.
...
Feeling the sun's warmth on my face, I opened my eyes and frowned at the sight of Shanbaga's chubby visage intently staring down at me as he stood over my head.
"You're finally awake!" The boy said with a smile, causing me to let out an invulentary chuckle. "My mom and dad are probably worried sick. Let's hurry up and go. Please!" He added, unbothered by my reaction as he gripped my hand to help me up, prompting me to grunt as I sat straight.
"Alright, kid, geez," I said, rolling my eyes as I got up and began packing my belongings into the backpack. "Come on, let's go..." I said once I finished gathering my stuff, putting on my now dry shirt, and picking up my spear.
"So, do you know the way, at least?" I asked as I looked at the child.
"Of course, I know the way! Who do you think Shanbaga, son of Shanba, is?!" He replied, sounding extremely offended at my words, and I merely gave him a skeptical look. "It's those damned wolves' fault I got lost! And it was so dark! I couldn't see well!" He added.
"Whatever you say, kid. Come on..." I said, rolling my eyes as I moved forward.
...
Several hours later
As it turns out, Shanbaga, son of Shanba, did not know the way, and my skepticism wasn't misplaced. It took three hours to find the village, two of which we spent going in circles, thanks to the boy's expert pathfinding.
Out of sheer pettiness, I waited for the kid to give up before I stepped in and guided us straight toward the village after finding scattered human tracks in the forest.
After spending so much time in the forest back in Four Clover Island as I ambushed scores of Nyoka's men, I became somewhat decent at spotting and following tracks. The slightly enhanced senses given to me by practicing The Method didn't hurt either.
In any case, I managed to find the village, and though I didn't receive the warmest of welcomes as I suddenly showed up unannounced, the villager's attitudes instantly changed when they saw the boy trailing behind me.
"You must be Shanba, father of Shanbaga," I said, chuckling as I looked at the round, short man hugging the little kid, causing him to sigh as he let go of his and turned to me.
"Please excuse my son... he likes to think he's a big shot simply because he's the son of the village chief..." The man said, speaking slowly and with a heavy accent. "But yes, I'm Shanbaga's. What's your name, stranger?" He asked as he approached me.
"Cedric, but Rick is fine too..." I replied.
"Well then, Cedric. Please allow me to thank you for saving my son and welcome you to our village," Shanba said, slightly bowing toward me. "But may I ask how you came to be here...? We rarely get visitors from beyond the blue..." He asked, tilting his head.
"I arrived yesterday by ship..." I replied with a nod. "I heard your people are exceptionally skilled in medicine, so I came here to learn..." I added as I put my backpack on the ground.
"Naturally, I didn't come empty-handed..."
...
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