Though many tried to dissuade him off the idea, Ronan still could not go back on his plans.
If Irna's dream had a pint of truth, that island could hold the only chance to save her life and make her healthy again.
At that moment, there was nothing that Ronan thought of, besides saving his beloved wife's life.
So, one and a half month after Ifrain's visit to the palace, Ronan was boarding onto a ship under disguise, in pursuit of that hope.
The trip to the island's surroundings was not too long, but still not comfortable, since Ronan felt seasick lots of times. He mostly stayed in the room, trying to get rid of that feeling.
In most days, he would fall asleep and dream of Irna's last words to him, one month ago:
— Promise me you will come back safely. That you will put your life above everything else.
— Worry not. I will be back soon. You promise me to take care of your health and wait for me.
— You know I will.
Being dragged out of his daydreams, Ronan heard the siren sounding on the upper deck.
— We're arriving, Sir. — Ifrain told him as soon as he saw Ronan sticking his head from the down deck. — Get a barrel and tie it to your body. Stay close to the boats, just in case.
Ronan did as he was told, while the crew also prepared for the worst. He looked out to a big island that floated like three hundred metres from where they were. The sea looked terribly wild. The waves were far too big and the climate right above the island seemed frightening. It was a scene out of a nightmare.
— Damn… let's just pray today's not the day we die. — one of the crew men sighed, staring at the scene right before his eyes.
Ronan gulped down. If an experienced man was reacting like that, then it was probably much worse than he thought.
Everyone was tense, in their spots, holding their breaths and praying, but as they approached the island, the waves seemed not to affect them. The terrible storm they thought would engulf them did not actually pour a single drop of rain nor blow any stronger wind.
In a much shorter time than they expected, the ship was docking at the island.
— We made it? — The crew men were baffled, frowning in disbelief.
— Well… it seems like heavens were on your side, whatever your mission is here today, Sir.
Ronan nodded, also not believing they made it so easily.
— Well, I must go, now. You, please, wait here until we come back. You have enough provisions for two weeks of waiting and the trip back. If it takes us more than a week, leave some food behind for us and go back to fetch more before coming back. And also Though many tried to persuade him off the idea, Ronan still could not go back on his plans.
If Irna's dream had a pint of true, that island could hold the only chance to save her life and make her healthy again.
At that moment, there was nothing that Ronan thought of, besides saving his beloved wife's life.
So, one and a half month after Ifrain's visit to the palace, Ronan was boarding onto a ship under disguise, in pursuit of that hope.
The trip to the island's surroundings was not too long, but still not comfortable, since Ronan felt seasick lots of times. He mostly stayed in the room, trying to get rid of that feeling.
In most days, he would fall asleep and dream of Irna's last words to him, one month ago:
— Promise me you will come back safely. That you will put your life above everything else.
— Worry not. I will be back soon. You promise me to take care of your health and wait for me.
— You know I will.
Being dragged out of his daydreams, Ronan heard the siren sounding on the upper deck.
— We're arriving, Sir. — Ifrain told him as soon as he saw Ronan sticking his head from the down deck. — Get a barrel and tie it to your body. Stay close to the boats, just in case.
Ronan did as he was told, while the crew also prepared for the worst. He looked out to a big island that floated like three hundred metres from where they were. The sea looked terribly wild. The waves were far too big and the climate right above the island seemed frightening. It was a scene out of a nightmare.
— Damn… let's just pray today's not the day we die. — one of the crew men sighed, staring at the scene right before his eyes.
Ronan gulped down. If an experienced man was reacting like that, then it was probably much worse than he thought.
Everyone was tense, in their spots, holding their breaths and praying, but as they approached the island, the waves seemed not to affect them. The terrible storm they thought would engulf them did not actually pour a single drop of rain nor blow any stronger wind.
In a much shorter time than they expected, the ship was docking at the island.
— We made it? — The crew men were baffled, frowning in disbelief.
— Well… it seems like heavens were on your side, whatever your mission is here today, Sir.
Ronan nodded, also not believing they made it so easily.
— Well, I must go, now. You, please, wait here until we come back. You have enough provisions for two weeks of waiting and the trip back. If it takes us more than a week, leave some food behind for us and go back to fetch more before coming back. And also bring some more men who can search the woods.
— Understood, sir. Let's pray it doesn't take you too long.
Now, it was time for the second trial. They would see if the island would permit their entry or make them retreat out of fear.
Ronan and Mikel, the man who was skilled in exploring woods, went down in the boats, to the island.
When they got there, nothing. No terrifying feeling as the other sailor men had described.
So, Ronan and Mikel started walking by the beach, first exploring the surroundings before choosing an opening to go through.
When they were about to complete the lap, Ronan was already feeling tired enough. Walking on sand for hours did a great deal to his calves. When he was starting to dream about getting some rest, he saw some people.
They were four man and a woman, all quite well dressed, though wearing light clothes. Everyone wore long tunics or fluttering dresses made of colorful fabric.
Ronan slowed down his pace, trying his best to display himself as harmless, but it seemed unnecessary, since the old woman, with bright red eyes, approached them.
— Greetings, Ronan. We have been waiting for you.
— You… know me? — Ronan asked, baffled.
— And a lot more. You have come in pursuit of a cure for your wife's disease.
Ronan was dumbstruck. So it was true that those people had magical powers.
— Ye-Yes… I… my wife, she had a dream about one of you. A young woma-
— Sabna. Yes. Come. Let's continue this conversation inside. But only you can come.
Ronan looked at Mikel, signaling for him to wait there.
— Stay here. If you need to go back to the ship, do not say a word of any of this to anyone. Absolutely nothing.
— Yes, your majesty.
The woman and the people with her then guided Ronan through the woods.
They walked for something more than thirty minutes, in complete silence. Only the cracks and snaps of the branches as they walked through them and the sounds of nature were heard.
— It's here. — The woman announced, right before they went through a curtain of ivy.
Ronan's mouth went wide open with the view unveiling before his eyes: An enormous vale with elaborate constructions, including a small castle, a waterfall that fell to a big lake and a stone face with an octopus engraved on it on the side of one of the mountains that surrounded the place.
— It… it is breathtaking… the stoneface. My wife saw it in her dreams.
— It is, yes. Come here, my house is not down there.
The old lady went walking to the side, towards a small, white stone house. The men with her stayed outside. She gestured to Ronan to follow her, went inside and sat on a big chair, closing her eyes and breathing slowly.
— Now. Let's start from the beginning. I am Uilla. The ancient knower of the Cian people. I am what your people would call a priestess.
— I see…
— About Sabna. I was the one who told her to visit your wife in her dreams.
— But… why? How? Why would you even know we needed help and… why would you help us? After… after my people destroyed yours.
— We know lots of things. And you never destroyed us. Don't think so highly of you fool humans.
Ronan blinked, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
— Yes, you killed thousands of us. Almost wiped our race from earth. But we can't be destroyed. Ever. And we survived. A few, yes. But we traveled. Found protection from the Great Mother Nature and rebuilt. And here we are. Living in harmony, happily. Thriving in our own terms. You call this destroying?
— I… I apologize. Of course, you are much stronger than we presumed of you.
— Now. Let's not waste time. You need a cure for your wife. And you need a weapon for the future of your kingdom. And both things can be solved at once.
— A… a weapon?
— First things first. The woman your wife saw in her dreams. Sabna is the next Ancient knower of our people. But she has been given an especially odd mission from our gods so she can strengthen these powers.
— And… what could it be?
— To give a child to you, humans. A child to a king.