Read Island of Darkness for Free Online

ancient temple of the Chula.”
    “Changragar,” nodded Rykoma. “Yes, it is time for the Torak to know everything. He has shown that he is truly the gift from Kaltara that was promised to us. I will send someone to let Fardale know that he will be gone for a few days.”

Chapter 3
Vand’s Land
    The small sailboat glided to a stop on the sandy beach. Aakuta’s eyes scanned the beach before he stepped out of the boat. He immediately covered his head with his hood and stood staring at the distant top of a pyramid that was just visible above the trees. He was about to start walking towards the pyramid when a creature emerged from the woods. The creature stood over seven feet tall and appeared to be related to some form of ape. Its body was covered in long hair, and it slouched when it walked, the thumbs on its feet kicking up sand. Its eyes were inset above a protruding snout, and those eyes were concentrating on Aakuta. Aakuta felt the power increasing in his arm as he prepared to defend himself.
    “Forbidden!” shouted the ape-like creature.
    Aakuta cocked his head slightly as he heard the creature speak. “What are you?” asked the mage.
    “Forbidden,” the creature repeated as its huge arm rose threateningly as it pointed towards Aakuta.
    The creature advanced steadily towards the dark mage. Aakuta’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the beach one more time. Swiftly, his arm rose and pointed at the creature. Fire leaped from Aakuta’s fingers and ignited the hairy beast. The creature screamed as it realized that it was on fire. Huge hairy arms frantically brushed at the burning torso, but all that was accomplished was to set the hairy arms on fire. The creature let out an ear-splitting howl and raced towards the ocean. It dove into the rolling surf, but it did not move after the fire was out. The body floated as breaking waves sent it bobbing back towards the beach. Aakuta turned and swiftly moved into the stand of trees where he would be less noticeable.
    As Aakuta made his way through the trees, he felt someone watching him. He turned often to gaze back towards the beach, but there was no one following him. Suddenly, a woman stepped onto the trail before him. She wore a black skirt that had a golden spider web woven into its design. A red blouse matched the woman’s hat except for the black cone that extended the hat upwards from which flowed a golden scarf to match her cape. The woman had a wide smile upon her lips.
    “You are a nasty one, aren’t you?” she asked. “Why did you burn the krul?”
    “Krul?” echoed Aakuta in confusion as he halted before the woman.
    “The hairy beast on the beach,” the woman explained as her eyes narrowed. “You are not from here, are you?”
    “It attacked me,” Aakuta scowled. “It is not my fault if it has a problem with fire.”
    “Not your fault?” cackled the woman. “Now that is rich. The krul was merely telling you that you had left your boat in a forbidden area. No boats are allowed on that area of the beach. All visitors to the island must use the city docks. Just who are you?”
    Aakuta’s eyes narrowed as he viewed the woman as an obstacle in his way. He felt the power rising in his arm.
    “Don’t even think about it,” warned the woman. “I am not a krul, and I will not be dismissed so easily.”
    The woman flicked her wrists and a glowing blue aura promptly surrounded her.
    “You may be able to get through these shields eventually,” she grinned, “but by then you will be dead. Let’s try this again. Who are you?”
    “My name is Aakuta,” answered the visitor as he tried to measure the power of the woman. “What is your name?”
    “You may call me Lady Mystic,” answered the woman, “and looks can be deceiving. I know a measuring gaze when I see one. Why do you automatically take me for an opponent? Have I tried to harm you?”
    “No,” sighed Aakuta, “but that matters little to me. You are blocking my path.”
    “So I am,”