Forsaken Isle

The wind was blowing hard as the small boat drifted toward the pier.  The island, which was actually more of a large protruding rock, rose high out of the water.  Only one side was truly habitable and flat enough to support life of any kind.  A few houses were tucked into the hillside and sheltered the few hardy souls that called this land home.

The island served as a stop over for traders and, in times of need, a safe harbor from a storm.  In recent years that changed.  A gloom took hold of the island, and traders and others alike became scared to stop, choosing to follow the more dangerous current south of the island or take the long and arduous route to the north to keep the island out of sight.

The small fishing boat approaching the island carried three weary looking souls.  A man stood in the prow of the boat facing the land, his hands crossed in front of him.  Water lapped over the edge of the small craft.  It had been a rather high price to get this poor man and his son to bring him here but he knew they needed the money and he promised the man's wife they would return safely from this trip.  He looked over his shoulder to find them both huddled under the short mast out of the wind and spray.  The father caught his eye, patted his son on the back and got up.  He carefully made his way to the front of the boat and said, “The pier is only a few feet off.  Maybe we should settle up now so we can be on our way.  As I told you, we are not setting foot on this cursed land.”

“Of course.  I remember our conversation well.”  He pulled a pouch out of his cloak and untied it.  He looked inside, closed it up and handed it to the man.  “For your trouble, sir.”

“I'm not ungrateful but this is more than we agreed.  I may be poor but I am an honest man.  I won't take more than what we agreed on a few days ago.”

“Take it.  You'll need it more than I will.  I'm grateful for your trouble to bring me here.”

The man tucked the bag into his pocket, nodded, and turned to his son, “Bring us up alongside the pier, son.  This gentleman needs to get off.”

The son maneuvered the boat up to the pier.  His father pulled them in close so the man could step off.  Once on the pier, he made a slight bow to the man and his son.  “It is with my blessing that you will return safely to your home.”  He pulled his cloak tight against the wind and walked down the pier.  One old fishing boat was pulled up on to the shore, water splashing around the rocks it perched on.  The port which should have been filled with traders from nearby islands was empty.

At the end of the pier, he stopped to survey the few buildings that stood on this land.  A small dwelling, now white from sand and salt, stood sloped on the left leading the way up a steep hill.  Off to the right sat a few makeshift huts most likely left over from trading days and a few stalls now falling into disrepair.  Up the small path to the right sat what looked to be a tavern.  Smoke was billowing from the chimney.  Salt caked the shutters and it was patched rather neglectfully where wind had ripped shingles free from the roof.  It didn't look welcoming but it was all that was on this isle.  He consoled himself with the fact that it would at least be warm.  The man wound his way up the path to the tavern and pushed through the door.  He knew a storm was on the way.

Inside he found the tavern empty with the exception of two men gathered around the roaring fire.  He nodded to the barman who was absentmindedly wiping the bar and took a seat at a table.

The barman made his way over to the man.

“Are any rooms available?”

“Most all of 'em,” said the barman.

“Do you require payment in advance?”

The barman looked at him strangely.  “How long you stayin?”

“I'm not sure at the moment.  I will be happy to pay for the week.”

“In that case, I'll be happy to take payment for the week.”  Before the barman could tally a week's stay, the man had pulled out another pouch and laid ten gold coins on the table.  “Will this suffice?”  he asked.

With a greedy look on his face, the barman slid the coins into his hand.  “Anythin' to eat?”

“I see there is some meat roasting on the fire.  I'll take some and ale.”

He nodded and walked off clutching the coins.  The wind began to pick up and the shutters beat the walls of the tavern.  The two patrons sitting near the fire jumped up to latch the shutters that blew open.  The fire flickered but soon roared back to life.  “Looks to be a rough night,” said one of the men.

The barman brought over the food and sat down across from the man.  “Don't mean to be nosy or nuthin' but, what's your business here?  We don't see many travelers round here anymore.”

“I, as most, am passing through.”  He looked down at the plate before him.  It was not much but he was thankful to have found a place still open on this forgotten isle.

“Most people have left here and the boats don't come by.  You must be crazy to come here on a night like this.”

The man nodded.  He did not feel the need to elaborate.  The barman got up and before leaving him to his meal said, “They call me William.  If you need anythin' let me know.”

“Thank you William.  They call me Kagen.”

He finished his meal in silence listening to the wind howl.  He knew he had come to the right place.  All the stories had pointed him here.  He was glad to have arrived before night fall as the wind was probably wreaking havoc on the small port now.  He was feeling quite tired from his journey which had taken him months.  He stood to go find the barman and the key to his room.  He pushed back from the table and immediately felt the balance of power change.  What he had been searching for found him.  He stood and walked to the middle of the tavern pushing old empty tables and chairs out of his way.  The two men sitting by the fire moved closer to the wall and William, in what was probably a reflex action from years of breaking up fights, ran around the bar to meet him.  Kagen raised his hands, “Stop.  I will not allow anyone to be hurt.”

The wind grew stronger and rain lashed the walls of the tavern.  Kagen planted his feet, “Be silent.”  The steady howl of the wind was gone.  “I will not allow anymore tonight.”

William and the two men near the wall stared at him.  He was exhausted but knew tonight he might not be sleeping.  He raised his hand and with a slight flick of his wrist, a chair slid across the floor to him.  He pulled his cloak around him and sat.  For a few moments there was silence.  The rain stopped.  The two men by the wall peeled themselves away and made their way to the door.

“I would appreciate if you both took seats.  No one will be leaving tonight,” said Kagen. 

One of the men gave him a stern look.  He turned to him and said, “Don't know who you think you are but no one is going to keep me here.”

“I apologize if proper introductions were not made.  I am Kagen, and you good sir?”

The man was not amused.  He made for the door.  Kagen raised a hand and the man froze.  “I said it was not safe.  No one will be leaving.”  He turned to William who was staring at him jaw open, “Do you think it would be possible to find these gentlemen rooms for the night?  I will pay for them if need be.”  William nodded but did not say a word. 

For minutes no one spoke.  William had moved back around the bar and Kagen sat staring intently at the door as if waiting for someone to walk in.  The wind and rain were no more and a heavy silence fell on the tavern.  The four men inside did not move.  A knock came on the door.  “Do not answer that,” said Kagen in a calm voice.

A minute later, another knock.  Kagen stood but did not seem alarmed.  William looked at him out of the corner of his eye.  Kagen did not meet his gaze.  “Do not answer that” was again the order.

The only sound was the fire crackling.  Suddenly the door began to shake violently.  Kagen stood still, hands at his side.  William and the two men stared at the door but no one moved.  The door stopped shaking just as suddenly as it started.  The men were surprised by a hissing noise in the fire.  Kagen stood ever still staring at the door.

A noise hissed from the flames – a noise no a living person would call human.  “If it is me you have come to see, why wait?”

“I am in no hurry,” Kagen replied in the calmest of voices as if talking to a child.

“Your enchantment won't last,” came another hiss from the fire.

Kagen did not reply this time but stared at the door unmoving.  The fire grew and overtook the hearth, still he did not move.  A strange noise close to a scream filled the tavern.  The three men were brought to their knees.  Kagen raised his hand to the fire and the flames fell.  Darkness filled the room.  The walls began to creak as if being tested for strength.  Suddenly, whatever was pushing against the walls was gone.  Kagen remained standing for a few more minutes.  He turned to William, “Will you be good enough to bring me another ale by the fire good sir.”  As he walked, he returned the tables and chairs to their proper place with a few waves of his hand and found a comfortable seat in front of the now quiet fire.  He leaned down and whispered a word into the embers and a bright fire burst forth instantly warming the room.

Kagen later found sleep in his sparsely decorated room.  The men had gone off to bed before him and he now felt it safe to rest.  He was not expecting to encounter the entity this evening.  He had seen its potential.  It was wily, stubborn, mean and very strong.  He felt its power pulsating beyond the door.  It may have been holding back, waiting to see his reaction, but he decided it was not safe to test the boundaries.  It would be calm for a few days, this he was sure of.

The next morning, he found his way down the short, dirty hallway to the tavern room.  William and the men were no where to be found.  He helped himself to some cold meat and walked out.  He went off to his right and found his way down to the pier.  He thought about the journey that brought him here.  It was a strange and well hidden place, one that he would not have sought out if he had not been asked.  The sea was calm this morning.  The surface was as smooth as glass.  He guessed the three men had left at first light.  The small boat he noted the day before was now gone.  He walked to the end of the pier and sat down at the edge. 

The place was very quiet, too quiet.  There should have been people and boats docked here.  Everything was abandoned.  There was one thing on this forgotten island that was not silent but he was not prepared to meet it.  He knew it would find him again just as it had the night before but he found himself in no mood this morning for a meeting.  He sat on the edge of the pier watching the water.

The sun was still shining brightly when the mist moved in.  He could feel it more than see it at first.  It was not heavy but it brought with it an immense cold.  He remained seated looking out over the calm water.  He knew it would not risk crossing the water. 

He waited but it made no move.

“If you are here for me, why not turn to face me old man?”  The voice, the same as the night before, had an odd disembodied quality to it. 

“I wanted to enjoy this beautiful morning.”  Kagen remained in his place at the end of the pier.  He knew it would not come any closer.  He could feel its strength from here.  It would be a most difficult one to fight.  The mist began to slowly recede from the pier and he could once again see the water below the wood.  It retreated and he knew it was safe to leave the pier.

He made his way back to his small room at the tavern.  He had not brought much with him as was his style when traveling, the less to weigh him to the earth.  He found some paper and ink in the bar and began a note.

         Master Oden -

         I have met the entity.  Cateron now deserted.

         Kagen

He walked out of the tavern and searched the sky for a moment.  He called out to a gull circling above, it glided down and landed before him.  He took a string from his pocket and tied the message to its leg.   

“Master Oden,” was the only instruction given aloud.  The bird took to the air and was gone.

He looked up the steep hill at the far end of the path.  The wind from last night was gone and a soft cool breeze brought in the salt air.  It was easy to imagine this place as the trading port it once was  with small fishing boats docked at the pier and larger ships anchored off shore to refill supplies.  The stalls, which now sat empty, should have been full of people and goods.  Even in those bygone days, not many people called this place home.  It was small without much land for farming.  The people who called this place home were fisherman and lived from the sea alone.

He began to walk along the rocky shore which wrapped around the island.  There were only a few trees near the peak with very little greenery.  The longer he walked, the shorter the coast became and more prevalent the rocks.  The volcanic rocks were black and sharp, and he knew climbing would be difficult but after walking almost the entire island, Kagen saw no other way.  With a long sigh, he began his way up to the top.

He felt himself being pulled up the rocky hillside.  He had been climbing for hours.  He was breathing hard and his hands were bleeding.  His mind was clear and he felt rather than knew he was moving in the right direction.  It was the same feeling as last night, but more intense.

Halfway up the hillside, he came to a small covered ledge and decided to rest.  He hauled himself up into the small area and pulled a small flask from inside his cloak.  The water was sweet and cool.  He poured a bit over his hands to clean them.  They were scraped with a few deep gashes but the bleeding was beginning to stop as his hands became more accustomed to the climb.  He wondered why he was sent.  His record of battling these types of entities was not strong.  There were more qualified people for this particular task, however, Master Oden had been adamant about his coming.  In the end, he stopped protesting. 

His thoughts turned to the entity.  It was strong and would not be easily tricked.  He studied this type of entity for a long time, but it was not until a few years ago that he had actually met one.  Master Oden had taken him to fight it.  It was an experience he hoped to never relive and only reluctantly set off alone months later to fight one on his own.  They were brought into existence by black magic usually to do a wizard's bidding but they failed to obey anyone.  They retreated to islands such as this to live in rock.  The only way to destroy one was to get it to say the name of its creator.  He did not know the name himself, nor was he given the chance to find out, which made this an arduous task.

He was tired and decided to sleep before continuing his climb.  He looked out over the water one last time before closing his eyes.  The sun was beginning to set, sending a soft orange glow over the still water.

He awoke a few hours later, the stars shinning above.  He had slept longer than he planned.  It was now too dark to make the rest of the climb.  He would wait until first light.  He sat up as comfortably as possible in the small space.  He thought about the previous night and wondered why it had not attacked.  It seemed unsure; not a characteristic known to this entity.  He knew this one would be a test of all his skills.

He could see light slowly bleeding into the sky.  He forced himself out of the crevice and once again began his climb.  The closer he came to the top the darker the sky became.  Clouds were moving in and a cold mist chilled him to the bone.  He could see from his vantage point a split in the mountain peak.  He knew it was his destination.

As he walked he felt there was something different at work here.  He could feel something happening, as if the air was vibrating. 

As he drew closer to the opening, he felt as though he was being pulled in.  He held up his hands, there was a pulse coming from the opening.  All of a sudden, he hoped his message would make it to Master Oden.

He stood very still outside the mouth of the cave.  He did not want to go in and hoped in vain that it would come out to him.  He didn't feel ready for this fight and for the first time in a very long time, felt scared.  It was not something he felt often.  His training had brought him control and assurance in his powers but now, standing on a mountain high above the sea waiting to face a powerful entity, he felt simply scared.

The wind was blowing hard and he leaned in to it to keep himself standing.  It was bitterly cold.  It howled through his ears, the rushing the only sound he could hear.  He tried unsuccessfully several times to move but his feet would not obey.

He felt it before he heard it.  “So, you've come to see me.  So few visitors I have these days.”  It was in his head now and he was doing all he could to stop himself from screaming.  He would not show his fear to this entity.

“I can't imagine why, such a lovely place,” said Kagen, his voice shaking.

His anxiety was unbearable.  His heart was pounding in his chest and he couldn't breathe.  He was sweating and so cold he was shaking uncontrollably.  He was trapped.  He was doing his best to be still but the world was closing in around him and he had to do something. 

“What is it you want?”  He could think of nothing else but to ask questions. 

“You came to see me,” echoed in his head.

It moved closer to him.  There was something familiar which he found frightening.  It was something he couldn't place and just like that it was gone.  It retreated back into the cave.

He ran.  He ran until he reached the bottom of the mountain.  He was bleeding badly when he reached the small village and it was extremely dark.  There was no one left in the town and the only place he could go was the tavern.  He locked himself inside and after several attempts, started a fire.  He knew this was only temporary and it would come for him.  It knew where he was.

He stared into the fire, the flames dangerously high in the small tavern.  It didn't matter to him.  No one would ever come back to this place.  If it burned it would be the end of it.  This place now belonged to something else, not human and utterly terrifying.

He had run from it and would do so for the rest of his life.  Even if he did manage to defeat it, the feelings that it evoked in him would stay with him, feelings he thought he had banished.  What he didn't understand was the familiarity he felt, as it was someone he knew. 

He sat in front of the fire for a long time.  It had burned down and was now giving a soft glow to the room.  He looked down at his hands.  They were caked with blood and dirt.  His cloak and his clothing were filthy.  He rose and rummaged around the back of the tavern before finding some water and clean rags to wrap his hands.  He eventually managed to clean most of the dirt and blood off his body and clothes.  He returned to the chair in front of the fire and slept. 

His dreams were disturbing.  He was running again and he could feel something chasing him even though he couldn't see it.  He awoke feeling exhausted. 

He spent the next day pacing the small room of the tavern.  He was afraid to leave and terrified to sleep.  If he kept moving his mind would be active and that at least kept the thoughts at bay.  He began talking aloud in the hope that it would help alleviate the feeling of loneliness.  It was his only solace.  His training failed him.  “You have to remember,” was all he said, over and over again.

On the second day of pacing, he felt it once again.  He sunk down to the floor feebly hoping that it would pass over him.  His arms shielding his head, he whimpered, “Leave me alone.  Leave me alone.”

He felt an intense pain.  Every fiber of his being searing in pain as if being torn from him slowly.  He screamed.  He knew it would only serve to fuel the entity but it was all he could do. 

He heard laughter.  It was enjoying his pain, feeding off of it.  He sunk deeper to the floor hoping it would leave him to die.  It could kill him and that's all he was hoping for at that very moment -- for the sweet solace of death.

“No, you will not be so lucky.”

It was gone.  He was left crumpled on the dirty floor crying.

It took him hours to pull himself into a chair.  He had no idea how long he had been there or how long the entity had tortured him.  He was drained.  He sat staring out into the night through a small crack in the shutters and when he saw the first rays of light on the horizon he got up and walked outside.  He limped down to the pier and sat down on the very end with his feet dangling over the edge.  He was weak.  His mind was wandering and he couldn't focus.  The water was calm, sloshing softly against the pylons of the pier.  He was gripping the wood tightly with his hands.  He stared down at them, bandaged, battered, and bruised, his scraped and dirty knuckles white from his grip.  The wood was gnarled, white from the sea air and water, buckled from years of abuse by the sea and people on this small outpost.  He was breathing hard and the cold sea air stung his lungs but he found the pain pleasant, helping to bring him in touch with his senses and away from his thoughts.

He was frustrated.  He closed his eyes and did what he could to slow his breathing.  He eventually was able to pull himself begrudgingly into a meditative state.  He needed to be strong to fight but his strength had left him in his flight down the mountain.  He body was hurting and he was not going to have time to recover.  That would come later if he survived. 

He opened his eyes.  The sun was high in the sky and a breeze was blowing, a few whitecaps were visible among the dark storm clouds on the horizon. He rose and walked back along the pier his footsteps heavy, planks creaking under his weight.  He stepped onto land and with the gravel crunching under his feet, walked one final time to the tavern.

He didn't bother to lock the door.  He knew what was out there now and there was no protection left.  He made himself a sparse dinner from the few meager rations left, setting the table first as one last act of civility.  He was beginning to feel his strength return but something still bothered him although he could not understand where the feeling came from.  He knew it would not be the last time and decided the best thing he could do was push the feeling away and keep himself focused.

He finished his dinner, went to his room and slept.  He awoke a few hours later not refreshed but better than he had felt the last few days.  There were no dreams.  He carefully washed his hands and re-wrapped them with the few rags he had left.  He wrapped his cloak around him tightly and once again set off up the mountain. 

He did not stop until he reached the peak.  The wind was blowing hard and dark clouds hung low around the top and grew thicker as he stood staring at the opening.  He could hear a low rumbling.  It was hard to tell if it was the storm gathering strength or the entity. 

He could not bring himself to move and decided to wait.  He knew it would come out eventually.

It began to rain.  His skin began to prickle and his hair stood on end.  It was there, standing in front of him.  He could feel its breath on him, hot and damp in the cold air and rain.

Kagen opened his eyes and looked at the entity.  It had chosen to appear as a beast, with black iridescent scales and claws reminiscent of a dragon.  It was inches from his face, drool oozing from its pointed teeth.  The eyes, shimmering like water, stared at him unblinking.  The stench was almost unbearable. 

“Why have you come?  Who sent you?  Why try to destroy me?  You're not strong enough.”  It was circling him, walking on all fours, its tail curling around his feet.  It reared up on its back legs, flicked its claw in his face and said, “Useless.”

“There is no place for you in this world,” said Kagen.  “You are an evil, foul entity brought about by dark magic only to be banished from this earth.  I am pledged to rid this world of evil and will die before I let you roam free.”

“You will fail.”  The entity began to pace again.  “I'm too strong for your little spells old man.  I was brought into existence by a very powerful person who tried to banish me once he realized his mistake but he did not succeed.  What makes you think you can?”  It was sneering at him, teeth showing in an odd smile.

Kagen turned to face it.  He had time and would not rush.  He needed to keep control.  “If I fail another will take my place and he will succeed in ridding the world of your evil presence.”  He began to realize what it was he found familiar about the entity; it made him think of Master Oden.  He felt as though he had been hit in the stomach.  It could not be true, Master Oden would not give such an abomination life.  He was pledged as he to rid the world of such things and the dark magic that gave it life.

“What's the matter old man, reconsidering?”  It was leering at him.

Kagen thought back to his first meeting with Master Oden all those years ago.  He had been so very young, just 20 years old.  He was naive, brash, and stupid.  Master Oden had shown him how to control his power and use it.  He would never let something like this loose on the earth.  He faced the entity, “Do you like birds?”  Master Oden's talisman was a bird, a crow.  He wore a small ivory figurine around his neck.  It was not known to many but it was to Kagen, something he had recently learned about his dear friend and teacher.

The entity, confused, took a step back from him and did not answer.  “Come now, we were having such a nice conversation,” said Kagen.  He knew better than to antagonize it too much but he wanted to keep it here with him.  The last thing he wanted to do was enter the cave.

The dragon form was gone, only mist remained.  For the first time in hours, he felt the rain.  He sat down in the mud and let the cold rain wash over him.  He was not expecting this.  He could not believe that his trusted friend would have created such a thing.  This was the reason Master Oden has insisted he come himself, he was the only person who knew him well enough to be able to destroy the entity.

He began to think of the last conversation he had with Master Oden.  He had been very specific about telling him the details of his last trip, something which he did not normally do as he was, as most of his kind are, very private about magical dealings.  He told him about the last entity he fought and he had understood it to be a primer for his taking on this task and nothing more.  Now he had to force himself to remember the minutia of the conversation.  He closed his eyes, there had to be more to it than this.

After some time, Kagen stood.  The rain had stopped but the clouds still hung low.  He could not walk  far, visibility was very poor and he was standing on a mountain peak.  He could not sense the entity but that meant nothing.  He knew it was still here.

He was thinking about the last trip he made with Master Oden.  They had traveled inland to fight an entity that was unusually strong.  Master Oden had attributed the strength to its age and the fact that it had nested on land and not at sea which gave it the ability to draw power from the land.  Something about it made Kagen wonder but he could not articulate his unease.  In the end, he chose to believe Master Oden.  He now regretted that action.  The fight had been brutal with both Kagen and Master Oden physically hurt and magically drained.

He kept running over the end of the fight in his head, hoping to glean a bit of knowledge from the memory but nothing was there.  His frustration was building.

“Still here?”  He could feel hot breath on his neck.  He turned to find himself face to face with something beyond human.  Putrid flesh stretched taunt over bone.  The lips curled back in what may at one time have passed for a smile.  There was a smell that emanated from the entity.  He realized at once that it was death.

Kagen turned and walked away hoping it would follow him.  The clouds had lifted a bit and he could see water through the mist and haze.  He stood close to the edge, knowing it could well bring about his demise.  “I've been thinking of the last time we met.”

“We have never met before old man.”  It began to laugh, a shrill high noise that Kagen instantly hoped would stop.

“Oh, but we have.”  He went on to describe the land he was from, the forest and greenery.  He was stalling but it worked in keeping the entity out of the cave.  He began talking about Master Oden without mentioning his name.  He told story after story, mundane things such as fishing trips and discussions they had about the human spirit.

“I grow bored of this.  Why do you talk about this Master Oden?”

Kagen was shocked.  Nothing happened.  It had said the name of its creator but did not disappear.  The shock must have been obvious on his face.  The entity, which had been reclining against a rock stood.  “Expecting something different?”

Kagen was at a loss for words.  He had been so sure and now all he felt was guilt for not having trusted his closest friend.  He racked his brain but came up with no answers.  The entity seemed to be amused by his confusion.

He had to clear his head but it was becoming more and more difficult with each breath he took.  His vision became cloudy and he knew at once the entity had found his weakness.  It was trying to control him.  He could hear its raspy breath in his ears and almost feel its thoughts.  It was happy, excruciatingly happy.  He fell to his knees.  He needed to hold on and regain control.  He would not let it take him.  He was tired and weak and it was gaining control of him slowly.  It began laughing and he took his opportunity.  He gathered all his strength and with every last bit of energy he could muster, pushed it out of his conscientiousness.

“Tell me more of Master Oden.  I was enjoying that conversation.”  It remained in front of him, staring at him.

Kagen began talking of nothing in particular just to keep the entity entertained while trying hard to focus, thinking only of the last entity he fought with Master Oden.  He was so sure he was right.  Suddenly he realized it could have been him that brought about the entity but he could not remember doing anything that would have created it.  He ran over in his mind all of the incantations, stories, and tricks hoping to understand what had gone wrong.  He could find nothing but it didn't matter.  The entity was here and it was now his task to destroy it.

He stopped talking.  “I have no more to tell.  I am tired.”

The entity made a low growl.  It was on its feet and pacing again but it didn't seem anything more than bored.  Kagen laughed to himself, how odd to think it would be bored.

“I find you interesting.”

“How so?”

“You are frail.”

Kagen did not have the strength to disagree.  There was a series of questions from the entity that he did not answer.  He closed his eyes and enjoyed the light breeze. 

“Why do you not answer me?”

He needed it to say his name.  He did not answer knowing this just may serve to anger it.

“Why are you so quiet?”

Kagen met it with more silence.

“Answer me!”

Kagen opened his eyes but still said nothing.

“Kagen!  Answer me!”

The entity slowly began to disappear, evaporating into the mist.  Almost immediately the clouds began to lift and soft rays of sun broke through the clouds.

Kagen rose to his feet and took a deep breath.  Slowly he began his descent down the mountain.  He reached the small cluster of buildings just as the stars began to shine.  He walked out to the end of the pier and laid down facing the water.  He woke not knowing what day it was.  From the angle of the sun in the sky he guessed it was probably mid afternoon.  All he had were his thoughts to keep him company.

On what he surmised was his third day on the pier, he saw a small boat not far off.  He did his best to get the owner's attention.  Slowly an old man rowed up to the pier.

“Not seen a soul here for ages,” said the old man.

Kagen stepped into his boat.  “I am the last to leave.  Thank you for the ride good sir.”

The old man maneuvered the boat away from the pier and Kagen, bruised and battered, was on his way home happy to watch the island disappear behind him.