Chapter 44// Island of Shadows

                                    

                                          
I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne
That's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
                          
...
                          
The journey was much rougher than we probably all expected as storms and fog made it unthinkable that we'd ever see land again. Especially towards the end of it you couldn't even see your hand in front of your face.
                          
Triska had explained that it was normal as the shadow Island are hidden by the magic of my ancestors.
                          
After a while though we finally saw the first cliffs of almost black stone that seemed so luring in combination with the deep blue ocean and the white waves crashing against them.
                          
It made it even more real that I wasn't going back to Kattegat but to my new home.
                          
My little Cerberus behaved quite well on the ship though he still was very much scared of the big storms. He'd cuddle up beside me and whine while I held onto everything I could.
                          
But now as he's looking out the ship to the dock we are reaching the scared puppy is nowhere to be found. He takes his protector role quite serious though he sometimes gets a bit distracted by his curiosity.
                          
The people already looked alarmed with their shields held tightly as they were eyeing our ships. Of course they didn't recognise the ships because of the foreign sails so I hoped they wouldn't start shooting us.
                          
Our ship was the first out of a fleet of 20 ships to come closer. The town looked similar to Kattegat jet it seemed completely different. There weren't as many houses as in Kattegat and the longest and biggest was on top of the hill, the way leading to it being paved with stairs.
                          
It seemed like this was the only part of civilisation on the island yet Aren assured me it was only the main town and that there were many people who lived so sealed off that they probably still thought my grandmother ruled.
                          
As we came even closer a few of them put their weapons down whipsering and pointing to the many ships. Maybe the started to recognise some of us.
                          
Our ship stops beside the dock, and although they recognise the crew they are more than confused as to who I am or why I'm wearing a crown. It seems like the fog is almost none existing on the Island itself which makes me believe in magic even more.
                          
Aren is the first to jump out to calm our people. Triska with Cerberus in her arms and I follow as I keep my back straight and my head high watching the people's eyes on me.
                          
Aren is being greeted greatly almost like a King as he receives hugs and shoulder squeezes. 
                          
"Follow me." he gestures as he begins walking through the crowd. I follow him trying my best not to feel intimidated by the glares of the people on me. At least they aren't too different from the people in Kattegat.
                          
We walk up to the big Hall the motherly energy of Triska right behind me as we walk up the stairs to the longhouse.
                          
Aren opend the doors for me and I feel my heart stop for a moment as I take in everything.
                          
The hall looks huge and like it hasn't been used in a very long time.
                          
It's as cold in here as it is outside, the fireplace being filled with only black Ash. The walls are decorated everywhere you look with all sorts of victorys of my ancestors.