The Search for the Red Dragon - James A. Owen [88]
“At any rate,” Daedalus continued, “the tides here do not shift with the moon, as they do in your world. They move by the calendar, each day. So when morning comes, they will go out again….”
“And Burton and the Croatoans will be able to cross,” said Bert. “Understood. We must leave before then.”
“Croatoan Island and the land Haven stands upon comprise the first district,” said Daedalus. “The second consists of the isle of Centrum Terrae, which is a kingdom of lakes and black forests. It has been the province of witches and sorceresses, now abandoned, but great beasts still roam there. Be cautious, and heed the History’s warnings.
“Also in the second district is the pirates’ island of Hooloomooloo,” said Daedalus. “It must be traversed to reach the next district, but skirt the perimeter and avoid meeting any of the inhabitants if you can.
“In the third district you will find but a single isle—Lixus, the island of automatons. If you move through it quickly, there should be nothing to fear on Lixus.”
At this, John and Charles exchanged curious glances, both of them thinking the same thing: automatons? As in Clockwork Men?
Charles began to say something but was silenced by a slight shake of John’s head. Something was not quite right here. John just couldn’t yet put his finger on what it was.
“The fourth district,” Daedalus continued, “is also comprised of a single land—Falun, the Great Pit. In truth, it is less an island than a great rending in the earth, where ores are mined to provide the raw materials for the inhabitants of Lixus. You must go straight through the center. But be wary, for the way is filled with more perils than those physical.
“The fifth district contains the seventh and eighth lands. First is Aiaia…”
“Circe’s island,” stated Charles. “From the Odyssey.”
“The same,” Daedalus said with a hint of surprise. “If you know that much, you should already know of the dangers you may face there.
“Just apart from Aiaia are the Wandering Isles, which are the only other islands past the second district that are fully inhabited. The original settlers were Greek refugees, but centuries later a company of travelers seeking refuge from the Black Plague also came there during your Middle Ages.
“They greet wanderers as fellow travelers, and those with the ability to tell stories are accorded great benefits, much as if they were visiting royalty.”
“So,” John concluded, “if we can get through witches, pirates, mechanical men, the Great Pit, and Circe, we’ll end up at a place where we will be honored for our storytelling. Grand, that.”
“Look at it this way,” said Bert. “After all that, we’ll have no shortage of tales to tell.”
“You’ve told us there were eight lands,” said Charles. “But there was another indicated on our map of Autunno. What of the ninth land?”
Daedalus closed the book and shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll be going that far. What you search for is most likely found within the closer lands. To go farther is not something many before you have done, and I would not advise it now.”
“I suppose you can make that decision later on,” said Charles, “if circumstances warrant.”
“I won’t be going with you,” Daedalus said with a curious halting in his voice. “At present, I cannot leave my experiments.”
“Hah,” Aven snorted. “That’s a crock. Most of the children of Haven are missing too, or hadn’t you noticed?”
“I…have other responsibilities, which require that I stay here on Haven,” said Daedalus. “I am truly sorry.”
Bert frowned, and Aven drew in a sharp breath, but John and Charles merely thanked the inventor for the book and the wise counsel.
Daedalus and Laura Glue went to a large storeroom and assembled some of the supplies the companions would need for the journey, while Jack remained with the others.
“I’m not sure I trust him entirely,” John murmured. “Something’s afoot.”
“Nonsense,” Aven said. “He’s Daedalus—he’s been a friend and protector to the Lost Boys for as long as I can remember. I trust him completely.”
“I’m not certain either, daughter,” said Bert.
“Why?”
“Because,