La Narius

La Narius

Prologue

I sit atop Mt Aren on the island of La Narius, looking out over the place I have been queen of for hundreds of years. This is my home. The only one I have ever known. I will always do whatever it takes to protect it.

I am Evana. Amphitrite, goddess of the sea, and Gaia, goddess of the earth, worked together to create me. My hair was made from the golden sunshine, and a bit of sea was added to create my cerulean-blue eyes. My wings are wide and reflect the many colors of the rainbow. I am a fairy and was brought here to protect the creatures of La Narius. Here is where the griffins, unicorns, dragons, huma birds, and caladrius all roam free and at peace. A fog covers my island to keep it hidden from humans. I sit on my mountain peak and ensure that La Narius is forever protected.

It was not always so. Nearly a hundred years ago, a Lou Carcolh came to La Narius. His name is Charon. I do not know where he came from or why he was sent here, but he came to wipe away the protective fog from my beloved island.

I called out to Amphitrite and Gaia as soon as I spotted the large, slimy serpent swimming towards La Narius. I could see the golden, spiral shell on his back sticking out of the water. The goddesses came and put a sleeping spell on Charon. He was locked in a cave, and my island was safe again.

Gaia and Amphitrite warned me that the sleeping spell would only last for one hundred years. Then Charon would wake up and again come to destroy La Narius. The only way to stop him is for one human to pass through the fog. He alone must defeat Charon, or my beloved island, and all of its creatures, will be no more.

I sit atop the highest peak of Mt Aren and guard the creatures of La Narius. From time to time, I scan the horizon, watching and waiting. One day soon, a human will be allowed to come through the fog. His boat‘s flag will carry the symbol of Alaric, the mythical hawk.

Chapter 1

For many days and nights, I waited for the boat to come. I knew that time was running out. I called out to Amphitrite and Gaia to ask for a way to defeat the Lou Carcolh myself. La Narius is my island to watch over and protect. The goddesses responded that only the human warrior could defeat Charon and told me to be patient. I do not believe that a human could defeat such a creature, but I have faith in my creators.

I had just fallen asleep in my nest of leaves, twigs, and feathers when I heard the call of Arvu from somewhere far below me. She is a dragon who is as green as emeralds. Arvu

watches over me as I watch over La Narius.

I sat up and stretched, my golden hair falling in waves down my back. Arvu flew up and landed beside me in my large nest. I stroked her surprisingly soft, scaly skin and waited for her to speak. She has a big heart and always makes sure to say things just the right way.

“A boat has come,” Arvu said, pointing towards the distant waters of the Algea Sea. I followed her bony, clawed finger and spotted the curtain of fog lifting slightly, allowing a large ship to pass through.. My keen, sharp eyes searched for a flag. I soon spotted it. The flag was dark red with a golden hawk outlined on it. The large bird wore a silver crown and held a single leaf in its talons. It was Alaric, the mythical hawk.

I jumped up suddenly, startling Arvu. “He’s here!” I exclaimed, excitedly fluttering my wings. “He’s come to save us.” I hugged my dragon tightly.

“Let’s go meet him,” Arvu said, sharing in my excitement.

I took in her large size, spikes that ran the length of her back and tail, and claws on her hands and feet. “You can’t come with me,” I said, shaking my head sadly.

“Why?” I could see in her large, dark eyes that she was shocked. I had never told Arvu that before. We were almost always together.

“You I know,” I replied gently. “You I love but humans are not used to creatures like the ones who call La Narius home. You might frighten him, and he might hurt you. I cannot allow that to happen.”

“I am gentle,” Arvu insisted, hanging her large head low and tucking in her wings.

“I know,” I said, petting her again. “Let me go and speak to hi.m”

“I will stay,” she looked deep into my eyes. “Be careful, Evana. I will watch over you.” We hugged again, and I flew down to meet the warrior who might save La Narius from Charon, the Lou Carcolh.

Chapter 2

There is nothing like the feeling of flying. I can glide just above the surface of the Algea Sea and run my hand just along the surface, splashing and playing with the dolphin and narwhal. I can soar as high as the clouds and race with the huma birds, griffins, and other creatures that call my island home. I can allow the gentle breeze to take me where it will, but never far from La Narius.

Today my flight was not for pleasure. I was on a mission. A nearby banana tree was the perfect place for me to land. I made myself small as I hid behind a bunch of slowly ripening fruit. Faries are not always tiny. We have the power to adjust our size as it suits us. We just prefer to be tiny, safe, and unseen, most of the time.

I watched, undetected, as a human form rowed in from where he had anchored his boat just inside the curtain of fog. With the swiftness of a deer, he jumped down from the boat and pulled it further onto the long expansion of sandy shore. With hands on his narrow hips, he surveyed La Narius with green, almond-shaped eyes. I knew about humans. Amphitrite and Gaia had taught me all about them when I first came to my island. This was my first time seeing one up close.

I turned to look at La Narius and tried to see it just as this human was. Beyond the sand and sea, thick vegetation seemed to block the view. Only Mt Aren stood proud and tall above it all. There were coconut trees, banana trees, and all kinds of palm trees. Tropical flowers of every shape and color could be seen everywhere, even hanging off the thick jungle vines. My chest burst with pride as I took it all in.

The sound of the human walking across the sand drew my attention back to him. He wore tan pants, a short-sleeved, brown shirt with a pocket in front of it, and dark hiking boots. A dusty pack was on his back. The brown cap he had been wearing was now in his hand. Glancing at him, I noticed for the first time the long, jet-black hair that had been hidden under his cap. I gasped in shock as I took the human in from head to toe again. It couldn’t be.

My plan had been to sit and watch the human for a while. I wanted to understand his mannerisms and see what he would do on my island before I revealed myself to him. All thoughts of that were gone once I took the full sight of him in. I flew down and landed on the sand in front of him, making myself as tall as he was.

“What are you doing here?” I folded my arms in front of me and tucked my wings tightly behind me. “You were not supposed to come. You are a female, not a great warrior.”

The human stepped back in shock. Then she seemed to find her composure. She stood tall and sure and did not blink or act shocked by the sight of me. “No,” she shook her head. “I am not a great warrior. I am Lolana, explorer of land and sea. Who are you?”

I did not like the fact that she seemed to be laughing at me. Before I could say anything more, she walked toward the edge of the jungle and peered into it. I don’t know what the human saw, but she suddenly jumped back and held a pair of binoculars up to her eyes. She used them to scan the far distant sky.

After a few minutes, she lowered her binoculars and turned back to me with a bow. “It can’t be,” she whispered. “You are Evana, queen of La Narius Island. I thought it was just a myth.”

“What?” I was shocked. “How do you know about this island?”

“My grandmother, Kyna,” she explained. “She told me about this island and said one day I would travel on a boat to it. My parents said it was all nonsense, but I always believed her. Grandmother said that I would come to save the island from Charon the Lou Carcolh. Is that why I am here?”

Chapter 3

I didn’t know what to say. Amphitrite and Gaia had not told me much about the warrior who would come. I did not even know that she would be a female. It was made clear that only one human would be allowed beyond the fog and that they alone would have to defeat Charon. I looked at Lolana and shrugged my shoulders. Gaia and Amphitrite obviously knew what they were doing when they sent her. Besides, who was I to question the goddesses who had created me?

“Are you willing to help us?’ I asked. “Will you defeat Charon?”

“That is why Kyna said I would come,” Lolana responded simply.

With an unsure smile, I began my explanation. “You must collect the feathers of three winged creatures. First, travel to the Tree of Empathy. It is the only spot on La Narius where the Huma bird will land. Convince her to give you one of her feathers. You must lead with compassion to do so.

“Next,” I continued, “you must travel to the Tree of Courage. There you will find the griffin’s nest. It will take courage for you to gain one of his feathers.

“Finally,” I concluded, “you will travel to the Tree of Purity. Only those who have a pure heart can convince a caladrius to give them one of her feathers.”

“How will I find them all?” Lalana asked.

I called for Inara. Within seconds, a snow-white unicorn appeared in front of us. She had a long, silky mane and tail, velvet eyes, and a golden horn. I expected the human to be surprised by Inara’s sudden appearance, but she only smiled at her. Maybe Lolana was a great warrior after all.

I introduced Inara to her and explained that the loyal unicorn would take her to each of the three trees. I could give Lolana no further guidance. She climbed onto Inara’s back, and I watched as they disappeared into the thick jungle.

Then I flew off to the pool of knowledge. From there, I could watch Lolana on her journey. It was hard, but I had to leave the fate of La Narius in her hands.

Chapter 4

Inara carried Lolana along the jungle path to the Tree of Empathy. The unicorn was smart and brave. She knew the jungles of La Narius better than any other creature. As they traveled together, the unicorn and human spoke softly to one another, but I was unable to hear what they said.

When they reached the tall tree with its large pink and green leaves, Lolana dismounted and looked around. Then she turned to Inara with a look of confusion. There was no sign of the Huma bird anywhere. Lonala pulled a book from the pack on her back and flipped through the pages, stopping when she found what she was looking for.

After a few minutes, she closed the book and shook her head at Inara. “There’s no way to summon a Huma bird,” she said. “We’ll just have to wait for her.

A tiny animal cried out from somewhere nearby. It sounded like it was in pain. Lolana followed the sound of the crying and soon spotted a tiny rabbit with deer antlers. He was tangled in a pile of vines and struggling to get free.

Lolana slowly approached the small jackalope, speaking softly to it. The creature shivered in fear but did not turn away. With a steady hand, the young girl carefully pulled the vines away to free him. When the last one had been cleared away, the jackalope nodded his head in thanks and scampered off into the jungle.

From high in the sky, the call of a brightly colored bird could be heard. As he flew overhead, a single jeweled feather floated softly to the ground. Lolana picked it up and placed it into her backpack. The Huma bird appeared because she had shown the jackalope sympathy.

Inara knelt down. Lolana climbed onto her back. The two of them continued on into the jungle. Arvu joined me at the pool of knowledge. Together, we watched and waited to find out what would happen next.

Chapter 5

It was not too long before Lolana and Inara reached the Tree of Courage. As they approached it, Inara paused so Lolana could climb off of her back. They didn’t have to look around for the griffin. He had spotted them coming down the path and appeared in front of them.

He was a huge creature, that even when sitting was almost as tall as the Tree of Courage with its large red and green leaves. He had the body of a lion, large brown wings, and the head of an eagle with a sharp beak. The griffin stared at the young girl with keen eyes, but she did not back down.

“Are you not afraid of me?” he squawked at her.

“I am very afraid of you,” Lolana admitted, her voice shaking a bit. “Fear does not mean I run away. It means I stay because some things are more important than fear. Saving this island is more important.”

“It is not your home,” the griffin pointed out.

“No,” she shook her head, “but it is your home. It is the home of Queen Evana and all of these magnificent creatures.”

“You are very brave,” he told her and handed her one of his feathers. As the griffin flew off, Lolana placed it into her backpack.

“We have one final tree to visit,” Inara said as the girl climbed onto her back. They headed back into the jungle. Arvu and I continued watching them through the pool of knowledge.

Chapter 6

The Tree of Purity was much more difficult to find. This part of the jungle continually changes, so the tree is never in the same spot twice. Finding it is more a matter of luck. Lolana felt like they were wandering around in circles for hours.

Finally, she had Inara stop so that they could rest. “How are we supposed to find a tree that always moves?” Lolana asked the unicorn.

“With your heart,” Inara replied. She had been unable to give this information to the human until she had thought to ask for it herself.

The young girl closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She sat quietly, listening only to the thumping of her own heart. In her mind, she envisioned a large tree with leaves as white as the freshly fallen snow.

“Look,” she heard Inara whisper. Slowly, Lolana opened up her eyes. In front of them, a tree, just as she had pictured it, now stood.

From somewhere high in the treetops, a bird with soft white feathers and a golden beak floated down and landed in front of the Lolana. It was a caladrius.

“Some things you can only see with your heart,” the bird said, handing a feather to the young girl. She placed it in her backpack.

Chapter 7

I met up with Lolana on the shore where I had first seen her ship come in. As we stood together watching, Charon had woken up and was swimming back towards the coast. The young girl removed the three feathers from her backpack and placed them on the beach in front of her. The jeweled feather stood for the kindness she had shown to another. The brown feather symbolized the importance of standing firm in the face of fear. The white feather stood for being able to see things only with your heart.

As she laid each feather down, my beloved creatures came. The Huma bird, the griffin, and the Caladrius came. Lolana and I stood tall and strong together as the Lou Carcolh came closer and closer.

The fog grew thicker. It was formed from the combination of empathy, strength, and purity. Charon was evil. He could no longer come through the fog. Instead, the Lou Carcolh turned and swam back into the ocean.

We watched until even his shell was no longer visible. La Narius was safe again. It was thanks to a young girl who really was a warrior.