The Isles That Return None: Celmarin's Silence

The people of Celmarin trace their origins to Mazharen, having fled across the Gold Strait centuries ago to settle upon the southernmost shores of Grenmark. Over the centuries they built upon those white shores the great city of Khazmorien, the largest trading city in the kingdom, and gave rise to some of its wealthiest and most influential families. Their merchants and sailors became renowned for venturing farther than any others, charting distant waters and establishing trade far beyond the borders of Grenmark. Though generations have passed and they are now counted among the peoples of Grenmark, they remain plagued by a haunting mystery that seems to claim only their own.

Celmarin’s Silence

~A scribed account of a Mazharen sailor, given before the Eldarmen of Celmarin, recounting what befell him on his expedition to the Silent Isles. Recovered from the streets of Khazmorien, its lower edge charred.

Present: Lord Idris Azshar, Eldarmen of Celmarin; Court Scribe; Yuba of Sayad.

COURT SCRIBE:

 The following account was taken before Lord Idris Azshar, Eldarmen of Celmarin. The sailor, a man of Sayad, Mazharen’s southern port city, gave his name as Yuba. His condition was noted as worn, lacking in food, yet of sound mind.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 State your name for the record.

YUBA: 

My name is Yuba, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Are you in good health and mind, and able to give a true account of your travels?

YUBA: 

Yes, my lord. I am.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Then if you will, please tell us of your travel. Begin with your departure.

YUBA: 

Some weeks past, I heard rumors of a vessel seeking labor. I was told any man could join, that little skill was required, and the pay for service to be well above the usual. I was among the first to arrive at the ship known as the Howling Lady. The first mate saw to it that I had all my limbs and was, at the very least, able to work the deck.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

This was in Sayad?

YUBA:

 Yes, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Continue.

YUBA:

 As I have stated, the requirements for the voyage were low, though oddly the first mate made one requisite clear, only men of Mazharen were to board. I began work immediately, and once the Howling Lady was fully crewed, Captain Hassin informed us that we would first sail to Raml, the westernmost city of Mazha….

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

I am aware of where Raml lies.

YUBA: 

Of course, my lord. My apologies. The captain told us we would sail to Raml, then return to Sayad, and from there make for Celmarin.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

To trade goods?

YUBA:

 Yes, my lord, this is what we were told. But once we had set to sea, some of the more seasoned men became unsettled. They claimed we had sailed farther out than we should have, and that no land had been seen for some time. They told me the coast of Mazharen should have remained to our north as we sailed toward Raml. But there was nothing. Only the open waters of the Grey Crossing.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

 Where did you believe yourselves to be sailing?

YUBA: 

South, at least that was the whispers among the men. I was too occupied with the wave sickness to take notice. And even if I had, there was little I could have done. I was only a deckhand and was treated as such.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

And what did you see upon the Grey Crossing?

YUBA: 

Truly, my lord, nothing. For days there was nothing. No ships, no land, not even birds. We heard only the groaning of the timber, and the waves that crashed against the bows. It offered no comfort. The days of emptiness began to weigh upon us. Both myself and the crew felt it. Some attempted to confront the captain but were only ever met by the first mate, who assured us that we remained upon the proper course.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Why have you ceased speaking?

YUBA:

 I do not wish to implicate others, my lord.

COURT SCRIBE: 

That is not for you to decide, you shall continue.

YUBA: 

My fears deepened when some of the men began to speak of mutiny. A few came to me, asking whose side I would take, should it come to that. I did all I could to delay an answer, fearing I may choose the wrong side.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Did the men mutiny?

YUBA:

 No. And I thank Ilah for it. On the seventh day at sea, when the sun stood high, one of the men cried out the most blessed word… land. We saw it in the distance, and its beauty held us. And once we realized we were sailing directly towards it, the tension among the crew quickly eased.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 What land had you come to?

YUBA: 

At first, we could not tell what port or city we had reached. We saw many ships, of all sizes. But as we drew nearer, we began to see that they all stood without crew. And stranger still, the docks were empty, no men fishing, no laborers at work. It was as empty as the sea we had just crossed. And the land, it seemed to silence the waters around it. It was then the others understood where we had come.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 And that was?

COURT SCRIBE: 

Answer your lord.

YUBA:

 The Silent Isles, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Tell me what you know of the Silent Isles.

YUBA: 

Upon my arrival, I knew nothing of this wretched place, not even their existence.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

You were informed once you had reached its shores?

YUBA:

 Aye.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

And what were you told?

YUBA: 

The men said the Isles swallow those of Celmarin, and Celmarin alone. That when men of your land sail there, they do not return. Yet there were rumors of men from Mazharen who have sailed there and have returned to speak of it.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

I imagine by then, you understood the reason for your presence there?

YUBA:

 I admit not initially. Not until the captain made it plain, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

What had he made plain?

YUBA: 

That we had been conscripted by you, Lord Idris, to sail to the Silent Isles, to find any men, women, or children of Celmarin, and bring them home. In return, we were promised rewards beyond measure, more wealth than any of us would have ever known.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

What followed this revelation?

YUBA: 

The men were tempted, but slow to trust Captain Hassin. Many also feared the tales of the Isles. The Captain saw their hesitation, and so he proposed that one man be sent ahead, to set foot upon the isles before the rest. If the man were to return, then we would see the Isles to be safe, and would all follow.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

The men agreed to this?

YUBA:

 They did, my lord. Once the captain informed us we might choose among ourselves, the matter was settled quickly. They chose the man of least experience, one whose loss would be of little consequence.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Who was chosen?

YUBA: 

I was, my lord. And I did not resist, for once they were of one mind, there was no refusing them.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Tell me in detail what you witnessed.

YUBA: 

As I neared the island, I saw that many of the ships had begun to rot. Where the decay had not yet taken hold, the shells of the sea clung thick to their hulls. One vessel looked as though it had lain there long before I had been born. It listed heavily to one side, its deck nearly swallowed by the water. Yet among them, one ship drew my eye. Not for its ruin, but because it had none. It was well kept… as though it had arrived not long before we had.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 What of the land?

YUBA:

 It seemed as any shore I had known. I thought to remain there until nightfall, for it felt safe enough. But the men that had brought me there warned me, if I were found hiding, or failed to speak accurately of what lay beyond, they would cut me down where I stood and leave me for the crabs to take. So I watched them row the skiff back out through the crashing waves, until they were near lost to sight. Then I turned, and made my way into the jungle.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 You saw no sign of my people?

YUBA: 

No, my lord, not upon the shore.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: Continue.

YUBA: 

As I made my way through the jungle, cutting through the thick growth, I came upon a narrow path. It might have been made by beasts, or worn by long passage, I could not tell. I followed it. And it led me to… to the white city.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 The white city?

YUBA:

 Aye, my lord. I have never seen its like. Its stone was as pale as the finest sand of Celmarin, yet smoother, and cool to the touch. It was not a large city, not like here in Khazmorien, nor even Sayad. Yet its worth was not in its size… but in its design. It was a sight of pure beauty.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Were there any Celmarians? Did you see any of my people there?

YUBA:

 No, my lord. There was no one. Not a soul. But, I went further into the city and called out for anyone, no voice answered. No sound came back to me, no men, no beasts, nothing at all.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Did you search within the buildings?

YUBA:

 I did my lord. I went from one to the next, granaries, smithies, homes. They were as the ships upon the coast.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

What do you mean by this?

YUBA: 

Some lay in ruin, dust thick upon the floors, webs stretched across entire rooms, fruit long rotted, bread hardened to stone. But others…others were well kept. Yet still, they were empty.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Did you search beyond the city?

YUBA:

 No, my lord. I made my way to what I believed to be the center of the city. There, I found a well, and to my surprise, the rope and bucket were still intact. I drew water for myself, as the heat of the sun had grown harsh. The bucket came up full, and the water clear. So I drank my fill. And that… is when I saw him.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Who did you see?

YUBA: 

I. I saw a boy. No older than ten. He met my eyes. But his expression, it was not what I expected.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

In what way?

YUBA: 

His eyes were heavy. Sad, as he looked upon me, they began to fill with tears. And yet, he did not fear me. As though he had expected me.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Did you gain anything from him?

YUBA: 

Only his features, his skin was an olive color. Not as yours, my lord, nor like the men of Mazharen, it had the look of leather, as though oil had long been worked into it. But his nose was near hooked, and his jaw angular, like that of a Celmarian.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 You believed him to be of Celmarin?

YUBA: 

Based upon his skin, no… but in his other features, my lord… it is possible.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Did you speak with him?

YUBA: 

I.

COURT SCRIBE:

 You will not be asked again. Gather yourself, and answer your lord, or you will be returned to your cell.

YUBA: 

My apologies, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Did you speak with the boy?

YUBA: 

I attempted to. But when I called to him, he ran. I gave chase, following him through the city, until we came to the edge where the jungle met stone. He passed within. I did not. I halted my pursuit.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Why?

YUBA:

 He was no longer alone.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

What do you mean he was no longer alone? You saw others?

YUBA:

 He… I saw them. I am not certain what I saw, my lord. Men, women. They stood within the jungle, deep in the shadows. I could not make out their faces. They did not move. They did not speak. They only watched. I called out to them. Begged for an answer. There was none. I saw the boy had gone. And then they began to move closer. I…I ran, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Back to the shore?

YUBA: 

No, my lord. I ran back into the city. I entered what I believed to be a bakery and barred the door behind me. I waited. But nothing came. After some time, I gathered myself and searched the place. Above, on the second level, I found a bed, one that was well kept. By this time night had begun to settle, and my exhaustion overcame me. I lay upon it, praying I would see the morning, and that none would take me in the darkness.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Were you met again by these people?

YUBA: 

I… I do not know, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Enough of this uncertainty. Speak plainly!

YUBA: 

I slept, my lord. Or… I believe I did. I remember only lying upon the bed. The hours passed, until I woke to a chill and… and a groan.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

A groan?

YUBA:

 Aye. A groan like no other. A man’s voice low and drawn, like an old tree straining against the weight of a coming storm. I turned, and there. There I saw the boy, peering through the window. But it was not the boy. There was something of a man in its face, but stretched wrongly. The eyes were large, wet, and black at its middle. And when the mouth parted, it seemed to split too far, the teeth showing in a line like some cruel imitation of a smile. Then the groaning ceased. I watched as I… I began to weep. His fingers rose to the sill. They were long. Too long, twisted like twigs from a branch. His nails scraping against the stone, breaking the silence. I called out to Ilah, I begged for him to be gone. But he did not move. He only watched. Peering into my eyes. Until I woke.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

This was a dream?

YUBA:

 No, my lord. It was the first warning. I fled the bakery, back toward the center of the city. The stars above had grown bright, and I found myself standing still beneath their light, until they vanished completely. The world became silent, as though I had grown deaf. Then the shadows returned. Those from the jungle. They surrounded me. The boy had reappeared, eyes still peering into mine, as he moved between figures. I begged them to leave me, but they only drew closer. Their faces were gone. Their hands, pale now, reaching. They called for me. They meant to take me. To make me one of them. Then I woke again. I was upon the floor of the bakery, soaked through, the bed above me untouched. I did not hesitate, I fled once more, this time to the shore. And I waited, sea to my back as I watched the jungle, until the morning sun. Until the men returned for me.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 What did the men say when they found you?

YUBA: 

They asked only what I had seen. I told them I would only speak with the captain. They brought me before him, and I told them everything.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

How did Captain Hassin receive your account?

YUBA: 

He was undeterred, my lord. He said that my return proved there was no danger, that if a man such as I could enter the island and live, then better men had nothing to fear.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

What of the crew?

YUBA: 

Many believed what I had seen to be true. They believed Captain Hassin’s judgment had been compromised from the start of our journey, that his interests were not their own. The men… they mutinied. Slit the Captain's throat, along with the first mate, and cast them into the sea.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

Why return to Celmarin? Why not sail back to Sayad?

YUBA: 

The crew believed the reward could still be claimed, that another tale might be told, one that would earn them compensation.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 I see.

YUBA: I apologize my lord, and only beg your forgiveness.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

You understand your charge was to sail to the Silent Isles and recover the people of Celmarin?

YUBA:

 Yes, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR: 

And that Captain Hassin sailed under my authority to carry out that charge?

YUBA: 

Yes, my lord.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 Then you admit to mutiny under the authority of Celmarin.

YUBA: 

My lord, had we returned to the Isle, we too would have become as your people, gone, and never to be seen again.

LORD IDRIS AZSHAR:

 That may be so. But now, we shall never know. Take this man away. He has confessed to mutiny and is to be executed with the others. Have this transcript [FRAGMENT LOST].