The Island Pt. 02

"Towards the beach. Down near the end of it is a trail we need to take. But one detour first," I replied.

We stopped by the kitchen and made ourselves a lunch to take with us as well as some snacks and water. We'd likely be gone most of the day.

We talked of what could be going on while our horses picked their way across the sand. The sound of the waves crashing in and the warm breeze almost made it feel like a leisurely ride, but what we were going to do was at the front of our mind and kept the mood somber.

"You explained a lot to me over these last two years. How come the ruins never came up?" she asked.

"I had honestly forgotten about them, love. They are old and crumbling and long ago we declared them off limits. Too many people were getting hurt exploring them," I explained.

"I imagine there's a good view from up there, that's why we're going. But will it be safe from those things in the jungle?"

I could hear the small twinge of fear in her voice as she asked.

"It'll be safe. The route we're taking doesn't come close to the jungle and for some reason; the creatures never enter the old city," I said.

"A city now. I thought it was just a bunch of ruins," she said questioningly.

"Most of it has fallen down but the landscape is covered in broken rocks. At one point it must have been twice as big as the village and market combined. The island is not wide but it is long. Whoever was here before built it and then disappeared. What is still standing must have been their version of a palace. Its rear deck overlooks most of the jungle. That's where I want to go," I answered.

"What are you looking for Richard?" she asked.

I led my horse closer to her and leaned in to kiss her. "I don't know babe, but I need answers. I can't protect you and Arianna properly without knowing what's going on."

"I don't want to leave the village and Rob to this either. I wouldn't feel right leaving them behind to face it without us. You're their prince, I'm their princess. Let's figure this out." She said it all with such a serious tone that I wanted to reach out and hug her.

She knew her role as princess of the island but had never accepted it fully. She had always just played the part. Now here she was putting the island first. I smiled to myself and kept my horse moving.

We reached the path that would take us close to the old ruins. I hated the idea of going first. It would mean I had to keep looking back to make sure she was ok. But I couldn't let her lead. She didn't know the dangers and if her horse stepped wrong, they both could be killed.

"I'll lead from here but please babe, stay close. Follow me and try to lead the horse exactly where I do. It will get rocky soon and I don't want you falling and getting hurt," I said worriedly.

"No babe. I'll lead. You watch my back. I can guide the horse and you just tell me witch direction to go. We both know it makes more sense. Besides, the horse will find her footing. I trust her and she trusts me. We'll be fine," she said calmly.

I knew she was right but I still didn't like it. She had made up her mind though and I wasn't going to waste time arguing.

"Follow the path until it forks, then keep to the left. We'll be in the trees at that point so keep your eyes open for snakes and such," I said.

She smiled at me and started down the trail. The fork came and she went left, everything was going smoothly. She had spotted a few small creatures and at one point had had to stop to let a snake go by but other than that it was uneventful. Stopping in a spot that opened up a little we sat in the warm daylight to have some lunch. The sun above our heads told us it was close to noon and we didn't want to have to eat in the saddle.

"You've been quiet babe," she said.

"I've been letting you concentrate on the path. Plus the darkness beneath these trees seems to beg for silence. Just felt right to be quiet," I replied.

"Is it much farther?" she asked.

"Half an hour at most," I replied.

"Then let's get going. I want this over with. I'm starting to get a little creeped out," she said, shivering as she looked around.

I packed up the remains of our lunch and we continued on our way. About twenty minutes later the trees opened up to reveal fields of rocks. As she got closer she looked and saw it wasn't just rock, there was cement mixed in there as well. Whoever was here before knew what they were doing.

"I'll lead now," I said in a soft voice, "over this way."

Ashley just nodded and followed as I went past. We could both see the remaining building off to the left and when we reached it I hopped down and gently helped her out of her saddle. We tied off the horses and walked into a building that should have fallen long ago.

Beautiful arches overhead were cracking from the weight of the stone above but they were holding. In places Ashley could see faint colors that at one time must have livened the place up. Remains of furniture lay scattered around the rooms and there were spots on the floors where little fires had been lit. I walked over to one and knelt down. Running my finger through the soot I frowned.

"This isn't old at all. Maybe a week at most. Someone's been here," I said.

Standing up we walked to the rear of the building and we stepped out onto a huge stone balcony. The jungle spread out far below us and seemed to go on for ever. A thin trail of smoke rose far off in the distance and Ashley rightly guessed that that was the village.

"Ok babe, we're here. What are we looking for?" she asked.

"You're looking to see why the creatures are so pissed off," came a voice from behind us.

I spun with my sword in hand. Ashley screamed and got behind me.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" I yelled.

From an alcove on the far side of the balcony stepped a weathered old man. He walked with a cane and had a simple robe tied around his waist. He had pulled the top portion down and let it hung so only his hips and upper legs were covered. Something seemed familiar yet I was having trouble placing it.

"You have forgotten Richard. You have forgotten your oath to the island. That's why they're so upset. You were meant to keep the balance. We watched as you left to find your bride knowing she hadn't even been born yet. We waited for your return and to fulfill you destiny. Then you left again. You are the reason they are trying to get into the village. They expect you to keep your end of the bargain," the old man said.

As if hit with a baseball bat everything came back.

"But, you died. We buried you. How is this possible?" I stammered.

"I am part of the island Richard and I serve her as do you. I won't truly be at rest until she allows me," he replied.

Ashley had been holding my shirt but was also listening intently. Her mind was quick and she had already put the pieces together. Stepping out from behind me she looked at him.

"You're the prophet, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes Ashley, I am. We've waited a long time for you," he replied.

"Why me?" she asked.

"Because of the child you bore. The two of you have given this island her first royal daughter. Never in her history has that happened. All around you was created for one special girl. Through our folly she never came during the old times, and this place fell into ruin. I am what is left of those people. I have been kept here to see about ending the curse," he said.

Ashley went quiet but I saw her back straighten. Things were about to get ugly if I didn't do something.

"You speak of our daughter like she is part of a prophecy old man," I said. "You know I don't believe in those."

"Yet here you stand!" he exclaimed.

"Go back to your palace and read them again. You'll find that everything you've done so far I told you about years ago through my writings. You thought you were running but you only ended up fulfilling those prophecies you claim to not believe in," he cackled at us.

"Richard, what's he talking about?" Ashley asked.

"I'll show you tonight when we get back," I replied.

"So how do we get the jungle creatures to stop attacking?" I asked the old man.

"You have been given those answers Richard. You just need to pay attention to them. I have to go now. You won't find anything useful by standing around staring at a bunch of trees. Best be on your way home. You have reading to do," he replied.

Then he stepped back into the alcove and was gone.

Ashley clung to my left arm as we moved back towards where we had left the horses. I lifted my sword in its scabbard to make sure it was free then let it drop back down. I could feel the fear coming off my wife and needed to get her away from this place. Getting back into the saddle I led us away. We couldn't move too fast because of all the rocks but we didn't want to be here any longer than we had to. When the trail came into view I let Ashley pass me and took up the rear. She led us true and we were back on the beach a little while later. Only then did she say anything about our encounter with the old man.

"What did he mean about Arianna?" she asked harshly. "What haven't you told me?"

"My love, understand me here please. They are old writings of a mad man. They don't hold any meaning. I wasn't running from the island. I was starting over to try something new. Yes I fell in love with you a long time ago but if it wasn't for your boating accident, none of this would be happening. This isn't prophecy. It's a bunch of circumstances."

"And what do these words say of Arianna?" she asked again.

Her tone made it clear she would ask over and over again until I answered.

"It's best if you read them my love. There is nothing bad in there but it's hard to understand. Prophecy isn't like reading a book from start to finish. You have to know where you are in the story and often times there are multiple paths based on choices you make. It's why I never believed. It's like a 'choose your adventure' book. If you pick this path, go to this page. Choose another, go to that one," I explained.

Ashley went quiet after that. I could tell she wanted more but she also knew she wasn't going to get the answers she wanted from me. Not because I didn't want to give them, I simply didn't have them.

Back at the palace she didn't even wait. She walked up to Rob and demanded to see the old books. Rob saw the look on her face and the steel in my eyes and took us aside.

"No one's touched them for twenty-two years now. They are dangerous Ashley. If you don't guard yourself then the possibilities will overwhelm you. Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.

"Arianna's life depends on it," she said.

"Then come. It'll be a long night and you two missed supper. We'll get you two fed and then I'll take you to the books," he said softly.

Ashley started to protest but my hand on her arm silenced her. She may be a princess but the king had just spoken.

"You eat Richard and make me something too please. I want to go check on Arianna," she said and walked off to our rooms.

"What the fuck happened out there?" Rob asked me when we were in the kitchen.

I told him everything not leaving out a single detail. When I was done he let out a low whistle.

"He's been dead since before you left," he said. "How is it he's up there haunting the ruins?"

"I don't know, brother, but I assure you it was him. Only this time his words made sense as he talked with us. He wasn't rambling or muttering like he did back then. This was something different."

"You mean like a ghost?" he asked.

"He wasn't close enough but from what I could see he was real."

"You know you may have to rethink your position on the prophecies," Rob said. "Like it or not you're about to open can of worms and your wife isn't going to let this go. Not if Arianna's life is really in danger."

"I know. I just don't like thinking that my life was laid out for me by a rambling old man who shit himself most of the time," I replied.

"We'll figure this out Richard. Let's go find your wife."

When we got to my room Ashley was just coming out.

"Fed and sleeping. Erica is spending the night in our bed in case she wakes up. I didn't explain anything, just said that we had some homework to do," she whispered as she closed the door.

We made our way to the throne room with only a quick stop at Rob's room the get the key. At the back of the throne room hidden by a tapestry of a boat out on the high sea battling waves twice as high as the boat itself, was a large set of doors. Rob unlocked them and led us in.

"This is where we keep the strange stuff we find and the other things we don't want the villagers to see or have," he explained to Ashley.

There were piles of solar panels still in their boxes, crates of rechargeable batteries, spools of wire so that we could light things up with the batteries if we needed. On a far shelf were old cell phones and cassette players. A pile of old cassettes sat beside them. Piles of cell phone chargers sat in a heap looking like it would take years to untangle. Rob led us further back into the room. Flicking a switch on the wall the lights came on and a myriad of objects lined several tables against the back wall. Rob extinguished the torch he had been carrying.

"Electricity? In here?" she asked.

"We don't want to burn anything down in case one of us forgets to blow out the torch," he explained. "The book you want is over there."

Ashley walked over and I followed. I cleared off a spot for the basket I was holding and pulled out her supper.

"It's not much but it'll fill you," I said as I handed her a sandwich. "Eat or I'll spank you here and now, princess."

I was trying to lighten the mood but it didn't go over as well as I hoped. She did eat her sandwich though.

Rob gave me the key and left us alone to read the strange words of an old man. We spent most of the night going through the book but nothing made sense. It jumped all over the place. When we thought we had found a starting point the next jump led us to something that seemed to be a hundred years ago. Tired and frustrated we both agreed that after some sleep we would try again. We weren't going to solve it tonight and we had a little one that would need lots of love and attention in the morning.

Against my protests Ashley scooped up the book and brought it with her. We would need to hide it in our room to read it. I locked the door and made sure the tapestry was back in place then we made our way to our room.

Neither of us had much energy left so we stashed the book and crawled into bed with Erica. Fortunately she was on an edge so Ashley crawled in behind her and I got in behind my wife. No poking my sister-in-law in the backside with morning wood, I thought to my self. We were asleep in moments.

I woke without opening my eyes. Voices were coming from the other room but I couldn't make them out. Sliding over to my wife I slipped my hard cock free and got behind her. My arm went around and massaged her huge breast. With my cock sliding along her ass and rubbing against her pussy, I slipped my hand down and massaged her clit. Her knee came up to give me room to really get in there and I rubbed her furiously. Alternating between sending my fingers deep inside her and massaging her clit she was starting to pant hard. I decided I didn't want to wait. I reached my free arm under her neck and grabbed her tit pulling her close. Biting her shoulder I pulled my fingers out of her. She covered her head with a pillow and waited for what was to come next. Wetness soaked the head of my cock as I used my hand to position it at her pussy. I pushed past her lips and started to go deep. I could feel her surrounding me and the tightness was incredible. With a thrust I was in fully and started sliding hard and fast. My fingers found her clit and a few moments later I felt her pussy squeezing my cock over and over as she flooded the sheets. A muffled, unfamiliar moan sent my mind reeling and I stopped.

"God damn it," I swore and pulled my cum soaked cock out of Erica's amazingly tight pussy.

Eyes opening wide I watched as she pushed the pillow away and rolled over towards me. Her eyes were glazed over and her massive tits slid against me. Hard nipples traced lines against my chest as she panted.

"Don't stop Richard. I'm sure Ashley won't mind," she purred at me as she slid her hand under the sheet taking hold of my cock and pumping it with long, slow strokes.

"Ashley will mind," my wife said entering the room.

"Now both of you get up. We have work to do."

She never even looked over as she said it and Erica's arm had frozen as soon as she had heard her sister's voice. She didn't realize it but by squeezing my cock so hard at that exact moment she had put off my urge to cum.

Ashley went off to the other room and went straight back to the book.

"Thank you Richard. But its game on now; my wonderful brother-in-law," Erica whispered. "Wish you hadn't stopped. I've never had my pussy spread so wide before. You're bigger than I remembered."

She leaned in and kissed me hard while stroking me over and over again before sliding the sheet off and getting up. She made a display of stretching and I watched all her curves as she moved. Her firm breasts went high as her arms stretched to the ceiling. She took a long time to adjust the tight little gstring I had just moved aside earlier and made sure I had a full view of the pussy I had made throb with my cock. Massaging it and playing between her lips she pretended not to find a comfortable position for the tiny string. Eventually she just pulled tight and it slipped up between her tiny, pink folds to disappear. I lay there on my side looking at her, this time determined to make her blush and turn away as I watched. She never flinched. Instead she turned and bent over to pick up her shirt. Reaching back she grabbed her perfect ass and pulled her cheeks apart. Her pussy spread wide and I watched as strings of wetness stretched between her lips. Cum was dripping off the puffy little clit I had just massaged to orgasm, and it took every ounce of resolve I had not to get up and lick it clean. I tossed the sheet aside and rose to find my jeans making sure that Erica had a full view of my fully erect, cum covered cock. She paused buttoning her shirt and looked at me. With one hand she pinched her nipple and pulled hard while the other hand dove between her legs. I stood transfixed as she sent her fingers deep inside her pussy over and over again. They came out soaked and she sucked them clean in front of me.

"Too bad you're married to my sister," she whispered as she slipped past me, "I'm really good when I'm on my knees."

There was plenty of room to get by but she had made sure her breasts slowly dragged across my chest as she moved. One of her hands wrapped around my cock and pumped hard. Holding back a yell I shot the load I had almost sent inside her tight little pussy into her hand. My head fell against her shoulder and I watched past her perfect breasts as her other hand went back down and thrust her fingers deep inside her. Turning her face to mine she kissed me and pressed her tits harder against my chest. With a gentle sucking sound she slid her fingers out of her pussy and brought them up to run them across my lips. I could smell her scent and taste the sweetness from between her legs as she forced them into my mouth. When I had sucked them clean she pulled them out and kissed me again; this time long and hard. When she pulled away she whispered at me again that the game had just started. She smiled at me as she left the room licking my cum off of her hand. It was a long moment before I was able to make my way to the shower and an even longer moment before I finished dressing and joined my wife.

Arianna lay there kicking her feet and wiggling her arms while watching the mobile turn. The soft tune made her coo and gurgle in response. She was adorable and every time I looked at her my love for my daughter grew. Picking her up I walked over to where Ashley was sitting reading the book.