The Island of Echoes: A Novel Read online

  “Rémy does not speak the Latin tongue,” I told Sarmia, “but he would like to learn more about Capribo as well.”

  “Would he perhaps like to learn our language?” the advisor asked. “I can arrange for him to study it while you and I explore the Tower of Marble.”

  Rémy eagerly agreed and the advisor left the chamber. I was shaky with anticipation and equally overjoyed that at least one of my companions shared my enthusiasm. I could only imagine what secrets the tower possessed that I had yet to see.

  My group and I spent the next few hours separating our belongings into our respective rooms. My trunks were few, though a number of books which I had previously removed stood in a neat pile at their side. I brought these into the bedroom as well. With my hunger satisfied and my excitement brewing, it took all my reservation to sit still until Sarmia came to take me on my tour. I passed most of the time with the writing of these memoirs. It was beneficial to set them to paper before the details began to fade, and I very much wanted to capture my awe of those first few days on the island.

  The Etia returned with an assistant several hours later and escorted Rémy and me into the hallway. She pressed the wall square which called the lift.

  “This young man will escort Rémy, while you and I will head down to the main floor,” she explained.

  I nodded. “Rémy is very excited about his lessons.”

  I heard the grinding sound of sliding marble panels and saw that there was a second lift door farther down the hall. “That one is ours,” Sarmia informed me. I wished Rémy luck and followed my guide.

  The doors reopened on the main level, which I immediately recognized from the day before. This time, the great chamber was beautifully illuminated. I spotted the short hall of green marble before me, which led to the bronze entry doors. I examined the high ceiling, now able to discern all the intricate details within the great dome. I turned and saw the same line of white marble statues, their menacing stares from the shadows replaced by elegance and life-like craftsmanship. I was seeing the world of Capribo with renewed eyes.

  Halfway between the two lifts stood the entry to the throne room, the bronze doors ajar. Two guards stood from their cushioned chairs as we approached. Sarmia uttered a few words to them and we proceeded into the sister chamber alone.

  The awe of the throne room was in no way diminished by my knowledge of the island’s many wonders. The dance of simplicity and intricacy was just as beautiful the second time around. Sarmia and I were completely alone, and I was free to explore to my heart’s desire. Unlike the day before, the room was now filled with many other chairs. They faced each other and each row stood on a higher platform than the one before it, like those of a theater with a central stage. The platforms appeared to have risen directly from the floor because the blue stone continued across their flat tops. A wide aisle leading to the throne broke the center of this mirrored arrangement.

  “Why are all these chairs here?” I asked.

  “High court was held this morning,” Sarmia informed me. “The judges of the island sit here.”

  “I see, and what about the King?”

  “He directs the proceedings from the dais.”

  “So he is not the supreme judge of the land?” I asked, walking the perimeter of the chamber. I touched the silver accents at the base of the Corinthian columns. The stone appeared to be chiseled with a needle, so perfect were the carvings.

  “The position has greatly evolved over the centuries," Sarmia expounded. "His role in court is ‘Speaker and Organizer of the Chamber of Capribo.' He plays many such roles, but in modern times, he is equally seen as a representative of Capribian values and a figurehead of morality.”

  “Then the King does not rule with absolute authority?” my voice echoed in the cavernous space.

  “Oh no,” Sarmia countered. “The monarchs must follow the same laws as everyone else. Officially, Eireas leads our government by coordinating hearings and monitoring the Chamber’s deliberations. But his legal vote is worth only twelve percent of the total.”

  “And how many votes are there?” I asked.

  “In Capribo, there are fifty votes. One from each of the forty-four judges, and six from the crown. All major decisions are passed right here under this system.”

  “Fascinating,” I admitted. “And how are the judges chosen?”

  “They are elected, just as the King. Eleven judges from each of the four states.”

  “King Eireas is elected?!” my voice cracked with disbelief.

  “Oh yes,” Sarmia boasted. “Does your world still have hereditary monarchies? We discarded the system long ago.”

  “But Eireas is so young!” I observed.

  “He is twenty-eight,” the Etia confirmed proudly. “But yes, he is the youngest elected monarch in nearly three hundred years.”

  I pondered the information as I approached one of the massive glass ribbons embedded in the stone wall. My finger followed the line where the two elements met. Sarmia walked up to the throne and entered a command into one of the hidden electric squares in the armrest. The great glass panel before me began to rise with a grind. A salty sea breeze entered the chamber as the window rose, leaving an eight-foot gap before finally ceasing its ascent.

  “Today is too wonderful to stay indoors,” Sarmia beamed. “Let us stroll through the gardens.”

  I followed her onto the lawn and we walked amongst the trees. I heard the grinding of the panel sliding shut, but I had completely forgotten that its transparency was lost from the exterior. I watched what appeared to be a slice of gleaming silver metal slide back into place at the tower’s base.

  “Incredible” I breathed.

  Sarmia’s eyes twinkled as she watched me. “It is amazing to witness someone so taken with our world,” she professed. “You show me just how much is taken for granted in our daily lives, and for that I thank you.”

  “A few days ago, I was merely a man on his way home,” I declared. “I had spent a great deal of my life traveling the world and reading its history, but not once did I stop to examine its true nature. In a few days’ time, you have given me more to think about than I can possibly express. For that, Sarmia, I thank you.”

  The young woman practically glowed.

  We walked deeper into the foliage and I spotted countless flowers, statues, and benches ahead. The majority of the flat plain between the tower and the sea appeared to be a garden. I had many other questions for the advisor. To her credit, Sarmia responded with enthusiasm and encouragement in every instance. We picked fruit from the trees for sustenance as I learned more about the structure of Capribian politics, the layout of the land, and even how the Tower of Marble came upon its name.

  “It was not originally covered in the silver skin,” the Etia informed me as we sat down on a bench nestled within a cluster of rhododendrons. “The exterior appeared as glass and marble until the metallic accent was added for the Tower’s one-hundredth anniversary. But it retained its original name. It is the tallest capital building in the world.”

  “How many capital buildings are there?” I asked before biting into a delicious apricot which I had picked during our walk.

  “The Royal Republic of Capribo is only one state within our nation,” she explained. “There are fifteen in all, each with a capital city. But there is a capital for the entire nation as well. In fact, King Eireas is traveling there in two days’ time.”

  “And what is the nation’s capital?”

  “Alexandria.”

  I nearly choked on my apricot. “But that is where my companions and I departed from just days ago!” I exclaimed. “Would we be permitted to join the King on this journey?"

  “I will speak with him this evening, but I don’t see why he should decline. May I ask why?"

  "Some of my companions are not as open to the ideas which you shared last night," I explained. "There is no substitute for seeing what they can't deny."

  Sarmia nodded.

  She esco
rted me back to the apartment and I was quick to relay the information. To my surprise, my companions were all eager to see Alexandria again. Though I suspected the majority believed the information we were given would be disproved by the journey.

  The Capribian attendants once again provided us with a meal for dinner. Rémy was still out of the apartment so we ate without him. Ella sat opposite me at the table. She was rather quiet though I caught her looking in my direction on several occasions. Her grandmother and the others talked amongst themselves of European politics as if they were back home and all was as it had always been.

  “How was your time with the advisor?” Ella finally asked me quietly.

  “Wonderful, thank you,” I said. “There is so much to learn of this world and I hardly know which direction to turn to next.”

  “I am sure you learned a lot. She appears to be a well-educated woman… and you were gone for quite some time,” she looked down at her plate and took a small bite of broiled duck. I saw flushness in her cheeks and my heart began to beat faster.

  “Ella,” I whispered, “The advisor is an interesting woman to be sure, but she is not the one I would have preferred to spend time with this afternoon.”

  Her bright green eyes gazed up at me and the heat in her cheeks increased twofold.

  “Forgive me,” she whispered, so quietly I could scarcely make out the words. “I have absolutely no right to be jealous.”

  “To be honest,” I informed her, “I would have probably reacted similarly had you spent the afternoon with the King.”

  The words brought a small smile to her face and I grinned foolishly for the remainder of the evening.

  We retired to the bedrooms afterward and I lay on my mattress, journal in hand, scrawling down the details of my afternoon. I did not realize how late it had gotten until Rémy broke the silence when he entered the room.

  “Oh, I didn’t expect anyone to be awake,” he said.

  I chuckled. “I have been so busy writing that I completely lost track of time.”

  “Writing what?” he asked, undressing for bed.

  “I began recounting our journey out of Alexandria,” I revealed. “I originally fancied it would be published as an introduction to Capribo, but now I suppose it’s more for my entertainment.”

  “Writing is a wonderful pursuit,” Rémy encouraged. “I would like to read it sometime, if you allow it.”

  “Certainly!” I agreed. “How were your Capribian lessons?”

  “They went very well, thank you,” he smiled as he got into bed. “Although I learned that the language isn’t even called Capribian, but Anuprian.”

  “Why is that?”

  “It was my first day, so I don't know if I understood correctly. But judging by the maps they showed me, it appears the Mediterranean region used to be known as Anupria, and the language developed during that time. I believe all the Royal Republics use it.”

  “We must swap our newfound knowledge tomorrow,” I proposed. “I would love to hear more of what you learned.”

  “Gladly,” he agreed, “though I am meeting with Eireas again tomorrow.”

  I paused. “The King was your tutor?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Yes, I was very surprised when the assistant took me to see him this morning. But he was a prodigious instructor, and he even started to create a dictionary for me.”

  “How did he manage that?”

  “When he showed me an image, I spoke it aloud in French and the wall screen then paired it with a recording in Anuprian, both of which I could recall later. I had such a wonderful time and he told me that I am a quick learner.”

  “That is delightful news! I hope he can do the same for me sometime.”

  Rémy nodded. “Well, goodnight Phillip. We will talk in the morning.”

  “Goodnight. I will turn the light off shortly.”

  “It does not bother me,” he said softly. “You can continue writing if you wish.”

  I jotted a few more lines down and stood to place the journal with my other books when I spotted a volume of red leather which I did not recognize in the stack. I quietly pulled it out and opened the front cover. The interior was stamped with an intricate seal. Property of the Pearson Estate Library. One of Ella or Lady Pearson’s books must have gotten mixed up with my own during its transition.

  I flipped the page to see which book it was when a small sliver of yellow paper fluttered out onto the floor. I picked it up. Most of the document was torn away, but it held the distinctive layout of a legal notice. The writing was badly degraded but I held the paper up to the light. The fragment didn’t tell me much, but I saw that it was a court summons.

  The accusation: Embezzlement of estate funds.

  CHAPTER TEN

  R émy and I awoke long after the sunrise horn had blown its rousing call. We were surprised to find the apartment empty. I spotted a note in hastily scribbled French atop a side table in the lounge:

  Rémy, the advisor offered to take us to the gardens for luncheon. It did not seem right to wake you, but please join us later if you wish.

  – Uncle Lucas

  We took a seat at the dining table. Breakfast had long since gotten cold, but I ate a handful of nuts, berries, and cheese.

  “Will you join the others in the gardens?” Rémy asked between mouthfuls.

  “Yes, will you?”

  “I can’t. I am meeting King Eireas for Anuprian lessons again.”

  “Oh yes,” I recalled. “I forgot to mention. I learned that he will be traveling to Alexandria tomorrow. I requested that we accompany him.”

  “What a splendid idea,” Rémy beamed, his blue eyes sparkling. “The others can finally put their doubts to rest.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” I concurred. “So... can I assume that you believe everything we've been told?”

  Rémy sighed. "No, I don't. Not yet. But in all honesty, I very much want to.” He appeared embarrassed at the admission. His eyes were cast down and he picked at his food.

  “I know what you mean,” I said comfortingly. “I don’t understand it and I’d be lying if I said I had no guilt in it. I find my thoughts drifting to my family from time to time and it saddens me that I did not write them a final letter. They didn't even know I would be traveling out of Africa yet. My disappearance will remain a mystery."

  All our fates would be a mystery, I realized as we took a few silent bites of food.

  "But all the while," I continued, "I must consider myself lucky. I saw them only every few years and our situation would be much more painful had I been closer to them. And despite these thoughts, there is something powerful about this place which calls to me. I was rather nervous when we first landed here, but the more I learn of this island, the more I find myself succumbing to its charms."

  “Yes!” Rémy agreed. “That is exactly how I feel. I am glad to hear you say it. Although I suppose it’s natural for you. Exploring is what you chose to do with your life, after all.”

  I chuckled. “It is really not as glamorous as one may think. I read dusty old manuscripts and try to translate ancient carvings. This…” I acknowledged our surroundings, “is beyond even my imagination. A living civilization unbeknownst to all on our world.”

  “You would enjoy the study of their language,” said Rémy. “I am no linguist, but even I revel in finding parallels between our words and theirs.”

  “I am sure I would,” I mused. “I have a lot of time on my hands now.”

  We finished breakfast and took turns bathing. Despite the trunks in our room, Rémy and I again decided to adopt local dress. Our clothes appeared stuffy and monotonous beside the cheerful colors of Capribo. I felt more in tune with the spirit of the island when I donned one of their tunics. It was an enjoyable experience, partaking in the local custom. It also helped that the local attire was far more comfortable and better-suited to the climate. It was only our fourth day on the island, but already I was captivated by its spirit.

  My young
friend and I departed the apartment together. There was a sentry sitting outside our doors, who stood when we emerged. I was surprised, and a little jealous, when Rémy began speaking to her in Anuprian.

  “Agiméra,” he stated proudly. The sentry smiled and returned the greeting.

  “On váde… sti kípens,” he expressed slowly, trying to find the words, acknowledging me.

  The guard nodded. “Et von?” she asked.

  “Sti Vasilus,” Rémy answered.

  The sentry laughed. “Se Vasilus,” she corrected good naturedly and Rémy nodded with a smile.

  She activated the lift and motioned for us to step inside. We were elevated to a high floor of the tower, where Rémy departed for his lessons, before the guard escorted me out to the gardens. We emerged from a side door onto a courtyard of the now-familiar thelísta stones and walked toward the sea. A few locals were going about their daily business when they stopped to look at me.

  “Phillip!” they called excitedly, waving their hands in my direction. How they knew my name, much less recognized me in their clothing, I did not know. Even so, I waved back politely. I spotted my companions seated in the middle of a grassy field up ahead. The large cypresses opened up to a vista of the sea in the distance. It was a breathtaking day.

  “Ah, Mr. Laurence,” Lady Pearson acknowledged me.

  Ella looked up and our eyes locked briefly. I had almost forgotten the court summons that I had discovered the night before.

  Sarmia thanked the sentry and bid me to join them. I settled onto an empty cushion and greeted the group.

  “Did you see Rémy?” Travert asked.

  “Yes, but he was not able to join us. He is continuing his language studies. How was your time in the gardens?”

  “Very pleasant, except for my knees,” Lady Pearson admitted. “As a matter of fact, we’ve only just sat down. The advisor took us on a long stroll around the fountains and statues.”

  “That sounds wonderful."

  “There is more,” Ella chimed in. “She told us that we are to get the finest medical treatment this afternoon.”