Prologue
1732
The Village of Sine
The old pirate sat on a single weathered chair against an oak square dining table. The fire was roaring with magnificent flames bellowing smoke up the cottage chimney. His head was in his hands while he thought about the events of the last two days. The death of his wife only yesterday, and the burial today.
He thought about his children, who were currently upstairs lying in bed. He thought about all the events that led up to this point and knowing that things were about to change, forever.
He knew that yesterday would come. Not only because of the months of suffering his wife had to endure with the fever, but because of that morning when he was told it would happen.
Marc Williams had never really imagined the pain he would feel. He did not even really think this day would come, although if he searched in his heart now, he had to believe.
He was sat there thinking about his children, knowing that he should spend time with them, comfort them, know them more before they are also taken away from him at some point in the future. But he could not face them. This battle-scarred man was scared of the future and scared to face his children.
Suddenly, from behind his left shoulder a powerful voice said “It's time…”
Marc jumped up quickly, knocking over his chair and while doing so, adding another dent into the table. His heart raced.
Stood before him was a tall man who wore no armour, no crown and no boots. Only black clothing that clung tightly to his powerful frame. The old man looked at his young looking face and into his bright green eyes. Then, beyond his long blond hair he could see that the cottage doors were still locked closed. “How did you get in?” Marc questioned more sternly than he had expected.
“Is that how you are supposed to greet me?” the mysterious man replied in a commanding voice that did not need to be raised.
Marc bowed his head. “I am sorry, my lord.”
Lord Tribworth gazed at the old man. “You are nothing today compared to your pirate years.” He stated with a smile. “Has our agreement worn you further?”
Marc looked up into the lord's face with anger. “I buried my wife today. My children are upstairs, hopefully resting after their sudden grief, and you come here today talking about our agreement?”
“Be careful you do not forget who you are talking to?” Lord Tribworth stated without any anger. “It is you that agreed to the penalty for me saving this pitiful world.” He sighed for a moment thoughtfully. “If you do not want to fulfil our bargain, then I can happily end it now?”
“No, my lord. I am sorry. But, why today? I am still in grief and so are my children.”
“Exactly,” Lord Tribworth replied. “I could not think of a better time.”
Marc sighed. “I am not ready.”
“Well,” the lord started. “I don't care how ready you are. The fate of Scardungeon is in your hands. It is up to you. Now, or never.”
Marc Williams turned his back. He walked over to the large gold oval mirror sitting on the wall next to the table. He stared at his old face. He thought about his wife, trying to picture her one more time. He thought about his children. He thought about that morning where he agreed to give up everything, so he could save a world that he had caused so much upset in. He wondered how he would have done things differently. Why must he shoulder all the blame and carry this burden.
“What is going on?” squawked a voice from halfway down the stairs.
“Ah,” Lord Tribworth exclaimed. “Your house parrot has arrived just in time. This impacts her as well?” He turned towards the parrot. “Come and join us, please.”
“This has nothing to do with her,” Marc stated.
“Don't worry, sir. I know how this is. I will do whatever you ask of me.” She said to Marc before turning towards the mysterious man in their cottage. “My lord,” she bowed her head. “I am at your service.” She then walked past him and hopped onto the dining room table and stood next to the old man.
“Marc,” the lord commanded. “Come and sit down and let's begin.”
Marc solemnly pulled out his chair and sat at the table. His loyal parrot stood next to him on the table. They looked at the lord and waited what felt like ages for him to speak. Lord Tribworth did not move.
“We made an agreement on the shores of Dorset, Captain Marc. Do you remember?” Lord Tribworth eventually said.
“Yes,” Marc spoke, in shock of being called Captain Marc once again. This is something he had not heard for a long time and wondered why he was called it again. “I have never forgotten about that morning. It was my request to save Scardungeon from the mistakes we have made and the long pirate wars. This is my burden to hold.”
“So you say,” the lord replied. “But let me remind you of your commitment.”
The parrot looked at the old pirate captain who had aged even more in the last few minutes. She was unaware of what was to come. She then looked back towards Lord Tribworth.
“I met with Farsconther, the Lord of Parrots, as I promised and I stopped the wars and destruction that you humans had caused. I have saved Scardungeon.” Lord Tribworth bellowed proudly.
The house parrot gasped at the name “Farsconther” being used. She had heard of the Lord of the Parrots but had never seen him before. She was in awe at his name being used in her presence. She uncontrollably bowed when his name was mentioned.
Lord Tribworth continued. “Your promise to me was the life of your wife…”
“You killed your wife?” the parrot yelled in a shocked way towards the old man.
“I had to let her go,” Marc stated solemnly. “I had no choice.”
Lord Tribworth's stare hardened. “SILENCE.” The word cracked through the cottage. Flames burst higher into the chimney from the fire as if they had just been fed.
The old pirate immediately lowered his head again. “I am sorry.” The parrot also lowered her head and listened on.
“Death will come for you,” the lord said more calmly and with a smile. “You will meet your enemies again in the afterworld of Klindesdale. If you are lucky, you will meet your wife again.”
“Yes, my lord, that is what I agreed.”
“Tonight, I command your house parrot to take your children.”
“No!” Marc bellowed angrily. “We have just buried their mother.”
The Lord leaned into Marc's face. “If you interrupt me one more time, then our deal is off,” he said, standing back up. “Everything will end.”
Marc swallowed hard. The parrot said nothing, just stared in disbelief. How can she be drawn into this bargain that her master has agreed to? But, she felt, she had been loyal to him and looked after his children for years. She will do anything to protect them.
“She will take them,” he continued looking at the parrot, but speaking as if she was not there, “across the Flatlands of Klindersfell to the Temple of Gygle. There, they will be banished to Earth.”
The parrot had never heard of this place called Earth before, but she knew that now was not the time to ask any more questions.
“OK, my lord,” Marc replied. “Will they be safe on Earth?”
“This is up to them to figure out,” the lord stated almost with a laugh. “The future of Earth and Scardungeon rests solely on your family and your family alone. This becomes their burden.”
“And what of me, sir?” Marc asked.
Lord Tribworth lifted his left hand. He was holding an old weathered dark yellow leather parchment that was neatly folded. “I am pleased you asked.” He handed the parchment to Marc. He took it but did not open it. “This is the map for your last ever voyage.” He held it there for effect, before continuing. “One stone must be placed at the Temple of Wardock. One at the Temple of Gygle. The final stone at the Temple of the Parrot Lords.”
“I know the quest my lord, but I do not know their location, and I do not know what stones need to be placed?” Marc asked.
“This map will show you the way. Your voyage will be dangerous. But, if you fail, our bargain will end and Scardungeon and the future earth will end too.”
Marc took the map and placed it on the table.
“Now, tonight you let your children go. Tomorrow, you start your final quest.” Lord Tribworth then turned and walked slowly towards the cottage doors. As he reached them, he stopped and turned. “When you make bargains with me, and agreements with Farsconther, nothing breaks them. Nothing.” With that, he turned towards the door and silently just disappeared. There was no sound, not a waft of smoke, just gone.
There was silence in the cottage.
Eventually, Marc turned to his parrot. “I am sorry to put this on you. Please can you do as Lord Tribworth has asked and take the children. They should be safe on earth.”
“It looks like I have no choice,” she replied in a scathing way.
“I have one more request?” Marc asked.
The parrot looked at him. She had worked with him for many years. She had seen the bad that he has done and been with him as he tried to change his life, help other people and stop the fighting in the wars. He chose the life to be with him, his wife and his wonderful children. But now, she wondered if she had made the right choices that have now led to her being here. “OK sir. What is it?”
“Parrots have better magic than humans. I wonder. Will you go with them to this new place called Earth? Will you watch them and their children? I have been told that they have a burden and every 150 years they will be expected to carry this burden and keep Scardungeon alive.”
“Are you asking me to take myself away from my home, my life, for you and your children?”
Marc sat there with his parrot friend at his dining room table. This was the day they had buried his beloved wife, because of his choice. Tonight he will say a last goodbye to his children, because of his choices. He had relied upon his friend that had been with his side through all adventures, good and bad, through every decision he has made, and now was putting this on her one more time. His eyes filled with tears. “I am sorry. This is for the life of everyone in Scardungeon. And I am scared for them.”
“No.” she replied. She suddenly started flapping her wings and gave out a massive squawk. With that, she laid a bright purple / green egg. “Crack that egg,” she demanded.
Marc was confused. But he lifted the egg and gave it a sharp tap on the side of the table. The egg cracked in half and Marc pulled out a small stone that had a thin string around it.
“What is this?” Marc asked.
“This is me doing more than keeping one promise,” she stated. “I will take your children and do as I have been asked. I will go to earth and look after them. I will be there to help your future generations.”
“Thank you,” Marc replied.
“But this stone is for your daughter. She will be needed here as well as earth.” The parrot walked closer to Marc. “This is a time stone that will be worn around your daughter's neck. She will live in both places.”
“But how?” Marc asked.
“That is not your concern. That is between me and the parrot lords.” The bird explained. “You go now and say your goodbyes. Give your daughter the stone and I will do the rest. When you are ready, I will take Edward and Gweneth. I will explain to Gweneth over the next few years how to use the stone and live in Scardungeon and Earth. I will protect your future generations on Earth.”
Marc looked at his parrot friend and stroked her from the top of her head to her tail feathers. “Thank you, Cantrice. I owe you so much.”