My entry for Resurrection Fic: Round Two: So Old They Are New! Based upon this idea.
Merlin's Belt: A tale of magical creatures, pirates and adventure
The gull crowed loudly as it flew lazy circles around the foremast, black tipped wings stark against the blue sky. Luna Lovegood looked at it closely but only counted two legs. Not a styx-gull then. Her father had warned her to be on the lookout but so far there'd been no sign.
Below her the ship rolled, wooden deck undulating like the chest of some great beast. Further out, the sea waves beat against the hull and the sky stretched to the horizon. The wind was strong but not storm-like. It made for good speed and an equally good day on deck.
She breathed in deep, taking in the salt air. It tasted strange. While she had sailed before, she'd never sailed quite like this. Merlin's Belt was almost another world.
"Won't be long now, mademoiselle," said Couture. "We'll reach the Phoenix Isles by sundown." He pointed at the bird. "She won't go far from land."
"I shall be glad," said Luna. "Not that you don't keep a lovely ship, Couture, but I am anxious to be about my purpose."
Her journey had begun a month ago in England. She'd taken flight from Heathrow to Quito, Ecuador. The flying muggle contraption was very strange but fast too. It had whipped her across the world in hours, so quickly, in fact, she barely wrote the postcard per thousand miles she'd promised her father.
She touched down, legs only slightly shaken, and made her way towards the Pacific coast a by muggle trains, taxis and finally witch legs. As an accomplished naturalist she was use to walking but the intense humidity leeched vitality from her limbs. It also steamed up her glasses, making parts of her journey far more perilous than they needed be.
The wizarding port of Choqutambo lay on the Ecuadorian coast, perfectly positioned on the equator. It wasn't hidden by spells like most wizarding settlements. Merlin's Belt provided all the protection it needed.
Luna arrived at the city's customs entry point. Incan statues looked down from the walls of the low river valley. Their blank faces hid much but Luna wasn't fooled. She could feel the boundary, a pressure against her skin. She raised her wand, muttered the correct spell and entered another world.
Choqutambo shot into the clouds, growing from nothing in an instant. Stepped pyramids of stone warred for space with pyramids of glass and metal. Wizards from Europe rubbed shoulders and wands with Incas in traditional dress. Chinese witches rode by in palanquins carried by uniformed trolls. Hardnosed American warlocks glared at anyone who came too close and fingered their wands.
Magical.
She turned and drunk in the exotic sights. Her white cotton dress clung against her legs, but even that seemed better now. A breeze came off the sea. Merlin's Belt expanded space and warped meteorology.
The custom's guard said something in Quechua.
Luna shook her head. "English?"
He nodded and pointed to a different guard.
Customs passed smoothly and without a hitch. Luna produced her passports – magical and muggle – and had them properly stamped. She promised she wasn't smuggling magical creatures (As if she would! Well, maybe for a Snorkack.), signed the appropriate forms and was on her way.
A strange alien vitality infused every block, plane and stone of Choqutambo. It was unique and so very different from stuffy Ministry London. People here probably wouldn't laugh at her perfectly reasonable magizoological research. Oh Harry, Ron, Hermione and Nevil might try and pretend otherwise but she could see the doubt in their eyes.
Sellers cried out from roadside stalls, hawking everything from food, to clothes, to magical beasts. The wide eyes of the salamander dog almost broke her heart, but she resisted. She had an important mission and time wasn't to be wasted.
She made her way to the dock and compared the ships there to her itinerary. They were large vessels, made of wood, pitch, rope and sail. Most looked to be wind powered but oars stuck from some hulls and stranger things (like gigantic paddlewheels) rose from others. Here, in Merlin's Belt, even simple muggle technology failed. The eclectic nature of magic served where the muggle could not.
Her ship was smaller than most but otherwise normal. Two sails rose from the deck, trapped in a network of ropes as if beset by acromantulas. Sailor scurried about, wands sparking as they readied ropes, scrubbed the deck and otherwise prepared the ship.
"Is this the Spotted Jackalope!" she cried.
A swarthy man leaned over the edge, an officer in a well cut uniform. "Aha!" he said in a thick French accent. "You must be Mademoiselle Lovegood. My name is Estienne Couture, third mate of the Spotted Jackalope. Come aboard. We sail soon."
In truth, they sailed that evening, and as a well-paying customer, Captain Stetson invited Luna to dine with his officers.
Six people crowded round the Captain's small table, three men and three women including Luna. They made small talk as the meal was served.
"Cut my ship legs sailing the Mississippi, I did," said Captain Stetson as he poured the wine. "And never looked back since." The wind poured, he settled back in his seat at the head of the table. "With my mom in the Magical Congress and dad in the shrimp business it was natural enough. Did my time as a hand, then officer, then bought the Jackalope here. Sailed her down the coast ten years past and worked the Belt ever since."
Luna nodded her head. She'd put on her best for the dinner and her radish earrings swayed.
"Is this your first time on Merlin's Belt, Miss Lovegood?" asked Rebeca Whisp, a too stiff English woman who served as first mate.
"Yes," said Luna. "It's seems very interesting so far."
"A firsty!" bellowed Captain Stetson. "Always a pleasure. Well, don't go worrying. It's all perfectly natural. Safe as houses. Well, not my late great aunt's house, but tornados happen in Kansas."
"You see," said Couture taking her hand and drawing on the back. "The Earth is a magical place. That magic flows up from the poles and grounds out here, at the equator. The magic expands space, more over the ocean and less over land. We call it Merlin's Belt. Lots of little islands, with not a muggle in sight. Only way in is with magic and the right spells."
Luna withdrew her hand and smiled. "I know all about Merlin's Belt, thank you. Hogwarts teaches us many things."
"Hogwarts!" said Captain Stetson. "There's a name I've heard before. Fanciest magic school of all those fancy magical schools you have across in the old world, or so I heard. Bet you have a story to tell or two."
Luna indeed did have stories to tell and the meal passed in pleasant company.
Luna had bought passage to the Phoenix Isles but the ship had its own business too. They jumped from island to island on a generally westward course - picking up supplies, buying and selling cargo, taking the air and making small repairs.
Some of the islands were truly spectacular. They spent an entire evening at French Lointain. Upside down floating mountains hung over the island and vines trailed from them. Luna even got to hold one of the monkeys which lived in the vines. It had golden fur and eyes which sparkled like gem chips.
They sailed on, passed archipelagos controlled by Ministries the world over. Two weeks out from Choqutambo they passed Ao – the great island turtle from which flew the flag of China. It raised its great head as they passed, black eyes as big as ships. Luna almost cancelled her entire trip right then to study the incredible creature.
Later that day Couture pointed to a shattered mast of stone which rose from the green-blue waters. "That's Golden Wand's lament. The Ministries caught his fleet here and the magic the fight unleashed shattered the island. That's all that's left."
"Golden Wand?" asked Luna. She'd never heard the name.
"Why, the worse pirate of the Pacific Belt in the last fifty years. Sea's been a lot safer since they sunk his ship."
"Are there a lot of pirates?"
"Some, some," said Couture and slinked closer. "Worst is probably de Sores. But, well, the stories you tell, there's not much you couldn't handle." He stepped closer again and Luna gave him a no nonsense look to do Ginny proud. He sidled away.
Brooding storm clouds gathered by day's end. "Passengers below decks," said Rebeca Whisp. She had her wand in one hand and a spy glass in the other, study the clouds.
Luna went and was soon glad she did. The storm hit the ship like a hammer, again and again. She soon plastered her tiny cabin with cushioning charms for her own safety and even so, had more than a few bruises come morning.
The sea sat like a giant mirror when she emerged. No wind stirred the air and the sails hung listless. The Spotted Jackalope lay hunkered in the water, like a Persian Kneazle gouged on food and asleep before a fire.
"Deadman's sea," muttered one of the crew – a goblin wearing seaman's greys.
"None of that talk," said Whisp, voice like a whip.
"What's deadman's sea," said Luna in a whisper to Couture.
He bent low and replied, "The sailors, they say when the seas like this, well, there are things which will prey on ships which can't move."
A ripple spread slowly over the sea, a hundred meters to port. A murmur rose among the crew, passing from being to being like a deadly disease. Goblins shifted to bring charmed knives to hand. Wizards fidgeted with wands. A dukuwaqa partially transformed, sharks teeth ready to bight. Other stranger beings moved to ready their own weapons.
"Perhaps you should go below," said Couture, shifting nervously. "I don't think-"
The sea erupted.
Luna staggered back, the deck shaking under her feat. The sea serpent rose above them. Grey rotting flesh hung from its horse-like cheeks and corpse flames burnt in its eyes. Not a sea serpent, Luna realised. Sea serpents were peaceful gentle creatures. This was an inferi, or something close, an undead monster born of dark magic. It let out a hissing cry and a noxious black miasma rolled out. It moved without wind, clawing with gaseous fingers for throats and noses. A goblin fell choking. A wizard raised his wand, but the miasma took him too.
Skeletal figures moved in the serpent's mouth – human bones animated by green fire that dripped and moved like burning oil.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Luna drew her wand from behind her ear and cried the charm with all her might, mind focused on the love of her friends and family. White mist billowed from the tip, then snapped into shape. A hare born of silver light flew straight at the miasma. Black met white and Luna's charm won. The miasma broke and scattered, drifting dregs dissolving under the corporeal patronus' power.
The crew recovered, hands going for weapons and wands. The skeletons had the same idea. They leapt for the deck, fleshless bodies animated with dark potency. Some carried swords, which ran with liquid flame. Others made do with sharpened fingers and teeth. They struck the still disorder crew like a wave and swept all but the most redoubt away.
"Get behind me," said Couture, wand out.
Luna ignored him. She strode forward, oak wand singing in her hand. She'd trained for months in the D.A. and the fight against Voldemort had only sharpened her skills.
A banishing charm caught the nearest skeleton, just before it brought down its cutlass. It flew back into the sea. A second leapt for her, but she spun her wand and a shielding charm blocked its attack. A Dancing Jinx sent it skittering uncontrolled across the deck.
More crew arrived to help, boiling up from hatches and out of doors. Wands flashed and skeletons vanished.
Captain Stetson appeared, dishevelled but a fury all the same. His wand boomed and a group of skeletons exploded. He re-aimed and knocked a meter wide chunk from the sea serpent's remaining flesh.
"Not on my ship you don't," he roared. He fired again, and the serpent retreated, crying out in pain.
Whisp threw a skeleton over board with a flick of a flame whip. Couture dissolved three into mud with a tricky transfiguration. A trio of goblins jumped a hulking skeleton, almost half a giant, and rent it apart with glowing knives. The dukuwaqa grabbed a smaller skeleton in its jaws and shook until the fire went out.
Under the combined might of the crew the skeletons fell back, at first slowly, but then faster. In the last desperate seconds they threw themselves into the water, still chased by stinging curses and the crew's jeers.
"Pirates," spat Captain Stetson and sent a sizzling red curse into the water. "Some don't stop even when dead."
The wind eventually returned and the ship sailed on. The ship's medi-wizard tended to the wounded but some noxious quality to the wounds resisted healing. Even with magic, half a dozen crewmembers were laid up for almost a week.
They stopped at the floating island of Ceiba, to take on supplies and pick up medical potions, and Luna took the opportunity to go ashore to stretch her legs. Ceiba was an immense horizontal tree, its roots trailing in the salty water of the Pacific Belt, its broad vibrant leaves rising into the air. How it could live, Luna had no idea, but live it did.
The leaves soothed her as she wandered through the small town which sat among the branches. Brightly coloured birds sang all around and strange black squirrels scurried up and down the trunks. Surrounded by nature she could almost forget about the pirates.
Once supplies were loaded, they set off. Luna stood at the front of the ship, staring out. Islands came, went and disappeared. The crew went about their many tasks. She slept and ate many times. At last the Phoenix Isles appeared on the horizon.
The Phoenix Isles were a tight group of volcanic islands. Trees so bright they seemed almost emerald covered the slopes and small boats move busily between a number of tiny villages.
The Spotted Jackalope glided into place beside a long wooden pier. Crew wizards raised wands and ropes jumped over the railing and tied themselves in place.
"Well," said Captain Stetson. "This is it. You fight well. Ever get tired of bird watching your welcome on my ship. Can always use a good wand, even if you're a slip of a thing."
"Thank you," said Luna, eyes wide behind her glasses. "I won't say I've enjoyed our entire voyage but I enjoyed parts of it."
"Good to here," he said and stumped away.
"A kiss to seal our sorrowful parting?" said Couture with a hopeful expression.
"I don't think so, no," said Luna, shouldered her bag and left the ship. The crew laughed in a wave.
Phoenix Major was the largest island in the Phoenix Isles and the only one able to dock a ship of the Spotted Jackalope's size. Luna wandered into town, looking around. The buildings were undeniably British in character, built of stone with white washed walls.
She'd need to find somewhere to sleep for her stay.
"Ms Lovegood!"
She turned. A tall, gangly man hurried towards her. He had plane brown hair and a prominent equine nose. He panted as he came to a stop. "Ms Lovegood?"
"Yes?" she said and cocked her head. Her silver loop earrings jangled.
"The Governor Magical sends his warmest regards and says I'm at your service for the duration of your stay."
"Governor Magical?"
"Yes. We got your letter."
"My letter?"
He mopped his brow. "Yes, well perhaps not yours but someone's. You have friends in the Ministry, Ms Lovegood, and out here that counts for a lot. I've been instructed to lend you all reasonable aid."
Luna smiled. This was certainly handy. She'd need to thank whichever of her friends arranged this when she got back. "You can take my bag," she said, handing it over, "and find me somewhere to sleep." She strode into the town.
"The Governor will be pleased to host you in his villa," he said, hurrying to keep up.
"That's sounds splendid. Has it started yet?"
"It?" He sounded thoroughly puzzled.
"The phoenix mating season, of course. Why I'm here."
"Two days' time."
"Good, good," said Luna. "I'd have hated to fight pirates and miss the mating season."
"Pirates!" he said, sounding more than slightly panicked.
"Oh yes," said Luna, "but we dealt with them. What did you say your name was?"
"Rolf Scamander."
"I like that name," said Luna after a moment's thought. "Names starting with R repel nargles. Not as well as L, of course. Come, we have a lot of work to do."
He came.
Merlin's Belt: A tale of magical creatures, pirates and adventure
The gull crowed loudly as it flew lazy circles around the foremast, black tipped wings stark against the blue sky. Luna Lovegood looked at it closely but only counted two legs. Not a styx-gull then. Her father had warned her to be on the lookout but so far there'd been no sign.
Below her the ship rolled, wooden deck undulating like the chest of some great beast. Further out, the sea waves beat against the hull and the sky stretched to the horizon. The wind was strong but not storm-like. It made for good speed and an equally good day on deck.
She breathed in deep, taking in the salt air. It tasted strange. While she had sailed before, she'd never sailed quite like this. Merlin's Belt was almost another world.
"Won't be long now, mademoiselle," said Couture. "We'll reach the Phoenix Isles by sundown." He pointed at the bird. "She won't go far from land."
"I shall be glad," said Luna. "Not that you don't keep a lovely ship, Couture, but I am anxious to be about my purpose."
Her journey had begun a month ago in England. She'd taken flight from Heathrow to Quito, Ecuador. The flying muggle contraption was very strange but fast too. It had whipped her across the world in hours, so quickly, in fact, she barely wrote the postcard per thousand miles she'd promised her father.
She touched down, legs only slightly shaken, and made her way towards the Pacific coast a by muggle trains, taxis and finally witch legs. As an accomplished naturalist she was use to walking but the intense humidity leeched vitality from her limbs. It also steamed up her glasses, making parts of her journey far more perilous than they needed be.
The wizarding port of Choqutambo lay on the Ecuadorian coast, perfectly positioned on the equator. It wasn't hidden by spells like most wizarding settlements. Merlin's Belt provided all the protection it needed.
Luna arrived at the city's customs entry point. Incan statues looked down from the walls of the low river valley. Their blank faces hid much but Luna wasn't fooled. She could feel the boundary, a pressure against her skin. She raised her wand, muttered the correct spell and entered another world.
Choqutambo shot into the clouds, growing from nothing in an instant. Stepped pyramids of stone warred for space with pyramids of glass and metal. Wizards from Europe rubbed shoulders and wands with Incas in traditional dress. Chinese witches rode by in palanquins carried by uniformed trolls. Hardnosed American warlocks glared at anyone who came too close and fingered their wands.
Magical.
She turned and drunk in the exotic sights. Her white cotton dress clung against her legs, but even that seemed better now. A breeze came off the sea. Merlin's Belt expanded space and warped meteorology.
The custom's guard said something in Quechua.
Luna shook her head. "English?"
He nodded and pointed to a different guard.
Customs passed smoothly and without a hitch. Luna produced her passports – magical and muggle – and had them properly stamped. She promised she wasn't smuggling magical creatures (As if she would! Well, maybe for a Snorkack.), signed the appropriate forms and was on her way.
A strange alien vitality infused every block, plane and stone of Choqutambo. It was unique and so very different from stuffy Ministry London. People here probably wouldn't laugh at her perfectly reasonable magizoological research. Oh Harry, Ron, Hermione and Nevil might try and pretend otherwise but she could see the doubt in their eyes.
Sellers cried out from roadside stalls, hawking everything from food, to clothes, to magical beasts. The wide eyes of the salamander dog almost broke her heart, but she resisted. She had an important mission and time wasn't to be wasted.
She made her way to the dock and compared the ships there to her itinerary. They were large vessels, made of wood, pitch, rope and sail. Most looked to be wind powered but oars stuck from some hulls and stranger things (like gigantic paddlewheels) rose from others. Here, in Merlin's Belt, even simple muggle technology failed. The eclectic nature of magic served where the muggle could not.
Her ship was smaller than most but otherwise normal. Two sails rose from the deck, trapped in a network of ropes as if beset by acromantulas. Sailor scurried about, wands sparking as they readied ropes, scrubbed the deck and otherwise prepared the ship.
"Is this the Spotted Jackalope!" she cried.
A swarthy man leaned over the edge, an officer in a well cut uniform. "Aha!" he said in a thick French accent. "You must be Mademoiselle Lovegood. My name is Estienne Couture, third mate of the Spotted Jackalope. Come aboard. We sail soon."
In truth, they sailed that evening, and as a well-paying customer, Captain Stetson invited Luna to dine with his officers.
Six people crowded round the Captain's small table, three men and three women including Luna. They made small talk as the meal was served.
"Cut my ship legs sailing the Mississippi, I did," said Captain Stetson as he poured the wine. "And never looked back since." The wind poured, he settled back in his seat at the head of the table. "With my mom in the Magical Congress and dad in the shrimp business it was natural enough. Did my time as a hand, then officer, then bought the Jackalope here. Sailed her down the coast ten years past and worked the Belt ever since."
Luna nodded her head. She'd put on her best for the dinner and her radish earrings swayed.
"Is this your first time on Merlin's Belt, Miss Lovegood?" asked Rebeca Whisp, a too stiff English woman who served as first mate.
"Yes," said Luna. "It's seems very interesting so far."
"A firsty!" bellowed Captain Stetson. "Always a pleasure. Well, don't go worrying. It's all perfectly natural. Safe as houses. Well, not my late great aunt's house, but tornados happen in Kansas."
"You see," said Couture taking her hand and drawing on the back. "The Earth is a magical place. That magic flows up from the poles and grounds out here, at the equator. The magic expands space, more over the ocean and less over land. We call it Merlin's Belt. Lots of little islands, with not a muggle in sight. Only way in is with magic and the right spells."
Luna withdrew her hand and smiled. "I know all about Merlin's Belt, thank you. Hogwarts teaches us many things."
"Hogwarts!" said Captain Stetson. "There's a name I've heard before. Fanciest magic school of all those fancy magical schools you have across in the old world, or so I heard. Bet you have a story to tell or two."
Luna indeed did have stories to tell and the meal passed in pleasant company.
Luna had bought passage to the Phoenix Isles but the ship had its own business too. They jumped from island to island on a generally westward course - picking up supplies, buying and selling cargo, taking the air and making small repairs.
Some of the islands were truly spectacular. They spent an entire evening at French Lointain. Upside down floating mountains hung over the island and vines trailed from them. Luna even got to hold one of the monkeys which lived in the vines. It had golden fur and eyes which sparkled like gem chips.
They sailed on, passed archipelagos controlled by Ministries the world over. Two weeks out from Choqutambo they passed Ao – the great island turtle from which flew the flag of China. It raised its great head as they passed, black eyes as big as ships. Luna almost cancelled her entire trip right then to study the incredible creature.
Later that day Couture pointed to a shattered mast of stone which rose from the green-blue waters. "That's Golden Wand's lament. The Ministries caught his fleet here and the magic the fight unleashed shattered the island. That's all that's left."
"Golden Wand?" asked Luna. She'd never heard the name.
"Why, the worse pirate of the Pacific Belt in the last fifty years. Sea's been a lot safer since they sunk his ship."
"Are there a lot of pirates?"
"Some, some," said Couture and slinked closer. "Worst is probably de Sores. But, well, the stories you tell, there's not much you couldn't handle." He stepped closer again and Luna gave him a no nonsense look to do Ginny proud. He sidled away.
Brooding storm clouds gathered by day's end. "Passengers below decks," said Rebeca Whisp. She had her wand in one hand and a spy glass in the other, study the clouds.
Luna went and was soon glad she did. The storm hit the ship like a hammer, again and again. She soon plastered her tiny cabin with cushioning charms for her own safety and even so, had more than a few bruises come morning.
The sea sat like a giant mirror when she emerged. No wind stirred the air and the sails hung listless. The Spotted Jackalope lay hunkered in the water, like a Persian Kneazle gouged on food and asleep before a fire.
"Deadman's sea," muttered one of the crew – a goblin wearing seaman's greys.
"None of that talk," said Whisp, voice like a whip.
"What's deadman's sea," said Luna in a whisper to Couture.
He bent low and replied, "The sailors, they say when the seas like this, well, there are things which will prey on ships which can't move."
A ripple spread slowly over the sea, a hundred meters to port. A murmur rose among the crew, passing from being to being like a deadly disease. Goblins shifted to bring charmed knives to hand. Wizards fidgeted with wands. A dukuwaqa partially transformed, sharks teeth ready to bight. Other stranger beings moved to ready their own weapons.
"Perhaps you should go below," said Couture, shifting nervously. "I don't think-"
The sea erupted.
Luna staggered back, the deck shaking under her feat. The sea serpent rose above them. Grey rotting flesh hung from its horse-like cheeks and corpse flames burnt in its eyes. Not a sea serpent, Luna realised. Sea serpents were peaceful gentle creatures. This was an inferi, or something close, an undead monster born of dark magic. It let out a hissing cry and a noxious black miasma rolled out. It moved without wind, clawing with gaseous fingers for throats and noses. A goblin fell choking. A wizard raised his wand, but the miasma took him too.
Skeletal figures moved in the serpent's mouth – human bones animated by green fire that dripped and moved like burning oil.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Luna drew her wand from behind her ear and cried the charm with all her might, mind focused on the love of her friends and family. White mist billowed from the tip, then snapped into shape. A hare born of silver light flew straight at the miasma. Black met white and Luna's charm won. The miasma broke and scattered, drifting dregs dissolving under the corporeal patronus' power.
The crew recovered, hands going for weapons and wands. The skeletons had the same idea. They leapt for the deck, fleshless bodies animated with dark potency. Some carried swords, which ran with liquid flame. Others made do with sharpened fingers and teeth. They struck the still disorder crew like a wave and swept all but the most redoubt away.
"Get behind me," said Couture, wand out.
Luna ignored him. She strode forward, oak wand singing in her hand. She'd trained for months in the D.A. and the fight against Voldemort had only sharpened her skills.
A banishing charm caught the nearest skeleton, just before it brought down its cutlass. It flew back into the sea. A second leapt for her, but she spun her wand and a shielding charm blocked its attack. A Dancing Jinx sent it skittering uncontrolled across the deck.
More crew arrived to help, boiling up from hatches and out of doors. Wands flashed and skeletons vanished.
Captain Stetson appeared, dishevelled but a fury all the same. His wand boomed and a group of skeletons exploded. He re-aimed and knocked a meter wide chunk from the sea serpent's remaining flesh.
"Not on my ship you don't," he roared. He fired again, and the serpent retreated, crying out in pain.
Whisp threw a skeleton over board with a flick of a flame whip. Couture dissolved three into mud with a tricky transfiguration. A trio of goblins jumped a hulking skeleton, almost half a giant, and rent it apart with glowing knives. The dukuwaqa grabbed a smaller skeleton in its jaws and shook until the fire went out.
Under the combined might of the crew the skeletons fell back, at first slowly, but then faster. In the last desperate seconds they threw themselves into the water, still chased by stinging curses and the crew's jeers.
"Pirates," spat Captain Stetson and sent a sizzling red curse into the water. "Some don't stop even when dead."
The wind eventually returned and the ship sailed on. The ship's medi-wizard tended to the wounded but some noxious quality to the wounds resisted healing. Even with magic, half a dozen crewmembers were laid up for almost a week.
They stopped at the floating island of Ceiba, to take on supplies and pick up medical potions, and Luna took the opportunity to go ashore to stretch her legs. Ceiba was an immense horizontal tree, its roots trailing in the salty water of the Pacific Belt, its broad vibrant leaves rising into the air. How it could live, Luna had no idea, but live it did.
The leaves soothed her as she wandered through the small town which sat among the branches. Brightly coloured birds sang all around and strange black squirrels scurried up and down the trunks. Surrounded by nature she could almost forget about the pirates.
Once supplies were loaded, they set off. Luna stood at the front of the ship, staring out. Islands came, went and disappeared. The crew went about their many tasks. She slept and ate many times. At last the Phoenix Isles appeared on the horizon.
The Phoenix Isles were a tight group of volcanic islands. Trees so bright they seemed almost emerald covered the slopes and small boats move busily between a number of tiny villages.
The Spotted Jackalope glided into place beside a long wooden pier. Crew wizards raised wands and ropes jumped over the railing and tied themselves in place.
"Well," said Captain Stetson. "This is it. You fight well. Ever get tired of bird watching your welcome on my ship. Can always use a good wand, even if you're a slip of a thing."
"Thank you," said Luna, eyes wide behind her glasses. "I won't say I've enjoyed our entire voyage but I enjoyed parts of it."
"Good to here," he said and stumped away.
"A kiss to seal our sorrowful parting?" said Couture with a hopeful expression.
"I don't think so, no," said Luna, shouldered her bag and left the ship. The crew laughed in a wave.
Phoenix Major was the largest island in the Phoenix Isles and the only one able to dock a ship of the Spotted Jackalope's size. Luna wandered into town, looking around. The buildings were undeniably British in character, built of stone with white washed walls.
She'd need to find somewhere to sleep for her stay.
"Ms Lovegood!"
She turned. A tall, gangly man hurried towards her. He had plane brown hair and a prominent equine nose. He panted as he came to a stop. "Ms Lovegood?"
"Yes?" she said and cocked her head. Her silver loop earrings jangled.
"The Governor Magical sends his warmest regards and says I'm at your service for the duration of your stay."
"Governor Magical?"
"Yes. We got your letter."
"My letter?"
He mopped his brow. "Yes, well perhaps not yours but someone's. You have friends in the Ministry, Ms Lovegood, and out here that counts for a lot. I've been instructed to lend you all reasonable aid."
Luna smiled. This was certainly handy. She'd need to thank whichever of her friends arranged this when she got back. "You can take my bag," she said, handing it over, "and find me somewhere to sleep." She strode into the town.
"The Governor will be pleased to host you in his villa," he said, hurrying to keep up.
"That's sounds splendid. Has it started yet?"
"It?" He sounded thoroughly puzzled.
"The phoenix mating season, of course. Why I'm here."
"Two days' time."
"Good, good," said Luna. "I'd have hated to fight pirates and miss the mating season."
"Pirates!" he said, sounding more than slightly panicked.
"Oh yes," said Luna, "but we dealt with them. What did you say your name was?"
"Rolf Scamander."
"I like that name," said Luna after a moment's thought. "Names starting with R repel nargles. Not as well as L, of course. Come, we have a lot of work to do."
He came.