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The Authentic Eclectic
The Reign of Man
The Island
Sunblasted on the stone, the weary creature did not seem so intimidating, which delivered unto our party some much-needed heart. In his signature mode of speech (inane babble), Owens, the second mate, conveyed that the reptiles were easily frightened, and that our greatest defense lay in keeping to our own space and intimidating, rather than being intimidated, upon any needful occasion. In direct contrast to these claims — so it seemed to me — the lizard watched our passage through squinted lids, the reduced hellfire of its gem-encrusted eye blazing in an inferno of resentment.
We climbed over the lip of a protrusion of basalt onto a higher ledge in pursuit of a summit that might give us some greater sense of our surroundings. A shadow fell over us, and the lady gave a slight gasp as we turned our faces skyward. I could not help but smile. “Now there’s a familiar fellow,” I commented, admiring the white and brown plumage of the soaring osprey.
“It’s a land like any other,” Quentin said, seeming to survey the formation of our next ascent for the best handholds, though I suspected him of peripherally observing the lady. I admired the brute for his courage and practicality, and was little surprised that he had somehow managed to smuggle a dry revolver ashore. However, I did not envy our…
