Where Lies Adventure!

JOURNEY TO MIRANGA ISLAND Part VIII: The Map          Murphy vanished before Balric’s eyes.  The manservant looked every which way to see if he could spot where the ghost went, but there was nothing.  Silence.  Then, there was a breeze, and Balric felt a chill.  It began at his fingertips; slowly it crept up into his hands.  Panic started to seize Balric and he furiously rubbed his hands together for warmth.  There was none to be had.  The chill only inched higher. “Master!” Balric called, but Declan did not answer.  It was only Mad Murphy’s laughter that replied to the manservant’s call: evil and echoing. The chill kept rising; up his forearms and into his shoulders.  It spilled over a bit into his chest before finally cascading into the rest of him.  Balric fell over, clutching at himself for warmth.  Nothing worked.  This was the coldest he’d ever felt, and his limbs began to ache even as they were beginning to dull.     Balric looked up at Delcan one last time as he

JOURNEY TO MIRANGA ISLAND    Part VII: Mad Murphy               “That’s enough!” a strong voice yelled out.             Balric spit out the little wine he’d taken into his mouth.   He turned then, and standing in the doorway through which he’d come was Declan.             “Master?!” Balric was incredulous.             “Did you swallow?” Declan asked quickly.             “Never swallow,” Balric answered in rote.               “NEVER swallow!” the living Declan declared with a smile.   “Good man!”             Balric found himself smiling wide in return.   For a moment, he’d forgotten the situation he was in and reveled in something familiar.   Then, realization struck him and he turned back to his host.   The ghost Declan was still there, but the shade was not smiling now.               “Pardon sir, but who are you?” Balric asked of the phantom.             “My friend!   I’m hurt!” the ghost replied as he put a hand to his chest.   “How could you dismiss me so