Chapter XVIII: The Sun Island

“If there be safety for Rondah anywhere, it is on that island! I must find means to reach it!”

This was Regan’s final decision, the only salvation which he could imagine.

Before the bird people slept he ordered the construction of a small, strong stone house, with two great cellars stored with fuel, food and oil. This was built as near the island as possible. The glow of brightness made continual day around it, but warmth hardly penetrated the impassable wall in the air.

It was months before this was done; a faint twilight was the only day on the star; the breezes were cold and dry; the sea was partly frozen, many of the ravines snow-leveled.

Hundreds of the bird people were already asleep. The winter’s fate might depend on a day’s time. Regan went to the house by the Sun Island to see if it were ready. Father Renaudin remained to protect Rondah. The doors were fastened and the windows chained, and the shutters had been almost all permanently locked for the winter. A few windows of triple glass were left uncovered for light.

After Regan had gone, there came upon the terrace a strange, the same one whom Rondah had seen upon the cliffs, a grand and majestic man; his golden hair fell in curls about his shoulders; his face was like tinted alabaster, his eyes superb in beauty and brilliancy; his powerful, tall form was wrapped in a singular cloak of emerald and gold sheen.

At the foot of the porch steps he stood in the snow, where the heavy winds swept rifts of white upon his mantle, and waited for the woman of Earth to ask him to enter. With the dignity of a monarch, the beauty of a god and the elegance of manner achieved only in the grandest of earthly courts, he stood waiting.

Rondah listened while he explained that he had come at Regan’s command to carry her to the Sun Island.

“This day only the wall in the air is removed. The bird people are asleep. I can take you there quickly!”

“Come in,” said Rondah, “come in and give me time to think! I ought not to go; I should stay where Regan left me.”

“That is what he said you would say, and this note he sent.”

Rondah read it—Regan’s writing:

“MY DARLING: Do not delay; to-day only we can reach the island. This friend can bring you very swiftly in his car. I wait upon the shore until you come. I shall return if you are too late. It all depends upon you! Come instantly or all is lost!

“REGAN.”

“I will see Father Renaudin,” said Rondah.

She returned a moment later, pale and troubled.

“Father Renaudin is asleep!”

“Then we must return for him. I am sorry to inconvenience you, but by sunset the wall will close! Then you will be shut outside!”

“Father Renaudin?”

“We will leave him here for this trip. It is too late to take him.”

Rondah could not think. “Come instantly!” “Come instantly!” “All is lost!”

What if Regan had sent for her? How angry he would be when her slowness had prevented the use of this one opportunity!

Wrapping heavy cloaks about her, Rondah left the palace, carefully closing its door. They were almost alone in its great rooms; almost all the bird people were asleep.

She took a seat in the singular sailed car beside the stranger. They flew like a cloud through the air. As they neared the Sun Island the glare of it made everything visible for miles around. Once Rondah thought she saw Regan and some bird men returning through the snow, but the stranger threw the white-winged sails on that side the car and she was not sure; he told her that it was a rift in the snow where a volcano’s heat kept the black rock visible.

“You will soon see Regan now!” he said. “Look beside the island at the edge of the continent!”

Still Rondah did not see him.

“It is the blinding glare,” said her companion. “I know where he is. I can see him!”

The pale sun was blinking. The day was closing. Swift, very swift, the car sank.

“There is the house Regan built. There is a flying bird man. They are not asleep. You have told me falsely! Regan is not here!” cried Rondah.

But it was too late. The car sank into the white brilliance. The dark surface of the star was lost to view. Rondah was upon the Sun Island, even in her suspense and apprehension to be astounded at its glory!