Jejliard settled down to a pile of papers he had assembled to prepare for the conference. Leading scientists from all over Beldora were convening on Novaland for the annual scientific assembly which he hosted at NORC. They had come a long way from his first attempt to set up a research facility on Beldora some ten years earlier. There had been a mixture of reactions ranging from apathy to ridicule toward him as he sought grants and support from various governmental bodies.

Then it began to happen. One breakthrough after another and their knowledge advanced exponentially, getting the attention of the entire world of Beldora. NORC had transformed Beldora from steam power to combustion engines, from oil llamps to electric, and was now ushering in the computer age. It was considered an honor to be invited to present at the conference. There weren't even any complaints about the long distance traveled to reach the remote island of Novaland. Jejliard was going to make certain it was worth their effort.

This year he had been planning to present the work done on nuclear technology and submarine propulsion. Now he wasn't sure if that was such a good idea with the information received in the mail earlier. Nuclear secrets had gotten out to the Theopians, a barbaric group of loosely allied countries to the west. They stole technology and plundered their neighbors. The fact that their kingdoms sat on rich resources induced many to trade with the Theopians despite the danger. Alliances were tenuous and loyalties were always shifting. Their motives were never peaceful and Theopians were not welcome on Novaland.

Jejliard didn't want to give any more information out on their nuclear program until he knew more about the situation. There were always a lot of new faces at the conference, possibly spies. Who was to say where the leak originated, Jejliard had lost track of time when his thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come on in." He was expecting Hal but found a group of people invading his office led by Mara, Tajlon's grandmother. She wore her black hair in a thick braid down her back. A brightly colored island dress was cut loosely but did not disguise her sensuous figure. Mara was still an attractive woman in her later years, an older version of Jejliard's deceased wife whom he missed almost every waking hour. He could also see where Tajlon got his stubborn streak and his charm. Mara could persuade a fish to jump in her net and thank her for the privilege. She didn't seem inclined to use charm at the moment, however.

"We need to talk, Jejliard," Mara said.

"Have a seat."

"I prefer to stand, thank you."

Hal filed in behind Mara with Greyla close beside him, her arm looped in his. Jejliard felt a flood of relief when he thought what a close call she had in the wreck. He would never forgive himself if Greyla had been seriously injured or worse. She was like a daughter to him and had joined his exploration party along with her grandfather when Greyla was only a child, long before they made the Sora Islands their home.

Jejliard addressed Tajlon who brought up the rear. "What? Nova didn't come? "

Tajlon gave him a frown. "Past his bedtime, Dad."

"I'm tired and not in the best mood tonight. It’s a little past your bedtime for that matter."

Tajlon stifled an impulse to say something in return and looked away.

"We'll be brief. I just want to know the truth," Greyla said looking straight at Jejliard. "What happened down there?"

"I'd tell you if I knew, Greyla. Hal was there. I don't know any more than he does."

"You saw the Widhbo, Jejliard?" Mara asked.

"I saw something, Mara. It was dark and the water was murky, but I did see something that matches the description of a white bird. What do want me to say?"

"That you now know the legend to be true. But that is not why I'm here."

"You want me to keep a tighter rein on your grandson? Done."

"I want to know why you brought the demon to our home."

"You know I don't believe in demons."

"Yeah, there's another part to the legend," Hal said. "The part we hadn't heard before. Apparently ignorance is not an excuse in this case."

"The Widhbo came to our island to protect us from the demon," Mara explained. "That is why he came to Greyla's aid in the wreck."

Greyla moved closer to Jejliard and he caught the strong odor of herbs and incense. He wrinkled his nose as it pervaded his senses. There were native beads and charms strung around her neck.

"Yes," she said noting his reaction. "According to Mara I was kidnapped by said demon and am in danger of becoming his puppet."

"Don't take this lightly, Greyla," Mara admonished her. "You were in his grip. Who knows what evil may have been implanted in your spirit?"

"What else do you want me to do, Mara?" Jejliard asked. "Greyla's been rescued and apparently disenchanted as well, so what exactly is your complaint?"

"It's that ship. It's evil," Mara said with a sweep of her hand. "You brought it here. You must take it away. Throw it back in the rift."

Jejliard drew his lips into a thin line. He hated to butt heads with Mara, but she was about to find out who was in charge here.

"No. That's not happening."

"Jejliard.." Mara adopted her stubborn stance, both hands on her hips.

"No, Mara. If it were just an old wreck, I'd have no problem tossing it back."

"Let me guess," Mara set herself squarely in the chair across from Jejliard. "You want to examine this new specimen for the sake of science."

"Exactly. This is far too important an opportunity. If in fact it came from another world, imagine what we can learn."

"Some knowledge is best left alone, my son. It is a cursed ship and prophecy has foretold..."

"I don't want to hear it, Mara."

"Maybe we can reach a compromise here," Hal said. "We can restrict access to the vessel. Put it in quarantine."

"I'd have no problem with that," Jejliard agreed. "I wasn't planning on announcing to all of Beldora that an alien spaceship was fished out of the Sora Sea."

Mara would not be denied her say. "Tajlon's great grandfather, Chief Gistuwbe, told of a prophecy. A demon will come promising great knowledge. The seeking of that knowledge would bring a curse upon us all and give birth to the Great Destroyer. A destroyer not only of Beldora, but of many worlds far beyond our own."

"You're wasting your time. I don't believe in such nonsense," Jejliard said.

"I know you think I am just a superstitious old woman. You don't believe in my knowledge, but I believed in yours, Jejliard."

"Meaning?"

"I am not opposed to your science. I have supported everything you have done on our island. I even allowed you to use that science on my own blood, my grandson. Do you think for a moment I would have let you put a computer processor chip in Tajlon's brain if I doubted you?"

"This is no different. Science is science. You're being irrational."

"I cannot give you my blessing in this. Do what you will, but I forbid Tajlon to work on the wreck. He's not to go near it again." Mara turned to leave without waiting for a response.

"I'll honor your wiishes regarding Tajlon. Mara," Jejliard called after her.

Tajlon shrugged. "Great. The biggest scientific find imaginable and it's off limits to me."

Hal gave Tajlon a pat on the shoulder. "Sorry, buddy."

"Okay then. For the rest of you, working on the wreck is totally voluntary," Jejliard said. "Full disclosure, there is an entity on board rumored to be a demon who is considered dangerous."

"Well, count me out," Greyla said. "I've had enough. No amount of curiosity will lure me back on it."

"That leaves me," Hal said. "I'm in. I want to find that bastard."

"Get De'Marc to help tow the wreck out to one of the other islands before the conference tomorrow. The fewer people who know about it the better," Jejliard mused.

"I'll ask Mara to keep this quiet," Greyla said. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to leave you boys with it and get some rest."

"Goodnight," Jejliard said. Hal started to leave with Greyla. "This is not why I asked you to drop by, Hal. We need to discuss some things."

"I'll see you home, Greyla," Tajlon said. "I'm ready to turn in."

After they had left, Hal turned to Jejliard. "It's better this way."

"I know. I won't argue with Mara about the danger, just the nature of it," Jejliard said. "And if Tajlon isn't on the wreck, I have one less thing to worry about."