Sage gasped as she sat up, looking around her room. The curtains were open, and the windows hung wide, admitting the cry of the seagulls and the crash of the ocean waves. The breeze skated over her exposed skin and lifted the ends of her hair as though it playfully called her to come out and enjoy the day. The overhead light was off, and the wall clock told her it was eight in the morning. She had slept the entire night. Something she hadn't been able to achieve since starting this fantastic journey of discovery. Looking at her desk, she noticed everything was as she had left it with one difference: a note was propped against the base of the lamp.

A light step in the passageway drew her attention toward the doorway. Sage smiled at the sound of that quickly approaching step, telling her that Maddy was coming toward her room. Sage wondered where Benjamin and his friends had gone. She didn't have long to think about it because Maddy strode into the room with a cheerful greeting and a tray loaded with cutlery, crockery, a thermos flask, and so much food it made Sage wonder who was joining them.

"Avidan tells me that you had a rough night last night," Maddy said, looking at Sage with concern in her gaze, "I'm glad he got you to rest, though ..." Maddy poured Sage a cup of coffee, handing it to her, "how are you feeling?"

"Refreshed," Sage said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, "what has been happening here? I feel like I've lost hours of my day ..." Sage chuckled, "... I'm usually up and going with the dawn."

Maddy stared at her, "What happened last night? You look a little different,"

"I discovered some ... information ..." Sage sighed, " ... I also discovered I wasn't ready to know it or uncover it and had a slight ... meltdown," Sage said, "I think I've been trying to get to the bottom of all of this as quickly as possible and have pushed myself too hard."

"That does happen," Maddy smiled, "so where do we start today?"

"We? Start? How about breakfast?" Sage asked, slipping from the bed, "I'm starving."

The women sat chatting and eating, discussing the village news, the latest gossip, and where Sage should start with her research for the day or whether other options should be considered. The Sun shone onto the table as they finished breakfast and gathered the crockery, cutlery and utensils.

"Thank you for that, Maddy," Sage said, "it was nice to talk about anything else but my research for a while."

"Frankly, I think you need a complete break," Maddy said, "go for a swim in the ocean or a boat trip … they do have those around the cove."

"I didn't know that," Sage said, "a boat trip sounds like a good idea, but who do I talk to?"

"My father," Maddy said, grinning, "store your research and get into the sunshine. This is your home after all … enjoy it."

Sage looked at Maddy, her words making sense, but more than that, it brought questions, "Why would you say this is my home?"

"Isn't it?" Maddy asked, "Over the past weeks, I've seen you do everything possible to protect this place. You've dug up more information on what has happened in the past than anyone I know, plus you are on the fast track with Avidan to right a wrong. People don't do that just for anywhere … well, the people I know don't do that for just any place … you work as hard and fast as you do for a place that means something to you. Usually, that place is home to you."

"You have a point," Sage said, "sorry … I'm just so edgy I don't know which way is up."

"That does it," Maddy said, shaking her head, "I'll contact my father. You do whatever you need to up here, and you're going for a boat ride … what time would be good?"

"Since I still need to shower and dress," Sage said, "make it two hours."

"Okay, in two hours, you're going on a boat ride," Maddy said, picking up the tray and almost dancing from the room.

Sage chuckled at Maddy's infectious gaiety. Not many people in this life could be as positive as Maddy was when facing the possibility of losing everything. Turning to her desk, Sage picked up the note; the handwriting was unfamiliar, the paper her own and the words written in a bold sloping hand. Sage read the words and frowned.

"German," she whispered, reading the note out loud, "Die Zeit drängt, die Krone der Magier zu finden. Das Geheimnis ist bei Charlotte sicher."

Looking over the contents of her desk, she frowned; nothing was missing. Only the note had been added, but who left it?

"Is that a clue or a warning?" Sage whispered, translating the words on the note, "Time is of the essence; find the Magi's Coronet. The secret is safe with Charlotte …" Sage stilled, "… are they talking about the original Charlotte? She doesn't have a grave in the Cove …" absently, she reached for the map, picked it up and looked over the area the Cove covered, Sage sighed, "… I've seen everything there is to see …" she frowned, looking closer at a small highlighted area covering a mark on the map, "… what is this?"

Excitement ran through her as she recognised the tiny mark, "Oh, you people are so sneaky," she whispered, "could there be a graveyard out at sea or …" she looked out the window at the rock formations surrounding the natural bay, "… in an underwater cave …" letting out a short breath Sage grinned, "… looks like this boat ride is happening at the right time."

Quickly gathering her notes, laptop and journals, Sage stowed them in a backup hiding place before heading for her shower and excursion. She felt as though something had shifted between last night and tonight. Yes, there was a renewed urgency; time was running out, but after discovering the truth about herself, she felt that everything she sought would reveal itself at the right time.

"Just like now," she murmured as she stepped under the warm water in the shower, "today is going to be a good day."

Maddy moved around the kitchen, doing chores and humming softly. The opening of the pantry door drew her attention as three men stepped out. Filing into the room, greeting her with a smile.

"And?" one of them said.

"You were up there a long time," Ben said, "did she see the note?"

"Your mother would be proud of you," the other said.

"One at a time," Maddy chuckled, "yes, I was up there a long time. I needed to show her she needed more of a break than a nap in the hammock. I've got her to agree to a boat trip with my father in two hours," Maddy said, putting the dishes in the dishwasher and setting it to work, "as far as the note … I don't know if she saw it while I was with her ... it was there for all the world to see."

Nodding, the three men sighed.

"She cannot know that I know any of you," Maddy said, "not until the time is right. She is suspicious of everyone currently, and I cannot blame her."

"Avidan is in the library," Ben said, "perhaps we should join him there … unless …" he looked at the leftover pancakes and fruit on the tray."

"Take it with you," Maddy said, glancing at the kitchen door, "and hurry ... Sage could come down at any moment."

The men took the plates and quickly took the stairs to the next level, leaving Maddy to sigh in relief. Pulling out a satellite phone, she punched a number into the keys and waited while it dialled.

"It's me," Maddy said, "a boat ride in two hours …" she paused, "… I don't know the destination, but I have a feeling you'll find out when she arrives at the harbour."

Stowing the phone, Maddy wiped down the counter, putting away various items and putting on a load of laundry. She paused as a footfall came on the stairs, and Sage walked through the doorway.

"Whooo," Sage said as she took in Maddy's expression, "everything okay?"

Maddy sighed, "Yes, I guess I'm a little jumpy with Jeffery still being around and having to take alternate routes to and from home."

"This is hard on you, isn't it? "Sage asked.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Maddy nodded, "Life here has never been a picnic or relaxing, but the tension in the marketplace is …" she sighed, rolling her shoulders, "… well, intense may be a word for it."

"I haven't been down there for a few days, but everything seemed okay when I was there," Sage said.

"That was before you took the hill trail," Maddy said, "everything has changed since then."

"How so?" Sage asked, leaning on the kitchen counter while Maddy quickly jotted a shopping list down.

"For starters, Jeffery is everywhere," Maddy said, "some of the villagers have caught him listening to their conversations, going through their trash …" Maddy shook her head, "… what he thinks he will hear or learn, I have no idea."

"Maddy, the villagers that told you this," Sage spoke softly, concern furrowing her brow, "were they the stall attendants I spoke with previously?"

"Could have been …" Maddy said, looking blankly out the window as her mind worked, "… yes, I think it was …" she looked at Sage, "… does he think you're passing along …" she paused and sighed, "… what does Jeffery think you're doing with the villagers?"

"Probably more than chatting with them and buying fruit and candles," Sage said, looking at her watch, "oh if I'm going to be on time, I have to leave."

"Enjoy the outing," Maddy called as Sage left through the garden door. Maddy watched her race down the garden toward the beach, "I have a feeling you're up to something with this boat ride, Sage … the question is ... what?"

Closing the door, she latched it into the floor and ceiling. Pulling a piece of paper from her pocket, she marked off the chores she had accomplished and read through what needed to be done in her house.

"Time to get to work," Maddy said, smiling as she gathered the tools she would need to work for the next few hours.

Sage raced down the beach toward the bay. The Sun was warm, the sand reasonably well packed after the ocean had receded after the high tide, and the brisk breeze came off the sea playing through her hair. She felt light, refreshed and rejuvenated.

"Today is going to be a good day," Sage said to no one in particular, "I can feel it."

Skipping up the shallow stone stairs, Sage moved past the early morning sea bathers and their personal items and headed toward where the boats lay propped on their sides on the damp sand. Matthew lounged against a stone pillar, waiting for her, waving when he saw her coming toward him with a cheerful greeting.

"My, you are full of energy today," he chuckled. "Maddy tells me you're going to chat with me about where we're going today."

"She did, huh," Sage said, smiling and looking out over the collection of vessels, "where is your boat?" He pointed to one in the middle of the collection, and Sage felt disappointed, "We're not going out then? "

Matthew chuckled, leaning toward her, "Do you really think I only have that boat?"

"I don't know," Sage said, leaning toward him and smiling hopefully, "do you?"

"Of course not," Matthew chuckled, "follow me. I have another around here."

The pair walked toward the rocky outcrop on the side of the natural harbour, and Matthew moved to the side where the rocks were lower than the others.

"Watch your step," he said, "it can be slippery …" he paused, extending his hand to assist Sage over a particularly wet rock.

Slowly, they made their way over the rough terrain, finally coming to a smooth, wide ledge jutting from the rocks in a half-moon shape. Sage gasped in surprise and pointed with delight as she saw a motorboat moored to a section of rock not far from where they stood.

"That is your other boat?" Sage asked, chuckling.

"One of them," Matthew said, moving toward it and hopping on board, "give me your bag first…" he waited as Sage handed him her bag, safely stowing it before returning to the side of the boat to find Sage looking around with a look of wonder and amazement on her face.

"How is it that no one knows about this place?" she whispered, "It's magical."

"Glad you like it," Matthew said, smiling, "give me your hands and jump."

Sage followed his direction, making her boarding of the vessel relatively painless.

"Have you ever been on a boat before?" Matthew asked.

"Rosemary's lake … does that count?" Sage asked.

Matthew grinned, "Perhaps, but a lake is not the ocean..." he pulled a life jacket from its storage area and handed it to her, "...put this on."

Sage obeyed, battling over what was latched with which and started muttering in frustration. Matthew laughed as Sage twisted and turned, attempting to figure it all out.

"Would you like a hand?" he asked.

Finally admitting defeat, Sage looked at him and sighed, "Please, I feel like I need a degree to work this out."

"Do you like doing puzzles, Sage?" Matthew asked, undoing Sage's work.

"Depends on the puzzle," Sage said, "if it means I have to dig until I find out how it is put together … love them," she said, looking at Matthew, "why do you ask?"

"What about normal puzzles? Finding the right fit to put it all together," Matthew spoke softly without looking at her as he secured her life vest.

"I've been known to dabble," she said, watching his change in expression, "I get the feeling there is more to this line of questioning than you wanting to know if I enjoy putting pieces of board together."

Matthew nodded, "There is …" he said, moving away from her and making her follow him into the cabin, "… where are we going today?"

Sage sighed, "Are you going to tell me what that reason is?"

"Perhaps it all depends on where we're going today," Matthew said, turning and meeting Sage's unblinking penetrating gaze, "or we can stay in the harbour and stare at each other."

"People are very frustrating in this cove," Sage muttered, folding her arms at her waist, "for once, it would be nice to have a question answered instead of all this … cryptic cloak and dagger stuff."

"Sometimes that is necessary, but other times the journey is more important than the answers found at the end," Matthew said, "the answers wouldn't mean as much if you didn't experience the journey."

Sage cocked her head, taking in his words, "I suppose you have a valid point," she sighed, nodding as though she had finally made up her mind where she wanted to go, "today I'd like to go to ..." she paused dramatically, staring at Matthew.

"Sounds like this is going to be the first of many trips," he chuckled, "are you going to finish the sentence or not?"

He moved away toward the side of the boat, untying the line holding the motor boat to the rock.

Sage sighed at the interruption but continued, "I'd like to be taken to Charlotte's grave."

Matthew froze, his hands, holding the tie line in midair. Slowly, he began moving again, unhooking the boat from its mooring and turning toward the controls.

"Matthew, are you okay?" Sage asked concern over his pale face and slightly shaking hands.

She became more concerned as he remained silent as he started the engine and began maneuvering the vessel between the rock walls rising high above them on either side. Sage found a seat and let him concentrate as he slowly chugged through the amazing salty rivers formed between the high cliffs coming out of the waters on either side. Checking on him occasionally, Sage felt relieved to see the colour return to his face and his posture relax. When finally making open waters, Sage checked her watch.

"That was half an hour," Sage whispered, standing and joining Matthew at the controls, "Matthew, are you okay?"

He nodded, remaining silent as they moved further away from the coastline.

"What is it about Charlotte's grave that brought on that reaction?" Sage asked quietly.

"The location of Charlotte's grave has been protected for centuries," Matthew said, his soft words just coming to Sage's over the roar of the engine and splash of water against the hull, "never has anyone requested to visit the grave ... nor shown any interest in physically going there. The suddenness of your ... request was a shock."

"Why is it that no one has gone there?" Sage asked.

"The legend is that anyone who enters the grave's location will never return," Matthew said, "permission is required to even go near the location."

"Why is that?" Sage asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Matthew turned his gaze on her, steadily meeting her openly curious gaze, "Death is all around her grave," he said, "that is what we hear from the stories told."

"Someone had to have survived," Sage said.

"No one survives," Matthew said softly.

"Well, someone had to survive some time," Sage said laughing, "Matthew, if no one survived, where did the stories come from."

Matthew cocked his head, nodded and grinned, "You have a point. Do you think these stories were circulated to keep the locals from wanting to visit Charlotte?"

"Perhaps, but it makes more sense they were circulated to prevent whoever asked about it to be prevented from finding it and kept from it," Sage said, glancing at Matthew and noting his confused expression, "her husband's family, for instance."

"A very valid point," Matthew said, nodding, "why do you want to see the grave?"

"I keep being told that the secret is safe with Charlotte," Sage said, "since no one can tell me what that secret is …" she sighed, "… I've decided to ask her."

"Why do you think her grave is in the ocean?" Matthew asked.

"She isn't resting in the graveyard at the top of the hill trail," Sage said, "this is the only other direction there is …" she shrugged slightly, "… plus I may have found a nautical sign on a map of the coast indicating the possibility of a grave."

"Rosemary was correct in thinking you'd make a fantastic journalist," Matthew said, chuckling, "you're like a ferret … or a bulldog ... or both."

"Really, why do you say that?" Sage asked, consternation racing over her expression.

"You never let go and keep burrowing until you get to the bottom of whatever you caught hold of," Matthew said, shaking his head, looking at her, "… fine, I'll take you to the grave's location."

"Thank you," Sage said, slipping her arms around his waist and hugging him, "you're a good man, Matthew."

"I may be, but I don't know if I'm going to survive this," Matthew said, shaking his head as he changed direction, "we'll be there in about an hour."

"I would have brought food with me if I knew it would be an all-day affair," Sage said, sinking into the nearest chair bolted to the floor.

"We'll eat afterwards," Matthew said, "in the meantime, take in the stretch of coastline; you may see some strange and wonderful things."