Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8 
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Dec 16, 2015 16:00:49 GMT -7
Prologue
The One thought once more on the tragic incident that had occurred two years ago. He shut the door to his room and blinds. A person could hardly overhear his thoughts past the stone door, and closed wooden blinds. He held his hands in his face. Would it really remain so painful? Surely, he tried to keep a positive outlook on his outer mind to the Others, but deep inside, the tragedy pressed unnervingly on his mind, wanting to come to the surface. He feared, if any could through the blinds hear it faintly, they would surely judge him.
His mind raced, as with all his entire race, with great photographic images. Tears filled his eyes. Embarrassed at how strongly his mind pressed against the stone walls, he pressed his head against the bed. Why did he have to think about it again? He heard a knock. It was his friend, the crook-nosed one, he perceived vaguely through the cracks of the door. Shaking and embarrassed his friend was spying on him he opened the door.
Compassion was on his friend’s face, and concern, and thoughts of relief from him poured into the one. The One smiled faintly, but he was still embarrassed. Was it so bad to share his thoughts some times? The Crook-nosed one shook his head in amusement. He thought his friend, the one, was silly sometimes. His thoughts were sad, true, but he still had many things to live for. He reminded The One that he could hardly expect that his thoughts would be “acceptable” all the time. Doubt filled The One’s mind. Crook-nose brushed these thoughts off.
But the One would never see his daughter again. Crook-nose had no investment in the child. Better than dead, the child would be raised in by the Jhutes, learning of their ways, and how to communicate, to be eventually wed to the Prince. True, his controlling father, the Grey-headed one, who had ruled the people for over 100 years, had told him he had made an agreement with them to prevent attack and promote peace by giving them his daughter. He also knew his daughter wasn’t in danger or harm. They had agreed to keep her safe. Guilt suddenly poured into him. He should have gone after her. Crook nose interrupted the One’s monologue. Don’t be foolish thought Crook nose. The One was annoyed. He wasn’t really going to go after her. But the thought was comforting anyways. Crook Nose changed the topic of their thoughts abruptly, and the One felt compelled to oblige. It was a while before the One once again had the courage to again think of his Daughter, but when it did come, tears followed once more.
Chapter One
“Peddlers! Come back here!” said a gruff voice.
Iyot shrugged his shoulders as continued to ride in his cart, ignoring the man who had so rudely called for them. Jhutes were a loud people, and tended to be outspoken in everything. He supposed to came about because of living so close together. Of course, he was a stranger in a strange land, a peddler from the south, and a Half-Schleem. Neutral in the selling of wares to vendors, but always aware of the conflict plaguing the Jhutes and the Ruutryn, he knew it was bad to stick his nose in the business of strangers.
“You, fish-boys!” said the man, still persistent. The man was large and muscular, clearly of the Tall Jhute race.
His cousin, Ti, riding with him was far more aggressive and outspoken than he. Several years younger, at the age of 17, and only the first journey he had made, he was far more likely to get into trouble. He had a strong streak of Coastal Schleem, with fully functional gills and purple eyes, but also, seemingly, in attitude. Iyot had arm-fins, and yellow eyes, but his gills were quite weak, so he could only stay underwater for about 20 minutes.
“Mind your own business, Easy-Drowner!” said his cousin. Drowner was a derogatory term Half-Schleem gave to Men. Men, of course, would pitifully flail around and drown if set underwater for only a few minutes. Iyot know that was disrespectful regardless
“Ti, just let it be. Leave the poor man alone,” muttered Iyot, under his breath. But it was drowned out by a loud yell from the man,
“What did you call me slime-skin?!” said the man, angrily.
“He said nothing. Nothing at all,” said Iyot sternly , “He’s young. He’s not worth it anyways.”
“We’re sorry,” said a gentle female voice behind him. “You need not be troubled by my brother.”
His cousin Quey, was always a peacemaker. Her cart was right behind Iyot’s. She rode with his other cousin, and her sister, Yeo, with his female cousin from a different uncle, Yotet.
The man muttered an apology and went away. There was no human being as mild as Quey and could bring in peace, thought Iyot. They were fortunate indeed to have her gifts.
He thought of how well everyone in their own particular caravan got along this year, despite the close and often awkward circumstances of being with people so much.
That was the caravan for this year, Iyot, his younger brother Yir (who was running an errand), and his cousins, Ti, Quey, and Yeo, all siblings, Yotet, another cousin from a different line . Usually, the trip had been made by his father, uncle and his wife, with, for the past decade, Iyot and his cousin Quey, but things had changed. They generally made it with several hundred Half-schleem and kept the same tents.
His father had broken his leg, and at his age, he would never again swim because of arthritis and weakening gills. His older siblings had all left his father and mother (who had passed away) to move inland with their human spouses. The old ways seemed to be dwindling. Only his younger brother Yir had kept onward as well.
To his astonishment, 9 months ago, his father, with his broken leg, had put his arm around him and talked with him in there house. “I’m old, and all your siblings have left me. You must run the caravan now, Iyot.”
“Me? But what about Uncle, surely—“
“Your uncle and aunt are getting old too. We can give you all the advice of 60 years, but our days of traveling are over, we’ve decided. We’ll soon join the rest of the ancestors in the happy retiring grounds.”
“But, what about Ti, the youngest, it’s his first caravan! Who will guide him?!”
“You can guide him,” said his father reassuringly. “I trust you. My father gave me the caravan when I was your age. Now, I pass it on to you, my son.”
“But you were married then!”
“So I was, but I have faith the day will come,” said his father winking.
True, Ti had made enough mischief to write a scroll about the subject, and Iyot was still irreversible stone-cold single, but the caravan had gone much smoother under his leadership than he had anticipated.
Now, after several months of travel, they had made it to the capital city of Val to sell sea-shells, pearls and other sea-items, in addition to compasses and ship building materials. Only a comparatively few Schleem lived in the coasts of Jhu, and these people were interested in keeping to themselves, not with trading.
Suddenly, they heard a sound coming from the main road. A crier (Iyot was always surprised how everyone in Jhu enjoyed hearing ever small bit of news). Everyone stopped on the road. The sound of vendors and of the city was silent. A royal caravan, from where?
Iyot decided to stop too, and wait for the caravan to pass. It was fortunate, because his younger brother Yir had found him, making his way back from a vendor he had made a deal with.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he took his spot on the wagon on the other side of Ti.
“Royal Caravan…” whispered Ti excitedly.
“Oh,” said Yir. He had seen what Jhutes considered “news,” and it was not news to him.
The caravan was soon making its way past the line. Men held out jewels and gold, and fine material.
“Tribute from the far-off silent lands!” cried the criers clearly. As they neared, they could tell something else was being carried that was causing the city-people to gasp.
“Princess of the silent lands has come to wed the prince!” said another crier. Whatever else was in the caravan, all the Jhutes were following it to main colonnade where the king spoke to the people. Finally, the caravan rode by. Iyot, Ti, and Yir all collectively gasped. Sitting in the main coach, looking at the window, was the most beautiful girl they had ever seen: reddish blonde hair, deep almond shaped eyes, and a charming mouth. They only saw here fleetingly, as she turned her head, but it was clear enough why they were following them.
As struck by a sudden desire to go and see the princess off, they found themselves following the main entourage to the city.
“Maybe we’ll get to shake her hand…” said Ti unrealistically.
“Where are you going?” cried Yeow, annoyed from the other cart.
But somehow, it was hard to hear anything.
Soon they found themselves, along with everyone else, waiting anxiously for the prince to arrive and take his soon-to-be bride into the palace. Somehow, Ti (who was driving the cart) had barreled his way to the front of the processesion.
The gates of the palace stood before them, brown, and wooden, and the carriage carrying the princess had come to a halt.
“My people!” said a voice high on the wall. It was the emperor Dithranon, known to be the tallest, strongest, and most handsome man, in Jhu valley. . The leader of Jhu lived to twice the age of an average man. Well loved, despite his many faults, and the people cheered
“My people!” he said again, causing the people to cheer again. Yir rolled his eyes.
“My people, every 4 generations, as you may know, a young Silent girl from the far western end of the earth must come forth to marry the prince! This time is now, though it happens once every 100 years. Oh how beloved has my great-grandmother been to me and our people, and how beloved will this young girl be to us!” The people cheered. Ti also cheered, much to the chagrin of Yir who covered his ears. The princess was gently let down from the carriage in full view as everyone began to clap and whistle.
The cheering was clearly frightening her. Iyot could tell. She held her head in confusion, and dropped to one knee, with tears in her eyes. The people stopped cheering, and muttered strangely at this odd behavior of the girl from the west. Why didn’t she say anything to her new subjects? Why was she reacting strangely?
“The princess is fragile, and has had a long journey! She’s just so happy that she’s finally here.” said a voice belonging to the caravan.
Strangely, the Princess briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them she was looking directly in Iyot’s eyes, clearly silently pleading for help and rescue. Iyot looked around, searching for who she was looking at, but it was clearly himself. A tall man came and lifted her back up, supporting her towards the gate, with the princesses eyes still fixed on Iyot. The people cheered again, unaware of the princess’s thoughts and feelings as the gate closed. Iyot turned away. There was nothing he could do to help the princess of a strange land. The wedding would take place tomorrow.
“Let’s go,” he said, unhappily.
Yir, Iyot's brother explained more of what they he was meaning to explain. They learned that he had found a vendor for some of their goods for an excellent price. They delivered them for several hours the vendors while the women were setting up camp for the night. With the selling of these goods, most of their wares had been sold. In the morning it would be time to return to the Ruutryn coast, as they could probably sell the rest on their way back through a different route. Soon, the sun set, and went to bed. As Iyot was in his sleeping mat, all he could think about was the princess. It was far from because she was beautiful, but it was the thoughts that had come into his mind, that seemed to emanate directly from her. She had needed help? Who was he to defy the emperor? He laughed. It was a ridiculous idea. But it still idly pressed on his mind.
Iyot needed to go for a swim. There was no other explanation. That would make him sleep better. It was dark, and criminals roamed the streets in great numbers, but Iyot was wise enough to know their haunts and how to avoid them. He silently traveled a mile to a source he had remembered, looking carefully for any thief or bandit.
A great moat surrounded the palace for protection. It wasn’t the cleanest water, but it was the biggest and deepest body of it for a few miles until he reached the river. He hated to get caught swimming in it, but he assumed the guards would notice the fins: After all, Half-Schleem would be Half-Schleem. They knew they were in the city this time of year. In any case, the Jhutes needed more bodies of water to accommodate them. He dived in unceremoniously with a splash, clothes and all, as all Schleem do, and relaxed as he let the water seep into his gills. It had been entirely too long. He let his fins stretch experimentally in the water. The water was only 12 feet deep, but after going through the desert with shallow streams, it seemed perfect. He raced through the water in a gratifying way, back and forth for several minutes. His gills were starting to fail again. He quickly went to land and took and imperceptible breath. He needed no other breath until 20 minutes had passed once more. After an hour under the water, with occasional breaths, he carefully crept up the side of the moat. Just when he was about the walk back, he heard a splash and a scream. Somebody had fallen into the moat.
Like lightning, Iyot instinctively dived back under the water until he could smell the human in the water. He quickly found and held the victim and was able to swim it up the land on the other side in less than 2 minutes.
In the dark, carrying her to near the entrance of the palace on land, Iyot saw he had saved a woman, who was now sputtering, gasping for air.
“What happened!?” said Iyot to the woman, in Ruutro, accidently slipping into his own native tongue.
“Halt! Ruutryn scum! What mischief is happening.” said a harsh voice from 300 yards away. A torch had been lit, and guards came running towards them. How could he have been so foolish as to use the language of the Jhute’s enemies around the castle!?
A few other voices were also coming from the other side of the castle and came towards Iyot. Iyot could not run away, he was surrounded.
“What happened?” said a mysteriously melodic voice, who had arrived before the guards.
“She fell in,” said Iyot, “I saved her.”
“I wonder what could have happened?” said the voice again, but without emotion. Iyot looked through the semi-darkness of the oncoming torches. It was prince Mayam. He recognized him briefly from being in the city before, with his rather tall hefty, muscular figure, boyish face, shock of unhealthy looking blond hair (extremely unusual for a Jhute), in too nice of clothing for his fading appearence, and sneering smile. Overall, Iyot thought he reminded him of an philosopher or mathematician who dealt with the finances of a business or contemplated the meaning of the universe more than a typical warrior king. Still, along with this was the truth that all those of Jhu knew: despite his cunning and pure intellectual mastery, and it was said he was also a formidible warrior and general in battle.
The guards were 50 yards from where they were still running, but Mayam held his hand out to halt them!
“The prince’s business! Do not disturb!” he said harshly, unbecoming of his oddly melodic but emotionless voice.
“How did the princess get into the moat, I wonder?” he said again, fluidly, emotionless, this time towards the woman, as the guards moved away. So, Iyot had saved the princess.
“I don’t—“
“Come with me inside the palace complex, and please bring the princess with you.” said the prince, blandly.
Iyot shook his head. Was the prince expecting he would just leave the princess behind him?
It seemed intimidating, as he had never talked with or dealt with royalty in his life.
He lifted the princess on her feet who was still sputtering and sobbing a little bit. He guided her through the dark, following the prince into the palace’s nearby entrance over the moat. He was led into a small courtyard into a smaller building he couldn’t see in the dark. When he opened it, he saw that it was a small, lighted court or hall of some kind, with a throne, and some smaller, wooden chairs in the center, but altogether bare except a crackly fire on the right side of the building. Perhaps this was where the prince held court. Indeed, the royal person instructed them to sit down, as he sat on the "throne." The princess was clearly frightened. Iyot wondered if she simply spoke a different language.
“You caught me,” said the Prince, without emotion. “The Princess thought some very harsh things about me. We could have never married or even loved. Or it would be miserable”
“Why? You are the prince! You could let her go! What do you mean…thought?” said Iyot, wondering, the emphasis.
“Ah, you Schleems, such ignoramuses!” he said, with amusement and utter contempt. “Those of the silent race do not communicate with words but with thoughts. That’s why they are called silent.”
“And, you can read her thoughts?” said Iyot, suddenly curious.
“I have much of her blood in my line. For generations we have mixed. I can vaguely discern them, if they are loud enough.” He laughed cruelly in a sing song sort of way, in a feminine voice. “Leave me alone! I want to go home! I miss my daddy! Why must I marry a mortal!”
He suddenly played with his his long silk sleeve. “So…I was disappointed. Thoughts are complex things.”
Iyot saw through his hints to his attempt at murder immediately, but he wasn’t certain. In any case, he might as well ask. “How did she end up in the moat?” he asked.
The prince changed the subject. “You’re a Schleem Merchant, aren’t you? I’ll personally pay you 5,000 Temblems if you “kidnap” her and take her to her homeland. That way, I’ll hide it from my father. I definitely did not want her blood or her happiness on my hands. My dad will think nothing of it if that’s what he believes We’ll just get me a better spouse from among them, that’s all. Nobody knows you. You aren’t from around here. You are Ruutryn, our traditional enemies, in fact. You are perfect to do it. It was luck you came. I couldn't just have my advisors do it. It would be way too suspicious on my part, and I'd get in trouble with my dad. If you do go, I'd think that people would travel to Ruutryn and try to save her, while it’s even further from her home!”
Iyot’s jaw dropped. His family had been modest in their financial luck, but lately, hard times had come. 5,000 Temblems would see that his father and uncle would live in prosperity for the rest of their lives, and Iyot could expand the family’s own caravan exponentially. And, hadn’t the princess asked for his help, or so he thought? But, it was certainly a risk, and Iyot had the feeling that contrary to his assurance his father wouldn’t mind, half the kingdom, including the emperor, would be after him. There was also, the risk that the Jhutes would declare war on the strange people in the far west, or, more likely, his homeland Ruutryn. But, the money still sounded appealing, regardless. If Iyot, mostly moral, had a weakness, it was making money.
“I need money first, to make sure that…I’m taken care of for the trip,” said Iyot stubbornly.
The prince shook his head annoyed.
“You crafty peddlers are all the same. I’ll give you a little bit, and then come back and get the money. Be sure the princess is completely unharmed. We wouldn’t want to tick anyone in that country off…” he said hazily.
Iyot stood up. “Okay then. I’ll take the princess with me and do it, but I make no deals without contracts. This agreement will be binding in Jhu-law.”
The prince sighed in annoyance. He went to a shelf and got out a piece of scroll.
“I’ll write the contract, you will seal it with your ring,” said Iyot, "but first I have a few concerns."
"Please be quick about them. What did you have in mind?"
"Say, if you can discern thoughs of those around you, what about your father? Couldn't he find out the truth?"
"No. Lying in the mind is precisely like lying in person. If I don't think about it in his presence, he will never know. In fact, he'll be convinced it isn't me behind the kidnapping, because it is in my mind. I've hidden a lot of things from him. No more questions. I could simply end the princesses life and blame it on you now. Would you want that? I don't, honestly. A part of me still craves being decent."
The contract was signed by both and sealed by the prince. Iyot would be getting 10% of the money, still an enormous sum, but the rest later. Iyot took the scroll.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll keep it with me until the time. The guards should recognize the seal and let me in,” he said.
Maham shook his head. "Very well, but if ever the circumstance arises that you get caught, give my your word that you will destroy it before they can see it."
"Very well then," said Iyot, though suspiciously.
The prince took from his pocket a fat sack of gold coins “Take it, it’s about ten percent.”
Iyot shook his cousin Quey awake. The women slept in a separate tent. “Quey, get your wagon ready. I agreed with the prince to be paid 5000 Temblems to do him a favor,”
“You did what?!” said Quey annoyed and groggy, “We need to sell the rest of our stuff! How will we ever make a surplus?”
“But, this will cover the cost completely. We should be able to sell on our way. I was paid 500 tonight. Already more than we’d make in 2 years.”
Her eyes grew wide.
“FIVE HUN—“
“Shush! It’s something secret. I need you to keep someone with you. We are going on a long journey to the western coast.”
“You’re mad!” she whispered harshly. “Uncle trusted you with the caravan, and I regret it. He could have asked me! You are running our business to the ground!”
“Just…please—“
“Be quiet. Just give whatever you need to hide from everyone and we’ll hide it in our tent and let it be in our caravan, but don’t expect me to befriend you ever again.” Iyot thought she was overreacting. While there were goods in the caravan, there was only about 25% that was left.
He showed her the princess, which caused even more thoughts of doubt, and even more complaints. Somehow, despite the extreme misgivings, Quey finally gave in when she realized they were stuck. In any case, Ti thought was a great adventure, and immediately volunteered to help the Princess in any way he possibly could (Iyot had to remind Ti that the Princess had to return to her people and that there was probably no possibility of them getting together, ever, pointing out that the Princess looked older than a teenager). Yir grumbled a bit, but said nothing. The women were all decidedly upset, but followed their leader of their part of the caravan, Quey, regardless.
They had left the city long before sunrise, and the strange caravan of Schleem and their horses were headed straight to the western wilderness.
Chapter II: The River
Surrounded by two large bodies of water, and surrounded by a menacing wall (only manned in times of war), the city of Jhu was among the most formidable fortresses in the continent. The Jhu River was situated just outside of the city. The Jhutes chose to use every acre of land about the rivers to irrigate and cultivate, even around the city. An almost equally large tributary the Jhu, the Hu, was on the other side of the metropolitan area.
There was only one way across the large 2-mile wide river Jhu, on the western side: through ferry services, which operated every hour. Leaving the land-between-the-rivers, Iyot assumed, would be less problematic than entering it. In reality, the true place of security was at the ferry. Soldiers constantly combed through the area, searching wagons at random, and arresting strangers.
Before the sun had begun to rise, Iyot had tried to convince the princess she needed to hide behind the stack of wares in his Cousin’s wagon, underneath a makeshift “bed.” Somehow, despite the lack of language, she understood, and willingly hid. Iyot could see a sense of relief, and admiration in the princess’s eyes, but he ignored it. He wasn’t going to do anything other than his duty.
The princess had been silent as he had pragmatically held her arm and led him to his caravan in the city, and this seemed a relieved change anyways. The Princess would soon learn, as did other women, that he was just an average half-schleem with no spectacular stories or amazing abilities, who got slightly grumpy sometimes. At least that’s what Iyot thought about himself as he neared the river. He didn’t have fully-functional gills, like some, nor could he run as fast as a man could. As far as his dealing skills went, they weren’t as spectacular as Quey’s.
The cart began to ascend down a steep ravine into the ferry, a place devoid of trees and guarded with a large castle, with a large dock holding several boats anchored to a mooring, as the sun shone in full splendor. Iyot held his breath. 10 brawny guards in full metal, body-shaped armor restlessly waited for morning to come, in front of the ferry. Some were polishing swords; others were watching his cart intently. Iyot shuddered. How could he have been so foolish! These guards would arrest or violently punish immediately those who might be suspicious, thought Iyot, discouragingly. "Quiet everyone!" He hissed, as a precaution, thinking about Ti. "Don't make a sound. I'll deal with this as best as I see fit." Quey scowled at him. He knew he was being too controlling over the group, but it seemed the safest thing to do in this instance.
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Dec 17, 2015 22:31:22 GMT -7
As they rolled towards the ferry, one guard, that was particularly heavily-built, and a little older, called out menacingly: "Who departs to our countryside, in the name of the king! We are sworn to search every cart passing this way. Did you not hear of the princess's kidnapping?"
Another thin whiny, voice rang out, "Although, we think that if they were smart enough to kidnap her, they were also smart enough to have accomplices who would take them over the river. What do obviously Ruutryn Half-Schleem mean going in the wrong direction, I wonder?" A oddly-thin guard (which he had not noticed) with balding blonde hair and shrew-like eyes spoke.
Iyot winced. He felt foolish for thinking the Ferry would not be guarded. Quey gave him an icy look full of anger, but Iyot didn't need to see her face to know he had made a terrible mistake.
"I am Iyot, and I seek trade in the western wilderness," lied Iyot feebly.
The guards laughed, as the thickly built man, apparently the leader called out "search every inch of the cart!"
Iyot was shaking as the guards opened the doors to his carts and each of his group members moved to the front of the cart. He knew he was about to be thrown in the dungeon and sentenced to death, and so would his relatives as well. What a terrible mistake he had made.
Rather abruptly, the thin, balding man tapped him on the knee beside the cart, coming close to Iyot in an urgent whisper.
"You fool. Don't panic. We know of your coming. We are all agents of the Prince's. The Prince is not altogether without intelligence in these matters. He sent a messenger to warn us of your coming. If you please, we might help you out a little. But be cautious, there are king's men here: my superior, Atus." He tilted his head towards the heftier man that had first spoken to them.
Iyot's mouth dropped in relief, but a part of him had become a little suspicious. How prevalent were the prince's men, and what were they doing that was directly against the will of the king?
Couldn't they take the princess off his hands? But then, thought Iyot, didn't the Prince want to ascribe the blame on Ruutryn? He frowned again when the thought had come to him. With a bunch of schleem kidnaping the princess, it was an easy way to deflect any guilt from the Prince himself, if it so happened that those loyal to the king found them out. It seemed that his caravan would be the ones to pay, and the prince would be absolved totally. Unlike what the prince had said, it seemed, based on the knowledge that had already spread to this place, that the King's network of security was pervasive through the entire kingdom.
Why had he been so foolish? He thought once more on the money. Had it been worth it?
The guards eyed the castle now and again, while they searched the carts, while Iyot and the others remained frozen where they were.
Whether they saw the princess or not didn't seem important. One by one, each of the guards that had elected to search exited the cart.
"Nothing Sir!" said one of them to thus.
"Very well, I still feel it is suspicious, I think. Half-Schleem, spawn of sea-monsters, and accesories to Ruutryn spying, no doubt, cannot be trusted or liked. Shurnam and Tallam, see that these fish-boys and girls are followed as far as the Jhute border will permit...a 6 day journey. I strongly suspect mischief."
"We will do this," said two of the guards stiffly, despite the rather large commitment that doing this entailed. Perhaps this was actually a routine thing for guards to do for suspicious people.
He noticed these were two guards in their late teens, a little more wiry than the rest, and both with terrible acne that moved towards the cart again.
Iyot eyed them with wonder or suspicion. Were they also (hopefully) agents of the prince, and did he indeed recruit so young?
"Let them come up here with me," suggested Iyot emptily. "There is no need for them to walk, and perhaps slow us down."
"At your request," said both stiffly, though it had been their commander he had been speaking to.
One, the taller, mechanically sat next to Iyot, and the other, next to Quey, on the cart. Ti and Yeo reluctantly moved to the place where the supplies were.
"You are free to go," said Atus, the commander, as if he had said it hundreds of times.
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Jan 4, 2016 9:28:56 GMT -7
Iyot told his horses to move, and they made their way down the ferry, which was out on a pier a few dozen feet outside the river, past the gates that the castle held.
Shurnam, the one on Iyot’s cart, bade the guardsmen who watched the wall to open the gate. Iyot gazed at the teenager in wonderment. He hair that, due to some genetic force, or purposeful manipulation stood straight up, giving him a rather disturbed, shocked look over a rather permanently dazed face. After going through the gate, and several feet away, the teenager whispered to him, with delight, “here’s where it gets fun.”
Iyot breathed a calm sigh of relief. The teenager seemed to be his side. The caretaker of the ferry started moving towards them. He was a rotund man with a big handle-bar mustache. “Early arrivals, eh?” he said, winking, totally friendly, unlike the guards.
The ferry was run by a special, giant water wheel that a few horses seemed to rotate using a series of pulleys and it looked as if the caretaker ran the controls. The ferry man winked again “Well, I usually wait, but things seemed to a mite behind schedule, what with the princess being missing, and look there! It’s comin’ to take my spot!” He pointed to the other ferry off in the distance, which apparently had full capacity. Iyot and his horses and cart entered the large, flat vessel. After a few moments, and with the help of a crewsman or two, the man let off the ramp and untied themselves from the pier. The Jhu river was more than a simple stream. It would take about a half hour to forty-five minutes to get to the other side. The morning was still misty as the horse team began chugging the giant set of pulleys.
As they left, Iyot noticed a large island that he had originally thought was the land on the other side. Mist was actually obscuring further on. Apparently others in his company had noticed the same thing.
“What a huge island in a giant river,” said Ti, saying it rather bluntly.
“Aye,” said the caretaker of the ferry. “That’sa just what we’re wanting to avoid. It has sharp rocks near the shore. Many a ferry has been drown’ded over there. But don’t worry, I have a sharp eye for rocks and know the land.”
The group progressed as the ferry horses calmly walked in a circle, continuously powering the levers that powered the vessel and the caretaker (whose name was Tunus) steering lazily. Iyot closed his eyes in relief as they reached the island well away from it that he had been told was a threat. He didn’t want to deal with them if he were under or above the water, especially with the princess. The captain steered very close, but then, something happened that everyone immediately felt. There was a jolt to one side abruptly.
“Somethings wrong with the steering! No worries, we’re well past the island.” he said, matter of factly. Yet, despite his assurances, Iyot saw they were headed straight for the island in the river. One of the girl Schleems screamed. The next few minutes were a blur. As the rather square-shaped ferry began spinning and the caretaker lost control, everyone on board started screaming or clinging tight to the vessel. Yir was unceremoniously vomiting off the side of the cart, while Iyot noticed in relief that they had, in fact missed the island, but only barely. He suspected that the current could still steer them towards the island. Why had they chosen this spot for a ferry, rather than downwind of the island? Though Iyot as he started spinning helplessly. But, suspected, Iyot, perhaps there were many islands and this was indeed the best place to ferry, or maybe it closest to the city and happened so infrequently that it wasn’t a major issue. Perhaps it was combination of both things.
Suddenly, the ferry stopped spinning, and started moving in a straight direction.
“Ha, fixed it! Told you I could,” he said with a malicious, humorous gleam in his eye. Yir held his stomach, obviously hurting. He looked at the caretaker as if he had done it all along, just for spite. Iyot vaguely thought the same thing.
Suddenly, a calm, reserved voice spoke.
“Ah. Now we all can talk. This ferry will not be making it to the other side as soon as we think, I’m afraid, although I must leave you soon and commence my duties ‘finding’ the princess on the other side of the river.” It was the prince Mayam again. He did a double take, but there he was. He must have been hiding somewhere. And how had he known he would come? Of course, it was the only crossing for miles. He handed the caretaker of the ferry a bag of money in the same gesture. Mist still obscured the other side of the river, and the island in front of them obscured them from the view of others.
Both guards, Shurnam and Tallam wore a smug look on their faces.
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Post by Providence on Jan 5, 2016 10:40:14 GMT -7
"I apologize for deceiving you so," droned Mayam. "But I had to make sure that my father's agents would not overhear my plans. Not all of the guards are as loyal to me as they say they are." He glanced at Shurnam and Tallam, who looked fearful. The prince only laughed. "I'm only joking, men. Relax." They forced a laugh, but tried to maintain their dignity by standing up all the straighter.
The prince looked at the Silent princess again, then at the various Ruuschleem. "Now then, listen carefully. It is scarcely a few hours before noon and already the kingdom is in an uproar about the princess being kidnapped. I'd wager the populous will be all the more addled come the evening when the rumors can spread even faster. I have told my father that I would head off the kidnappers at the ferry station, and I'll be able to come back empty-handed and tell him that I lost you. You can stay here with the ferryman for a few hours until I return to the city, and then make your way there. This will make my father think that you took her downstream to the North. All that they know is that you are Half-schleem."
Iyot was confused. Why was the prince trying to deceive his father like this? Why didn't he just tell him that he preferred to choose his bride? He thought of the beautiful princess, who had been silently hiding in the cart this whole time. This whole plan didn't seem fair to treat her like some kind of cargo. Still, she would be making it back home like she wanted, and those five thousand temblems...
"On the way here, I jotted down some further instructions for you," said the prince, handing Iyot a scroll. "I'll keep in touch with you via a Gro:ghim I hired. He'll be shadowing you and bringing news back and forth from us. If you see a Gro:ghim with a purple sash around his waist, trust him with your life. Any questions?"
The Ruuschleem didn't know what to say, but then Ti blurted out "I don't trust Fliers with anything. Why'd you have to bring one of them into this?"
The prince looked at him sternly. "Ge:nhar is an old friend of mine. He saved my life once. If you trust me at all, you'll trust him. I can't say the same for any other of his kind, though, which is why you should look for his purple sash."
Soon, the prince hopped into a lifeboat and one of his guards jumped in with him to paddle to the other side of the river. The ferryman dropped three anchors to stabilize the large ferry on the current. They were still behind the island and couldn't see anything on the eastern shore. The princess was finally let out of the cart to get some sunshine, as she no longer had to hide.
"What do we do now?" asked Yir.
"If we're just sitting here the whole time, I say we may as well explore that island," said Ti. He leapt into the water, and soon his head poked up on the shore. "Come on!" he yelled, waving.
"So much for sharp rocks," said Yir, annoyed at the caretaker of the ferry again.
Iyot felt a strong impulse to make sure Ti didn't get hurt or in trouble, so he checked his belongings to make sure that they were secure on the ferry, and jumped in as well.
Suddenly, he realized he couldn't kick his legs. Something seemed to be grabbing them. His mind immediately wondered if there was a kraken in this river, but when he looked behind him, he realized his legs were tangled in a net of green ropes. A schleem net, to be sure. He tried to kick out of them, but each movement caused a low dinging sound to echo under the water. He noticed a bell of Schleem craft in the net.
At last, he got his legs free, and returned to the surface by the ferry. His cousins were looking over the deck at the water.
"What was that sound?" asked Quey.
"River Schleem trap," said Iyot. "Ferryman, are the Schleem here peaceful?"
The ferryman's face looked nervous. "I didn't know there were any around here. I've never boated to this side of the island."
Iyot dipped his head under the dark water and looked into the depths. One of the anchors seemed to have torn through one of the Schleem's nets as it fell. He had no idea what the Schleem were like on this side of the continent. He could only hope that they were not territorial or vengeful. He could hear them now, the sound of deep, resonating songlike voices calling to each other in Tidespeak, and they were coming closer.
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Jan 9, 2016 15:06:54 GMT -7
Iyot suddenly guessed exactly what the destructive rocks were that the caretaker of the ferry had mentioned. Of course, if he remembered, for River Schleem, the little bell made the river people aware of any surface intrusion. These could be placed anywhere to alert the Schleem of any floating craft. And as he saw the island this close, he saw there were no sharp rocks anywhere. And he knew that, despite being mostly peaceful, capsizing boats was a typical thing that the lowlier part of River-Schleem race would do, according to the ancient schleem lore of the world he had learned from his mother. It was incredible they had been getting away with it for so long, probably by making it seem like rocks. Iyot remembered that generally, River Schleem were peaceful and were not warlike at all, but like all societies, there were exceptions, and they were unfortunate enough to find them here.
“Ti, on the promise of your parents to keep you safe, GET BACK HERE, NOW! There are river schleem, and I have a good idea what they do to ferries if they get too close to the island.”
Ti frowned. “But…”
“Enough!” said Iyot, annoyed. Ti hung his head down and started swimming back to the ferry.
He would talk with the caretaker immediately.
The caretaker had already noticed the commotion however (it was hard for him to ignore the yells of his patrons), and came to Iyot. “You say they are capsizing ferries?”
“Exactly. I’m fairly sure. There are no rocks where we are, at least. ”
The captains mouth was wide open, and said nothing. Iyot added clarification.
“If that’s the case, we need to get out of here. Cut the anchors. Throw off your valuables to the river so they don’t have to capsize us.”
The caretaker was still holding his bag of money, and held it tightly.
“I’ve been running this boat for years. I know what I’m talking about when I say they are rocks. Are you absolutely sure of this?”
Iyot sighed. “No, but I’m sure enough to ask my cousin to get back to the ferry.”
Ti had almost made it to the ferry and had poked his head above water, when suddenly about a dozen of other shapes appeared above the water headed towards him only a few yards away. Everyone on the shouted, and Quey, Yeo, and Iyot made the instinctual move to get him out of the water as soon as he came within feet of them.
Ti didn’t need any coaxing when he saw it too. Both he and his would-be assailants began swimming as fast as they could. To Iyot’s relief, Ti go in range enough of his arms, and Quey Yeo, and him were able to pull him halfway into the ferry before the fish like, long-haired primitively-clothed River Schleem popped out of the water and started trying to pull on his legs. Ti was kicking and screaming at this point.
“Let me go! I don’t want to be a River Schleem!” he tactlessly screamed in Ruutro.
Somehow, Ti managed to kick one of them in the eye, and that seemed to be the turning point that allowed Ti to make it back safely to the other side.
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Jan 18, 2016 11:32:21 GMT -7
The Caretaker had been watching, and had done as Iyot had instructed without any problem: thrown the money into the river and cut the anchors.
But Iyot thought it might be too late. The river Schleem surely carried primitive axes or drills with them, and had certainly capsized ferries numerous times, and they would soon start to sink them before they noticed the money.
Sure enough, in a rush of water, a small hole appeared in the middle of the vessel, and crew members of the ferry rushed to plug it in as they floated towards the other side of the river. Iyot had to assume more holes would appear very soon. In a daring move, the captain mushed his horses to go full speed as a strange knocking noise was heard all underneath the vessel. Suddenly, Quey got an idea “Throw everything over board!” she yelled.
Of course, it was a desperate move, but perhaps it would unlatch any river schleem that might have latched on to the bottom of the ferry or cause them to be distracted. Knowing the nature of schleem marauders in the ocean, there was a slight possibility they could be spared, though he was sure that they would kill any who reached the water. He looked at the princess, who was sitting scrunched in a corner of the cart, plugging her ears with her mouth tight.
Quey unlatched the first cart from their horses, and the Ruuschleem together pushed it towards the side of the boat that the water current was pushing. Another hole appeared in the boat, and another crewmember went to plug it. Suddenly, their plans halted as they saw what had come on board from the side of the boat. It was a long-haired, male River-Schleem, dressed in heavy loose, mossy clothing, with a large, obsidian sword. “Halloo kinsman,” he said, in a strong accent of Karquaam (the language of the Jhutes) that bespoke the remnants of an archaic language that had probably long gone extinct. Suddenly, the pounding stopped.
Clearly, the River Schleem, who apparently now lived off the islands in the river, had had limited contact with the people on the other side. Iyot remembered vaguely that at one time, the Jhutes had exercised a great deal of control over the River Schleem for centuries, forcing them to learn their language and to some extent, adopt their customs. However, with the advent of Emperor Dithranon’s father, the Jhutes left the river Schleem to their own devices.
“What do you want from us?!” said Yir, frightened.
“We want to know why you have taken up with our enemies.”
“Enemies? These people are helping us get to the other side,” said Yeo
“Bah!” he spat, “I should have known. Half-human mongrels! Just as good as human. Come back to your people, or drown like these humans will!”
“Leave these men alone. They mean you no harm, and we will give you anything you’d like from this craft,” said Quey, calmly.
The schleem was caught off guard with the frankness. It would be hard to justify evil behavior now that the “they mean you no harm,” premise had been stated.
“You are wrong! The Jhutes are a curse to the Schleem people!”
“Well, you better kill us too! We aren’t getting off the ferry, and we intend to aid every human on this vessel! Would you slay one of your own kind? Would you stoop to that level?” yelled Quey, assertively. The schleems eyes pulsed in rage, but surprisingly, he turned around and said: “Very well, we will let you and party go, as we would never even kill a mutant spawn of our kind, but NEVER return to the river again.”
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Jan 22, 2016 21:45:10 GMT -7
The River Schleem turned around, breaking the fourth wall. "Well, I guess he's right. May we accept a gift then?” said the river Schleem.
"Blast," said Yir, "Austin’s suggesting these mischievous bandits of be even worse than they are now?"
"After all, it wasn't my net, it was someone else’s down the way. And the alarm alerted us to your presence while we were hanging out down here, so me and the gang saw the boat and thought there was spoils to be had. We are gaining more than we are losing. But not the fish farmer...he's losing." said the River Schleem. "And I could just as easily kill you underwater...but it might be fun to capsize the ferry anyways."
"No!" Said Quey "We said we would help them any way we could, remember. If you tried to kill us, you'd have to kill us too!"
"Oh yeah, and I could not kill my own kind…that’s true, but I still would like a gift," said the River Schleem, suddenly remembering.
All the characters continued to stare at Austin.
"What could you give to this Full-Schleem? You are the one that pointed out this plot hole"
Austin reached into his pocket and pulled out his brand new Iphone. All of the characters stared in awe at the totally anachronistic technology.
“Give me that,” said the River Schleem.
“But it will totally fizz out underwater,” Austin pointed out practically. “Sorry, I don’t have anything else on me at the moment.”
“Hmm…well, aren’t you some sort of demi-god in this story then? How about a huge mansion, with a hot tub and a nice pool?”
Austin thought a moment. “Hmm…” he pondered “Well, maybe in some parallel universe. We will have to get back to the real story in a moment.”
Austin waved his hands, and a giant, luxuries mansion with a dock with a fine sparkling chlorine pool to the side had appeared.
The river schleem gave two thumbs up and turned back around as Austin disappeared…
* * *
Initially Iyot was surprised when the bandit simply turned away and dived back into the water, as he expected him to ask for money. His query was answered almost by the sudden splash of the caravan into the water. Other Schleem had tipped it into the water, and had plunged it into the river. With it went the gold coins he had gotten from the caravan this year, though he still had the money the prince had given him in his pocket. In addition, the rest of the goods they were to sell were in that caravan. Fortunately, in the other caravan, the tents, some of the food, and other items were stored. Suddenly, the splashing stopped and the water around them became much clearer. Iyot gave a sigh of relief. He hoped nobody had died.
Other members of the boat were simply surveying the damage, which had calmed down considerably. In the commotion surrounding the discussion with the river Schleem, it had not been noticed the bandits had stolen all of the ferry horses, and two mules of Iyot’s party. Iyot could see the horses being led by the river Schleem onto the river island at this moment. In addition, the caretaker of the ferry was nowhere to be found. A hole still ominously leaked some water, but it was mostly plugged. It had been lucky that for whatever the reason, they had spared one of Iyot’s carts and mules. It would be tight going now though unless they could get another vehicle. Iyot went towards the middle of the ferry.
“Nothing,” said one of the two crew members of the ferry, who surveyed the damage somberly, his eyes moist. “They didn’t even spare the other lifeboat or an oar….and…”
Iyot surveyed the other side of the boat, and saw that the location where the equipment for the ferry was destroyed, and the area was bent and damaged, but still intact.
Iyot shook his hand. “I am Iyot, the leader of the party, what happened to the Caretaker?”
“During the pandemonium that was going on when you tried to push the cart overboard, the River Schleem over powered us and took him under. I do not know if he is alive, but I can hope. He was my uncle.”
Suddenly, they felt a sharp snap as the anchor let loose. Without the horses as power, however there was less spinning as they started drifting down river…to where, none of them knew quite.
As soon as the shock of what had happened wore off, and the rather disconcerting spinning of the boat (which did not end up hitting the island), Iyot examined the state of all the members on the ferry. There was himself, Quey, Yir, Yeo, who were in perfect condition, Ti, who was sporting bruised and sore ankles, Shurnam, who now sported a big gash on the cheek and on the arm, Tallam, who now had black eye, and probably concussion, and a small cut on the leg. Both had tried to fight the Schleem who had taken the caretaker. The crew members, whose turned out to be nephews of the ferry caretaker, were named Amus and Ayam. Amus had a big cut on his arm, and Ayam who had a few bruises, was simply dejected that his uncle was gone. The princess was still huddling in a corner, totally overwhelmed situation that had been going on. She seemed to have taken it the worst emotionally of anyone, the look of fear clear in her face.
The rest of the day, quite unlike the one Iyot had expected, was spend drifting in the middle of the river. They managed to avoid islands or other schleem (perhaps they assumed their vessel was abandoned, or they simply didn’t expect humans to be floating there). Now, Iyot had another concern now. He had humans, including the princess, on board, who couldn’t swim to land, and Iyot feared getting into the water would provoke another River Schleem attack. Even if they were to swim, Iyot speculated that he was not safe in this river, as he could be overpowered by hostile Schleem, though he assumed only renegate and criminal Schleem would attack them. After all, the Schleem race was noble. Still, there was no question he could even possibly allow these helpless beings to drown, even if they were human. Yet, going into the water and trying to direct the boat was becoming a more appealing idea as time wore on. One victory was that the boat's leaks had been stopped entirely, the the gash caused the boat the tip a little, and rapids would be highly dangerous.
“Yir, I wonder when we’ll hit the ocean,” said Ti.
Iyot frowned, and Yir was even less encouraging. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen, or we might be in serious trouble for us and them. Don’t you remember the steps to acclimatize to swimming in salt water for the first time in a while, after swimming in fresh water for months? We would be poisoned and die unless we had the right stuff to rub on our gills first. It was in the cart that went overboard.”
Ti was a little stubborn at that idea, “but, it was always fine back home.”
“It is what happens when we travel by land and can’t reach the ocean. You have never experienced it, because salt and fresh water are both near our home. It takes about a week of rubbing this stuff on your gills, and even if we had it, we just don’t have that time”
Iyot thought about it again at this ominous news Yir had shared. What would happen to them? Iyot had no earthly idea when they’d reach the ocean. In the ocean, they would be stranded and could not find food. They had to reach land soon, for both the humans and their sake. Was there a city near the river’s end? It seemed promising, but also conspicuous, and they didn’t want to get caught.
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Jan 30, 2016 19:45:52 GMT -7
Chapter III
Iyot yawned at the coming dawn. It was the third day they had been spinning on the river, and Iyot had to admit, it had be unfortunate that the party had been frozen with indecision and unable to offer a solution. Quey was still questioning Iyot over his decision to take the princess to her home. After all, it had turned out to be a debacle. It seemed that most of the other members, even Ti, seemed upset at Iyot. Iyot hoped he could maintain his leadership, and they would not follow Quey. Quey argued that they could simply go home eventually and use the profits from what the prince had given Iyot to start again. If they ever ran into the prince, it would be trouble, but since they lived in country not under the rule of any vast empire, it was unlikely they would come there to take them. They could stay there and begin a new trade, but the consequences of doing that seemed irrevocable to Iyot. This was because it had been what he had been doing his whole life. Additionally, turning back would mean that they would be going in the very direction they were suspecting his party to go.
Even worse, and more pressing, no member thought of a reasonable solution to actually get out of the boat. Many times during the first day, they saw dips in the river that indicated the abundance of river schleem in the river, but none dare go into the water. After they had gotten the courage to get into the water the second day, they realized that their combined power in the water was futile against the current of the river. It was then they realized they were running out of time. The Ferry’s hands said that the journey to the river took four days to float into the ocean. The third day seemed dismal at best, and Iyot and the others had been praying to the gods to know what to do.
Suddenly, interrupting Iyot’s thoughts, he heard a strange thunk in the middle of the ferry. He opened his eyes. Standing before him was the strangest creature he had ever seen. The first thing he notices was his rather yellow, birdlike wings. His hair was a straw-colored blond, and his face was boyish, though Iyot knew he had to be in his 40’s, because of the wrinkles around his eyes. One of the most distinguishing features was the purple sash over a rather drab, brown outfit. Iyot was stunned. It was the messenger of the prince. What news would he bring, and could he help them? Yir had awoken as well at the sound, and he said it before he did.
“Gro:ghim,” he said.
“Yes,” said the creature in an unbecomingly fowl-like, harsh voice. “You are the prince’s new Rhuschleemish servant, are you not?”
Iyot frowned. He supposed what he was saying correct, but he wasn’t particularly fond of how the creature had phrased it.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“Very well then. My name is Ge:nhar, a friend and oft cohort of the prince. He said to only talk to the messenger with the purple sash. Did you notice it?”
Iyot nodded. “I noticed it. I was relieved. We are in trouble out here.”
Ge:nhar made a grimace. “I know. I was expecting you along the path, but I could not find you from flying over the whole area of the road, so I suspected something might have happened at the river. The prince told me that you had not arrived when he was still at the other side, and it had been hours. I kept that possibility in my heart, but checked the road first. What happened?”
Iyot explained what had happened after the prince had left, being sure to mention the renegade river Schleem. Ge:nhar listened intently.
“Well, that changes things quite a bit,” he said as Iyot concluded, slightly annoyed. Then he said. “I asked the river schleem to only take Ferry caretaker, nobody else, and to spare the ship after you had bargained with them for money. I guess, from what you have told me, that the River Schleem were fully intending to destroy every human on board the vessel and take everything on board. It was good you were schleem yourself. So much for betrayal. They have completely altered our plans by partial destroying this vessel and making you unable to reach the other side.”
Iyot started. So, the prince had been intending to kill the caretaker, or at least he guessed, but why?
“But why did they take the caretaker?” said Iyot, puzzled.
“The caretaker was a long time agent of Prime Minister Gurtam, who has been suspecting the Prince of mischief for years and years. The prince got a very large cue the caretaker had been a double-agent before we lifted off. He suggested the extra plan to me, giving me some money to go to the island inhabited by Schleem and make them aware of what was going on, asking them only to take the caretaker to their island, and ask for money which we had payed the caretaker, where, if done successfully, we would reward them further. They apparently discounted that we would find the ferry missing.”
Iyot’s mouth dropped. The prince seemed incredibly cunning, and it seemed more and more frightening to think about. Iyot momentarily wondered if his end was next, but then another possibility struck him. Yir concluded it faster than he did, when he said.
“So, he’s not dead, just kidnapped?”
“Yes. He must be kept by the River Schleem until he receives a trial by the prince. The prince is anxious to personally punish him as soon as possible.”
Everyone else was still fast asleep, but Iyot eyed the ferry hands, nephews of the caretaker. Were they double agents as well? They seemed quite backwards to him, honestly, and lacked any sinister bone in their bodies.
Iyot was seriously beginning to doubt his cause. The prince was definitely evil and corrupt, something he should have known from the beginning. Though the king had no other sons, he assumed that if any definite evidence arose condemning him in this way, he would lose his right as the heir.
Iyot realized that he should have exposed the prince immediately. The emperor Dithranon would surely never let his eldest son become king if he knew that the prince had been plotting against him for many years. And it would be almost certain that the king would have rewarded him even greater than what the prince had done. But who would actually believe him? After all, he was only a Ruuschleem.
The Gro:ghim saw the worry in Iyot’s eyes.
“Do not fear the prince. For those who serve him, he rewards. I never am continuously employed by him, yet I get paid well.”
Iyot’s mouth hung open, totally in conflict.
In the meantime Yir decided to ask another question that had been pressing on him.
“How did he know the caretaker was a double agent?”
The Gro:ghim smiled. “What do you think? He could read his mind, and know he was being betrayed by him. The caretaker had been tired of serving the prince, and was contemplating exposing the plot to kidnap the princess and take her home immediately.”
Iyot puzzled a moment. “You say that he wants to take the princess home, but it would be a lot easier for him to have just killed her as he intended, since he has such as wide network, and he could not risk exposure like this. What is really going on?”
The Gro:ghim’s face suspiciously turned a bright red. “Nothing is going on. The prince just doesn’t want to kill her. He has values, you know. He feels regret for what he tried to do to her.”
Iyot wasn’t convinced, and he would press a little harder. “So you say. But I want to know the whole story.”
Iyot felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked up, and saw the beautiful eyes of the princess, who had awakened. She had a knowing look on her face, almost a smile, as if she knew exactly what was going on. The Gro:ghim looked at the princess and stood silent, also in awe of her beauty once more. The princess gazed into the Gro:him’s eyes. To Iyot and Yir’s surprise, he turned away quickly.
“I don’t want to share it with them, the prince told me not to.” said the Gro:ghim, as if protesting something in his mind, totally unaware he was speaking his thoughts.
The princess continued to gaze at him not blinking, while the Gro:ghim buckled to his knees, his hands in his palms. Was he crying?
Yeo suddenly woke up with a start. From the other side of the ferry, she said the obvious. “What going on here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” said Yir.
The princess smiled again. Suddenly, everyone away heard the same, female voice in their mind.
UNDERSTAND, NEED TALK.
It was cryptic, but they all knew the outside source. It had been the princess. It seemed she that though she was silent, she had somehow figured out how to relay words to people’s minds, or at least what they meant, at least to a very small degree. There was no doubt that it would take some practice. The princess smiled again.
TELL TELL TELL TELL!
The Groghim screamed in agony, as if he could not stand the intrusion of the princess’s mind, then suddenly got up and spat on the ground. He held his head in pain. Whatever the princess was doing was quite painful. Nevertheless, he managed to pout out.
“Do not let the princess push you around. I will be back with more news from the prince. You are stuck here, but count on us to get you on your path. Trust us. Betray us, and you shall die.”
He flew away, still clutching his head.
The princess remained silent again, exhausted, lay back down. Apparently, the princess was learning the Jhute language, and at least the ability to relay things to schleemish minds had suddenly come to full force. Iyot had a feeling the Gro:ghim had developed the ability to have the prince’s mind realy thoughts to his own mind his easily, but it had been a big disadvantage when the princess was able to access the Gro:ghim’s mind and communicate things the Gro:ghim did not want to think about or deal with.
Everyone was awake after Ge:nhar's agonizing screams. Iyot sighed. He, along with Yir, would have to tell everyone, stranger and family, what was going on.
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Iyot
Tenderfoot
Posts: 8
Race: Half-schleem
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Post by Iyot on Feb 4, 2016 21:07:43 GMT -7
Iyot sighed, “I was wrong the whole time, believing the prince. I believe he is a liar, and will kill us if we disobey. I don’t know what he wants from us, but I suspect it may not be to go all the way to the far west.”
Then, the thought came into his mind, “The prince arranged the schleem to attack the boat and kidnap the Caretaker of the ferry. And I suspect, or at least speculated that he was faintly hoping the schleem would do more damage than he had asked, and kill us all. Instead, I think they did what he asked, and then destroyed and pillaged the boat.”
He didn’t know why he thought that, but perhaps the princess was influencing his thoughts with what was going on.
The caretaker’s nephews exchanged looks of hatred. Iyot knew full well that things would be different between him and the prince from now on. How could the prince do nothing about their predicament? The Gro:ghim had totally ignored that they were stranded on this boat.
His speculated weren’t exactly what had happened, and it didn’t seem to make sense, seeing that the prince had instructed them what to do on the boat, but the thought still persisted.
After a few moments of silence, Quey spoke. “I suspected as much all along. Why didn’t you let me tell you?”
Iyot looked down, not wanting to make eye contact with Quey.
“Because the prince seemed convincing, and…he paid me,” he said, lamely.
Shurnam and Tallam both exchanged looks of fear. They were servants of the prince, and paid no allegiance to them, but they were armed, and could perhaps cause the deaths of some of the party. .
To Iyot’s surprise when he was about to talk to them, Tallam spoke fearfully: “You truly right. The Prince is a liar. He told us to kill you if you betrayed him and he would pay us…but we didn’t anticipate our own lives being put at risk by the Schleem who purposefully attacked us, and now this ordeal with the watercraft. How will we get off of this boat if we do kill you? I strongly suspect the Prince may not really care about rewarding us after that, or even saving our lives…but I’m not sure how I’m thinking that or whether it has any logical basis.” He said puzzled. Iyot again wondered if the Princess was again influencing everyone’s thoughts. The same idea came into Iyot’s mind, and it seemed to make sense.
Tallam suddenly forced a smile. Shurnam turned over and sighed, “you’re right Tallam. Then we must pay you the sacred life debt.”
Iyot nodded. The life debt was sacred to all the Jhute people, and meant that one had to be allies with the person that had saved their life for as long as they be alive. It also explained why the Prince served the Gro:ghim by paying to be a messenger.
The princess was again smiling at everyone, mostly unaware of what was being said and unable to communicate, but apparently aware of what was going on in everyone’s minds and influencing them nonetheless.
Iyot raised his voice. “Is there anyone on this vessel who wishes to remain a vassal of the prince!? Speak now!”
Nobody spoke, but the Princess pointed at Tallam.
Iyot spoke again, feeling the princess’s influence. “What does the princess mean?”
Tallam’s face turned red. “Okay, I was idly hoping I could earn the money still, after we were rescued. I’m sorry. I suppose I am not free to think that now.”
He looked in fear at the princess. It would be difficult to be betrayed with the princess influencing every thought. It was almost frightening to think about how no thought was safe from her view.
Iyot thought about the Prince’s father, who certainly possessed similar telepathic powers. Perhaps the prince had learned to lie so well because he had to do it in his thoughts as well. Those he manipulated were undoubtedly completely defenseless, since he always held the cards. Iyot was beginning to see why the royalty and the silent ones had intermixed. It was to create a ruling super-race of humans, with the best of both characteristics from either race. It was frightening to think about how the King could read everyone’s mind, and it ensured absolute power from Jhute rulers. And, he had heard that the kings generally lived twice that of normal human beings, probably due to this inbreeding. Perhaps the prince was growing tired of waiting, or feared his lengthy reign would be cut short by having the least of this blood in his chain of generations.
In any case, Iyot looked off into the distance. It looked like several miles distant (the trees had been replaced with farm fields), the river spread into a big delta in preparation for the ocean, where a rather sizeable town lay. Either way, he felt they would get in trouble if they made themselves known. No solution for getting off of the river remained, however, and they were heading towards the ocean.
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