The Elles Here (Elsewhere) Place

by Steve Simons

  Jo turns her attention to the gap in the bushes and the search for the island. She squeezes between the first two bushes, the next two are staggered a bit. Jo Cautiously steps into the gap between them, being careful not to push in too deep. The island can now be seen. Jo half expected to see its coastline smothered in Grob-Lusier, instead it appears to be deserted, apart from something quite high up on the hill. Jo wonders, if it is this place's equivalent, of a fort, or look out post. It is too far away, to make out any detail and there appears to be no movement around it. Jo scans the island's outline again and again, in the hope that she can pick up further clues or indications as to whether the Grobs are over there or not. It would be pointless to mount some form of attack on the island, if it is deserted. Jo knows that she must prove to herself, that the Grobs are on the island, but quite how to do this, without giving away that she is here, quite escapes her.

  The light is starting to fade now. Jo decides she must settle down for the night and observe the island again tomorrow. Maybe the Grobs will do something that will give away the fact that they are over there. Maybe more of them will venture from this coast to the island, or they may mount some form of raiding party.

  Jo's stomach is feeling pretty hungry now, it is grumbling a lot. Jo wonders if she dare eat anything. Hunger has not bothered her until now. She remembers the Levens, that the Ailers talked about as being delicious, would whatever they are be safe to eat or not? If only she had brought some food with her. Jo laughs at the stupidity of that thought, how was she to know that she would fall into this place and not be able to get back again. Was she, to evermore after this point in time, always carry emergency food supplies with her, wherever she goes?

  Stepping back into the security of the bushes again, Jo looks at the curled-up leaf like structures and wonders, which of them, the Ailers considered to be Levens, if only she had not turned down the offer of trying them, Jo would know now, which they were. Jo wonders if she can tell by the smell. She tries to sniff some of the nearby leaves. But they all seem pretty similar. Perhaps taste is the key, but how can she check that without actually eating some? Jo decides to stroke the leaves and then carefully lick her fingers. The first sample tastes so bitter, that it cannot be good to eat. The next is not so bad, the third however, a much lighter shade of green, has a very sweet taste. Jo decides that she will try one, so carefully she breaks one of the cones off. Almost instantly, the liquid from within trickles down her hand. She sniffs it and it has a glorious sweet syrup like smell about it. Jo carefully licks a bit off her hand and it tastes really sweet and yet it also has a very flavoursome taste, almost like a strong fruit sweet. Jo instantly decides that she likes the taste and picks several more of these cone like leaves. She sits down and starts eating them. Jo suddenly remembers the Cut-Tager, she does not want to lose it, so decides to see if it is still content with it's grazing.

  When Jo emerges from the bushes, she is most shocked to see that Cut-Tager has gone!

  Jo scans all round to see if the Cut-Tager can be seen in the distance, perhaps it has just wondered off a bit.

  No! There is no indication of where it is, nor a trail showing where it is has gone.

  Great! Jo thinks to herself, not only has she lost Desag, but now she has managed to lose her faithful Cut-Tager too.

  Suddenly, she hears a rustle in the bushes a bit further up. Jo quickly darts back into her bushes and waits quietly, in-case it is a Grob, hiding in the bushes. If it is, the chances of seeing its faint outline in this level of light, is going to be impossible. Jo stays perfectly still and listens.

  There it is again!

  Suddenly, something touches Jo's leg, she moves quickly, in-case it is a Grob trying to grab her. Jo looks down and laughs at her own sense of panic. For what she sees, is her Cut-Tager. It suddenly flops down and no longer moves, all noise ceases. At first Jo panics, thinking that the Cut-Tager is dead. But as it opens an eye and looks up at her, she can see that it appears to be quite well.

  Jo gets down on the ground and affectionately pats the Cut-Tager and it in turn, makes that kind of purring noise again. Jo decides that she will settle beside the Cut-Tager and continue her meal, perhaps the Cut-Tager was feeling a bit lonely, now that nightfall is descending. After all, Cut-Tagers seemed to normally hang around in herds. Perhaps Jo has taken on the role of an honorary Cut-Tager.

  Soon Jo has resumed her meal of the cone shaped leaves and occasionally patting the Cut-Tager, to re-assure it that she is still around. It is quite comforting having the Cut-Tager here, as it is quite soft and also nice and warm. The latter quite important now, as the air temperature seems to be dropping.

  ~~o~~o~~o~~

  Chapter 9 - Disturbed

  Quite what had awoken Jo, she was not sure, it didn't seem to be the Cut-Tager, as that still seemed to be quite content to lay by her side, probably still fast asleep. However, something had clearly disturbed Jo, she had that strong feeling, that there was something going on.

  Jo listened for a while, hearing nothing unusual, the waves still crashing against the shore, in their unceasing regular pattern. Jo decides that she will cautiously crawl towards the edge of the bushes that face towards the sea.

  Having just reached the gap between the outer bushes, Jo hears something, a kind of “flick, flick” noise. Jo listens again, hoping that she can visualise what could be making the noise, but nothing comes to mind.

  There it is again!

  Suddenly, in the distance, out to sea, Jo catches sight of movement. What is it? The light is so dim, it is not much more than a vague shadow of an image. A shadow of what though?

  There is that noise again! Flick flick! A pause, then again Flick Flick! Whatever it is, its certainly regular.

  A pattern is forming in Jo's mind, the noise and the fact that it is a shape out at sea, between the coast and the island. That is it! It comes to Jo in a flash, it is a boat, a rowing boat, the flick flick noise, is that of the oars, as they emerge out of the water. Jo has heard the noise before, at the boating lake.

  Jo watches and waits.

  Something touches Jo's leg and makes her jump!

  As she feels that it is warm, Jo suddenly remembers the Cut-Tager, it is probably the Cut-Tager, it has probably missed Jo and come to look for her. Jo looks back into the bushes, at first as it is very dark, Jo sees nothing, then the vague shape of the Cut-Tager can be made out. Jo reaches out and pats the Cut-Tager to reassure it. The familiar purring noise is heard again.

  Jo resumes watching the boat, as it gets ever closer.

  Eventually, the boat pulls up onto the shoreline, further down from the spot where Jo and the Cut-Tager are hiding, much to Jo's relief.

  Jo sees three tall figures emerge from the boat. She recognises their shape as being Grobs. The are Grobs must be so assured that they are not being observed, that they haven't even bothered to make themselves invisible. Two of them pull the boat further up onto the shore and into the nearby bushes. The third seems to be on lookout duty. Jo makes sure that there is no chance that she can be seen by any of the three Grobs. Suddenly they dart into the bushes and disappear.

  Wondering where they are going, Jo gently and slowly crawls back into her bushes, stopping first to reassure the Cut-Tager that she is not going to desert it. The Cut-Tager seems to understand as it slowly and gently follows Jo, stopping when she stops. At last Jo can see out the other side. The three Grobs are running up the hill now.

  Without following the Grobs, Jo will not find out what mischief they are up to. Jo is tempted at first to follow them, but it being so dark, she may put herself and the Cut-Tager in more danger. At least she has proved that the Grobs are on the island, so in that respect, it is mission accomplished.

  Tomorrow, Jo can concentrate on getting herself and her Cut-Tager back to the Fusas and report her findings to them.

  Jo crawls back to her safe haven; the Cut-Tager follows her an
d they both settle down again, to resume their sleep.

  Although Jo is comfortable and warm again, she finds it somewhat difficult to get back to sleep, there are too many things going on in her mind, worries about getting back to the Fusas and worries about being discovered by the returning Grobs. However, in the end, pure tiredness takes over and Jo gives into sleep.

  ~~o~~o~~o~~

  Chapter 10 – To Find The Way Back

  Breakfast finished, the Cut-Tager grazed and Jo has even checked that the Grobs row boat has gone again. Jo and the Cut-Tager are ready to set off back to the Fusas. Jo just hopes that she can find things that remind her what route to take. Jo has even packed her pockets with plenty of the cone like leaves, in-case she can't find any on the way.

  Jo pats the Cut-Tager and says, “Well my friend, we must set off now, it is a long way back. Perhaps you know your way back, if you spot that I am taking the wrong route, feel free to correct me.”

  Soon seated on the Cut-Tager, Jo lifts the eye flap that should make it head up the hill. To Jo's surprise, the Cut-Tager sets off in the desired direction and soon picks up its speed. Now this is truly the way for the Fusas to work with the Cut-Tagers, no tortuous poking with sticks.

  As the Cut-Tager enters the area where the giant worm creature, had erupted the day before, Jo feels somewhat nervous, seeing that great mound of earth and moss. It brings back thoughts of Desag and the other Cut-Tager. Jo just hopes that the hole is not the entrance to the worm creatures permanent home, otherwise the very act of crossing this area could invoke another attack. Jo's Cut-Tager picks up pace almost as if it could read her mind or was having similar thoughts. The faster the pair can get away from here the better. Soon, they are the other side of the line of bushes, that yesterday, seemed like an impenetrable barrier. Ah open ground again, at least if something like that worm creature were to pursue them, Jo would have a chance to see it, before it had a chance to take them by surprise. Jo is pleased that they seem to be making good progress. If she can remember correctly, they came diagonally down the hill, from some bushes to the right.

  Jo keeps her eyes open for any signs of trouble, especially as they approach the bushes at the top of the hill. Being out in the open like this has its disadvantages also, if there are any Grobs around watching they would quickly spot Jo and her Cut-Tager.

  Suddenly Jo is aware of some noise coming from the bushes ahead and to the left of them. She drops the eye flap, the Cut-Tager slows up and stops. Jo carefully scans the bushes for any sign of movement or anything that looks out of place. Suddenly she sees something below a small clump of bushes. There is movement and something emerges, it is moving quite fast. Jo's heart beats fast, she decides not to wait around to find out what is approaching and gently Jo kicks her Cut-Tager, forgetting that she has not lifted any eye flaps. Jo's Cut-Tager lifts various flaps to see what is going on, catches sight of whatever is heading their way and starts to head straight for it!

  Jo tries to divert the Cut-Tager to follow a different route, but the stubborn animal continues to run towards whatever is still rapidly approaching. Jo wonders if she is best staying on or jumping off the Cut-Tager. Perhaps its instinct is to attack whatever is approaching. Jo's is definitely to get away.

  As they get closer, Jo realises that the the creature approaching them is another Cut-Tager. Jo nervously scans the bushes ahead to see if there is a Grob watching and waiting to pounce. Nothing apart from bushes and mounds of moss can be seen. The second Cut-Tager has caught up now, Jo decides it is time for her to take control again, so she opens an eye flap that will take them along the row of bushes. Jo's Cut-Tager is quite happy now to follow her directions. Jo hopes that ahead of them there will be a significantly wide enough gap, that they can go through, hopefully avoiding an ambush.

  Jo looks behind her and sees that the second Cut-Tager is happily following along behind.

  A gap! Quite a wide gap. Jo eyes it up carefully and decides that it should be wide enough, she changes eye flaps. Then implements her plan, gently kicking her Cut-Tager in the side, not hard but enough that the Cut-Tager can feel it. Jo is surprised that it has the desired effect and her Cut-Tager picks up pace immediately. They are through the gap before Jo has a chance to swing her head round. What is more, the Cut-Tager following has kept pace with them.

  ~~o~~o~~o~~

  The journey is quite tedious and tiring. Jo is tempted several times to stop and stretch her legs, but knows that the longer they go on, the closer they should get to the Fusas home. There have been several times when Jo had thought that they were lost, but then saw something that seemed familiar. They are now approaching a large island of bushes and Jo has decided that she is so tired that they must take a break, the Cut-Tagers are probably in dire need of a rest and a grazing session in any case.

  As they get closer to the bushes, Jo suddenly notices something hiding between the bushes. As they get closer still, Jo can see a pair of legs. It must be a Grob, just waiting for them to walk into its trap. Jo changes eye flaps on her Cut-Tager, to send it around the bush island, missing whatever waiting for them.

  There is a loud groan coming from the bushes, Jo panics and gently kicks her Cut-Tager, it immediately picks up speed and heads off in the desired direction. Suddenly something comes racing out of the bushes, really spooking up both Cut-Tagers. Jo finds it difficult to stay upright and remain on her Cut-Tager's back, she hopes that her tight hold of its skin, is not hurting it, but it is the only way to stay on. Jo tries to turn her head around several times, to see what is chasing them, but each time finds herself nearly falling off.

  Whatever is chasing them, is actually gaining ground, Jo knows this, as the groaning noise is much louder now. Already tired and now this, Jo wonders how long she and come to that her Cut-Tager can keep this up.

  “Stop you Jo-Menzies!” the voice behind Jo pleads. Although somewhat weak, Jo recognises the voice, it belongs to Desag.

  Jo much relieved, drops her Cut-Tager's eye flap and pats the Cut-Tager to reassure it. The Cut-Tager continues to run on for a while, then slows up. The Cut-Tager that had tagged along for the journey, goes racing on by, not aware that there is no longer a panic on.

  As soon as Jo's Cut-Tager has slowed up enough, she slips off its back and walks over to the now stationery Cut-Tager that Desag is clinging onto. Desag looks pretty rough, bruises all over his arms and legs. The giant worm did its worst, but thankfully, it didn't eat Desag.

  Jo, now standing beside Desag, says, “Thank goodness you are alright, I thought you had been eaten by that giant worm thing.”

  “Den-Drilla, mean you?” Desag asks.

  “Yes that Den-Drilla thing.” Jo replies.

  “flipped up, in air, was I, by Den-Drilla. Landed, bushes, did I. When go Den-Drilla, along come Cut-Tager. Manage on back, climb I. Here bring me do Cut-Tager. Rest do I.” With pain showing on his face, Desag rises up and Jo helps him stand. Desag continues, “Find this place, good are you.”

  Jo smiles and replies, “Yes, I quite surprised myself, never thought I would make it this far. I think my Cut-Tager helped.”

  “How, help you, do Cut-Tager? Not know, how to help, do Cut-Tagers.”

  “I think you'd be quite surprised what a Cut-Tager can really do. Have you noticed, I am not using anything to poke my Cut-Tager? It has been quite a faithful and helpful creature.”

  “Surprise me, do you, Jo-Menzies.”

  “Yes, I must admit, I have surprised myself, since I have been here. I have done things I would not dream of doing back home.”

  “Understand, think I do, what mean, You.”

  “Can you walk alright?” Jo asks.

  “Not know I, been too painful to sit even. But try, will I” Desag takes a few steps forward and then says, “Actually feels good.”

  The two walk for a while, until they reach a mound covered in moss. Jo asks, “Are you hungry? Do you eat these?” She holds
out a handful of the cone leaves, that she has retrieved from her pocket.

  “Like those a lot, do I. Where, get them, you?”

  “I picked them off of one of the bushes down on the coast, before we left.”

  “Made it to the Coast, then, did you? Anything find out you, about the island?”

  Jo walks over to the mound covered in moss, she bends down and checks that it will be safe to sit upon, then suggests, “Let's sit down here and we can eat in comfort.”

  “Words that mean little, when, like this, I am. So, find out anything, you?”

  “Yes as it happens we did...” Jo then tells Desag what had happened.

  ~~o~~o~~o~~

  It is a heroes' greeting, that Desag and Jo receive, when they return to the Fusas. Barse is delighted to hear the news, that the Grobs are on the island, after all. Various proposals are discussed, as to how the Fusas can mount an attack on the island, but each and every one has the basic problem, that the coast can be clearly seen from the island. The fact, that it never seems to get completely dark there, means, the cover of night, cannot be relied upon either.

  When Desag speaks, he takes the group by surprise, as until this point, apart from recounting his part of the story, of what happened at the coast, he has remained silent. Desag suggests, “Could have bate, we, land-side of coast bushes. Pit just before bushes, dig us. Other side of pit, jump up and down, bate, attract attention of Den-Drilla. When surface Den-Drilla, bate stand on pit, as Den-Drilla lunge, disappear bate; Straight line for island make Den-Drilla, as straight lines travel they underground; not again, surface it, until reach island.” Desag seems quite pleased with his suggestion.

  Jo is appalled at the suggestion, “You can not be serious about that? Firstly who in their right mind, would volunteer to be the bate, especially after seeing what the Den-Drilla has done to you?”