Chandeera
Page 11
“Aahh! I'm going to vomit!” Alex yelled from the back. The waves sent the boat up and down, up and down, waves splashed them. “We're almost there Lady Alex!” Godrin yelled from the bow. Godrin and Max strenuously paddled onward, as the port bay got closer and closer.
A giant ship quietly floated by above them. Max and Alex looked up and saw some of the cabin windows propped open and lit with weak orange glows of lanterns. Max could hear the crewmen chattering inside and saw a couple of them sitting on the edge, chewing tobacco.
Four piers of rough old logs lined the shore, jetting out to sea from the land. The third pier towered over them, as they sailed under it. Max got a little nervous as they came close to one of the logs, but Godrin kept it steadily away. The rocky shore was now approaching, and Godrin stood up to await the landing.
Godrin aimed the boat to a clear spot of sand on the rocky shore. The boat hit and Godrin jumped out, the sensation felt awesome to Max and Alex as they sighed in joy. Godrin began pulling the boat up, so Max stood and jumped out and assisted. Max’s feet hitting the ground felt wonderful but had no time to enjoy it. Alex held her bag as she dangled herself toward the bow to jump out. Max caught her as she leaped. She smiled up at him and gave him a small, quiet kiss.
Godrin had already started up the shore, where black boulders disappeared under grass and dirt. Max saw canoes, boats, and skiffs lying all over the rocky coast, and wooden racks hanging all sorts of seafaring, fishing tools. Max and Alex heard the noisy, bustling dock.
“Who goes there?” A Knight-Guard yelled down from the pier holding a tall pike.
“Godrin Rinhorn, 3rd Command, I bring expected visitors!” Godrin yelled. He stood to await the guard's answer, Max and Alex stopped too.
It appeared to be a Port Guard. The Guard bobbed his head side-to-side trying to make them out, got a good look, and then relaxed.
“Welcome Sir Godrin,” the Port Guard replied, walking back to his post.
Godrin continued and Max and Alex followed.
As they walked toward the buildings, they noticed campfires sprinkled across the coast as people cooked small animals on sticks, drank ale, and awaited departures or arrivals. It was an active coast.
They made it to the top and the dock was bustling. Max and Alex walked pass poles and wooden scaffolds hanging fish, sharks, and fishnets. There were mountains of crates, barrels, and sacks waiting off-loading or to be carted to the city. Max also noticed unfinished boats, carcasses of dead sea animals and various items strewn everywhere.
They stepped onto a smooth stone slab street like that of Yems, but nicer. The street led to the end of the cove and up into Densmere city. Hundreds of two-story homes, buildings, barns, and roofs of chimney smoke spread all over and the city poured into the cove.
The Chandeerans were like the Baeylins in Yems, but Max could tell these Chandeerans were more exotic, sophisticated, and finer-dressed.
They walked past lines of four two-story taverns and Inns with loud chattering, noises, and crowds streaming in and out.
On the left, were wagons being loaded by people coming in and off the pier with materials, barrels, and crates fresh from the ships. Max saw that they were mostly Baelyin merchants and ragged shipmen.
“Wow,” Alex said looking around in wonder.
“I know” Max replied staring at the sights too.
“Come, let's go to the castle!” Godrin said ahead of them. They walked faster to catch up, but were glancing everywhere, culture shocked. They started climbing the hill. Max looked to his left and saw a huge ship with towering poles, docked at the last pier.
They reach the incline and started up.
After summitting the inclined street, they came before a fountain with circles of torches lighting it. A huge lion-like reptilian creature shot water from its mouth and above it stood a giant statue of a robe-woman with her hands holding an orb.
“Freena,” Max whispered.
“Yes, our Lady Savior,” Godrin replied back.
“The same woman on your Crest?” asked Alex.
“Correct,” he said turning back forward.
Max and Alex's heads were tilted as they passed under it. 'Wow,” Alex whispered.
“Yeah,” Max quietly responded.
After they passed the statue, Godrin came to a giant stone staircase ascending far up to the castle. The staircase dwindled up the small mountain to the yonder castle above, as they could see two colossuses of bearded Baelyin Kings sitting on each side of a giant castle entrance. They sat in armor with gauntlets resting on their knees and crowns jetting into the night sky.
“Wow!” Max jumped back a little. “Alex,” he said nudging her. She noticed it and jumped too.
“Oh wow! Amazing! Totally amazing!” Her eyes widen.
Godrin turned around from the steps, “Yes, we have a great city. You will be happy here. You two look like my children.” He smiled down at them before continuing up.
“We 'feel' like children Godrin.” Alex replied back staring at the colossuses. Max blew and shook his head.
“Jeez this place is something else,” Alex said wide-eyed.
“Yeah,” Max said starting up the long staircase.
They climbed and climbed. Baelyin women in their whipped-hats made their way down holding trays of bread. Max and Alex nodded to them and some gave gentle and hesitant nods. Godrin led the way as Alex trailed after him and Max behind.
“This is going to be a climb,” Alex said out loud, already panting.
Godrin could be heard lightly panting, but it seemed he was used to it. Max and Alex started pushing on their knees as they neared the top, panting and breathing. Godrin reached the top, turned, and waited. Max wiped his sweat as he reached the top and rested on his knees. Alex showed up and did the same.
Max saw thousands of lit windows, rooftops, and street lamps spread out over a giant city. The street lamps lined a main street down the center of the city with a line of trees and the rest of the city spread out like a mat toward the horizon.
“Wow,” Alex said, staring and panting. Max stood watching in amazement too. Godrin decided to let them wonder for a moment. They turned and tilted their ‘heads up to see the two gigantic stone Kings towering to the stars.
“Should we see your people? It is getting late.” Godrin reminded them as he started in.
“Oh yeah! Of course! Sorry.” Alex snapped out of it and followed him.
“Yeah!” Max added quietly, as he tagged along.
They walked toward the gargantuan doors of Densmere Castle and saw sentries lining the edges like human trees holding halberds. The entrance towered four stories high with its giant doors propped open to the left. The brown giant stones of the walls banded in black dirt and vegetated with vines and mold. Max saw specks of sentries moving between the battlements high above. The giant archway dwarfed the Baeylins and creatures walking in and out.
“The Great Hall,” Godrin said back to them as he led them through the door onto an elaborate red carpeted hall. The giant rugged-floor stretched out to a stone hall fit for a giant with enormous columns bracing a lofty arched ceiling. The Baeylins in it were dwarfed into ants, including Max and Alex. The hall ended with three long glass windows dozens of yards high.
The Baeylins walking at the end looked like tiny black sticks. Max looked up and saw small birds darting to nests made in the lofty ceiling.
“Never did I see anything like this,” Max said looking up in wonder.
“I know I want to cry, it's so beautiful. I don't know if I can take it anymore,” Alex said giggling and Max smiled back. They could feel a breeze from the door. The spruce outside gave the hall a nice smell as well.
Beyond the columns on each side, were stone staircases going up the next floor with a few Baelyin servants climbing and descending them. Max looked at the people on the floor and spotted a couple of Gentees standing among them. The Baelyins around them looked like Noblemen, off duty Knights from the barracks, Servan
ts, visitors, and traders.
Godrin spoke to two Nobles in fancy overtops at a long rectangular table to the left.
“Those must be the Receptionists.” Max pointed over.
Alex laughed.
“ALEX! MAX!” A yell came from the floor.
They looked around the floor but saw no one, soon a small figure came running from the far end of the hall, Jenny Chang.
She still had on her clay shirt and blue wranglers, but a little worn and dirty now.
Alex smiled and started toward her. Jenny came running up smashing into Alex with a hug, followed by laughter, and squeals. The women hopped and squeezed each other. Max shook his head.
“Nice to see you girl!” Jenny said out loud, continuing to squeeze her.
“You too!” Alex replied giggling and smiling.“ But don't choke your friend to death!”
“Oh, you bet I will!” Jenny said letting her go, punched her lightly on the arm, and laughing. “We've all been waiting for you two!”
Alex rubbed her arm a little.
“Well... here we are!” Alex replied sarcastically.
Jenny turned to Max and made her way to him. “Max! Glad you're alive buddy!” She grabbed him and hugged him. He smiled and hugged her back.
“You smell like home Jenny.” Max said from her back.
“I'm glad to accommodate you.” She said smiling and letting him go. Alex smiled at the comment, as she folded her arms dropping her bag.
“How are you guys! Where have you been? We've all been worried sick about you two! The rest are going to be cosmic!” Jenny said, glowing.
Alex came up by Max and held him, smiling at her. Jenny hopped up and down and then hugged them both at the same time. “Ooooh! I'm so glad to see you two!” She said again in excitement.
“You too Jenny!” Alex said with excitement and relief.
“I'm sorry I'm so insane right now.” Jenny said getting apologetic.
“No, its fine, we're glad too, we're just too tired to show it.” Alex replied laughing.
“Yeah definitely,” Max said raising his eye-brows and looking around.
“So where have you two been darn it?” She said still smiling.
Alex pushed her bangs aside and raised her eyebrows, “Well... ”she glanced at Max.
“We met up in Yems, but it was attacked.”
“Oh No!” Jenny yelled her smile turning to concern. “Is everyone okay?”
“We hope. A lot of peasants fled.” Alex looked at Max concerned. “We’re hoping Broglin the Magistrate got out, but we got out. We got in a small boat and paddled all the way here through the forest.” Alex said.
“Well I’m glad you’re okay.” Jenny replied furrowing her eyes.
“Yeah,” Alex looked around. “This place is beautiful.”
“Yeah,” Max affirmed, shifting his head around.
“Yeah I know, isn't it?” Jenny said smiling gleefully, “so Max where have you been?”
Max's eyebrows rose as he sighed, but before he could say a word, Godrin interrupted from behind. “They sent a Messenger to retrieve your friends. You two have a nice room on the Northeast Tower.”
“You'll love it. Every side of this castle has great views.” Jenny interrupted.
Alex smiled at her.
“The King would like to meet you two in the morning, but for now you should sleep.” Godrin politely instructed. Max and Alex smiled and gently nodded in happy compliance. “This guard here,” Godrin pointed to a Guard standing in back, “will show you the way.”
“Thank you. What's this main room called again?” Max asked.
“The Great Hall,” Jenny and Godrin said together. Jenny started laughing and Godrin cracked a smirk at her.
“Well my companions, high blessings. It was my honor to bring you to my Kingdom. You are most welcomed here... and safe.” He put his helmet back on. “Now I have to go to my home in the city. I have not seen my family in a Moon Cycle.”
“Moon Cycle?” Alex asked confused, Max squinted too.
“A year,” Jenny answered. They nodded to her.
Alex hugged Godrin. He awkwardly put his left arm around her and returned it. “I wish you and you're family the best Godrin and thank you a million stars for bringing us here.” She said smiling and letting him go. Godrin nodded to her and turned to Max.
Max extended his hand. “This is how two men show respect where I come from. We shake hands.” Godrin slowly shook his hand and nodded. He gave a last nod to Jenny and walked away.
“Hey lost kids!” A voice sounded from behind. They turned and saw Ryan walking up. Alex walked over and hugged him. “Ryan! So good to see you!”
“Alex,” Ryan replied with a warm smile. “You too. I was worried about you.”
“I’m fine and it's nice to see you,” Alex replied.
She let him go and Max extended his hand to him.
“Ryan,” Max nodded.
“You too Max,” Ryan grabbed his hand and shook it, and held his shoulder.
“Where did you come from?” Jenny asked.
“I was walking in the forest by the fountain.”
“Ryan has become quite the Fisherman.” Jenny commented.
“Really?” Max asked impressed.
“Ah,” Alex added.
“Ah... just keeping myself busy that's all,” he said playing it down, holding the toothpick in his mouth.
“Alex!” A yell came from the back. “Alex!” Another voice was added. J.T. and Dallas came running up from the staircase.
“J.T.! Dallas!” Alex yelled. She hugged them both simultaneously and squeezed them. “Sooo glad you two are okay! I feel responsible for you two!”
“We’re fine! Glad you returned to us!” Dallas said squealing with happiness.
“Well, well, Mr. Wilkes has rejoined us.” Dr. Hoffman said walking up from the north wing. Max smiled at David and saw a strangely-dressed man with him. The man wore a fan shaped hat.
“Hello David,” Max said shaking his hand.
“It's nice to see you again.” David said smiling for a moment before introducing the strange man. “This is Paedrin, the King's Chief Scientist, Advisor, Wizard, even though he doesn't like to be called that.”
Max and Alex frowned in astonishment.
Max extended his hand slowly and Pae'drin smiled and shook it. He looked like a normal Bael'yn in his mid-50s with a deep look in his eyes that made Max uncomfortable, but his face was nice. He had short black hair with white streaks and pleasant eyes.
“Hello Star Man.” Paedrin said in a medium-pitched voice.
J.T. turned to Max and only then notice he was there.
“Hey man!” J.T. grabbed Max’s hand and slapped his shoulder, “Nice to see you!”
“You too,” Max replied.
“So where have you two been for Cosmic Sakes,” Ryan said.
Max turned to him and then to the small crowd.
“Well I met up with Alex in Yems. We stayed for a day but then it was attacked by Luthrick.”
“When was this?” Paedrin asked in concern.
“A day or so ago,” Max replied. “Godrin already told the Nobles there... and they said they'd inform the King.”
“Very well,” Paedrin concluded.
“Yeah, Luthrick bombed the town with Kamptaur-Riders and arrows from a huge airship. Alex and I were able to escape with Knight Godrin. We took the Woodland River all the way here and just arrived tonight.” Max answered.
“Where's the rest of the crew? Where's the Wangs and Alberta?” Alex asked looking around.
“Yeah,” Max added.
A sullenness came over the crew. Max looked at Dr. Hoffman and saw a sadness come upon him, David slowly answered. “Dr. Lackland is dead.”
Max tightened his face in shock and Alex covered her mouth. “What! How?”?” Max asked in horror. “What about the Wangs? Hubertus, Jerald?”
“Hubertus is dead too and the Miner Jerald with him.” David added.
“What about the Wangs?” Alex asked.
“They're living in Densmere City, running a fabric store. They're taking the situation pretty hard, so they're trying to keep themselves busy until we figure things out.” David replied.
“What happened?” Max insisted.
David rubbed his mouth before beginning:
“We were riding along the Woodland Road in two carriages to Densmere. The rest had gone ahead. We had a small Knight army escort led by Lieutenant Retgor. Suddenly Kamptaur-Riders came darted down from the sky and began shooting firebombs at us.
The Knights started firing their bows, but one of the firebombs killed the praides pulling the second carriage and killed the Rider. Jerald, Hubertus, and I were in that wagon. We came running out into the forest, where we saw hundreds of Rourds rushing towards us, so we ran back to the road.
Our caravan had moved down a way and Retgor provided cover fire as we made our way to it. I couldn't keep up with Jerald and Hubertus. Suddenly they went flying across the road from an explosion. I got to Jerald and checked his pulse, he was dead. I then made my way to Hubertus, when Alberta was already over him checking his vitals. She told me he was gone, so I pushed her towards the first carriage and the Knights encircled it for protection.
We got to it and Retgor mounted the carriage and provided cover fire as he got it going. His Knights galloped alongside firing their crossbows at the sky and we thought we were in the clear. A Kamptaur-Rider jumped onto the carriage and wrestled with Retgor. They fell off. Another jumped down on the carriage door from his bird. I tried kicking him off when he pulled out a dagger. Alberta ran over to him and grabbed his arm to halt the dagger. She pushed him out and almost went out herself but grabbed a hold of the carriage and hung on.
As she hung off the carriage, she was hit by a Rourd arrow and fell to the ground. We couldn't stop, so I forced a couple of the Knights to go back for her. They sneaked back and later caught up with us and told us the arrow hit her in a bad place and she gasped her last breath when they found her. She died, and they took her body back to us, we buried her.
Max and Alex looked down in sadness as the group fell silent for some moments. “Poor Dr. Lackland,” Alex said to Max, burying her head in his chest.