by K MacBurn
A babbling brook ran somewhere close by and various bird songs filled the air.
With the bit of peace Taylor was able to let her mind reflect on everything that had happened thus far.
The villagers with the animal characteristics came to mind. From what she had seen, the village consisted of mainly traditional prey animals. She was sure she had seen a deer with big brown eyes and small horns, a boar with a flat nose and split hands that could have been hooves, and smaller beings that resembled some rodents of some kind with big ears and tiny faces.
The next thing that stood out was that they looked poor. The clothing they wore, and their belongings were minimal. They might have been farmers because she recalled seeing a basket being knocked over that contained some sort of root.
Labeling the beings with animals she knew gave her a small sense of satisfaction, because it was something familiar and she could control.
She wanted to think more on the gate, and her current situation but she noticed Tarak had stopped walking. As they rounded the corner, a small grass hut could be seen, hidden along the river bank. Unless someone was looking for it, they would have walked right past it.
Tarak’s ears were twitching again, and Taylor moved a little closer to him in case it meant that more lions were around. He listened for a moment longer before he relaxing and yelled out towards the hut.
She stayed where she was as the Tiger yelled again and removed his cloak to hang it on a nearby branch.
Taylor allowed herself a second glance at the tiger. Tarak was a high class specimen. His wide shoulders, bulging biceps and defined muscles were a sight to behold in his form-fitting leather hunter’s pants and vest.
The rugby captain gave herself a mental slap. Being sucked into another realm wasn’t the time to be ogling a man/beast that had just murdered two other man/beasts.
With that thought coming back into her mind, she felt as though she was thrown into a bucket of ice water. Everything came rushing back into perspective.
She had to get back to that temple, find a way to get inside and try to find the key. Maybe the Tiger knew something about how to do that.
Tarak was speaking again and Taylor looked up from her musings in time to see a hunched over old man emerge from the hut. He gave a yawn, a very toothy yawn.
The cats might have been a little off in appearance, but this guy was straight out of this world looking. His skin was green and scaly with bulging eyes and pointed teeth that stuck out all around his long face. He had to be an alligator or crocodile. He was old too; his skin sagged, and a bony frame poked out under his modest clothing. Clothing that was made up of a brown robe much like a monk would wear.
He snapped and growled at Tarak while waving a walking stick at him for a good two minutes before Tarak got a word in. At last, Tarak made a gesture Taylor’s way.
The old Croc paused in his ranting and turned. There was a long silence and Taylor shifted from foot to foot as he looked her over.
The Croc looked from Tarak to her then threw his hands up and went off on another tangent. The big cat looked over his shoulder at her and gave an apologetic shrug.
Once he had got whatever he was saying out of his system, the Croc plopped down and rubbed his face like a man that had too many burdens and was growing tired. After a long minute, he gave a nod to himself and sprung back to his feet.
Very agile for someone of his age that only a moment ago looked as if he would drop dead on the spot.
Taylor tensed as the Croc approached her, hands balling into fists just in case. He didn’t seem to notice though, or he didn’t care.
His hands which consist of long black claws, swirled around in front of him and what he was saying repeated itself in a slow chant. Taylor looked to Tarak for some sign that this was normal, but the Tiger was also watching with interest.
A blue light erupted from his hands before he ended the last syllable of his chant. The light stayed there and swayed in a mesmerizing dance, so much so Taylor found herself leaning forward. As suddenly as it appeared it shot forward and disappeared in front of the teen’s eyes.
Taylor heard a funny buzzing and her head started to throb. Confused, she tried closing her eyes, but it didn’t go away. Shaking her head, she looked up to see the Croc talking again, but the buzzing persisted. She gave her head another shake because she couldn’t think of anything else to do.
“The sound will dissipate soon I suspect,” the Croc said, “Once it has, her brain should be able to interpret our language and should be able to understand it.”
“I hope it works, she was so terrified earlier, and I am afraid without being able to explain what's going on she might do something rash!”
“Well, before that happens, I would just like to mention that this human is considerable better looking then the last that came through the gate.” The Croc stated, “if only I was a few centuries younger!”
Tarak gave him a disapproving glare. The Croc didn’t care and continued.
“I mean, really, look at those eyes alone! Never have I seen blue eyes on a human or beast!”
Taylor froze. It just struck her that Tarak, and the Croc were speaking. They were speaking, and she knew the words coming out of their mouths. Raising a hand to her own mouth, she stared.
“Well, she can either understand us or she is having a stroke,” the monk stated, staring back at her.
“If it’s a stroke, I am blaming you, old man! The girl survived a Sabre attack but now has to deal with a degenerate old Crocodile making lewd comments about her.”
“I can understand you,” she started, “can you understand me?”
The Tiger took a step forward and tried to keep his movements slow so she wouldn’t spook.
“We can.”
That was it. That was the last straw. The buzzing had subsided but now she was light headed, and the pounding increased inside her brain.
Her last thought before she blacked out was simple and did not bring her any comfort but summed up her situation spectacularly.
Well, shit.
Chapter 4
When she woke up about ten minutes later, she was resting in a bed in the small grass hut.
A cool, wet cloth was draped over her forehead and a cup with water sat beside on a table beside her.
With care, she sat up and swung her feet over the side of the bed. The pain in her head had dulled a bit, but a throb could still be felt behind her eyes. After a sip of refreshing water, she gave herself a small pep talk.
“I can do this. I can, do this.” She smoothed out her shirt as she spoke. “I am a strong, independent Cree woman from the twenty-first century, and this is just a little spiritual journey, nothing to fear.”
The teen didn’t believe the words, but it still got her to her feet.
As she exited the building the darkness pressed in on her from all sides and the sounds of the night animals echoed all around. Across the clearing, Tarak and the Croc were sitting by a fire talking. Both looked very concerned.
Tarak heard her first and was to his feet in seconds. Paws wrung together in tension.
“How are you feeling?”
“A little overwhelmed.” She took a seat opposite the two at the fire and tucked her feet underneath her.
“I’d imagine this is a lot to take in,” the Tiger said, “By your appearance it looks as though you were not prepared for this journey.”
“No. I was not prepared.” That was the understatement of the year, in her opinion. The Croc monk stood by Tarak and gave a little cough, like the sound of a cat throwing up a hairball. When he finished, he spoke.
“I am Jarden, High monk of the Croc tribe.” He gave a flourish of his hand. “And you have met Tarak, Temple Guardian of the Tiger tribe.”
As she studied them for a second time, she found her brain was working a little better and was piecing everything together fine. At least not just a rush of information.
“My name is Taylor.” She stuttered when sh
e realized she was just staring at them and not making any effort to talk back.
“Well, Taylor, I am sure you have lots of questions. How about we skip the stupid ones and I’ll tell you what is important?” Jarden managed to say that while looking both superior and decrepit as he planted himself back on the log.
His assumptions put her off guard. There were no stupid questions and she couldn’t stop her face from showing her annoyance. It took every ounce of willpower to not give some sarcastic response and let the Croc speak.
“You are in a land called Nexus; we are a planet of the third quadrant of Pyxis, children of the Golden sun and twin moons!” The Croc proclaimed at full volume and with a purpose.
“So, this isn’t Earth.” Taylor simplified.
The Croc paused to scowl at her.
“I just told you it isn’t. Did you miss the part where I said we would skip the stupid stuff? Because I meant it. Just shut up and listen and you might learn something.”
Taylor did nothing to hide the annoyance this time, but Jarden was already back to his theatrical performance entitled “Where the hell am I?”.
“You have stepped through the gate that links our worlds. It was meant to be a gate of salvation! A door to a new world where our human brothers could start a new life, free of slavery and depredation. And when this land finally becomes free of blood-shed our brothers could return again to walk amongst us!” He jumped to his feet and whipped his cane out to the side to give emphasis.
“I don’t know how long you have been rehearsing this little speech, but how about the bullet form, huh? That way I am still young enough to hear it.” Taylor demanded.
Jarden looked at her as if she had just offended his mother then pouted.
“Try to give a little theater to the world and don’t get nothing but flack. Damn cubs don’t know a good story when they hear it.” He grumbled for a moment longer then plopped back down on the log and stared at Taylor. “Fine. Short form.”
He took a deep breath and then;
“This land and your own were connected by five gates. The gates were made to evacuate the humans of this world to a place they could be safe from the slavery and culling they faced here after the Crow Witch Avis discovered unique magic properties in human blood that made Animan temporarily invincible when it was consumed with a prepared potion. The bleeding of humans became so common that they killed one third of the entire populace in the first six months. Once we made the gates, we evacuated as many humans as we could. All the other gates remain hidden even now in hopes one day the humans could return. On two such occasions we had a visitor through this gate. Both times we sent him back to the other land without incident. The Sabre’s found this out and sent a raiding party to attack the temple and steal the key that would allow us to send the humans home. Now the Sabre’s are over running our lands, times are darker than ever before, and there is nothing we can do.”
This was all spewed out in a single breath. Taylor sat there in stunned silence for a long time.
“OK, I think I was too hasty. You will definitely have to elaborate on all of that.” Taylor said with a look that was more fitting for a deer in headlights.
Tarak waved Jarden off from what would have been another fit of sarcasm.
“Those Animen you saw on top of the temple, and in the village,” he explained, “Are Sabres. Their pride is the ruling force of this land and they are always on the lookout for anything that can aid them in their domination. Your blood, and the blood of all human’s, contains a property that allows dark mages to create a potion that gives its drinker unholy strength, healing capabilities and speed. They are hunting you, and we can’t send you home. The Sabre’s leader, Ransidius, took the key many years ago so anybody that came through that gate become stuck.”
A lot of information hit her at once. It was a good thing she was sitting down because her brain felt like it wanted to shut off again.
The Croc was the one to break the uneasy silence.
“We will not be able to stay here now that the Sabre’s know a human has come through the gate.”
Silence also met this statement.
It didn’t seem to bother the monk as it looked as if he had a plan.
“In the morning, I will go see a few of my contacts. Perhaps we can get a lead to locate one of the other gates. If there is another option open to us at this time, I can’t see it. You two will head for the Walled city. It at least is a neutral territory and will be safer for both of you.”
Taylor glanced at Tarak; she wasn’t sure why Jarden thought the big Cat needed protection as well but it was a question for another time.
“Will you meet us there?” Tarak asked.
“Yes. Go to the Drugger Inn in the south side burrows. It is the best place to stay if you want information but don’t want to be noticed.”
The Tiger nodded.
“And Tarak,” the old Croc said gruffly, “Don’t take off the cloak.”
Again, the Tiger nodded but this time it seemed a little more resigned.
Taylor was no longer paying attention to their conversation; her mind had already been swept away with everything she had learnt and was busy scrutinizing the details.
The bits about this temple, the theft of the key, and the Sabre’s were the points that were standing out to her. Eventually, she got tired of wondering and let her mind come back to the present. Her blue eyes looked up to the ones sitting across from her.
First impressions were hard to overcome but the crotchety old Monk and Tiger at least seemed to stick true to their good intentions.
It was late when the Tiger got to his feet, signalling the time to retire. The teen followed behind him back to the little mud hut. Over his shoulder he flashed her a smile as he motioned to one bed.
“You can sleep here.”
The bed was stuffed with moss and covered in a few shaggy furs but she remembered it was comfy. Taylor couldn’t help but feel she was stealing the Tiger’s spot though.
“I don’t want to be more of an inconvenience than I already have,” she started, but the Tiger waved her off.
“It is fine,” he assured her. “With the Sabre’s around I would feel better closer to the door. So please, take the bed.”
Jarden didn’t need persuasion to take a bed, as he went into the second room and noisily clambered onto it. He hacked up a few things and grumbled about there not being enough blankets, then within moments, the Croc was snoring away.
Taylor saw the Tiger give a faint smile, but he still rolled his eyes at the dramatic old man.
The world grew light with the rise of the sun, but dark storm clouds kept everything in a permanent twilight with the heavy downpour of rain.
Taylor was laying half awake, listening to the drops splatter on the clay window sill; it was such a pleasant sound she almost forgot where she was. It all came crashing back though, when she heard the Croc monk wake up. He coughed and wheezed, scratched himself, spit, then continued to grumble about the weather.
With absolute disdain for her disgusting alarm clock, Taylor rolled out of bed and went to slip on her shoes. There was a pause as her toe touched something furry. Slowly, the teen held her sneaker far away and tipped it onto the floor.
A Tarantula the size of her hand unfolded its legs and stepped out from its dark crevasse. Its bristly hairs scraping against the shoes fabric was audible as it walked away.
Both of her shoes were then turned upside down and shaken vigorously before putting them on her feet. Spiders didn’t normally bother the Rugby Captain, but that one could have eaten her face and that made her wearier than normal.
Tarak was leaning against the door frame staring out into the rain. His finger tapped to the drip of the water coming off the roof.
He was so deep in thought, he didn’t hear her come up beside him and he gave a start when she spoke.
“Did you get any sleep?” She asked.
The Tiger stared at her a moment before he gave his
head a little nod to clear the cobwebs.
“Yes, I did. How about yourself?”
“I guess inter-world travel doesn’t faze my internal clock any. Sleep isn’t a problem for me.” With these Sabres hunting her for her blood maybe being a heavy sleeper wasn’t the best thing for her safety but it didn’t seem like something she could just shut off.
“That’s good, because when we get on the trail, there will not be very many comfortable places to sleep until we get to the city,” he said, “Best to get as much rest as you can beforehand.”
“All right Fur-face!” Jarden snapped as he pushed his way towards the door. “I am on my way; I will meet with some of my order and then Larris. That should put me at the Walled city in about four days. Remember what I told you and keep out of trouble!”
“I will try my best,” the Tiger smiled, “We will see you in four days.”
As Taylor watched the Croc struggle just to get out the door with his cane, she had to wonder if he would even make it five minutes down the road let alone a four-day journey.
The Croc paused in the clearing's middle, a soft chant could be heard before a white light exploded outward from his right hand. The light materialized into a fluffy white cloud that looked so thick it could have been made of cotton. Jarden sat on top of his creation with his legs tucked underneath him in a comfortable position.
He gave Taylor a wink before the cloud took off at amazing speeds.
This place kept getting weirder and weirder.
Tarak turned and regarded her with a smile.
“We should get ready to leave. There is a satchel at the back of the hut, hanging on the wall. Could you please grab it for me while I fill the water canteens?” he asked.
“Sure.”
It only took her a moment to grab the bag and head outside where she found the Tiger using some nearby leaves to channel the rain water into two hide water bladders.
He handed one to her and kept one for himself. She watched him pack a flint into the satchel, with some dried meat wrapped in a large leaf, and some snare wire or fishing line, she couldn’t tell. Along his thigh he also strapped on a large hunting knife.