by Hoover, Gary
Jeff was baffled. He thought Rasp was on his side and would do whatever was needed to make this happen. He doesn’t actually think I’m some figure in the sacred texts, does he? Jeff thought back to when they first met. Rasp had surrendered to Jeff and helped him even though he was in a position to kill him. In fact, he betrayed his mission and people. He became an outcast. Jeff had never quite understood it but also never spent much time thinking about it. Has he been thinking I’m some important magical person this whole time? Maybe I am. No… I’m just a kid… who can do a few unusual things.
“You don’t actually think I’m the one in the sacred texts, do you?”
That time Rasp sat silently for a very long, uncomfortable period before speaking.
“We will see.”
Chapter 72:
You will come back in, the pheerion said from the doorway. It was the one who had been asking the questions, and Jeff inferred he was a leader of some sort.
Jeff and Rasp stood.
“Just us?” Jeff asked.
Your friends may come with you.
Jeff gestured and the others rose from their seats. The group made its way into the relatively small room. The chairs and table had been pushed against the wall, and the group gathered in the center of the room.
What is your name? the pheerion asked.
“Jeff”
“Jezzz” the pheerion said.
“Close enough,” Jeff said with a smile. “What’s yours?”
“Zzteezazz”
“Steesazz” Jeff attempted.
Zzteezazz nodded. This means yes, does it?
“Yes,” Jeff answered still smiling. The mood seemed lighter than it had earlier.
You say you would like to remove Pheerion Rex from power, but you are a group of six against his army and a walled castle. How can you accomplish that feat?
“I was hoping for your help.”
We know this, but it is good to hear you say it.
Zzteezazz paused and studied Jeff’s face. Jeff wondered if it was as hard for Zzteezazz to read his emotions as he found it to read pheerions.
We are not devoted to Pheerion Rex. If we could be sure to have him permanently removed, we would do that, but it is very difficult. He is powerful and has no mercy. For us to help you, we need to be sure you can defeat him.
Jeff wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He wasn’t as confident as he would like to be, though he was determined to try.
To evaluate if you are the one we have hoped for, we have three tests. Will you consent to tests?
Jeff was nervous, but he had expected the tests and didn’t feel he had much choice other than to do what he could. “Yes, I’ll consent.”
Zzteezazz continued without pausing as if he held no doubt Jeff would have answered the way he did. The first challenge will be a test of speed, the second will be a test of strength and the third will determine if you have the power over life and death.
The last one concerned Jeff. “Wait, my power over life and death? I’m not a god. I’m just a kid looking for my father.”
Zzteezazz looked at him for a long uncomfortable time before speaking. We will see the result when the time comes. Let us not concern ourselves with outcomes at this moment. We will show you your quarters. We will eat with you tonight, and then we will begin the challenges tomorrow. It is important we ensure this is right. If we join you and fail, we will all pay with our lives. Pheerion Rex will surely leave none in the village alive.
Chapter 73:
As a small group of pheerions led them to their quarters, Jeff caught up with Rasp. Jeff tapped him on the shoulder. “So how are we doing now?” Jeff asked.
“That went exactly azzz the sacred textzzz indicated it would,” he answered with the closest thing a pheerion had to a smile.
“Really? Why does it feel so… off to me?”
“I can’t speak about your feelings.”
A pheerion guide directed Jeff to his room and told him he would be back to take him to dinner, after a period.
Jeff entered the small room, and his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting. There were several illuminated oil lamps spread around the room but no windows or natural light.
He put his pack on the bed, which was made from a sturdy cloth stretched over a rectangular wooden frame. He pushed on it; there was some give, but it was still far firmer than any bed he had slept on before.
There was a small table, a chair and some shelves but little else in the room. Jeff saw what looked like a two-foot by two-foot trap door in the floor. There was a bar at about the height of Jeff’s navel on the wall next to the trap door. Jeff examined it and saw that it was hinged. He lifted it and saw it was covering a hole cut in the floor.
Toilet? Jeff wondered and the smell seemed to confirm his suspicion, but it was so deep he couldn’t see the bottom. While there was a smell, it wasn’t as overwhelming as he would have expected. Jeff grabbed the bar and took a couple practice squats. I don’t know if I can do this. I guess at some point I’ll have no choice but to try.
Jeff sat on the bed. No blankets? I guess I can use my sleeping bag. He bounced on the bed with nervous energy as he waited for someone to fetch him for dinner. What will it be like? Will I offend them if I don’t like it?
He leaned down and saw there were hollow spaces – apparently for storage – built into the bed-frame. There were a few of the pheerion tunics folded and tucked in one of the hollows. He put his pack into one of the empty ones, and it seemed to fit neatly.
What am I getting into? Is this crazy? Zzteezazz says Pheerion Rex will kill the entire village if we fail. How can I ask them to take that risk? But I can’t quit now. That’s not even an option… is it? What would happen to the humans – to Baldwin – if I quit? Am I asking the pheerions to help, or are the pheerions asking me to help? Is it my decision or theirs? Do I owe it to them at this point? What about Rasp? He’s a pheerion without a country now. Can I help him go home by following through with this? What would Artimus… or Dad advise?
Maybe I shouldn’t get distracted by trying to think about all this too much. Maybe I should focus on more immediate concerns.
Like what do lizards eat for dinner?
Chapter 74:
“Can you help make sure I don’t embarrass myself?” Jeff asked Rasp as they walked to the dining area.
“I will help. The food will be different than you know, but it will be very good. They will have the best for you. We will get food from trayzzz and then sit to eat. Pheerionzz do not like to serve or be served.”
Jeff wondered how that sensibility squared with Pheerion Rex, but it already seemed clear that fear, rather than respect or devotion, was what kept Pheerion Rex in power.
They entered a small room with one table in the center and others stocked with various foods against the walls. A group of pheerions was waiting for them. Jeff assumed it was the same group they had met with before but couldn’t tell for sure. He had a great deal of trouble distinguishing pheerion faces. He could recognize Zzteezazz, but he was the only one, other than Rasp, that he could clearly identify. Jeff hadn’t had much interaction with any of the others.
Once the guests arrived, the pheerions turned and began loading wooden bowls with food. That seems odd. Is that just their way? It would seem rude in my world, but maybe that’s the way they do things. Rasp took a place in line, and Jeff followed him.
Then the putrid smell hit Jeff’s nostrils.
The pheerions were using their hands to scoop from the trays. There seemed to be several different variations, but all of them had a mushy, pasty consistency. The pheerions were throwing them into their bowls with apparently little concern for how the various foods mixed.
Rasp grabbed a lump from each tray and threw them, one by one, into his bowl. Jeff followed his lead but took small amounts. The smell reminded him of rotting meat. Past the trays of mush were glass globes. Rasp took one and indicated Jeff should also take one. Jeff examined it and sa
w several grasshopper-like insects crawling around inside.
Jeff followed Rasp to the large, central table and took a seat next to him. The other pheerions had already started eating. Jeff was concerned about Benji but saw that a pheerion was leading and helping him.
“You must try theze,” Rasp said indicating the grasshopper globe. There was a small metal cone on top. Rasp swiveled the metal cap to the side, and that exposed a hole in the top of the globe. One of the insects crawled through, Rasp grasped it gently and swiveled the metal cap back to prevent any others from escaping. He popped it in his mouth and chewed slowly, taking time to savor it.
Jeff examined his own globe. The insects appeared nearly identical to grasshoppers, about three inches long but with an extra pair of short legs.
Jeff swiveled the cap on his globe. One of the grasshoppers quickly found the opening. Jeff grasped it by the wings and, before he had a chance to think too much about it, popped it into his mouth. The texture was the most disturbing part with the crunchy bits of the exoskeleton mixing with soft innards. The taste wasn’t strong and had a nutty seafood character to it. Rasp was already on his third or fourth as Jeff took his second. These aren’t bad. I can handle them.
Nobody was speaking, not even the pheerions amongst themselves. Jeff found that uncomfortable but assumed it was their way. They hungrily shoved gobs of mush into their mouths using their hands. There were no utensils.
Dave, John and Benji all ate with little hesitation. Nahima smelled hers reluctantly. Jeff was pleased with himself for getting through the grasshoppers, but the smell from the bowl was unpleasant and strong enough it was turning his stomach before he even tried to eat it.
Jeff could feel the eyes of the pheerions on him, watching expectantly, though they seemed to be trying to make it look like they were only interested in their own food.
Nahima took a few small bites. Her expression made it clear she wasn’t enjoying it or finding it easy to keep down. Her near retching combined with the smell was making it harder for Jeff.
He scooped a small amount of an orange-gray mush onto two fingers and popped it into his mouth before he had a chance to smell it. Once he got it in his mouth, the foul taste and smell combined with the lack of any real texture made it hard to swallow. His brain was telling his stomach it was something he shouldn’t be eating.
He tried to swallow, but it wouldn’t go down. He had to make several attempts and the last required a conscious physical effort. He eventually felt it moving down his esophagus.
Jeff hoped the pheerions would stop watching him after he had eaten some, but to his dismay, the pheerions seemed fixated on him to the point they weren’t even paying much attention to their own food anymore.
Jeff smiled and took a larger scoop. What am I doing? This could end badly. He put it in his mouth and chewed. Chewing may be a mistake. He tried to swallow, but it seemed much harder than before. His mouth was full, and the smell was awful. It was a battle, and he could feel his eyes start to water. He got a little bit down and tried to force the rest.
He felt it going down his throat but feared it wasn’t an irreversible process. He sat for a few moments and tried to get his stomach to settle. Every pheerion, including Rasp, seemed to be staring at him. Is it my imagination? What do they want from me? Jeff used his fingers to scoop some more but found it difficult to bring to his mouth. His stomach was rebelling violently, and he could feel his previous successes rebelling.
It got to a point that he realized he simply couldn’t avoid the inevitable. He tried to push himself away from the table and nearly fell over his chair. There was no time for pleasantries or asking for a restroom. He pushed the door open roughly and stumbled to the side of the building. He found an area that was slightly concealed from the pheerions who were walking by and looking with curiosity.
Jeff vomited violently.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rasp and the other pheerions had followed him and were watching.
He felt completely humiliated.
When he was done, Rasp handed him a cloth to wipe his mouth and then took hold of his arm to steady and comfort him.
Jeff stood shakily and tried to lead Rasp away from the others to get a little privacy. “Thanks,” he said. “But I guess I really blew that.”
“That wazz exactly azz it wazz written in the sacred textzz.”
Chapter 75:
Jeff had woken early and washed as well as he was able with the large bowl of water his hosts had provided.
He anticipated a busy day in which he would face all three challenges.
While Rasp had been reluctant to reveal the secrets of the ‘sacred texts’, he had provided some information regarding the challenges. The first would be a race against the fastest pheerion in the village. Rasp felt confident Jeff wouldn’t have any problem with that. Rasp said that pheerions could run a little faster than most humans but at nothing close to the speed Jeff was capable.
The second challenge would involve pushing a large rock up a hill. From what Jeff could understand, the name of the hill translated to ‘Sun Mountain’, but Rasp assured him it was more of a hill than a mountain. Jeff hoped Rasp wasn’t softening it in an attempt to avoid causing him extra distress.
The third was the one that had Jeff most concerned – the power over life and death. Rasp explained Jeff would have to either breathe life into something that had never lived or bring something dead back to life. Jeff had some freedom to create his own method of illustrating that capability.
Jeff had never done anything like it and was reasonably certain he couldn’t.
Jeff looked at three dead beetles he had carefully placed on a shelf near his bed. He had spent many hours the previous evening first finding then killing the beetles and then staring at them, waving his hand over them and doing everything he could imagine in an attempt to bring them back to life.
They had remained stubbornly dead.
Jeff tried one more time. He held his hand over them and imagined energy flowing from his palm into the ex-beetles. He focused so hard that he could feel the strain in his jaw muscles, and he could feel a headache coming on. He paused and, for a brief moment, thought he saw one of the beetles move, but when his eyes focused, it was clear there was no movement.
Jeff did have a desperation back-up plan though.
There was a knock at the door, and Jeff moved away from the beetles to avoid being caught engaged in such foolishness.
“Come in.”
Nahima entered. “You about ready? How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Jeff said with a nod. “Ready. Good to go.”
He saw some of the others milling about outside the door and moved to join them.
“Don’t you want your viewer or light?” Nahima asked, pointing to Jeff’s magnifying viewer and illumination device, which he had left in the middle of his bed near his pack.
Jeff looked at them. “No. I wanted to make room for something else.”
He patted the pouch on his belt with a sly smile.
Chapter 76:
Based on the size of the crowd that had gathered, Jeff assumed the entire village was taking a break from their typical tasks to observe the events.
They lined both sides of the main street that ran down the center of the town. Jeff wished he could read pheerions better. The fact that they never seemed to laugh or smile – at least that he could understand – made him even more tense than he would have been otherwise. Are they deadly serious, or is it a light, festive mood? I can’t really tell.
Jeff saw Zzteezazz and headed toward him. He was the only pheerion other than Rasp that he felt he knew at least a little bit. After feeling like a fish out of water for the past several weeks, he found himself feeling like a fish out of the Milky Way in the pheerion village, so he needed all the familiar faces he could get.
We will be starting shortly. You’ll start here, run down to the structure. Zzteezazz pointed to a small, stone obelisk Jeff had seen be
fore at the center of the town. Go around the far side of the structure, and then run back to here. You’ll be racing against our fastest runner, Feezzteetreezz.
The obelisk was roughly a quarter mile away, so the total distance was about a half-mile.
The crowd noise, which had been a steady, dull drone, suddenly became much louder, and Jeff saw them slapping their thighs with their hands. Applause? Jeff wondered.
A young pheerion, about Jeff’s size, walked down the empty center of the road toward him. He patted his head periodically, and Jeff assumed that was a gesture to acknowledge the crowd in some way.
Am I the bad guy?
When Feezzteetreezz was within a few feet, he stopped. He and Zzteezazz seemed to acknowledge one another in some subtle non-verbal way. Jeff felt like he should offer his hand or something, but nobody even acknowledged him. Is this just the way they are… or are they intentionally ignoring me? I’ve never felt so completely foreign.
With very little build-up or pageantry, Zzteezazz indicated he would count to three, drop his fist, and that would be the start of the race.
The two competitors turned so they were facing the obelisk. From the corner of his eye, Jeff could see Feezzteetreezz stooping to ready himself, but he didn’t go into a full crouch. Jeff just stood awkwardly. He had never done any track running and planned to go from a standing position after the signal.
Jeff tried to smile pleasantly at the crowd, but he didn’t know if it would appear pleasant or creepy to them. He expected that he looked as alien and threatening to them as they did to him.
Zzteezazz counted, dropped his fist, and the race began.
Jeff started with a medium jog. A half-mile is too far to sprint. He was pleased to see that even though he wasn’t pushing very hard he was comfortably ahead within the opening moments of the race. He looked over his shoulder and saw Feezzteetreezz running in slow motion – not as slow as if Jeff had been doing a full sprint but slow enough that, unless something unexpected happened, he felt he could easily win the race.