Refugees

by R. A. Denny

  Our pulley system was connected to a waterwheel along the Alfon. Brave construction workers had constructed a tri-cable system by flying ropes across the Alfon River from Kalpok above the waterfall to the trees in the valley on the far side. The cable would be used to transport our supplies across the Alfon to the land we must cross in order to reach the Vargar River. I looked across the Alfon River into the Vargarian Woods on the far side. I had never been to the far side. Today, two troops of archers would cross first and would help guide us safely through the forest. Then they would return through the Vargarian Woods to the Kalpok port alone. These men knew the far side because they had been helping to guard the workers who had constructed the transport.

  We would not settle in the Vargarian Woods. It was too dangerous. From where I perched, it simply looked like an invitingly lush green forest which stretched as far as the eye could see. Periodically, a mesmeringa pushed up through the lesser trees to tower over them, like sentinels. But on the far side, not only did Gliders have to fear the ground because of the cats, but even if we stayed in the trees, we were not safe. To begin with, it was not a forest conducive to Glider living, since the lesser trees, unlike the mesmeringas, had closely formed branches interwoven in such a way as to block clear passage for gliders. Still, some Gliders would have ventured to live on the far side if it had not been for the tribes of killer lormonkeys.

  I shuttered at the thought of the lormonkeys. They could not glide peacefully through the forest like us, because they had no glides. Instead, they used their powerful arms to swing on branches from tree to tree. I had seen one once in the distance at the edge of the forest. He was covered with dark fur and had a pale face. I only saw him for an instant and then he leaped away, stretching his long arms to brachiate from branch to branch and disappear into the trees. Even though we seldom saw them, we could never entirely forget they were there, since even in Kalpok, we could sometimes hear their distant crazed whooping.

  Gliders who had ventured into the Vargarian Woods had brought back tales of troops made up of hundreds of wandering lormonkeys who singled out victims, surrounded them and then attacked with their long fangs. A bite to the jugular vein resulted in a quick death. Gliders bitten on their extremities had occasionally lived long enough to return to Kalpok. Horrible rumors had spread that in addition to the initial blood loss, they had suffered from pain, redness, and swelling that spread throughout their bodies along with a tingling sensation. They found it increasingly difficult to breathe, went into shock, and died within several hours of the bite. No part of our beloved mesmeringa trees provided an antidote, although a balm made from the roots could temporarily relieve some of the swelling. Strange as it may sound, there were reports from witnesses that lormonkeys licked their own arms before biting their victims.

  Unfortunately we would have to cross the Vargarian Woods to reach the boat to begin our journey along the Vargar River. Our only other choice would have been to go north into the Cragyog Mountains, but then we would have to go above the tree line and walk along the rocky ground. The council had decided that a quick trip through trees filled with lormonkeys was safer than a slow journey across the unknown mountains. Preparing to enter those woods now, I was not so sure.

  “You all ready for the trip?” Barque’s arrival on a branch near me distracted me from my fearful thoughts. He had to shout to be heard.

  I looked across at him and felt relief. I was not travelling alone or with strangers. I would be among friends.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I yelled back, trying to be as cheerful as possible.

  “Hello, Sir…Ma’am,” he nodded to my papa and mama, who were next to me.

  “Good evening, Barque. We are so glad you will be travelling with Brina,” my papa said loudly, as my mama also greeted him warmly.

  “I won’t let her out of my sight,” Barque said pleasantly, leaning close to my parents. I could see he was a little nervous. It was hard for him to leave Kalpok too.

  “Thank you. We all feel so much better knowing you and Sir Garwin will be along,” Mama said.

  After exchanging a few more words, Barque pointed out some trees to the north where families, including his, had been told to gather to watch the flight. One by one, I hugged my parents, my brother and my sisters and told them I loved them. Ceila was last, and she wouldn’t let go of me.

  “I’ll send you a magpie as soon as we get to the boat,” I told her.

  “Promise?” she said looking up at me.

  “Promise.”

  “Ready?” Barque said, preparing to leap and glide to the tree of departure.

  “Ready. I love you all!” I said, and my family all called out that they loved me too.

  Then Barque took off, and so did I. Once we landed on the tree chosen for our departure, I looked back at my family and saw them all gathered together waving at me. I waved back across what felt like a deep chasm, wanting to reach out and hold them close to me once more. Then I saw Papa direct Ceila to begin the climb up the trunk so they could glide to the trees designated for watching families.

  With sadness sweeping over me, I looked out across the waterfall. The smooth water rounded the tip and poured down, exploding into the river below. I tried to concentrate on the task before me. Brantan was already preparing to launch for the far side. The strongest archers were going first so that they could help protect the rest of us as we arrived. I did not see Sir Garwin, and I guessed that he had probably already crossed over.

  First, Brantan moved his head from side to side trying to triangulate the distance to the far shore, then he took off gliding, falling through the mist to where I could no longer see him. The only way to judge the distance was to look across the top of the river before it fell, since the cloud of mist blocked our view of the other side. The river was so wide that we could not glide across it unless we started from atop a tree at the top of the waterfall. The steep angle allowed us to glide further. I had flown from one tree to another through low lying clouds before, but that had always been through familiar trees.

  Supplies and even small children were being prepared for transport along the rope tram connected to another mesmeringa just south of where I stood. Children would ride in pods that were hung from the pulleys, while their mothers rode with them to steady the pods. I previously passed distance tests that made me qualify for the solo flight, but I could have chosen to ride. Barque too had chosen the flight of a lifetime, which would pass close to the waterfall into the mist to the far side.

  As we waited, I watched the supplies and families being loaded onto the tram. The children had been raised as Gliders, so they did not seem afraid. One small boy started crying because he wanted something that had apparently not been packed, but his mother soon distracted him by pointing to birds soaring near the waterfall.

  I was jolted from studying the others by the arrival of the cat rider riding in an enclosed rope chair which was stopped in preparation for his descent across the ravine. I had forgotten he existed. I wanted to hide behind the foliage, hoping that I would not be called upon to translate any questions he might have. I knew my papa had spoken to the council. Although they had assured him of my safety, they had also told him I would be required to interpret if needed. I watched as guards removed the cat rider’s blindfold. He looked out across the waterfall and the ravine, but did not show any fear as he came to the realization of what he was about to do. I knew almost nothing of the life he had led before coming to Kalpok, but I would be willing to bet he had never crossed a waterfall in the air dangling from a rope.

  As I watched him, I realized that he seemed less interested in the powerful waterfall before him, or the majestic view of the valley, but was focused almost entirely on looking directly down to the ground far below his rope chair. I followed his gaze to a golden giant cat sitting on its haunches looking up at him.

  Barque said something to me about the giant cat. He must have been watching me.

  “What?” I asked lo
udly, the waterfall drowning out my voice.

  “Don’t worry about that cat!” he repeated a little louder, and smiled gently at me.

  I just shook my head yes, letting him know I was fine, and smiled back at him.

  However, after he looked away, I studied the scene some more, my curiosity getting the best of me. The cat did not take its eyes off the cat rider boy. With all the Gliders around, why was the cat focusing on him? Then the sun set for me. I realized the cat was not waiting for him to fall so it could eat him. Metlan was a cat rider. I became excited by my realization. That cat was his pet! I watched with interest as men moved the cat rider’s rope chair into position closer to the edge of river. The cat seemed agitated, got up, and began to pace, twitching its tail back and forth just below where Metlan dangled. The cat rider leaned over and tried to call to the cat, but I could not hear what he said.

  At that point the chair swing was released to take Metlan across the ravine. Far below, the cat followed right up to the river’s edge. For a moment I thought it would leap into the waterfall. I held my breath. But the cat only stood still for a moment, then it began pacing up and down along the edge of the cliff as if looking for a way to follow. Finally, the cat started south.

  “I’ll be right back,” I said to Barque, but he was looking toward the waterfall.

  I leapt from my branch and glided to several other trees further along the river, always keeping my eye on the cat. To my great surprise, a magpie swooped down toward the cat taunting it with bird calls. “Scoj cadom!” the bird called out and then flew away.

  I was stunned. It must be the same magpie that had delivered the message the other day. It was saying the same words, which were not in our language. It was in the cat rider language. “Scoj cadom.” Take home, I translated for myself.

  Expectantly, I continued to follow in the trees far above the cat as it journeyed southward along the cliff which gradually descended into the valley. Every now and then the animal stopped and paced back and forth looking out across the river. The cat followed the edge of the ravine until it reached a place where the riverbank was low. Then, it began pacing again, flicking its tail in the air. Finally, it stopped and stood facing the river. It seemed to have made up its mind. Leaping into the air, it landed in the rapidly churning river with a huge splash, and began to swim. I could not believe what I was seeing. The powerful beast was paddling its legs, holding its head above the water. A couple of times I saw the head go under, but each time it reappeared and the lion continued fighting the current.

  I knew that lions ate Gliders. I had seen one kill my best friend. But, I could not help but root for this determined creature. Mesmerized by its brave fight to reach the other shore, I did not stop watching the cat until it dragged itself out of the water and collapsed, exhausted on the bank on the far side. I had witnessed a huge testament of loyalty and I would not soon forget it.

  I heard a distant whistle, calling my name. Putting my finger to my mouth, I whistled my reply: “Coming!”

  Reluctantly, I turned to the north and headed back for the tree where I was to begin my journey. Barque would be fit to be tied, wondering what had happened to me.

  Chapter 38

  Rocks - Moshoi

  We faced two guards in a narrow rock corridor. I recognized one of them instantly as Telepinus, He kicked away the sword I had dropped. Then he grabbed my left arm, swung me around so my back was facing him and wrapped a chain around my wrists behind my back. I tried to be as cooperative as possible, after all, we had not ventured far, and I assumed we had stumbled upon one of the hidden entrances to the underground city. The guards probably thought we were bandits since we were splattered with blood.

  “State your name and your business here,” Telepinus said in his deep gravelly voice. He was a swarthy man several years older than me who often inspected my weaponry and sometimes traded for it. My animal axe head designs and spiked handle adornments seemed to fascinate him. I did not know him well, but had seen enough to know that he was a bit of a bragger and quick to anger.

  “I am Moshoi, son of Mursilis, the master blade smith. We were travelling and were attacked by bandits,” I stated, anticipating surprise and relief from Telepinus. I had a good reputation. He probably had not recognized me because of the half-mask.

  “Moshoi?” His voice was deep, even when his voice rose in a question. Telepinus was stocky with broad plated shoulders and a thick barrel chest. Although shorter than most Armored men, he incongruently had an exceptionally deep voice. He was a member of the Sapalume tribe which was allied with our tribe. His voice echoed in the cavern. “What are you doing here during rock season? And who is your companion?” he asked, referring to Tuka.

  “This is my younger brother, Tuka, the engraver’s apprentice. We are embarking on a journey to faraway lands to find ivory, emeralds, rubies and, meteorite to inlay in our handles.” I knew Telepinus was likely to be enamored with such an idea, and it was not entirely untrue, since I did hope to find some of those items.

  “Lubar, remove their masks.” The taller guard quickly followed the order and then introduced himself.

  “I’m Lubar,” he said.

  “Why are you two traveling alone in the middle of the hot season? Have you lost your minds?” Telepinus asked incredulously.

  “There are less people on the roads at this time,” I answered, knowing it was illogical, since more people would make the journey safer.

  He didn’t seem to care what my answer was. “I know these men. They live on the side of the mountain behind the chimney valley. Unchain them, I believe they mean no harm,” Telepinus said loudly to the other guard.

  He fiddled with my chains and soon I was released. Tuka was released as well.

  “Did you see our yakama?” I lost no time in getting to the point.

  “A terrified yakama ran past us as if it was being chased. We let it go by, not wanting to risk being sprayed down here. What is going on?”

  “We were traveling above ground when bandits attacked us. They tried to seize our yakama, but she sprayed them.” I glanced back. “I would not be surprised if they tried to follow us down here.”

  Telepinus laughed and fingered the leather and wire wrapped grip of his double headed axe. It was my own handiwork. “They know better than to come down here. He pointed to a pile of decaying hand bones in the corner of the chamber. “We have fifteen so far this season,” he said. I had heard rumors that the guards were paid extra for the right hands they collected from bandits they killed and shuttered to think that I might have lost my right hand if Telepinus had not recognized me and believed my story.

  “Which way did my yakama go? I will not get far on my journey without her.”

  Telepinus pointed down one of the corridors. “That way.”

  “May I try to find her?” I asked anxiously.

  “Sure,” Telepinus grinned. “The last thing we want is a frightened yakama running around the corridors.”

  “I’ll be right back,” I told Tuka. I did not attempt to recover my weapons yet, so as not to arouse any suspicions.

  I walked down the uneven rock hewn corridor to the left, after which there was a sharp turn to the right and then the corridor branched off in three directions. Fortunately just beyond the curve, I heard Star bleating. I followed the sound a short ways down several dimly lit passageways to the entrance of what appeared to be a dark dead end, where Star stood nervously shifting her feet. I spoke her name softly and approached her slowly. Once I reached her, I felt for the rope that hung to the ground, grasped it, and gently stroked her hairy neck. Next, I reached into a food sack, pulled out some roots and held them out to her, letting her tickle my palm with her lips as she munched on a root.

  “Good girl. You’re safe now,” I said soothingly.

  At least down here there was some relief from the heat above. Star backed deeper into the darkness, which, once my eyes adjusted, made me notice a blanket which covered a lumpy pile in the co
rner. The yakama turned, pulled at the blanket with her teeth, and then pawed at the pile with her hooves, making a scraping sound.

  “What is it, Star?”

  I reached over and my hand touched something hard that seemed to have many pieces connected by loose joints. Instinctively, I almost dropped it, but instead carried it out to a corridor where there was more light. I recoiled in horror at what I was holding, almost dropping it. It was an Armored hand.

  Hurriedly, I fetched a linseed lamp from a carved crevice, brought it back to the huge pile, and looked underneath the blanket, where I got a glimpse of so many severed hands that it made me feel like bugs had crawled between my scales. I dropped the hand I held on top of the pile, replaced the blanket, and quickly led Star out of the dead end and back to where I could hear Telepinus’ deep voice as he spoke with Tuka.

  “Luckily she didn’t go far,” I explained as I approached the others. I chose not to mention what I had seen.

  Not surprisingly, Tuka was chatting gregariously with the guards. He had picked up his weapons, and both guards seemed perfectly relaxed.

  “This time of year, you would be wise not to travel above ground, but to continue on the top level of our underground city of Trenggol,” Telepinus advised. “Which way are you headed?”

  “Northwest,” I answered, picturing in my mind the location of the star.