“I should hope we can get a few squirrels for our pots tonight then.” Mendaka said. “Squirrel meat is my favorite.”
After the porter boat from the Overo beached itself nearby, Mendaka was glad to finally meet up with his son. He was pleased to see how muscular the boy had grown in Turtle Duck’s service. He even seemed taller and sported a Herewardi longbow instead of his usual Sharaka bow. He hugged his son warmly then took the occasion to introduce him, “Pita and Edie, this young man is my son, Redelfis.”
“How do, young man. Right nice to meet ja.”
“Pleased to meet ja. He ‘pears to be bout the same age as our girl, Annah.”
“I’m eighteen winters.”
Pita said, “Annah’s bucking sixteen winters. She was right taken with them Red Boys, but ain’t none of em got the color hair you’s gots.” Edie reached up to touch one of Redelfis’ braids. When Reldelfis tilted his head away, Mendaka shot him a frown, but Edie only laughed. “I ain’t never seen hair the color of fire before. Looks almost like the boy sprung directly out of the oven.”
Mendaka smiled. “It is an odd color, especially for my people, but actually quite common among the Herewardi. Let’s see if this firehead can catch us a mess of squirrels for dinner. How about it, lad? Do you and Coyote want to get us a mess of squirrel for dinner?”
“Sure, from the looks of it we should be done in no time,” Redelfis said.
“Can we go on the squirrel hunt?” Bnimin asked.
Redelfis shot a glance at him, Shark-Moon, and Tyrchild, “Sure, why not?”
While the crew members gathered firewood for the Council Fire, Mendaka explained to Pita, Edie, and Kletus why they held Council Fires and what their goal was. It wasn’t long before Coyote, Redelfis, and the boys returned from their hunt with thirty large squirrels between them, they held up one of their catch from the makeshift travois Coyote pulled for all to see.
“I got these two sqirrels myself.” Bnimin bragged.
“Yeah, but I got the biggest one.” Shark-Moon declared. Carefully hefting it high, he declared, “Almost as big as a good sized rabbit.”
Pita said, “Awh Edie, let’s be cleaning these and show our friends how we be cookin them.” Pita took Redelfis’ prize right out of his hand and Edie lit into Coyote’s cache and set to cleaning them. Mendaka shot Redelfis a smile and a nod and soon the boys and Coyote joined in the butchering.
* * *
Xelph gathered a contingency of young bloods, and along with Turtle Duck, went into Arym Gael with Mendaka’s idea of a meeting with the Ceruleans. A crowd of villagers were gathered in front of the Mushroom Hall and moved aside as he made his way to the door. Inside, Chief Eyf was meeting with the sages and the sisters who were discussing the violence of the Syr Folk and the massive winged ship. The sentries at the door eyed Xelph and Turtle Duck suspiciously, but allowed him admission. In the sudden hush, Eyf glanced up at Xelph, politely silent and awaiting to be acknowledged.
Frowning, Eyf asked, “What is it Xelph? What counsel do you require?”
Feeling both awkward and pressed for time, Xelph replied courteously, “Greetings Chief Eyf and wise sages and the sisters. As you know, the Syr Folk ship, the Overo commanded by Commander Turtle Duck arrived two days ago. Yesterday they sailed across the river to the Cerulean side by the Long Island where they made contact with our other expedition crew under the command of Chief Mendaka. They have just now returned with news of an extraordinary nature.”
There was a buzz among the sages and the sisters who asked in an astonished tone, “You say they have managed to escape, but how many were injured or killed?”
“On the contrary, both parties report the Blues were very hospitable. Indeed, as I said, Turtle Duck returns to us today to report that the Ceruleans are willing to meet with the Chartreuseans on the Long Island in the middle of the river with the aim of making peace between you two peoples. Captain Turtle Duck has come to urge you to participate in a council fire with them on the Long Island.”
There was a great rumble. It seemed everyone was talking at once. Some looked perturbed, but the countenance of Eyf completely changed to one of elation.
Finally, Eyf held up his arms and said, “Sages and sisters, please, this is the omen we sought in our prayers and councils. We will attend this momentous meeting.”
Gyl spoke up, his green skin blushing dark. “But we were just discussing what a danger the Syr Folk could be and now you propose we go with them to meet the Ceruleans. This is doubly dangerous. There is a reason our ancestors forbade communing with the Blues. Remember how we were received by them five years back when we attempted to offer friendship. They were wild men who menaced us with bow, spear, horrible faces, and shouts like wild beasts. What could have changed that?”
“I come from a tribe called the Cherokee.” Turtle Duck declared. “I have lived with many other tribes, but of all tribes I know, the Syr Folk are the best at negotiating peace and trade agreements. Insomuch that me and my people have come to live among them and join their cause. They welcomed us without condition and have always honored our sovereignty. It was the same way with Chief Pita when we met with them. It might alarm you to know, their greatest fear was of meeting you Chartreuseans.”
Once again a buzz of comment arose. Xelph was pleased he brought Turtle Duck, because he was a man everyone was compelled to listen to. Somehow he always gave things the right spin or presentation. Chief Eyf appeared most pleased with Turtle Duck’s comments.
Again he quieted the side talk by raising his hand. “During the time the Syr Folk have been with us, I have come to believe the Syr Folk have the ability to negotiate with strangers better than we do. The Ceruleans, like us, need an indifferent party. These Syr Folk are a mix of blessings and cursings, but methinks this to be a blessing. All my life I have seen the Ceruleans across the river and in their boats and they have seen me. But never did we speak to one another. Gyl is also correct when he says, the one attempt at friendship we made some five years ago was rejected. Always I thought, there is something wrong with this living on the same land sometimes as close as the width of the River Aber Gael and never speaking. Perhaps, this opportunity won’t ever come again. I, for one, will go, but I will not compel anyone else against their will.”
He paused to let that sink in. Then opened the floor for comment and questioning. Gyl’s brother, Gyf was the first to speak.
“We have been down this road before. You pursued a similar course with the Ele-Anoreans, but all we ever got from them was the beast stoppers, a few merchants allowed into the crater, and their haughty ambassadors looking down their noses at us and our ways.”
“You have made a valid point, but I believe these things take time. I don’t blame the queen. She does not want the simony that has been spreading through Eng-Ness to spread to the crater or the other villages to the north.”
Xelph interjected. “From an outlander’s perspective, the queen could not endure that you permitted the simony Ashim was disseminating because your tolerance was poisoning your own people. She could see he would soon pull the youth into his corruption, sorcery, and drugs. And this she did not want in her crater.”
Perle-Ka said, “I have thought this very thing myself, from what I have learned with Ysys, the queen is deliberate in all her actions and insists on things being done according to the Laws of Ele-Anor-Ness and the Old Gods. After all, they still worship the Old Gods there. All matters are conducted only after consultation with the gods. Ysys says they meet face-to-face with the gods and she swears she witnessed with her own eyes, the votives communing with the Goddess Salixia and other water spirits while at Holihs Pond. Can we boast of anything better?”
There was considerable discussion on the matter. Both Gyl and Gyf mocked the concept that anyone could commune outside of their narrow experience. “If I don’t see it, I don’t believe it.”
Perle-Ka turned like a lioness, “I know my daughter, she would never perpetuate an untruth. S
he saw what she saw.”
Gyf said, “I meant no offense, but as you know, we Arym Gaeleans are much more rooted in sound reasoning and logic. Not given to the visions and quests beyond our five senses. The girl is, after all quite young and impressionable, Perle. Witness that she has adopted their style of clothing. Speaking for myself, Eyf, I refuse to go. It could all be an elaborate trap. How do we know the Syr Folk aren’t already allied to the Ceruleans?”
Xelph opened his mouth to reply, but Eyf beat him to it. “Gyf, if they were plotting with the Ceruleans, the Ele-Anoreans would have reported it was so.”
“That’s the problem, Eyf.” Gyl protested. “You are too trusting. It is possible the Ele-Anoreans are their allies as well. I will stay here with my brother. If you return safely then I too shall be trusting of the Ceruleans. But I’m not about to walk blindly into their snare.”
“I am also leery of going,” Og said. “The Syr Folk are strange enough, but I don’t think we are ready to meet the hostile Blues. And I am with Gyf, the Ele-Anoreans could have arranged all these connections with their witchery.”
One of the sisters raised her hand for the floor. “What is it Yr?”
Yr coughed. “I am not often moved by our discussions, they tend to be too mundane. But I confess, this matter causes a fire to burn in my bones. I for one wish to go to the Long Island with you Eyf in hopes this could end the hundreds of years we have lived next to the Ceruleans in fear. Would that we could live together in peace and banish our fears with supportable knowledge.”
“And I. And I,” said several of the other sages.
Gyf said, “At most Eyf take Yr, Perle, and Itz with you, but wisdom and history dictate the majority of us should await your safe return. If you return, that shall serve as a sign unto us that all is safe, but if not, we will need to lead the people.”
Turtle Duck spoke in his gravelly tone. “What are we waiting for? The ship awaits.” The Chartreuseans rose, retrieved their staffs from the receptacle, and followed Xelph to the boats. Once aboard the Chartreuseans were utterly entranced by the might and prowess of the winged ship.
Chapter 19 : Wose Inserts Himself
Mares eat oats, and does eat oats, and little lambs eat ivy, and a kid will eat ivy too. How ‘bout you?” Wose paused, and then started anew. “The Owl and the Pussy Cat went out to sea in a pretty little pea-green boat… To be or not to be, that is the question.” Over and over he recited poem after poem and rhyme after rhyme in his head as he waited, hidden in a livery stable near the stall door as war raged outside in the streets of Citriodora, famed merchant city of the southern Kalifornias.
The city was perched on the high cliffs. In the past, a large portion of the land and an island had been ripped away and carried out to sea, leaving behind a large deep bay that supported one of the best fleets on the west coast of Panygyrus. Wose had purchased the clothing he wore from the Hickoryan hostler. Humbler threads from many days’ hard labors, but at least newly washed. He warned the hostler and his family to flee to the centers of the land, and if at all possible, to stay to the wilds and head north, to seek asylum in the Stonyford Stronghold.
The hostler, Boone Newton and his family and friends had barely left the city in time, for now the dread legions of Pitters were storming the mercantile end of the city and gnawing their ways through doors to get at the inhabitants in their homes. The leaders of the city had long ago fled south in their ships, leaving the citizens alone to fend for themselves. There was hardly a street that wasn’t the scene of mayhem, rape, cracking whips, and long chains of captives. Load after load of citizens were hustled out of town like fuel for the Pitter fire that was now ravenously devouring it.
At last, Wose saw his opportunity through a crack in the wall, eased out of the stall, crept through the livery stable door and fell in line with a band of marching captives. They were just learning the routines, and Wose saw the ripped shirts and blouses of those who hadn’t learned quickly enough, the fresh blood dripping down them from a recent snap of the whip.
This was the band of captives he wanted to be in. It was the one they were herding down to the dock where Wose wished to be. It would be the one heading for the Isle of Ilkchild, and he would be with them. The women had no idea that they had been selected to satisfy the most disgusting of lusts and depravity. And the young men, some of them would have no better fate than the women, but for the most part they would only be haulers of water and carriers of burdens, forced to do the work of ten mules.
As Wose approached the docks, a horse broke free from the Pitter horse master trying to load it aboard ship. Wose swiftly stepped out of ranks and grabbed the horse, calmed it, and led it back up the loading plank. The horse followed him as calmly aboard as if it was a daily routine.
The horse master cried out, “You there! I see yous got the knack for these brainless beasts. You stay with me now. Elp me get these damned animals loaded and I’ll see to it ya eat something besides the swill the others’ll be gettin.”
After the horses were all loaded, the horse master brought Wose a chunk of salted pork, a brick of cheese, and a loaf of bread. Wose stood near the railing and ate in silence. As he scanned the broad Bay of Catalina, he saw the Cha’Kal’s jackal flag flying aboard the neighboring belly ship.
Standing next to him, the horse master tore off a piece of his bread and said, “I reckon we’ll be in Frisco soon enough. The Skull Worm is already there cleanin out the town.”
Wose studied the Pitter beside him and knew that the only reason he showed any favor at all to Wose, is because Wose made him look good compared to the other horse masters, some of whom were still struggling wildly to load their quota of horses.
“Will we be long in Frisco?” Wose asked.
“Only long enough to pick up some more of them damned orses and, I hear tell, more legions. Spose to take ‘em all out in the deep. Some Angrar forsaken isle filled with them damned heathenish Herewardi.”
Wose smiled to himself. Soon he would be on the Isle of Ilkchild and ingratiate himself into the ranks of the Cha’Kal’s porters.
* * *
With the help of the Ceruleans, Mendaka and his crew had prepared the meeting place in the oaken savannah. A symbolic wood fire burned and numerous flat stones had been positioned on the grass for seating. Looking across the channel he could see the entire village of Atala lining the banks on the Cerulean side. Mendaka had stationed his entire crew near the meeting sight just in case they became embroiled in a conflict and needed policing.
It was mid afternoon when Turtle Duck anchored in the channel off of Long Island. The porter boats immediately transported the Chartreusean Ambassadors along with Xelph, Turtle Duck, Arundel, Long Swan, and Ilkchild.
Once the Syr Folk had exchanged greetings, Mendaka noticed the two parties eying each other warily.
Xelph asked Mendaka, “Since you are acquainted with these Blue Folk, would you introduce all the parties?”
Mendaka started naming each. “This is Xelph, the heretoga or commander of the expedition. Next to him is Long Swan, our scribe who will record all we say and do here today. And this is the young Prince Arundel, son of the High Lord Sur Sceaf, and behind him stands Ilkchild another son of the high lord.” Then motioning to Xelph, Mendaka said, “And now, Xelph, would you introduce the Chartreuseans first, then I’ll introduce the Ceruleans.”
“It would be my honor,” Xelph said. “Permit me to introduce Eyf, Chief of Chartreusea and his wife Perle-Ka. Next to her is another sister, Yr, and a sage named Itz.’’
Mendaka turned to the chief of the Blues, “This is Pita Blufre, chief of the Ceruleans, his fellows, Elmer, Koot, and Kletus, the under chiefs of Monongahela, Atala, and Apalala. The lady is Pita’s wife, Edie, first counselor of Cerulea.”
Pita the blufre rose up. “Just so’s y’all knows, my beloved wife, Edie, is also the chief medicine woman of Blufredom. She has a gift of knowin when words are false. I trust her to reveal the true words of this co
uncil. So you Chartreuseans can’t trick us with any of your lies.”
Yr and Itz looked shocked, but Eyf said, “Fair enough, I understand your suspicions of us. There are many of my people who are as suspicious of you and fear for my safety in your presence. But I say, let us start off with trust. Let’s give ourselves time to get to know one another and in the meantime, I think we can at least agree to be hospitable towards one another.”
Mendaka was pleased to see the smile of approval that Edie directed at Pita. Pita’s expression eased up. In many ways Edie was like Sagwi. She, too, was little more to look at than a short stout lady with dark hair and a flat rounded nose set between dimples, but beneath the matronly look was a wisdom and dignity. Every Cerulean leader bore her the greatest of deference. Edie was normally both shy and unobtrusive, but she had an overview of the big picture and was committed to the welfare of her people. Pita, especially, valued her counsel and that’s what this meeting desparately needed.
“It is a very good day indeed,” Xelph quickly interjected, uncomfortable with the continuing tension of the moment. “Before we get started I should like to make known that Mendaka is Sur Sceaf’s right hand man, even though I have the appointment as heretoga of this expedition. And since you have already become acquainted with him, I think it best if he presides over this meeting.”
Mendaka stood up and said, “Thank you Xelph, I would be honored. Shall we be seated.” He motioned them to sit.
The Blues and the Greens then sat across from each other in the grass around a cheerful campfire.
Mendaka explained, “Even though it is a warm day, in both my Sharaka Tribe and the Herewardi Tribe, it is a custom to have a fire built during our talks as symbolic of the great spirit who watches over the hearts of all men. As long as the fire burns, all parties may feel free to express their opinions as equals and without censor.”
He scanned the faces of all those seated around the fire, Green, Blue, and the Syr Folk. “As near as I can tell, your forefathers believed they must separate from each other in order to eliminate conflict. Their reasoning, I am told, is now largely forgotten and that is just as well. Nature dictates that old patterns have to be broken so that new and better ones can emerge. So let me ask this, Chief Eyf as spokesman for the Chartreuseans, do you bear any personal animosity towards Chief Blufre of the Blues?”
The Bok of Syr Folk Page 33