Re: A Challenge (seperate from the weekly writers' challenge)
Posted by:
Caeli (IP Logged)
Date: September 11, 2009 03:00PM
The storm leered down at the small party, delighting in their powerlessness against it.
Tory glared back at the clouds as they dumped buckets of rain onto the ship Wavestar. Although battered by the gale the galleon hung on and braved the fierce storm.
*********************************************************************
I glared at the clouds as they continued to soak my already sopping clothes. Staring out to sea I saw the next wave coming. Terrific.
“Hold on!” I shouted as loudly as I could. All those on deck rushed to grab onto something stable as the water rushed over the sides of the boat.
Savadra came up to me and gasped out through cracked lips. “So you see anything besides water?” I peered out into the stormy gloom. A line of black showed briefly above the waves before they covered it back up. Land. I whooped loudly and Savadra flinched, but she was grinning
“You saw it?” she asked. The wind pushed her long red hair against her face and her green eyes flashed, my brown hair, likewise blew wildly. Relief flooded me. At last, after countless days at sea we were approaching land. I hoped it was the island we were supposed to find.
King Greythan of Montall had appointed us to seek out an island that was overrun with some kind of monster. He owned the island and said it was used for growing exotic fruits, but now no one who entered the island... well, made it back alive.
Savadra was the leader of our group, though she refused to be called ‘Captain’ or ‘Miss’. So I called her ‘Cap’n’ every chance I got. King Greythan had sent one of his chief officers, named Bart with us as well.
“How far away is it do you think?” I asked.
“Ask Craigin. He thinks the storm will be letting up soon.”
I shrugged past her and went into the hold where the captain’s small room was. Craigin sat at his desk, pouring over maps and charts. He was the captain of our ship. He looked up and nodded to me once before returning his eyes to his parchment. He loved maps of any kind and was often found studying them. He pulled out a star chart and then a book of mythology.
“What’s that for?” I asked. For a moment he didn’t answer, lost in his own world. His large hound sat at his feet, I walked up to the dog and stroked his ears.
“It’s a book of creatures. The king wasn’t very specific when he said ‘beast’ so I’m trying to glean some information.”
“When do you think this storm will clear up?” I said after a pause.
“The Grindelia of Tress is a water monster that consumes over fifty pounds a day… The Kaht is an intelligent creature, near the Carmen oceans. Strong and cat-like…” He mused through the book.
“Of course the cat is a cat-like animal.” I scoffed. Craigin looked up.
“Kaht. Not cat.”
“Right.” Cat. Not cat. The guy’s lost his marbles. I left him to his ramblings, not knowing just how important they were.
******************************************************************
The storm cleared up around supper time that night. We landed on the island a few hours later. Savadra looked through a spyglass at the island. “This is the place alright.” She said.
The island looked calm and peaceful. The waves lapped gently at the shores and a majestic mountain soared to impossible heights. Not the place you’d expect to find monsters.
“We’ll take a landing party in at first light.” Savadra said matter-of-factly. Bart, standing beside her nodded.
“Aye Cap’n!” I saluted. She glared. Bart grinned.
The next morning Bart, Craigin, Savadra, a sailor named Gern and I hopped into the little landing boat and headed for shore. We carried only our weapons and some supplies.
Bart climbed out and onto dry land first. He smiled back at us and raised his bow. “Coming?”
I got out after Savadra and the others and pulled out my axe. Craigin carried his daggers on a belt and Savadra unsheathed her sword. Gern pulled out a smaller blade.
Savadra surveyed the island. “We’ll split up.” She said. “Craigin and I one way. Gern, Tory and Bart another.” We nodded. “Then let’s move.”
We walked for hours without any unusual happenings. At noon we pulled out some food and sat down to eat. Gern glanced around wearily while Bart seemed to not notice the strange jungle surrounding us.
Afterwards we again set off through the trees, trying to find some evidence for the myth of monsters. Occasionally we ran into Savadra and Craigin. When this happened we looked around trying to figure out if we were going in circles.
Finally we all camped for the night. Craigin took up a watch while the rest of us slept. When it was my turn to guard I walked around the camp until I found a tree that overlooked it.
I had just about decided to get Savadra for her watch when an unearthly scream pierced the night air. I turned to the jungle behind me, then called over my shoulder. “Savadra? Craigin? Are you awake?” No one answered.
I climbed down to get the others up but decided that I shouldn’t wake them. It was probably just some night bird anyway. I took my axe and ventured into the forest. Not a good idea. I at least should have left someone to guard the camp. But I wasn’t known for being particularly smart.
I came to a clearing that was lit by the moon. I walked around the edge. Walked into the middle. Nothing happened. I sighed. Then the hairs on my neck rose. Something was behind me. I whirled around. It stayed behind my back. No matter how many times I turned it was still there. I was beginning to panic. Something grabbed my back and I couldn’t scream.
“Stay still stranger.” The voice was impossibly low and menacing.
I gulped.
The voice came again, closer. “This will not hurt much.”
I prepared for the end. Something like a thousand daggers dug into my back. I fell on my face. Blackness crowded in. I tried to fight it. And lost.
******************************************************************
I woke with something standing over me. My vision cleared and I saw it was a monster indeed. A huge tiger-like animal peered at me. It was colored solid black and stood on its hind paws. It dropped to all fours and bared its teeth in a smile.
“So you awake.” It said in the same rasp from last night.
“You can t-talk?”
It laughed. “This Kaht talks better than you, Voice-kin.”
“Voice-kin?” I asked.
“The creatures who were given the gift of speech. We are the Voice-kin. What are you called?” It rasped.
“Tory.”
It bared its teeth. “I am Banshee. I will vouch for you with the other Kahts.”
Something clicked in my mind. “Cat?”
“K-A-H-T. Kaht. That is what I am.” He cocked his head.
I remembered what Craigin had been saying that night. Kaht, not cat. “Oh. What about my friends?”
“They are here. We brought them so that they would not be worried.” It replied.
“Did you use the same thing that knocked my unconscious?” The creature looked down at his paws. He flexed them and long claws emerged.
“I am sorry. The poison in Kaht’s claws is not deadly. I used it to bring you back so that I did not have to harm you.” He replied.
I rubbed my back. “You call digging those things into my back ‘not harming’ me?” He rolled his muscular shoulders in a shrug and left. Great, I offended him I looked around and found I was in a cave. The ceiling and walls shined in the sunlight that shone in. I looked closer. Long bands of something almost black ran through the cave. Silver? Is that really silver? I touched its cool surface. It is.
I stood unsteadily and walked to the caves mouth. I was in the side of the huge mountain that we had seen when we landed. Below me other creatures like Banshee strolled along various paths. Wow.
I climbed down and felt the stares of the Kaht’s. I waved and smiled. They stared.
Two of the large animals made their way towards me. One obviously ranking higher than any other in the ‘village’ went ahead of the other. He smiled. He was pure white with flashing green eyes the other was tabby orange with amber eyes. “Welcome Tory. Banshee has told us of you. I am Centaur and this is my daughter Phoenix.”
He gestured to another cat that was grey. “That is Banshee’s mate Nymph.” Beside Nymph ran a small mouse-brown kit. “And that is their son Pooka.” He added. Hearing its name the small Kaht tilted his head and screamed like a dying animal. I winced and Centaur laughed. “That is our way of greeting.”
I smiled wearily. So all the Kaht’s are named after other myth-like creatures, interesting. “Oh.”
“Come and I will show you your friends.” Centaur said.
Centaur led me through the Kaht’s village to a small hut. Savadra and Craigin were inside. “The others will be brought here. Then you will be taken to my cave for a meeting. We may need your help.” I nodded as if he and I had already talked this over and I actually knew what he was talking about. Savadra, of course, knew better.
“What is going on here?” Craigin asked.
“Apparently Tory knows.” Savadra quirked an eyebrow knowingly.
“Well maybe I don’t. I can’t be everyone’s hero.”
Savadra laughed. I glared. Bart and Gern entered the tent. Bart glared at the Kaht who brought him. I saw that it was Banshee.
“We are ready for you in Centaur’s home.”
Inside Centaur’s cave –he was obviously the leader- several Kahts sat in a circle. I stared at Centaur. He wore a collar made of wood with bright stones weaved into it. I saw silver as well.
“Our friends here may be willing to help us.” The Kahts made sounds of relief. He turned to us. “A ship has been spotted on the edge of our island that does not belong to Tory and his tribe.” I tried to object but Centaur waved me into silence. “These strangers have landed and killed three of our tribe this morning. They must either be driven away or defeated. Tory may be able to help us.” He looked to me.
“Actually Savadra is our leader.”
“Thanks Tory. Kahts we are willing to help you. We came here originally to help a friend who believed you to be monsters. We will also go back and persuade him to sell this island to you. Do you have anything here of wealth to trade for your island?” I admired Savadra’s diplomacy.
“We have our river stone.” Nymph spoke up. Savadra nodded.
“Where?”
*******************************************************************
Later we stood at the mouth of a cave. Savadra rook a few steps into it. “Silver?” I heard her voice call. I followed her.
“This cave used to be underwater.” I said and pointed out the signs of it. I turned to Centaur. “What do you call that shiny stuff in your necklace?”
“This is more River Stone. They are surprisingly soft and it is difficult to get them out.” He said.
“We call it silver.” Savadra told him after leaving the cave. If you mine it," The kaht looked confused." er… dig it out, you can use it for trade.” Centaur looked pleased. I smiled at him and walked further into the cave, as I did I could hear their voices outside.
“So our stones are valuable in other places?”
I ran a hand over the smooth stone walls. With the bit of light from outside the veins of silver shone, I spied a lump in the back and went towards it.
“Very. We also have gold -really bright yellow stuff- it’s even better.”
I eyed the lump. It remained motionless so I drew my axe and went up to it. That is interesting.
I tripped. “Oof!”
“Tory? You okay?” Savadra’s voice asked. I got up and grabbed my flint; scraping until I got a spark and lit the hunk of wood I’d fallen over. “Tory?”
“I’m fine.” I called as I looked around the room. An old fire pit,a few rusted pic-axes and an old traveler’s trunk made up an ancient mining camp. I reached into the trunk and pulled out a few items of clothing. A badge on a uniform caught my eye.
“Then why aren’t you coming?”
I stood, still holding the outfit. “I am fine,” I paused. “But you’d better come see this.”
Savadra rounded a corner and found me holding the old miners uniform. She stared at the badge. At the emblem of a rams head. At King Greythan’s seal. She gasped. “The king wants the silver.”
“And the Kaht’s are in the way. He sent us here to annihilate the Kaht’s so that he could reclaim the island. If it was ever his in the first place.”
“But that means Bart-“
Bart popped his head into the cave opening. “Someone call my name?” he asked as he swaggered in. He froze and the smile left his lips. He saw the uniform and the badge. Savadra took a step forward and he ran. I held her back from following.
“That Bart is a filthy traitorous spy.”
“I’ll bet he’s heading to that mystery ship.” She added. I nodded grimly. That night Savadra, Craigin, Gern and I worked on a plan.
***********************************************************************
Early in the morning we went back to the Wavestar and brought all but a few men with us back to the Kaht’s. Including Craigin’s dog. Banshee was glad for the hound because Pooka was distracted. We watched dog and cat tumble together while we explained our plans to Centaur, Banshee and Phoenix, who all seemed to be leaders.
We decided to head to the beach were King Greythan’s ship was anchored. We left Pooka in the paws of his mother and Craigin’s hound. Still every time I looked behind me on the trek through the jungle I felt the little Kaht’s presence. I told Banshee about it as soon as we stopped for a rest. The Kaht growled.
“Pooka.”
Silence.
“Pooka!”
The bushes moved and the Kaht’s face appeared. He stared at us innocently. A large brown nose appeared beside him. The hound dog nudged his friend in play. Banshee sighed as Kaht and dog rolled over in play. “I’ll look after him.” He grumbled.
Craigin shook his head at his dog. “I will also.” I suppressed a laugh.
Something besides the tumbling friends rustled the grass. I looked to see Bart standing between to trees, his bow drawn and pointed at Pooka as the two paused to look at him. Bart smiled. Released the shaft.
Someone yelled. Beside me Banshee screamed like the creature he was named for and leaped like the Kaht he was. He flew over Pooka, protecting his son by arching his powerful body. The arrow pierced his chest and he crumpled into the dirt.
I rushed to get out my axe, and hearing a grunt looked up. One of Craigin’s daggers protruded from Bart’s middle. He grasped the handle and fell forward lifeless.
Pooka crawled over to his fathers still form and pushed his small head into Banshee’s face. He tilted back his head and wailed.
We abandoned our mission for the night and returned to the Kaht’s camp burning Bart’s body in the wood and taking Banshee’s with us.
I crawled into bed and eventually faded into sleep, haunted by Nymph and Pooka’s mourning.
**************************************************************
In the morning I glanced up at the ceiling of the cave and thought of our plan. This afternoon were going to save the Kaht’s or die trying. I thought with a resolve I didn’t feel. Let’s hope on the former.
**************************************************************
I snuck up next to Savadra as our small team huddled in the bushes next to the large ship. Our plan was based solely on brains, not man power, although we had plenty of it with the Kaht’s. They however preferred not to kill and I began to wonder just how much of the story Greythan had told us was actually true.
The enemies ship lay peacefully harbored in the Kaht’s bay about a hundred yards from where I stood. I frowned in concentration as Craigin slid in beside us. Our whole plan relied on the element of surprise. Get in, Get out.
My first job was to knock out one of the two guards on shore with a sling while Craigin slipped in to knock out the other. This had to be the order because they were facing one another, there had to be no time for one to shout the alarm. I twisted back my arm and began to make slow circles with my sling. Craigin disappeared.
I let the stone fly and it hit one guard squarely on his head. The other had only a split-second to wonder what had happened to his companion before he didn’t have to worry again for a very long time.
“Now.” Savadra whispered.
In came part two. The trickiest of the all. Gern and two other sailors who could swim would get in the water to slash the rope that held the ships anchor while Craigin and I dove underneath the boat to pierce some holes in its hull. A difficult task at best.
I slid into the water as silently as possible and swam submerged until I was up against the ships sides where I couldn’t be seen. Craigin popped up beside me and we took several deep breaths before diving down into the swampy darkness of the shore.
Savadra had explained that the holes would most likely not hurt the ship until it was out at sea. Which it soon would be if all was to go according to plan.
I felt the slimy bottom of the ship and pulled out one of my ten daggers (Courtesy of Craigin. After all, it’s rather difficult to swing an axe under water without simply creating the simulation of a dying duck. ) Driving the knife deep into the thick wood I then swam to the next section, out of the corner of my eye I saw Craigin busily doing the same. The second knife I slashed into the wood, hoping to cause a bigger leak. After the fourth dagger was in place my lungs were begging for air. I swam to the surface.
Craigin gave Savadra the signal to bring the Kahts out. By this time the ship had floated out slowly but steadily with the outgoing tide so that the shore was out of shooting range; except for from the Wavestar which had snuck in and waited with flaming arrows just out of sight.
The Kahts on shore sent up their eerie battle cries that sent chills down my spine. Centaur was in the front, his white fur glowing in the sunlight. I remembered that I still had a job to do and swam back to where Craigin already was puncturing the underside of the ship.
Muffled shouts rose from above as the crew realized what was happening. They began to turn the ship around to flee their impending doom. Craigin swam clear and I started to follow. The ship jerked abruptly and the hull slammed into my head. Blackness swam in front of my vision and I wondered if this is what those two guards had felt like. I reached out a feeble hand to swim away. Then warm darkness swallowed me.
**************************************************************
Savadra watched the water beside Craigin as he popped up for breath and then went below the surface again. She could see his form swimming for shore, his work done. But… where was Tory?
**************************************************************
Craigin realized that Tory had yet to surface. As annoying as the kid sometimes was, he became worried. He turned around and began retracing his strokes.
***************************************************************
Savadra saw Craigin’s shape turn and head back. He must have noticed something was wrong and was going back to look for Tory. She bit her lip as their own ship began shooting its arrows onto the enemy, within minutes the plan would be successfully completed, but without Tory?
****************************************************************
Craigin saw something on the muddy floor of the ocean, he swam towards it and could just pick out the brown hair, waving gently in the tide and the reddish brown stream that trickled from it. Tory!
****************************************************************
I faded in and out of consiouseness. Suddenly I found myself being pulled to the surface. Angels?
Hard, biting air hit my face and my stomach twisted; I moaned, gagged and spit out an ocean of water. Bad angel, bad! I heard a voice soothingly say, “It’s alright my friend, hold on, we’re almost there.” There?
I opened painful eyes and squinted up at Savadra who leaned over me. I suddenly remembered where I was and felt Craigin’s strong arms lay me out on the sand.
“We did it?” I asked in a choked whisper. Savadra smiled, her red hair falling in front of her face.
“We did it Tory.”
****************************************************************
I walked down the beach with Savadra, Pooka racing ahead. We had waved goodbye to the Wavestar and Craigin after deciding that someone would have to stay to help the Kahts establish trade for their silver with other lands.
I smiled as a breeze ruffled the air. The sky was clear, the wind was crisp, and the future was ours for the taking!
Edited 3 times. Last edit at 09/15/09 02:06PM by Caeli.
http://www.musings-in-a-strange-land.blogspot.com/