"The traveler's notes" by Lasley Guinness. Second edition. Published in 9629.

Chapter 19 "The Feral Forest"

Page 267

"Numerous delays stalled my journey, but I managed to get to Feral Forest right before the summer monsoon. Very few outlanders were let to visit this wild lands and I'm proud to be one of them. Only my reputation as harmless traveler and a friendship with an influential beastman allowed me to visit the very outskirts of their abode.

No roads exist under the crowns of Feral Forest's trees. After another six days of travel by foot we barely reached the first outpost before heavy clouds began to pour rivers. And so has started my four weeks long stay.

At the first glance you could think that this strong and proud people are extremely poor. They live in wooden houses on the trees, wear only leather and woolen clothes, use wooden housewares. But after a week or so I started to enjoy the simplicity of their life, as my materialistic view on life gave in to new prospects. I had heaps of time to reflect on my past, the present, and the unknown future. For the first time in years I had time to organize my notes. I talked to this people and learned they had almost no crime, no prisons, no mental illness, alcoholism, no orphanages, no byproducts of crazed society that surround us, humans. Years of myths crowd our minds concerning the natural life. The time has come to meet my own doubts head-on..."

Now, what shall I start with? Things got lively lately. I'm training to the best of my ability. Each day I'm getting better with language. Father took it upon himself to teach me all the moves of ears we use to make our speech more emotionally painted. Did I tell you we can't move our tail by will. It makes some emotions hard to hide. Some emotions are expressed purely with words, some with both words and moves, other purely with moves. It was hard at start but I'm getting used to it. All this movements become natural when your emotions are taken to extreme, but you need to control them otherwise.

Few days ago chief dropped by and it happens so that he and my father are brothers.

"Hello Graven, Galena. Nirav told me you came back with his cub. He says she'll stop by when his injuries are gone. Why didn't you drop by to greet me?"

"Ahah, sorry, my own cub occupied all my attention. If you need a report I'll drop by in a day or two."

"Naah, Vishal already reported to me. Nobility from Rizza Kingdom won't get away this time. At least two heads will roll," chief shook his fist with satisfaction.

"Boys. We have a little one here. Keep your business outside. Bertram, sit down, you're probably hungry." Mother’s overprotectiveness lessened quite a bit, but it was still there. I wanted to listen about slavery a bit more. It feels important.

"Sorry, where are my manners. Hello, Akillah, my name is Bertram. I'm this village’s chief and your father's brother. That makes me your uncle. Now that I think of it, you had a birthday recently. Is there something you want as a present?" his ears turned backwards and faced downwards a bit, “so much work lately.” Is he ashamed? Also, what about polite overcomplicated talk? You're talking to a kid, you know?

"Book!" I split without giving it a second thought and raise my hands up triumphantly...now is the chance!

"A book? Can you read?" He asks amused. Was he expecting a doll or something? I'm happy to say I'm far past that period.

"No," my ears hang down with sadness, "papa....read book!"

"Yes, yes, I'll read you. She grows too fast, Bertram. Two weeks ago she started to talk and now she wants a book. And I took her to Al Qadir's bookstore to buy paper for my report only once! Honey, what did you feed her with?"

"Normal stuff." Mother just shook her shoulders passively.

"It's only natural for children to surpass their parents at some point, brother. Do you feel old now, ahaha. Just you wait, she'll make you feel old in another decade."

"I guess you're right," both his tail and ears straightened up. Is he excited or proud? I did not get that. Maybe both?

"Actually there was a reason for me to come. Valen from village garrison wanted to join your squad," uncle Bertram got serious in a flash.

"My squad is full. You know large groups are only easier to spot," father’s tail swayed in displeasure.

"That's why I thought you would like to take a break. Won't you?" Uncle’s tone was lax but his eyes were dead serious.

"No, It's my job,” he emphasized "my", “you don't know what they do to our kin. If you were ther—"

"BOYS!" With my mother’s roar they both shut down immediately. Way to go, mother. Woman faction is the best.

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"Look, brother. I'm the one to read all reports you and other squads send. The point is, I think you saw enough. It's time to settle down and raise your own сub. Valen will take the job. He's a good tracker, I checked him myself."

Short silence hung in the air. Father looked at his steak with more attention than it should attract.

"Am I fired?"

"Yes. Fired and hired again. You could show some tricks to my boys from garrison. I keep telling them the worst beating I ever got was from you, while you were barely an adult. They got cocky just because they can stay on their feet after sparring with me. I need you to shatter their smirks.I’am afraid I grew too fond of my boys to take them on for real. Can't force myself to stop holding back so much."

"Worst beating? From me? Half of my scars are from your claws! I thought I would die from that fight for chieftainhood. But I think I actually won. Galena noticed me because of that brawl." Both mothers tail and ears started to move but I couldn't get exactly what was she thinking. Did father omit more delicate parts of the lessons?

"Besides, elder Shanahan asked me to make you stay in town. I think he wants you to keep a close eye on Akillah," Bertram said cheerfully, glad that things went smooth on his end.

"Elder? Why would he bother with my child?"

"Who knows? Even chief can't demand answers from an elder. He gave her a name. Maybe he wants to give more?"

"Elder Shanahan talked to me on the day of the ritual. He says Akilla has a strong fate." Mother applied while washing our plates.

"Fate, huh?" Father murmured perplexedly. "Well, you're right, brother, elders have plenty on their minds for a reason. They're wise. We are warriors, not mages or crafters. To me, all that fancy crafts only make humans towns smell bad. I'm not talking about blacksmithing or tailoring, mind you,” he glanced in mother’s direction. “Magic surely is useful, but sudden approach on human mage makes him easy target. Those idiots even carry staffs and pointy hats to make themselves visibl—"

"Now that I think of it, didn't Akillah just ask a book as a present?" uncle Bertram interrupted. "Do we have another mage growing up here?"

"Mage?" I asked. Now this is interesting. Everyone talks about magic now and then but I'm yet to witness magic. Somehow I think this world's magic has nothing to do with tarot cards or black cylinders with rabbits.

"Yes. Mages are smart and dreadful. On a battlefiel—"

"Bertram. Last warning." Noooo, mommy, he was right at the interesting part!

"Ok, ok. It's time for me to go anyway. Thanks for the meal. I should think about marrying someone soon or I'll keep coming for this steaks of yours."

"Your welcome. You know we're glad to see you. But you're right, you should marry a fine female and come for our steaks with her. I could use company," she told with sad expression. Huh? Is my mother lonely? Now that I think of it, no one drops by to greet her. Doesn't she have friends? Something feels off. I made a mental note to ask about it when I'm older.

With my uncle gone father continued to talk about human crafts, such as stinky perfumery and ridiculous dresses human females wear. I thought about magic and other wonders of this world until father's words caught my attention again.

"Duuorf?" I asked.

"Yes. Dwarves are a race of short crafting maniacs that live in Great Trident mountains. I was telling their alcohol is so strong it can turn your brain inside out and back again. Vishal swears they squeeze this moisture from rocks, that idiot. I saw young elf preaching to a dwarf about how his wines have rich aroma and long history. The midget then drunk a bottle in one gulp and declared that this juice has spoiled. You should have seen that elf's face. One mustn't venture into others' home with a charter of one's own."

"Honey, don't teach our daughter about alcohol. I liked the last part though, where did you hear that?"

"Do you remember that beggar from Falcon Empire I told you before....."Mother and father continued to chat while I fell into stupor.

Huh? Elves? Dwarves?.....Magic?

Where the hell did I get myself into?

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PS. Some geographical names related to the story were introduced this time, I hope you won't hate my naming sense, lol.

I may or may not be working on a hand drawn world map, which you may or may not see somewhere around chapter seven. As if I would ruin such a surprise with petty hints!