Day 18
Kerri had tried for an early night in the hopes that morning would come quickly. However around three in the morning she woke up, from bad dreams about Miche. The room was pitch black and the candle was out. Kerri fumbled in the dark looking for something to light a candle. She was feeling a little scared of the dark. She left the room and went in search of light. On deck she found Tank checking the lanterns.
“Hi.” she waved “Couldn’t you sleep?” Kerri asked.
“I always check the deck and boat a couple times during the night.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“No.”
“Thank you for saving me from that thing. You are like the rough around the edges, capable Crocodile Dundee. You lack the charming lure he had but this isn’t a movie so I guess there are no second takes.”
“You seldom make sense when you talk.” Tank commented.
“I suppose not. I guess what I am saying is, you’re the hero of this story.”
Tank laughed,
“Hero, you need to stop. Your mouth is going to get you into trouble.”
Kerri checked Tank out.
“I have always wondered what these girls must have felt, being around such capable men. Like Robin Hood, and Crocodile Dundee, and Hercules. It’s not as glamorous as I expected but still something. I have been thinking lately that I don’t want regrets. I am here, so it’s almost like a ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ moment.”
“Kerri, I don’t…”
She cut him off
“I want to kiss you. No strings attached.”
Tank looked around for the strings.
“I mean it’s a one-time thing, never again, no bonding, no follow ups or letters. Just because if I don’t, I might wish I did.”
“Your mouth is going to get you into trouble.” Tank said.
“May I kiss you?” Kerri asked.
Tank looked round. This girl talked strange and acted unbelievably. Maybe she had the mind illness.
“Are you ill?” Tank asked “Let me check your wounds.”
Maybe she was delirious was fever?
Kerri sat down and rolled up her pants leg. Tank check her wounds. They were better than the day before. He felt her head for a fever.
“Has no one ever kissed you before?” Kerri asked seeing how he was looking for a reason to think she was unwell.
Kerri looked him in the eyes.
“Do you not want me to kiss you?” she asked.
“I know I am not a suitable partner. But even I don’t want to be that guy who kisses a woman and runs away.”
“So, is that a no?”
“And you keep talking about it like its normal.” He added.
“Well, I have never kissed a stranger before and somewhat lack the confidence to just do it, so I am asking.” Kerri told him.
Tank put his wrist on her forehead. Checking for a fever again.
Kerri bravely touched his arm.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with you, no fever, wounds are looking better. However, you will have a nasty scare on your leg, so keep it covered. Have you eaten anything?” Tank investigated.
“No, but I am hungry.”
“Maybe the Miche have affected you. You could see them so maybe it’s done something more. We will be in Fish soon. I will find you a physician.” Tank said.
“I only asked for a kiss, not a lifetime commitment.” Kerri groaned.
Kerri realized that having an off-world fling was not going to happen. Plus, after talking about it so much she felt awkward.
“Let’s eat.” Kerri suggested.
Tank went and got some food. It looked like oats but it was an odd pale red color.
“Eat.” Tank said watching her eye the food.
Kerri ate, it was good. It was sweet like it had honey in it and it was firm and soft.
“Thank you!” Kerri said.
She ate quickly so she could go hide in her room until they arrived at the Village Fish.
James Thornbulton was woken up with the noise of people. Chatters but no individual words could be made out. A fog horn sounded.
‘We are here!’
James dressed as fast as he could. He was in a hurry to find the crystal get back to the castle and leave Chayim forever. Or so he hoped.
Once dressed he ran to the deck bumping into Zerok.
“Sorry!” he apologized in a hurry.
Fish was beautiful. It had a massive harbor were boats and ships were coming in and leaving from what looked like every direction. There were platforms and ramps. It looked like the harbor had three sections based on the vessels size. Their boat being small docked with other small boats. People of every kind moved around. Gold haired, white haired, blue haired people and even black-haired people. Brown skin, paper white skin, and even gold skinned people moved around. It was a crowd of swarming humanoids.
“I wish Lakisha could see this.” He said “It’s amazing! I am now planning to site see when I get back to Point. Maybe record the animals and birds I see.” James ran back to his room to grab his book and coal pencil.
Kerri also found herself impressed by the magnitude of it. It was something to behold. Everything was clean. Not like the City Point or the lower town.
A blue haired olive brown skinned man come to them.
“How long will you be? What is on board? Where are you going?” he asked.
“We are coming to see a friend, there is four of us and we will be staying a day or two. We have no trade on board, only food and personal supplies. We will also restock before leaving.” Tank said.
“Three silver coins per day for docking.”
“Why so much?”
“New standards, we want to repair things. Rumors of the queen’s bonding with the Dragon Rider prince has reach our ears.”
“So, you’re stealing while everyone is distracted?”
Kerri remembered what captain Kumi said to her. If she had shown her seal of protection, he would have had to take her to the castle without payment.
Kerri pulled the seal out.
“I am here doing the queen’s work. We will pay one silver coin per day. Take it or get nothing.”
He looked at the seal.
“Are you going to report me?” he asked.
“Only if you keep over charging. Otherwise, I will turn a blind eye.”
He looked at Tank confused then said
“Forgive me and welcome to Fish.”
The man stopped Tank.
“You are no queen’s man. So, what is going on?”
“She needs a physician and she is friends with the queen.”
“What is a blind eye?” he asked Tank.
“She always talks strangely, most of the time I have no idea what she is saying and she talks a lot.”
He looked worried.
“No more over charging.” Tank said tying up the boat.
Kerri and James stood in front of a massive ship.
“I thought this place was backwards.” James said.
“It is, but it seems not everywhere is.” Kerri admired.
“Where is this ship from?” Kerri and James asked.
“It was made in Tarshis, the Aurum do good work.” They were told.
The massive ship was a masterpiece.
James focused,
“Where do we find this crystal?” he asked Kerri.
“I don’t know. I have an idea… Everything looks so different.”
“Ok, was it given to a person or hidden in a place?” James asked.
“Both. To a person who hid it.”
“So where to?” James asked.
Kerri explained where the person used to live and who is recorded to have helped him hide it.
“I don’t speak the language. How am I going to help?” James asked.
“I’ll meet you back at the boat.” Kerri shrugged.
Kerri was ready to leave the boat and head out on her trip looking for the crystal. However, Tank insisted that her bite gets looked at. In truth he wanted to see if she was ill with the mind illness. So, she went to the physician first.
The old man with a long grubby grey beard examined her leg and arm. He was beginning to get carried away in his examining.
“Hey!” Kerri objected, “Watch your hands or you will lose it.” She threatened.
“Mmmmm” he replied.
“You are not from around here. You are not from Chayim.” He observed.
“Do you see how she talks she makes no sense. Does she have the mind illness?” Tank asked whispering to the physician.
“How old are you?” he asked Kerri.
“Twenty-three.” She replied not liking the whispers.
“Where were you born?” he asked.
“Do you have something for these ugly bites or not?” Kerri insisted.
“I do, but I need to see if fever has gotten you?”
“It hasn’t, ask real questions, I have things to do.” Kerri moaned.
“Where are you?”
“I am in the Village Fish, I got here by a boat. I am twenty-three. I have no brothers or sisters. My parents love me. My grandparents love me. I am normally healthy and well fed.” Kerri said trying to speed up the process.
“How did you get to Chayim?” he asked.
“Do you want to hear that I am from a place called earth and found a blue crystal that brought me here and now I am trying to find a blue crystal to get home?” she asked annoyed.
“Earth, I do not know earth.” He considered it.
“Treat my wounds so I can go.” Kerri demanded.
He looked at Tank.
“She does not seem confused. Why do you think she has the mind illness?”
“She talks and makes no sense, she wanted to kiss me and not bond.” Tank said.
“Strange indeed.”
“This man tells me you want to kiss him and not bond. Why?” he asked Kerri.
“Wanted. Pass tense.” Kerri glared at Tank.
“Wanted, not anymore?” he inquired.
“I don’t like to kiss and tell. It was a mistake.”
“But you did want to?” the physician inquired persistently.
“This is too awkward.” Kerri stood up to go.
“I need to know.” The old man persisted.
“Pervert! Yes, I wanted to kiss him. He’s handsome and he saved me from a giant alligator thing. But he not only turned me down he’s telling the whole town! I am not answering anymore questions. Treat me now or I leave!” Kerri was embarrassed and upset.
“She does not have the mind illness. She is just from another world and they speak strangely.” He told Tank.
The physician treated Kerri’s wounds. It hurt. He scraped out the infection and put a yellow thin sponge type thing in her wounds and stitched it in. Then he stitched her up.
Kerri screamed.
“Why couldn’t you give me something for the pain?!”
“Ahhhhh!”
“Stupid old, dirty man.”
Kerri’s discomfort was clear to anyone in earshot.
Once it was over, he passed her a brown red stick to chew on.
“Chew on this.”
Kerri glared at the man. She put in on the table and hobbled out into the street.
She was sweating from the pain.
Determined, she limped down the road.
“You haven’t paid me.” He called after her.
Kerri ignored him. She was not planning to pay for that terrible experience.
Tank paid him.
Zerok saw Kerri limping down the street.
“Are you alright?” he asked her.
“No! But I will be when I get home.”
“Maybe I can help you find what you are here for.” He offered.
Kerri was sore and irritable.
“Find me the crystal to open the ‘sugs’ so I can leave this rock.”
“You want to open the ‘sugs’ for real?” Zerok asked.
“No, I am here for a holiday.” She snapped.
Tank ran over.
“She does not have the mind illness. But the physician was old and was a bit rough.”
“She looks angry enough to hit someone.” Zerok said.
“I can hear you.” Kerri called over her shoulder.
Tank shrugged.
“Does she really want to open the ‘sugs’?” Zerok asked.
“I believe so.”
“That means, she’s an alien?” Zerok concluded.
“I guess so.”
“I thought they would be uglier. Or prettier.” Zerok concluded.
“I can still hear you!” Kerri shouted.
“She’s ten paces ahead of us and she can still hear us.” Zerok mused.
“Good hearing.” Tank agreed.
Kerri stopped walking.
“Take me to their leader.” She said sternly.
“This way.” Tank said.
He led her to a big clean house made of stone. Green vines covered the walls, smoke rose from the chimney.
Kerri knocked on the door. A woman opened the door.
“I am Liv, who are you?”
“I am Kerri-liana Jones, I wish to speak with the leader of Fish.”
The woman looked at her short strawberry blond hair.
She closed the door.
Kerri knocked again, thinking ‘how rude’.
Tank took her hand before she could knock a second time.
“She is going to ask her master.”
Kerri rolled her eyes.
“How long do I have to wait?”
The words no sooner left her mouth and the door opened.
Liv smiled at them.
“The master will see you, Kerri-liana Jones.”
“Thank you.”
Kerri walked in and Liv closed the door, leaving Tank and Zerok outside.
The house was big inside with a high ceiling. Portraits of people hung on the one wall.
Liv led her down the hall into a private garden in the middle of the house. Chairs and tables with beautiful cloth providing shade, and a bird bath, a fish pond and a small swing bench all fitted comfortably in the garden.
A blue hair, blue eyed man stood up from his chair.
“I am Glow. Master of this house and leader of Fish. What do you want Kerri-liana Jones?”
“I am not use to such directness. But I like it as time is precious and shouldn’t be wasted on small talk, achieving nothing.” Kerri smiled at him and continued
“I am here because of a crystal. A blue crystal was intrusted to your people. I want to open the ‘sugs’ and I need the crystal.”
“You are direct and more so than I expected. But I cannot help you. The crystal has been lost.” He told her.
“Lost?” Kerri inquired.
“Yes, no one knows where it is.”
“Where was it last known to be?” Kerri asked.
“At the bottom of the sea.”
“So, who can fetch it?” Kerri inquired.
“Who?” he laughed “Who indeed. How could one get to the bottom of the sea?”
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Kerri thought about it. She was about to give up with him when she remembered they can breathe under water.
“Are you saying a little depth is too much for you?” Kerri asked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I know about you. I know you are able to get to the bottom of the sea if you wanted. So, don’t lie to me. Where is the crystal?” Kerri said.
“You come into my home and accuse me of lying. You demand of me things I do not have. You are a terrible guest.” He exclaimed.
“You are a terrible host. I have not been offered water nor food and I am lied to by my, oh so gracious host. What would happen if I offered you one hundred silver pieces for the crystal? Would you maybe remember then?”
Glow was offended and insulted. He was used to bullying people and being the boss, it had gone to his head.
Kerri was in pain and didn’t have the preservation to approach things delicately, with diplomacy.
Glow was rich and fat. He never swam. He over taxed the harbor, stole money from the poor and did as he liked. For no one in Fish really cared. The Tskhali lived in the water and they were not taxed while in the water. Glow taxed all the land dwellers and no one was able to do a thing. He bribed the queen’s regent over the area to turn a blind eye. Glow had a personal army of Tskhali and land dwellers. He had however become a land dweller himself.
“Get out of my house.” Glow said.
“Are you the only leader in Fish?” Kerri asked.
“The only one that matters.” He replied.
Kerri was kicked out. Escorted by a large man who looked mean.
“If anyone leaves this house follow them. I need to know what is really going on here.” Kerri told Tank and Zerok who were standing at the door.
“Went well?” Tank asked.
“Not at all. Who else is a leader in the Fish soup?” Kerri asked.
“The brothel will know?” Zerok said.
Tank shock his head.
“Brothel?” Kerri asked interest peaked “Where would that be?”
Zerok shrugged
“I’ll take you.”
“No tell me. You need to stay here and follow anyone who leaves.”
“It’s not safe for you.” Tank said.
“I can take care of myself.”
Zerok told her and she hobbled off to the brothel.
It looked like a normal place from the outside. Nothing screamed whores here!
Unsure if it was the right place Kerri went in. Inside topless women served drinks and put up with being fondled by anyone wanting a feel.
There were women for everyone.
Kerri got hit across the face. She fell to the floor.
“Wench get up and take those ridicules clothes off.”
A massive man head and shoulders taller than her towered over her.
“I don’t work here.” Kerri said grabbing her bag.
“None of the girls do.” He stated.
“I am looking for someone.” She said getting up.
“Not dressed like that.” He responded.
Kerri pulled the seal of protection from the queen, out of her bag.
“I don’t work here.” She insisted holding it up for him to see.
“Really?” he said looking at it.
“Oh well, what do you want?” he asked.
“I am looking for the leaders of Fish.” Kerri gently rubbed her sore face.
“No leaders here.” He informed her.
“Where can I find them?”
“Not here.” He shrugged.
“Do you not see this seal?” Kerri asked.
“I see, but it doesn’t mean anything here, here the queen’s men take what they want when they want. We don’t like them. We don’t care for the queen and her associates.”
Kerri sighed, “Where can I find the queen’s men?”
The big man pointed to a table. Men sat at the twelve-seater round table. Drinking and being jerks. Grabbing whoever walked past.
“A brothel and a pub.” Kerri muttered hobbling over with the seal in her hand.
“I am here for the queen.” She stated trying not to let her disgust show.
“New...” one said.
Kerri showed the seal.
“No, I am here for you. The queen requires you all to return to the castle.”
“That seal protects you, and requires us to protect you. But that seal does not enable you to give us orders.” The oldest one said.
He was an older man, white hair and a white beard. He was well kept in comparison to his colleagues.
“Send a messenger and found out.” Kerri suggested.
“Why are you really here?” he asked.
“I am looking for the leaders of Fish.” Kerri said.
“The blue haired fatty?” the youngest said.
“Not him, other leaders. No town only has one leader.”
“This is a village and it does only have one. The blue man Glow.”
“I met him. He was not helpful.”
“What do you want?” the old man asked again.
“I want to meet those that use to be leaders here. The house of Dawn.” She said unsure.
“They are dead.” He stated.
“All of them?” Kerri asked.
“Some say a son lives and stays at the bottom of the sea. As you can see, we are Terra and cannot get to the bottom of the sea to check.”
“Who killed them?” Kerri asked.
The soldiers pushed the girls from their laps and gave her their full attention.
“Are you wanting to make an accusation?” one asked.
“I need to speak with an old, former leader or family member. Do this for me and we part ways, hopefully never to see each other again.”
The youngest one stood up but the oldest one gestured for him to sit.
“We will take you to Glow. He will tell you want you want to know.”
“Let’s go.” Kerri said.
She limped out of the brothel. Her face really hurt. Her leg and arm hurt too.
“Shall we carry you?” the oldest offered.
“No, I can walk.”
He watched her limping along.
“What happened? Who will die for this?”
“I fell off a boat and got bitten but an…” Kerri couldn’t remember its name.
“A water monster.”
“And you’re alive?” he asked not believing her.
“I was saved by the man whose boat I was on.” She told them.
“Who?” he soldiers asked not believing her.
“Tank from…” She was interrupted
“Tank. Here in my city.”
“Village.” Kerri corrected “He is with me.”
“We will help you get what you want. But then you must leave and take Tank with you.”
“That’s the plan.” She stated.
She winced in pain as she hobbled along.
Kerri stopped and pulled her pants leg up so she could see part of her wound.
It was bleeding and white goo oozed from it.
“That’s a gradiator bite.” The old soldier observed.
Kerri was in pain everywhere, not just where was bitten, or infected.
The old one said to his men softly.
“She’s dying. We do not want to be around when it happens. We must be quick and see she leaves soon.”
“Why are you afraid?” the youngest asked.
“The stories you have heard about the queen are mild. The truth is worse than any story you have heard. You should be afraid. This life we enjoy will end with the lives of everyone we know. Family, friends, neighbors, lovers, bond mates and sprouts. She will erase your memory and you. Your home town and anything that relates to you.” He told them.
Kerri would have said something but she was feeling nauseous.
The old man took Kerri’s arm.
“Let’s get to the fat blue man’s house.”
He helped her walk. The walk felt very long.
Once she got to Glow’s house, she sat down on the small wall belonging to the raised flower beds. One knocked and Liv answered the door.
“You’re early.” She said.
“We need to speak with Glow.” He said.
“He is busy.” Liv replied.
“Now!” the old man said.
Liv looked around the man in the doorway to see Kerri sitting on the garden wall. She was pale and pink in places.
“The master does not want to see this woman.” Liv said.
“Liv, tell the master we are here, and some tea for all of us.”
Liv opened the door and let them all in. They went to the indoor garden and waited with Kerri for Glow.
Kerri realized that Tank and Zerok were not around.
“Where is my friend?” Kerri asked.
“What friend?” Liv asked.
“The two men that were outside?”
“They left.” Liv replied.
She had a big pot of tea on a silver tray with a lovely cloth on it.
Glow walked in.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
“She is here with a seal.” The captain said.
The captain was a man around fifty. He had stubble for a beard and grey hair. His face was scared.
“I don’t care.” Glow said “I don’t acknowledge any queen as my queen.”
“You should. Tell this woman what she wants to know.” The old man said.
“Why?” Glow objected “And this barging into my home is very unfitting of partnership.”
“This is the queen’s business. If you won’t co-operate, we will kill you.” The captain said.
“Don’t kill him.” Kerri mumbled “Where is Tank?” she managed to say before fainting.
“Great!” a soldier said.
“Who is Tank?” the youngest asked.
“What does the girl want?” the captain demanded.
“None of your business.” Glow said “It’s between the girl and I.”
“Then she wouldn’t have come to us to get help.” The captain stated.
“Silly little alien girls. What more can I say?”
“A lot! Like why did you just call her an alien?” the old man demanded.
“She’s not from around here.” Glow said trying to make light of his slip.
“Where is she from?”
Glow looked at them, hands on their swords.
“Point.” he shrugged.
“So, we are now calling those from Point aliens?” the captain snapped “You exhaust me fat man. Speak up or die.”
“What about our arrangement. I have made you rich.” Glow was angry.
“No, we made you rich and we can replace you.” The captain responded.
“Get out!” Glow shouted.
The old man stabbed him in the gut.
“Speak and we will call the physician for you.”
“Monsters.” Glow growled.
The old man opened him up.
“Now what?” one asked.
“Now we take her to the physician and hope she doesn’t die.”
Kerri was lying face on the floor.
The one picked her up. They went to the physician.
“Twice in one day.” The physician commented.
“She’s been here already?” the captain asked.
“Yes, this morning. She refused to pay me. The man who brought her in paid me but she refused to chew the moo stick.”
“Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know.” The old man said picking some of his dinner out of his beard and eating it.
“Where is this man that was with her?” the captain asked.
“On his boat?” the physician suggested.
The captain sent three men to find Tank’s boat and hopefully Tank.
“What can you tell me about this girl?” the captain asked.
“She is ill. Infected gradiator bit. Her companions thought she was sick with the mind illness.” He nodded “She made an offer of loose lips.” He whispered.
“What?” the captain asked confused.
“Yes, she wanted to kiss the boy and not bond.” He whispered as if Kerri could hear him.
Kerri stirred.
She put her hand on her face.
“Owww” she groaned.
The grubby physician came into view.
“Not you again she said in English.”
“What did you say?” They all asked.
Kerri sat up
“How did I get here?”
“We brought you. You passed out.” The captain told her.
“My whole-body hurts.” She moaned.
“Chew this.” He said giving her a stick.
“Why?” Kerri asked.
“Because it will help you.” The physician said all matter of fact.
Kerri took the stick and chewed on it. It had a strong, bitter taste.
“It’s nasty.” Kerri said.
“Stay here and keep chewing.” He told her.
He went into the back room.
The captain followed him.
“Tell me about this kiss?” he asked.
“I don’t know much. She has a bad bite and she wants to go home. Her travelling partner thought she had the mind illness.” He laughed
“But she doesn’t she’s just different because she is not from around here. Ahh this is it!” He said holding up a green liquid in a bottle.
“Where is she from?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Then why did you say she is not from around here?” the captain asked.
“Because she wants to open the ‘sugs’ so she can go home.” The physician told the captain.
“Why didn’t you say so sooner?” the captain asked.
“My memory is not so good anymore. I am one hundred cycles old you know and I can still see fine.”
The captain sighed.
“Like I cannot remember if I put salt on my two eggs this morning.” The physician went on “And I cannot remember where I put my favourite writing feather and I don’t remember what colour hat the baker’s wife was wearing this morning with her plum dress. Was it plum as well or was it purple?”
“Old man, you vex me.” The captain stated.
“The old have that effect on the young. No patience.” The physician responded.
“What is she looking for? Why did she want to speak to the leaders?” the captain asked.
“She is looking for the blue crystals so she can open the ‘sugs’.” The physician answered annoyed that he was repeating himself.
“The legendary blue crystal. The one that was lost at sea in the great storm that made this city a village?” the captain asked.
“Yes, that would be the one.”
Captain Fez went to Kerri.
“I am sorry but the crystal you seek is gone. No one alive knows where it is. Surly you can go home the same way you came?”
“How do you know what I am looking for? I didn’t tell you?” Kerri inquired.
“You were asleep for a while.” He lied.
“It was that doc, he told you?” Kerri sighed.
“Who?” Captain Fez asked.
“Him.”
Kerri pointed at the physician.
The captain mused at him.
“I suppose one might call him a dock, a place where travelers come and go. I think I like it.” He said thoughtfully.
Kerri looked at him and shock her head.
The physician felt her.
“She has a fever.” He declared.
“I will break your hand if you touch me again.” Kerri snapped.
“Delirious with fever.” He exclaimed.
“No, I need food.”
Kerri really wanted to find the crystal but she began to realize that she was not well enough and she was making enemies.
Kerri hobbled to the boat. She ate and chewed on the moo stick. Strangely it helped. Not just with the pain but the nausea and the ill feeling.
Zerok arrived, covered in mud.
Kerri looked at the cross man.
“What happened to you?” She asked.
“You!” he replied all grumpy “I wish I had never met you.”
“That’s rude.” Kerri stated not really fazed nor upset.
Zerok went to bath all grumpy and upset.
Tank arrived not long after. He was not pleased to have the soldiers at his boat.
Kerri had fallen asleep on the deck waiting for Tank. She wanted to know what had happened. But the moo stick was a strong pain killer and it made her sleep. It was an anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic as well.
Tank looked at the passed-out Kerri. She was drooling on his table. Face resting on her hand.
“Men, I will handle it from here. You may go.” Tank told the soldiers.
“Please do.” Captain Fez said.
He and his men left. Glad she was not their problem anymore.
Tank called for Zerok.
“Zerok, where were you?” Tank asked.
“Following the messenger.”
“Where were you?” Zerok asked Tank.
“Drinking. They have this lovely drink that they add fermented goat’s milk to…”
Zerok interrupted him “You went to a tavern!”
“Yes. I am here for gold. I am not being told what to do by a girl just because she has a seal from the queen. The queen is no queen to me.”
“Well. I followed the messenger and was thrown in a pit!”
“So, you learnt nothing and you are still dirty. See why I didn’t follow.” Tank said.
“And if she asks?” Zerok asked.
“I will say I lost him after he entered a busy tavern.” Tank replied.
“She is not scary and she doesn’t even understand what her seal means.” He added.
Zerok poked the sleeping, Kerri.
She stirred a little. Kerri’s brown gob from the moo stick ran over her hand and onto the table.
“I am not taking her to bed, nor am I cleaning up!” Zerok huffed.
Tank picked her up. She slept through it. Her strawberry blond hair stuck to her hand while she was sleeping, and now stuck to her face.
While she was sleeping, she had something going for her. A something that made her a little attractive.
Tank put her in her bed on her side. He put the moo stick on the table next to her.
* * *
What happened with James:
James walked around the village. The most impressive thing about the village was the harbor. Otherwise, it was a village with a well for fresh water in the middle, and the smell of fish over ran the place. The village was however clean and the fish hung on hocks rather than being laid out on the side of the street. There were a lot of blue haired people all with olive brown skin. There blue hair and blue eyes usually matched but not always.
James walked through the village and out into the country side. James noted how all the houses were on stilts. Nothing was ground level except the ground. A massive lake touched the boarder of the village. He found a quiet place under a willow with beautiful little pink flowers. He waited for the bird life to appear. However, the birds didn’t seem to like the lake. They drank from small puddles around the lake.
He drew them and noted this odd behavior.
Then a little girl came out of the lake. She was being chased by another little girl. They had glowing marks on their shoulders, faces and hands as bright as a powerful torch. Their skin shimmered and as they dried so the light faded and they appeared like olive brown skinned children with blue hair.
‘How strange!’ he thought, however he liked it.
He was so busy drawing and watching the girls play that he didn’t notice he was being watched.
Ursola was watching James draw the children. He had drawn birds and plants too. He was really good.
James watched as they ran back into the water and went under. He put his things down and ran after them. Thinking they needed help. But no splashing happened. James stood at the water’s edge looking for signs of the girls. There was none. He remembered how he saw them come out of the water but he hadn’t seen them in the water. Puzzled he went back to his spot under the tree. His book was gone!
James looked around he couldn’t see anyone nor did he hear anything. But his note book was gone. He searched all around the tree. He looked in the water near him. There was no trace. He sat with his face on his knees, hugging them.
“Why can’t anything be easy?” he mumbled “My sister almost died, I almost died, the girl I like doesn’t like me and I can’t communicate with anyone but her.” He moaned to the universe.
James heard rustling but he didn’t look.
Then something touched him.
James jumped out of his skin. A woman jumped away from him looking more terrified than him. She dropped his book as she ran away. James dried his face and picked up his book. He looked thought it checking if anything was missing. Nothing was. But something was added. She had drawn the infinity symbol at the top of the page and she had tried to draw him watching the children play. He knew it was meant to be him because it was sitting under a tree, while two little sticks ran by the water.
Her art was that of an untalented child.
“My name is James.” He said to the tree.
But nothing happened. He tried to draw her from the quick look he had before she ran. As he drew leaves fell on him. He brushed them away and off his book. The leaves kept falling. James stood up to move. He looked up and saw her. In the branches above. She looked unsure what to do next. James held his book up to her to take if she wanted.
She eyed him and it then quickly took the book.
‘I will get myself another.’ He thought.
He started walking away back towards the village.
“Ahhhmm” he heard.
James looked back at the tree. The girl looked about sixteen. Her long blue hair was a mane of curls. She was wearing an odd little mini dress.
James smiled at her.
“James.” He said putting his hand on his chest.
He pointed at her.
She just stood there.
“James.” He repeated putting his hand on his chest.
The girl with big blue eyes took a step towards him.
James took one towards her.
She smiled.
She took another step towards him. James took another towards her. He smiled.
There was about six meters between them.
She looked around. It was just them. She took another step towards him. He took another step towards her. She grinned. Taking two steps towards him. So, he in turn took two steps towards her.
When they were standing about one and a half meter’s apart, she tossed him his book.
“James.” He said touched his chest.
“Ursola.”
“Ursula.” James said smiling.
She laughed shaking her head.
“Ursola.” She repeated.
James held out his hand as a greeting for a hand shake.
She looked at his hand. Looked at him. Then back at his hand.
She spoke to him but he didn’t understand.
“I don’t understand. I don’t speak Chayim languages.” He told her.
She understood that talking was not an effective way to communicate.
James decided to draw to communicate.
He sat and drew a baby, then a toddler, a child, a teenager and an adult. He made stripes that could be counted as a way of telling age. He drew the moon and a world.
She watched with interest.
‘1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,’ she counted as he made lines.
Her eyes got big as she counted up to thirty-three.
She looked at him with surprise.
She began drawing lines, seventeen of them.
“Seventeen years old?” He asked.
She repeated the words from his mouth.
He pointed at a bird.
“Bird.” He said.
He pointed at another type of bird and said,
“Bird.”
She repeated after him.
James drew the crystal they were looking for. When showing it to her, her expression changed. It became one of fear. She backed away from him.
James didn’t try to reassure her nor reach out for her. Instead, he sat where he was.
She knows about the crystal and she is afraid. He wondered why?
Ursola, dived into the water and didn’t come up.
James sighed. It was nice while it lasted. He had enjoyed some friendly company.
He went into town, bought some bread and honey and more parchment to draw on. He saw a beautiful coat that Lakisha would like so he bought that too.
James looked for Kerri, he went to the boat, and walked most of the streets looking for her. But she was nowhere to be found. He went back to the lake hoping to find the girl he had seen before. If he could convince her to come with him to the boat Kerri could talk with her and they might be able to find what they are looking for.
However, the tree showed no signs of her.
James sat down. He began eating. It was not the lunch he hoped for but it was better than many he had already had. He dipped the bread into the honey jar and ate it.
The lake looked so undisturbed. But he knew Tskhali were in it. Deep under the water that looked so still. James ate till he was full then he drew and made notes.
Birds had saved the crops and he knew nature would always win. The answers to the problems where right in front of him.
He loved being an ecologist. It was his dream job. Even though he needed to look after Lakisha, he had achieved it. He had family, career, money and he enjoyed life.
But now he found he was not enjoying life, in fact his money counted for nothing, his family were far away and unable to help. He was alone with scary people who enjoyed what they did, which was killing.
He wrote:
‘Note to self, I don’t like Chayim. I am unable to communicate with them and each tribe has their own language.
This place chances people, brings out the worst in them and consumes the rest.
I fear I will never go home. That I will be lost forever. I fear this place will take my humanity.’
He stared out at the water.
The wind blew softly and leaves fell on him. It was cold in the evenings.
He picked up his things and started walking back towards the village. A stone flew past him.
James looked back at the tree. The blue haired girl was there. Hiding behind the branches.
“I thought I would never see you again.” He said knowing she couldn’t understand him.
He walked towards her. She didn’t run. When he got to her, he saw how old her clothes looked. Her hair was not cut nicely. She was an interesting girl that slouched terribly.
“Where is your family?” he asked.
Her electric blue eyes gazed at him. He offered her his left-over bread and honey. She ate like it was chocolate.
He passed her the coat he had bought for Lakisha. She put it on.
“Come.” He said reaching for her hand.
She pulled away looking at the floor.
“Come.” he said gesturing for her to follow.
She rubbed the collar of the coat on her face. It made her smile.
She looked at him with fragile confidence. Took his hand and led him to the water. James put his things down. She took off the coat and tried to lead him into the water.
James took his shirt and shoes off and followed her into the water. She went under and lit up. The shine was so bright it shone through her old clothes. James swam on the surface following her with no idea where they were going. They kept going and James started to feel tired and worried that he was so far from shore.
The land was visible but very far away.
Ursola came towards him as if she was going to kiss him. James pulled away. Not only was she under age but he just met her!
She pulled him under with strength he was not expecting. He looked at her. She took his face in her hands and plonked her lips on his. James pulled away.
They surfaced.
She inhaled and exhaled very dramatically. She put one hand over his eyes and breathed into his mouth.
‘Is she saying she wants to breathe for me?’ he wondered.
She pulled him under and this time she was not being patient. She was annoyed by his slowness.
They went deeper and deeper. She was breathing for him. The light from the surface began to dim. The darkness of the depths swallowed them. James knew they were descending too fast. But he had no way of telling her.
She dragged him into a canyon on the bottom of the lake. James started to feel light headed. He could see lights. It did not make sense but the deeper they went the brighter it was.
The water was very cold. He battled the panic inside that said ‘you’re going to die.’
He was not dressed for such cold water nor had he descended properly.
They went into a cave and emerged in a pool inside a city. There was air, it was warm and there was light. Plants and other things that glowed and lit up were used as lights. The glowing goo made the directions on the city maps that were placed like those in malls.
She hid him in a broken crate. Then left him there alone.
James wondered where he was and how he would get home. Since she hid him, he gathered people were not welcoming.
The only people he saw all had blue hair. Only Tskhali lived in this underwater city.
Ursola had hid James in the poor part of town.
Tskhali could breathe underwater and sleep under water if needed. But they prefer to do some things like eating, outside the water. They had a city with no guards, and no security in the depths of the water, the only security they needed was knowing only a Tskhali could get there.
The city had rich parts and poor parts. It had twenty entrance pools, for easy access to different sectors. There was no theft as the one responsible would be caught and killed.
Ursola was a poor orphan who couldn’t even afford to live in the poor part of the city. The war had taken her father, sickness her mother and brother, and slave traders her sister. She had been alone for six years. Living in the willow tree James sat under. She ate fish as it was free to her if she could catch it. Her clothes she got from the rubbish in the Village Fish. She had no friends as is normal for the very poor. No relatives nor family friends to aid her.
However, her father had been a leader of his people and she had seen the crystal for herself as a child.
Ursola made her way to the flooded part of the city. She waited there for the residence to go to sleep. Then she made her way down to the keep for the water beasts. She snuck in and silently swam to the broken chest in the corner of the keep. It was more like a dungeon but only beasts were kept there.
Things were put on top of the chest. She began to move things trying to be quiet. The broken chest held a key. She retrieved the iron key and swam quietly out of the keep. As she left the keep, she relaxed. The dangerous part was over.
She swam to the volt. She unlocked it and went in. She looked at the treasure and saw things she knew belonged to her father and mother.
Only leaders had a key to the volt. Five keys, one volt. She didn’t take the things she knew belong to her parents she only went for the crystal.
Her father had told her that the crystal was precious and no one was to ever be shown it, nor told about it.
She wiggled the rock out of its place and removed the crystal which was still wrapped in manatee’s skin.
She headed back for James.
“Look who it is?”
Ursola froze. She turned to see a group of late teens coming towards her.
“I am leaving.” Ursola said.
“What did I say would happen if you even came back here?” he taunted.
Ursola started walking faster.
Lumaj through a rock at her. It hit the back of her head. Which started to bleed.
“I am bonding with this beautiful woman in ten days.” He said showing off his new lady.
“Good for you.” Ursola said.
His friends which had been her friends as a child also through things at her.
“Did he tell you we were promised to each other from birth?” Ursola said to the new girl.
“His word nor his family’s means anything.” She added.
“Bond with you. I would rather die.” He said hitting her.
Ursola hid the crystal on her person.
The new girl pulled her hair.
“Such ugly hair.” She sneered.
Ursola spat in her face. Then she ran as fast as she could. She knew if she could get out of the city, into the water she could escape.
But then she remembered James… she had left him in a crate and he was not Tskhali. He would not blend in.
Ursola screamed as Lumaj grabbed her hair. He yanked her backwards pulling her over, she hit the stone floor.
‘thud’
Then she screamed like a dying banshee.
Her attackers looked at her then at each other. Her screams would surely wake people.
They kicked her a few times and then ran off as people came into the streets to investigate.
“Girl, what happened?” an old lady asked.
“Lumaj and his friends.” She answered.
The woman looked at the blood on her head.
“Come let me clean you.” She offered “Where is your home?”
“Stolen.”
“Stolen in this city?” the old lady said “Never. Only land dwellers steal.”
“You like to think that. But land dwellers have shown me more kindness up there than anyone down here. Your offer of kindness is the most kindness anyone here has shown me for years.” Ursola said.
“What is your name dear?” the woman asked.
“Ursola, daughter of Loch.”
Now more people had gathered. They heard who she was and saw how awful she looked.
“I must go. Return to your homes. No need to pretend to care now.” She stated.
She had hidden and cried and not stood up for herself since her mother died. It felt good to finally say how she felt, but now she was shaking.
She was excited about getting bonded and not living in a tree anymore. About eating bread and not fish and only fish. She was going to have a better life and she was going to be the best bond mate ever.
She walked off not in the direction James was in, but rather a different one so no one could follow her and see James.
James’ gift of a coat was received as a marriage proposal. Men proposed with a gift.
Ursola returned to James, he was not in the crate she had left in him but rather sitting on the crate.
She took his hand and ran towards the pool. James was dragged behind. He noticed the blood in her hair and the scratches on her hands. Before he could say anything, she had dragged him into the water. She was swimming for the surface with motivation.
Ursola swam as fast as she could. She knew blood in the water was a bad idea. The creatures of the depths were not fazed by species. Anything bleeding was food.
James could feel they were raising to quickly. He worried he would get the benz.
A part of the dark water became darker. It looked like the darkness was closing in on them. Then he saw it clearly as it approached. It was Nesse the loch nes monster.
‘They are not meant to be real!’ he thought.
Ursola swam harder. Pulling James though the water. He created more resistance than anticipated.
James swam, kicking with as much force as he could muster.
The creature circled them. Its rough long neck brushed against them. The light on the surface of the water was slowly becoming visible. James push on the creature’s neck to give him a boost towards the surface. Not that the surface could save them but at least he would be able to breathe alone.
The creature didn’t even feel the push. But it did give them a boost. Its massive head which was bigger than they were nudged them. Ursola used the crystal and hit it on the nose.
It felt that and was surprised. It came again and nudged them. James push on it to speed up.
James’ head broke through the surface and he breathed for himself. The sun had set and the last of the evening light was dimming too.
Ursola gestured for James to head for the shore, which was a long swim away. She shouted something at him as well and went under.
James swam and swam, checking under the water from time to time. He could see Ursola’s light. She had not been eaten.
Tired and sore James reached the shore. It was not the shore he had been sitting on, where he met Ursola, but it was land.
James listened to the uneasy water. It splashed and gurgled.
James made a fire from sticks and dried grass. He hoped the fire would scare the monster and be a light for Ursola to follow.
He still had no idea why she had taken him to the underwater city. She hadn’t shown him the crystal or introduced him to anyone. It was very odd to him. He thought maybe her plan had failed.
James looked for a weapon. All he could find was an old spear. He took it and went into the water looking for Ursola.
Swam as deep as he could but he couldn’t see her nor her light.
Maybe she had come to shore already. He returned to the land.
“Ursola.” He called.
He walked wet and in the cold wind, holding the old spear calling her name. It became dark. Clouds blocked the moon and stars, making it hard to see where he was going.
The sky rumbled and rain poured down like from a hosepipe.
“Ursola!” He called.
He walked until he reached the willow tree. His things were wet and the coat was still there with his things.
It was so wet he couldn’t light a fire. James shivered as the storm raged on. The thunder rolled and rattled the bones within him. The lightning lit up the shy with blinding light then left the world in darkness.
He sat under the tree. He couldn’t remember if it was good or bad to be under a tree in a storm. The wind howled and stung his skin. It whipped the tree about like a rag doll.
James closed his eyes and prayed.
‘I don’t know what to say or ask, but I want to live. Help me please.’
He opened his eyes and saw Ursola in the water. He ran and pulled her from it. She was not looking good. There was so much blood he couldn’t see where it all was coming from.
She coughed blood on him and passed him the crystal still wrapped in manatee’s skin.
James wrapped her in the coat that he would no longer be giving Lakisha and carried her in the storm to the village. He didn’t know where he got the strength from.
“Help!” He yelled above the storm.
“Help!”
He banged on doors but no one answered. He went to the boat hoping Tank would have something to help. Soaked and stained in blood he boarded the boat.
“Tank! Zerok! Kerri!” He shouted.
* * *
Kerri was woken up because of James yelling on deck. Her room was dark and a storm surrounded them.
She noticed that she was feeling better. Her body didn’t ache anymore.
She went on deck and saw James carrying someone, he was covered in blood and the person he was carrying was bleeding. Blood and water ran off them onto the deck. James put her on the table. Something wrapped fell onto the floor. Tank and Zerok ran past her.
“Help her!” James said
“Kerri!” James called “You need you to translate.”
Kerri picked up the fallen package and went to the table. Zerok and Tank lit lanterns and what lay on the table was a dying mess of a girl. Her arm from her elbow was gone on her right arm. Her left foot was gone. She had lost so much blood that she was barely conscience. Her right thigh was ripped open.
When James saw the state, she was in, his heart sank. In the dark he couldn’t see. But now in the light he wasn’t sure how she would make it. Then he remembered
“We need a Mystic Healer, Kerri, ask them.” James snapped.
“Mystic healer.” she said to Tank unwrapping the blue crystal.
Zerok ran from the boat in the raging storm to find a healer.
James and Tank tried to stop the bleeding, tying off the missing limbs.
“Where did you get this?” Kerri asked.
James looked at her. She was holding the manatee skin in one hand and a blue crystal in the other.
“She gave it to me.” James answered.
“Why?” Kerri asked.
“Kerri, she is dying, why can’t you wait!” James snapped.
“This is the blue crystal we are looking for, the reason we are here, and a woman just gave it to you? You can’t even speak the language.” Kerri persisted.
“Tell Tank we need to go to the castle now. There are mystic healers there.”
Zerok returned with the dirty wet old man.
He looked at her.
“I know this girl, an orphan, I cannot help.” He said.
“What is he saying?” James asked.
“That he cannot help.” Kerri informed.
“Tell him I will pay, he must help as much as he can.” James insisted.
“Look at her James.” Kerri said “It’s kinder to let her die.”
“If it was you, would you want to die when there are options?” James was getting angry with Kerri.
He took out his bag of gold and showed it to the physician.
“Maybe I can help.” He said reaching for the bag.
James pulled it away pointing to her.
“Ursola.” He said.
The physician opened his bag and mixed yarrow in with oils and ointments and placed it on her wounds. He cleaned her thigh and started stitching. James stopped him.
He looked at Tank. Then passed him the needle.
“I am getting more than we agreed upon. More gold and more everything!” Tank moaned.
He took the needle and carefully stitched her leg.
James had seen how Tank had helped Kerri and stitched her wounds. He did not like how the physician was doing it.
“Kerri, tell Tank I want us to leave for the castle, Now!”
Kerri told Tank.
“James wants us to leave in the storm for the castle. He believes a mystic healer there can save her.”
“They can, we will leave.” Tank agreed.
James paid the physician and Tank and Zerok raised the anchor and set the boat free from the dock. It was tricky in the storm but they were good sailors. Going down stream would be quicker but the weather would be a problem. If thing went well and they didn’t crash or take damage they would make it to the castle quickly, but if they took damage or crashed, they would be delayed even more than waiting for the storm to pass.
Tank was glad he had done his shopping before going to the tavern.
The heavy rains made the river flow quickly and burst its banks making it tricky to stay in the safe areas.
Kerri sat next to James who was holding the unconscienced girl’s one hand.
“You have a good heart. You are doing the right thing trying to save her. I am glad we have the crystal it means we are one step closer to home.”
James ignored her.
‘She almost died getting that crystal.’ He thought.
“I hope she makes it.” Kerri said.
Now that she was dry her light had gone out. Her blood covered blue hair sat in clumps on her head. James went and warmed water. He took it to the room with a wash cloth. He washed her hair and wiped the extra blood off of her. As he wiped her face it lit up only where the water touched.
‘Never liked the blue and purple hair girls do’ he thought ‘but this time I like it.’
Tank and Zerok sailed all night. They couldn’t sleep while the storm raged.
Kerri went and sat with Tank as he steered the boat. Zerok was on deck ensuring everything went as it was meant to.
“I am sorry for today and for asking if I could kiss you. It made things awkward and even if I didn’t have a fever I was not behaving as I should have.” Kerri said to Tank.
“If I had known you didn’t have the mind illness I might have.” He answered.
Kerri smiled and tried to hide it.
“You are impressively capable and girls from where I am from don’t see much of that. So, I guess I want to say you are amazing and impressive. I am surprised you are not married.”
Kerri looked at the easing weather.
“I think I will try to sleep. Trying to get things done while unwell is not good for anyone.”
“You are admirably persistent.” Tank said.
Kerri smiled and opened the door. Tank took her arm.
“May I kiss you?”
Kerri quickly kissed him and left for her room. Grinning like a Cheshire cat.