image [https://i.im.ge/2024/04/16/ZrxF9z.chapter-21.webp]
----------------------------------------
“You are the mage Kossi was talking about then?” Gage looked from the tab up to the faceless… simulacrum.
Mr. Canalor looked at Rosehip, then back to Gage. “I had not realized that my renown was escalating to such extravagant heights. Seldom have I extended the honor of a tab; I assure you.”
“Just the fact you exist, I believe. But, uh,” Gage held out his own hand and Ma’tuk flew from his shoulder to it. “I am not in need of a translation tab. Ma’tuk translates for me and those I am speaking with, so while appreciated, a translation tab isn’t something I am really looking for. Also, I don’t actually know why I have been brought here, especially to warrant a tab.”
Mr. Canalor closed his facsimile of a hand and lowered it to his side. “What knowledge do you possess regarding my kind, Mr. Gage?”
Gage was taken slightly off guard by the question. “Well… I can’t say that I do. I can imagine a few dozen possibilities, and a wide variety of what you could do, but most of that comes from an overactive imagination and thanks to the fantasy and science fiction genres.” He paused a moment, “Oh, and Mr. Canalor, I can see we are standing on formalities, so Gage’kin will suffice, rather than ‘Mr.’.”
The smooth head bowed slightly. “Indeed, Gage’kin. I am what is termed a yogsoth. To the uninitiated, we might be likened to some form of ‘slime’. However, we are not an ooze; those are… mere creatures.” The disdain that dripped from him made Gage shiver. If he had to guess, someone had already made the mistake of calling Mr. Canalor an ‘ooze’. “Allow me to be succinct, my dear fellow. Yogsoth devote their existence to the pursuit of specialization… in one field or another. As for myself, it is the realm of language that captures my fervent attention.”
“So, if I am understanding correctly, you want to learn the English language?” Gage nodded along. “I think I can assist with that.”
“Ah!” A sheen seemed to pass along Mr. Canalor’s surface. “So that is the tongue of your realm, ‘English’. Fascinating. Yes, I am keen to acquaint myself with English. My commitment promises swift acquisition. And sincere, at that.”
Gage must have been getting pretty good at reading those without a face as he got the distinct impression Mr. Canalor was eyeing Ma’tuk as he said ‘sincere’. “Well, I can help with teaching you English, I suppose. Um, but while it was one of the most commonly spoken languages, it was hardly the only one on my world.”
“Oh? And pray tell, how many tongues adorned your realm? A score? Two scores? How myriad were the peoples that graced your domain?” Mr. Canalor drew himself up straight, one arm clasped behind his back. The other hung by his side. His tone was as if he was humoring Gage.
“Well, humans were the only ‘peoples’ of Earth, and English was one of the most prevalent languages. But I mean China, which was only one of the countries, had three-hundredish languages? I think the continent of Africa, one continent of seven with many countries populating it, had thousands of languages. The world over probably adds a couple thousand more on top of that.”
Mr. Canalor went rigid, “Three hundred? Several thousand?” A ripple of shock seemed to go through him, and his excitement grew evident. “Your realm boasted such a multitude of tongues? How many have you mastered?” Mr. Canalor toned himself back. “Ahem. And how many might I, in turn, glean from your vast repertoire?”
Gage had taken a step back. “English is the only one I am truly fluent in, but I can have some basic conversations in Mandarin and ASL. Though, I don’t know if sign language is something you are looking for. I also know the foundations for German, however I’ve never really had the ability to practice, so besides some words and very basic grammar, I’m not sure I can teach you much.”
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Accepted! Enlighten me in the intricacies of English and Mandarin.” Mr. Canalor slithered out of the bowl as his lower half took on a serpentine form and he stretched out a hand. “As you choose to eschew the tab, I shall compensate you in tally. Fifty tally for each language, with an additional ten for their alphabets. Although unfamiliar with ‘sign language’, I am eager to acquire it - fifty more tally. And fifteen for German.” Rosehip gasped at the offer, clasping her hands over her mouth.
“That, that is a lot of tally Mr. Canalor.” Gage was in shock. He had just been offered up to a hundred and eighty-five tally, for languages. His tent wouldn’t have to worry about tally expenditure for a week, maybe two if they didn’t go overboard. “What would I have to do, exactly?”
Mr. Canalor hadn’t dropped his hand yet. “Firstly, we seal the deal. Secondly, you extend your patience for my learning… ah, process. Thirdly, grace me with your presence each evening for practice sessions. Should our conversations prove enjoyable, we can discuss further arrangements.”
Gage turned to Rosehip and she spoke up, already knowing his questions. “Well, it’s more than he offered me, and he didn’t ask for my ‘patience’.” She squinted at Mr. Canalor before continuing. “The learning process is fast, if not a bit invasive. More than a bit.” She smiled as she turned back to Gage. “While it can be uncomfortable, oye do think it would be worth it.” Her smile turned into a wicked grin. “If he gleans even a single word from any other language you have rattlin’ ‘round in your head, charge him another tally per as it wasn’t part of your original deal. Five for any actual comprehension of their use.” She turned her smile sweetly to Mr. Canalor.
Mr. Canalor looked a little disgruntled before grumbling indignantly. “I find those terms acceptable.”
Gage took a deep breath and pondered. It was clear this was going to be something more than just sitting down and teaching Mr. Canalor. He assumed magic would be involved in the process in some way. “Very well, Mr. Canalor, I agree to those terms in their entirety.” He reached out and took the offered hand. Gage was surprised to notice that touching Mr. Canalor was like touching a smooth, warm stone instead of the feeling he had been expecting.
“Indeed. Let us commence.” Mr. Canalor shook hands with Gage. As he did, he pulled Gage in so that he stood inches from Gage’s face. Up close like this, Gage could see the reflection of the cosmic lights on Mr. Canalor’s surface. He stared, transfixed on the lights and swirls. The ebb and flow of the galaxy around them.
During the trance induced by the galactic scene, Gage was aware of the probing in his mind. He could feel the gentle touch of Mr. Canalor slipping through his thoughts and memories. The elation the yogsoth took in each word, sentence, and phrase that he gleaned from Gage’s mind was palpable.
As Mr. Canalor released his grip, Gage slumped to his knees and grasped his head. It didn’t hurt but rather felt stuffed and heady, like from a cold. The world swirled around him. A cup was put to his lips, and he started to refuse before the scent of that evening’s broth hit his nose. Greedily he gulped it down, a mouthful at best, but it helped. He gasped for breath, blinking rapidly as he cleared his vision. Rosehip was knelt next to him; the cup was in her hands.
“Just breath now, there you go.” She chattered quietly to him, with soothing sounds and words.
“Wha- what was that?” Gage rolled his head, clearing the kinks from his neck as he did so.
“That, my dear, was Mr. Canalor. He is still learning to give us commonfolk fair warning of his ‘learning process’.” Rosehip chuckled and helped Gage back to his feet.
An agitated Ma’tuk flitted around him as he stood. “My Lord, are you alright? I did not know he was going to use mental magic! Oh, I should give that goop a piece of my mind!”
A chuckle rolled around the tent. It came across as languid and dreamy. “Indeed, my dear guest. I eagerly anticipate the knowledge of your linguistic repertoire.” At Mr. Canalor’s words, Ma’tuk shifted through a range of colors before zooming to hover around Gage’s shoulder, grumbling to itself.
“Here you are, sir. Your payment as promised, along with a little extra as I found our… conversation quite enlightening and could not resist the urge to prolong it a bit.” With a flick, Mr. Canalor tossed a token to Gage.
He barely caught it, and Gage took a look at it to notice it was his own token. His eyes widened as he took in the number of marks on it. It was Rosehip who spoke up as Gage’s jaw dropped. “Oh, didn’t oye tellya? This is the old git who invented the tally.”