And here's the second story in my Sixth Cycle! Big thanks go out to
Ryx who aided me in the editing and also everything that came to pass in
Sutthaivasse.
Metamor Keep: Lament of the Kangaroo
By Charles Matthias
January, 708 CR
Yes.
Lindsey opened one eye. Her muzzle lay on its side, a lumpy pillow
that had at one time contained feathers met her red-furred face. A
patchwork blanket covered her kangaroo body. Darkness surrounded
her. Her long ears caught the grinding of oars in the locks and the
lap of waves against the Iron Kings sides. The air inside their
room was warm but the sharp tang of the ocean was unavoidable. Her
nostrils spread wide and she caught the crisp scent of Jessica and the
pungent aroma of Kayla. The men were in another room down the hall
but even the animal musks of Charles, James, and Guernef reached
her.
Jessica
made no noise when she slept apart from the occasional rustling of
feathers. Kayla had once snored, but six months of wariness had
cured her of that ill. Still their breath was warmth in her ears, a
soothing counterpoint to the mechanical grinding of the oars, the
merciless slosh of the ocean, and the glimmerings of unsettled
dreams. After all they had been through together these last six
months, they were still together.
Yes.
Lindsey turned her ears and rolled as best she could onto her back.
The long tail and oddly proportioned hips made it impossible, but she
could manage enough to prop herself up on one elbow. Even though
the Iron King was the flagship of the Pyralian Navy, and it was only the
three of them berthed where a dozen sailors had once slept, the room was
still cramped. They would have been given the state rooms, but they
were even smaller. This was a vessel built for war, not ferrying
dilettantes.
Jessica
perched in full form in one corner, while Kayla and Lindsey had separate
pallets opposite the door. They had no gear after the destruction
of Marzac obliterated what little had remained. They didnt even
have proper clothes anymore and had to borrow scraps from the stores left
on the ship, which after months at sea, were barely adequate to keep them
warm let alone modest. So there was nowhere in the room for anyone
to hide.
So who had
spoken?
Or had it
just been her imagination? It had been a week since theyd begun
the trek north against wind and current, which made it only eight days
since Marzac had been cast down and destroyed. Eight days since she
had lost her Zhypar. Her heart ached at the mere memory of the
kangaroo. And now, in a cruel irony, she was exactly what she
wished she could have been for him these last five years a female
kangaroo. Was she now imagining that he spoke to her to ease her
pain?
She half
expected to hear the voice, but the room remained silent and still.
Lindsey lay back down into her pallet and misery. Metamor was still
a few weeks away at best. A winter storm could put it a couple
months away. But what did she have to go back to? She tried
not to think on it but let her exhaustion claim her again.
The
groaning of the locks and churning of the sea continued. In the
distance she heard men speaking. Dawn would come soon enough.
Her eyelids drooped and a long sigh escaped her snout.
Yes.
Her
eyelids lifted for a moment and then fell shut into a haunted
slumber.
----------
They were an odd
fleet, even in peace-time. The Pyralian flagship, the Iron King,
was at the centre of the forces, while several smaller craft from
Sutthaivasse flanked him. A company of Whalish dromus and dromonai
acted as escort, while mixed in throughout were a smattering of merchant
ships, masted and oared, as well as a handful of skiffs, carraks, and
longships that had survived the battle in the Marzac straits.
A majority
of the Pyralian vessels that hadnt been sunk or foundered in the squall
sailed northeast up the coast toward Tournemire and Breckaris.
Commodore Pythoreaus had taken what Whalish ships werent involved in
rescue of those stranded back to Whales for refitting and repairs.
Prince Phil led the remainder north with what remained of the
Sutthaivasse fleet and the merchant ships seeking a port along the
western shores of Galendor. Almost all the food stores belonged to
either Whales or Sutthaivasse, but they had been shared with the rest and
while tempestuous weather would have meant some went without, the good
weather held as they made their way north along the marshlands and coasts
of southwestern Pyralis.
It was ten
days to reach Blackwater, and there many of the Pyralian vessels slouched
into port to winter. Another three days up the Pyralian coastline
brought an escort of six Sutthaivasse longships known as Skekar.
Upon sight of these, Malger boasted they were only a day from
Sutthaivasse and would soon see her harbors. There they would
restock their wares and board a fresh vessel for the long journey to
Metamor. With fair weather, they could reach Menth in four weeks
time, three if the winds shifted, which would bring them to Metamor by
the second week of February. Just the mere thought of the Keep with
its alabaster towers amidst snow-capped peaks and arboreal cloak filled
the Keepers with an ardent longing that made them restless on their
journey.
They bided
themselves with resting and talk of simpler times. Kayla, Jessica,
and Charles all spent a good bit of time speaking with Phil. The
rabbit eagerly lapped up their news and shared what little he had of his
own. All of the men, Andares included, spent time manning the oars
as they never had quite enough which accounted for their slow pace.
Abafouq and Guernef kept to themselves mostly, with the little Binoq
doing what he could for the Nauh-kaees wounded thigh. It healed
slowly, and the white gryphon, no matter how little he walked, always
limped. Lindsey kept to herself though all spent time with her to
comfort her. Every one of them could feel the loss of Habakkuk like
a gaping wound. Little was said of Qan-af-årael who had also given
his life, but apart from Charles and Andares, none had ever truly known
him except for their journey together.
They found
solace where they could. One of the corrupted prisoners on the Iron
King was an Ecclesia priest, and he offered Mass every day with what
little there was on hand. The altar was two pieces of wood carved
with the likeness of Yahshua by one of the crewmen over a barrel draped
in white linen meant for binding wounds. The golden chalice and
paten were those originally brought, but even they had been bent and
warped during the battle. Still, it was the first Mass that
Charles, James, and Jerome had been able to attend since theyd set out
on this journey, and each savoured it as a dying man does a drop of water
on their tongue. A Lothanasi priest was able to offer prayers with
Jessica and Kayla, but his supplies were fewer still.
But their
hearts truly felt relief when the city of Sutthaivasse came into
view. A line of hills backed by a sheer escarpment of upthrust gray
granite shielded the city from the south, stretching to a narrow point on
which a light house perched. The northern slopes of the hills were
dotted with wharves, warehouses, and a number of homes. These
stretched like an arm toward the city nestled between two lines of hills
at the mouth of the Mendaisse river. The northern hills gave way to
marshland as they descended to the coast, while the river formed a vast
delta built over with buildings, bridges and canals. Spanning the
river were several stone bridges stretching back toward the escarpment
where the Sutt manor house loomed as an eagle in his eyrie.
The
Keepers and their companions all stood on the deck of the Iron King,
Malger grinning from ear to ear in his finery. Sutthaivasse! The
city of my youth. I dont think Ive ever quite been happier to see
her than today.
She looks
to be more prosperous than the last time I saw her, Sir Autrefois mused
quietly. The castellan for the late Marquis was wearing a borrowed
Pyralian sailors uniform from that fit him loosely, making his muscular
frame appear more flab than firm. The last time I saw her your fathers
head was being hoisted on a pig pole outside the city gates. The last
was added without any trace of acid of bitterness. It just
was.
Malger,
musteline features cloaked by his medallion, shrugged. I do not lament
his death. Nor your masters. Since Handils head was so
displayed, the merchants have revitalized my home and made it a place of
commerce, comedy, and courtship. I fear my return has left many
families off-balance. His grin now took on a wicked cast that belied his
beastly nature. It seems they were just as happy to have the Sutts dead
as your master was.
Jessica
gestured to the wharves and to an assemblage of soldiers and carriages
she saw arrayed at the footing of the largest pier thrusting outward from
the lowland canals. A broad boulevard began where the carriages
were staged and lead into the hills toward the escarpment. Are those for
us?
Malger
squinted in the grey light of midday and nodded. Yes. The messages
I sent ahead were explicit. The carriages should keep you concealed
as much as possible.
I think
news of our arrival will spread anyway, Charles pointed out. He
had on a pair of stained white trousers rolled up thickly along his hocks
with a sword-begotten hole for his tail but nothing else. His vine,
still weak after Zagroseks fire, was once again imbedded into his flesh
above his tail, but new green shoots were beginning to curl over his bare
chest. He slept as stone for the sake of the vine, but most of his
waking hours were as flesh for the sake of the sailors who were more
unnerved by a moving statue than they were by the beast men of
Metamor.
Indeed,
Malger conceded. The faster ships put to port days ago with the loose
tongues of warriors victoriously returned from war. But with so
many foreign ships arriving now the crowds on the palazzo will be a
little too boisterous to chance being seen. Let them wonder and
whisper instead!
While
Malger described the city the ragtag fleet broke apart. The escorts
directed the most damaged of vessels to dock first at the wharves nearest
the warehouses. The Whalish fleet were given berths furthest from
the city. Dockhands scrambled like hundreds of ants to secure
rigging and lash leadlines to the piers. Waves sloshed over the
stone wharves as ship after ship settled into place.
The Iron
King heaved to much closer to the river delta where a massive stone pier
thrust out into the bay, obviously built to handle the largest
ships. Small boats ferried out stout ropes connected to winches
that slowly drew the huge Pyralian ship snugly to its berth. The
huge vessel dominated much of the pier. From their perch atop the
Iron Kings aft castle the Keepers could all see the maze of canals and
channels that crisscrossed the lower portion of the city. Narrow
boats navigated those canals, poled by the poor and the wealthy
alike. From over rooftops and under bridges curious crowds poured
out to watch the spectacle, their eyes widening and yews traced over
their chests when they saw the strange creatures atop the Iron Kings aft
castle. Word of the alien forms rescued from the ruins of Marzac
had spread swiftly after the arrival of the faster Suttiavasse long
ships. Now, with their arrival, the wonder of their alien nature
overcame the natural caution evinced in the face of such strange
presences arriving aboard the captured Pyralian flagship.
Once
theyd docked Malger led them down the pier, which was cordoned off by
ranks of liveried men-at-arms, to the tiled square at the foot of the
pier and the numerous carriages waiting for them. Guernef, Abafouq,
and Andares crammed into one and immediately drew silk blinds over the
windows. The Keepers, including Phil, followed Malger into the
largest, while Jerome kept an eye on Vigorueax and Autrefois in a
third. Malgers carriage was spacious with rows of seats in front,
back, and along either side. To sit comfortably, Lindsey and
Charles both had to sit sideways in the seats next to the doors, while
the others made do in the front and back. The carriage sagged
noticeably as Rupert climbed aboard and crouched on the floor.
How long
will it take before we can leave? Charles asked.
Malgers
lips settled into an amused moue. You just arrived and already you want
to go. I should be offended.
The rats
eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms over his chest, making the fur
there ripple. I have a wife and five children waiting for me there that
I havent seen in almost seven months now. Yes, I am a little eager
to get home.
Of
course, Malger replied, the minstrel turned nobles face taking on a
sympathetic cast. It will take only a matter of days to equip a swift
vessel of seaworthy carriage to tackle the rough winter seas to the
north. When we arrive, the first youll do is endure the
ministrations of the tailors. Ive ordered them ready to supply you
with new clothes that actually fit. You should have them before we
sup tonight. He looked through the thin veil of dyed silk as the
carriages lurched into motion, With luck my duties here will be
fulfilled in no more than a fortnight and I will journey north as
well.
That will
be greatly appreciated. Kayla almost gasped in relief as she spoke,
looking over to Malger, You will not be staying?
Malger
only shook his head, This is my fathers legacy, not mine own. My
home, if I ever felt a place to be such, would be Silvassa. He
looked back to Kayla and then Charles and the others, And Metamor, far
more than this city. It may have been the home of my youth, but
never my heart.
The
boulevard was thronged with crowds in a festive air that slowed the
carriages on their journey as the cavalry leading the column forged a
path through the gawkers. They watched the slow progress of Inns
and storefronts creep by through the concealing veil of silk draperies
over the carriage windows. Just beyond rode armed soldiers of the
Sutt household as a moving wall keeping the throngs at bay. With
little to see other than massive royal carriages the crowds could only
crane their necks hoping for a passing glimpse at the beast-people
reputed to have sacked an entire castle uncontested with a mere score of
warriors. Occasionally a disparaging word would be cast toward
Malgers house or some unseen object would be hurtled against the side of
the carriage. Many of those impromptu missiles struck the stoic
soldiers pacing their conveyance but the well trained escorts merely
shrugged off the assaults without word.
During the
interminable ride Malger engaged them with descriptions of notable
buildings or architecture but his audience was only interested in finding
an escape from the tight press of onlookers. After months on the
trail, with the end of their journey within hands reach, they were only
concerned with continuing their return home with all due haste.
At length
the carriages drew into the shadow of the escarpment, a vertical wall of
granite a couple hundred feet high atop which loomed the parapets and
walls of the most noble houses, the Sutt manor being the most prominent
of them. The boulevard curved upward along that sheer wall but the
carriages did not turn, they continued forward into cooler darkness and
finally drew to a halt. Malger stood and pushed the door open,
inviting them to disembark.
From here
we will take the lift. He explained as they climbed down from the
carriage with a muted squeak of metal leaf springs. The travelers
found themselves in a massive stone grotto artfully carved with
architectural flourishes that, had he more time to marvel Charles would
have found fascinating. At the far end of the grotto was a
torch-lit wooden platform large enough to park two of the carriages side
by side. Owing to the varied sizes of their passengers, however,
Malger chose to dispense with the carriages. Centuries ago a
forward thinking engineer thought to make the noble houses difficult to
besiege and dug a vertical shaft downward to this cavern to store
provisions. Duke Gregor enlarged it and put in a winched elevator
to get from the lowlands to the manor by a far more direct route. He
explained as they filed onto the broad wooden platform. Four huge
wagon wheels stood vertically at four points of the platform, set into
well-worn grooves along the wall. Once everyone was aboard he
tugged on a dangling rope and a moment later the entire platform
shuddered and began moving upward.
Occasionally they would pass large, iron-banded wooden doors inset into
the vertical walls. A few were deeper set and set ninety degrees to
the passageway to make forcing the doors with rams all but
impossible. My father took to storing the wealth of his conquering
here, below the household catacombs. Many have not been explored
since his day. He chuckled as he leaned on one of the thick chains
supporting the broad lift. Needless to say, neither he nor my
siblings rest here. I have no idea what became of most of
them. Well, other than their heads decorating the eastern
gates.
You sound
rather glib, considering your head may have joined theirs. Jerome said
blandly, And still may, if many of the crowds below have any say in the
matter.
Another
reason I have no wish to tarry here. Malger agreed with a nod.
In due
course the platform ascended to a secondary courtyard at the rear of the
Sutt manor house where a crowd of house servitors awaited the return of
their Archduke and the curious retinue they had been forewarned to
expect. Even with that forewarning a susurrus of fearful whispers
caught the Keepers ears as they came into view. Guernef was of
most concern to them as he regally stepped from the platform onto the
tiled terrazzo. A dark haired woman dressed in the finery of a
noble stepped forward boldly without a second glance at the half-human
beasts and curtsied briefly to Malger, Welcome back, milord. She said
with a warm smile and a shift of her gaze that took everyone in, And
welcome to you, heroes of Metamor.
Malger
proffered his arm and she slipped one hand lightly upon his elbow, Thank
you, Val. You have had some success in your endeavours in my
unannounced absence? he asked as he followed Guernef from the
platform. Charles noticed that she did not flinch at the fur she
could not help but feel under the thin material of his shirt.
The woman
smiled enigmatically and nodded, Some small bit, Malger, yes.
Success is all but assured. Charles noted that though she was
garbed as a noble she walked with the smooth gait of a trained
fighter. No doubt under the encumbering spill of brocade she was as
well armed as the soldiers standing about the periphery of the
courtyard.
Now come
my friends, Malger said, beckoning them with a wave of his free arm.
Come to my house and let us find you some new clothes.
All
followed the last son of Handil Sutt eagerly.
----------
And now, the
somewhat exasperated tailor said as he looked Charles up and down, I
think Ill need to measure your... your... um.... tail. Is that all
right?
The rat
chuckled and nodded. Its not as if the tailors of Metamor havent done
the same many times before. Just be careful of my vine.
The guest
rooms that Malger had hastily arranged for them had at one point boasted
of the power of the Sutt family, but many of Handil Sutts grotesque
trophies had been removed. Only the outline remained on the wall
where the sunlight had faded the uncovered paint. Separate suites
were provided for the men and women, although there were not enough beds
for all of them. But after over six months of travel, not a one of
them minded sleeping on only their blankets, and Charles when stone
didnt truly sleep anyway.
The head
tailor had a staff of half a dozen youths just old enough to court, and
their expressions ranged from intrigued to horrified as they came to take
measurements of the half beasts from Metamor. One of them
approached Guernef but quickly fled at meeting the steeled gaze in the
Nauh-kaees dark eyes. The rest clustered around Jerome, Andares,
Autrefois, Vigoreaux, and Abafouq who were all human or looked it.
Charles and James had to make do with the bravest who nevertheless by
their posture and scent made it clear theyd rather be somewhere
else.
The head
tailor carried an air of excitement as he examined their bodies.
Clearly he was looking forward to the challenge of reworking clothes to
fit their odd shapes.
Charles
chuckled beneath his breath while lightly brexing his teeth as the
apprentice tentatively wrapped a measuring cord around the base of his
tail. What do you... do you want around your tail, master Matthias? the
youth asked. Do you wish for a sleeve, or do you want it left
open?
A little
sleeve, enough for modesty. Any more and it will just chafe my
tail. The apprentice scribbled the notes on his sleeve, and then
quickly retreated to confer with the master. Charles stretched, the
vine brushing gently against his back. He looked at James.
The donkey, for the moment, was also clad only in trousers, and the rat
noted how much heartier his friend looked in the year since theyd met on
the snowy morning after Nasojs assault had been driven back. It
seemed a lifetime ago now.
James
noted his look, smiled, glanced at the tailors, and shrugged. He
opened his mouth to say something, when the door opened and more servants
entered bearing boxes. The master directed these to be set down
along one wall and opened. They opened with hinges to create three
tiers of four inch deep trays filled with trinkets, belts, sashes,
buckles, and other odds and ends. Another set of servants bore
several bolts of cloth, with at least two dozen colours and some a
patchwork that managed to look dignified rather than gaudy.
Now that
we have your measurements, the tailor announced, please come select the
colours and fabrics you desire, as well as styles of buttons or clasps
youd prefer.
They
gathered around and made their selections one by one. Charles
rather liked one of the patchwork fabrics as it had a fair bit of black,
green and blue in it, perfect for scouting. He couldnt suppress a
startled squeak when he found a brass belt buckle in the shape of a rats
head. The tailor looked relieved to find someone who wanted the
unlikely bauble and set it atop the colourful bolt.
A sudden
shout from across the room caught their ears. Charles was the first
to move, leaping past a trio of startled assistants to dive into the
hallway with only the barest of loincloths on. He was through the
door into the ladys room with only two steps. Jerome and James
were right behind him.
The scene
they found filled them with sudden embarrassment. Kayla and Lindsey
had disrobed while the seamstresses took their measurements. One of
them, a girl no older than seventeen, had a measuring cord in her hands
as she lay crumpled on the floor, common white dress splayed around her
legs. A look of utter befuddlement and horror marred her otherwise
comely face. Before her, Lindsey kept her arms over her mid-section
just above her hips, a beastly twitch to her jowls.
Jessica
turned to the rat and lifted a wing to block the mens view. Its all
right! Everybodys fine.
The rat
lowered his eyes and was suddenly very self-conscious. Sorry, we heard
the scream and...
No need
to apologize, Jessica repeated, her golden eyes understanding but also
hardening. Just get out!
James and
Jerome had already made their way out. Charles apologized one last
time and scampered back to his room. Some of the apprentices
sniggered behind their hands. Guernef glowered at them and they
immediately stopped. Is everything all right? Abafouq asked while he
rifled through the tray with sashes.
Oh, I
just think the seamstress touched Lindsey someplace she shouldnt have,
thats all, Jerome replied.
James
looked down at his arms, and then over to the rat. Wow, you were right,
Charles.
About
what? the rat asked, still rubbing his paws together to hide his
chagrin.
Instincts taking over. After all these months, I heard the shout,
and moved without thinking about it. I was trying to grab my sword
every step!
Charles
grinned, pride pushing the shame out of his heart. He reached up
and patted the donkey on the shoulder. Thats a good sign my
friend! A good sign!
The tailor
tapped the wares a trifle impatiently. If you would all pick out what
you want, we can begin preparing them for you. I know you dont
want to go to milord Sutts table as you are! They needed no more
convincing than that, and they all let the incident with Lindsey drift
from their minds. They were going to get fresh clothes at long
last!
----------
May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,
Charles Matthias
!DSPAM:4b18f7b5262911804284693!
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