Metamor Keep: Lament of the Kangaroo
By Charles Matthias
Part 3
The Keepers were
awake well before the sun rose. Even after a long night around
Malger Sutts table, regaling each other with stories one moment and then
negotiating peace in western Pyralis the next, not a one of them could
sleep for long. Too many months had been spent sleeping on edge for
them to find comfort even in this safe seaside city. Though they
did not post a watch, for that would have been absurd, they could not
completely forget the many lessons of the mountainous wastes, forests,
swamps, and grasslands.
With the
suns rise they found themselves on one of the balconies overlooking the
Mendaisse river as it flowed past the castle and through the city and its
many canals. Malger had sent them bread and cheese to begin their
day, and his regrets that he couldnt join them as his attention was
fixed on writing up the official agreements they had come to last night
with the new Marquis du Tournemire.
Its just
as well, Kayla said as she sipped at a cup of steaming cider.
Sutthaivasse rarely saw snow in its winters, but the mornings were still
cool if not freezing like they would be in Metamor. That those two men
are going back to Tournemire with Philippe. They were victims as
much as any of us, but its been awkward travelling with them these last
few weeks. I almost chocked when they described the Marquis as a
hero!
He did
save my life, Jessica objected with a sharp caw. The
black-feathered hawk lifted one talon and pointed at the skunk. It was
his card that stood between me and the sword. She lowered the talon and
then lowered her eyes. Not that I can forget what he did to all of you
in Breckaris. She glanced to Lindsey who crouched in one corner, elbows
on the earthen balustrade. And especially you. Lindseys long
ears flicked at the words, but she did not turn or open her muzzle to
speak.
It was
the corruption, Abafouq said simply and shook his head. If we had not
been protected, we could have done the same ourselves. The Binoq stoked
one hand through the flank of his companion Guernef. The Nauh-kaee
was busy swallowing fruit whole. I am very grateful that we have been
spared!
Kayla
frowned, long tail flicking back and forth behind her. I dont
know. It looked to me like he enjoyed doing what he did to
us. And especially to Rick.
My Weyden
is still in prison because of him, Jessica added. Her feathers
settled quickly. Ill have to tease him about oranges when we get home.
She chuckled, as did the others. Whatever else, Philippe did have a
few amusing tales to tell, as only a child could tell them.
Im sure
theyll have let Weyden go free by now, Charles said softly. The
rat leaned against the banister, petting his vine as it curled around his
chest. They all wore the garments fashioned for them, but this time
Charles had managed to worm into his with the vine on the outside.
It did not seem to mind the cool air. And Rick should be awake
too. And the Duke married! I wonder what else well find when
we return home. I wonder how big my children are.
Weyden
asked me to marry him when I returned, Jessica announced, her golden
eyes distant. I hope all of you can be there for it.
We
shall! Kayla assured her, finally smiling. As I hope all of you will be
there for Rickkter and I to wed. She gave the rat a meaningful glance,
but he only smiled and nodded in return.
I dont
know what Ill do when I get back, James murmured. Go back to being a
Glen Scout I guess. Theres this... this... no, never mind.
And we
shall certainly stay for a while, Abafouq added. At least until the
mountain passes clear in the Spring. It will be nice to stay in
Metamor for a time.
I too
will linger, Andares said in his smooth baritone. But I cannot say for
how long. The stars will guide me as they did my master. But
I do wish to see Metamor, the first of my race to do so in many
years.
And I
wish I could go see it, but it is not to be, Phil sighed.
I thought
you said you would see us back to Metamor! Kayla asked, her voice pained
anew.
I hoped
to, Phil replied, shaking his head with obvious regret. But the damage
done to Whales was too great. In the last two weeks I have
conferred with my commanders to learn the extent of our losses. The
Whalish Navy has been crippled in the western seas. Weve lost
thousands of sailors in this fight, and more ships than I care to
number. My father and I will both be needed as leaders and as
symbols for the morale of our people to see to our recovery. It
will be years before Whales has returned to her former strength. I
fear a trip to Metamor, no matter how much my heart yearns for it, would
be irresponsible. I have wasted time even in coming so far as
Sutthaivasse, but as last night and today will prove, I can still serve
to ensure that during this time of rebuilding, Whales will not need to
have fear from war in Pyralis.
Phil
spread his white paws wide and his long ears fell. Still. I wish I
could go on with you. But my ships will return south once weve
finished restocking and making repairs. Two days hence at the
earliest. Three certainly. But I will enjoy what time I have
left with you my friends before we leave.
Charles
put one paw on the rabbits shoulder and smiled. We understand,
Phil. We will take whatever message you wish to send to his grace,
Duke Thomas, with us.
Thank
you, Charles. The rabbit swelled as much as his lapine body would allow.
Just seeing each of you again has brought me great joy.
Indeed!
Charles gave Phil a firm hug, then set his friend to one side with the
gentlest of touches. Now, I dont know about anyone else, but I would
like to explore this city. Im not sure how much of a start well
give the city, but its not like they havent already seen us when we
docked. Id like to make a good name for Metamor even here.
Who else? He had no shortage of volunteers.
----------
Lindsey opted not
to join Charles in his quixotic quest to explore Sutthaivasse. She
wasnt alone in this, as both Guernef and Jessica also declined, but at
least the Nauh-kaee and hawk had the option of leaping off the balcony
and flying away, which he did immediately and she did only after taking
her full animal form. So she lingered in the room she shared with
the women. Once there, she removed all her clothes and sprawled her
kangaroo body on the bed, paws resting on the small mote swelling within
her pouch.
Yes.
Im
here, she whispered into the air, ears laid flat on the pillow, chestnut
eyes rolled back in her head as a smile split her muzzle. Theyre all
gone. Are you growing?
Yes.
The
child she could almost feel the outlines now beneath the furry flap of
flesh enclosing her pouch. Charles may have children of his own,
but he was only a father and could never understand the adoration shared
by mother and child. Of the others, only Kayla and Jessica could
ever be mothers, and neither were yet. But those whom they would
wed were still alive, while her Zhypar had been slain.
Yes.
Hed
given his life to protect and nourish this child.
Yes.
Hed
spent his last moments in seeing to this childs well-being, making sure
that Lindsey escaped with the child safely tucked inside her.
Yes.
She
had to protect this child. She knew it in her heart. For
Habakkuks sake. And for her own. Even if nobody else could
understand.
They
wont understand.
Lindsey nodded, stroking her clawed fingers up and down through the soft
russet fur. I know, she murmured. I wont tell them. You are
mine and mine alone.
Yes.
In
such sweet delirium she lay communing with her child for many an
hour.
----------
Malger was less
than enthused by Charless suggestion to explore Sutthaivasse. In
fact, he outright forbade them to enter the city. Seeing his
objection make the rat more obstinate, Malger cajoled them to stay in the
manor house, assuring them that they would be mobbed by the people if
they openly walked the streets. Not only were they beastly in
appearance, but rumour of them and their heroic exploits had already
spread through the canals, streets, markets, and shops. There was
not a single soul in Sutthaivasse who wouldnt clamour to get a glimpse
of them let alone touch them for good or ill.
This was
enough to convince Kayla to abandon the idea. Andares promised to
show her more of the Åelf game that Qan-af-årael had begun teaching her
two months ago. At seeing the others demur, Charles also relented,
but once they had left the Lord Sutts presences, revealed his
plans. And so, Jerome dressed in common clothes led James as a
donkey carrying Abafouq who masqueraded as a midget, with Charles
as a rat perched atop his shoulder. Such a strange group merited a
few glances, but did not incite the onrush of panic their benefactor
feared.
They
enjoyed their brief tour of the city, though not knowing their way
around, quickly became lost in the intricate maze of canals and alleys
that dominated the lower ward. A few oblique questions from Jerome
who cleverly hid his Sondesharan accent, and they were back on the main
road along the river.
Still,
when they returned they were met by an irate Malger. You could have been
killed! he shouted at them when they stepped off the lift onto the manor
property. They stared incredulous at each other for several
seconds, before Malger shook his head and amended himself; You could
have killed someone! His remonstrations met with no apologies, and
in the end, Malger surrendered with no more than a half-hearted fit of
self-effacing laughter.
It was the
last time they ventured from the Sutt manor, as neither James nor he
truly enjoyed being treated as an animal, and also, Charles didnt like
being separated from his vine. It was healthy enough now that he
could remove it from his flesh, but it would be months before hed be
able to plant it in good earth. Until then it would need his flesh
to subside in. He hoped that it didnt unnerve Kimberly when they
finally returned to Metamor. The vine, that splendid gift from the
Wind Children which had saved their lives in the swamps of Marzac, was a
part of him in a way now almost as inextricable as his Sondeck.
And so
they stayed in the Sutt Manor, waiting for their ship to be
reprovisioned. Of them all, only Guernef and Andares failed to
exhibit impatience with the delays. Malger assured them that they
were unavoidable as the ports closest to Metamor would likely be blocked
with ice at this time of year. They would need supplies for a land
journey once they reached Ellcaran. If they were lucky, the passes
would be open as far north as Giftum, but few of Malgers sea captains
thought that likely, and even Phil expressed his doubts that they would
fare so well.
Nor was
the estimable lapine to remain with them long. Only two days after
Charles, James, Abafouq and Jerome had taken their tour of the city, the
Whalish vessels completed their repairs and Prince Phil made good on his
promise to depart for Whales. The farewells were difficult, with
many tears and promises as well as firm hugs between old friends and
wishes for the future. They stood on the topmost tower of the Sutt
castle to watch the proud array of Whalish vessels disembark and take to
the wintry waves. They stayed upon the lofty perch until the last
of their keels disappeared beyond the horizon.
They
continued to wait and did their best to keep up their good cheer.
Kayla and Jessica spoke of magic and inquired after both Abafouq and
Guernef for the arts that they knew. After so many months together,
they held back no secrets and the hawk learned of many of the secrets of
stone and air that their companions from the Tabinoq knew. Kayla
marvelled at all they spoke of and revealed to each other, but many of
these secrets were beyond her skills, however fine they had been honed in
the months of their companionship.
And so she
instead spent time practising her swordsmanship with the men. The dragon
blades were comfortable friends in her paws now, and she found they
guided her motions so adroitly that she felt a confidence in battle shed
never before experienced. She hated even letting go of the blades;
her paws felt barren without them. Still, those whod spent their
lives in combat such as Charles and Jerome, not to mention Andares, were
always the ones teaching her how better to stand and move. And then
there was Malger who often joined them for their impromptu matches,
sporting twin, slender blades with bright tassels affixed to their
hilts. Those tassels did nothing but confuse and distract
her.
Other than
James who had only first learned a year past, all of them could make
their weapons dance. But each had their own style that way
too. Charles and Jerome were fast and hard, like the pounding of a
thousand hammers in a smithy; even then, she knew the Sondeckis were
holding back. Andares was stately and refined, precise in the way
the stars moved in the sky, but no less devastating. But Malger was
a true dancer, almost seductive in the way his body twisted and turned
with each stroke of steel and flash of colourful thread. Even
though he wore his pendant and his musteline body was hid behind the veil
of a human illusion, she could see through to the marten and understood
why so many dreamed girlish dreams for him.
But most
of the time Malger was treating with Val, his named successor Regent
Sicillan, the new Marquis du Tournemire, or any of the other nobles who
had come at the call of the Archduke of Sutthaivasse. Philippe
called on Charles and Jerome a few times to learn more of his late father
who it seems had sent him to Whitestone shortly before hed ventured into
the Marzac swamps; theyd never spoken since. Charles wondered if
perhaps in some way, the late Marquis hadnt deliberately kept his son in
Whitestone to keep him out of the affairs of Marzac. It was harder
and harder to hate the man the more he dwelt on these truths.
And then
there were the officious scribes sent by Malger to record the tale of
their journey from Metamor to Marzac and of the defeat of that great
evil. They did their best to retell their tale, omitting only
events and descriptions of places that it seemed best to keep secret for
now, such as the artifice of the secret stone markers in the Åelfwood,
the ancient flying ship Nak-Tegehki, the location of Qorfuu, and what
they could recall of the spells Yajakali had cast. The last must
remain buried with him, on that they all agreed without hesitation.
But the rest they told freely and in some detail as much as their tongues
could stand and for as long as they could sit still. Neither of
which proved to be very long.
Of them
all, only Lindsey did not appear to tire of their confinement. The
kangaroo spent most of her time cloistered in their rooms, eyes withdrawn
and manner indifferent. She always joined them for their meals, but
she often left after finishing and spoke little to the rest of
them. It was painful to see, but they knew her pain had to be
great. She had lost the man she had loved deeply but whom the
curses of Metamor had prevented her from having. And now she was a
female kangaroo to match him, and he was dead and lost to her. This
was a grief that Lindsey appeared to prefer to face alone, and so they
left her to it.
Three days
after the Whalish fleet had returned south, news came to them that a
vessel was ready for the long journey north along the Sathmoran
coast. A Sutthaivasse crew and one of their faster carracks waited
for them at the wharves. Malger was still waiting for his vassals
to arrive but seemed optimistic that he would be following them back to
Metamor in no more than a month. Still, he seemed reluctant to part
when the time finally came, and joined them in carriages down to the
wharves.
Guernef
because of his size refused to try fitting into a carriage again so he
took to the air with promises to meet them once the ship cleared the
wharves. The rest crowded into a single carriage, their refurbished
gear stowed into the travel packs and stored in the carriage rear.
Malger smoothed out his fine breeches as he sat. Well, soon you will be
on your way home again. I apologize for keeping you here so
long But it couldnt be helped.
We
understand, Kayla assured him with a warm smile. Her long
monochromatic tail twitched behind her head. Its been a long hard road
for all of us. And not all of will be even be home when we reach
Metamor.
Though,
Charles said, casting a quick glance at Jerome, you are all welcome to
stay at Metamor. It wont be the same not always seeing each
others faces every day.
We shall
decide later such things, Andares said in a firm tone. For now it is
enough to think of the journey before us. Who will be our
captain?
A
seasoned veteran. Benito Aldanto. He captained one of my
carracks in the battle against Marzacs forces and rather distinguished
himself. Im told he cut the head off of a Merai who foolishly
attempted to drag his first mate overboard. And that with a single
stroke. He has made the journey north before and, he added with a
smile, this will not be the first time he has seen Metamorians.
Has he
been to Metamor before?
Once a
few years ago as part of a trade mission. He has orders to see you
all the way to Metamor. He will deliver letters from myself and
from Regent Sicillan to Duke Thomas. I want to see our cities be
allies no matter the distance that separates us.
Good,
Charles said with a firm nod. Metamor needs all the allies she can
find!
Indeed,
Malger agreed. And there is one other who will be accompanying you to
Metamor. Once Captain of the Iron King, he was taken by the taint
of Marzac but has now been freed. He wishes to go to Metamor to
seek his brother who hed thought slain. His name is Darius
Egland.
Charless
eyes widened. His brother is Sir Yacoub Egland? Did you tell
Darius what has become of his brother?
Malger
nodded. He took it fairly well, but now insists that he must see his
brother for himself to bring word back to his family that their youngest
son is not dead as theyd all thought. He will return with Captain
Aldanto, but for a time he shall journey with you. Charles, as you
know Sir Egland, could you bring Darius to his brother?
The rat
squirmed in his chair, one paw reflexively cupping the vine which now
curled over his chest. I had hoped to find my wife and children
first. But I suppose I can, or at least, lead him to Sir Eglands
home. I dont suppose anyone else knows the elk knight?
Only by
reputation, Kayla admitted. The rest shook their heads.
Then I
will do it, Charles acquiesced with a sigh.
Youll
see them soon enough, Jessica cawed in a gentle voice. She draped
one wing over the rats shoulder. Well make sure of that.
Charles
smiled and patted her long black feathers. Thank you, Jessica.
The
carriage rattled on along the terrazzo streets until they reached the
wharves. After Malgers announcements, he quickly told them of the
remaining compliment of their crew and what time they could expect to
make. With luck they would reach Ellcaran in three weeks time, and
another two weeks journey would bring them to Metamor. If they
were truly fortune and the ice hadnt closed the northern wharves, they
could reach Menth and shave a few days off their voyage. Either
way, they would likely see Metamor by the middle of February.
After what
seemed an interminable number of minutes, the carriage came to a stop and
Malger was forced to bid them farewell. As before with Phil, there
were many hugs and promises made, although all knew that they would
likely see Malger returned to Metamor in the months ahead. This
tempered their displays, but they were no less genuine.
The
carrack was a sizable craft with two dozen oar locks and sailing masts
fore and centre. The aft castle was raised to accommodate
passengers, and as quickly as they could, they all fled beneath where
they wouldnt be seen by inquisitive city-dwellers whod followed their
carriages out to the wharves. Captain Aldanto proved to be a stout,
bow-legged man with deep black hair turning white around his ears.
He promised he would speak with them more once they were underway, then
proceeded to shout orders to the rest of the crew.
Their
belongings were brought on board after them, and as they divided up the
guest rooms between men and women again, they felt the ship groan against
the water. Through the narrow portholes they could see the city
slowly shifting away. A few moments later a loud thump resounded
above them.
Abafouq
laughed when they heard the startled shouts of sailors and the shouting
of the captain. Guernef has landed. The Binoq rubbed his hands together
and sighed. Another stage of our journey is over. Onward to
Metamor. I hope the seas stay calm. Im eager to be off these
waterborne nightmares!
Well all
be home soon, Charles murmured softly as they settled down one-by-one to
endure the long weeks until they saw the spires of Metamor. Well all be
home soon. With a long sigh, they watched Sutthaivasse continue its long
slide to the south, the floor shifting beneath them as the waves glided
with the carrack to the north.
----------
The child was
growing. Lindsey could feel it not only swell her pouch, but he
exhibited a definite shape now too. She could feel the outline of
his spine growing in a downward turning lune from one side of the pouch
to the other, head and tail. She instinctively knew his head was on
the right. It was connected there, drawing nourishment from her
body.
And
talking to her. More and more now. She spent more time
talking with her unborn child than she did with her companions. But
they didnt understand and wouldnt like it if they knew. After a
week in Sutthaivasse, and now two days at sea again, she already knew
that she didnt want any of them near her anymore.
It should
just be her and the child.
Yes.
She
shivered with delight, her fur standing on edge in eager
anticipation. The affirmation from the child, Zhypars child, was
like sweet nectar on her tongue. She ran her paws over her pouch
and smiled. The lump within stirred against her paws. I will keep
you safe, she whispered with nearly shut snout.
All the
way to Metamor.
Is
that where youll be born?
Yes.
Zhypar would like that.
Yes.
Lindsey smiled, ears, folded back in her cramped bed. The ship
rocked gently in the waves. The others were undoubtedly topside
trying to make themselves useful. Good. They should stay up
there and away from her and her child. Only a few weeks more though
and they would be in Metamor. She knew the forests very well.
It would be no trouble to slip amongst them to have her child in
secret.
Until
then, she would keep her pouch concealed from their eyes. Her gaze
fell on the trousers shed tossed in a pile on the floor. Shed
have to wear them when the others were around. Her child was
growing so fast, surely theyd notice soon.
They
will. You must hide me.
I
will. Lindsey gently patted her child inside her pouch. I
promise.
Yes.
I
love you my child.
Yes.
Lindseys tail twitched, her body shivering with a cool delight.
----------
May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,
Charles Matthias
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