Chanur's Arrival
Chapter 3
DAY 8
Spent the last few days moving everything. Met the Berbils today.
(More like damn near shot the poor bastard.) How can they move so
quietly? With a body like that you'd think they'd be easy to hear
coming. Calls himself Robear-Bert. Runs a mexican take-out restaurant.
(Whatever the hell that is!) He popped out right in front of me on my
second trip. The AP was off my hip before I'd even thought of it. The
bear fell backward screaming "Don't shoot, don't shoot!" I nearly let
him have it just for the heart attack he'd given me. Still, it was as
much my fault as his. I've been distracted by the move.
I dropped my pack and slid over to him, weapon still at the ready.
The bear (?) had covered his eyes with his paws, whimpering. "Nice job,
Chanur." I said to myself. "You just scarred the living daylights out of
something no more deadly then a toothbrush." I holstered my weapon an
knelt down next to the creature. Given the bear's (?) position, I felt
the threat had passed. After calming him down, we sat and talked.
Turns out the fortress belongs to a group called the Thundercats. I
asked Bert about the two I'd seen before. He told me I'd most likely
seen Willy Kit and Willy Kat, a pair of young twins. He went on to
explain that they and another group called the Mutants were locked in
battle over something called the Eye of Thundaria. These do-gooders have
a code they live by. Justice, truth, honor, loyalty. Huh. I'd love to
live in a world of absolutes too. I learned a long time ago it's not
that simple. Still, it's a wonderful ideal. I'll reserve judgement until
I meet these "Thundercats".
The discussion turned to hie business. After the small talk we
agreed to an exchange of services. He'd supply me with information and
small amounts of needed supplies. Every three days of so, I'd provide
him with a kill. (Apparently the Berbils are lousy hunters and meat can
be hard to come by.) Another bit of info: the animal I killed earlier
was something called a "deer" and the "Thundercats" are especially fond
of the meat. Might be useful to know. We parted ways after I told him to
expect a visit to his village.
Day 9
Two successful hunts today, one for myself, one for the Berbils.
Between the hunts and gutting the prey I used up most of the sun. When I
returned from the second hunt I noticed a set of tracks around the mouth
of my canyon. Four toed with a tail mark brushing the sand. Also found
some reddish fur on a sharp tree limb. Probably a scavenger, but a
reminder to do a better job of burying the entrails. Don't want to
attract any attention to myself just yet.
(Later)
Built a small fire to roast my kill. Hung the one for the Berbils
from a tree. Fell asleep looking at the stars. Couldn't find Aurrun.
It's funny, even when I couldn't visit it was comforting to know they
were there. Now, with me halfway across the galactic arm, I feel
homesick. Not much, but a little. I knew what I was getting myself into
when I left. Still, a talk with Kyhm or Hallan would help. Hell, I'd
even settle for Tully!
Day 10
Left at dawn with the kill. Brought only the knife. I'm a match for
anything I've seen so far and bringing the AP would just scare them.
Walked in just as they were beginning the morning chores. Couldn't
believe the stares I got. You'd think I'd forgotten my pants. Or maybe
it was the bloody carcass slung over my shoulders. I stopped one to ask
where Robear-Bert's was and all the poor thing could do was point.
Okay.....Followed the sharp smell of cook smoke to a large hut near the
edge of the village. Robear-Bert was stirring a large kettle infront of
a group of tables. He gasped when he saw me comming, as if I was a demon
or something. I glanced at my blood red shoulders. Perhaps a dip in the
stream on the way back wouldn't be such a bad idea. He relaxed.
"Chanur."
"Robear-Bert" We stared at each other with what felt like the whole
village looking on. This is getting nowhere, fast. I motioned with my
shoulder. "Where do you want it?" I asked. That broke the stalemate. He
set down his spoon and motianed for me to follow. We went to the back of
the hut with the entire group following. I noticed a large windmill
atached to a spit with a woodpile waiting. "Ingenious." I complemented,
looking at the contraption.
"No one would stand around all day turning." He pulled a rod out
from under a table next to the pit. I dropped the carcus on the table.
He eyed it criticly, then quickly began tying it to the rod. "Good
size." He remarked
"Larger of the two." I said, holding the rod steady. He nodded
aprovingly and examied the neck. "Here." He said, pulling an ax from
under the table. "Right below the lyarnyx." He looked back up at me.
"Good job, the skin's hardly marked. You need it?"
"Not yet." I tested the heft of the ax.. "Keep it as a gift. I
can't use it yet anyway." I squared my shoulders to the table. "You
might want to step back."
"Right." He did so and nodded. I brought the ax down. THWACK! The
onlookers grimmiced at the sound. I examined the cut, One more about
three cm. higher. THWACK! The head rolled off the table spraying me with
a small amount of additional blood. I stepped back and let the ax fall
to my side. A berbil came to me and reached for it. I growled softly.
"My assistant," Said Robear-Bert quickly.
"Sorry." I said to the cowering berbil, passing him the ax handle
first. "Reflex." He took the tool, all the while stareing at me like I
was going to bite his head off. We both then lifted the rod and set it
in the spit. He pushed down on a lever and the windmill began to turn.
The assistant brought out a lit torch and lit the woodpile. I glanced
over to Robear-Bert. "I'm leaving." I said, passing a glance over my
shoulders. "Is there anywhere near here where I may bathe?"
"The river is just west of us, through the trees."
"I'll move down stream so's not to foul your drinking water." I
responded.
"Thank you, Chanur. Here." The berbil drew a small leather pouch
from under his robes and threw it to me. I caught it in mid-air. A dark
aroma eminated from the bag. Inside were small, dark seeds. "What is
it?" I asked.
"Grind it up and use it on your food, We call it pepper. Enjoy."
"Thanks." I said doubiously. I'll probably try it. I stepped
through the edge of the forrest behind the hut. Instantly walked into
brambles. Damn, maybe I should turn back...
"Who is he?"
"Perhaps no one. Perhaps a friend to rid us of the Thundercats."
Answered Robear-Bert.
I paused in shock. What????
(continued)