Skwirlshans are a far more nontraditional type of folk compared to others in Baertaanjya. Some would call us more enlightened, but others term us barbaric. Civilized and uncivilized can be points of view.
-N.F. Staarjeon
1
After indeterminate time, Jaani could hear the calming sound of undulating waves that made him open his eyes and rub them, although he was still enveloped in darkness. The prince pushed his arm upward, feeling the feathery texture of Monty’s wings, still immobile. As he did so, the otter Kyymaer glimpsed light through the gap between the edge of the lifeboat and the unconscious Grypfaan’s wing. Gazing beyond, he saw the sand of a beach powdered with snow, the accompanying temperature chilling him to the bone, but his monk’s garb softened the blow. Then he began to crawl out of the lifeboat, extending his legs outside and touching the beach with his booted feet, still intact despite the shipwrecking storm. He turned and saw the lifeboat, Monty still covering it with his extended wings, immobile, unconscious, or at worst deceased.
Jaani grabbed the inert Grypfaan and struggled to lift him from the lifeboat, carefully rotating him and gently setting him upon the snow-drizzled sand face-up. The prince unbuttoned his vest to reveal his feathered midsection, upon which he placed one of his hands, feeling a faint heartbeat.
“He liveth still.”
Then he heard a faint yawn followed by a familiar voice: “Vhat… vhat is going on here? Vere are ve?”
“Jinnah?”
Jaani gazed at the lifeboat, seeing the ewe had begun to get out. Upon seeing the unconscious Monty, she swore, “By Jehu! Is he...”
“His heart beateth still. We must find some way to awaken him.”
“Vell, I could do so if I still had de…”
“Had, what, Jinnah?”
“Pay me no mind! Perhaps Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley can bring him back, ja?”
“Perhaps, but ‘tis a matter of where we can find them, if ever.”
“De Grypfyyns share a special bond, so dere is a possibility dey can sense deir son is imperiled.”
“Have all Aesfyyren such a bond?”
“Ja, especially if it runs in deir bloodlines.”
“So I see. I suppose we should find the nearest own, be one present nearby.”
“Perhaps not.”
“Wherefore, milady?”
“I can hear de sound of vings!”
“By Jehu!” swore Jaani, who heard the sound also.
2
The prince looked about for the sound’s source, eventually seeing two winged fliers to the north. They grew larger with each second, the otter Kyymaer ultimately identifying them as Bill and Shirley. Once above their son’s location, they descended and landed near him. Before they tended to Monty, they exchanged hugs with Jinnah and Jaani, after which they walked to his side and knelt.
“We’re glad you two are safe,” Shirley assured as she felt her son’s heart. “He’s still alive, but really drained of his Ma’ajyyk.”
“What happened, exactly?” asked Bill. “Too much to drink, perhaps?”
“Spirits had naught to do with this,” noted Jaani, telling of how Monty protected him and Jinnah during the storm. “Can ye bring him to?”
“Yes,” assured Shirley, placing her right hand on Monty’s left breast. “Bill, give me a little help.”
“Will do, dear,” the elder Grypfaan agreed, kneeling and touching his right breast with his sinistral hand.
Green illumination emanated from the hands of the Gripfyyn patriarch and matriarch, flowing through their son’s body and being faintly visible through his feather, fur, eyelids, and closed beak. Monty’s chest began to rise and fall, indicative of his respiration, the rest of his body starting to stir as well. His eyes began to blink, glowing green, and he put his hands to them, breaking his parents’ grasp on him and rubbing them, slowly getting on his feet, shaking his legs and ensuring his arms were still functional as well. Monty inspected his surroundings, the green glow ceasing.
“The... the Hekh am ?” he asked. Upon seeing his parents, he greeted, “Mom, Dad! I never thought I’d be this happy to see you again! Johnny, Jenny, you two also!”
The five travelers shared a group hug for a few seconds and separated. Jaani asked, “So... whither shall we travel now?”
“To Atturgraad, of course, ja?”
“Vhere else vould ve go?”
“Aye, but first we need to determine where we are, exactly.”
“I would answer that,” responded Shirley, lighting her pipe and taking a puff, blowing smoke and forming a map in the air, Jaani recognizing it as resembling Skwirlsha. She generated a speck of light that hovered near a northwesterly island on the map, indicating, “We are at the northern edge of the kingdom of Rostershyr, and still have a long way to go before reaching Atturgraad. After we breakfast, we shall continue southeast onto the mainland and head south into Anagumayra to ultimately get there.”
“I starve,” indicated Jaani. “We shall perhaps need to procure a morning repast, Shirley, now that thou dost mention it.”
“I could use a bite as vell, ja.”
“Perhaps there are beasts in that lighthouse that could serve us,” noted Bill, who pointed northeast, the others following and seeing a stone barrier from which a lighthouse jutted on its highest northern point.
“Well observed, Bill. I think I’ll fly there to make sure it’s safe.”
“Mayhap ‘twould be politer to enter nonintrusively. We are not criminals, and as a prince, methinks ‘twould be far greater common courtesy.”
“Fair point.”
Jaani and Jinnah began to trek towards the fortification, hearing Shirley order, “Monty, get the boat and bring it along! That is, if you’re strong enough given that nasty spell you suffered.”
“No problem, Mom!”
“I think I’ll help,” volunteered Bill, who tied a rope that had been in the lifeboat to the fore, his son taking the aft and his father grunting, “Heave ho!”
Puffing her pipe, Shirley followed Jaani and Jinnah as they trekked to the barrier, following it rightward and turning a corner, continuing to a pair of iron gates where a pair of Skwirlshan squirrel naval guards, kilts and berets with pompoms among their uniforms’ most notable features, crossing their halberds.
“A braw mornin tae ye a’!” the first guard greeted. “Whit brings ye here noo?”
“We are survivors of a shipwreck,” noted Jaani, “and seek to break our fasts, clean up, and go on our way.”
“Whit ship, noo?”
“De Havfresa. Have either of you heard of it?”
The sailors faced one another before nodding and eying the visitors again, the first noting, “Aye, lassie, we micht’ve heard o sic a ship.”
“It was Ferrojyan,” added Shirley.
The second squirrel faced Jinnah and noted, “Ah cud tell ye wur fae the great north by yer accent!”
“Ja, I suppose. Anyvay, have you any information about dat ship?”
The first squirrel scratched his chin and indicated, “Aye, we micht’ve heard aboot a ship frae Ferrojya meant tae arrive here a few days syne, but it ne’er did!”
The second squirrel continued, “We did hear there wis a gey ill storm up north that micht’ve hauden it back, tho!”
“With whom can we further converse on this matter?” wondered Jaani.
“Auld Admiral MykLoenin, o coorse!”
“Vhat about breakfast?”
“O coorse! We’re shuir ye’s are fair stervin! Come alang, noo!”
3
The squirrels opened the gates to let everyone through, the first leading them through the compound south of the lighthouse into a mess hell where a few naval officers conversed and ate. Jaani led his companions to the food serving area, where the queue wasn’t too long, and everyone got samples of the various foods. Then they found a vacant table and ate there, the company going for plenty of additional servings since Jaani, Jinnah, and Monty had been out of commission for a while.
When they went outside, the squirrel asked, “Hae ye’s gotten yer fill?”
“Dear Jehu, yes,” Bill happily assured.
“Yeah, I think we’re ready to meet Admiral Mick Lohan or whoever,” indicated Monty.
“Come alang, then!”
The company followed the squirrel seaman to another building in the compound, opening one of its doors and letting them through. In the following lobby, they could see a lioness seawoman, brown-haired, blue-eyed, light-brown-furred, who saw them.
“A braw mornin tae ye a’! Whit can Ah dae for ye the day?”
“We wish to see Admiral MykLoenin,” noted Jaani.
“Here tae see ma da, eh?”
“You mean your fader?”
“Aye, ma da the admiral!”
Shirley sucked her pipe’s stem and blew a few smoke rings. “Interesting. Is he available, now?”
“O coorse! The door on yer left!”
Without another word, Jaani walked towards the mentioned entryway, looking back to see his companions follow along, but Monty seemed fixated on the lioness, falling short of keeping pace with the others. Bill tugged his son along, all heading into the admiral’s office.
The naval officer’s workroom had many fanciful furnishings like a carpeted floor with alternating hues of blue and white, the left and right walls lined by bookshelves rife with various texts. At the end was a polished wooden desk with a chair behind, past which was a large open-curtained window through which shined light, negating the need for any interior illumination.
“A braw mornin tae ye a’!” greeted the red-maned, blue-eyed, light brown-furred lion before the desk, wearing a naval uniform differing from those of his subordinates, with an overcoat and sash, epaulets, and bicorne hat, but still with a kilt and leg warmers running to his boots. “Admiral Leodroar MykLoenin at yer service!”
“A pleasure, lord admiral,” greeted Jaani, clasping his hands and bowing slightly forward.
“Please, please, nae need for formalities! Ye can cry me Leody like ma freends back in naval college uised tae! Rowdy Leody, that’s whit they uised tae cry me!”
“And I’d call that daughter of yours a pretty letty!” laughed Monty.
“Hey, watch it, laddie! She haes nae need fer deviants like you tae be coortin her, noo! Ayeweys, she’s awready taen!”
“Always someone better than me,” Jaani heard the Grypfaan mutter. Louder he asked, “By whom, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Wha else but the croon prince o this braw kintra, His Highness Rosterveldt!”
“I would gladly invite ye to my homeland if ye would will it,” Jaani chanced.
“Whaur are ye frae, laddie?”
“A nation in Southern Anagumayra, Atturgraad.”
“Ah, Ah see. Dae ye bide in a monastery there, or whit?”
“Nay, dear Leody. I truly must change my garbs one of these days.”
“That wad be for the best, laddie. Ah’m shuir it’s a crime tae impersonate a monk, dependin whaur ye bide. Whit’s wi yer claes the noo, then?”
“A long story, Leody, one into which I wish not delve.”
“Aye, mair important things abuin, eh?”
“Indeed,” agreed Jaani, telling of the shipwreck.
“Ah, a Ferrojyan ship! It’s come near a guid few times, aye.”
“Vould you happen to know about de circumstances of its destruction by last veek’s storm?”
“Ah think ma guid weather-man micht be able tae shed some licht on that. Waattsuu! Get yer hin-end ower here noo!”
4
Suddenly appeared with a puff another naval officer in a sailor outfit, which Jaani recognized was a member of a Jotun species, the water buffalo, with black hair around his horns below his beret, dark brown eyes, and gray fur.
“Yousa callin’ me, lord admiral?”
“Weatherman Waattsuu, thae braw guests want tae ken the circumstances o the sinkin o the Havfresa on its voyage frae Ferrojya tae here.”
“Meesa pleasure, Mister Leody!” Waattsuu walked to the bookshelves, finding a long scroll and approaching the admirals’ desk, where he rolled it open to reveal a map of Northern Skwirlsha, the seas north of it, and Ferrojya’s southern islands at the top. “Come here, evrabody!”
All approached the desk, and the weatherman sailor continued, “Der wassa big bad storm ‘tween Skwirlsha an’ Ferrojya right here!”
Waattsuu pointed between the current island and Ferrojya, about a third of the distance from the northern isles. “Howeber, dis storm no bein’ natural, an’ it comin’ from da east.”
“An unnatural storm?” wondered Jaani. “Could it be... Ma’ajyyk, perhaps?”
“Yessa, dat maybe it, Mister Jaani, sir.”
“An Aesfyyr Jotun, I assume, since thou wast able to discern my identity.”
“Yessa, meesa come all da way from Jotunhyym. Werry beautifool an’ exotic land, if meesa say so meself!”
“I would not rule out a visit one day, were my duties at home to have their downtime.”
“Can mesa be gettin’ back to mesa explainin’ of dis storm, Mister Jaani?”
“But of course! My apologies for the interruption.”
“It’s okie-day! Anywosa, da storm comin’ from da east, from da south tip of Svindaea.”
“Come again?”
“Da Kingdom of Svindaea, Missa Jinnah!”
“I tought dey vere allies of Asyyrgraad. Vy vould dey send a storm to a random Ferrojyan ship?”
“No idea, no! Only one beastie coulda summonin’ a storm so bad like dat!”
“Who, exactly?” asked Jaani.
“Meesa tink it coulda be one of da Shyytaani of Nivlhyym!”
“A Shyytaanus... no one hath heard of them for millennia, at least since the turn of Æpaaken.”
“It vould have to be de Shyytaanus of Lust, representing de Vater Element, in addition to dat of Avarice, representing Vind as vell, given de turbulence of de storm vhen ve fled.”
“So, two of the Shyytaani,” affirmed Jaani.
“But whaurfore wad they suddently show theirsels again efter several thousand years?”
“Perhaps dey sense vulnerability in Asyyrgraad. I myself have sensed it, vone of de reasons I departed.”
“So thou seekest external help? In such a situation, I am certain most nations across Baertaanjya would gladly assist thee, mine included.”
“Perhaps Okamihaimu and other nations in Vanaerhyym as well,” Shirley added, puffing her pipe.
“Sounds like a war’s coming!” suggested MOnty, taking his flask and uncorking it. “I’ll drink to that!”
“We would rather you didn’t, son,” warned Bill.
“Right, Dad,” Monty understood, corking and pocketing his flask, “but war is coming, ain’t it? Where do these Shitany folks come from? I know gold old Watson said off the coast of Svindaea, so... Asyyrgraad versus the Svindaeans! Should be a Hekh of a fight!”
“More of a fight with Hekh, the Hekhsynkyzr, dear Monty,” corrected Jaani.
“The Hexen-what, now?”
Jinnah signed and rolled her eyes. “De Hekhsynkyzr of Nivlhyym, its emperor, Monty. Vhere on Bystopfia do you tink de term Hekh comes from?”
“Eh? I thought it was some random swear, Lady Jinnah!”
“Hold your tongue and beak, Monty, or I vill shut it for you!” threatened Jinnah, her right hand grasping the Grypfaan’s beak.
“Mmph!”
“Act a little smarter, vould you?” Monty nodded, and she released his beak. “Very good, ja?”
“Sorry, sorry...”
“So long as you do not do it again, ve are good, ja?”
“Yes, Lady Jinnah.”
“Dat’s vhat I vant to hear! Now continue, Waattsuu!”
“Meesa be pleasure, Missa Jinnah! Actually, meesa tink dere be nothin’ left to say ‘bout dis matter. Yousa have da floor, lord admiral!”
“Ah thank ye, ma guid weather-man. As fer whit we can dae aboot this matter, we’ll blether wi our allies across Skwirlsha tae see if we can send scouts tae the sooth o Svindaea tae see whit’s amiss.”
“A sensible plan. Be there aught else we can do to assist?”
“Ye’s aw jist leave it tae us, an ye jist wory aboot returnin tae yer ain kintra, laddie! Ah’m shuir yer faimily’s richt woryin aboot ye, dependin hoo lang ye’ve been awa!”
“Indeed, and for that we thank thee, lord admiral. We shall bathe and change our garbs before we depart. I am certain Lord Jehuveshah would not take kindly to my impersonation of clergy.”
“Ah’m richt shuir aboot that! Thare’s facilities here for seamen an seawomen, sae ye can dae whate’er business ye hae here afore ye gang on oor way! An Ah dinnae mind ye wearin a sailor’s claes, Jaani! Ah think ye’d look richt braw in ane!”
Jaani laughed. “Let us away, then.”
5
Through the lobby they trekked, Monty winking at the admiral’s daughter before departing into the garrison’s exterior. The same squirrel shore patrolman from before was happy to lead them to another building, helping to carry their supplies as well. Inside, the party separated based on their sexes, Jaani leading Bill and Monty into the men’s facilities, where they stripped themselves.
“Weel, leuk here, noo!” one of the bare beasts, a bunny shorter than the arrivals, high-pitched, observed. “Whit’s a monk an his Grypfaan escorts daein here in a naval post like this?”
“We simply pass through,” Jaani suggested.
“Dinna wory, Mr. Monk, sir! Nane o us haes ony affection for clergy like ye!”
“That concerneth me not.”
“Micht ye like tae prick ane o us, eh?”
“I have no such desire.”
“Ah, follaein yer vows o chastity, eh? Come noo! Shuirly ye’ve fancied a wee bit o brotherly love, if ye get whit Ah’m sayin!”
“I remain a virgin, mind you, and intend to remain as such until I marry.”
“Marry wha, exactly? Ah thocht ye wur a monk! O coorse Ah dinnae blame ye fer wantin tae break yer chastity vows! It can get richt tense tryin tae bide soft wi aw yer religious duties an siclike!”
“Thou seemest somewhat soft, thyself.”
“Wha kens, that can chynge, sin ye’re a richt braw chiel! Ah can see the otter in ye, but an aa the bull, an donkey or rabbit like masel!”
“Fair supposition, young buck.”
“Young, ye think Ah am? Ah’m twenty years ‘young’ if that’s yer idea o youth! Ah dinnae think ye’re but a few years mair nor Ah am!”
“Three years thy senior.”
“Ye ken whit tae say, noo? Ah could richt weel be yer brither!”
“Aside from my lack of lapine blood.”
“Och, sae ye get yer lugs frae a donkey forebear, Ah see! Sae Ah’m richt proper in cryin ye a jackass, noo!”
“Watch thy tongue! I wish not for this war of words to become one of fists.”
The rabbit scoffed. “Ah cuid try gettin physical-like, but Ah’m richt shuir ye’d hae the upper haund wi thae bonnie horns ye hae! Tho Ah cuid dae somethin like this noo!”
“Of what dost thou--”
Suddenly, Jaani felt pressure upon his horns, after which came a flight through the air that disoriented him and caught him completely off guard. The prince expected a severe impact after his downward plight, but he felt himself suddenly in stasis, following which was a soft landing on his back.
“What in the name of Jehu just transpired?”
“Ah transpired, that’s whit, ye Kyymaer freak!” the rabbit sailor’s voice responded. “Ye want some mair, dae ye? Och! Let me gang, ye deil-bird-brained abominations!”
“Bill! Monty!”
Jaani got on his feet to see the Grypfaan father and son restraining the rabbit, who struggled to escape. The otter Kyymaer approached the lagomorph and slapped his left cheek with his dextral paw.
“I have had quite enough of thee, young officer. Mayhap some time in the brig, should there be one here, would serve thee well.”
“Ah’ve got this, noo!” a deeper voice assured, with a tall, muscular brown bear with brown fur, dark brown headfur, light brown eyes, and his sailor outfit on. “Seaman Humpfriere MykBunfock, whit hae ye got tae say fer yersel?”
“Maddy! Ah’m richt sorry, noo! But this Kyymaer an his birdie freends seem tae hae some kin o sorcery up their sleeves! Ye ken whit the Byybæl says — suffer nae a witch tae leeve!”
“Lord Jehuveshah only referred to malicious magicians, and aye, my Grypfaan companions are Aesfyyren.”
“Naethin wrang wi that in an o itsel!” the bear Maddy assured. “Ah’m sorry for ma plaything—erm, officer’s rowdy behaviour! He can be a richt fierce bunny, but he’s maistly a guid sailor, e’en if he likes tae show aff his guidness an taunt ithers!”
“No need for apologies, dear Maddy. Changed behavior is the best of all.”
“Och? Weel, he attackit someone o the cloth like yersel, did he no?”
“Thou referest to this?” Jaani responded, touching his monk’s garbs. “’Tis okay, for I am no priest or acolyte, even though I do follow the Asyyrkirk. I know ‘tis criminal to impersonate one of the cloth, so I suppose I have found a good stopping point for my charade.”
“Aye, ye hae tae be true tae yersel, like Humper an me are.”
The father and son released the rabbit sailor, who had seemed to calm down, after which he leapt into his commander’s arms, the two hugging affectionately, after which he leapt and pirouetted to settle his legs down Maddy’s shoulders, the bear securing the lagomorph’s legs.
“Jist wha are ye, actually? Ye seem tae come frae the deep sooth o Anagumayra gi’en yer accent, unless Ah’m mistak’n, some kin o noble gi’en yer speech patterns an mannerisms, as weel.”
“Indeed. My companions and I make way for Atturgraad.”
“Atturgraad, eh? Ye can say hello tae ma wee brither on the wey if ye arenae in ony hurry tae get there!”
“’Twould depend upon his homeland.”
“He bides in the capital o Hertfyyrd an rins a tavern there! His name’s Ourzanus — Ourza, he likes tae be cried.”
“Any surname of which we should be aware? I can manage that since ‘tis my homeland’s northern neighbor.”
“Aye, laddie. Ah can richt tell ye a last name tae keep an ee oot for, jist sae lang as ye can keep a secret or twa.”
“I can carry them to my grave, dear Maddy.”
“Can ye, noo? Weel, Ah can sense an aura o trust frae ye, sae here gangs!” Maddy then eyed the rabbit and commanded, “Ye can tak five noo, ma guid Humper!”
“Aye-aye, ensign!” saluted the bunny as he leapt from the bear’s shoulders and bounded away happily.
“By the wey, Maddyguus is ma hale first name. Ready tae learn ma faimily’s wee secret, noo?”
“Indeed.”
Maddy approached Jaani’s ear, whispering, “The last name’s Baertaanjyus.”
“By Jehu,” the prince quietly returned, “As in the dynasty that ruled these islands until the Second Æpaak ended?”
“The verra same, laddie, but dinnae gang blabbin it oot loud when ye dae get tae meet ma wee brither, sae jist ask aboot for Ourzanus.”
“That I shall do, dear Maddy.”
“Right, then! Onywey, Ah’m shuir Ah’ve blethered eneuch, sae ye can jist gang an tak yer shooers an chynge, if that’s whit ye were ettlin tae dae in the first place.”
“Aye, the morning ageth.”
“Jist be shuir no tae drap the soap! Ye ken hoo frisky men like ma beloved Humper can get wi that!”
Jaani chucked. “I shall be on my best guard, then. A pleasure to converse with thee.”
“Ye as weel, mister… whit wis yer name?”
“Jaani.”
“Right exotic an unique, if Ah say sae masel!”
“I could say the same of thine.”
“Onywey, gang on an clean yersel up, noo!”
“That I shall.” Jaani faced the Grypfaanen and invited, “Come with, everyone.”
Bill and Monty nodded, following Jaani towards the shower floor, where numerous nude seamen cleaned themselves. A sailor standing guard handed each a bar of soap, after which they entered the shower area where water precipitated upon them, and they carefully cleansed themselves.
“Ye seemed eerily silent during that whole affair,” Jaani told his companions. “Was something amiss?”
“In a sense,” responded Bill. “The populace of Okamihaimu doesn’t take well to unique individuals like Mr. Humper and Mr. Maddy.”
“Aye, I understand many areas of Bystopfia are not exactly enlightened as to certain forms of romance. I know the Byybæl condemneth such relationships as well.”
“Well, Johnny, there’s a little kingdom in Vanaerhyym called Yetiyaha were men can take as many wives as they want to! Hekh, there were men throughout history like in the Bibliotech that were really amorous in that regard!”
“So I have heard. Monogamous marriage hath been a policy of the Asyyrkirk since its inception at the dawn of the Second Æpaak. The various HIgh Zanktvatren have maintained that law mostly for face value since the wedding of a man and woman still remaineth a tradition even among many cultures without those in the faith.”
“Though I know Baertaanjya’s Zanktvatren have become somewhat more lenient later on in the Third Æpaak,” Bill noted.
“I’m fine with men loving men and women loving women as long as they don’t fling it in everyone’s face,” Monty stated. “What happens in the bedroom should be no one else’s damn business!”
“On that I can agree, dear Monty,” lauded Jaani.
“Hey, don’t you go doting on me now, Johnny, old boy!”
“Aye, mayhap I should choose my verbiage more carefully.”
6
Once sufficiently clean, the Grypfaanen and Jaani departed the shower quadrant back into the main region of the men’s changing area, where the avian Aesfyyren conjured Ma’ajyyk heat to dry themselves and their royal companion. Once all wetness was gone, they clothed themselves, Jaani putting on his Asyyrjugent uniform, Kampfenhut and all, while Bill and Monty put on their regal Asyyr attire. When they were outfitted, the seamen couldn’t help but admire them, with a few whistling affectionately.
“Ye’re leukin richt sharp, laddies!” commented Maddy, who had since donned his sailor uniform. “Ye maun be deil-heidit important beasts tae be dollin yersels up like that!”
“One could say such,” replied Jaani. “We have... connections.”
“Gie them Hekh, men!” encouraged Humper, who had bounded back into the scene, bouncing in place while giving fistcuffing gestures. “Weel, whate’er foes ye’ll be facin, political, military, or whitno!”
“’Twas a pleasure for us to acquaint ourselves with ye, even if the first impressions were not wholly positive.”
“Aye, Ah’m richt sorry fer bein a deil tae ye, Mr. Jaani, sir!” apologized Humper, who ceased bounding, standing in place and saluting. “Gang wi the guid Lord Jehuveshah, noo!”
“Ye as well,” returned Jaani as the other seamen in uniform saluted, the prince and Grypfaanen returning the gestures. Facing Maddy, the otter Kyymaer assured, “I shall keep a lookout for thy younger brother.”
“He’s a richt troublemaker, sae ye shuidnae hae ony problem findin him at aw ae ye get doon sooth.”
“We shall... keep that in mind. Come with, men! We cannot delay the women any longer.”
Thus, the male travelers retrieved their clothing baskets and finally departed the men’s changing and showering area. Once in the hallway separating the genders’ facilities, they immediately saw Jinnah and Shirley with their own baskets in tow, which they set down, as did the men. Jinnah had outfitted herself in a white hooded wintercoat that fell a little short of touching the floor, and Shirley was outfitted the same, her pipe in her beak.
As bathed and clothed sailors emerged en masse from the men and women’s sectors, Jaani indicated, “I think we can take our leave now. Had ye any trouble refreshing and clothing thyselves?”
“Trouble? Dat vould be de understatement of de millennium!”
“Oh? What transpired?”
“It was like a stinking harem in there,” answered Shirley, taking a forceful drag from her pipe and exhaling the aromatic smoke to where it fogged the hallway. However, the seamen and seawomen seemed not to mind, as the T’Bakgo was of good quality, with a hint of cherry. “They didn’t seem to care at all that I am a married woman, even with my wedding ring!”
“I got it much vorse. Dose degenerates loved to feel my vool, especially vhen I vas nude!”
“Sheep wool is a pleasant feel,” Jaani noted.
“Ja, no kidding! I am glad dey found me beautiful, but a great many tried to—vell—corrupt me.”
“They tried to rape you, eh, Jenny?” Monty asked out of nowhere.
“Indeed, though I wouldn’t have put it as bluntly,” Shirley answered.
“Are you okay, Mom?”
“Yes, I could pretty much hold my own, Monty, dear. We are Aesfyyren, after all.”
“Thy husband and son had my back in the men’s area, and for that I am grateful, Lady Shirley. How did thou and Jinnah hold off the horde of seawomen?”
“I hazed the area with a combination of my pipe smoke and Ma’ajyyk, and Lady Jinnah and I were thus safe to shower and clothe.”
“Ve also got a little help from our new friends, the MykCatoons.”
“The Mickawho?” Monty inquired.
“That’d be us, laddies!” responded two identical-sounding female voices belonging to twin feline seawomen, gray-furred, redheaded, yellow-eyed, and with ears whose points bore significant forward sags.
“Lyndaleod MykCatoon, at yer service!” introduced the first, saluting. “But ye can cry me Lynda!”
“At yer service, Quendaleod MykCatoon!” her twin added, saluting also. “But Quenda, ye can cry me!”
“Lynda! Quenda!” greeted a familiar high-pitched husky male voice, with Jaani and company noticing Maddy and Humper enter the scene, exchanging hugs with the feline sisters (the latter needing to leap and hug each of the cats). Maddy asked, “Hoo the Hekh are ye, lasses?”
“Fair, we suppose.”
“We suppose fair.”
“A true band of brothers and sisters,” observed Jaani. “Well, honorary brothers, in Maddy and Humper’s case.”
“Ye dinnae need tae share bluid tae be a brither, Brither Jaani!” Humper philosophied; while a sudden forward bound by the bunny at first unnerved him, the prince took relief in that it was for want of a hug. “Ah’ve a sister but nae brithers, but Ah can find substitutes in dear freends like yersel!”
“My thanks,” bid Jaani, who noticed that the rabbit hadn’t released his clutch. “Thou canst let go, now.”
“Aye, sorry, mister,” apologized the lagomorph as he lightened his clutch and gently used his rabbit feet to push himself apart from the otter Kyymaer. “Ah howp we can keep in touch, if ye want!”
“I am certain we shall meet again, one day.”
“Just in case,” Bill indicated, tapping his forehead, which gave Jaani a brief rush through his mind.
“Ta, mister!” the lapine seaman chimed.
“Lord Bill...” addressed Jaani as he faced the Grypfaan. “What didst thou...”
“Ma’ajyyk, of course!
“I shan’t inquire further,” the prince replied in a lower voice. Raising it back up, he told his company, “I think ‘twould be best if we made our egress hence. We have a fair distance to traverse to Atturgraad.”
“Ja, let’s go!”
7
The company left the building, trekking to the main gates, where two parallel lines of sailors stood starting from the stable building south of the lighthouse. On the road the seamen bordered stood a fanciful carriage that a sturdy cockroach fronted. The travelers headed to the vehicle, where they saw Admiral MykLoenin and his seawoman daughter on both sides of the carriage’s open door. When the wayfarers approached and stopped, both lions saluted.
“What transpireth?” asked Jaani.
“That we’re here tae see ye aff ‘transpireth,’ laddies an lassies!” responded the admiral. “Whit, did ye think we’d jist let ye leave wi nae kind o fanfare?”
“Ja, ve needed a new carriage, lord admiral, but ve barely know each odder, let alone de sailors of dis port!”
“Kind an carin guests are aye welcome at Port Laevebutte! We can sense ye’ll dae great things ane day, an Ah’m richt shuir we’ll meet again in some form or anither!”
“Maybe after death,” Jaani heard Bill mumble.
“Whitiver the case, we can at least keep in touch if ye’re willin!”
“We can, but...”
Jaani suddenly felt a brief tingle through his mind akin to that after Seaman MykBunfock expressed a similar desire for continued contact, which had him gaze about, and he saw that Shirley was touching her talons to her forehead just as her husband had done before.
Rather than demonstrate concern for what the Grypfaanin had done, perhaps through Ma’ajyyk, the prince invited, “Thou art also welcome to visit me and my family down south in Anagumayra.”
“Ah winnae forget tae write ye noo an again, laddie!”
“My thanks.” Jaani faced his companions and asked, “Be ye ready to leave now?”
They nodded, and the prince entered the carriage first, finding the traveling compartment sufficiently roomy and spacious, with bluish carpeting, similarly-toned seat cushions, backsides, and a polished wooden ceiling from which hung a lantern that had an ethereal flame providing good light. The otter Kyymaer sat at the curtained window in the front sinistral area, gazing outside to glimpse the celebrating sailors.
Jaani witnessed Maddy, Humper riding his shoulders, and the MykCatoons approach and wave, saying, “This is a worthy sendoff I shall never forget.”
“Ye’re ane tough dug, Ah can tell ye!” chimed Humper. “Or… whitiver a Kyymaer like yersel’s cried.”
Jaani knew Humper meant “dog.” “’Dug’ would suffice, as I am largely and visually lutrine.”
“Say hello tae Ourza when ye get tae Hertfyyrd!”
“That I shall, dear Maddy.”
“Ye’re a richt dashin laddie, Jaani!” the MykCatoons lauded.
“Back at ye... lassies.” To hear this abashed the twins, who began to swoon. Mercifully, Humper promptly leapt from Maddy’s shoulders to support them before their heads impacted the road. Laughing, Jaani observed. “’Twasn’t difficult for them to find true love.”
“Och, but they hae awready, laddie!”
“Be they betrothed?”
“In a fashion!” answered Humper as he leapt back onto the bear’s shoulders. “We’ve richt pledged oorsels tae them, an they tae us!”
“’Tis a curious thing to say. Who shall wed whom?”
“Aw for ane, an ane for aw, laddie!” answered Maddy.
“I still follow not...”
“Basically,” began Lynda as she louped back tae her feet.
Her sister did the same, continuing, “Whit he’s sayin...”
“...is that we’re aw...”
“Startin a faimily!” the siblings simultaneously proclaimed.
“Families, ye mean?”
“No, laddie!” Maddy replied. “A faimily! Ane big happy faimily!”
“I comprehend not what ye attempt to tell me...”
“Clan Bearcathare!” Humper identified. “A happy faimily wi twa cats, a bear, an a hare! Weel, technically, rabbit, but it disnae rin aff the tongue as weel...”
“Not exactly the kind of family I have in mind. Typically ‘tis a husband and wife and whatever scion they procreate.”
“A terrestrial definition of marriage,” interjected Jinnah, sitting by Jaani. “De Byybæl doesn’t term wedding as being solely between vone man and vone voman. Before de rise of de Asyyrkirk, many had broader ideas of romance, like de ancient Hellanejyans.”
“A segment of Bystopfian history with which I am not fully versed.”
“Ja, perhaps because modern texts on our vorld’s chronicles leave out dat vich their authors deem ‘inconvenient.’”
“Well, I trusted my nation’s scholars and their words of wisdom during my university studies.”
“Did you miss a lot of classes, play hooky, or even graduate?”
“Well, I was the celebratory sort, but I never neglected my studies and am a Master in Diplomacy.”
“Perfect for a politician such as yourself, and I am certain you shall make a vonderful leader, should your character reflect your pedagogy.”
“Then what is amiss, Lady Jinnah?”
“You may be able to read, but perhaps you lack de ability to question all dat you allow into your mind.”
“Aye, but the education I received throughout my life hath been from those versed well in their fields.”
“Hmph! Any imbecile can study, memorize trivial tings, pass assessments, vrite persuasively, graduate, and receive a degree in any field!”
“I assure thee, Lady Jinnah, that I am no imbecile.”
“A sheet of paper is no true measure of somevone’s intellect!”
“Well, I have retained much of the knowledge that led to my degree, and I am certain that it is sound education that hath helped me once I departed university.”
“True, ja, but dere is a difference betveen being truly intelligent and knowing and believing dat vich is simply untrue.”
“A sensible point, dear Jinnah.”
“I am certain you can read and interpret text, but do you have de ability to qvestion all dat you read?”
“If thou referest to the Byybæl, then I have the utmost faith in the Lord Jehuveshah and His truth.”
“Ja, I am of de Asyyrkirk as you probably know, and it can bring out de best of somevone depending upon who dey are. But can you acknowledge dat vone can misinterpret many passages?”
“Ah, thou referest to suffering no warlock or witch to live? I am aware of the historical context of lines such as those, and have studied a fair bit of the Asyyr language. Jeu directed the warning versus those who maliciously practiced Ma’ajyyk. Those who use it for good are at no risk for death and damnation.”
“Ja, I am qvite versed in de Asyyr tongue myself, but de priests of Anagumayra I know have mistranslated it to their language, and dose across Bystopfia who speak Anagumayran, including dose across de ocean in Vanaerhyym, have received de same textbook localization. As a result, many versed in Ma’ajyyk, mainly vith great talent, including dose who use it for good, have been incinerated at de stake, hanged, or crushed under stones.”
“Hardly a thing like that has happened in Anagumayra, Lady Jinnah,” countered Bill. “The culture of the mystics that have for the past Æpaaken been indigenous to our homeland have been with maybe exceptions accepted as equals.”
“Ja, I know, Uncle Bill, but not across all of Bystopfia.”
“Perhaps you refer to the New Yerushalyym Ma’ajyyk Trials?” asked Shirley, puffing contemplatively on her pipe.
“Among odder events like dat, ja.”
“It was due to tainted food, Lady Jinnah,” corrected Bill.
“But again, verses of de Byybæl can be vell taken out of context. Another example: it says dat whatever vone does should be done for de glory of Jehu. Do you tink vone could do horrible tings for His glory?”
“Thou pickest and choosest verses, deare Jinnah, and I am certain the Lord Jehuveshah Himself would do no such thing.”
“Perhaps, but vone should never be a sheep to deir faith.”
“Thou callest me ovine? Such xenophobic verbiage, especially coming from someone such as thyself, Lady Jinnah. Not all ‘sheep’ behave blindly, and those who do represent not their species.”
“Ja, ja, I apologize.”
“’Tis okay...”
“Hey, noo!” Jaani heard a strong unfamiliar voice alert. “Dae ye want tae haver aw day lang aboot philosophy an siclike?”
“My apologies, good sir,” the prince stated as he gazed at the open carriage door, seeing a towering reindeer sailor, redheaded and bearded, fanciful braids on both, his blue eyes piercing but not showing malice. “We had but ended our conversation, and we are sorry to have delayed thee.”
“It’s nae problem at aw, laddie! It’s jist that ye’d hae had plenty o time tae blether on the trip we cuid’ve been on mony minutes syne! Time can be a precious resource for mony in the warld, ye ken!”
“Quite true, good sir.”
“Indeed! That’s the kind o philosophy ye shuid’ve follaed in the first place! Coachman MykCarob, by the wey — Rendeorf MykCarob — but ye can cry me Ren!”
“That I shall, Ren.”
“Let’s get a move on noo, shall we?”
The reindeer leapt onto the driver’s seat of the carriage, a second after which came a female voice, “Wait!”
“Whit noo?” the caribou coachman grumpily wondered as Admiral MykLoenin’s daughter appeared. “Ah, Leioshia, Ah’d gladly dae onythin for a bonnie lass like yersel!”
“So that’s your name?” Monty, sitting close to the open door, observed when she approached. “Monty, if you didn’t know.”
“Monty, is it?”
“W... why would you, of all beasts, come just to see us off?”
“Ye really left a lastin first impression on me! Ye’re a braw ane as weel!”
“But I... thought you were already betrothed, Layla!”
“Ah’m still a virgin, sae ae wee peck winnae hurt, will it?”
“You...want me to peck you? With my beak? I mean, I could, but I’m afraid I’d hurt you, maybe even kill you, since my pecks can get really sharp, more so if I lose control of my Ma’ajyyk...”
“No, ye daft Grypfaan! Ah’m talkin aboot a different kin o peck — a kiss, Ah mean!”
Monty rubbed the back of his neck, nervously replying, “Well, being a Grypfaan, I’ve never... really associated the term with anything else like a kiss. It’s pretty damn difficult for us Grypfaanen to kiss formally, so we’re more or less the hugging type. You can kiss me, yeah, but I won’t be able to return the favor, if it’s okay with you.”
“It’s nae problem, really, laddie! Sae, here Ah gang!” Leiosha kissed Monty on his beak, which gave him a great happy feeling that made him faint, slumping on his seat. “A fainter, eh? Ower bad we cannae say guidbye in words. Ah weel, ye hae a safe trip, aabody!”
“Miss Leiosha,” Bill addressed.
“Ah, his da, no?”
“Give me a few seconds,” the Grypfaan patriarch indicated, touching his forehead for a second before relaxing.
“Whit did ye… och, Ah get it! Thanks, Ah’ll be shuir tae write!”
After the lioness left, Coachman MykCarob asked from his seat outside, “Noo that that business is ower wi, are ye ready tae leave for real this time?”
“By all means, yes!” Shirley, closest to the open carriage door, replied, shutting it. “Drive on, Sir Coachman!”
“Ah telt ye, ye can cry me Ren!”
“Let’s leave then... Ren.”
7
Ren lashed his whip on his roach, with the carriage setting off. Shirley took a long drag of her pile and exalted to the point of hazing the interior, though the others minded not as it was a pleasant scent.
Afterward, she eyed her son and observed, “At least it’s not from Auelkuul.”
“All the more likely this shall be a pleasant journey, dear Shirley,” Jaani foresaw, taking in the cherry-scented T’Bakgo. “Nothing like a pleasant aroma therapy.”
“You’re welcome,” the Grypfaanin responded, putting her pipe’s stem back into her beak, moving back into her seat and crossing one leg over the other.
The couple opened the rear carriage window and secured it so all passengers could gaze backward at the base, the sailors lauding their departure and waving their adieus, the gates ultimately closing and the vehicle turning north on the path bordering the port, with Ren redirecting it eastward once it reached the seaside highway, mercifully bordered by a meter-high wall in case of some sort of accident.
The highway ran southeastward for a minute or so, passing a southwesterly intersection that indicated it would ultimately lead underground into Nybehlunken territory before gradually curving southward, vast farmland to the west, and on an intersection leading to the seaside community of Port Stoatius, and ran for a couple hundred Einmytren before beginning a southwesterly undulation, during which the nautical settlement became visible eastward beyond a lake, after which the carriage came into seemingly endless farmlands.
“Farms as far as one can glimpse,” indicated Jaani as he gazed outside the vehicle’s posterior window.
“Enjoy the view,” Shirley invited, sucking on her pipe and releasing another haze of cherry-scented smoke, which felt lighter due to the ventilation the open panel provided.
“Thanks for keeping us warm, dear,” Bill bid as he put an arm around his wife.
“You’re welcome, everyone,” Shirley responded.
“Ja, I don’t vant to be sealed in here vithout being able to totally take in de scenery.”
“’Tis fortunate we have Aesfyyren on our side.”
“How are they treated in Atturgraad, Your Highness?” Bill asked.
“We are a fairly enlightened kingdom, I assure.”
“More so than Okamihaimu?”
“I know naught of thy fatherland, Sir Bill, so to that I cannot attest. Perhaps thou wouldst will to ‘enlighten’ us about that niche of Bystopfia?”
“Where to begin...” Bill touched his forehead with two talons as he had done when providing addresses to others before. Then could Jaani visualize in his mind vivid visions of as the Grypfaan begin to narrate his homeland’s chronicles, maybe the result of his Ma’ajyyk. “At the dawn of the First Æpaak, following the endless Fymblvetr, the ancestral inhabitants of what today is Okamihaimu emerged from their subterranean hideaways, having dwelt with their Nybhaelunken brethren throughout the course of the eternal winter that raged Bystopfia centuries after the great Igdrashid struck the world in what is now Bavrlonjia, to embrace the warmer climate of the land made more habitable, one of many consequences of Vohtaanus and his brothers Hartnyyr and Loewdoer.”
“Ah, founders of Asyyrgraad.”
“The very same. As for ancient Okamihaimu, the inhabitants, mostly of the lupine variety, began to stake their claims to the land and brought their sundry tribes to survey the land and establish many permanent settlements, but others sought migration elsewhere across that region of Vanaerhyym. Tribes like the Ookaamuu, the largest and namesake of the eventual federation that rules today, remained to establish basic political and economic infrastructure alongside their various forms of residence. They negotiated treaties with other tribes like the Schrœki, Foakksen, Coneymoan, even welcoming many into their ranks and providing hybrid descendants as the citizens do today still. They were very much in touch with their environments and learned to channel the Igdrasoers to their own means.”
“So Ma’ajyyk existed back then?”
“Indeed, far before it was termed as such.”
“Art thou and thy wife descended from them?”
“In some cases, mostly in regards to our avian sides, although our leonine blood traces back to Aulvenheim, given that scarcely a lion inhabited Vanaerhyym before, during, and after the Fymblvetr.”
“So I see. Thou canst continue.”
“Will do! The territory was largely at peace. that is, until the beginning of the Asyyr-Nivl War that ended the First Æpaak, when Asyyrkanzler Fynnraer MykAuelf tempted Prince Hodyuer to murder his older brother, Crown Prince Baaldyur, and fled to Nivlhyym. Soldiers of Sanktkoenig Vohtaanus marched south into the Vanaer Continent, through what today is the Empire of Vanaerhyym, with many happily converting to the Asyyrkirk, Aesfyyren among them proving to be great boons. Similarly, the Hekhsynkyzr’s forces got their share of allies from Southern Vanaerhyym, which had been dominated by the Injyuuka and Amaazonjya Empires, the latter’s military in particular more than happy to fight for Nivlhyym given their view that females are often supremacist to males, whom they frequently enslaved for labor and sexual purposes.”
“Aye, I know that men have throughout history been oppressive towards women, but those who are oppressed, when liberated, often risk becoming oppressors themselves, a risk of any revolution.”
“Luckily, matters of gender never occurred to those indigenous to Northern Vanaerhyym, although in many respects, that attitude shifted with the arrival of Asyyrgraad’s military, many who viewed women as subservient to men, although the belief was not universal since Vohtaanus Himself respected all female beasts, including his consort Ljyunaria. Anyway, the opposing militaries would ultimately meet in Central Vanaerhyym, dominated in the north by Azstlaan Empire and the south by Mayronliu Empire, whose governments were deeply divided on whom to serve, and thus experienced endless internal strife, some of which continues to this very day. The militaries of Asyyrgraad and Nivlhyym experienced similar standstills in the other continents across Bystopfia, although the seas were largely at peace, with the various nautical beasts caring not about what transpired upon the land and remaining isolated, as many of them still do today, form the terrestrial world.”
“It soundeth not a pleasant part of the world to visit. Have ye been there before?”
“Indeed, and it’s not too far from southern Okamihaimu. A scenic trip through our country’s southern neighbor Taijeronaea, once part of Azstlaan--but that’s a talk for another time. The borders between the southwest kingdoms of the Vanaer Empire are in many respects... insecure, depending upon whomever you ask, but the Azstlaani people more southward into its myriad kingdoms are pleasant in many respects and have very colorful culture stemming from influence by the Kingdom of Hasepanjya on mainland Aulvenhyym when they visited in the early years of the Third Æpaak, but yet another talk for another time.”
“I would like to hear it one day, should I ever find the time.”
“And I shall always be willing to tell it to Your Highness. Anyway, back to the Asyyr-Nivl War, the clash of both nations provided ample opportunity for Vohtaanus, his consort, and God-General Bruinhylde Reyvngard, the first Lady Valkjyure, along with the lesser Lords of Asyyrgraad. The Vasserherr, Nutriadeus Ottalujya, representing Water. The Uhrdherr, Teryleus Mellydeus, representing Earth. Vuudheer Vatrnatur Vulpsgott, representing Wood. Faearherr Vulkanuus Doragmyr, representing Fire. Bluttherr Tÿriuus Tygrdeus, representing Blood. And Vundherr Skiwaalus Skurideus, representing Wind.”
“I have met dem before.”
“Many times, Lady Jinnah, but this is neither the time nor the place for that,” Shirley admonished.
“Continuing,” resumed Bill, “The Zanktkoenig, his consort, and the elemental lords, traversed the Ottalujya Ocean to Nivlhyym, with the southern icecap of Bystopfia relatively easy to traverse since Nivl forces had largely been dealt with in Southern Vanaerhyym. Although the Vyssigjylen granted Vohtaanus and his lesser lords godly invulnerability, each Sigjylelzorder kept their own sizable land forces, protected by the might of their masters’ runes, so that they were able to keep distance between themselves and whatever Nivl forces they encountered, which were luckily few and far in between. To the Nivl capital of Pandamonjyum, encircled by the great citadel of Kokkytus, similar to Asyyrgraad’s Gladshyym and Zyyaeon, they marched, laying siege and battling the Shyytaani and their respective defenders of the southern twin cities. They carved a path to the Hehksynkyzr’s palace, subjugating the Dark Emperor’s forces and making way to his throne room. There began the final confrontation between the Master of Shadows and Vohtaanus, his lesser lords apt to assist him. The conflict raged, with neither side being advantageous.”
“Ah, this is when Lord Vohtaanus’ great sacrifice cometh.”
“The good part of the story, yes. The Virtuaani realized that no matter how hard they tried, they could not scathe the Hekhsynkyzr’s ethereal form, and thus, Vohtaanus had an idea. The Lord of Asyyrgraad pondered how to make physical and vulnerable the Dark Lord’s form, and had the instinct to tear out his left eye, with the bloodflow great, as he drew near to the Emperor’s armored form, with the other Virtuaani distracting him. Making certain to drench his dismembered eye in his own white blood, the Zanktkoenig reached through a gap between the plates of the Hekhsynkyzr’s armor and squeezed mightily.
“However, forcing his left hand through the Warlock Emperor’s ethereal form pained and withered Vohtaanus’ arm, and as the Lord of Nivlhyym’s physical form manifested beneath his armor a great burst forced the Asyyr God backward, although he shielded his impacts using the powers of the Supreme Vyssigjyel, continuing to empower it while healing His injured self, which consumed a great deal His and the rune’s power, and He fell into a deep unconsciousness. In the meanwhile, the other Virtuaani pierced the Hekhsynkyzr with their runes’ sword forms, dissolving his physical form while fragmenting his soul into their blades’ respective Sigjylelen, thus ending the Asyyr-Nivl War and ushering in the Second Æpaak, which commended the next year after the two-thousandth of the First.”
“Aye, and Vohtaanus awoke after three days of unconsciousness back in Gladshyym,” continued Jaani, knowing the story, “along with the other Virtuaani and their respective forces, none who had to die due to the protection of their masters’ respective Sigjylelen. Although the Vyssigjylel survived and would do so to this day, the taint of the Dark Lord remained with the Zanktkoenig, and no degree of Ma’ajyyk, medicine, or the power of the other Sigjylelen could repair his left eye or arm. While the taint of one of the Dunksigjylelen would normally rob a Syrapfer of their immortality, the Galtapflen of Igdraskjyu would sustain Him, and He still reigneth today.”
“Supposedly,” Jaani could hear Jinnah mutter.
“And the foundation of the Asyyrkirk was lain,” the prince added, ignoring her.
“Indeed,” continued Bill. “Vohtaanus dispatched Zanktvatren to each of our world’s continents: Aulvenhyym, Vanaerhyym, Muzpelhyym, Jotunhyym, Nidavellyyr, and Svartalfhyym, to lead his religious order, and most of those who had allied with Asyyrgraad in the war were more than happy to convert, with the nations modernizing, at least as they would have by the standards then. Finally going back to Okamihaimu...”
“Bill, please,” insisted Shirley. “You’ve babbled enough, and we all thank you for the wonderful history lesson. You really should have just focused on our home country, and I am certain you have drained your Igdrasoers in creating vivid images in our minds. Please, rest a little.”
“Now that you mention it, dear, I do feel a little...” Then Bill slumped backward on his seat, sound asleep like his son. As he did so, Jaani could hear him mumble, “Prin... cess...”
“Princess?” the otter Kyymaer repeated.
“Pay him no heed!” suggested Shirley, blowing a stream of pipe smoke at the prince, which pleased him romantically but made him forget about Bill’s utterance.
8
During this time, the carriage had passed into subterranean territory, Shirley’s pipe providing ample light with many a Nybehlunk and their transports coming and going, along with branches leading towards their underground civilizations. The vehicle ultimately existed into an undulating chasm that guided them southward into a mercantile town whose streets seemed vacant at this time of the year, although many of the stores were still open for business, and all seemed peaceful.
The transition into the following town, Lakkadell, had a largely canine population of different breeds, with Skwirlshan Terriers seeming the most common, other species of canids present, not to mention the occasional hybrid, most of these bearing a smidgeon of canid features.
The next major city was Starnomole, its populace comprised mostly of moles with noses roughly shaped like stars. Although Jaani had heard that these beasts tended to have ocular difficulties, most with maybe a few exceptions, mainly the children, seemed to navigate the streets just fine, and the younglings themselves in most cases had parental escorts, a few perched upon their shoulders.
Ren drove the carriage to the southwestern portion of the city, halting in a docking area and informing his passengers, “Weel, here we are, laddies an lassies — Starnomole Port! Here we’ll catch a ship soothwart tae the mainland! Get oot, noo!”
The passengers got out of the carriage, with Jaani inquiring, “Be this where we part ways?”
“Och, nae, laddie! Ah’m comin wi ye aw the wey tae Atturgraad! Ah ken Baertaanjya like the back o ma hooves! Ma carriage an roach are comin alang an aw!”
“Qvite reassuring, ja.”
“Will we be traveling on a civilian vessel or military transport?” asked Shirley.
“The latter, lass! E’rybody kens me roond these pairts, an as Ah’m a sailor masel, ye’re aw unner ma protection!”
“I was a soldier once back in Okamihaimu,” indicated Bill, “so they have backup, should it be needed.”
“I am adept in combat, myself,” the prince added.
“You’ve also got our Ma’ajyyk as well, Remy!” added Monty.
“As long as you work in conjunction with your father and me rather than going at it alone like before, hopefully we shall fare better than we did back north.”
“Sure, Mom, teamwork’s everything!”
“We’ve got oor ain share o’, weel, Ma’ajyykl backup, tae.”
The Grypfyyns gazed at one another, their patriarch eying Ren and affirming, “We shall take you up on that.”
“Come alang then, laddies an’ lassies! The Lowvengrin’s richt an’ ready tae tak us on!”
9
Ren descended from the driver seat and guided his roach towards the mentioned docked vessel, which hardly distinguished itself from other ships Jaani had taken throughout his trip. The reindeer led his beast and transport towards a horizontal plank that led into a middle level of the vessel, with his passengers heading for the roped wooden staircase, many seafarers ascending and descending it, the latter mostly sailors prepping the ship for departure.
Once aboard, the travelers accustomed themselves to the sight of a Skwirlshan military ship, with kilted sailors replacing those from the Havfresa’s Ferrojyan seamen and seawomen. Naval officers conversed, as did similar passengers, many whose outfits deviated from those of the sailors only slightly in many respects, with the standard Skwirlshan colors of white and blue among others.
Jaani gazed towards the fore, where he glimpsed an imposing figure outfitted in naval attire like the other seamen, although the back of his middy extended to his ankles like a cape, his black hair in a braid that extended midway. terminated towards its end by a ribbon. Ears extended from each side of his beret, indicative of lapine or asinine lineage. Fascinated, the prince trekked towards the stranger, seeing that he remained perfectly still aside from the winter wind shifting his middy-cape.
“A fine morning to thee, sir,” greeted Jaani as he removed his Kampfenhut and bowed, returning to his upright position after a few seconds and putting his hat back on.
After a few seconds, the enigmatic caped one spoke: “Friend Holtjaan.”
“A friend, thou termest me? I am flattered, though I see not why one would deem me thus whilst knowing naught about me. And I would prefer to be called Jaani in my travels, since I wish not to let my... various connections be known to all Bystopfia.”
“Friend Jaani, then.”
“And what may I call thee... friend?”
“Ekabitus Tabunyys.”
“Quite the burden upon one’s tongue, Friend... Ekabi...”
“Friend Ekabi acceptable.”
“Indeed. A pleasure to meet thee, Friend Ekabi. Hath thy name any meaning?”
“Red Hare. Coneymoan language.”
“I have heard about the tribe name from friends.”
“Okamihaimu, southwest. Monasookuni, hometown.”
“I have never visited that part of Bystopfia and probably never will, but I happen to know a little about thy country’s history from a family thence.”
“Friends Bill, Shirley, and Monty?”
“By Jehu... thou knowest them?”
“Yes. Go back years.”
“Friend Ekabi!” Shirley’s voice greeted from behind. “It’s been ages!”
“Ages, yes.”
Jaani pirouetted, noticing the Grypfaanen arriving near the fore. Surprisingly behind them was Ekabi, with his deep, piercing, dark brown eyes, his fur deep red except for a visible pink area indicating his nose. In his new location, the lagomorph remained near-perfectly still, the winter wind barely brushing the plumage of his beret and braids, two of which ran down his front, tied by ribbons like his back braid. Another surprise was that the hare seemed not to blink at all, even after a quarter of a minute. His teleportation further seemed to have caught the Gripfyyns off guard, and they turned to face the lapine.
“Up to your old tricks as always, eh, Echo Friend?” Monty laughed.
Ekabi grunted. “New friends, after time apart.”
“Hello!” greeted Jinnah as she arrived. “I’ve never seen a live Yndijin before! Tanks for being our allies in de Asyyr-Nivl var!”
“Friend Jinnah. To meet you, pleasure. But too young, Asyyr-Nivl War, to remember.”
“Vell, I am vay too young to have seen it! I’m just saying, Asyyrgraad vill always be grateful for how you helped us in dat var!”
“A deceiver, nostalgia.”
“I’m vay too young as vell to be de nostalgic type, Friend Ekabi!”
“Asyyr historians nostalgic, narcissists, to narrate past blindly.”
“Nottin wrong vith a little pride for your country and its history!”
“Homelands, not choose. Foolish, patriotism.”
“True,” agreed Bill. “As one of the founders of the Union of Vanaerhyym said, disagreement with your homeland and its history can be high patriotism.”
“Foe Jirafersen. Merciless Yndijin savages, hypocritically say. No beast equal at creation. All unique, incomparable to others.”
“Vell, you could say ve are all equal in de eyes of Lord Jehuveshah.”
“Disagree. Jehu judge discriminately. Good, He bless. Bad, He damn.”
“The Byybæl sayeth only the repentant are truly worthy of forgiveness and His blessings.”
“Words match action, yes.”
“Speaking of ‘action,’ Friend Ekabi,” Shirley began, “what have you been up to since Bill and I left for Asyyrgraad?”
“Migrate east. Seek purpose. Cross Ottalujya. Traverse Erminaeya. Cross sea to Oszotavia. Go further north. Cross to Hayharseria. Northeast into Loewsiaria. Meet wife Bonnie. Wed. Have twins. Son Ekselxior. Daughter Ekabishea.”
“Ah heard ma name an’ couldnae help but jine the blether!” Here, a short blonde, blue-eyed, white-furred rabbit in a sailor outfit, beret, kilt, and all, approached and hugged Ekabi from behind, which seemed not to faze him, as he continued to remain still. “Husband Ekabi, whit’s gaun on here?”
“New friends. We converse.” Ekabi then introduced Jaani and his companions, with Bonnie facing each when her husband mentioned them, perhaps guiding her through Ma’ajyyk. “Friend Jaani, most of all. Reunion with Gripfyyns. Grateful.”
“’Tis my pleasure, Friend Ekabi. A fine morning to thee, Bonnie, is it?”
“Bonnietarah MykBunfock Tabunyys, at yer service!” Jaani hummed at her maiden name. “Och, Ah see ye’ve met ma wee brither Humper, hae ye?”
“Indeed,” assured Jaani, suspecting Ekabi was using Ma’ajyyk. “He seemeth well back north.”
“Ah ken, Ah ken, he’s startin’ a family wi’ thae bonnie cat twins, an’ his bear lover, naw?”
Jaani nodded. “An’ ye’re jist tryin’ tae get back hame frae yer wee trip tae Asyyrgraad, arenae ye?”
Jaani smiled. “Relax, now! Ye’re in guid hauns wi’ ma husband keepin’ guard o’er this ship! Through stormy weather she’ll get ye closer tae yer destination!”
“I trust thee, madam.”
“Och, Ah’m richt sure it winnae be like yer last trip oot at sea, whit wi’ that nasty storm an’ aw! Likely ’cause they didnae hae protection frae Ma’ajyyk!”
“Luckily, Monty protected us from the worst of it.”
“Weel, that winnae richt bloody happen again on this trip, we assure ye! Mah husband an’ his lads’ll be richt sure tae prepare fer the worst, natural or supernatural, an’ we’re sure yer Aesfyyren Grypfaanen freends’ll be mair than happy tae tighten oor defenses should somethin’ like that occur!”
“I shall hold thee to thy word, madam.”
“An’ that I’ll keep, Mr. Jaani, sir! We can talk mair after lunch, the hour efter this ship sets sail!”
“I always enjoy good, constructive conversation.”
10
Then a bell rang several times on deck, with a seaman’s announcement: “The Lowvengrin’s ready tae depart! Destination — MykBullqueen, Skwyraea!”
The ship’s sails unfurled, the anchor rose, the connections between the vessel and the jetty severed, and off it sailed southward, gradually moving into a southeasterly direction once it had distanced itself enough from the docks of Stornowaal. The vessel settled into a south-southeasterly direction and swiftly sailed, the land disappearing to the east.
A few minutes later, Jaani could glimpse off the starboard side a castle that seemed as though it had existed since the Second Æpaak. The prince could see soldiers patrolling atop the walls and on the grounds surrounding the fortress, indicating it was still in use. Many vessels docked on the sea adjacent to the place, a few patrols dotting the water yonder.
The Lowvengrin turned due southeast to circumnavigate a peninsula that had arrived a few minutes into the voyage, with a fishery and lighthouse populating the jut of land, many naval vessels defending it as well, a few patrolling nautically. Once beyond, the ship straightened its course southward, the western mainland farther away as a result.
Rugged mountains replaced the peninsula, with Jaani asking, “So, shall we settle in if we have cabins?”
“Och, I’ve a few for ye and yer friends, Jaani lad!” assured Ren. “Come along, now!”
The prince and his companions began to trek afterward across the deck, although Ekabi remained in place even as everyone passed him. Around this time, two young rabbits, around twelve years old, both outfitted in Skwirlshan sailor attire fit for their sizes and sexes, joined them. The boy had blonde hair, deep brown eyes, and white fur with a reddish muzzle that ran down the front of his neck into his clothing, and seemed excitable. The girl moved more subtly, with long back hair braided behind her head, blue eyes, and pure red fur.
“Father Ekabi!” the boy shouted in a subtle Skwirlshan accent, though he was far more coherent than the other Skwirlshans Jaani had encountered.
“Father Ekabi...” the girl echoed in a lower volume.
Jaani gazed backward and saw the boy leap and hug the Yndijin hare, while the girl touched him with a paw, Ekabi having pirouetted since the otter Kyymaer last saw. Unmoved by their affection, the lapine kits changed direction and rejoined the moving party, the boy first to do so, his sister joining a few seconds later.
“Friend Ekabi’s offspring, I assume?” Jaani asked.
“Yes, Your Highness!” replied the young buck, bowing. “I’m Ekselxior, but you can call me Eksel!”
“A pleasure to meet thee, lad, but thou shouldst not allude to my title since I wish not others on my return journey to know my true identity.”
“It’s okay, Your Highness! I’ve got a Ma’ajyyk sound barrier up so that whatever is said here stays here!”
“An inheritance from thy father, no doubt.”
“Aye, milord! Though my twin sister Ekabishea got far more of it!”
“Brother Eksel speaks sooth,” the young doe affirmed in a tone similar to but not exactly like her father’s. “Friend Shea, Your Highness may call me.”
“My sister’s a real stickler for honorifics just like our dad.”
“Elders and strangers, I respect, and Friend Jaani does so even to his youngers.”
“It cometh with royal blood, Friend Shea, though honestly, before I chanced Lady Jinnah, my speech was far more... unrefined.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that Southern Anagumayrans can be a really backward bunch as far as their speech and literacy skills go, but it’s good to meet an exception, Your Highness.”
“I assure thee, young sir, that we are a well-educated folk, and that those backwards beasts of whom thou speakest are a niche group, although they do indeed populate much of Atturgraad.”
“A good, honest prince who acknowledges his homeland’s problems! Your Highness will make a great king when he accedes to the throne, so long as power doesn’t corrupt him as it often can.”
“Power corrupteth not, young Eksel, but more so the fear of its loss by those who hold positions of great import.”
“I suppose so. Tell me, Your Highness: have there ever been any kind of revolts throughout your country’s history?”
“Perhaps thou canst usurp that knowledge thyself, young buck.”
“Way ahead of you, sire! I see Atturgraad was once bigger when it was founded from the southeastern remnants of the Romulujyan Empire on Anagumayra when it collapsed. There was a war in the beginning when the Romulujyans departed the islands of Baertaanjya among the beasts there, and a woman from what today is the Dachsxan Empire, Athaenjya von Atturgraad, joined the resistance to Romulujyan rule, and helped her future husband, Lontradomius Lutradinium, to bring order to the region and root out the remaining Romulujyans. The warring factions, due to the skillful diplomacy of Lady Athaenjya and Lord Lontradomius, laid down their arms and signed various treaties to establish the High Kingdom of Atturgraad, Athaenjya the first high queen and her husband the standard king of the lesser Atturgraad Kingdom, which of course today is what remains of the country due to its various civil strifes in ages to come.”
“Every society hath growing pains, young Eksel, but those that destroy them not strengthen them.”
“True.”
11
The party approached the stairs leading below deck, Jaani turning to face Friend Ekabi. “Wilt thou not come?”
“No. On deck, I stay. Secure ship from lookout. Be ready for foes.”
“In that case, I understand, but I hope we reunite. Jehu be with them.”
“You also, Friend Holtjaan.”
Jaani descended the stairs a few steps, briefly stopping and facing back above to see that Ekabi was gone. Then he continued below, reuniting with his companions and following them into the mess hall, where numerous sailors and civilians lunched. A table they occupied, with sailor cooks bringing several dishes after a few minutes, which they began to enjoy. As in the Havfresa, the food was mostly nautical, with cuts of shrimp, lobster, crab, and scallops from the seas, of myriad flavors allowing for a diverse culinary experience. The roasted vegetables enhanced the repast, with Atturgraad’s crown prince much preferring it in this state to that uncooked.
“Very much as delectable as that I have eaten at home,” the otter Kyymaer commented.
“We always have good food on the Lowvengrin,” assured Eksel.
“Doth thy father ever eat?”
“He has his... methods.”
“Ma’ajyyk,” confirmed Shea. “Eat with friends and family, Father Ekabi yearns not.”
“I’m sure he can control his weight better,” Bill suggested. “Kind of like Shirley through T’Bakgo.”
Shirley, pipe in mouth, gave a slight chuckle and smile.
“Shall ve find, vell, less noisy environs to discuss tings?”
“Sure, there are plenty of cabins below with nice sitting areas,” Eksel indicated. “I’ll take you all to our suite!”
“Thy generosity knoweth no bounds, young buck. Let us hasten thither.”
“I think I’ll hit the bar...”
“Oh, no you won’t, Monty!” Shirley admonished.
“Okay, sorry, Mom,” The Grypfaan apologized as he got up from the table and followed the others as they began advancing through the mess hall. “So, living the high life, eh, Eksman?”
“High life? Whatever do you mean?”
“Life of carefreedom, Brother Eksel.”
“Well, then, Monty, I wouldn’t necessarily term it as such, since I do have my education to worry about, at least until I come of age. I suppose that’s the kind of life you’ve been living back in Asyyrgraad, after you finished your studies and followed your parents there.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty much a freebird, but while I’m technically part of Lady Jinnah’s personal guard, my folks take care of most of that work.”
“Though I can understand that you didn’t mind a change in scenery, which never hurt anyone.”
“Yeah, unless you’re sent to your death on the battlefield, or to whatever your next life’s waiting room is, if you’re not mortal like me and my folks.”
“Don’t take your immortality for granted, Monty. It could very well... disappear through whatever means exist.”
“Something to think about, Eksman...”
12
The party descended another level through the Lowvengrin, traversing a carpeted hall with fanciful lighting and ornately-carved wooden doors, one of which they approached. Bonnie unlocked it and led everyone inside, barring the entrance afterward and then seating herself on a sofa, joined by her twin children on either side. The others took their seats and remained silent for a few minutes.
The doe bunny asked Jaani, “So, Yer Highness, I’m right sure ye’d like tae tell us all about yer travels from—Atturgraad, was it?”
“I’ve got this, Mom!” said Eksel, who touched his forehead with two fingers and blinked before returning to his standard position.
Bonnie’s ears briefly twitched. “Ah, ye’re quite the traveler, eh, Jaani?”
“In addition to my current excursion, indeed. I have always supported my lord father on his royal and diplomatic endeavors.”
“Och, and I know ye’ve got some troubles with yer mum, no?”
“I know my lady mother is a good beast, but her priorities are often... misplaced.”
“Parents can be like that, ye ken. Me an’ my folks rarely saw eye tae eye. They were the—well, the rough sort. The spankin’ I could bear, aye, but the words an’ the hurt they left behind were far worse.”
“Words inflicted by the tongue take far longer to heal than those that shed blood. I still fear greatly that my lady mother shall not take kindly to my bringing home a strange woman from the north.”
“We might be able to take care of that, Your HIghness,” suggested Bill.
“Best of luck with that, Sir Bill. Bonnie, thou wast saying about thy parents...”
“Things got a Hekh o’ a lot worse when my wee brother Humper grew up, an’ he wasnae exactly the masculine sort interested in startin’ a family wi’ a woman. Our mam had a goddess complex too—couldnae ever question her word, not once.”
“Many in politics are cut from the same cloth.”
Bonnie chuckled. “Dinnae get me started on that, now! Back tae my wee brother an’ me—our auld man went on a drunken tirade an’ started abusin’ our mam when she tried tae stand her ground, which she right deserved, o’ course. But then he turned his fury on us, so we legged it, got as far away as we could. Slept in the woods till the military found us an’ took us in as their ain. Humper an’ me joined the Asyyrjugent’s nautical branch, an’ when we graduated, we were conscripted intae the navy—been there ever since. It’s good an’ proper that my wee brother’s found true love, same as I have, even if it’s no’ the traditional kind.”
“Tradition is not alvays ideal, as I can say from personal experience. My lord father vants me to take over his household eventually, but I vould rather move on elsevere.”
“Hast thou any brothers, Lady Jinnah?”
“Had. Dey all died in var.”
“I am sorry. Did they love thee?”
“All of dem died before I vas even born.”
“A wonder thy parents can still reproduce well into their advanced years. ‘Twould be a difficult pregnancy, I would assume.”
“Actually, it vas no problem vatsoever for dem. My mother is just fine. My father, on de odder hand... but I don’t vant to go into detail.”
“Thou canst keep thy silence, then. As for me, I have had issue with my siblings sometimes in the past. My younger sister Jeodi hath always been the wild, rebellious type, taking mostly after our lady mother, albeit not without the issue of forcing one’s kin into an unrequited marriage. On the other hand, my younger brother Jeof and I have rarely seen eye-to-eye, and we ceased to talk for years when I introduced him as my spraint-headed sibling.”
“Ah, I’m right sorry tae hear that! Have ye ever made yer peace wi’ him?”
“As much as we could, although not with every wound fully healed. He did accept our lady mother’s choice for his consort, Princess Raenoiya of Fauksvud, and liveth happily with her there with a baby daughter, and Jeodi is content in Nutriaham with her marriage to King Scharlayaan and their beautiful baby daughter Mischellaea.”
“D’ye plan on havin’ any bairns o’ yer ain when ye marry, laddie prince?”
“I am very well open to the idea of continuing my family bloodline through my own loins and those of whomever I wed. Since our familial wealth ceaseth never, I am well open to procreate countless descendants for House Atturgraad to ensure we continue to live on for well more than thousands of generations.”
“Bystopfia not last so long, Friend Holtjaan.”
“Quite a bold supposition thou dost suggest, Friend Shea. Whatever maketh thee think as such?”
“Gadzdyum. It come within century or two.”
“Prophecy is not wholly reliable, Friend Shea. There are many things that will indeed occur within this new year and those beyond that are concretely planned, but no one, even through Ma’ajyyk, can clearly glimpse what is yet to transpire.”
“Through Ma’ajyyk, no, Friend Holtjaan. Through look a political and religious climates, yes.”
“She’s a sharp young lass, is she no?”
“Well, given what happened in the seas of the north, there very well could be another war, Bonnie.”
“Ja, it could come out of nowhere, just like de sinking of de Havfresa.”
“I very much hope that the news of the Shyytaani being at work spreadeth across Baertaanjya.”
“Ah’d bet mony across thae islands dinnae hae adequate Ma’ajyyk protection against godly beasts like them.”
“From all my years in the military,” interjected Bill, “there are many ways to resolve crises such as these. We can handle them superficially or aim for their very cores, the latter of which tends to be more effective.”
“Yes,” agreed Shirley, puffing on her pipe, “and more often than not, the roots of such questions lie in history.”
“The Sigjylelen,” Eksel mentioned. “Only they could match Nivlhyym’s enforcers.”
“Then perhaps we should return to Asyyrgraad,” suggested Jaani, facing Jinnah. “Surely they must still be there, correct?”
Jinnah remained silent and made no eye contact with anyone else in the sitting room. Bill and Shirley had equally suspicious looks at the inquiry.
“Well, is there onybody here wha kens the whereabouts o’ the Sigjylelen?” Bonnie faced her daughter and muttered, “Ye ken whit tae dae.”
Shea nodded and pressed two fingers to her forehead, closing her eyes. After a few seconds, she lowered her hand, opened them, and indicated, “Nothing.”
“Why hast thou found naught, Friend Shea?”
“Great fog. Locations of Sigjylelen, unknown.”
“But surely they must still be in Asyyrgraad. Wherefore on Bystopfia would they be anywhere else? Jinnah, Bill, Shirley, Monty, ye must all know something!”
The addressed beasts spoke not. Bonnie suggested, “Ye ken, Jaani, laddie, mibbe ye should gie this hale Sigjylelen business a rest, shouldnae ye?”
“A situation, ideal,” Shea agreed.
“Yes, no more questions, Your Highness,” Shirley concurred.
“But surely...”
“No... more... questions!” As he said this, Bill lifted his right talons and pressed them against his forehead, closing his eyes.
Jaani felt a brief jolting sensation in his mind that nauseated him and made him close his eyes, although he felt better after a few seconds.
13
The otter Kyymaer faced Bonnie and asked, “So, thou wast talking of thy past with thy younger brother. Hast thou more to say on that matter?”
“Ah think Ah’ve spoken enough, laddie dug.”
“In that case, perhaps ‘tis best to relax and enjoy the voyage. I could use a noon nap, myself. What of ye?”
“Yes, I could use a nap after that little spell of mine,” chuckled Bill.
To say this confounded Jaani, although he dismissed it and faced Jinnah, who stretched and yawned, saying, “Ja, I could use some rest and relaxation as vell.”
Shirley dipped one of her talons into her pipe’s bowl, extinguishing its T’Bakgo for the first time Jaani had seen. “I’m sleepy, too. Monty?”
However, the addressed Grypfaan was already asleep as he had been during the previous weavings of tales, but he did mumble in his slumber, “Milady... Highness... Jin...”
“Weel, Ah think that’s oor cue tae gang tae oor rooms in this suite! Eksel, dearie, hoo aboot ye lead thae fine guests o’ oors tae theirs?”
“Sure thing, Mom!”
“Shea, dearie?” but she was already gone.
“Typical of my sis. Come on, everyone!”
Jaani, Jinnah, and the Gripfyyns, Monty in tow, departed the lapine family’s suite into the hallways, Eksel leading them to their own suites and opening the door. They entered and shut themselves inside with the key the young sailor buck gave them. The suite seemed similar to that they had conserved in, but they were far more interested in the bedroom chambers. Jaani headed towards one of the doors, opening it to see a furnished chamber with a curtained bed that could accommodate two beasts. As he stood in the doorway, the otter Kyymaer felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Be something amiss, Lady Jinnah?”
“No, nottin at all.”
“Art thou certain? Be there another bedroom in this suite?”
“Ja, but... I vouldn’t mind joining you in your rest.”
“Wherefore would that thought cross thy mind?”
“Vell, I just... I cannot put it into vords...”
“Be there any words in thy mother tongue that would express how thou thinkest?”
“Ek elska þik af öllum hjarta ok vil hjálpa at halda ætt þinni áfram.”
“I am not well versed in the Asyyr tongue, but I do sense that thou hast strong feelings for me.”
“Ja, I very much do.”
“Be they feelings of affection? Or of malice? I would sense the latter, given our altercation back in the other suite. I know not what we spoke of, but if I inflicted any verbal wounds, then I sincerely apologize and hope thou harborest no ill will towards me.”
“No, none vatsoever, Jaani dear.”
“Dear? Well, I have some cervine blood in me on my mother’s side, but ‘tis minimal at best. Call me whatever thou wishest.”
“Jaani, Jaani, in de brief time ve have traveled together, I could sense someting special about you. You are a vonderful beast vith a sense of duty to your royal house, and I vould like your noble bloodline to continue for thousands and thousands of generations. I know you are promised to anudder voman, but if you don’t truly love her, den you shouldn’t live in a marriage dat is a farce. As you told me, your father vould surely not mind your decision, and vhile I know you have issues vith your mother, I confess dat I don’t alvays see eye-to-eye vith mine either. Ve don’t choose our parents, so ve need not blindly obey dem and their plans for you. You are your own beast, and I just vant to see you happy. I am sure you feel de same vay about me. Please, let us prove our love together, Holtjaan, Crown Prince of Atturgraad.”
“I can certainly glimpse a future with thee, Lady Jinnah, whatever thy titles are.”
“Titles don’t matter, Jaani. If ve are to be one, you should get used to calling me just Jinnah.”
“That I shall, Jinnah.”
“I love you, Jaani.”
“And I thee, Jinnah.”
The otter Kyymaer and snow-white ewe embraced and kissed for around five seconds. After unlocking their muzzles, they continued to grasp one another, happily dancing and revolving towards the bed, whose curtains they drew open, and which they threw themselves upon, parting. Jaani in particular took strongly to Jinnah’s kiss and felt stronger feelings for her than Lyn, the smile on his face ceasing not.
Jinnah took one of Jaani’s hands with one of hers. “You’ve changed a lot since ve first met, from your voice to your dignity.”
“Should I be fit to accede to my country’s throne, ‘tis only fitting I develop more chivalry, and I suppose this excursion of mine hath truly had wondrous effects upon me.”
“Ja, it has. Perhaps I should reveal more of myself to you.”
“Then I shall do the same,” agreed Jaani, untying his neckerchief and tossing it aside.
Jinnah began to undress as Jaani unbuttoned his uniform coat, revealing the white undershirt beneath. Off came the coat, then his belt, and then his slacks, after which he removed his boots and socks, leaving only his shirt and nether wraps, his Kampfenhut still mounted upon his head. At this time, Jinnah had completely stripped herself, revealing her ample bosom, which made Jaani feel a hardening sensation in his nether regions. Then they proved their love, drifting asleep in the afterglow.