Crenbublin is an ancient city whose culture and society have remained unchanged since its founding, untouched by outside influence, unwelcoming to those who seek to transform it, though xenophobic societies tend to be the most peaceful ones.
-Taktyytus
1
After what felt like hours, Jaani could hear a sudden soft sound of thunder, which stirred him awake. He rubbed his eyes and got out of bed, Jinnah still sound asleep. He saw that the light within and without the bedroom had darkened significantly, after which he headed towards the balcony doors, opening them to encounter fierce gusting winds that made him immediately shut them. During his brief glimpse of the outside, he saw that the skies had grayed greatly, with numerous lightning chains that loudening thunder followed after each initial appearance, the intervals between the thunder and lightning quickly declining.
“Dear Jehu... this again!” Jaani immediately headed to the bed, commanding the slumbering Jinnah, “Awaken! We may be in danger again, just like we were on the Havfresa!”
The ewe slowly stirred awake, yawning, “Dat... dat vas vonderful, Jaani dear...”
“For the love of Jehu, this is serious, woman! We need to get to the others!”
“Still... sleepy...” muttered Jinnah as she began crawling towards the edge of the bed, Jaani catching her when she fell to the carpeted floor.
“We must dress ourselves!” Jaani gazed at his Asyyrjugent uniform on the floor, commenting, “No time!”
“Dere’s... always... room... for... more... of... your... seed...”
The otter Kyymaer set down the dreaming Jinnah, seeing a wardrobe and heading there, opening it to reveal several robes patterned in white and blue, two of which he seized, putting one on and returning to the Asyyr maiden, whom he struggled to dress with the other. He also grabbed sandals for both of them, after which he lifted her up, exiting into the suite’s sitting room and dashing for the entrance, leaving into the ship hallways, where numerous sailors and civilians panickedly ran about.
“Your Highness, Your Highness!” repeated Eksel as he dashed to them and stopped. Perhaps through his Ma’ajyyk, he didn’t pant or seem exhausted. “It might be a Ma’ajyyk attack!”
“Thy sister and father must know.”
“Oh, they’re way ahead of the game!” Eksel gazed at Jinnah, still well between the sleeping and waking words, and asked, “What did you... ugh, that’ll never leave my mind...”
“Shall we head on deck?”
“Yes, follow me! But first...” Eksel snapped his left paw fingers, which gave Jinnah more alertness and allowed her to stand on her feet. “Let’s go!”
“Vat is happening?” wondered Jinnah in a voice that definitely did sound more alert. “Jaani dear?”
“Nae time, laddie an’ lassie!” shouted Ren as he followed Eksel down the corridor, the others following.
“Eksel, dearie!” Bonnie’s voice called out. “There ye are! I wis worried aboot ye!”
“It’s okay, Mum! Everyone’s accounted for! We can go up to the deck now!”
“Be thou insane, child? Those up there should count themselves fortunate that the wind hath not blown them into the seas!”
“Relax, Your Highness! Dad’s got everything covered! My sis as well!”
“Through Ma’ajyyk, thou meanest? On that matter, where are the Gripfyyns?”
“I’ve seen ’em, an’ they’re daein’ a right fine job aidin’ my husband in protectin’ us frae the storm!”
“Vhen did dis happen? I svear dat Jaani and I vere asleep for several hours.”
“It was more like a quarter hour!” corrected Eksel. “You both must have been really asleep...” The buck kit chuckled briefly. “...and I think I know why...”
Jaani and Jinnah gazed at one another, the former commanding, “Whatever the case, we should hasten to the deck!”
2
The party navigated the panicking sailors and civilians--likely unaware of the Aesfyyren doing their job--climbing several floors to the deck, where they could see that the ship was a fair distance at sea, land not in sight, with a glimmering spherical barrier surrounding the vessel that Jaani supposed was some kind of Ma’ajyyk forcefield providing protection from the storm, with its torrential precipitation and countless lightning strikes rebounding without even having a chance to make contact. From the observation post high above the deck came a colorful undulating light shifting hues constantly, the faint figure of Ekabi visible, perhaps the barrier’s chief empowerer. Shea sat upon his shoulders in apparent support, The Gripfyyns hovering around and contributing their own Ma’ajyyk.
“All hands on deck!” the captain commanded. “Because there’s nae surefire way tae combat this ungodly storm, our Aesfyyren shall execute their ultimate evasive maneuver for our ship!”
“Of what speaketh he?” Jaani asked Eksel.
“Just wait and see, Your Highness! This is where the real fun begins...”
“However could Ma’ajyyk warfare entertain and not in a calamitous fashion?”
After a few seconds, Jaani saw the answer. Gazing airborne, he glimpsed that the sea level began to rise, as though the vessel were sinking. However, the captain seemed confident in the Aesfyyren defending against the storm, although a few of the Moeglyi seamen began to panic and run upon noticing the rising water. Jinnah even held onto Jaani, although Bonnie and Eksel seemed perfectly calm and collected. Eventually, the otter Kyymaer could see the seawater rise beyond the level of the deck below the railing.
The prince expected his boots to get wet, but after a few seconds, his eyes shut, he felt no wetness at all. Opening them, he saw why: as the seas rose above deck level, the water was forcefully propelled from the vicinity of the ship, with the water reaching the top of the spherical barrier. The Lowvengrin was now completely underwater, the view beyond the barrier mostly deep blue seawater, navigated by giant shrimp, sharks, fish, and maybe a few sentient nautical beasts.
Jaani removed his Kampfenhut, holding it against his chest. “A... a... amazing!”
“Vhy are you so surprised? You have seen tings like dis plenty of times before!”
“Probably due to making a great stand against the Shyytaani,” suggested Eksel.
“To speak of which, why art thou not providing Ma’ajyyk aid, young Eksel?”
“Well, someone has to be on standby to make sure the Moeglyiae get Ma’ajyyk support as well, in case, you know, anyone gets hurt and needs healing.”
“That’s my boy!”
“Surely this must drain thy husband, Bonnie. That they have not succumbed to the use of this great Ma’ajyyk surpriseth me to no end.”
“That’s the power o’ tons o’ Aesfyyren workin’ thegither!”
“Right on, Mum!”
3
The great light indicating the use of Aesfyyren magic dimmed, the Gripfyyns floating to the deck and landing. Though they appeared exhausted from the use of their abilities, none of them seemed on the brink of falling unconscious, and needed only to catch a few breaths before they stood normally, as if they had not used their powers to their maximums. Surprisingly, the bubble forcefield around the ship seemed perfectly stable, emitting healthy glows to indicate it functioned well still. No one on deck seemed to be in a panic, the crew going about their business normally, most discussing the recent chaos.
“What occureth now?”
“Crenbublin. We go.”
“And where in these distant seas would someplace like that be?” asked Jaani, facing Ekabi.
“It’s an underwater city, Your Highness,” Eksel explained.
“Faascinating,” commented Jaani, having heard that gilled nautical beasts like dolphins and their titanic whale brethren dwelt in such submarine settlements. “’Twill be a new experience for me.”
“And me as vell!”
“Plenty times, we visit,” Shea indicated, her appearance only less sudden than her father’s.
“We should be safe there till the storm subsides,” assured Bonnie.
“Unless de Shyytaani have discovered it already.”
“Defensive measures, merfolk have. Evacuation plans, also.”
“I shall trust thy word, Friend Ekabi.”
4
The group fell silent, with Jaani walking towards the fore of the ship so he could glimpse where it floated beneath the seas. A few Kylomytren forward, he could glimpse formations that seemed to extend upwork beyond the surface of the water, islands, perhaps. The city appeared to consist of great luminous forcefields, with some light without and many gilled beasts like sea and river otters, dolphins, beavers, even a few massive whales, traversing the waters. A few of the smaller beasts surrounded themselves with bubble barriers, mostly those who lacked natural gills, undoubtedly to avoid drowning. Many of those without forcefields wore special underwater clothing like swimsuits so they wouldn’t freeze or get overly wet.
“Again... amazing!”
“Crenbublin. City-state independent. To friends, kind. To enemies, no.”
“Vell, obviously.”
Eying his and Jinnah’s robes, Jaani suggested, “Methinks we should dress appropriately before we arrive. Jehu knoweth how they would take to those in garbs such as these.”
“Eh, I’m nae sure they’d mind at all, laddie. Many o’ them gang aboot naked!”
“Even de children?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” answered Eksel. “It is... disturbing, at first, but you eventually get used to it... or not.”
“Ma’ajyyk to mask bareness. I use.”
“Same here, Shea!”0
“Meh, I dinnae mind the nudity, since I see my husband stark naked a’ the time.”
“Yes, Wife Bonnie. Not bothered.”
“Sounds like paradise!” proclaimed MOnty. “I’m sure I’ll get to meet some lovely ladies there and strutting bare, they’ll notice my handsome self!”
Shirley puffed angrily on her pipe. “You shall do no such thing! Your father and I will keep a spell on you to ensure you remain, well, chaste.”
“Aw, you’re no fun!”
“War is not ‘fun,’” admonished Bill. “On that matter, I would be quite interested in seeing the military technology of these Myyrvolk, if they have any.”
“Peaceful, Friend Bill. No war. To defend themselves, capable.”
“That rules that out, then...”
“Well, let us just hope that war striketh not the fair citizens of Crenbublin, and that our stay here remaineth uneventful, aside from the scenery that is new for a few among us. After we speak with its leaders, we shall formulate a plan to continue our journey as normally and soon as possible. Come with, Jinnah, if thou wishest for a change of attire.”
“I come, den.”
Jaani and Jinnah descended below deck, the atmosphere of the mess hall far more collected than it had been during the Ma’ajyyk storm. The same went for the residential corridors, with the couple finding their quarters and entering, gazing at the bedroom’s wardrobe to see their choices of fashion. The otter Kyymaer selected a one-piece swimsuit with blue and white stripes, the colors of all of Skwirlsha, and the ewe chose a female sailor dress outfit, blue with white sequins, as were the respective hats they chose.
Gazing at themselves in the full-length mirror after clothing themselves, Jinnah commented, “Vell, ve are both qvite de lookers, ja?”
“That we are, Jinnah. Let us return to the others on deck.
5
The ship continued to float towards the underwater city, drawing near a large cavern from which emerged many submarine sentinels that swam towards the vessel. The first was a gray sea otter that leapt grandly beyond the barrier and landed safely on the deck, his attire like Jaani’s but totally green and without a hat. Both his hair and eyes were blue, and he gazed at those who came to greet him. Other fellow underwater soldiers joined him on deck, river otters, dolphins, orcas, and so on, the last with quaking impact. The sea otter, in the meantime, bowed.
He spoke, but it was in some sort of alien tongue that Jaani had never heard in his lifetime, and contained oddities like countless clicks, squeaks, whistles, grunts, trilling, and the occasional flatulent use of the lips and tongue.
“Greetings,” Jaani bid, bowing as well.
The sea otter analyzed the passengers and spoke his enigmatic language again.
“Does anyvone here speak his language? I am fluent in many tongues, but dis is definitely a first.”
“Friend Ekabi, perhaps?”
“Babblonean.”
“Of that language I have heard not.”
“Ancient. By very early Leipfrasiren, spoken.”
Jaani’s donkey ears perked upon hearing of the ancient race that dominated Bystopfia before its current namesake inhabitants. “As a former student of history, mention of them doth fascinate me to no end.”
“Well, I’m nae scholar o’ history,” began Ren, “but e’en I’ve heard about them mony a time in kirk.”
“In de Kyooyaaku, ja. But dis is no time for historical or religious lessons. Friend Ekabi, did you get any of vhat dis man vas saying ven he first boarded?”
“Yes, Friend Jinnah. Who we are, friends or foe, he ask. How we came. Purpose of visit. Verify who we are.”
“Canst thou translate for us, then?”
“For translation, no need. Mental knowledge convey once, for answer.” Ekabi’s middy fluttered for a few seconds despite the lack of wind, before dropping back into place. The Myyrvolk conversed among themselves, after which they faced the passengers and nodded. “Permission, they grant. To harbor, continue.”
“’Twas no true ordeal, and thee we thank, Friend Ekabi.”
“Welcome.”
6
The Myyrvolk about-faced and leapt beyond the deck towards the bubble barrier, reentering the seas, and heading for the underwater city. The ship continued to float towards the nautical harbor, entering it, the passengers glimpsing the interior, which was vast and had plenty of illumination within and without. The vessel floated beyond the forcefield that gave the harbor a dry area, the vessel’s barrier dissipating as it slowly fell to the water and landed safely, continuing to one of the jetties and docking. The ship’s sailors saw through the tasks of securing the vessel to the dock, ending with a roped wooden staircase that the civilian passengers descended.
“No trouble to breathe here,” noted Jaani, “and I need not my gills at the moment.”
“Weel, Jaani, laddie, some o’ the Myyrvolk prefer dry places in their city, an’ others thae that’re fully submerged.”
“’Twould be a delightful sensation that many of my lord uncles and aunts on my paternal line and those many generations removed, gladly enjoyed. As for me, I have my royal duties as a crown prince and lack the time for such leisure.”
“Vell, dis little trip of yours seems to have been vone big leisure adventure, has it not?”
“I prefer the term ‘diplomatic trip,’ my dear Jinnah.”
“Po-tay-to, po-tah-to,” laughed Bonnie.
“Anyway, I suppose we should proceed into the city proper. Lead on, Friend Ekabi.”
“Into city, go.”
While most of the sailors stayed aboard, a few did join the party for security purposes as they walked the natural jetty, Bonnie leading as her husband stood still. After a Dekkamytr or so, Jaani gazed backward, seeing that Ekabi had disappeared. Gazing back forward, the otter Kyymaer saw that the lapine Yndijin had teleported to the far entrance of the sheltered harbor beyond the various natural stone buildings for supplies and vessels in construction. The harbor next the party approached, traveling past natural stone doorway into the city.
What a sight to behold it was: vast fields of sea floor, evermore natural stone buildings with diverse sizes and purposes, and the respective citizens, consisting of many beasts that had any kind of relation to water, from the largest whale to the smallest Nybhaelunk harmoniously inhabiting the same city. Jaani well knew that many terrestrial cities of Bystopfia were in similar peace among species, with nary a conflict or argument in the streets transpiring, all the audible Babblonean sounding without malice or ill will. As such, those new to this submarine settlement couldn’t help but gaze with wonder, though those who had visited before seemed annoyed at the glacial travel.
“This seemeth quite the utopia.”
“Aye, laddie, but I jalouse we’d best get a move on! We hinna got aw damn day, ye ken!”
“That dependeth upon hold old the day hath aged.”
Then could the party hear unique melodious echoing bells that nine monotone gongs followed. “Dere is your answer, I suppose. Ve probably have plenty time to do vatever ve need to here before either moving on or calling it a day, depending upon how tings go.”
“On that matter, what is the next course of action, Lady Bonnie?”
“We meet the Lord Mayor. Ah’m richt sure he’ll be willin tae lend us his lug tae onything that transpireth on the surface.”
“Ve can do dat, ja.”
“Believe us, it’ll definitely be a story to behold when we talk to... High Chief Seaottlen, wasn’t it, Sister Shea?”
“Yes, Brother Eksel, story for ages.”
“Maybe a prime opportunity to secure some alliances with a nation of Myyrvolk.” indicated Bill.
Ekabi replied, “On own, stand Myyrvolk. In land affairs, involve selves not. Alone, at peace since First Æpaak. Knowledge of all Bystopfia, dangerous to them.”
“Well, I suppose that rules that out, then. I know knowledge of the world above would endanger these beasts, but I don’t think it’d do so to any of us, provided we keep it to ourselves, would that be acceptable, Friend Ekabi.”
“Friends Gripfyyn and others, trust mostly to grave, secrets like this, and those Chief Seaottlen impart.”
“I very much anticipate meeting this Chief Seaottlen, especially if he... or she, hath knowledge of these parts to impart.”
“Only de Asyyrkirk vould know such tings. I myself am aware of dem, given my... connections back north. But I am svorn to secrecy, so it vould be best if de chief tells us himself or herself.”
“Seaottlen’s a he, Jinnah, lass.”
“Anything else we need to know about Crenbublin’s chief?” wondered Jaani.
“Before First Æpaak, date ancestors. Sooth, the Myyrvolk speak.”
“Fascinating. House Atturgraad dateth back to the Romulujyan Empire during the Second Æpaak.”
“Weel, this’ll be an illuminatin’ veesit for maist o ye, eh?”
7
The party silently proceeded through the underwater city, reaching a grand seastone building protruding from one of the island edge bottoms with a massive entryway, built undoubtedly to accommodate the largest whales among the Myyrvolk. One indeed stood alongside other sentinels of lesser species, saying naught as the travelers entered, perhaps through Ekabi’s Ma’ajyyk conveying their identities, circumstances of their visit, and so forth. Inside, Jaani felt incredibly dwarfed by the vast interior entrance hall, which seemed as though it would encompass an entire province from Atturgraad. They trekked a Kylomytr towards a counter where Myyrvolk of various volumes directed them through one of the gaping open entryways, defended again by whales and the smallest nautical beasts.
Beyond came grand auditorium that, as Jaani saw, would be vast enough to fit another of Atturgraad’s provinces, the seating on the outermost ring accommodating the largest Myyrvolk and those descending to the bottom the smallest, beyond which was a large protrusion from the sea floor, several seats of diverse sizes harboring beasts that seemed important, given their attire. As they descended the steps toward the meeting ground of Crenbublin’s leaders, which appeared to number seven, the nautical audience assembled eyed the outsiders suspiciously, but Ekabi and his family seemed to evoke happy expressions, even a few waving at them, the lapine patriarch still static when Jaani gazed back at him.
Myyrvolk guardsmen eventually encircled the party as they reached the bottom of the slowly-descending stairs, reaching flat ground, leading them to the central protrusion and up its steps to its top, where a carpet let them sit in comfort as they faced the leaders of Crenbublin, who regarded the newcomers with suspicion and chattered among themselves for a few minutes. A natural bridge with matching stone railing connected the sitting area, with that of the city’s leaders, chief among them a sea otter with green hair, deep blue eyes, lighter blue fur, and loose-fitting clothes that seemed comfortable but still gave him a regal appearance, as did the golden trident he held.
The submarine lutrine got up from his seat, raised his trident, and gave a Bubblonean command that made those gathered applaud for maybe a minute or so. Jaani faced Ekabi and asked, “What said he?”
“Chief Seaottlen begin meeting.”
“That is he, then? ‘Tis a pleasure to see another otter in power.”
Jaani felt a kick on his shin. “No species is superior to any odder!”
“My apologies, dear,” lamented the otter Kyymaer as he embraced Jinnah, a gesture that caught the attention of many audience members, some applauding louder.
The ovation ended eventually, with Chief Seaottlen traversing the bridge to the platform on which his guests stood, surveying each one at a time. Ekabi, Bonnie, and their children seemed to receive nods and eyeblinks of approval, but the lutrine chieftain took longer for the newcomers, scratching his chin for many moments. Although Seaottlen nodded and blinked at Jaani, Jinnah, Ren, and the Gripfyyns, he did so with a neutral look. After his inspection, the leader crossed the bridge back to where the other city leaders were, faced the audience, raised his trident, and gave another commanding utterance.
“Ekabi, Okamihaimu!” Jaani heard Chief Seaottlen suddenly and coherently introduce the Yndijin hare. He continued, “Bonnie, Eksel, Shea, Skwirlsha!”
The crowd cheered for another moment, after which the chief chattered more high-pitched Bubblonean, words, followed by, “Holtjaan, Atturgraad! Bill, Shirley, Monty, Okamihaimu!”
The audience response differed mildly, most mumbling among themselves. Afterward, Chief Seaottlen banged the button of his trident on the stone ground, shouting a command that silenced the witnesses, after which he returned to the other high officials and began a lengthier speech.
“What transpireth now?”
“Friend Seaottlen tell of history of people.”
“I’ve got this, Dad, and I’ll translate for everyone here. Eons ago, well, before the Igdrashid struck Bystopfia and sprouted the World Tree to give rise to modern beasts, the universe was a void. The Lord Jehuveshah ignited a great explosion that sent stars throughout all of space, one of which Bystofpia would ultimately settle near and revolve around. He separated day from night, and all of our world was a vast ocean that the nautical beasts that would become the Myyrvolk and those who would become terrestrial inhabited. The beasts of the sea, of course, remained behind while the others departed onto the land Jehu would reveal as he lowered the water level, both being feral and unintelligent.
“Ages would pass before the Leipfrasiren would depart the world and the Igdrashid struck to sprout the World Tree, with those seafaring beasts, even those that dwelt occasionally upon land, receiving gills like fish so they could either keep to the waters or remain on land. Our societies would be at peace throughout the previous Æpaaken and this one, but the sailors of Skwirlsha are among the first to make friendly contact with us. However, since it is war that has driven you all underwater once again, we must humbly request that you depart and never return for the sake of our security. Ekabi and his family will likely wish to return to their kingdom, and Ren will likely want to continue to lead Holtjaan to his fatherland, in which case we have a tunnel that leads south to the Kingdom of Skwiryell, ruled by the remnants of the dynasty that once ruled all of Skwirlsha before the Lesser Igdrashid led to division across all of Bystopfia. We hope you all understand our decision and bid you farewell, hope you return safely to your households, and shall keep you forever in our hearts. This meeting has concluded.”
8
The audience applauded longer than before to the point that those on the visitor platform couldn’t comprehend one another’s words. However, perhaps through the Ma’ajyyk of the gathered Aesfyyren, Jaani could hear Jinnah complain, “Vell, so much for our varm velcome.”
“’Tis best not to attach oneself to a place thou knowest barely, dear Jinnah.”
“Ja, I suppose.”
“I’ll get the cairriage readied for gaun through the tunnel, gin it’ll accommodate us,” stated Ren.
“It will,” Ekabi assured. “See it myself, before.”
“Weel, we’re aff o here, then!”
As Ren and a few sailors descended the platform and began hurrying outside the assembly hall, Ekabi invited, “Follow, tunnel to exit.”
“That’d be great, Buddy Acab!” assured Monty, whose butchery of the Yndijin’s name seemed not to faze him.
“Let’s fly, then,” commanded Shirley, igniting her pipe, taking a few puffs, expanding her wings and starting her flight to the auditorium exit, her husband and son following.
“We’ll shaw ye laddies tae the tunnels thae Myyrvolk here were bletherin aboot,” stated Bonnie. “Follow alang, noo!”
The lapine matriarch began to lead the terrestrial visitors down the platform stairs, Jaani following suit but briefly pausing to gaze around and not seeing Ekabi. Shrugging, he continued, with the party making their way to one of the stadium exits, where Ekabi did indeed stand. Through the entrance hall they went, then back into the streets of Crenbublin, Bonnie continuing her escort, which appeared to head towards the southern of the two islands that harbored the submarine city. When they reached the island’s cliffside, she led the others east-southeastward, following a street that bordered it, and halting after around two hundred and fifty Einmytren or so. The portion of the wall she stopped everyone before seemed insignificant, with maybe a few sentinels passing, one whose attention she captured.
“Um, scuse me, mister dolphin, sir — wid ye mind lettin us oot o this city sae we can get on wi oor wee journey, if it disna fash ye ower much?”
Following a flutter of Ekabi’s middy, the dolphin nodded and pressed a hand onto the island wall, the portion he touched glowing with light that spread radially, ending with the shape of a large arched entryway that materialized as the Ma’ajyyk light vanished. Around this moment, the sound of a rolling carriage and roach legs was audible, accompanied by Ren and his transport.
“Weel, noo! Looks like I’m richt on the nick o time! Ah’ve got aw yer stuff frae the ship, sae unless there’s onything else ye’ve forget, we can be on oor wey! That tunnel looks muckle eneuch, sae I’m sure it’ll be a smooth trip unless something catches us by surprise!”
“We are eternally grateful, Sir Ren,” lauded Jaani as he headed to the carriage door and began to open it. Facing the others, he nodded for them to follow, afterward eying Ekabi and his clan, whom he told, “I suppose this is farewell... but hopefully not forever.”
“Nah, I’m sure we’ll meet again in some shape or ither — maybe no the day, maybe no the morn, but… whenever Jehu decrees it!”
“Jehu decrees no such reunion,” retorted Shea.
“Now what makes you think that, Shea?” asked Eksel, who faced the departers. “You all are fine beasts! Your Highness will make a great king one day, Lady Jinnah his queen, and the Gripfyyns your loyal defenders, and I’m sure Ren will have a good time traveling Baertaanjya, maybe even beyond, for all the years of his life!”
Ren chuckled. “Weel, noo! Thank ye, laddie! I’m richt sure ye’ll dae grand things yersel when ye’re aw grown up and a fu-fleggit sailor! Speak o that, I’ve got my ain duty tae the navy an aw, but they’re gey forgien in that regard. Onywey, I’ll likely come back here in the no-o-that-distant future!”
“Will not happen,” countered Shea.
“Ekabishea, young lassie! Ye should be sayin guid-bye tae thae braw folk instead o spoutin that doomsday shite!”
“Please, sis...”
“May be right,” Ekabi defended.
“No ye, tae!”
“Please, ruin not this farewell. Regardless of whether we reunite, this should be a pleasant affair. We will miss ye all dearly and forever engrave our time together within our deepest memories. Besides, the future hath not been written.”
“Ja, vhat he said!”
“With Jehu, go then,” bid Ekabi. Surprisingly, Jaani saw the Yndijin hare turn and face the otter Kyymaer, a subtle smile appearing on his face. Then he rose his right arm, opening his right palm fully. “Hāouu, Friend Jaani.”
This perplexed the prince, who more quickly raised his right hand, wiggling his fingers. “How...what?”
“Ancient Yndijin salute,” elaborated Shea. “Highest honor among many tribes. Rare for folk to give those outside tribes, different races, nations, and so on. Accept.”
“Then accept it I will, young Friend Shea.” Jaani more appropriately mimicked the gesture. “Hāouu to thee as well, Friend Ekabi.”
The Yndijin hare nodded, then returned to his standard stoic position. The others began their departure back through the streets of Crenbublin, Ekabi standing firm as the visitors entered the carriage, Ren lashing the roach, after which the vehicle began to traverse the secret tunnel. Jaani kept his eyes on the hare until the door materialized, after which he set his sights on his fellow passengers. The subterranean path mercifully bore illumination, enough for Ren to continue the journey.
9
Only a quarter hour had passed, during which the passage deeply descended into the earth bottoming the seas, eventually climbing, with visible light forward that grew, after which the carriage emerged onto terra firma. Ren had to slow his transport since it was now in woods and kept his eyes out for paved roads. Jaani saw that he was headed in a reasonable direction and assumed everyone else was fine, with the Gripfyyns’ silence perhaps indicative of their trust in their driver given their Ma’ajyyk. Though the carriage moved slowly, Jaani felt safe, and knew that in this case for once for transportation, slow and steady could win the race.
Around another quarter hour had passed when the carriage reached discernible roads, but they were somewhat narrow and mostly accommodated wandering pedestrians that had to avoid it upon being shocked by its sudden appearance. Thus, Ren slowed his pace of travel more greatly while continuing southeast. Many of the beasts in the woods seemed annoyed by the carriage but mercifully raged not at it, its driver, or its passengers. Countless branches forked throughout the sylvania, although Ren stayed the course, undoubtedly confident that he would approach some kind of civilization eventually.
Indeed, a stone bridge came that connected to another landmass, with other pedestrian beasts traversing it in either direction. A few minutes later, the southern end arrived, with several stone buildings afterward. One was a stablery near which Ren steered his vehicle, where he got off, and his passengers did as well to stretch.
“Perhaps we should inquire as to our whereabouts unless ye can do so, Bill, Shirley, Monty,” suggested Jaani.
“But of course!” Shirley replied, drawing from her pipe and blowing smoke that morphed into a shape like Skwirlsha, which enlarged to show one of its northwestern islands. Jaani saw a three-island archipelago in the seas between landmasses that he assumed was where Crenbublin was, south of which was an island sitting on the northern end of a peninsula with a bridge connecting the two, a reddish glow indicating the party was south of the bridge. “Rubtursh, pretty much a leisure spot with the island we left as its main attraction.”
“Wis a bit o a bumpy ride, but I got ye aw through it!” Ren assured.
“Whither next?” wondered Jaani.
“Dunklholm, a wee clachan tae the sooth wi an inn that’s been weel received — at least by the locals.”
“Thither shall we travel, then.”
“Ja, it’s been a long day.”
Without another word, the passengers and driver returned to their previous vehicular positions, returning to the Skwirlshan road and entering the countryside, which was hilly and forested just like the isle north. The trip was mostly silent, but Jaani considered this to be a good thing, and enjoyed the consequently serenity. Shirley opened the rear window for everyone to have a better view of the countryside, with the atmosphere of the carriage interior kept warm thanks to the Grypfaanen’s Ma’ajyyk. The otter Kyymaer knew not how long it would take to return home, but believed that it wouldn’t be more than a fortnight. Despite the forces against him and his companions, he believed that this adventure had been worthwhile, especially given that he wasn’t returning empty-handed.
10
The day wasn’t horribly close to expiring when the carriage reached the settlement of Dunklholm, the road bordering a farmfield to the southwest, beyond which after its respective farmhouse and other buildings came the inn that had been mentioned, the Dunklholm cottage, which paled in terms of size to the other accommodations Jaani had experienced throughout his trip, gray-roofed and painted whited, the adjacent stables mirroring this in terms of its hues. The actual stable interior differed not from those the prince had seen, Ren stabling his roach and carriage, he and his passengers entering the main inn afterward.
Approaching the desk of the inn lobby, largely matching the exterior’s colors, the donkey innkeeper greeted, “Och, a guid e’enin tae ye aw! Whit can I dae for ye aw?”
“Shouldst thou have vacancies, we humbly beseech it... two, preferably.”
“We dae, thank ye!”
“Thou art welcome. How much is the cost?”
“Jist twenty-five Pfjyunde per room, mair if ye want tae tip. Nae pressure at aw, mind!”
“Thou deservest a tip, since ‘tis insignificant to previous inn costs,” noted Jaani, seeking money from one of his satchels only to realize upon seeing his Atturgraadian currency, “Oh, I forgot this is not my homeland.”
“Ye’re frae Atturgraad, eh? Hinna been there masel, mind, but I’m richt sure it’s a braw place! Are ye on a vacation or something?”
“In a matter of speaking, but I wish not delve into that. Be my payment sufficient?”
“Aye, laddie. Let me shaw ye aw tae yer rooms.”
The party followed, with the Gripfyyns separating from the others when the jack led to two doors close to one another. The Gripfyyns got the key to their room and entered, with Jaani receiving that for everyone else’s chamber, and they went inside, seeing their humble accommodations. Ren took everyone’s baskets inside, but since the day was between one and two hours from expiring, no one rushed to bed, and Jaani himself was far from exhausted.
“Weel, noo!” Ren said, stretching. “I’m richt glaid that I dinna hae tae drive for the rest o the day, an that we’re aw gettin a brek afore bedtime!”
“Ja, it’s not been often dat ve’ve had some free time, due to all de tings ve have been through in recent days.”
“Indeed, unless trouble findeth us here.”
“I think we’re safe for noo,” Ren suggested. “We can likely relax for the rest o the day.”
“How so, Sir Ren?”
“This inn has a lounge for Tsikgaaren, sae I jalouse we can smoke an drink the rest o the day awa!”
“That soundeth like a good idea. Perhaps the other men would like to join us. I am certain the women would not.”
“I vould rather remain in good health, thank you. I vonder if de odder vomen vould be villing to someting.”
“In that case, my love, thou art most welcome.”
“But… maybe eftir dinner. I’m starvin! Best tae hae a guid smoke an a drink eftir a meal!”
“Quite true, dear Ren. Be that the case, we should inform the others.”
“Ja, let us go, den. But if ve cannot get a good meal here, ve should probably ask our good innkeeper, or around town.”
“Agreed,” Jaani concluded, and they departed their room, traveling to that adjacent. He rapped upon the door, inquiring, “Hello? Bill? Shirley, Monty? We would like to discuss plans for dinner this evening, if ye are ready to do so.”
“Just a few seconds!” Bill answered. After the mentioned interval, the door opened to reveal him, and he informed, “Your timing is perfect! We were just discussing meal plans since we are on the famished side.”
“My wife’s got ye aw sorted on that!” assured the innkeeper as he approached. “She’s preparing a hearty meal as we speak!”
“That thou wert married eluded us,” Jaani stated, “but none of us asked, so we shall take the meal she prepareth, so long as it tasteth good.”
“A damn fine chance there is in that regard! An eftirward, ye can enjoy a guid Tsikgaar an a drink an…”
“Of those we are also aware.”
“Damn sharp o ye, noo! I’ll tak ye tae the dining room!”
11
Through the inn the guests traversed, Jaani glimpsing the lounge Ren had mentioned, from which came the aroma of Tsikgaar smoke, their path ending in a sizable dining hall that blended in with the rest of the lodge in terms of its walls, ceiling, and furniture styles. Everyone seated themselves, the jack donkey leaving and his beautiful, humbly-clothed jenny wife entering with a large platter with smaller dishes and tableware, from which she began populating the table with the evening meal. The vacant dishes the guests would use already adorned the tabletop, glasses included, which she began to fill with wine.
“None for me, tank you.”
“Onythin else ye’d like insteid?”
“Maybe someting like fruit juice vithout Auelkuul.”
“In that case, ance I’m done servin ye, I’ll gang back tae the kitchen an get ye onythin ye like. Ony preference?”
“None, really, but I vouldn’t mind a sampling of everyting.”
“A sampler it is, then!” When the jenny placed the main course on the table, they could see a meat-and-potato dish that looked appetizing. “Here ye go, noo! This is Stouvyys, a braw, delectable Skwirlshan dish! Meal ur biadh!”
“Tapadh leibh, a bhean-uasal!” replied Jaani, knowledgeable in the Skwirlshan language.
The jenny chuckled, afterward noting, “I’ll be back wi the young miss’s fruit juice.”
“This meal seemeth delicious,” observed Jaani as the donkey departed. Putting his hands together, with the others doing the same, he stated, “I think a prayer to our Lord would be fit for an occasion like this. To the Almighty Lord Jehuveshah, we thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us, past and present. We thank You for keeping us safe from whatever harm hath attempted to divert us, and for this repast as our humble reward. Continue to protect us as we advance southward to Atturgraad, and see to it that our reception is favorable, that even though most of us here have not been to my homeland, they can start their lives anew, and I can resume my duties as the nation’s crown prince. Continue to bestow Your blessings upon our homelands and the rest of Bystopfia, that we can live peacefully for generations to come, come what may. In Your mighty name we pray, amen.”
“Amen! repeated the others, dinner beginning.
Tasting the meal, Jaani commented, “This doth satisfy me, a great reward for our various recent trials and tribulations.”
“Ja, it’s very good,” Jinnah agreed, Jaani seeing she was eating quickly, even going for seconds without her drinks she had requested.
“Thou seemest especially to appreciate it, dear. May I inquire wherefore?”
“Vell, it’s just... I’m really starving, you know, after all de hell ve’ve been trough today.”
“Understandable. I shall ask no further and let thee enjoy this repast.”
“Ja, tanks.” A few seconds later, the donkey wife returned with her requested fruit drinks in a few pitchers, which the Asyyr maiden began to down after pouring them into her glass, alternating between eating and drinking. “Tank you, tank you!”
“Weel, noo! She seems quite the eater! Eatin for twa, I jalouse?”
“No, no, no, please, hold your tongue and let me eat, vill you?”
The donkeymaid chuckled. “That I shall, then!”
The jenny left, with Jaani eating more slowly, eying Jinnah, then the other diners, who had happy looks on their faces and laughed a little. The otter Kyymaer felt a slight fog in his mind, after which he continued to dine at his standard pace, eventually satisfied and stopping, which the others did in a few minutes.
12
Once the action fully died at the dinner table, Jaani got up and said, “Well, a fine meal, I say. I believe the other men and I have post-dinner plans?”
“Aye, laddie!” agreed Ren, also getting up. “Tsikgaaren an Skwirlsach!”
“Perhaps ve ladies should do someting as vell,” Jinnah suggested, facing Shirley.
“Actually,” she began, puffing her pipe. “I think I shall partake in a Tsikgaar or two, as I feel need for a different kind of T’Bakgo, but I shall have no Auelkuul in case things get, well, rowdy.”
“Ja, I understand. Maybe de innkeeper’s vife vill vant to do someting vith me, unless she vants to spend time vith her husband.”
“What’s that I hear?” the donkey interjected as he entered the dining hall, continuing, “Jist checkin in on the lot o ye, naething mair!”
“For me, ‘tis no issue. Hast thou any plans, if thou hast not dined already?”
“Weel, I’ve had my denner wi my beloved, sae I’ve spent some guid time wi her awready, sae it’s nae problem if you men want tae dae something thegither! I usually spend my time efter a guid meal in the lounge for a smoke an a drink, an aw.”
“Happy coincidence. My love here wondered as well if thy wife would spend some time with her as we gentlemen enjoy ours.”
“I’m sure my wife wid be mair than happy tae dae sae! Dear, come here, gin ye wad!”
“Yis, my love!” The donkeymaid arrived and said, “I’d be mair than happy tae spend time wi Miss Jinnah, if that’s whit ye were talkin aboot!”
“Sharp as aye!”
She chuckled. “Come noo, Jinnah! We can blether o wummanly matters, an I’m richt sure ye’ve got a lot tae say!”
“Ja, I might.” Jinnah told Shirley, “Please do your duty and protect de men from demselves, just as you’ve alvays protected me.”
“Won’t be a problem, Lady Jinnah. I hope you have a fun time with her, but just in case...”
Shirley puffed on her pipe, nodded, and blinked, with Jinnah afterward bidding, “Tanks again.”
Once the ladies had left, the innkeeper told the others, “Let’s gang, noo!”
13
The donkey the other men and Shirley followed to the lounge, whose thick wooden door he opened to reveal the chamber itself, with the aroma of Tsikgaar smoke intensifying, everyone entering. Jaani glimpsed several sofas, each divided into subsections that could accommodate one beast each, considering largely beasts in particular, with their cushioned divisions having ashtrays in which already were plenty of ashes and Tsikgaar butts. Everyone except the innkeeper seated themselves and became comfortable, with the donkey walking to a glass-and-wood cabinet with dozens of boxes of Tsikgaaren, opening it and withdrawing enough for himself and the others. Into his mouth he placed one, distributing the others, everyone smelling them, Jaani in particular appreciating the enigmatic aroma of his.
The innkeeper was first to see through the tedious process of igniting his Tsikgaar, taking it out of his mouth, darkening the ring of the end he intended to light, after which he put it back in and used his long match to slowly set it ablaze, slowly puffing until the lit end was evenly burning, and exhaling the smoke he had drawn. This he did with the others, which required several minutes, until everyone in the lounge was able to puff on their respective Tsikgaaren. Jaani had picked up some tips from his smoker mother such as drawing whatever smoke he exalted into his nose so he could more fully savor the aroma, and took his time as he savored his Tsikgaar, with the others perhaps excepting Monty, more aggressive as he smoked, abiding by the same principles.
The donkey still stood as he smoked, traveling to a table with several glasses and various sizes and dozens of bottles of Auelkuul beverages, grabbing one, uncorking it, and pouring enough drinks for all in the lounge. These he distributed among the guests before he himself took his own and began savoring his glass, after which he settled into one of the seats and began to enjoy his Tsikgaar and Auelkuul. Jaani tasted his drink, discovering it to be an exotic form of Skwirlasch, to which he knew his parents and himself were no strangers. An acquired taste, he knew such beverages to be, one that he had developed throughout the years, especially during his time at university, recalling countless fraternity celebrations, whether or not commemorating special occasions or being solely for celebrations’ sake.
“We thank thee for this, good sir,” lauded Jaani.
“Dinnae mention it at aw! Sae, may I speir whit brings ye here tae this inn in the middle o naewhairs?”
“We are mere travelers, and that is all. I wish not detail our tribulations, be that okay with thee.”
“Na problem at aw, laddie! Gin ye’d like tae hear them, I hae some damn fine stories as weel!”
“Thou cast tell them, then.”
“In that case, I’ll tell aboot hoo this place cam aboot!”
“We would be grateful to hear it.”
“Here goes, then! It wis mony generations ago, but certainly no wey back in the Third Æpaak, mair like a couple hunner year, that my forbears wandered in thae pairts an decidit tae settle doon an stert a new toun here! It stertit wi this inn an eventually gat bigger — no ower big, mind ye — since we’ve aye been the quality-ower-quantity sorts for generations! We’ve been richt fortunate no tae hae suffered the horrors o war, sae that’s anither plus, an I’m damn sure it’ll continue for generations tae come!”
“Famous last words...” muttered Jaani, puffing on his Tsikgaar, recalling what he and his entourage had lately endured.
“Sae, whit aboot you lot? Whit’s yer story?” The travelers gave their tales, leaving out certain sensitive details. “Och, ye’ve been through a Hekh o a lot mair!”
“A bold understatement...”
14
An hour or so later, after everyone’s Tsikgaar had expired and they had their drinks (with none except Monty excessively inebriated), they got up from their seats and left the lounge, Jaani feeling slightly tipsy, but he still had enough sense to make his way to the exit.
“Haud on, noo!” the donkey innkeeper said.
“What wantest thou?”
“I think ye deserve a wee something for the… weel, the happy occasion.”
“Of what dost thou babble?”
“Babble, eh? That’s richt close tae whit the occasion actually is.”
“I comprehend thee not.”
“Eh, I’m sure ye’ll feegur it oot in aboot ten month or sae,” brayed the donkey, walking to the Tsikgaaren cabinet, retrieving a box, and presenting it to Jaani, opening it and revealing its contents, the lid interior having a protrusion with a few holes on its long sides. “I’m richt sure ye’ll love thae, Mister Jaani!”
“What maketh them so special?”
“Thir wee babies are aw the wey frae Cabronjya, aw the wey across the Ottalujya, weel tae the soothwast in the Cabronjyan Sea!”
“Cabronjya...” repeated Jaani, removing one of the Tsikgaaren and smelling it. “Not a name with which I am familiar. Couldst thou perhaps enlighten me about it?”
“I’ve never been there masel, an I’ll admit thir mibbie were… weel, smuggled aw the wey frae there, but they’re damn fine Tsikgaaren, I assure ye!”
“Hast thou had one thyself?”
“Me an my buddies, on occasion — but no frae this box, since it’s fu as ye can see — but they smell an taste braw, like coitus in yer mooth, except wey better, an they’ll gie ye a birl in yer nethers as weel! But I mak richt sure no tae hae them near my wife, since she’s expectin an aw, an it wad muck things up a hale lot mair if she indulged in them hersel!”
“Indeed, and everything hath its risks.”
“Ain’t that the truth!” brayed the donkey wordlessly for a few seconds before closing the box--Jaani first placed the Tsikgaar he smelled back in--and handing it to the otter Kyymaer. “Oh, an by the wey, there’s a wee mechanism that keeps them humidified for as lang as ye live, sae there’s nae rush at aw tae smoke them aw at ance!”
“I would never dream to do so. By the by, since this, well, special occasion hath rendered the others and me, to put it into words, odorous, be there something for a shower, bath, or combination, in these lodgings?”
“Ye read my mind! Aye, we’ve got indoor communal showers that I’m sure ye an the ithers will want tae tak advantage o!”
“Separated by sex? I’m sure Lady Shirley will want to shower as well.”
“Aye, the wumman hae their ain showers as weel.”
“So be it, then. I thank thee for the Tsikgaaren. Let us away to the showers.”
15
Jaani followed the donkey outside the lounge, first traveling to the entrance of his, Jinnah, and Ren’s guestroom, into which he briefly headed, stashing the box of Tsikgaaren into his basket of goods. Interestingly, Jinnah was nowhere in sight, with Shirley having separated from the beastmen, everyone traversing the inn to a pair of doors that the burro held open. Inside, they went into a shower chamber almost completely tiled on its ceiling, walls, and floor, with a few rugs, towels, and robes. There was also a laundry basket into which the men tossed their clothes after stripping themselves. Protruding from one of the walls was a ceramic platform with a selection of shampoos and soaps, not to mention brushes and combs.
“Here goes!” the donkey exclaimed as he pulled a metallic handle hanging from the ceiling.
Then precipitated from the top of the ceiling numerous water streams thin enough for the showerers to respirate and still function in the showerroom. They chose whatever shampoo and soap bottles piqued their fancies, grabbed brushes, and began to lather and wash themselves, for everyone a tedious process given the varying thickness of their fur or feathers. Around a quarter hour they spent within the shower, with the jack eventually deciding to pull the hanging handle again to stop the cleansing deluge. Afterward, he pulled another handle that caused jets to circular through the chamber with hot but bearable temperatures that dried them steadily, until the feeling of wetness was minimal. Then the donkey pulled the handle causing the jets to cease.
“Weel, that wis fun, wis it no, laddies?”
“Indeed,” agreed Jaani, “an experience I would not mind repeat.”
“Grab some robes, noo! My wife wad be mair than happy tae dae yer laundry i the mornin!”
“We thank thee for boarding us, again.”
“Dinnae mention it at aw! I’m richt sure ye’ll get a guid sleep efter this!”
“We shall see thee in the morning, then.”
The showerers robed themselves, exiting and traversing the halls, the innkeeper separating from the party then the Grypfaanen and lastly Jaani and Ren entering their chamber with Jinnah. After their ingress, Jaani saw that she sat in one of the cushioned sofas, reading and clothed in a nightgown. When approaching, the otter Kyymaer saw she was reading an Asyyr-language Byybæl and sat next to her.
“A little bedtime scripture, I presume?”
“Ja, and I am sure you vould benefit from it as vell.”
“In that case, I shall join thee. What book readest thou now?”
“De Book of Szoolman.”
“Ah, such wondrous poetry it hath. Any passage in particular that piqueth thy fancy?”
“It’s all good as far as I am concerned.”
16
After a few minutes reading scripture, Jinnah said, “I am tired, so ve can sleep.”
“What of thee, Ren?” Jaani gazed at the reindeer’s bed, seeing he was sound asleep in his one-piece pajama suit. “He seemeth to have the right idea.”
“Bedtime, den.”
Thus, Jaani changed into his own pajamas, white with red embroidering, comfortable in the winter weather. As Jinnah went to her bed and began praying in the Asyyr tongue, the otter Kyymaer went to his, knelt, crossed his chest, clasped his hands, closed his eyes, and issued his own nighttime meditation.
“Dear Almighty Lord Jehuveshah, we are grateful that You have protected us throughout these tribulations we have endured on our journey to Atturgraad and humbly beseech that You continue to protect us as I lead my companions on the next days of our southerly journey. Regardless of whatever my lord father and lady mother say, please let them accept my new choice of consort, that she may serve as my queen and bear our issue to continue our bloodline for many generations. Please let us love one another to the end of our days, let us quarrel not, and let our children grow the ways of Your great teachings, that they may love and serve You until they grow old and perish, continuing the Atturgraad name. Please bless our kingdom and its allies, that Anagumayra and Baertaanjya may live in peace. In Your name I pray, amen.”