A deep, rumbling growl shakes the distant trees. Heavy and darkly baritone, the sound rings out from the far right, the Zingfinolds quickly dodging the area. Another loud boom and anyone left scurries off, backing all the way to the opposite trees toward the left. Walker, Zeed and a few others hold their position, peering through the thick canopy that has started shaking furiously.
“Yep,” Able nods, following their stare. “Just like last time.”
“What is it?” Mae asks, her voice trembling, “I mean… what kind of animal makes that sound?”
“Oh you’ll see.”
“Tucker is arrive,” Warze announces in the center of the clearing, gesturing an arm toward the start of the trees.
The focus immediately switches from the growing rumble to the Rogue Leader who wearily approaches at the base of the clearing. With a look of utter exhaustion, he’s covered from head to foot in dirt, blood and a heavy sheen of sweat. Three crusted yellow bones rest under his right arm, each long and thin and shaped with a slight curve like a bow for shooting. Tucker pants, looking around the entire crowd before flinging the bones to the ground at Warze’s feet.
“Next.”
“You want hold,” he shakes his head. “You need for killing.”
Tucker continues to breathe heavily, his hands on his hips. “I need a minute.”
“No minute. You must defeat Horrop now,” he turns to the trees behind him, waving something on.
A group of the largest and most ferocious looking tribesmen make their way through the trees, each yanking a solid rope over their shoulders behind them. There must be about twenty all together, all struggling forward, dragging some unforeseeable force as the rumbling growing louder. Birds rip free from the shaking canopy, filling the sky as a sharp hiss emits, followed by another deep grumble that makes me take a step back.
“Able…”
“They’ve got it,” he promises, a slight quiver to his own voice, “but uh… just to be safe… let’s give them some room.”
He makes for the far side of the clearing and I have Pratt and Mae follow. We pass Walker, Zeed and Perry, the rest of the Rogues trailing behind. No one really notices our relocation except Reid, who nods approvingly. With his eyes back on the rumbling trees, he switches focus to Tucker, who’s picking up one of the long bones. Warze raises his hands, indicating attention and immediately, the crowd silences.
“Tucker defeats tribesman, retrieves Ludin bones. To be Zingfinold, Horrop must die.”
And that’s when we see it—the enormous red and black beast emerging through the trees, led by a collar of twenty solid ropes around a neck the size of Hozfin’s home. It sits in the center of its immense back and three yellow eyes flicker from the front side, in the middle of what would be its chest. It’s hard to tell because at the top of the neck, two colossal fangs dip on either side of the mid section. They nearly scrape the ground, but stop just at the height of the underbelly where a small army of skinny red legs scurry along the forest floor, digging their black pincers into the ground.
“What the…”
“I think I wet myself first time I saw it,” Able says without blinking.
“We’ve got to help him,” I look to the Rogue Leader whose eyes have grown wide at the sight. He steps back, the Ludin bone gripped in his right hand.
“You can’t,” Able shakes his head. “They’d consider that cheating and you’d all be condemned to death.”
“But…” I try and work through it, what we’re allowing to happen. “We can’t just let him face it. We’ve done nothing! Can’t we like… swap out?”
“Yeah,” he laughs, “if only it was that easy.”
“I’m serious,” my eyes roam over his fatigued figure. “He looks like he’s about to fall over.”
“The Ludin bones are sharp-tipped. Like spears. He’ll just have to get a few good jabs in.”
“How’s that going to help him? If he’s too tired to even move?”
“What do you want me to say?” Able shrugs, “it was the same thing with Walker. We couldn’t do anything either. Except support him.”
I look to Tucker again and almost see the defeat in his eyes. How can he battle this… this thing without even a moment’s rest? It’s like he knows it’s almost futile to try, but that’s no way to win. He needs to be reminded that he has more control. This thing isn’t over yet.
“You can do this, Tucker!” I yell out, all attention flying to me. “You’ve got this!”
“Yeah!” Pratt follows my lead, cupping her hands around her mouth. “Show ‘em what a Rogue’s made of!”
Everyone’s stunned silent for a moment, switching focus between us, Tucker and the Horrop. Is this usual? Is it even allowed? Warze looks like he’s about to interrupt when Booker hollers at the top of his voice, following our lead.
“Come on, Commander!” he throws his fist in the air. “Just one more! You’re almost there!”
“It’s a giant turkey!” Jace joins. “A giant bird brain! It doesn’t know you! You’re the fucking Rogue Leader! You kill fuckers like this before breakfast!”
The rest of the Rogues yell out, shouting their own words of encouragement and accolades to Tucker’s strength. They must break through his accepted defeat because something changes in his stature. He holds the Ludin bone as a weapon now and not a useless shield. Bowing slightly at the knees, he looks up to the Horrop as a worthy opponent, and not just his fate.
Warze waves his hand and the Zingfinolds grasping the ropes cut them loose. They dart away and the Horrop stampedes forward, straight for Tucker. I hold my breath just as the Rogue Leader lifts the Ludin bone to attack.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Zingfinolds
Just as I think he’s going to spear the Horrop, Tucker rolls to the ground, under the belly to swat at the army of red legs. The end of the bone slices some in half and the Horrop lets out a piercing screech that shakes the nearby leaves. It tries stabbing Tucker with its right fang, but the Rogue Leader rolls back and forth, always being missed by seconds. Still on his back, he jabs at the beast but the bone is not long enough and he’s never quite able to penetrate the thick black and red skin. The fang comes for him again but Tucker rolls backwards and up on his feet, the Horrop giving him no time to rest. Advancing, it nearly collides with the Rogue Leader but Tucker keeps the Ludin spear outstretched and as it rushes him, he stabs one of its eyes.
The Horrop backs up, the bone still protruding from its face as Tucker races around, grabbing another. He waits, watching it struggle and with the distraction, he swerves around the left, cutting more of the tiny red legs. The Horrop screams out, immediately slamming its fang into Tucker, sending him flying. The Rogue Leader tumbles across the ground, the bone snapping in two as he lands a good few yards away. The Horrop makes to take off after him but crashes to the ground. Using its remaining legs, it pushes its way forward, both fangs scraping canals into the dirt towards Tucker’s motionless body.
Reid jets forward but Sampson holds his arm out, preventing his aid.
The Horrop moves slowly but persistently toward the fallen Rogue Leader. I’m not sure what to do. Can we really sit back and let it kill Tucker? He’d die and we’d be forced to leave without the Nazual. But if we grab him and go, at least we have a shot at all making it out alive.
The Horrop is within feet of the Rogue Leader when he finally moves, easing the panic in my chest. Tucker achingly pulls himself to his knees, a look of utter exhaustion marring his face. Slowly staggering to his feet, Tucker eyes the impending beast and the last Ludin bone on the ground behind it. Wiping the sweat from his brow, his eyes flicker from the Horrop to the bone, back to the Horrop again, surveying all parts. He paces for a second, wiping another sheen of sweat from his brow before bending at the knees, readying himself.
Just when the Horrop is about to close in, Tucker takes off, dashing on the other side of it and rounding to pick up the bone. The Horrop doesn’t have enough time to swerve before Tucker’s cl
imbing over it, jabbing the sharp Ludin spear in and out of the beast’s red and black armor.
The Horrop lets out a blood-curdling wail but Tucker advances, climbing higher and higher, stabbing over and over until he reaches the neck collared by the thick rope. He climbs over it, pulling himself atop the neck nub and between the Horrop’s fangs. Reaching back, he holds the Ludin bone high in the air and with a final effort, brings it crashing down in the middle of the neck.
With a final scream, the Horrop slumps to the ground, motionless.
Everything is silent as Tucker exhales breathlessly, hands on his hips and peering down at the dead animal below his feet.
Warze approaches, yanking the bone from the Horrop’s eye with little resistance. He glances up to Tucker who is still breathless and turns to the crowd, hoisting up the Ludin spear.
“Tucker defeat tribesman, retrieve Ludin bone and kill Horrop. Three tasks complete,” he projects his voice so everyone can hear, “today and all days, Tucker is Zingfinold.”
Everyone breaks out in a chorus of chanting and hollering praise, the tribesmen throwing their blades in the air as the females dance around, singing in their native tongue. The Rogues yell out cheers, shouting for Tucker’s success until one by one, everyone falls silent.
Hozfin appears across from us.
The crowd parts for him as he slowly makes his way to the center of the clearing where Warze remains, Ludin bone in hand. The King looks from him to Tucker, still atop the dead Horrop.
“Welcome Brother Tucker. You display Strength. Diligence. Bravery. You now brother of Zingfinolds,” he glances to us. “Fychu and friends remain guests. They return with Nazual.”
Tucker nods, his chest expanding and deflating rapidly.
“Oh thank heavens,” Mae mutters next to us as a similar relief sweeps across Sampson and Clarence.
Hozfin turns to his people, his hands raised high in the air. “Horrop dead. We celebrate new tribesman tonight!”
The Zingfinolds holler with excitement as Reid, Jace and Werzo race over to Tucker who looks like he’s about to collapse. They grab his hands, helping him down and drape his arms over Reid and Jace’s shoulders, supporting his weight as they carry him away. Booker is about to follow when Warze stops him, holding out the Ludin bone.
“Souvenir.”
“Thanks,” he takes it. “I’ll give it to him.”
Warze nods, turning for the king as they make their way back through the crowd, which quickly disperses. Able, Pratt, Mae and I make for the departing Rogues, meeting up with Sampson, Clarence and the others. They’ve all gathered around Tucker where they have him propped against a tree. He’s panting profusely, his eyes batting half open as blood trickles from his nose.
“He can’t make it up the stairs,” Jace shakes his head. “No way.”
“I can carry him,” Reid says.
“Up all those steps?” Clarence frowns. “You’ll exhaust yourself half-way up.”
“Then we’ll switch,” Reid looks to Booker. “Think you’re up for it?”
“Anything you need, Boss.”
“There’s a simpler way,” Walker approaches, smartly sandwiching himself between Clarence and Sampson, “like I did with Fallon yesterday. Just hoist him up.”
“You can do that?” Sampson narrows his eyes with concern. “He won’t give you much support.”
“Not a problem,” he indicates to one of the low hanging tear drop leaves. “Have him up there in minutes.”
Reid glares at Walker but wipes the expression before focusing on Tucker. “Alright buddy, Walker’s going to take you up and we’ll meet you there. See you in a minute.”
Tucker half nods and Walker wraps his arm around the Rogue Leader. Reaching for one of the lime green bell-shaped leaves, he nods. “See you up there.” Tugging on the leaf, they ascend the next second, straight through the trees, disappearing instantly.
Once they’re gone, Clarence breathes out a sigh of relief. “Thank God it went the way it did.”
“Yeah, with Tucker still retaining all his limbs,” Jace agrees.
“Will he be okay?” Pratt asks.
Sampson nods. “He’ll need the rest of the day and tonight for recovery. But we need to get back to Mybyncia as soon as possible.”
“When are you thinking?” Vix asks.
“Tomorrow.”
“Don’t want to stay for more than a minute?” Jace scratches his chin, staring off after a few skimpily dressed tribeswomen. “Socialize with some of the natives…”
“I have no interest in socializing with their females,” Sampson exhales. “And neither should you.”
He shrugs. “I can get past the fur.”
“We need to get the Nazual back to Mybyncia as soon as possible,” Sampson explains, “once they’re recovering and Qippert has healed, he’ll take us to find Blovid. That’s our next goal.”
“But we’re coming back, right?” Reid glances momentarily at Pratt and Mae.
“Yes. Once we locate Blovid and regroup, we’ll return to Nerwolix for the next phase.”
“Next phase of what?” Pratt asks.
“Of this war. Tucker’s victory should be acknowledged, and I do intend to fully celebrate his accomplishment tonight. But this is still just the beginning. We must return to Mybyncia as soon as possible. Blovid, no doubt, is awaiting our arrival. We mustn’t keep him waiting too much longer.”
Silence falls until Clarence gestures up the tree. “Shall we?”
Vix opens the wooden latch, leading everyone through the hollowed trunk and after a few minutes, we reach the canopy top. Sampson, Clarence and Vix take the lead, bringing us toward Walker’s home where Tucker is laid out on the red cushions in the back, eyes closed and asleep.
Sampson moves to stand over him, shaking his head. “Wish I had some Vilbrees.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s like a healing ointment. Speeds the recovery of any ailment.”
“Oh…” Walker rises, crossing the room. “I’ve got something like that. It’s made of Tregmint.”
“You have Tregmint here?” Clarence’s eyes grow wide.
“Yeah… at least, I think that’s what it’s called,” Walker returns with a bowl of the familiar blue green mush and sits next to Tucker. “Warze applied some to me when I finished the tasks. Horrop got me real bad with its fang and this stuff helped tremendously.”
“It is,” Sampson takes a closer look, shock marring his face. “I didn’t realize Tregmint grew on Nerwolix.”
“Maybe just out here,” Clarence says. “Might not grow around Thias.”
“I’ve never seen it,” Sampson shakes his head. “Hmm… good to know.”
“This should help the Rogue Leader,” Walker spreads some of the mixture on Tucker’s swollen eye. “He’ll be alright in time for the celebration tonight.”
“Pratt,” Sampson gestures her to take over. “Want to help?”
“Yep,” she jumps up and retrieves the bowl from Walker’s hand. “Poor Tucker…”
“And what do we expect for tonight again?”
“Eating, dancing,” Walker shrugs. “Got to dress the part though.”
“How so?”
Walker scans me. “Proper attire. Anyone who attends the celebration must wear the animal hides,” he glances over his shoulder. “Vix can get the girls’. I’ll round up the boys’.”
“Thank you.”
“Not a problem,” he winks.
“And the Nazual,” Sampson presses. “When can we retrieve them?”
“Now, if you want. As long as you stay the night for the celebration, you can leave tomorrow with them.”
“Wonderful.”
“I can take Sampson to get the Nazuals if you want to get them changed,” Walker turns to Able.
“Warze?”
Walker shakes his head. “Zeed will get you what you need. Grab something for Tucker and Sampson here too. Come on,” he leads the way toward the red curtain, Samp
son on his tail, “how many you think you need?”
“Not sure, but I’d assume a full bush may do the trick,” he follows Walker out.
“Alright,” Clarence clasps his hands, turning to Able. “Let’s get dressed.”
“And we’ll be wearing the same thing?” Jace scans Able’s beige and brown animal hide. “Do they come in any other color?”
“Yeah—let me check the back of the store.”
Reid walks toward Able. “Let’s grab our clothes and be back here before Tucker wakes up. Vix,” he turns to her, “you’ll get the girls situated and meet us back here?”
“It will take awhile to get them ready. We shall see you at the beginning of the celebration later.”
“Alright,” he glances at me quickly but averts focus. Bypassing Clarence with Able on his heel, Reid is already heading for the flapping curtain, “I don’t want to leave Tucker for too long.”
The rest of the Rogues disappear and we do the same, retreating to Vix’s home, which is similar to Walker’s, except it’s a quarter of the size. Three jars of the oversized fireflies light up the space with red cushions carpeting the floor and a long bed right down the middle. It’s a tight squeeze to get the four of us in, but we make it work. Vix leaves to get the clothes and we sort of hang around the room for a bit. After a while, she returns with several garments in hand.
“Here,” Vix dispenses the same black and brown animal hide that the rest of the females have worn. “You will want to wrap this piece around your torso and this one over your bottom.”
“Is this it?” I take two very tiny sections of the material.
Vix exhales. “Yes. I am afraid so.”
Holy shit.
There’s almost nothing here. How are we expected to wear this… and only this? Mae and Pratt take their garments and begin undressing so I quickly do the same. Trying not to think of what I’ll look like, I strip and apply the animal hides over my skin as best as I can. Once I’m done, I glance down at myself, trying not to cringe.
One narrow piece wraps around my chest, barely covering my breasts, which are almost bulging out at the top. The other section—somewhat larger—hangs off my hips, but only makes it to the top of my thighs. Like Mae, I’m fighting the urge to cover myself since these are way more revealing than the garments on Mybyncia.
Plague of Mybyncia Page 34
