‘What be this insect?’ Mirrortac asked. ‘There is fire in its tail.’
‘T’is a flame beetle. We use it to put fire to our lanterns as well as for many other uses,’ the princess answered.
The he-faug lit a lantern of tree-wax and applied the flame to the dish that he suspended over it on two pieces of stone. After only a short time over the flame, the oil started to bubble and a mist steamed up. The turbid colour of the oil started to clear into an amber hue and soon the whole of the oil was that colour. When this was complete the he-faug removed the flame and waited for the dish to cool. The oil was then poured into a wooden vase and stoppered with a plug of Yu bark.
Mirrortac sniffed at the sweet aromas that hung in the air within the bower.’ This Merma is most pleasing to the senses,’ he said. He scanned the shelves within the bower and spied stocks of Merma-mead in urns and rows of vases filled with the oil. On a separate shelf of its own he saw a small stock of phials that were inscribed with the design of the Sacred Tree. ‘And what lay within those?’ he asked.
The princess glanced away and her voice became low and secretive. ‘We must not speak of this here,’ she said. ‘All I may say to you is that there is Merma and Yu and many other fruits within the recipe that has made the liquid in those phials. It is only served in these halls and then only to the Sacred Faugs of Greenfaug of which the Prince and I are the only two representatives.’ The princess bowed hastily to the he-faug servants and almost snatched the erfin through the door. ‘We must go,’ she said, betraying a slight nervousness in her voice.
Mirrortac complied with the princess’ wishes. He assumed that the phials were considered very sacred and hence the restriction on their use. Emeritta led them back to the hall by a different route and left him at his bedchamber where he was instructed to rest before the evening’s feast. Outside, the flame of the sun descended beyond the edge of the world, fading day into the darkness of night. Preparations of the feast continued while Mirrortac lay in his bed, pondering the many wonders and customs of these weird folk.
As he lay thinking, a she-faug entered his chamber, clutching a flame-beetle. She climbed the wall to light each of a row of tree-wax lanterns spaced about the chamber then left him in silence, with the yellow light of the lanterns flickering around him.
When the time for the feast grew near, two she-faugs came to Mirrortac, carrying with them a robe of snerk-skin, which they lay upon his shoulders and tied about his neck with twine. A laurel of orchids such as the ones worn by the prince and princess was placed upon his head and he was greeted with licks upon his cheeks. He responded in kind and the she-faugs grunted and bowed happily. They led him up the hallway again and to the central chamber where all awaited his pleasure. Many tables of hewn Yu-branch had been placed and laid in preparation for the feast. Three thrones now dominated the central stage along with a table marked with ornate and beautiful designs.
A large company of faugs was already seated about the Sacred Chamber while a place had been prepared for the erfin between the prince and princess. A chorus of grunts hailed Mirrortac’s entry and as he was guided to his throne, he felt the mood of acclaim and awe within the assembly gathered there. The carved likenesses of two serpents with heads curved towards each other rose from the top of the throne where Mirrortac was to sit. Prince Chen grinned widely at him, indicating for him to be seated.
‘Come, erfin-friend Mirrortac! Sit here between us and join in our praise of Yu for this night we proclaim the coming of the Son of Mateote and victory over She, Snerk-Mother and governor of Thock and Gorkle!’
Mirrortac had no sooner seated himself when ten faugs rose from their places about the chamber, lifted flutes of Yu-wood to their lips and blew together in unison. The flutes were sounded briefly but the rising harmony of them echoed in the expanse of the Sacred Chamber. The lanterns that had previously been unlit now shone brightly from their places high on the carved walls, their light play giving the illusion of life to the figures portrayed.
The herald of flutes halted and a she-faug rose and approached the stage, holding up a box of Yu-Wood bearing the sacred tree design upon it. She stepped forward with reverence and presented the box to Chen who stood and grunted to it in faugish before turning towards the erfin who was speculating upon the contents of the box.
‘In the name of Yu, I break this seal,’ he proclaimed and lifted the lid off the box.
Inside it was a phial of the liquid that had prompted such secrecy from the princess. Beside it, wrapped in Yu-bark, was a necklace similar to the one the princess wore. The rough crystal of the greenstone glinted from its many facets as the prince handled it.
‘Rise now Mirrortac and accept this sacred necklace of Yu-stone. It and its sister were presented to us by a great bird, which Yu had sent to us from the borders of the world. Take this now and wear it always for you are now a princeling among faugs!’ The prince placed the necklace over the erfin’s head and hung it from his neck. Then taking the phial out of the box, he said: ‘In the name of Yu, upon your essence I raise this seal.’ He opened the phial and poured its entire contents into a small Yu-wood chalice and presented it to Mirrortac. ‘Mirrortac, faug princeling, drink of this which bears the Spirit that fills our lives. Be filled also and understand all that we say. Speak not only in the tongue of the sons and daughters of Mateote but be of Yu and thus become Faug. Drink!’
Mirrortac remembered what the princess had told him earlier but hesitated to believe the claim made of this sacred concoction.
‘Drink, erfin-friend!’ The prince urged.
Mirrortac raised the chalice to his lips and allowed the contents to wet them without yet opening his mouth. The strange liquid tingled on the skin and its colour was like curdled cream. He opened his mouth and accepted a little of the liquid upon his tongue, measuring its density and taste. The Yu-essence clung in a thick mass to his tongue, which reacted to the wild flavour and tang. Satisfied with its taste, he swallowed and finished what was left in the chalice.
In just moments, he felt his whole mouth and throat erupt with a burning after-flavour, and a nausea rose in his head. He looked around with reproach, as the chamber grew dim. A crackling noise roared in his ears and his whole body started to tremble as the fire in his throat intensified. He wanted to run, to escape, to cry out but the essence held him in place. For what seemed a long time, he endured the violent effects of the essence until at last the fire in his throat simmered into a pleasant warmth, his vision cleared and the crackling ceased. The nausea was replaced with a great feeling of strength that coursed into his body accompanied by the euphoric headiness of Merma. The prince patted him cheerily on the shoulder. ‘Hail erfin-fellow! Be seated now and let us all feast!’
A cacophany of grunting filled the chamber; none of it comprehensible. Mirrortac was still suspicious. The potion was poison, he thought, and it was probably slowly killing him.
He-faugs entered the chamber, carrying with them large bowls and urns of fruits and Merma-mead. Snerk meat too was brought and that of the large rodent. When Mirrortac saw the food, he abruptly forgot his suspicions and picked up a large piece of rodent to eat.
Noticing his choice, the prince said: ‘I see you like Tarmut also, Mirrortac. Our archers had to search the earth floor of the forest for many leagues to kill enough for our feast tonight.’
Mirrortac made a sound of approval then checked in his eating. He dismissed what he thought was his imagination and resumed tearing off pieces of meat from the tarmut carcass. The princess was engaged in talk with one of the faug servants, exchanging grunts and gestures. Quite spontaneously, he felt a change occur as they were talking - grunts merged into a pattern that became intelligible. Mirrortac could hardly contain his excitement which grew by the moment as he realised he knew what sounds he would need to make to converse with her in faugish. Finally, he could withhold himself no longer.
‘Princess!’ he blurted. ‘My ears hear your tongue and my thought understands it! W
hat great wonder is this!’ His words were no longer erfinish but faugish.
Princess Emeritta turned to him with a smile and licked him hard on the cheek. ‘Mirrortac! Erfin-faug! Yu has blessed you with the understanding of Faug-dom! The spirit of Mateote is no longer alone within you. Now, our sacred and good spirit of Yu is his companion.’
Mirrortac was in awe. All she said had been in the grunted language of the faugs yet he understood her as though it was his own tongue. The excitement spread quickly throughout the chamber.
‘Hail to Mirrortac erfin-faug! Princeling of Greenfaug!’ cried the assembled faugs. Mirrortac was overcome and his face was smothered in tears of joy.
‘Nought shall I call this the Netherworld,’ he shouted. ‘Your spirit … Our Spirit, of Yu, has indeed blessed this erfin with a new tongue. Let us all drink Merma in celebration!’
Mirrortac filled his chalice from one of the urns and all the faugs assembled did likewise. He raised his chalice and a forest of chalices was raised together. ‘Hail to the Sacred Spirit of Yu! May the Princedom of the Faugs prosper!’ he cried.
‘Hail to Yu! Hail to Yu!’ chorused the assembly.
The erfin downed the contents of the chalice with a satisfied slap of the lips. The draught warmed him and in the tradition of the best erfin feasts, he would feast and drink for all the night until the last drop of Merma had been used up. The prince and princess smiled with joy at the erfin’s happy mood and the whole assembly was in good cheer.
‘Indeed this is a happy night,’ the prince said. ‘It has been many long seasons since we have held a feast such as this.’
The mead seemed to work faster in Greenfaug, finding the erfin soon quite drunk. He wriggled his pointed grey ears and grunted much silliness. The princess giggled at him, and for a moment, the erfin looked at her with curious interest.
The erfin smiled and poured himself another chalice full of Merma-mead. ‘Hail to Yu!’ he cried.
The princess laughed. ‘And to Mateote!’
‘Hail to Yu and to Mateote!’ all shouted.
*****
Morning came and as the sunlight threaded its way through the high branches, all was quiet in the halls and bowers of Greenfaug. Mirrortac was in a deep slumber in his chamber bed while all the faugs also slept within their respective bowers. The only one awake was Gorgret who busied himself with preparations for the many games that the faugs would play before darkness fell again. Arrows were sharpened and cleaned, vines tested for strength, flame-beetles prepared, timber platforms brushed. And when the sun of Luma shone into the triangle of the Sacred Chamber, Gorgret went to his bower, and picking up his flute, sounded three blasts upon it, calling all within Greenfaug to awaken and prepare for the games.
Mirrortac awoke with a groan. His fur smelt of spilt mead and his head throbbed with an ache. A servant waited patiently for him to arise while he earnestly tried to ignore the faug. He opened one bloodshot eye and waved a weak hand at the servant. ‘You may return later. Now, go and let this erfin rest,’ he said. But the servant only nodded apologetically, saying, ‘Your Princeling Mirrortac, the prince and princess have made a place ready for you at the games today. You will find the air most refreshing. It is a balm for many sore heads. You must arise. Half the day is lost already.’
The erfin rolled over and carefully sat up, holding his head between his paws. ‘I can see that you will not leave me be. Let us be on our way, then,’ he said.
The servant dressed him in another robe and placed a fresh garland of orchids on his head. He was guided out of the halls and onto the games platform where the prince and princess were seated on cushions of Yu-leaf that had been thatched together and filled with feathers. Gorgret ambled about with a cheerful manner while all the faugs of Greenfaug gathered to watch and take part in the games. A cooling breeze drifted across the wide platform and the sun shone behind them, casting a shade through the huge limbs of the giant tree. Urns of Merma-mead had been placed all about and a servant filled fresh chalices for the prince, princess and the erfin. Mirrortac regarded his chalice for a moment. ‘I think this is the cause of my ailment,’ he said, then pressed his lips to the edge of the cup and drank.
At a sign from the prince, Gorgret gave a blast on his flute and announced the start of the games.
‘Hail Yu, let the games begin!’ he shouted. ‘Welcome fellow faugs of Greenfaug! Welcome fellows Chen and Emeritta and Mirrortac. Now let us be in praise for the fruits of our great forest. Archers and catchers, prepare!’
Five faugs walked to the edge of the platform and launched themselves into the air. An updraft bore them aloft and they circled until they were some distance away but still visible. Then five more faugs marched forward, armed with arrows and bows, taking up positions near the edge of the platform. Their pouches bore the design of Greenfaug - the spreading Yu tree - etched into snerk skin.
Gorgret gave the signal to the archers to prepare their aim while the five catchers hovered in the sky, waiting for the arrows to be shot towards them. The archers raised bows, aiming above the heads of the hovering catchers.
‘Shoot your arrows!’ cried Gorgret.
A flight of arrows arced high into the sky. The catchers watched each trajectory, gliding back and forth in an effort to catch them. Two arrows were caught aloft while another two were caught as they started to drop; another was lost altogether. Gorgret made the command to shoot again and a second volley of arrows streaked into the sky. Then as the last arrow was snatched from the air, another volley of arrows followed. Gorgret shortened the time between each volley until there was almost a constant rain of arrows being shot in the air, forcing the catchers to pursue several arrows at a time. Finally the arrow pouches were empty and the catchers glided back with their tally of arrows caught, panting and with their hands bleeding from snatching at the sharpened points as they whistled through the sky. Servants rushed forward and cleansed the wounds with Essence of Merma while others gave the competitors cups of mead to restore their strength.
‘Riltok has caught fifteen arrows. He wins!’ Gorgret announced. A cheer rose up and faugs flapped their wings with excitement. ‘Hail Riltok! Yu be praised!’ they cried.
The prince and princess joined in the excitement but Mirrortac shuffled uncomfortably on his seat. The custom was unfamiliar and he felt he would be untrue to everyone if he displayed false excitement. Noticing his silence, the prince turned and looked down upon the smaller erfin. Attempting to induce a sense of celebration, he said: ‘Riltok is one of our best catchers. The winner of the second arrow catch will challenge him to an air to air arrow exchange. This brings great pleasure to me,’ he said.
Mirrortac saw the child-like fascination the faug had for the game and exercised his erfinish politeness. ‘Yu is kind Prince Chen but I see little end to these amusements. Surely praise is not sufficient gift for such a great spirit.’
There was an amused expression on the prince’s face. ‘Mirrortac, Princeling. This world is not like yours of Mateote, as you know. Do not trouble yourself with need of tasks for all tasks are destroyed with the passing of the seasons. It is only joy and praise that survive.’ The prince glanced back at the progress of the games. ‘Look now, the archers are ready.’
Gorgret had given the command for the next contest and the catchers were bobbing and sinking, their wings outspread, their long slender fingers snatching at the increasing volley of Yu-wood arrows. A servant appeared from within the hall and interrupted the prince, and a hurried discussion followed. The prince was smiling and glancing over at Mirrortac who by now had grown weary of the spectacle. The prince nodded to the servant who left immediately, then he called across to the erfin.
‘Princeling! I have exciting news for you. Come.’ Chen motioned Mirrortac to him.
The erfin leaned closer to hear above the noise of the crowd cheering the archers above. The prince shouted out as a winner was announced then turned to Mirrortac.
‘I have good news from the faugs of
the forest. They have brought two of the erfins here from the Cavern of the Silver Springs. They await you in the guest chamber now.’
Mirrortac was up before the prince could say another word. He hurried away from the games and into the halls until he reached a small chamber room where guests were first welcomed into Greenfaug Halls. His heart lifted when he saw his own she-erfin, Yenic, and the priest, Witherelle. Yenic fell into his arms and embraced him. ‘I miss you so much,’ she said, allowing the tears to stream over her face.
‘Many of the young folk wanted to kill these winged ones ... but I knew they were nought demons,’ Witherelle said. ‘I had decided to go with them alone but Yenic insisted on coming. I am now glad she did. You look well.’
Mirrortac reached out a hand to the priest who took it, joining the embrace. ‘I am pleased to see you both. These people are forever engaging in amusement rituals. With you here, I do not have to endure any more of it.’
Yenic gazed up into his eyes. ‘I thought I would never see you again, until the winged ones came. I could not understand them but when they showed me a piece of your fur...’ Her eyes dropped as she sobbed. ‘I could not bear to see you dead!’
Witherelle swept his eyes around the chamber with amazement. ‘Such work have I nought seen. I would not have believed such a place existed; and the trees! This one is especially of a greatness as high as Mateote!’
The familiar she-erfin aroma wafted around the erfin, making him think of how much he had missed Yenic. Her body pressed against him was warm, stimulating. He looked deep into her eyes and fancied he could see the nif-grass fields of his homeland, Eol. Witherelle recognised that look and made some excuse to explore the halls. Yenic returned his gaze. ‘Let us be joined here in this place,’ she suggested, curling her lips up in a girlish grin. She seemed a little unsteady as she leaned up against him. ‘I do nought know what that drink was they gave me when I got scared of the height, but I am not scared anymore. And once more, I feel really, wonderfully weird.’ she chuckled stupidly, quite unlike her normal sober nature.
The Wizard's Sword (Nine Worlds of Mirrortac Book 1) Page 10
