by N.D. Bailey
At first light, Binko arose and began preparing for the mission, strapping on his riding boots and sword. Going to the stable behind his tree house, Binko brushed his winged zebra, a unique beast indigenous only to this region and ridden only by the Elves.
Elves ride zebras; but, they are not ordinary zebras. Not only were these zebras a bit larger than traditional ones, but they had gorgeous wings, giving them the capability to soar smoothly through the air. In addition, they had the peculiar ability to become nearly completely transparent at will, with only a faint glimmering image trailing for the keen naked eye to see. The Elf and anything the Elf touched that didn’t touch the ground would also become invisible, but only if the rider was an Elf; if the rider was not an elf, then only the zebra became invisible. But not all elves rode these extraordinary zebras; for they were indeed rare; thus, they were reserved for the Elvish elite and the Elvish military. This was the unique ability Gilmanza had spoken of earlier.
Gilmanza was glad to have Binko along. He was reliable, trustworthy, and experienced.
The men ate a hearty breakfast, strapped on their swords and then mounted their beasts. The Circle of Riders rode out of the wall of the city and through the surrounding forest without opposition. They reached the Land of the Sorbs about two days later.
The riders rode down a crooked dirt road, tangles of ivy and weeds wove their way up the timbers. In a lonely cul-de-sac, they dismounted in front of a strange looking site: a ship stuck in the middle of a forest.
“What in the world is this?” Nuvatian stared at the oddity of a ship built on the ground.
“It’s a ship,” Monguard answered.
“No, it’s not a ship,” Navi said, correcting them. “It’s his house that looks like a ship.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Cozbi looked up at the big boat. “Why does he live in a ship when there’s not a speck of water in sight?”
“He always wanted to live near the ocean,” Binko explained.
“Been drawn to the great blue since he was a child and got his fihst peek at it.” Seeming to understand him, Gilmanza smiled.
“So why doesn’t he move there?” Cozbi inquired.
“Because his family is here,” Binko explained. “He says that one day he is going to move, but he’s talked about it forevah.”
“Well, at least he closed it in and put a door on it.” Cozbi looked the ship over. “Nice streamlines. He knows what he’s doing.
“I think it’s cool.” Navi climbing the steps and rasping on the door.
Just as he was about to knock a second time, a voice boomed from just above them. “What brings you spine backs here?” asked a man standing on the deck of his ship-house. Two small horns protruding from the man’s head, a certain characteristic of a Sorb. There was a time when Sorbs tried to conceal their little horns because they were targeted, deemed as evil. But that has been many moons ago during the time of their ancestors. Now, they don’t try to hide them.
“Lookin’ for you, crony.” Navi smiled fingering the nautical rope that graced the door frame.
“Well open the door and come on up.”
Inside, the house was as cozy as any other house. The place was tidy and garnished with tasteful nautical décor: An oil lamp and a couple of large sea shells sat on a handcrafted wooden table carved with a map of far off places that seamen might use. Two ocean-blue metal oil lamps graced a mantel edged with timeworn rope. It was simple, not overdone.
There weren’t any signs of derangement and Cozbi was glad for that because he was a bit curious. There weren’t any ropes hanging from the ceiling that a wanna-be-sailor might swing from when he became delusional. There weren’t dead fish lying around or nets. He was surprisingly welcoming and, from what Cozbi could tell, was in his right mind.
Monguard rubbed his hand over the wood, taking in the texture and examining the seam lines. He could tell that the man took pride in his ability to build things with precision. He liked the nautical décor too, finding it gave the home appropriate character.
Gilmanza explained everything to the man, Buldar, and, wasting no time, he made ready to ride.
Judging by outward appearances, Buldar didn’t look like a very bright individual but he was, in fact, an erudite, having a sheer love for learning. He had the heart of a teacher, eager to share the wealth of knowledge that he had acquired. Around his head, he wore a cloth to keep his curly out-of-control hair out of his eyes. He didn’t know it, but when he pushed his hair back, it made his big nose look even bigger. But he could never hide his horns, not completely, and it was a good thing he didn’t want to.
