Village Kurai
An old Sylvanian town has been reborn, though its original name has been lost to history. Now, as the signposts proclaim in several languages, this is the town of Kurai, named after the benefactor who granted the Savanites a place to call home as free people, beyond Xenea and the City of Hands. Old stone buildings sport new wooden rooftops and lighter patches on the walls where old masonry has been repaired, but the wooden granaries and thatch-roofed cottages are of far more recent construction. Snow weighs down the rooftops, and barren tree branches are sheathed in glittering ice. Polished horn windows glow warmly, and sounds of music drift from the inn – though no chatter.
Although the town has not been here for a full season, the granaries are already full from a late harvest, thanks to a magical head-start granted by Earth Mages of the Twelve-times-Twelve that helped seed this colony in the Sylvanian wilderness. A few mages – most of them once tribal shamans, rather than members of the original number that once served the Priest-King of old – have remained to help the settlement through its first winter, and possibly many more after that. Still, this is no life of ease, especially for those of the cheetahs who have had little to no experience with the colder lands far north and far south of the equator – not uncommon, since most of the slave-using nations are located on or near the equator, and Rephidim's "seasons" are practically nonexistent, thanks to its random wanderings and peculiar weather.
Warmth can be found in the large stone building that has been dubbed the "inn", although it has not been given so much as a formal name, and it is well due for more repairs once the snow goes away. The two-story building is one of those stone structures that was more or less still standing when the Savanites moved in, and some cleaning up, roofing, and basic repair made it habitable … but while the roof and outer walls and windows are intact, the interior walls and the floor separating the two levels are not, having several broken sections. In the main gathering hall, cubs sit up on the second level, dangling their feet over the edges of the broken floor, taking advantage of an elevated vantage point so they can watch and listen, not having to peek over the shoulders of their elders.
For tonight, a strange traveler has come – a well-traveled bard who may be known for his quirky lyrics and odd voice offset by his demonstrated skill in the playing of a lute. But the quality of his music aside, the stranger brings news from the outside world, and brings it as song, serving as both information and entertainment for those that care to listen.
The foppish fox sits in a prize place right next to the fireplace, his fluffy tail kept carefully away from the flames. He strums his lute, singing the latest of his songs…
"
I've traveled the world, crossed many a time,"
"
Oh the wonders and adventures I've seen,"
"
I tell you the stories set to music and rhyme,"
"
Of the marvelous places that I've been."
"
… But marvelous times these are not – "
"
… Be glad for what you have got – "
"For the world is at war, and tragic it seems,"
"The Nagai join with Babel over the sea,"
"To rise up against the army of Rephidim's,"
"Joined forces with the powdered Gallis."
"… You say, 'Why should we care – "
"… About what happens up there?' – "
"Well, the price for Gallis' loyalty is steep,"
"And they have their eyes on northern lands."
"They plan to take it, oh so cheap,"
"By putting your blood on their hands."
"… You say, 'But that's nothing new,"
"… Now then, get out with you!'"
"But that's not the worst part of all,"
"For Gallis has now laid out its trap."
"Rephidim says Sylvania can fall,"
"And it will rewrite 'Gallis' on the map."
"… Up there, they think Sylvania is no more."
"… So then, trouble is surely in store."
"In the city, your leader is considered no count,"
"Even the Duchess has been stripped of her title,"
"They've torn down the kitten's new fount,"
"For they think our nobility are idle."
"… You say, 'Tell me, good bard, is this true?'"
"… What then, oh what shall we do?'"
… and then, the fox pauses, letting the music quiet, and he looks out at the gathered group, noticing the looks of worry on their faces, and exchanged signs of concern. But then, a wry grin forms at the corner of his mouth. He begins a new song, hopping up on his feet, and strumming…
"It's no problem, have you forgotten who you are?"
"You've been through trials and troubles, and you've gotten here so far!"
"Gallis and Rephidim, those silly poodles, whatever the enemy thinks,"
"Bring their armies, we don't care, because they'll all get tromped by Jynx!"
The fox starts dancing around the room, urging the Savanites to clap their hands, as he breaks into one of his more popular ballads, that of the Battle of Tempest Keep … and how an airborne black Khatta somehow managed to defeat a band of pampered, powdered poodles. This goes on for some time, the cubs wiggling their ears at all the good parts, and a few other musicians in the room joining in with their own accompanying instruments in a musical tribute to their benefactor that seems to raise spirits considerably after the fox's earlier doom-and-gloom news about Rephidim.
At last, though, the song dies down, and the fox collapses up by what passes for a bar. "Ah! I think I'll have an ale!" the fox says, grinning. The cheetah barmaid smiles at him … and pours him a mug of water. The fox never does hold his liquor well, after all.
Next to the fox sits a cheetah considerably shorter than most of the others, but its plain to see that he is no cub. He turns to the fox, giving him a grin and a nod, a small hint of worry making its way through however. "Good song," he signs.
The foppish fox smiles at the cheetah, and nods. Either he's picked up Savanite Sign somewhere (surely a prerequisite for entertaining a whole crowd of them), or else he's just being dumbly polite.
The cheetah's grin deepens a bit, and he nods again. "You really don't recognize me, do you? Or understand for that matter… "
The foppish fox guzzles down his mug of … water … then wipes his muzzle with relish. "Ahhh! A fine brew! Well … what shall I tell you about next?"
There are various requests. "Tell us of the City of Hands. How is the Priest-Queen?" "Where are the Gallis?" "What of Jynx's sister, Eve?"
The fox doesn't seem to pay much attention to any of the hands, just nodding and smiling. "Ahhh."
The shorter cheetah just sits back and smiles lightly, waiting for the fox to make a decision.
The fox nods a few more times, then says, "Ah … how about … ah … Oh! Have you heard of Kroz? I just got back from there. How many of you have been to Kroz. That's fine, don't be shy. Raise your hands! You … you in the back! Oh, you were just scratching? Ah … well … it's a very nice place. Hardly any monsters at all."
The short cheetah perks his ears up towards the fox, having heard about some strangeness out of Kroz (wherever that is), but no details. "Yes, tell us about Kroz," he signs, nodding to the fox.
The fox begins to sing a ballad, strumming his lute. It tells the tale of his travels …
… through a land called Kroz, a land so strange, it did give me pause.
A land ruled by rats, and sometimes by Kavis, a land where you need to be quite a bit savvy.
You have to fight off a bandit or two, and then run from ghosts who come after you.
It's a horrible land, I really must say … much much scarier than Sylvania today!"
The short Savanite taps his foot to the rhythm, keeping his ears perked.
"
You think they are shepherds, but find they are thieves, they'll stab you and rob you and bleed you like sieves!
They're ruthless and nasty, they don't give a care, but they're not half as scary as the monsters out there!"
"There are Snicjers and Gorts, and a whole mess of Grooks. There are ghosties and goblins, and haunted old brooks!
And under the ground, and under the graves, they make their lairs down in lava-filled caves!"
Next to the fox, the cheetah twitches his tail, seeming to listen intently despite his ears wincing a few times.
"
But that's not half as bad as what I'll say next, for the prince of one kingdom, I tell you is hexed!
His first name Sebazhan, his last name is Dack, he's quite a striking image, a Khatta all black.
His heritage is no secret, for him it's no shame, for he's a son of a certain devil with a curse word for a name!"
"But don't be so frightened, it's not so bad as that. Would you believe that his soul was saved by the love of a loveless rat?
Willow the Wisp, a gunmetal Skreek, tougher than nails, and not the least bit of weak!"
The cheetah blinks, Dack? Sounds like… "Dagh," the cheetah whispers under his breath, perking his ears again at the next part, looking confused.
"She's gone underground and explored all the ruins, she's bashed the skulls of nasties who come out of tombs!
In Rephidim, I tell you, she did a most peculiar thing; she destroyed an undead Kitsune spirit with the help of a snake named Qing!"
Fortunately, the fox is loud enough that no one seems to notice the whispering cheetah. Certainly not the fox, at least!
The cheetah quickly takes a drink from the mug in front of him, his ears blushing.
"
She went off to Olympia, where all the tourists went mad, and just when it seemed that everything in the world had gone bad.
She was saved by a miracle, by a magical pool, and by an act borne of love for which most would call her a fool."
"Some would call Dack her enemy, this son of perdition, but Willow the Wisp had a much different mission.
She had come to a new philosophy, taught by a priest and a queen, and she now learned to love, where she had once been quite mean."
"Though his side put him against her, and she faced threat of death, she was willing to show love to him, even if with her dying breath.
She refused to give in to anger, she refused to give to hate, and in the face of this determination, Dack's wicked ways did abate."
"I don't know exactly what happened on that mysterious day, but all of Kroz has wondered how Prince Dack has changed his way.
And that were not enough to wonder, what had happened while the city raged … they were even more shocked and surprised, when word got out they were engaged!"
"Engaged?" Once again the cheetah slips, quickly putting a paw to his mouth.
*SPRANG* The foppish fox's eyes go wide, and he looks about for the source of the voice. Several other cheetahs look quite surprised as well, looking about. Fortunately, these are Savanites, not Eeee, and no one seems to have clued in on the "cheetah" as the source of the voice just yet.
The smaller cheetah starts looking around for the source too, trying to look shocked.
The fop fox ahems, then begins playing again, faking a big smile.
"
So they'll be ringing in the century, and spending their lives together by and by, having their wedding up in Rephidim, the city in the sky!
I hear that for their honeymoon, they'll be going very far, off to the planet Abaddon, which shines in the sky like a star!"
"While they're in holy matrimony, Dack's wicked ancestor must be having a fit, for a prince has married a lowly rat, how much weirder could it get?
But I'm sure they'll be quite happy, and live the life of a fairy tale, as their wedding ship goes to the stars, the winds of the heavens filling the sail!"
The fox finishes his song, then bows. "Thank you! Thank you very much! You're a lovely audience!"
Several cheetahs clap. A lot of them just look confused. One of them pauses to sign, "I am totally baffled. What was he singing about?"
"Don't even begin to try and figure it out," signs the cheetah at the bar, "you'll just get more confused." With a grin, he begins to clap along too, nodding to the fox.
The fox takes a sip from his refilled mug (of water), and says, "Well then … you know, I've been formally asked by the prince himself to sing at the wedding. They'll be catered by Bromthen Heaven." He licks his chops, looking away wistfully. "It'll be a gorgeous wedding, I'm sure," he says, patting his belly, then frowning as it rumbles. "Well now … another song, perhaps? Let's see. What place shall I sing of next? Hmm."
"How about some food first?" signs the small Savanite. He follows this with a pantomime of taking a bite from some food item, then slips from his chair, motioning for the fox to follow.
The fox seems to catch on to this bit of sign quite easily. "Oh! Yes, what a splendid idea!"
The fox eagerly follows the smaller cheetah, quite forgetting his audience.
The cheetah walks outside the inn, strolling down the street in a calm manner, waiting for the fox to catch up.
The fox pads through the light powdery snow, which has slowly accumulated in the street, despite the frequent efforts during the daytime to keep it shoveled and swept clear. "Ah … we're heading away from the inn? Isn't that where all the food is?"
"Yeah, but we'd have to pay for the food there," says the cheetah once they are safely away from the inn. He grins, "Your singing is getting better."
The fox nods, smiling. "Why thank you – " Then, his jaw drops. "Yai-yiyiyiyiyiyi!"
The cheetah grabs the fox by the collar of his shirt, putting a finger to his mouth. "Shhh! Be quiet!" He looks around to make sure no one was about to see the scene. "It's just me. Don't you recognize me?" He grins.
The fox squints. He turns his head to one side. He turns his head to the other. "Uhm … No, I don't know that many talking Savanites, really. I mean, I knew one, but he wasn't a Savanite. And I knew his betrothed, but she was dead. Well, sort of. Maybe not. She wasn't undead, that is, so don't get any ideas. She just wasn't fully alive. Sort of part way. And he … uhm … I'll have to tell you that story sometime later. Who are you again?"
Once the duo is a good ways away from the center of the cheetah town, and near the outskirts, the small cheetah begins to rub the yellow pigment from his face. "It's me, Jynx – er, Feli." He grins. "And thanks for the songs. I'm glad someone actually thinks I can handle myself. Didn't know you were back in town."
"What are you doing to your face? You – Oh! OH! Oh, that's quite good. I had no idea you were that talented," says the fox, looking quite impressed. "And anyone who can disguise himself that well can handle himself quite fine, I'm sure. You could probably hide from any danger that came along! If you cared to, that is."
"Thanks," says Jynx, "and I wish I could hide from it all, but I can't. With all this nonsense from Gallis and the war and all, I needed a break. Knowing how to blend in comes in handy." The feline rubs more of the pigment off, now looking like a yellow-spotted cheetah with a black face. "So, what brings you back?"
Jynx nods. "A Skreek and a Khatta… That'd be a sight to see, but I'm too busy with things around here to be able to go attend, not to mention the fact that Rephidim isn't exactly friendly towards me anymore." The cat sighs.
The fox's ears droop. "Yes, that's a real shame. And such a horrible turn of fate for poor Duchess Eve. The Temple insisted that her Star of the Shrine be taken down. Rather than having it demolished, she paid quite a bit to have it disassembled … though I have no idea where she would assemble it again, since I don't believe she owns any lands other than her townhouse and the opera house."
The fox says, "However, I have heard that she's done surprisingly well in investments. Why, I even met this fellow in a bar who supposedly had this big scheme to get rich quick by selling worthless stock … and Eve actually bought it. The land on which the Squeep Factory was to be built turned out to have a vein of silver in it. Not much of one … but enough to make the venture profitable after all, despite the misjudgement in Squeep Futures."
The black Khatta nods, "I'm sure she'll find someplace to store the Star, and yep, her fortune's always been good." The feline stretches, kicking a pebble down the path. "I hope this 'railroad' thing of hers pays off though. I'm betting a lot on it, and if it fails then it's just an open invitation for those Dagh-cursed poodles to move in."
The fox cringes. "You really must watch your language, Lord Kurai! You're supposed to be a role model for these people now."
Jynx shrugs, "They can't hear me, and I don't want you letting it out that I do this." He scrubs a bit more of the pigment off his hand. "Besides, I can't help it. Having the Temple do this to me is like a stab in the back, just so they can keep those mutts as allies." He sighs, "I'm hoping that if this business pays off, we can convince them to consider us an independent territory again."
The fox nods. "Well … surely you must admit, the Gallis are fairly wealthy. They may not command a great air fleet … but it's still far more than Sylvania has to offer. The Czarevich, fine young man, really isn't much in control of his counts and countesses. Despite the Czarevich's declaration of his support of Rephidim, some of them have taken up their few vessels and sided with the Nagai, simply because the Gallis have sided with Rephidim!"
"Well, what do you expect them to do?" The Khatta throws up his paws, sighing in frustration. "The Gallisians treat all their conquered people like dirt, and they just want Sylvania so that they can have more land to dominate and dole out to their petty little noble brats. I'm not going to let that happen to my people, whether the Temple sees me as a real noble or not."
The fox nods solemnly. "Good for you, young lord! Besides, the hope of the Savanites rests on your shoulders now. Rephidim took the Boomer from the Nagai, at Fetiss Sky Island … but though Rephidim's part in this war is now over, the battles have only begun. Last I heard, the Nagai were massing at the ruins of Safar, preparing to wipe out the City of Hands, down to every last man, woman and child. The Knights Templar were forbidden to interfere."
"When the City of Hands falls – which I'm afraid it is doomed to do – this will be one of the last refuges for the free Savanites. And now the Gallisians challenge that freedom," says the fox with a sigh.
Jynx halts in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief. "They what?" The Khatta's jaw drops. "Who did you hear this from?"
The fox nods. "I pick up quite a bit. The Nagai have hardly been secret about it. They've been rather boastful, really. They claim that if Rephidim really was only concerned about the use of the Boomer, then they won't interfere when the Nagai deal with the City of Hands. And Nagai's allies are so convinced that the City of Hands is a pet of Rephidim that they are joining in the attack." The fox whines. "It's going to be a slaughter."
The black cat just stares at the fox, his brow creasing in worry. "Does the Priest-Queen know anything about it?"
"All too well," whines the fox, sniffing. "She ordered every woman and child and anyone who could not fight out of the city, and sent many of her mages to assist 'colonies' elsewhere."
After staring at the ground for a bit, Jynx begins back down the path, towards the Keep. "Those two-faced Nagai, I knew they'd pull this sooner or later!" He sighs. "right now, it looks we have no allies to speak of – on our own, so to speak. I don't know what I can do for them. I don't have much in the way of an army… " The feline slams a fist into his paw.
"There, there, Master Kurai," says the fox. "Now, we all know that you've handled yourself well against an army before. And this time you have a great many more people on your side. Even some mages! Plus, you have your own castle. If your sister gets this railway built … why … it could give you a connection to the outside world, and perhaps an edge over armored poodles wading through the murky swamps. Why, they might simply surrender just for the offer of clean water to wash their fur out, by the time they're done!"
"I might be able to handle the poodles, but I don't know how I can help the City of Hands." The Khatta sighs yet again. "All their work to bring themselves back, only to be torn down by a bunch of snakes and dogs."
The fox shakes his head, looking glum. "True." He looks up. "But I did hear that some of them are settling on another planet. Have you heard of Abaddon? There are more spotties there, who aren't living as slaves. And some of them went to another planet called Arcadia, by some string-pulling from the Abaddonians."
Jynx looks at the fox curiously, "I've heard of Abaddon, but I didn't know people had moved there. Could they evacuate there?"
The fox says, "Perhaps. It all depends, I suppose, on how much time the Nagai give them. The Emperor wants blood, I am sure. I don't think he'd be pleased to let them all escape."
"I could care less if he's pleased," says Jynx, "all I care about is getting those people out. If he wants to chase them all the way to Abaddon, then he can deal with the spotties there, and I have a feeling they'd be quite a challenge for him, from what I've heard." He walks on, keeping an eye out for the castle. "All of them are welcome here, too – the more hands we have the better."
The fox nods. "I'll spread the word!" he proclaims, sounding considerably more chipper.
Jynx looks to the fox, "Are you headed back that way any time soon?" He grins, "You seem to get around quite a bit."
"Back to the City of Hands? I have no idea, truth be told. But I suppose I'll be headed that way eventually." The fox rubs his belly. "They know how to treat a guest well! Until I wear out my welcome, that is. They seem to tire of hearing good music for too long at a stretch."
"People usually do," the cat forces a small grin. "If you do find yourself over that way, tell them they have a home here." He looks up off the path, trying to force the subject out of mind for the time being. "We should be coming to the Keep soon, have anywhere to stay tonight?"
The fop fox grins. "Why, I thought you'd never ask!"
Jynx gives the fox one final smile, then lets it fade as he looks back to the ground. His mind wanders over all the events transpiring around him, and of all the things that led him to this moment. A lot has changed in his life since he set out from his home, some for the better, and some for the worse. A small inward shudder emerges from the cat as he wonders how he'll deal with it all – if he can deal with it all. Looking back up, he sees Blackshire Keep come into view, and takes a deep breath. Whatever happens, happens, and he'll just have to do his best to deal with it…
