Near the trade city of Elamoore, as teeming with bustling life as a graker hill, two wolves and a fox leave the side gates to emerge into the port where brightly colored airships are docked over the seaships. They walk down the road past the great freighters, huge hulls beneath even larger balloons so spherical it's a wonder they can manuever in the winds, the few cutters that are sleek and fast-looking, a mix of freighters and other small crafts… And stop by the smallest airship, just big enough for eight in its cramped spaces and with auxiliary airbags mounted side by side with the regular one to make up for the weight of the grain bags that are loaded beneath it by cargo nets. The alien writing on the side makes little sense to WolfSinger nor Tarin.
Tarin looks upwards at the airships, his tail flitting nervously as a pained expression darkens his face and droops his ears and tail…
WolfSinger asks Winnowei, "ummmm… are we gonna be riding one of these?" He looks a little pale.
Winnowei calls to the ship, before turning back to WolfSinger. "Tight space, Swishytail, but that makes it cozy, right?" She wags her tail against his side and grins. "Keep an eye on sacrifice. Is only way to get to city in middle of nowhere."
WolfSinger nods. "Just *WHERE* is this city anyway?"
"Out there… " Winnowei gestures toward the sky, giving WolfSinger cause to wonder if she means one of the floating rocks his sensors picked up so long ago… Or somewhere in space. "In *untranslatable, middle of nowhere?*"
Tarin shuffles his feet. o O {"Where are these two taking me today?"} He says to himself, his sensitive nose wrinkling at the odor of the city. . o O {They'd better not be a thinkin of putting me on one of those… "}
WolfSinger says, "Is it one of those floating islands I saw when I crash landed?"
The hawk, who must be the ship's pilot and captain, peeks out of a hatch. He caws something in that strange language most of the city seemed to speak, including the name 'Winnowei', and waves in a friendly manner.
Tarin's ears swivel as he hear his guides name… then splay as he sees the word's source…
WolfSinger glances at Tarin.
Winnowei frowns. "A floating… " Then nods. "The old *untrans. technical manuals?* say that Rephidim will always fly over the world, looking down on all *untrans. those who dare to put sugar in the skimmer's fuel?* It is a holy place."
WolfSinger looks a little nervous.
Tarin edges away froom the dock, looking as if the wood is about to poison him…
WolfSinger says, "hey… come back here… :o"
"It should get us there in… Ten or so days," Winnowei says oblivious to Tarin's discomfort. "Avee wants to leave soon, as soon as he has taken on all provisions." She calls up to the just-named bird, moving to climb up the ladder.
Tarin continues to back off, his hackles raising a bit once he sees Winnowei climb onboard the ship.
WolfSinger says, "no… not now!"
WolfSinger starts to go for Tarin. "Get a rope or something!" he calls back to Winnowei.
Winnowei looks back at WolfSinger. "What? Of course now, have you got a *untrans. room-temperature superconductor?* waiting for you in Elamoore?" she teases.
Winnowei blinks. "There should be some on board," she says thoughtfully, then says something to Avee.
Tarin growls and points to the airship and shakes his head and issues a frightened spat of words. He appears to almost doubles in volume around the shoulders and back as his joints stiffen.
WolfSinger growls at TArin, looking at him pleadingly.
Tarin's eyes dart about, he looks about to bolt any second.
WolfSinger slowly walks toward Tarin.
Tarin backs aways from Wolfsinger and then suddenly bolts towards the buildings across the busy street.
WolfSinger growls! and runs after TArin.
Winnowei eeps! as she looks back from Avee handing her a coil of rope to see WolfSinger chasing Tarin into the city. "Swishytail!"
The black wolfbabe jumps down from the ladder to give chase as well.
Tarin dodges through the crowd, trying to not run too many people over. A large horse drawn cart blocks his progress as he nearly runs under the team and has to dodge around it, avoiding the frightened horses and angry teamsters.
The buildings loom over the frightened fox, windows flickering by like open and shut eyes, doors like mouths. Startled people curse after Tarin.
WolfSinger tries to catch up as best as he can, without knocking people over.
Tarin darts around, tongue lolling and eyes bugged as he tries to get around in the crowd. A teamsters whip welts his ear as he finally manages to escape from under the wagon.
Winnowei huffs along behind WolfSinger, carrying a coil of rope.
It rapidly becomes evident that WolfSinger's faster than the fox, and in better condition by far. As they dodge by fruit sellers, the carts nearly toppled by their chase, the fox's tail swishes to just within touching range…
WolfSinger growls! Cursing to himself.
WolfSinger grabs for TArin's tail.
A snatch, some loose fox fur… But that was just the first grab; WolfSinger continues to hang close by Tarin as they duck down an alley, and in just a few seconds he should be able to grab for something more substantial. Loud exclamations come from the shoppers and merchants just disrupted.
WolfSinger lunges for him, and tries to pin him down.
Tarin Snarls and spins as his tail is grabbed. A ruff breaks out as Wolfsinger soon has to deal with the sharp and fisted ends of the frightened fox…
WolfSinger yips! as he gets scratched. He knocks Tarin down to the ground.
Tarin scrambles between Wolfsingers legs as he tries to get out of the alley. He howls ferrally as he comes face to face with Winnowei, who is just getting through the crowd and entering the alley.
Three minutes, quite a lot of scratches and ripped-out fur later, WolfSinger and Winnowei have a yelling and struggling fox pinned down… Winnowei grumbles. "*untrans. ought to be thrown out the airlock?* sacrifice… "
WolfSinger says, "He was scared. Let's tie him up real good. Try not to hurt him, though."
Tarin pant pant pant pants, eyes bugged and his hackles in a voluminous disarray. He growls and snaps every chance he can get…
Winnowei reaches for the rope. "Should tie it real tight," she suggests.
WolfSinger nods as he uses his weight to pin Tarin down. "we can untie him after the ship takes off, then.
Winnowei starts tying the rope around Tarin's hands so that they're behind him, and thus more difficult for him to chew through. She pulls the knots extra tight, then looking at Tarin, gives them a tug. "Ungrateful sacrifice," she mutters.
At that moment, however, a police officer (judging from the chitin breastplate and the badged sash over one shoulder) stops at the mouth of the alley. He calls out something unintelligible, hand clapped to his sword, then begins to walk forward.
"Stop, poachers!" the German shepherd says in heavily accented Jupani. "Release the prisoner!"
WolfSinger looks up. "Uh, oh… we have company.
Winnowei erps. "Get him to ship," she says. "I distract police."
Tarin starts struggling anew…
WolfSinger grabs ahold of Tarin's wrists tightly, and stands up.
Tarin lets his legs give out.
Winnowei stands up and starts talking to the police officer in that other language, looking entirely peaceful. She swishes her tail.
WolfSinger twists TArin's arm a bit in an effort to get him to stand.
Tarin not only refuses, but slides his legs to tangle up in Wolfsingers…
The police officer doesn't appear convinced, looking back at the activity. He says something that sounds rather harsh.
WolfSinger growls at Tarin, and dodges his tripping attempt. He twists his arm a little more.
Tarin starts to squirm and try to escape again…
Winnowei moves closer to the police officer and lowers her voice. She gestures back to them and makes a flippant comment of some kind, then continues talking reasonably.
WolfSinger whispers to Tarin, "Please don't do this to me… I don't want to have to hurt you." He knows the fox won't understand him, though.
Tarin hardly seems to hear the wolf, panting as he tried to bite his way free…
WolfSinger grumbles, and starts to drag Tarin behind him.
Tarin soon has a collection of things dragging with him: a board, some rope and piece of old siding…
Winnowei looks back at WolfSinger, yelling, "Knock him out already!" and then back to the police officer, sidling up against his side. She continues trying to persuade him that it's nothing to worry about…
WolfSinger looks between Tarin the board, and Winnowei, looking a little sickly at the idea.
WolfSinger picks up the board. He looks as if he's about to cry.
Tarin squirms and erfs as he loses grips on moost the things he's been grabbing onto, his chest and chin bouncing ont he flagstones…
WolfSinger stops and thinks for a moment before swinging the board.
WolfSinger grabs Tarin by the waist and hoists him over his shoulder. He grabs onto his muzzle with the other hand so he can't bite.
Winnowei catches sight of WolfSinger's move, and… reaches down to grab the German shepherd's sword hilt. She pulls it out of the sheath, then yells to WolfSinger, "Run!" as she dashes down the other way on the street. The police officer yells, then starts running after Winnowei to retrieve his moderately expensive chitin blade.
WolfSinger runs as fast as he can back to the ship, carrying the fox over his shoulder.
Tarin Squirms and makes a big show of himself, trying to get away… but show is all its worth in the grip of the big wuf…
Avee calls to WolfSinger and Tarin from the airship as they rush up, sounding friendly enough. He waves for WolfSinger to climb up the ladder with the struggling fox.
Merchants yell after WolfSinger, as Tarin's struggles cause another wave of disruption…
WolfSinger pauses a moment before heading up the ladder. He looks a little pale.
Yells continue to sound down the port market street. Avee looks nervously that way, then caws an interrogative to WolfSinger and Tarin, pointing that way.
Tarin gives an extra bit of squirm as Wolfsinger starts to climb the rope.
WolfSinger says, "Winnowei had a little trouble with a police officer."
Avee calls to the three other sailors who seem to be his crew, motioning for them to hurry with loading the last load of provisions. The port begins to hum with more nervous talk. He looks back at WolfSinger, obviously not understanding the Jupani words, then says something again, with the name 'Winnowei'.
Some Kavi merchants point at WolfSinger and the struggling fox, then laugh between themselves.
WolfSinger points in the direction of the commotion and nods. "Winnowei."
Avee curses. Prolifically. Fluently.
WolfSinger looks for a place on the deck to plop down Tarin and if possible, tie him to something to keep him down.
The railing looks adequate to the task…
Tarin Squirms mightily but the efforts of the wolf, and one on the crewmembers, soon have him bound up tightly in strong sailor's knots.
WolfSinger looks out over the dock for Winnowei, obviously quite nervous.
The commotion draws closer. Not one but five police officers are chasing Winnowei, a mix of shepherds and other Jupanis. She weaves one way, throwing the sword she was carrying the other where it impales a large melon, then tries to squirm under a wagon of what look like tiny Gooshurms writhing about, to throw off the others…
Avee starts squawking orders, telling the crew to make ready to cast loose. Winnowei runs furiously for the ship, pursued by three police officers who have persevered…
And is caught as a police Jupani leaps for her legs and tackles her to the ground.
WolfSinger calls out, "hurry up! they're about to cast off!"
Avee shrills something hysterically, then gives the order. Cut loose! Cut loose! He barely looks back at WolfSinger and Tarin as he tries to undock from Elamoore before the police officers decide to arrest him too.
WolfSinger says, "Dammit!"
Winnowei yells and struggles with the police officers. To no avail. There are three of them to one wild Jupani, even if she is giving them every inch of trouble that she can dish out, and one has brought out wooden manacles.
WolfSinger starts to head for the ladder. He's going to help free her if he can.
He is met at the ladder's top by sailors who are about to pull it in. They start screaming at WolfSinger, explaining in their own language that (as far as Wolfsinger can tell) that they have their orders.
Winnowei looks up at the sky and screams a curse at faint-hearted Avee… And then the manacles click shut around her legs.
WolfSinger whimpers quite loudly, and tries to push the sailor out of his way.
The crow sailor gestures down, pantomiming someone leaping off the ladder, then shaking his head and bouncing a wing-hand up and down to indicate someone unable to get back on the ship.
Avee calls to the sailors impatiently, and the tiny little tub starts to rig for full speed…
WolfSinger looks like he's about ready to cry.
The crow gestures sympathetically and pats WolfSinger's back.
WolfSinger looks down from the ladder, and backs away. It's a long way down.
WolfSinger suddenly looks panic stricken.
And fading into the distance, Winnowei's eyes turn up to the airship. How long they stare that way, WolfSinger will never know, for at that moment the airship puts on full sail and turns slightly, setting its course for the faraway island city… Rephidim.
WolfSinger quietly calls out an oath to himself. "I'll be back for you… "
WolfSinger sighs, and heads over to Tarin with ears drooped, and unties him.
Elamoore, this far away and below, looks like a model inhabited by dolls. Yellow desert stretches out beyond, to the mountains and the white-capped peaks beyond. Avee looks over at his guests now and caws something at them. Evidently asking if they are all right.
Tarin sits tied to the rail a terrified look on his face, eyes screwed shut…
WolfSinger sighs, and shrugs back to Avee. He sits down in a corner somewhere, and stares off into empty space for quite a long time.
Three days… Five… The crew shares gruel with their unexpected guests, no better or worse than what they eat, but apart from that they seem unsettled by their guests who seem so obviously touched by dark fates. They whisper between themselves, hinting at bad luck perhaps.
Seven… And on the tenth day, a pigeon-morph caws brightly, pointing across the bow to where a dark blot is emerging from clouds.
The dot becomes a fly-sized speck, then a splotch of ink against purpled clouds, and then… A floating island. It is incredibly, to WolfSinger, covered in green forests with a gray mountain protuding from the trees, and as it grows closer, his eyes make out tiny buildings forming another city near the edge. Avee calls out orders eagerly to the sailors.
WolfSinger quietly watches, not saying anything.
Rephidim takes shape before WolfSinger and the excited crew, buildings rising up to a long buried shape that tugs at his memory… Something strikes him as very old about the city somehow, but he can't remember why.
The ship moves into port beside hundreds of other, more stately airships. Avee caws with a sudden nervousness, looking at the nearly filled port, then shrugs his wings and motions for the sailors to begin making fast. Words are exchanged between the ship and the port officials, docking fees are established, and the lines are cast down and pulled tight by dock workers.
Toward the walls of Rephidim, a customs party emerges from a long, flat building of white stone, a canine of some kind accompanied by eight Zelaks. They begin walking down the port toward the newly docked airship.
The avian captain looks down the dock at the customs party. He swears to himself in a bird-like language full of caws and squawks and rasping beak-clicks.
Tarin peeks over the edge of the ship and quickly returns to the center of the airship.
The canine, who is partially hidden by the zelaks that surround it, barks out a few orders to the bugs, pointing this way and that.
Two of the Zelaks take up a position guarding the end of the docking ramp, while the other six spread out through the airship.
WolfSinger stands up from the corner he was sitting in most of the trip, and stretches himself out.
The captain moves to the railing to greet the customs officer. It's fortunate that beaks don't allow for much expression, so his smile can be called 'fixed' as he caws something hopefully to the officer.
One of the large insectoids looms over Tarin, clicking the fighting claws on one set of arms as it asks the fox a question in Rephidim Common.
As the zelaks scatter, Tarin gets a bit of a better look at the canine… it… no, SHE seems to be a vixen, with a dazzling white coat. Her robes are deep violet, and the cut seems to be that of a uniform of some type.
WolfSinger watches the bug-thing closely as it tries to talk to Tarin.
Tarin looks at the bug quizically. "N'Gran. Ey ettal dor Lupan." He waves to Wolfsinger
The white vixen glances in Tarin's direction for a moment as she hears the Zelak's chattering, then resumes arguing with the captain of the ship. Well… it looks as if she's arguing with him. Her tail lashes back and forth agitatedly, emphasizing words that neither Tarin nor Wolfsinger understand.
The expressionless insect repeats its question to Tarin.
WolfSinger says, "He doesn't speak the common language here… and neither do I… "
Tarin points to Wolfsinger. "Ey ettal dor Lupan. N'gran."
A second Zelak comes up behind Wolfsinger, and asks the same question…
The captain gives up, throwing his wings in the air. He motions for the vixen to follow him for a little while, and shows her and some of her accompanying Zelaks the meager amount of cargo that his ship was able to bring from Elamoore, mostly food and spices, some woods with twisted grains, other miscellany. Nothing especially valuable.
The Zelak questioning Tarin grabs the fox by the shoulders and lifts him off the ground. It's second set of hands frisks the fox for weapons.
WolfSinger shrugs to the Zelak, trying to indicate that he doesn't understand.
Tarin acks and squirms in the bugs grasp, barking angrily at it although he has the sense not to strike it no matter how much he wishes to.
The second Zelak leans in close to Wolfsinger and makes snuffling noises.
The vixen studies the crates and kicks at some of the sacks with her boot. She makes some gestures to Tarin and Wolfsinger, her tone of voice becoming less angry and more questioning.
The captain looks annoyed. He gestures toward his 'guests' as well, his explanation sounding less than complimentary.
After turning out all of Tarin's pockets and sniffing him over, the Zelak lowers the fox and drags him by one hand over to the vixen, chattering to her.
WolfSinger growls at the Zelak sniffling at him.
Tarin glares at the Zelak and puts up a show of resistance, more for pride than anything else.
The second Zelak says something to Wolfsinger, and points him to the vixen as well.
Nodding, the white fox motions for the captain to follow her and walks towards the two "guests". She continues barking various thing to him, pointing to her palm occasionally as she does so.
The Zelak hauling Tarin doesn't slow down or seem affected at all by the fox's resistance.
Tarin pats his fur down and glares at the bug, muttering angrily at it as he bows stiffly to the vixen.
The Zelak tugs at Tarin's shirt, and asks the vixen a question.
The captain nods to the vixen, making spread-wing gestures. Whatever she just asked him, it seems agreeable.
WolfSinger sighs to himself.
The vixen shakes her head at the zelak, and motions for the others to back away… just a little bit.
One Zelak remains to guard the wolf and fox, while the others continue their search for contraband.
Tarin looks at Wolfsinger, "N'Kree?"
WolfSinger shrugs back to Tarin.
"Zhanya hal ni toro?" The vixen coos to Tarin as she brushes him off. "Vah no hada ti isala, neh?"
Tarin's ears perk and swivel as he listens but he sighs and shakes his head, "N'Gran. "Curnon fenoral M'Lavix.
WolfSinger says, "I am taking him to the temple." He says to the vixen. As he says this, he points to Tarin, then makes a praying motion with his paws.
The captain shrugs. Then starts ordering the sailors to finish securing the ship, presumably so that he can start getting rid of all the cargo.
Various crashing sounds come from belowdecks as the Zelaks conduct their search.
The vixen cocks her head sideways, She turns and looks Wolfsinger, pointing to Tarin. "Nee oh sala fah, Jupani? Ee nodo vah Rephidim?"
WolfSinger shrugs, not understanding.
Tarin looks back and forth between the vixen and Wolfsinger his ears twisting down in frustration.
One by one, the Zelaks return. Soon, all six that came aboard are standing at attention behind the vixen. One appears to have stuck an arm into a boiling pot of soup. It's still steaming, with bits of vegetables clinging to the chitin.
WolfSinger says, "My tribe found him. I am to take him to the Temple."
The vixen scratches her chin in thought. She turns and barks a few words to the captain. "Wian po goran vah Rephidim? Inee bhoy wah."
The captain shrugs. "Po goran vah Jupani, mehda? Gehnoh, gehnoh."
The whitefurred fox frowns. "Iktee sala han Jupani… " She mutters, and then shrugs.
WolfSinger tilts his head to the side curiously.
The vixen once again turns her attention towards Tarin and WolfSinger. Her voice is soft and sweet, as though she were coaxing a child. She motions for the fox and wolf to follow her, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
Tarin turns one ear sideways, looking towards Wolfsinger.
Despite the gentle smile, six Zelaks crowd behind Tarin and WolfSinger so that they have little choice but to follow.
WolfSinger looks at Tarin and shrugs. He then follows the vixen.
Tarin looks back at the bugs and scowls, before following the vixen.
Ah, Rephidim! The city bustles with life on this spring day, refreshed by the scent of blossoms from the forest that surrounds it on the island, and from the scattered sidewalk vendors' carts blooms the aroma of meats and breads and grains being cooked for lunchtime meals and snacks. It's just a little unfortunate that WolfSinger and Tarin's first introduction to the winding streets happens to be at Zelak gutting-claw-point.
Tarin looks around trying to remember the route.
The white vixen says a few words to one of the smaller zelaks. She gestures towards the pair and then points outwards into the city.
One of the vixen officer's Zelaks scurries off, then returns quickly with a carriage. The driver is a Kavi dressed up in an uncomfortably tight uniform, collar fitting snugly around its long neck; the ferretoid waves down to the vixen. "Ikta hana go vera Abandaha?" He waves toward the rock-crusted edifice barely visible over the roofs.
There looks to be room for four – perhaps six within the plain wooden contrivance, and another two or else a place to put baggage on the roof; the carriage is pulled by lizardlike creatures with hooked muzzles. One of these eyes WolfSinger and Tarin, then snorts.
With a flash of ivory white canines, the white fox turns to smile sweetly at Tarin and Wolfsinger again. "Ino pan voro dal Rephidim!" Then to the kavi, "Itook van hana sol Talchook."
The Kavi eeps. "Ah, da, va hana sol Talchook, pla vas, pla vas!" He skitters to the roof, then opens the door for the officer to step in with her 'guests'.
WolfSinger points to himself and Tarin then to the carriage. "You want us to get in?" he asks.
Tarin looks around the city then swivels his ears and looks at the vixen as he is being talked to.
The vixen smiles to Wolfsinger and gestures for the two to enter the carrage. "Van hana koh Talchook, Rephidim!"
WolfSinger motions for Tarin to get inside.
Tarin looks at the two and shrugs, following as he has before, hoping eventually to find someone who can speak with him.
There is a small clinking noise as the vixen rummages through her pocket, she pulls out several grayish coins and hands them to the Kavi. "Pla vas, da." Her eyes narrow for a moment "Goro nah hee van jodus."
Behind Tarin, a huge lizard riding-beast with a ruffed mane around its birdlike beaked head lumbers slowly beneath the gates of Rephidim. A turbaned feline with black-specked wings looks down scornfully at the submissive-looking fox and wolf before he snaps a quirt over the Dromodon's head and continues on his way.
WolfSinger follows Tarin into the carriage.
The vixen yips to the zelaks and enters the cabin of the carrage herself. She still has that sweet grin plastered to her face. As she settles down and waits for the Zelaks to load everything she points to the fox and the wolf, also pointing to herself she barks, "Tatya."
The Zelaks go about their work quietly and efficiently.
The door clicks shut on the group; the Kavi shouts "Heejah! Pla vas, heejah!" to his riding beasts, and away they go! The carriage clatters through the streets, scattering passerbies and eliciting not a few curses, and the wooden suspension creaks abominably. Humble wooden cottages give way to stone houses and adobe inns with whitewashed walls, then to the richer buildings and offices of the noble quarter where the Kavi slows down. A huge structure passes by the view of the group, reminding WolfSinger of a hangar or a warehouse…
Tarin looksa about
The vixen clings to the railing in her seat as the carrage lurches forward. She growls something to herself.
WolfSinger stares out the carriage window off into the distance for most of the ride. Upon passing the familar looking building, he looks at it curiously.
"Rephidim!" The white fox barks happily to the two passengers, pointing out the window.
A gaggle of teenaged girls, a few vixens among them, try to catch a glimpse of the carriage's passengers as it passes by.
Tarin points to the vixen, then wolf singer, then himself and then forward of the coach. "N'Kree M'Lavix?"
The vixen smiles to Tarin, she points to herself and says, "Tatya." Then pointing towards their destination she barks, "Talchook."
When the carriage creaks to a stop, smoke curling from overworked wheels, it is before a hooded structure that juts out from the bulk of the Temple, ceramic surfaces riding up in smooth curves, flattening here and there to provide the basing for strange antennae and pipes. Steam hisses from a nearby vent. Four Zelaks stand guard immediately at the entrance, and there are everywhere at least a few Zelaks walking patrol, along with Jupani who look subtly different to WolfSinger. Perhaps city life has changed them.
Tarin noddles. "N'Talchook M'Lavix Tatya?"
"Pla vas, pla gehna, mehda?" the Kavi says as he leans back to open the door.
WolfSinger looks at the Jupani curiously.
Tatya quickly hops from the carrage and motions to her Zelaks. She makes more crooning noises and motions for Tarin and Wolfsinger to join her.
The Jupanis look back at WolfSinger and then whisper among themselves. "Must be from the country… " "Look at his muzzle, maybe got some fox ancestry?" Their Jupani seems more divergent yet than the Jupanis that WolfSinger met in Himar.
The vixen digs in her pocket and pulls out another grayish coin. She hands it to the Kavi and sighs. "Pla gehna, da."
The Kavi beams and bows to Tatya.
Tarin looks out the carriage before lightly hopping from it. He snuff snuffs the air testing the wind for scents as he scans his surroundings.
WolfSinger says, "not a drop of fox blood in me… " he mumbles back.
A Zelak calls to the vixen. "Ogenja dera du kariska!" it snaps, its voice breathy and hissing, with clacks around the hard consonants.
WolfSinger follows Tatya over to the Temple.
The Jupani guards grin at WolfSinger, lolling their tongues.
"Ni kariska ono roh dormach wanti litai karivitch!" The vixen replies to the Zelak. And in a quieter voice she barks, "Jupani yarin xoi zahn, ikee yarin xao zahn, dah?"
The Zelak nods. The clacks and clatters to its brethren, then steps into the Temple… A moment later, it returns with a Jupani lieutenant and several more Zelaks to escort the prisoners.
Tarin's nose crinkles as he looks at the tent. He looks at the Vixen and points to the tent. "Talchook M'Lavix Tatya"
Tatya motions for the two to enter the temple (not that they have much choice, mind you.). Her grin has taken on a slightly different cast now.
The Jupani lieutenant exchanges words with the vixen, looking skeptically over to the others. "Eri Jupani neh da frahleni meh ia vulapin tseka, teski. Je hau'parle yarin a-sohlina." He motions for the vixen to follow them and the others to fall in line, then turns without even looking back. Evidently used to having his orders followed.
WolfSinger says, "Umm… hello… my name is WolfSinger. How do you do, Sir?"
Tatya blinks at Tarin for a moment and then quickly follows behind the Jupani guard.
WolfSinger shrugs to Tarin, and motions for him to follow.
Tarin smiles at the vixen and waves his arm about. "Talchook? N'dorro ya Kree?"
"I do as I do," the Lieutenant snaps back in Jupani. "I am Leftenant Farago. And you will confine yourself to answering questions, not asking them. I have no time for idle *untrans. blasting of atmospheric phenomena?"
Tarin looks at Wolfsinger and nods as he looks about.
Tarin's ears perk at the exchange, looking to the vixen and reading her reaction to it
The Leftenant leads them down long corridors that reek of machine oil and the synthetic odor of plastics, before reaching a small office. He pulls the sliding door open, then sends a Zelak on another mysterious errand while waiting for the others to enter.
Tatya glances over her shoulder at Tarin. she holds out her arms and shrugs. "Que tala vah do, zahn."
The Leftenant turns to the vixen and asks, "Ia vulapin, testa va malefikta edoris?"
"Noro vulapin edoris, da." Tatya replies to the leftenant. "Kana zelak mordomo."
The Leftenant frowns. "Da. Gehnoh." He motions for Tatya, WolfSinger and Tarin to sit in narrow wooden chairs before his desk.
The Zelaks stand about looking inscrutable.
WolfSinger lets out a sigh, and sits down.
Tatya quietly sits in one of the chairs. She examines her fingerclaws and hums strange snatches of unknown songs.
Leftenant Farago leans forward to WolfSinger. "You are Jupani, yes?" he asks in that language.
Tarin looks about the office snuffing here and there, before sitting down.
WolfSinger replies with a grin, "well, I'm sure not one of those bug things over there."
It's a tight, cramped office littered with paperwork. A single painting hangs behind Farago's chair, evidently his wife and children.
"That was obvious," Farago says tightly. "Where do you live? What were you doing as a stowaway on an airship?"
Shortly, the Zelak returns, leading a snakelike creature. It is covered in gold scales, and has a humanoid torso that is largely hidden under a poncho marked in the same colors as Farago's uniform.
Farago says to the Naga that has entered, "Pla geh." He gestures to the fox, then says, "Ia vulapin, e parleta ne malekfita. Parleva e."
The Naga speaks to the Leftenant in a contralto voice that is almost unbearably sexy… for all that if comes out of a serpentine head.
WolfSinger says, "My clan found this fox out wandering around seeming lost… I have been charged with the task of bringing him here."
Farago turns his attention back to WolfSinger. "What clan?"
The Naga serpentess turns to Tarin, and starts talking in various tongues, occasionally adding hand-gestures as well.
The linguist pauses after each phrase to watch Tarin's reaction.
The vixen acts a bit nervous at the sight of the Naga. She starts to pay even closer attention to her fingernails.
Tarin looks at the Naga curiously. "N'Gran."
One of the languages the Naga tries sounds almost recognizable, but all Tarin can decipher from is, "The cheese drowns with paper."
The serpent gestures for Tarin to say more.
WolfSinger says, "The Clan of the Stag."
Tarin tilts his head confusedly?
The Leftenant frowns. "I see. Very undescriptive." He grumbles to himself, "Backwooders… They think their little patch is all the world."
"N'Gran… ?" the Naga prompts, making 'go on' gestures with her hands.
"So. You found the fox wandering around," Farago asks. "Did he have anything with him? Where did you find him?"
Tarin tilts his head. "N'tala Lan'Clannad t'Ayre?"
The Naga taps the tip of her snout in thought, then turns to the Leftenant and whispers to him.
WolfSinger says, "He was found wandering around in the snow. He had some strange tools with him. The Shamman kept the tools."
Farago switches back to Rephidim common. "Da. Gehnoh. Ia vulapin, leitmota d ska Invidikater. Kedul i na edosikra." Then back to Jupani. "The linguist says that your friend speaks no known language. He may be an Exile. He will have to be questioned."
WolfSinger nods quietly.
Farago asks, "Do you have anything else to add?"
"Vulapin naka DOH, ee sala kedul." The vixen grumbles.
Farago shrugs. "Ee kalaval a naka e retena me."
WolfSinger says, "I haven't seen the tools myself, but I was told they were made of metals. One of the tools looked like an axe. Gooshurms seem to like him… and we definitely had a hard time getting him onto the airship."
The Naga smiles (after a fashion) to Tarin and coils her long body in a corner of the office.
WolfSinger looks over at the Naga.
The Jupani leftenant nods. "Very well. You will be remanded to the care of your owner, Tatya. The Exile will be processed." He turns and begins speaking in Rephidim common to the vixen, explaining the situation.
He takes out some forms and starts filling them out. "Ah. What is your name?" he asks of WolfSinger after a bit.
Tarin looks at the Naga his ears perked, then they slowly droop and he shakes his head.
WolfSinger says, "WolfSinger."
Tatya grumbles and points to the palm of her hand. "Ishee kaval no kata Zahn."
Farago duly enters this, along with the vixen's name and other pertinent data. He stamps the bottom with some sort of seal, then hands the finished paperwork over to Tatya, along with a silver coin that glints brightly in the subdued light. "Gehnoh?"
The vixen's expression brightens at the sight of the silver coin, the happily takes up the coin and the papers.
The wolf Leftenant stands and motions to the Zelaks, snapping orders. He urges Tatya to leave with her Zelaks and with WolfSinger, before turning to Tarin…
In a much gruffer voice than before, Tatya barks out another set of orders to her Zelaks and briskly leaves.
WolfSinger asks, "When do I get to head back for home?"
"She purchased you legally from the captain of the airship you stowed away upon," Farago replies tersely. "You are her property. Work this out with her as you like."
A differently marked Zelak waits outside the office, staring(?) at the alien fox.
Tarin stands and follows the others.
The new Zelak holds up a claw to restrain Tarin.
WolfSinger says, "What?"
Tarin blinks and looks at the Zelak, pointing at Wolfsinger and jabbering in his tongue quizzically.
WolfSinger angrily growls, "What?!? It's not *MY * fault that airship captain decided to take off before my friend with the money boarded… "
Farago says shortly, "Be more careful in the future. If you have one."
WolfSinger growls angrily at Farago.
Tarin's eyes narrow and he stands back, eyes darting about the room.
Tatya pauses in the doorway, tapping her foot impatiently. "Norot zat po vanagh?!?!"
Farago looks slightly amused. Then yells to the Zelaks, ordering them to get the miscreants out of the office.
The Temple Zelak does not allow Tarin to leave the office.
WolfSinger just stands there, still growling.
Two Zelaks take hold of WolfSinger, forcing him out of the office after Tatya. They hiss and clack in their alien tongue.
Tarin looks at Wolfsinger, then the Naga and the Leftenant asking each of them in turn. "N'Kara?!" N'Kara?!
The new Zelak takes Tarin by the shoulder, and leads him out of the office and deeper into the labyrinth of the Temple…
Tatya nods and quietly walks out of the temple and towards the coach waiting by the door.
WolfSinger struggles fiercely in the Zelak's grasp. "Get your claws offa me!!"
"Fah tari no Jupani sala kee han caseth!" Tatya barks to the zelaks angrily.
Tarin yerks and slams a fist into the soft joint of the claw that's holding him. He tries to wrench free at the same time.
WolfSinger says, "I refuse to be anyone's slave! Never again!"
The Zelaks appear not terribly moved as they carry WolfSinger, struggling, after Tatya. The Jupani guards at the entrance call out, "Ooh, got a new mistress, eh? Have a really good time now, y'hear?"
WolfSinger growls, and lunges at one of the Zelaks. He'd rather die then be a slave all over again.
Tarin looks at Wolfsinger his ears flattening, he scans the hallway in front of him, looking into each door as he passes, lead by the Zelak.
Tatya yelps and begins barking at the other zelaks and the temple guards.
The four Zelaks at the entrance fail to move, but two of the Jupanis move up to give Tatya a hand with the unruly wolf. They chatter in Rephidim common with her, "Pla neh gehnoh, da?"
WolfSinger snarls at his would-be captors. Anger and hatred flash in his eyes.
The white vixen flicks her tail angrily. "Jupani hee nodo ikee yata!" She points at the carriage.
WolfSinger bites and claws to get out of their grasp.
The Jupani guards cheerfully hold WolfSinger's hands. One comments, "You should feel *untrans. 'working above decks'?*, your mistress's as swishytailed as I've seen 'em come." This being Jupani, fortunately Tatya can't understand it.
WolfSinger growls at the Jupani that made that comment, slashing him across the face with his claws.
The Zelaks hold the door open as a nervous Kavi driver looks down at the suddenly-transformed wild-eyed wolf. "Jupani ildeska no cavrageh sava, neh?"
The Jupani yelps! and holds his face. The other hits WolfSinger hard on the head, growling…
Tatya offers more of those strange grayish coins to the Jupani. She bristles at his sudden ferocity.
WolfSinger says, "I'd rather die then be a slave again!!!"
The other Jupani slips his arm around, trying for a choke hold. "Hey! Knock it off, much more and we'll have to make it *untrans. shut down fusion bottle?*"
WolfSinger enraged, he grabs the Jupani's arm and flips him over his shoulder. A look of panic fills his eyes.
Tatya growls at the kavi cabbie, "JUPANI DONO CAVAREGH!" Then to the Jupani guards and zelaks, "Itook no sala gorth patwan?!?!"
The city Jupani guard yelps as he feels himself being pulled over. Zelaks and Jupanis dog-pile onto WolfSinger, trying to knock him down and unconscious…
The vixen lashes her tail nervously.
WolfSinger loses all self control in a fury of slashing claws and biting teeth.
If he's gonna go down, he's taking as many of them with him that he can.
Abruptly blue sky and piercing sunlight finds WolfSinger's face again beneath a morass of grappling chitin and hot fur. A chance to escape! A Jupani yelps and screams as WolfSinger's foot-claws drive into his chin, and the holds slacken just enough that he might be able to tear free…
WolfSinger lunges at the opening, trying to escape their grip.
Tatya looks around nervously and suddenly dives into the carrage. "Chetaka Jupani vana, hothos. Zelak paduch ono atan!"
With a rip (WolfSinger is definitely going to feel that missing fur later) the enraged wolf manages to tear free of the mob, and begins to sprint away. A shout is raised as the guards by the corner of the Temple raise their crossbows, cranking the strings back and loading them with bolts. "Ia! Deskada Jupani!"
"Volare! Volan!" others shout back.
Tatya's Zelaks start to give chase to the running wolf…
The vixen makes frantic hand waving gestures at the Jupani guards. "Ikata zelak nogot. ITEE du deskada Jupani!"
Confusingly huge buildings loom around both sides of the maddened wolf, high windows in their fronts staring down like blind eyes. Passerbies scream and jump back from the chase going on, as Zelaks run on steady legs after WolfSinger – not as fast, but apparently tireless as they follow the scent trail.
The Jupani guards lower their crossbows and call back to Tatya as the Zelaks disappear after WolfSinger. (It's a pity. Looked like a strong fellow. Good swishy tail, yes?)
WolfSinger sees the forest, and heads for it at full speed.
WolfSinger's mind starts to go numb as a feeling of deja vu fills his head. Everything starts to move in slow motion as he starts to experience a flashback from so many years ago. He can hear Nathrasha yelling out orders to her guards to capture him alive and unharmed.
WolfSinger says, "Nooo!!! We've got to escape and be free of her!!" He hears his heart beating in his chest loudly, still in slow motion.
The Zelaks chasing him chitter and click to each other. Giving orders to each other in a plan to recapture the crazed wolf?
WolfSinger dives under a stopped carriage in an effort to lose the guards behind him. He relives the moment in his mind of diving under a low shrub in an effort to escape the ogre guards chasing him so many years before.
The Zelaks chitter angrily at the carriage driver for blocking the roadway as they are forced to go around.
WolfSinger continues to flee through the crowd, dodging people to avoid knocking them over. He winces as other flashbacks from his past overtake his mind briefly. He sees Nathrasha swing a club upon his head. He sees himself in human form strapped down upon the four winds as the evilly grinning sorceress turns the crank that digs the claws of the torture device accross his back.
One of the Zelak guards accidentally runs into a Kavi, knocking him into a mud puddle. The Zelak only slows down long enough to regain his balance, and continues the chase as the Kavi yells obscenities at him.
The fear of reliving the nightmare drives him on. He continues to run for the forest without looking back.
The Zelaks continue their pursuit, but slowly fall behind the much faster wolf.
After running for what seems like miles, WolfSinger finds a small stream flowing through the forest. Panting heavily, he stops for a moment to take a drink. About a quarter of a mile behind him, he hears a sharp CRACK! as one of the Zelaks steps on a dead branch.
"Damn!" he thinks to himself. "They're still following me. They must be following my scent. I've got to lose them somehow."
WolfSinger thinks for a moment. He then continues to run past the river on the other side, heading in the same direction for a few hundred feet. He then doubles back, and runs down the middle of the stream towards the mountain "If this doesn't lose them, I don't know what will… "
He continues to run along the stream bed, trying to step on rocks when he can so he doesn't leave footprints behind.
WolfSinger runs along the stream for another mile or two, before stopping to rest against a large rock.
Sleep quickly overcomes the exhausted wolf as he leans up against the boulder.
