CapĂtulo Dos
II.
So throughout the jungle, there lay many different pathways carved by the footsteps of the natives, both humans and animals, in that region. These pathways were used frequently, everyday, for the hunting of the native species. However, these trails tended to be very narrow, and were only fit for a single person, or single-file line.
Murmurings and grumblings floated about the low-lying vines as two pairs of footsteps tramped upon the worn trails. These two carried our young sailor, and his dark-haired and freckled companion, over their shoulder through the vast 'unexplored' wilderness. The two Spaniards struggled and grumbled against their captor's hold on their bodies, but soon became fatigued and accepted defeat.
The trees were beginning to seem taller as the four walked along; a canopy of light-speckled leaves far above the men's heads. Meanwhile, a small blue inlet filled with brightly colored fish snuck past their feet, babbling and whispering along the way. - technically, the two sailors were received the adventure that they had yearned for- just not exactly how it was imagined or expected... but back to the big picture!
The Native who had the privilege of uncomfortably carrying our 1st sailor had short spiked hair that blent in very well with the surroundings, and his skin was very tanned from the intense sunlight while fishing along the coasts. A dark tattoo on his left arm bore a resemblance to a spear snaking around his entire bicep and then curving to point up his shoulder, and wore three golden rings on his left earlobe. His companion, carrying our second freckled sailor, bore the same color of hair, but was pushed back and spiked on the tips. This man had two dark, parallel spear tattoos under his right eye, and a dark ring tattoo on his chest to match the golden rings in his ear lobes and nose.
Even though these men appeared to be very barbaric, their actions remained relatively humane. Spanish was spoken among the four men, surprisingly, making their communication/arguments easily understood. In addition, the natives' grip on the sailors was not bone-crushing; simply enough to make escape difficult.
Our freckled sailor was confused by their situation, and asked his captor for what reason they had been captured. The man replied with a soft and understanding, yet somewhat nervous tone. He explained that any strangers bearing odd clothes or odd weapons were to be first questioned, and if no evil intent was shown, the strangers would be welcomed in the village and invited to a great feast. However, if found to be violent, such stranger would be severely punished, and/or executed.
The natives rarely spoke when unnecessary, but asked a few simple questions about their motives. The second sailor, whom we shall call 'Ace', replied honestly, telling of he and Balboa's wish to find great riches and land. The two tattooed became uneasy, and our first sailor became mortified, as his plan was only to have a thrilling adventure.
As our Spaniard, whom shall go by 'Luis', tried desperately to explain that they meant no harm, there was a low growl and rustle from the underbrush beside the path. The short-haired native, who the adventurers knew as 'Zoro', stopped abruptly, dropped Luis quietly, and silently crept toward the greenery. He held a short dagger with a grip that even Satan himself could not possible loosen. There was a shriek from the black feline as it pounced, pushing leaves and bushes as it lunged toward Zoro. Said man sat back on one heel, waiting till the animal was right in front of his body. He then stealthily side-stepped/crawled the animal, and sunk his blade into the cat's flesh as it passed by him. The foot-long chasm stained the black fur with dripping blood steadily oozing from the wound as the cat tried to limp away, but collapsed as Zoro swiftly kicked the beast down.
Zoro knelt and said a quick prayer over the animal before calling out his partner, whom he called Bartolomeo, in a language that the surprised sailors could not comprehend. Bartolomeo growled out in annoyance, but then gently set Ace down and continued to walk toward the fallen beast. Zoro patted his partner's back as he trod over to the captured ones. The native explained that they were to return to the village and meet the villagers. However the townspeople felt towards them would decide their fate. Bartolomeo returned to them with the black panther slung over his shoulder.
Unsettled by the Spaniards' freedom from their grip, Bartolomeo motioned with a jab towards the two dark haired sailors, and so Zoro walked in front of Luis, pulling him by his wrists as Bartolomeo forced Ace forward in a similar manner from the back of the pack.
The farther they walked inland, the heavier the vines and trees grew, the louder the squawking of colorful birds became, the denser the clouds of insects appeared along the path. The natives were unphazed by all this as the Spainiards stared at all this, and grumbled and struggled as they walked through a cloud of most likely disease-ridden misquitoes.
The land itself also changed dramatically. No longer were there simply hills, but mountains and rivers. The four turned slightly southwards and came upon a mangrove-lined river. Bartolomeo informed the two that the river had a very symbolic name, 'Tjer Di', or Grandmother Water on which the oldest ancestors of that region first settled. Luis had repeated the river's name with some difficulty, managing to utter a close 'Teribe'. The natives said nothing. From that point forward, they followed the 'Teribe' river upstream, upon which the village laid.
Zoro stood up taller as he approached the opening of the leafy-canvas above and in front of them, and proudly announced to them that they had arrived the royal city of the Naso people.
Ace looked upon the 'city' with pure pity. He was honestly skeptical as to whether it were actually the 'royal city' or not, judging by the fact that all the buildings were on stilts, and constructed out of some sort of native palm. Ace concluded that the river floods and that is why the houses are built on stilts, and that way they are somewhat temporary and easy to reconstruct.
Luis did not linger long on the facts that Ace had noticed, but gazed upon the humbling sight of the villagers, busily working and going about their day. Children played with rocks and carved dolls, and wrestled in the dirt as the adults brought large buckets of water from the river to the cooking spaces outside their homes. Women sat near these cooking spaces, grinding corn and meal on large rocks. Ace also noticed that the women wore no shirts, like the laboring men around them.
Supposing that women's chests must get hot too, Luis payed this no heed and continued his looking about. To his right, at the rivers edge, sitting upon the root of a large mangrove were older boys, fishing as if the carnivorous fish swimming inside the river couldn't possibly hurt them.
Men looking tired and worn out, and occasionally a bit battered, dragged back the latest catch of several cats and birds, dragging and carrying the slain beasts over their shoulders as they lugged them off away from the four onlookers.
Then, off in the distance, looming over more tropical trees and leaves was a step-like stone pyramid. The stone reflected the bright Mayo/May sunlight, seemingly a dazingly white against a dark green and blue backround, giving off an aura of pure authority and might.
Yes, this was the royal city.
~ + hi there, its the lonely author that sits in the corner and watches you read... o.o XD how'd you like the long awaited update? review for the sake of my longing soul~~~ XD + ~
