A/N: Forgive me if I offended anyone with that whole animal thing, it was for the plot's sake. This is a very slow chapter, but necessary nonetheless, so bear with me. Thanks to all who reviewed (that means YOU). Enjoy this chappie!
Disclaimers: All I own is a bunch of measly video games, a toothbrush and a pillow formally known as Eriol. I also own the plot ^___^
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Part II: Stranded: Origins
The company, led by the wise Eriol, now stood on a small hill clearing, looking into the valley bellow them. The small dale floor was littered with petite houses and even smaller pastures. The houses were half-spherical in shape, strange roofs and even stranger chimneys adorning the top; an odd tower rising here and there. The perennial forest continuing beyond the town.
When moving closer to the village, the company noticed the unusual decorations of the homes. In various arrangements of begonias, petunias and harlequins, the flowers bordered the tiny walkways and later gave way to the vines that enveloped the buildings. Peculiar round windows peeked out of the plants, and if anybody looked closer, they would see a curious face or two through the glass. The doors were round and painted in vibrant hues of green and blue. Large wooden plaques hung above the oddly shaped knobs, displaying the names of the inhabitants.
Eriol noted with some surprise that the main road was not paved but was made out of cobblestones. He wondered for an instant what kind of technological advancement this world had. Tall pillars were scattered periodically along the path, he presumed they ware light posts. The peculiar thing was that there were no light bulbs, instead flower baskets graced the top. He thought he saw statues completely made out of plants, but he blamed it on the sun and the lack of food. There were so many kinds of flowers (many of which he didn't even know about), Eriol could feel his eyes glaze over at the sight of them.
The entire troop was in awe of what they saw; never in all their lives have they witnessed anything of this sort. The foursome was too stunned to talk; Nakuru just mumbled something incoherently. As they were walking, Eriol noticed that the streets were curiously deserted. 'How can that be?' he mused. 'I could swear I saw someone through the windows.' He was beginning to feel like a leper when a little girl ran toward them. Looking inquisitively at them, her big eyes bright, she held out a flower to them.
Seeing this sweet gesture, Tomoyo knelt down and took the blossom from the small hand. She was about to ruffle the girl's blonde hair in a playful manner, when a throaty holler stopped her. Standing up, Tomoyo saw a big woman with an apron around her waist approaching them at a rapid speed. The woman stopped before them, looked at the child and gruffly took her hand. Dragging the toddler behind her, the lady berated her in a strong accent before disappearing behind a round blue door. Tomoyo just looked dejectedly at the mother and child and continued on her way.
Soon, the party reached what was clearly the town square. A modest statue of a knight on a neighing horse stood in the middle, as if overseeing the goings on and threatening anyone who dared to disobey the law. Vines were intertwining its form, like everything else in the village. Wagons and trolleys were scattered in places; the produce inside them still loaded. A basket of apples that was lying on the ground was overturned; the fruits scattered messily on the road. It appeared as if everything was abandoned in haste.
Something caught Eriol's eye; off to the right of the statue, half hidden by the shadows, stood a woman. He walked briskly toward her, ignoring the possibility that she might flee. She did not budge. Studying her closely, he noted that she was an aging woman, with a plump figure and the according grey hair pulled in a tight bun. A simple brown work robe was draped over her shoulders, a dirtied apron in the front. Her face, though stern, looked genial and motherly like.
She looked at the strangers, eyes unwavering. Mulling a decision over in her head, she finally motioned for them to follow her. The older woman led them to a large house off to the right of the main square. Holding the door open for them, she ushered them into her house. Still not saying anything, the woman bid them to sit around the small makeshift table and disappeared behind some curtains.
"Do you think she'll torture us?" Nakuru asked while fiddling with Spinel's tale. "Maybe she'll keep us locked up and starve us and dehydrate us --"
Nakuru's ramblings were interrupted by a low, slightly accented voice, "-- Or maybe she'll feed ya poor kids." The woman said as she entered the room, carrying a big pot and some dishes.
Their eyes were probably bright enough to light up a whole neighbourhood; the party almost forgotten their hunger out of so much awe and now, it seemed they were finally going to be repaid for the long walk they endured that day. The woman, who still did not reveal her name, simply sat on an old rocking chair watching the three youngsters and the kitty devour the food.
After their bellies were replenished and their spirits lifted, Eriol said finally, "Thank you for that delicious meal." On an offhand note he added, "What was it that we ate exactly?"
The woman looked at him as if he suddenly sprang a second head and was singing cabaret. After a pause, she said, "'tis was me own rec'pe. We 'round 'ere call it accernas (1). Who 're ye folks anyways?"
Looking at his companions, Eriol decided to keep their true identities and circumstances to themselves, "We are just travelers, looking for directions. This is Tomoyo," he pause as he examined how the word rolled of his tongue, "this is Nakuru, that is Spinel Su-- our cat!" He hastily corrected himself. "And I am Eriol. Please to meet you. Would you care to grace us with your name?"
"Certa'nly," replied the woman. "Me name's Hanney Wilbrough, and this be the town of Vergel (2)(3). I'm the mayor of 'tis 'ere town." The four looked at each other; none of them ever heard of such a place, which further proved that they were no where on Earth.
At that moment their new acquaintance stood up and went back behind the curtains, which obviously hid the kitchen. The company took this time as a sign to inspect their surroundings.
They were located in what appeared to be a low ceiling hut. A small fire burned in the hearth, over which a kettle and strung herbs hung. Opposite them and the kitchen was what would normally be considered a den or a living room. On the floor, worn rugs were strewn. A bench decked with cushions passed as a couch, a big old armchair stood near the wall and served as the centrepiece. The walls didn't have any paint or wallpaper (if there was such thing as wallpaper) on; in fact it looked as if the interior of the house was made entirely from wholesome materials. One could not help but feel old in this dwelling.
A heavy aroma permeated in the air, Eriol could discern several spices, including basil. The atmosphere was so thick, he could swear he saw it swirl before him. He noticed the variety of cloaks on the crude hanger, and wondered to whom they all belonged to. He heard scurrying feet and looked for the source. The room was lighted only by the candle in the middle of the table and the fire in the hearth, and in the dimness he nearly overlooked the stairwell. Eriol saw the large eyes curiously looking at him through the support beams, and he smiled.
Hanney busily bustled in, muttering something about manners. Stopping to catch her breath she said, "Pardon me manners gent and ladies, but will ye be needin' anything?"
"Actually, yes," Eriol smoothly said. "Can you tell us something more about this land, this country?"
"Certa'nly," she answered while resuming her previous seat. "Ye be in the country o' Ardor, governed by his maj'sty King Trietys." She said proudly, glad that she pronounced the name correctly.
This did nothing to quench the many questions still pooling around the foursome. Spinel wanted to ask where particularly this "Ardor" was located, but refrained seeing as to how he was now a cat, and cat's *certainly* didn't talk.
"Can you tell us the history of this country then?" Asked Tomoyo, finally speaking for the first time since their hike. Eriol wondered briefly why she was suddenly so quiet, but chose to delve into that when he had some of his curiosity was satisfied. Besides, he wanted to know the answer as well.
"Well, I ain't one o' 'em book peoples, but I know a thing o' two. Ye are fortunate ye are still intact. There's war brewing abroad," she said as her guests gasped. "Now 'old ye tongues, young ones. 'tis all was started years ago, long before ye were in the womb. When our realm was young, there 'ore two royal families. One o' Ardor (4) and one o' Gelidum (5). The son of the King o' Ardor was betrothed to the Princess o' Gelidum. The boy refused; fell in love with a common broad, you see. He ran away. Gelidum never forgave the treachery the boy's family committed. The two countries been feuding since then. I dunno the whole story, mind ye." she said as she finished her tale.
Nakuru gave out a pretentious wail and began to sob (very unbelievably) into Spinel's fur. Eriol just mulled things over, marvelling at the quirks of royalty. Tomoyo just stared at her lap. "Why is everybody in this village afraid of us?" she asked suddenly.
"Ye see, King Trietys suspects that Gelidum's been sending spies an' all. He passed one of 'em policyty (she meant policy) things. No one's suspicious lookin' allowed to pass through this country. An' ye sure are suspicious lookin'." So that explained why they were suddenly treated like lepers. "Ye better watch ye back, lest ye wants to be caught an' imprisoned."
At least now they knew what they got themselves into, thought Eriol, his mind going a mile a minute. He was beginning to feel bad for the town's people. He could image what it would be like to live in constant fear of invasion.
"Do you know of an inn near by?" He asked tiredly, the day's events were beginning to wear him out.
"Well, ye can stay 'ere," Hanney replied. If truth be told, it was long since she had guests, she wanted to feel that thrill again. After a minute's hesitation, the group agreed.
It was then that a small body, supported by equally small legs, arms and head half walked half ran into the room. A toddler, no older than four years old, with tawny hair and big brown eyes, just like Hanney's. He latched onto the older woman's legs, and timidly peered at the strangers. An older girl with the same light-brown hair but blue eyes followed this little boy. The two were introduced as Nadia and Hien, Hanney's grandchildren.
The two were spellbound by their guests' presence and paid a remarkable amount of attention to the discussions. They cooed over Spinel, exclaiming "what a cute kitty!" and scratched him behind the ears. Spinel was not pleased with this, he did not feel dignified when he was treated like a normal alley cat, but he was forced to endure. Nakuru was the centre of attention, full of animated chitchat.
Tomoyo's mood seemed to brighten by the presence of the children, and she carried over the conversation with as much good cheer as she could muster, bursting into bubbly laughter at times. As the evening wore into night, it was time to go to bed (and the foursome needed sleep like a drowning ma needed a lifeline). Tomoyo and Nakuru were to share a room with Nadia, while Eriol stayed in Hein's room with the boy.
Spinel cleared his throat at the sleeping arrangements, when realising his predicament, he forced out a fake "meow". Catching on to his intentions, Eriol asked their hostess, "Umm.. Hanney, where will my...cat sleep?"
The woman stared at him incredulously, and then said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Why, he'll be sleeping 'utside wit' the rest o' the animals, o' course." At this Spinel gulped and paled (if that was possible). A bit miffed, he was about to demand proper accommodations when Nakuru swiped him off into a chocking embrace. Knowing perfectly well he could not defend himself with the present situation, he simply snorted and gave into Nakuru's hug and squealed "Suppi-chan!"s.
Thus came the end to a very long day, the first day the company spent in this strange realm; and the end of the day marked the start of what would surely be many more days.
(tbc)
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(1) accernas -- a dish closely resembling porridge. As far as I know, it means nothing and is straight out of my head.
(2) Hanney Wilbrough -- my own character, based and dedicated to a friend who bears the same name (though not by birthright).
(3) Vergel -- means 'Flower Garden' in Spanish, ironic, ne?
(4) Ardor -- means fire/ flame/ heat and love in Latin
(5) Gelidum -- means ice cold/ icy in Latin.
A/N: Another chapter done, and I'm completely exhausted. Sorry for the use of over used clichés, old habits die hard. Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a bed not one foot away, and a certain pillow that goes by the name of Eriol is calling me. Till next chapter. Adieu!