Brave had led us down the path and we had eventually reached the main trading port, Jamaa Township. Professor Wiggle had talked about it before, and I found it very interesting. Brave had announced to us that he had to take care of some duties in the "Pillow Room." From what I had heard of the Pillow Room, it was the holding center for immigrants and orphans. He had instructed us to follow him, so Clark and I walked closely behind him.
The building was in the middle of the Sol Center and their hospital. From what I knew of the Sol Center, it was an abandoned tourist center that told visitors about Jamaa and its history. It had been abandoned when Jamaa stopped taking visitors, and was turned into an industrial warehouse designed for military officials to launch illegal ships to Kreluder.
Its appearance was very dull. The door was smaller than the frame and creaked when Brave opened it. There were countless people inside. Mostly smaller children hugging pillows, but there were also a few men and women who were blindfolded and chained against the wall. I noticed one heap in the corner that seemed to be covered in a brown canvas bag. I shuddered at the thought of it being a human.
There were two men dressed in black suits that looked similar to the ones we had encountered in Kimbara. One of them handed Brave a small list. From what I could tell, it had names on it.
"Trenton?" Brave asked to one of the men. He nodded.
"Where is he from?" Brave continued. The man told him something that I couldn't quite hear, so I assumed that I wasn't supposed to. Brave turned to myself and Clark.
"We're continuing to Mt. Shiveer now," he informed us, then led us out the door.
The next part of the trip led us to Sarepia Forest. I remembered Professor Wiggle informing me about the Sepia filter used to re-create footage of the first world war, and how he explained that cameras were first invented in Jamaa. I found it crazy that their technology had advanced so incredibly much in the last twenty years.
"Sarepia Forest was a civilization in the trees. They used their high altitude to their advantage. The Guerrilla Warfare method fused with treetop camouflage is the reason they won the civil war with Coral Canyons.
Their members were very agile people. They spent many of their years climbing and training with Natural Weapons, which were first invented there. They are very hostile people and rarely accept new members into their sub-clans. While I have never been there myself, I can say from a primary source that they have very striking features."
Professor Wiggle had told me that. For some reason I always remembered the part about striking features.
Brave led us to a tree that had a very slight curve and proceeded to climb up the small planks that were mounted on it. Clark cautiously followed him and I followed Clark, stumbling many times because my lack of climbing skills. The top revealed several tan boards that acted as platforms in the trees. The wood appeared to be rotten and old, so I was extremely terrified to step on it. But upon noticing my anxiety, Clark pointed out that there was another layer of wood underneath it. I stepped on the platform and luckily Clark was right.
We followed Brave around the twisted path of the planks. I didn't see any traditional shelters, so I assumed that most of the people lived higher in the trees. I wasn't complaining though; they sounded like horrifying people.
Finally, after reaching a path that curved to the left, there was a small sign that read "MT. SHIVEER."
In front of us was a long bridge that was held together by vines. I was skeptical of its sturdiness at first, but I continued without question because everything so far had been walk-able.
The bridge was thin and continued on for what seemed like forever. The sun was starting to go down, and I noticed Brave's steps became wider and sped up.
I knew we had reached the end when cold air had pierced my skin and snow surrounded us. We had stepped off the path and ankle-high snow crunched beneath our feet.
There was a large purple tent that was visible about a block away. My thin red jacket was nothing in this weather, especially considering it was short-sleeved. At least I was wearing black jeans, contrary to Clark's brown shorts. We walked into the tent not a minute before we froze.
I noticed some people that were in the room with us and figured they were from Toontown. Major was standing in the corner with a pickaxe in hand. Brave approached him and they exchanged a small greeting, then they began speaking to us.
Brave explained that training will last from 4 in the morning to 7 at night. He said that the actual training will last for 2 weeks, then the actual mining will take place. I shuddered at the thought of spending the rest of my life in Jamaa.
"Training will start in the morning at the mine entrance. Major will show you where the dens are." Brave made direct eye contact with me then exited the tent.
Major gestured for the group to follow him. We did so, and he led us around the mountain to where a series of small buildings were. They appeared to be concrete and weren't painted. There were about 6 of them, contrary to the 5 members who were from Toontown.
"There are other miners living here," Major says as we approach the building. Clark and I shared a glance. He appeared uneasy, and I realized that I wasn't anxious. I actually hadn't been anxious at all.
Major led us into one of the buildings. From the doorway, we walked directly into the kitchen. There was an archway on the right side of the room that led into the bedroom. From what I could tell, there were several brass-framed bunk beds.
"These are your sleeping quarters," Major announces, gesturing towards the room with the bunk beds.
"In the back is where the mines are. Like Brave said, the training will start tomorrow morning at four, so I would suggest getting a lot of sleep tonight." He walked outside of the sleeping quarters and our small string followed him.
He led us around the back of the building. There was a distinct hole in the earth that had railings going into it. I figured that was the mine entrance.
"Meet myself and Brave here tomorrow at four." Major studied the mine entrance. A man with cinnamon colored hair emerged from the mines, holding a pickaxe.
"Baron will give you mining clothes," Major adds, casting a short glance at my ragged clothes. The man jolted his head up at Major, then made his way over to our group. His black boots crunched snow as he approached us.
"Heard my name," the man comments in a rough voice. I notice that he has a scar going down the side of his face, just missing his eye.
"This is Baron. He's been here the longest," Major notes. I look back up at him and study his features. He didn't seem old at all. Actually, he only looked a little bit older than myself. I placed him at about 25 or 26.
Major nodded at Baron then disappeared down the trail that led back to Sarepia Forest. Baron studied us.
"Names," he ordered.
The two toons behind Clark and myself introduced themselves.
"Clark," he announces in a seemingly confident tone.
"Neapolitan," I say with mock confidence.