CHAPTER 6: Of Tongues and Moustaches
Why the gathering hall could not be used for a village gathering, Rick could not understand.
"Only the hunters may gather in the gathering hall," explained Bontus. He was supporting the unconscious Minerva as the villagers poured in through the cave to join the meeting in front of the gathering hall. "Villagers may only go into the gathering hall if they have to speak with the guild master, or if one of their relatives is going for a quest."
"What a stupid rule," grumbled Joanne. It was hot.
"Well, I don't make the rules," said Bontus. "And it's no cooler in there."
A man sauntered out of the gathering hall. He was the only one not wearing the trademark single-cloth clothing of Guranta village. He was wearing bright yellow pants that were at least four sixes too big. His upper body was covered by a blue cloth with a hole for his head. The bottom of this cloth along with the pants was tied by a belt that looked suspiciously like a Chameleos' tongue. The thought was so revolting that Rick tried to think of something cheerful. Lollipops were the first thing that popped up in his head, and it made so little sense that he gave a giggle, earning many suspicious looks. God, it wouldn't do good to look crazy when his fate was to be decided. He attempted to straighten his face, but the lollipops would not go away.
Bontus and the Chameleos tongue belt guy were talking in low tones along with a third man who looked like a hunter, except he couldn't be one. Bontus had said that all of them had run away. But except that he was the only man who was dressed in battle armor, what really stood out was his moustache. Bushy grey, It was huge. It completely covered his mouth, like a curtain. Rick wondered how he ate.
Bontus then turned to the villagers. "The meeting has been cancelled!" he proclaimed. "Everybody get back to the village!"
With much grumbling and "What?"ing and name-calling, the villagers went back into the cave. Rick was quite amused at this new announcement, but also relieved. At least they would not have to face the entire the village, which he had been dreading, and rightfully so (he told himself), under the circumstances.
"What's the matter? Why did you cancel the meeting?" asked Freddy as the three men came over.
"We saw no reason to consult the entire village," said the Chameleos tongue belt man (darn, that thought would not go away) in a drawling voice. "Bontus here is a little… ah… elusive."
"Do you mean impulsive?" asked Mr. Amazingly Impossible Moustache with a frown.
"If you say so," said Mr. Chameleos Tongue Belt carelessly. "What is important is that you three, uh, did they slay a Nargacuga, did you say?"
"They ate the sacred fruit, for God's sake, Arston," said Mr. Amazingly Impossible Moustache. "And they ran away from a Nargacuga."
"That's what I said," said Arston, scratching his bald head. "Well forget that, aren't we going to pour undiluted Brachydios slime over them?"
"You always remember the worst things you hear, don't you Arston? said Mr. Amazingly Impossible Moustache with a smirk. "Bontus, won't you give him a shot of his favourite juice?"
"Huh, okay, sure," said Bontus, leading Arston back into the gathering hall.
Mr. Amazingly Impossible Moustache turned to the three of them. "I am supposed to train you become hunters," he said. "We will begin tomorrow at dawn. You may stay at the former hunter's cabin till then. You obviously have no questions as I have made everything very clear. See you." He turned and strode away into the woods.
"Hey what about Minerva?" called Rick after him. Minerva was still out cold.
"Leave her." shouted Mr. Amazingly Impossible Moustache without turning around. "She loves the nature anyway."