Through Kannon's Klaim
After an hour that felt like two, Klaggart announced to the group that we were approachin' the mines.
"Finally," Korey said to no one in particular. "This blasted inferno of a cave doesn't suit me much, if you get my meaning."
Beside him, Kaz chortled. "Aye, I get yer meanin' all too well, matey. Don't worry now, t'won't be long 'afore we come through to the other side o' this here inferno. Then yer weary eyes'll be met with the beautiful sight o' the swamps!"
"Ah, the swamps..." Korey sighed, and his gaze took on a faraway look.
"I m'self can't decide which I'd rather see sooner," Percy added, "Krem Quay, or the Krazy Kremland."
The others chuckled, but the telltale sound of a peg leg alerted us as to the presence of Johann. "Best be on our guard when we approach the Quay," he put in, in considerable less eager tones than the others.
"How's that?" I asked.
"What do ye mean, matey?" Percy asked.
"The Quay is where Klubba stands guard over the entrance to the Lost World." We waited for 'im to continue, but he stopped there as if the sentence were explanation enough.
"Aye, lad," Kaz acknowledged. "And 'lest I be powerful mistaken, that hulkin' mass o' muscles be on our side, and the Lost World be our terrain."
Korey and Percival murmured agreement ta this, but Johann only said in due equal tones: "There be rumors."
"Rumors of what?" Korey asked.
Johann's brows furrowed closer together, and he seemed in somethin' of a conflict.
I had a notion of what were botherin' him, for I'd heard the rumors, too. It's why I'd kept my yap shut.
There were things that 'ad gone 'round about that bloke Klubba havin' mixed allegiances. Leastways, some folks 'ad whispered that he weren't entirely loyal to K. Rool. The very notion of anyone not bein' loyal to K. Rool was a barmy one, to be sure, but then when you thought about it...maybe it weren't so barmy…
After all, the on'y reason we Kremlings served under a tyrant like 'im is because we had no choice. As I've mentioned 'afore, the strongest Kremling is always the leader o' the operation. But that weren't to say that a lot o' us were happy with it. Maybe this Klubba fellow I'd hear told about weren't happy with K. Rool's leadership, either...Lord knows that fearsome saltie was a big enough fellow to have opinions, after all, who'd contend with 'im?
But they were rumors and nothin' more. Rumors always ought'a be taken with more'n a little grain o' salt, as the sayin' goes, and this one weren't no exception.
On top o' that, I were surprised that the others appeared none too aware o' these rumors.
Johann might'a been a trifle uneasy about repeatin' them himself, but then he were the one that brought 'em up.
As we trudged along, I cast a glance at Johann, wonderin' if he'd answer Korey or not. Percy and Kaz began pesterin' the Klomp fer answers, and at long last he gave one.
"There be rumors regardin' Klubba's loyalty."
"Loyalty?" Korey blurted, to which Kaz instantly hissed at him to shut his trap and held up a shiny, curved claw to the croc's mouth. Korey's speech stopped dead in its tracks and he stared nearly cross-eyed at the potent warnin'.
"Don't go jawin' about that topic, mate," Percy whispered, slowin' his pace and starin' with wide eyes up at the huge Kannon.
"Sorry…" Korey dared to whisper.
Johann, unshaken, kept his gaze for'ard and stern. Simultaneously, we all looked ahead toward Klaggart who was still leadin' the way. He were a distance ahead, and I s'pose the heat was startin' to get to him a little - he were lookin' back at us less and less and offered fewer words o' encouragement. He were as anxious to get to the breezier mines as we were. It weren't exactly like 'im to let his guard slack, though.
I shot Johann a look. "What did you up and mention such a risky topic like that for, eh?"
He glanced at me. "It were they who asked."
"Aye, and it were you who answered."
"I on'y meant that we'd best keep an eye out," he paused to heave 'imself over a large boulder obscurin' the path. The rest o' us did likewise. "Who we jaw with, what we say…"
"Well, there be sense in that anyway…" I allowed, rubbin' my chin. Then, in an effort to change the subject without appearin' too obvious, "I've 'eard tell that this bloke Klubba's a heap bigger even than K. Rool 'imself."
Johann nodded. "It be true."
"Really, now?" Kaz's eyes lit up, and he ambled forward to us. "Well, if that be so, why isn't he our trusted leader?"
"Kaz!" Percy hissed.
"I only be askin!" Kaz chortled, lifting up his claws.
"If ya told Korey off on the topic of loyalty, yer a fine one to go jawin' about leadership replacin'," I remarked.
"Ah, but there be no rumor o' that," he returned. "Ergo, we're safe!"
I scowled at 'im, but he continued, "It bear wonderin', though, mates! If this Klubba be so big and strong, by rights he ought to be our Kaptain."
"Klubba would make a fine leader, I'd warrant!" Percy said.
"Yeah?" I countered. "And how would you know? Have you met the bloke?"
"They say he likes to gamble," put in Korey, mildly.
"And that he serves none but his own self," Johann said, finally puttin' his two cents in.
I wondered if Johann had ever met Klubba, and - whether he had or hadn't - if he bore a sorta ill will toward 'im. So far, his summation of the huge Kremling weren't exactly praise. Not to mention, he started the arg'ment in the firs' place, so to speak.
"Mind, lads," Percy said, nodding up ahead.
Klaggart had stopped in his tracks, and finally turned ta face us. His expression were all confidence, and not a little relief as well.
"You can breathe easy now, lads! We've made it to Kannon's Klaim."
A resoundin' cheer rose up from our small group, and Klaggart continued, "Yes, take in the sight of it, lads! It be a fine one." He inhaled, as if he could a'ready feel the cooler cavern air. "I think we're about due for a short rest. A very short one, mind you, but let's press on." Before he turned to proceed down the path toward the mines, he fixed us with one'a his stares. "And as fer all that talk about the Guardian of the Lost World, I'll speak with the lot'a you on the matter later."
That silenced us, you can imagine, but Percy broke the trance when he shrieked and blurted, "You heard all that, sir?"
Klaggart sneered at the little orange Klinger. "Aye, you can bet your topsails I did, lad!"
"All of it?"
The big Krusha actually laughed. "Well, I'd heard most'a it, and that's enough right there!" He forced the sober expression back and continued, "But never you mind that, we're not in Krem Quay, yet. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but fer now, we've a much pleasanter bridge ahead." He motioned for us to follow.
The path to the mines must'a started right where our leader had stopped to make 'is announcement, for the air grew steadily cooler and it were much easier to breathe. The ground weren't as hot, neither, and the spouting fumes and boiling magma gradually lessened the further down the path we went. Indeed, the red-hot ambiance o' the caves were beginning to change into milder hues of blue and grey, and I could only assume that the brilliant lights shinin' gently forth onto tha rocks and walls were comin' from the precious gems we were about to encounter.
I were lookin' forward to this part of our journey more than the previous path we'd been takin', for I'd heard told of how beautiful the mines were. I s'pose there were still many o' them gems to be had, in spite of our constant minin' and gatherin'. I wondered, too, what sorta people we'd meet when we got there. It were all new to me, and leavin' the heat and magma behind were already cheerin' me up. The approachin' mines seemed to work on the moods of the others, too, for they began chattin' and jokin' more than they 'ad since we first entered the Cauldron.
"Steady, lads!" Klaggart called.
We'd walked about half a mile 'afore we saw the sought-after entrance to the Klaim. Another light cheer arose from us when we beheld it - a crude rectangle cut out o' the earth, and framed with sturdy lava rock. Beside it, plain as daylight, a wooden sign were staked into the earth that read: Kannon's Klaim.
Beneath it read: Property of Kaptain K. Rool, Territory of the Kremlings.
Great an' all, but not that it would hinder those annoyin' monkeys.
As the gurglin', boilin' lava were left behind, it opened our ears to a new sound. It were a clingin', bangin' sorta din that echoed a good deal, with once in a while a loud smash or knock, as it were. The noise bounced an' quivered all the way to us on the outside, and it were somehow compelling.
"Sweet sound of music..." Klaggart said to himself. We'd paused, takin' in the welcome sight o' the mines, but now Klaggart led us onward again.
Judgin' from the sound, there were many a Kremling hard at work in there. We'd soon find out as we approached the opening into the jewel-adorned caves.
To say that Kannon's Klaim was a breath-takin' sight is no description at all.
The word I'd use to describe it were this: staggering. The sound o' the shovels, pickaxes and other tools were almost enough at first, but it were nothin' compared to the actual sight o' the lair. Imagine traversin' through hot, sticky air for hours on end, surrounded by nothin' more than forebodin' walls spewin' with lava that seemed to close in on ya with every passin' minute. The further ya went, the less hope you had of ever reachin' the end, and on top o' that, the heat and the darkness, barring the glow from the lava, closed in on your weary mind, threatenin' to drive ya mad.
Picture, then, your vision suddenly filled with overwhelmin' light and splendor, your scales met with life-givin' air and coolness that washes over you like fine drink. This ain't no description at all, but what I felt in that moment were somethin' akin to it.
The mines were filled to the brim with gems and jewels, and it were huge; caverns within caverns, and all filled with carts and equipment and Kremlings haulin' and heavin' and workin' away at the treasure here and there.
The others were jus' as stunned, for they 'ooh'd' and 'aww'd' as if in a trance.
"Blimey," breathed Percival.
"It's incredible!" Korey marveled.
Klaggart, who'd been to the mines before, nodded. "Aye, the Klaim is quite a sight!" He breathed out a long, steady breath. "'Been much too long since I last set foot here, it has…Good to be back!"
Even Johann were impressed. He took in the surroundings, nodding appreciatively at the natural wonder, not to mention the fine work our people had accomplished in it as of late. "This be quite a place. Shame I hadn't visited sooner."
Klaggart brought us out of our reverie. "Let's go, lads - we need to find Klark, he's the brains of this outfit."
"Ah, old Klarky!" Percy exclaimed. "He be still a'fixin these parts?"
"Aye," Klaggart nodded. "He's been running the mines for many a year now. Ain't no one better suited to the job than him. If anyone can give us word of the Kongs, it's Klark."
I'd never met this Klark before, but he sounded like a stout fellow. I looked forward to meetin' him, as well as nabbin' a little rest an' relaxation. Even so, the sight an' feel of the mines were almost enough. The cooler air on our hot faces felt like a break in an' of itself.
Many Kremlings - Kannons, like Korey - greeted us and saluted Klaggart respectively as they noted our approach. The path through the mines was broken up by old boards, which made walkin' a bit awkward. I noted, too, the use of thin wooden platforms sittin' atop thin poles that seemed a bit on the rickety side. None'a the structures in the mines looked like they'd hold up a neek, let alone a Kremling...especially a Kannon.
Klaggart made a few inquiries as to the whereabouts of this Klark, and it turns out we were expected. Apparently, Monty'd sent word ahead that we'd be traversin' the Isle in search of our enemies. This were good news, as it'd save time on explainin' our presence and such.
'Afore long, our group was led to a little makeshift shack that I presumed to be the "office" of Klark. It were small and old-lookin', but it sat a ways off from the edge o' the caverns (a fact I were particularly grateful for, bein' none too fond'a heights.)
The Kremling who led us to Klark's abode knocked on the door and announced our presence. The door soon creaked open to reveal a hefty Kannon. He looked like many other Kannon's I'd seen, except he wore a distinctive hat, no doubt as a symbol of his rank. Though he looked tough in his own right, he had a good-natured face and a rather disarmin' personality.
"Klaggart, my old friend!" He boomed, immediately steppin' outside to give our leader a hearty handshake. "I was expectin' you!"
"Long time, no see it is, Klark," Klaggart answered, with more curbed enthusiasm. "I'm glad to have caught you here instead of out in the caverns."
His tone were slightly condescendin', but Klark gave a booming laugh. "Aye, I always manage to get lost in 'em, even after sixteen years of service! Well come on in, I've been waiting for you and the crew."
We followed him inside, where things got more casual. Klaggart introduced Klark to our group (formally, o' course) and, in spite of bein' expected, debriefed Klark on the progress of our mission since we'd left the Galleon.
Klark, in the meantime, had arranged for some provisions to be brought to us tired swabs, which we were heartily grateful for. He said that it were no joke journeyin' through the Cauldron.
When our hunger had been satiated, Klaggart got right to the point and asked Klark about the Kongs.
Klark's face finally took on a note of seriousness. He nodded. "Those two little Kongs passed through here, alright - not three days ago."
"Three days," Percy said under his breath, clearly stunned by the news.
Korey paused in the middle o' sippin' some water, and glanced round the room.
Klaggart frowned and continued, before we started murmurin', "Anything untoward happen? Do you know where they were headed?"
Klark nodded again. "They passed through awfully quick. They injured a few of our men - nothin' serious, mind you. They may be enemies, but they showed as much mercy as they could."
Klaggart's expression darkened, and his shoulders rose. "Klark," he started, in barely-restrained tones, "we're not here to praise our enemy…"
Klark shook his head an' held his hands up in appeasement. "I ain't praising them." He paused, and continued, "Anyway, I got a report from several workers who were nearby and actually spotted them."
"You yourself didn't see them?" Klaggart asked.
"No, but the men I spoke to are sound and true. They wouldn't lie, and they wouldn't make things up. I have full confidence in their testimonies, Klag. Anyway, they say the Kongs seemed in a big hurry to get through the mines." He shrugged. "Didn't take anything. I guess they were more interested in taking a shortcut through the Cauldron. Who could blame them?"
"Do you know which way they were heading?"
"Toward the East Exit."
"That would lead them out to Krem Quay…" Klaggart mused.
I exchanged glances with the others. We were all thinkin' the same thing.
"But ain't that obvious?" Percy piped up once again. "Where else would the Kongs be headed to but the Quay? After all, they're out to rescue their friend, aren't they?"
"There be more than one way of gettin' to K. Rool's Keep, lad," Klaggart answered, knowingly. "It's important for us to know exactly which road they're intending to take."
"Why take the path to the swamps?" Korey asked. "The Kongs may be headed there, but we'd just be trailing behind them again. What good would that do?"
"Because we have one thing they don't," Klaggart answered. "And that's allies, lad. We'll send a messenger to Kaptain and let him know the whereabouts of the Kongs. We may not catch up to them, but that doesn't mean we can't still foil their little plans."
"Don't the Kongs have allies, too?" Korey whispered to Kaz. I knew he were thinkin' of the rhino and the swordfish. Maybe that overgrown spider had been in on it, too…
"Whatever course you all take next," Klark said, "I'd send a messenger bird to Kaptain K. Rool straightaway. The sooner he knows what those monkeys are doing, the better."
"Aye," Kaz put in with feeling. "And let's not forget, mates, even if they do reach the Kaptain's Tower, why, they still have to deal with the Kaptain himself!" He laughed, and we all joined in.
Perhaps we hadn't realized it 'afore, but the odds still remained heavily in our favor. It were an easy thing to forget when you were trailin' three days behind your enemy in hot, unforgivin' territory; it plays on the spirits and then you can't help but think the glass is half empty. But Kaz's words lifted our spirits. After all, there were more than a little truth behind 'em.
It didn't matter that we were behind the Kongs. K. Rool was already waitin' for 'em.