Chapter 31: Departure
Location: Ildathach
Thirty minutes later…
Particles swirled in the air, catching what light successfully managed to stream through the darkened structure. Having emerged from their dwelling, Sally's blue eyes surveyed unfamiliar surroundings. A primitive village was housed within the massive structure, with illumination provided by numerous torches and cooking fires.
"Sally, I think found something that might interest you," NICOLE announced.
"What is it?" she asked, opening the handheld.
"I thought the name Olog-hai sounded familiar, so I did a little digging."
"What did you manage to find?"
"That the word Olog-hai appears in some Old Earth literature; The Lord of the Rings to be precise."
Sally gave the extra-terrestrials a harder look, taking notice of their pointed ears and sharp facial features. If one overlooked their purple skin, claws, and tails then they seemed to take on a Tolkienesque depiction of elves.
"What are you saying? That they're straight out of Tolkien?"
"I wouldn't go that far," NICOLE said, "Although the word; Olog-hai supposedly translate to Troll-folk in the fictional Black Speech."
"They look nothing like Naugus," she stated, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
The former Royal Wizard, he had long ago appeared before her grandfather pledging false allegiance. Secretly coveting the throne, he had orchestrated events that had led to war between the Kingdom and the Overland. Retreating to the Special Zone, Naugus had intended to wait out the war and seize control of whatever remained of the Kingdom. He hadn't foreseen being double-crossed by his co-conspirator; Warlord Kodos, who stranded the Wizard in the zone.
"Anything else I should be aware of?"
"What limited exposure I've experienced of the Olog-hai language has allowed me to conclude that it is based on Gaelic," she stated, "Specifically the dialect previously spoken in Ireland."
"That's an awfully strange coincidence."
"The probability of…"
"You don't have to give me the statistics, NICOLE."
Closing the handheld, the Chipmunk resumed her silent observation of the settlement. There were many questions that remained unanswered, and until they reached the Dalton Estate it would continue to remain so.
"I don't trust these aliens," Sticks stated, sneaking up behind the Princess.
"I trust you'll have my back?" Sally asked.
If there was one thing that the Badger could be relied on, it was having her friends backs in any situation. She attempted to respond, but the emergence of their companions prevented her from doing so.
"Ready to go, Sally-Girl," Bunnie announced.
Sally gave the Rabbit a once over, seeing that Tails had patched up her cybernetics as best as he could. He required specialized tools to properly repair them, something that they didn't have access to. Given what had happened, Sally had obvious concerns regarding the Rabbit's ability to get around.
"You sure you'll be able to make the journey?"
"Sho. But ahh won't be flying anywhere for the time being."
"Alright. Tails, led the way," Sally instructed.
As both he and Chris knew their way around the settlement, it made sense that they be the ones to guide them. Heading away from the domicile, the group proceeded in the direction of the settlement's entrance. They eventually encountered a scarcely clothed group of children, who had gathered at the center of the village. The ground had been marked with a crudely drawn circle, while two older boys stood within it. They were only slightly more dressed than those around them, wearing makeshift kneepads and elbow pads. Without warning both youngsters lunged at one another, trying to wrestle each other to the ground. They quickly located Archdruid Ghrian, who was watching the proceedings as they unfolded. He wasn't the only one present, as a young boy had taken it upon himself to join them.
"This is my son; Carraig," he introduced, "He was undertaking the Triail Spiorad when your vessel went down."
"Ahh remember you," Bunnie acknowledged.
The Olog child nodded his head enthusiastically in response, but otherwise continued to maintain his silence.
"Is everyone ready to depart?"
"Yes," Sally said, "We'd best get a move on before we run out of daylight."
Nodding his head, Ghrian dropped down from his perch, his body changing shape into that of a wolf.
"Is it normal for you aliens to shapeshift?" Sticks questioned, becoming increasingly alarmed.
"This is the power of the Sainordú Glas," Ghrian explained, "We Druids have mastered the ability to assume animal forms."
"Can I come?" Carraig asked.
"No. It's better that you remain here."
Unhappy that he wasn't getting his way, youngster let out a huff and brought his arms across his chest. The scowl on the Carraig's face gave him pause to reconsider, but Ghrian stuck to his guns.
"Return to your Máthair, I'll return home shortly."
"Yes, Daidí."
Watching his son shuffle away from the group, Ghrian immediately turned his attention to the Outsiders.
"Come. We haven't any time to waste."
Following the Druid, they proceeded in the direction of the village entrance and into the afternoon light. The group found themselves immediately blinded, having become too used to the darkness. Their momentary blindness quickly diminished, allowing them to see the surrounding wilderness.
"As you've said: 'We'd best get a move on before we run out of daylight.'"
Agreeing with the Druid, the group followed him into the surrounding jungle and headed in an easterly direction.