Chapter 39: The Takeaway
Location: Dalton Estate
Two hours later…
Traversing the front yard, both the Chipmunk and Saiyan crossed the bridge that led to the servant quarters. The X-Tornado sat waiting for her, having been transformed into its X-Cyclone mode.
"I wanted to talk about the Olog-hai," Sally began.
"You can just call them Ologs," he said, "Olog-hai should only ever be used when addressing the race itself."
Sally could only nod her head in acknowledgement, wanting to continue with her line of questioning.
"NICOLE was able to determine that the name Olog-hai translates to Troll-folk, but I see something almost elven in them."
"That's because they are. On their homeworld, there existed a clan of Elves called the Dokkalfar, and the Olog-hai are descended from them."
"The word Dökkálfar appears in one of the Old Earth religions; Norse paganism to be exact," NICOLE stated, manifesting herself, "They were commonly identified as Dark Elves."
"But why do they look the way they do?" Sally questioned, which immediately elicited a shrug from the monkey-tailed boy.
"That's where things are a bit fuzzy. They were cast out of Tir Tairngire due to them being born deformed, but the cause remains unknown."
"Tír Tairngire also appears in the Celtic mythology of Old Earth," NICOLE added, "It was depicted as the Celtic afterlife, although more modern sources would identify it as Tír na nÓg."
"Yeah, and it's also been called Tír na hÓige, Tír fo Thuinn, Mag Mell, Ildathach, and Emain Ablach," Tarro stated, "Are you surprised that there's overlap between various mythologies?"
"I suppose not. How'd Draug end up with you?"
"I found him abandoned as a newborn."
"Is such a practice commonplace amongst the Olog-hai?"
"Plenty of societies engage in such practices," NICOLE stated, "The early Mobian societies wouldn't have been any different."
"Had I been born at an earlier time I'd have suffered a similar fate."
"Despite the fact you were royalty?" Sally questioned.
"Especially because of it. Instead, my family has to constantly deal with the rebellious lords."
Reaching their destination, they found that Tails and Chris had already climbed aboard, while Bunnie stood next to the aircraft's large leg.
"Ready to go, Sally-girl?" the Rabbit asked.
Looking back, she found Sticks darting from bush to bush, not feeling comfortable with being out in the open. Eventually the Badger reached the aircraft, quickly scaling the exterior and settling into the passenger pod.
"You need to be very careful, Sal," the Saiyan Prince warned.
"I'll be alright, Tarro," Sally said.
"That's not what I mean. You being here has upset plenty of people."
"Should I remind you that you're the reason we're here?"
"No. But that doesn't mean that someone won't try something."
"I'll be careful."
"If I get any new information, I'll pass it along."
"Thanks," she replied, as she climbed aboard the X-Cyclone.
Once she had settled in the seat in front of Sticks, Tails hit the thrusters and it lifted off the ground before transforming itself into its X-Tornado mode and flew off in the direction of the Mar Sara, with Bunnie flying after them.
"Good luck Sal, you're gonna need it," Tarro muttered.
"You didn't tell them about our…other guests," Shard said, appearing behind him.
"And what would that accomplish? We'd be burdening her needlessly, and she's already got more then enough on her plate as is."
Falling silent, Tarro dropped into a crouch and began tracing letters onto the cobblestone bricks. Watching with intensity, Shard was able to make out what the boy was attempting to convey.
-WE-HAVE-A-SPY-
The renegade Metal Sonic wasn't surprised by this, not when Tarro was capable of sensing who was on the island.
"Where?" he asked.
Judging by where his dark eyes were looking, it was towards the outcropping that overlooked the back of the estate.
"Should I handle it?"
"Nah," Tarro replied, standing, "Let's see how things proceed."
"Is that wise?" the robot questioned.
"Why not? I'm not as helpless as people seem to think."
Shard conceded the argument, seeing as it was pointless to try and dissuade the monkey-tailed prince.
"Suit yourself. I'm heading out."
"Have fun. I'm gonna go train, otherwise Gramps will be up my ass."
He had seen firsthand how harsh Nagaimo could be, as he wanted his Grandson to overcome his perceived weakness. Despite being well meaning, the King Emeritus' actions could be perceived as child abuse. Lacking knowledge regarding Saiyan society, Shard had thus been reluctant to raise the issue. Without warning, Sonic's robotic doppelganger ignited his rocket boosters and shot into the air. He immediately took off in the direction of Elsecaro, leaving Tarro to watch as he faded into the distance. Releasing a sigh, the monkey-tailed boy turned around and headed inside the sprawling mansion.