The World Outside The Shell
Chapter 2: The Chase
The long walk along the creek bed was a slow, but uneventful journey. I left the waterfall behind at sunrise, wanting to escape the woman with the green robe.
In the late morning I stepped out of the forest into a marshland of tall grasses. I was hungry and nibbled at the stalks of fresh food during my walk in the open air. I cried as the sugary sweet grass filled me with a sense of all the best foods I could imagine, and here was a place with miles of open air and fresh green grass to eat!
The distant rumble of thunder was the first sign of trouble on the horizon. I looked up and a storm was gathering over the marshlands, and the first drops of rain fell. I was concerned about the flashes of lightning overhead and sought shelter. I heard voices and noticed the same group approach, led by the woman in the green robe, holding the staff high. I sense the group was following my trail.
In a high-pitched roar of triumph, the leader with the green robe pointed, one arm raising the golden staff. The rain suddenly stopped and the clouds parted, restoring the blue sky.
I found the courage to stay out in the open and watch, stunned at the power on display.
The woman in the green robe slammed the staff into the ground and pointed in my direction.
The silver crystal in the staff began to glow.
I considered my options.
In a sudden flash, the crystal sent a straight beam of light across the marshland, holding me inside a glowing sphere.
I could not take another step, and decided to try an escape using the pool of water nearby. I flopped onto my shell and slipped into the water, sinking into the depths and was relieved when the silver sphere dissolved.
The climb onto dry land, and frantic race across the marshlands filled me with a surprising sense of adventure. I decided on the goal of hiding in a tall stone structure on a small island. I found a small opening near the waterline and bravely entered the dark structure.
The strongest member of the group, when considering the intimidating appearance of his muscle mass and strong features, was a short bald man wearing armor made from turtle shells.
I watched him swim across the open water, despite the weight of his armor, climb onto the island with the effortless stomps of his large bare feet, scale the outer stairs to an opening large enough for his wide frame to squeeze into the tower, drop down, and search for a frightened turtle.
He found me in the shelter, picked me up and stuffed me into a cloth sack, laughing the whole time. “Lady Ri! The turtle was in the ruins of a lookout tower.” Did the shock from the attack change or the silver light give me the power to understand the language?
I was shocked to realize I could understand the language.
The short bald man said, “Turtle. I am Venn, the finest hunter in the kingdom.”
I could not imagine how to respond. I was a turtle.
Venn said, “Unusual markings on this one. I will look for signs of a map inside the shell. I have a good feeling.”
I strained to hear the sound of the other voices, but could not understand the other in conversation.
The woman in the green robe appeared to be concerned about a second storm gathering and held the staff close.
Venn said, “The young fool Arambar is gone Lady Ri. The white robes of a mystic priest were not enough protection from the anger of the ancients. The water levels in the marshland are rising.”
The reply was in a female voice, like a monotone chant. I understood her repeat the name Venn and watched the reaction of the short bald man.
Venn continued. “Yes, I think he did find the door to another world, but the skies have darkened. I insist on finding a safer place to camp, perhaps in the northern hills.”
The reply was in a female voice, like a monotone chant. I understood her repeat the name Venn and watched the reaction of the short bald man.
I realized the group needed me, and I tried to rest, while still on alert for danger.
In time, the conversation drifted into long pauses of silence, until the short bald man said, “I’m hungry, should we eat the turtle for dinner?” I was stuffed into an empty cloth sack and carried into the forest.
© J. Bateman
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