The World Outside The Shell

Chapter 3: The Lady Ri

The sounds of the rain falling over a canopy of trees provided a sense of calm, despite the pending danger of being served for dinner. The group cleared a small area of the forest to set up camp. above the marshland on the rising slope of a hillside lined with trees.

The cloth sack was dropped without a care for the turtle. 

The group setup camp for the night. I listened to the conversation and was relieved to hear the short man describe the dinner he was preparing, a simple hot stew of vegetables and no meat. “No turtle for dinner tonight! Lady Ri needs more information from our guest.”

I heard a roar of laughter as he placed me on a fallen log. I took a moment to observe the others, the two in blue robes, a tall man with similar features to the Lady and called Gromm by the others, and Venn the short bald man, all staring at me. I could not retreat into the shell and decided instead to watch the group prepare a fire pit in the damp earth and noticed the Lady Ri calmly resting under a tree without offering assistance.

Venn lined the pit with large white leaves and stones gathered from the surrounding area.

I noticed the group keeping busy while I stood alone, and used the opportunity for an attempted escape, but was quickly picked-up and returned to the log.

Lady Ri scolded the short bald man.

Venn shouted in defense of his lazy approach to watching me. He said, “He will not get far if he runs! A turtle has strong defense, but no offense. And he is slow. I can guess he is a strong swimmer, but for how long?”

I laughed with a sense of relief, but also had the feeling of being mocked. I was obviously no threat to the group of adventurers.

Venn resumed his task of preparing dinner. I had a sudden feeling of nausea and the world faded to nothing. I could feel my legs refusing to support the weight of the shell and said, “Is the food ready?”

I was overly tired and hungry and could not resist the pull of the dream world and for a moment I was eating the tall sweet grasses of the marshland, then fell into a deep sleep.

The dream world returned and I was in the cottage. I searched for information about the world outside the shell, a book, a picture, anything. I found a map, but was too tired to continue.

Venn shouting and he demanded that I open my eyes, but I was too tired. I heard the phrase, “Hey, I know you can hear me!”

I said, “Let me rest.”

The crack of thunder rumbled through the room and I fell to the floor. I opened my eyes and Lady Ri was in the cottage, mouth open, eyes wide with fear, and kneeling with the StarGlave held in one hand.  She looked at me then vanished.

I was pulled into the outside world and stood facing a small dish placed at my feet. I looked down and tasted the cut stalks of grass and vegetables soaking in hot water. I thought about swimming in a pot of vegetables, and wanted to hide.

The food was good so I forgot the day’s events and ate my fill without complaint.

Venn pounded a fist on the tree trunk and I wanted to hide in the shell. He pointed to his chest and said, “The turtles who refused to help the Lady Ri on her quest were cooked into a delicious soup…and I hope you are more agreeable.”

I heard a disturbing sound in the high branches of the trees, looked up and watched a snake-like creature coil around a high branch and slither toward a place directly above Lady Ri.  I said, “Promise the turtle safe passage.”

Venn laughed. “Who are you?” He leaned close and smiled.

I turned away, keeping an eye on the snake-like creature as it coiled and slithered along the edge of a long branch.

Venn took the food and walked to the campfire.

The snake-like creature was at the end of the branch, and prepared to attack. I was familiar with the movements and the very real danger.

I faced the short bald man and said, “Promise.”

Lady Ri was holding the StarGlave and resting under the same tree.

I laughed while considering the survival skill I gained with observation, patience, and luck.

The short bald man pounded the tree trunk with a tight first and shouted, “Are you in a position to negotiate?”

I said, “Are you in a position to refuse?”

Venn said, “I accept.”

I said, “Good, please rescue the lady in green.”

Venn hesitated, and was too late. The snake-like creature dropped from the tree, aiming for the leader of the group. He shouted a warning and other members of his group leaped into action.

I closed my eyes.

The forest was stunned into silence by a pure white light.

I climbed down from the tree trunk with a heavy heart, wanting to escape into the woods.

The snake-like creature was twisted like a broken branch and motionless. I recognized the burn marks from the destruction of the rock pile, lightning.

Venn was in shock. “What!? Lady Ri are you hurt!”

I glanced at the sky, but it was clear, with bright stars rising over the canopy of trees.

Lady Ri was still resting, holding the StarGlave and apparently unaware of the danger. The other members in the group were guarding the fallen creature to be sure it was no longer a threat, while the short bald man checked on the woman. She appeared to be in deep thought or sleeping.

The snake-creature was buried in the damp earth away from camp. I planned to escape, and before walking to the marshlands with thoughts of the sweet tall grasses, I heard the commanding monotone voice of Lady Ri and stood frozen in place.

“Turtle!”

Lady Ri wanted to get my attention. She said, “The key was not the StarGlave, perhaps the turtle?”

I was relieved at the sudden comprehension her strange musical speech pattern. I feared the man called Venn and chose to return to the marshland before he decided to add my shell to his collection.

© J. Bateman

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