Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 26

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 26

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Sivantic.

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Astride Cornelius, I ventured forth with Gale, Djet’Is, and Averi. A hunter’s daughter, the tribal heiress of the As’Kari, and a Knightess with the blood of monsters running through her veins. Meanwhile, I was technically a child barely a decade-and-a-half in my years, and we intended to make contact with the largest nation that bordered the Great Desert traveling atop a giant beetle.

I supposed that our story could make for a silly children’s fairytale.

“There are fewer monsters than I expected here.” Gale had a bow at the ready and eyed the dark skies. Higher in the air, the light from the great tree reached us with greater ease, and we flew beneath the clouds so that we could easily into the distance. Besides her bow, I had my threads at the ready, too. “Is something keeping the skies clear?”

“I have not seen much presence of the forest kingdom in the skies.” Djet’Is spoke easily. She sat cross-legged and calm on Cornelius’ back. Unlike the two others present, she had experience riding more dangerous beasts higher in the air. Cornelius and his kin weren’t meant for war and more for cargo amongst the tribes. He was rarer than most, though, since I invested heavily into him with the intention of opening a whole, mobile clinic on his back. “Perhaps, the monsters are preparing to swarm in massive flocks?”

“We have less mounted warriors capable of flight than the desert tribes, but we are prepared to battle against them. Many of our fortifications have the protections necessary to keep the foes from above at bay.” I could only wonder at the efficacy of Averi’s stated protection and Djet’Is shared a glance at me. Interception was the only defense known to us against flying foes, as they could cause immense turmoil once they reached any inhabited place. It was preferred to exterminate them, regardless of what they offered as materials, if they could not be tamed and domesticated. “…share your concerns with me, if you believe it necessary.”

“The way of our people is to ambush our foes mid-flight towards us or destroy them utterly. Allowing them to reach us never crossed our mind. Many advantages of the defender are lost when fighting against those from above.” Djet’Is stated bluntly and heaved a heavy sigh. She shook her head and her red hair swayed in the breeze. She sat in the backmost part of Cornelius, so that she could catch the two inexperienced riders with us if necessary. “Your walls will do nothing. They will burrow into your buildings and hide. They will turn your homes into charnel houses… and whatever sorcery you use will be overcome by a large enough swarm.”

Averi was taken aback by the words and looked my way for more information.

I gladly provided.

“In the Great Desert, there was once a creature that was feared more than any other. It was called the Reaver.” This was the monstrous version of the desert locust. They were the cause of great disaster in my world and even worse in this one. The creatures that I knew in my world spawned in great numbers when conditions were met and they swarmed in search of food, which created famines and massive amounts of death in the process. Here they were much worse. “Their hides were as fearsome as that of the warrior’s steeds, their wings large and capable of propelling them as fast as Cornelius for lengthy periods, and they flew in search of food… whether plant or person.”

The Reavers were a terrible foe that all the Great Desert tribes opposed. The swarms they came in were nigh-unstoppable and their mandibles were sharp. Though worthless against the skin and toughness of Warriors, they were strong enough to tear into tents, into the desert people’s herds, and even eat through the massive beetles that carried whole civilizations on their backs. To oppose a formed-swarm would mean defeat, as the Warriors would fight only to find all they protected eaten and killed, so all the tribes worked with one another to curtail their growth.

Wherever Reavers were found, they would be killed, and any dark, muddy places of the Great Desert would be carefully watched and information shared amongst all people. Even in times of war and destruction, this edict was followed, because to allow them to spawn was to threaten all in the Great Desert with death and despair. I only hoped that such would remain the case now. The As’Kari’s enemies showed their hand earlier and revealed that they were willing to bend the rules to win against the rising hegemon.

If no tribe searched for the Reavers, or even ignored them on purpose, then a great and terrible foe will ravage the Great Desert and perhaps beyond.

“…I’ll relay that advice to all who would listen.” Averi spoke and that was the end of the matter. My words and Djet’Is’ could not reach the highest echelons of her people’s governance. “If you have more to share, then I will listen.”

Djet’Is began to speak to her, while I searched for a place to stay to sleep and rest.

The night was endless and that could fool the senses, but it could not fool the falling sands that I kept to measure time.

We will not fall because of unnoticed fatigue.

…

With a gesture, I ravaged the tree that whose bark and outermost rings I had sheared off. The pulp of the tree was fresh and moist to the touch. In moments, I had it carved up and processed into near-mulch and Cornelius began to happily consume it.

“You did well today. Go ahead and rest.” I checked his joints, wings, and countenance for any sign of fatigue. I took pride in carefully raising and caring for my giant beetle. Not only was he an investment, but he was also a friend. One that I could count on without any hesitation. His mandibles clicked together as he slumped and ate his fill from the pulp I’d gathered for him. I could as for no better steed. “Sleep and rest well, Cornelius.”

With him settled, I turned my gaze back to the abandoned settlement beyond the structure we chose to dwell in for the day.

“The luxuries these people can afford to leave behind are staggering.” Djet’Is spoke to me upon noticing that I finished my duty to my steed. She stood with arms crossed and looked upon the wooden, abandoned structures. “Could they not have taken these apart and carried it along with them?”

“Not on their own and many of their beasts of burden were taken by their former rulers.” For the people of the desert, the abandoned buildings were riches left behind without regard. Every nail, every hinge, and every piece of wood were all things that we traded blood for in the form of hunted monsters. We made use of a scrap of wood with great care. Even broken shards were carefully turned into buttons or even small ornaments that functioned as jewelry. Steel was something heavily coveted in our lands and iron was also desired. Djet’Is, therefore, found herself looking at a treasure trove that the As’Kari would happily use for generations. “They could not have brought these materials along even if they wished.”

Djet’Is grunted and gave me a nod.

“I will search for things that we can use. Give me one of your threads.” I nodded at her request and did so. The fine thread wrapped around her wrist. Should she break it, then I knew that she encountered something. In all likelihood, she would be able to kill that thing with utter ease. However, what mattered was that we would be alerted to foes and that she could slay it quietly without attracting more attention. “I will see you for the next meal.”

“Return safely.”

“I shall.”

Djet’Is departed then and I turned my gaze back to the abandoned home we took. It was a robust construction made of logs rather than panes of wood. Squat and on a stone foundation, Gale told me it was likely shelter and warehouse both. A place where the villagers could run to if a dangerous monster was sighted, and where they could wait safely until help came that would dispatch the threat. It had a furnace and stove that diverted smoke through the ground, air flowed easily through its confines, and there were lamps present along with candles.

Overall, I planned solely to prepare a meal, before finding my own rest.

But it wasn’t to be.

“You see all of this and you still deny that the crown is beyond saving!? Open your eyes, Knight! Look at the works of your masters and declare that they’re righteous once more, so that I can have an excuse to rid you of your tongue!”

“I don’t deny that what we did was insufficient, but we would’ve saved more if we could! It was impossible for us to house and shelter everyone without stretching ourselves beyond our limit and simply getting everyone killed!”

Gale and Averi rarely interacted with one another and for good reason. The two were on opposing sides. One believed that they were betrayed and the other believed that their people did the right thing. Though I did not condone their actions, I understood the reasoning why so many were left behind and left to perish. However, Gale believed in punishment, while I believed that it was best to not interact nor aid Averi’s people.

Still, while I hoped that they would be able to communicate and resolve their differences, this was not the time nor the place.

“Be silent. Both of you. Such things can be spoken about in safety. Not here and not now. We are in the territory of our enemies.” I switched back to speaking the tongue of the kingdom. It was getting easier to switch between the As’Kari’s language and the people of the forest’s, though I couldn’t help but feel that my words were stilted. “Sit down and help me prepare a meal.”

Gale seemed ready to say that she wouldn’t eat with Averi, but I glared at her and spoke.

“We need one another. Settle differences later. There will be time.” I brought in the bark I’d scraped off the tree and then some twigs, branches and stones. Within moments, I had the furnace going and heat gradually filled the shelter. There was warmth coming from beneath the floor and I could only surmise that the heat and smoke was dissipating beneath the floor. A great design. “Cut these foraged foods, and I will prepare the fish.”

Averi stood up.

“I will fetch water.”

“No, you will keep watch over the door. The water may be sickly.” There was a well within the town, but there was no telling what became of it during the weeks that passed since it was tended to. Though I had confidence in my ability to treat those sick from drinking putrid water, we could ill afford such a thing now. So, I extended my hand after taking one of the bowls left behind in one of the houses. With my power and will, I dragged out the water from the air by forcing them together and making them weigh more. A few moments later and the large bowl I’d taken was filled with water I steeped the salted fish in it. The cold air felt a bit harsher as a result, but it was better than taking chances with water that has gone still or has been fouled. “If you have need of water, then ask it of me.”

There was a silence upon my action, but a familiar one.

“…Can all of the As’Kari do this?”

“No, only him.” Djet’Is suddenly spoke from the entrance and she came forth with a freshly slain monster. A boar the size of foal but far larger. Its hide was on her shoulder and its head was cleaved off. She hung it up on the rafter of the shelter without a word. “Though he taught many and left the knowledge to us, none have been able to do the same. Some doubt the truth of his teachings… that water is in the air itself, even in the deepest desert.”

“If you do not wish to believe me, then don’t. But do not call me a liar in your ignorance” I scowled at Djet’Is and her sole reply was to lean against one of the shelter’s walls so that she could look at us and keep an eye on the entrance. “Stand aside from the carcass.”

Djet’Is said nothing to my words and moved aside. In moments, I had the carcass hewn apart for easier cooking and Gale moved to quickly have it on the stove. While the fish divested itself of the salt, we would eat the beast. Soon enough, the scent of wild game permeated the shelter. The long day lent itself towards having us stare at the stove as the meat cooked, and I nearly forgot to offer the spices I had on hand to embolden the meal.

When I moved forward, so did Djet’Is.

“I found this hidden away in one of the houses.” Her words were followed by the production of a small pouch, for her size, on her waist. In Gale’s hands, the pouch was large enough to carry a man’s head. “They seem to be grains of some sort and they were kept well in a waxed pot.”

“Wheat grains. It’s been a long time, but it will make for a good addition to the fish.” Gale almost glared at Averi once again, but I caught her eyes before she id. She bowed her head and refocused on the pouch with a sigh. “Or, perhaps, we could save it and hope that seeds can come of them. We may need strength now, but it will be of great use to the village.”

I almost asked why we could not just save a handful when I came to a realization.

This wasn’t a meal.

It was a farmer’s last chance at a crop, if a drought killed his current harvest or if some pestilence did the same. The wheat, stored in a pot sealed with wax, was someone’s last chance before having to beg others for help.

Now, that farmer was gone and we had his last chance in our hands.

I decided quickly with that in mind.

“Best to save it and start a large field right away. If we keep only a handful, then we’ll only have a handful’s worth of wheat for the next season and we need more than that.” With my judgement rendered, Gale and Averi nodded… but what surprised me was Djet’Is doing the same. I expected her to fight against my decision, since she had the ability to do so having found the seeds. But the fight I expected did not come from the red-haired titan. “Thank you.”

My thanks towards my former friend was met with a nod, before she turned away and made a point to sit before the entrance with her weapon on her lap and at the ready, while we tended to the meal.

As far as first nights of travelling went, this was a fairly successful one.