The Project

Chapter 44

The Project Chapter 44

After saying goodbye to their new friends Stapkas set down inside the large stone enclosure Alex instructed him to. There was already another spacecraft sitting there as well belonging to the Selantrian contractor Datt Licon. Along with his partners S'ika Jasend, and Alkisa Droron, was Zeb Kifire as well as several of the queen's guard, as well as queen Breca, Lord Morrone, and even Mullein Shade. Stapkas, his sister, as well as Bria made it a point to introduce themselves. Once again Alex noticed Stapkas and Tiag using curious hand gestures as they introduced themselves. Once this was accomplished everyone de-camped for the palace at the queen's insistence. Once there, Alex spotted his old friend Fergus whom he introduced to Stapkas, Tiag and Bria. During the introduction, Alex noticed a definite coolness on Fergus's part towards Bria. Later, when he asked Lord Morrone about it he was told.

"For some reason the Lepreehun have never been warmed to dwarves. No one's even sure why it just seems to be inherent, go figure." Bria simply brushed it off spending her time talking to Frala Igad, and Diff Ungor, members of the queen's staff who dealt with interior resources. Alex and Kelly were ushered into the queen's private study where Alex was sure they were going to get a royal "ass-chewing." Only the queen sat in front of them her first question,

"So what's been going on here, what did you promise my brother in return for her return?" Alex was taken completely by surprise so at first didn't know how to reply.

"He did tell you that we're half brother and sister didn't he?"

"Well…Um, your highness, umm…"

"Sworn to secrecy eh, well that sounds like Kiggham. So what sort of deal did you make with him?"

Both Kiggham and Roy had asked he and the others not to say anything about Roy's presence so Alex was forced to be "creative" on his explanation.

"Well…Ah he thought my rifle was some sort of magical sword or wand. Anyway I showed him what it was all about along with the fact that once there was no more ammo the thing was useless. We went in there with a show of force, blowing up his back door as it were. Stapkas and Bria talked to the guy for quite awhile too. He's a really good negotiator getting Kelly back which as it turns out wasn't really kidnapped. In the end, they threw us a banquet. I did promise to bring him a fancy compound bow from earth when we come back." He wasn't sure he'd covered everything or had even convinced the queen, but she merely grunted. Taking a chance he then asked her.

"Your highness, Kiggham told me you two don't hate each other, but just don't get along, what's up with that?"

The queen glared at him for a moment, then replied.

"I don't suppose you noticed any fairy folk, or centaurs up there did you?"

"Umm, no your highness, but he told me he didn't care for them and that's why he didn't want them up there." The queen arched her eyes,

"That's interesting," then sighing, she explained,

"Basically we just don't see eye to eye on the fairy folk. It also involves a situation with the Succubi which I won't go into. He's always hated city life preferring to live in the traditional manor, which he's certainly welcome to however he also has an unreasoning dislike for my "people" mostly the fairy folk, as well as centaurs. The few times the matter has come up, it always ends in bickering and rancor."

"We're sorry to hear that," stated Kelly, "He seemed friendly enough though a bit gruff."

"I can't figure him out," replied the queen, I've never heard of him harming fairies, but then they don't like living in the higher elevations so I don't know what his complaint is with that. She then chuckled,

"Now centaurs are another situation entirely. Even though we're constantly warning them to stay out of the mountains the younger ones keep insisting on going up there to…Ah, share affections. From time to time they will get caught in late spring storms and get lost. Kiggham's people will always lead them to shelter, generally one of the many caves to be found up there, they've even been known to offer them food, and directions on how to get back down to Weyurn, but they are told in no uncertain terms never to return."

"He did mention the fact that he wasn't fond of them," added Alex.

"Well we're just happy that you are safe Kelly, your fairy friends were holding a vigil for you I've sent word that you are safe." Kelly then looked at Alex, then to the queen,

"Could I go see them? I'm especially fond of Whisp and Hyssop."

"Of course," replied the queen, "I'll see that one of our kentauride take you there immediately." As Alex and Kelly got up to leave, the queen said,

"Alex could you stay on a moment?" Shrugging, he sat back down positive the "ass chewing" was on the way.

The queen leaned back in her chair,

"So how is my half brother?"

"He looked all right to me; he certainly wasn't what I suspected. I thought he was really going to lay into us for blowing up his back door, but he just said they had others." Queen Breca nodded,

"You said something about giving him some sort of bow from your planet, I thought all you used were weapons you call rifles?" Alex grinned,

"Oh no your highness, bow hunting is very popular, cross bows as well. I promised to bring him one."

"I see," she said, "Well should you see him again, tell him…Tell him, I want to see him, it's rather important, but it's nothing that needs doing immediately. By the way, why aren't you with those two metallic people?"

"You mean Arna and Garmik?"

"Yes." He then explained to her the business with Ussen Ommo and Drok the new Oxynian trade rep. The queen then looked as though she wanted to ask him something but for some reason didn't.

"Is there something wrong your highness?" He asked. She sat looking at him for a moment, then said,

"So you are returning to earth?'

"Yes we are, Stapkas and his sister have been given permission to do pretty much whatever they want for the next two yarns, and they want to go to earth."

"I will be holding a dinner party this evening," said the queen. "Partly to celebrate Kelly's return, but also to honor king Valsung's daughter as well as Stapkas and Tiag Slykhor, representatives of Ruddoria. Since you and Kelly were here the first time and told us that you are from the planet settled by the Aos Sí I have been discussing an idea with several of my advisors, I'd like to discuss it with you and the Slykhor's."

So once again, Alex and Kelly found themselves lodged in a guest cottage, The Slykhor's in another. Bria was offered a guestroom right in the palace proper, but she insisted rooming with Alex and Kelly, besides she and Kelly had come to be almost sisters picking on Alex being their favorite pastime. With a few hours to kill before the royal banquet, Alex asked about Drott, the Centaur who carried him around on his first visit. Told that the Drott was hanging around somewhere he ran into his old friend Fergus the Leprechaun.

"Well look who's back!" announced the little man, "Ready for another go at some of that rip dyne brandy boyo?"

"Uhh no, Fergus," he replied, "I've got to be in shape for the banquet in a couple hours, thanks anyway."

"Well where ye bound for then?"

"Well I was going to have Drott run me out to Yufic Mooncalled's place so I could properly thank him for the knife he made me."

"Well I spotted that worthless cull just a little while ago, no doubt he's hiding somewhere nearby," exclaimed Fergus, "Let's go find him." A few minutes later they spotted him and a very beautiful kentauride coming down the other side of the street, Alex hailed him, prompting the two creatures to stop, then stroll over to where Alex and Fergus were waiting. Drott introduced the female centaur as Khima his daughter, of all the races and beings he had encountered so far, Centaur's were the strangest. He knew of them from mythology, but actually seeing, riding, and actually talking to them in real life still did not erase the combination of a horse with a man or woman's body. Alex introduced himself to her but he could fee his face grow very warm as he did so causing Khima to giggle.

"I was just walking Khima home from school," explained Drott, I heard you were back in town, I suppose you want me to take you somewhere?"

"Well I've got a couple hours to kill before the banquet this evening," said Alex, and I kinda wanted to go see Yufic Mooncalled and thank him for making this knife for me."

"No problem there," replied Drott, "As far as I know Yufic is home, but before we go, I need you to sign this voucher." Taking a small leather book out of a shoulder bag he was wearing he wrote something down on one of the pages. When he handed it to him, Alex noticed it was indeed a royal voucher book in which Drott had indicated that he was taking Alex out to Yufic Mooncalled's farm.

"I don't recall having to do this before," said Alex,

"Something new," replied Drott, word alone doesn't go anymore, the royal comptroller wants signatures and actual destinations, as well as descriptions of any packages delivered along with signatures from the sender as well as the receiver." He then looked down past Alex, and said,

'Oh hi Fergus, didn't see you down there, are you going out to Mooncalled's place as well?"

"Surely I am, said the leprechaun, but not with you." He then looked up at Alex, and said,

"Meet you out there boyo," he added, then quickly walked around the corner.

Alex jumped up on Drott's back and they quickly trotted off to Yufic's place with Khima staying right alongside. To Alex's astonishment, Fergus was already there, chatting with Yufic who was leaning on a long handled rake. "How did you do that Fergus?" He asked, we came here at practically a gallop but you're already here?" Fergus ignored the question, instead allowing Yufic to greet Alex.

"Welcome back earthling! I hear that you're very happy with that knife I made for you." Sliding off Drott's back, he wondered how he knew already, but then figured that Fergus must have told him.

Shaking Yufic's hand, Alex replied,

"Thank you very much Mr. Mooncalled, I really like it, I've also received a lot of terrific comments about it from other people as well."

"Well I'm certainly glad you like it, I'll admit, it's a rather unique style, maybe I'll make another one just to show people." Alex then told him about meeting Kiggham Stenuck which drew negative comments from Drott, and Fergus, Yufic gave him a curious look, but said nothing. Knowing the reason for Drott' and Fergus's disdain for Stenuck, Alex said nothing, not wishing to anger them.

They talked a little longer with Yufic telling him that the problem with the Shadox seemed to have lessened since he had shot several. Then Alex asked Yufic,

"How are you fixed for knife making materials Yufic?" The elf thought a moment, then replied.

"Since I don't make a lot of swords and knives, I can usually scrounge what I need, why?" Alex then told him about Ussen Ommo, and the incredible amount of scrap metal just lying around, but also the efforts by the Gri'Foda, as well as the Oxynian trading company to clean up the whole planet.

"Maybe you could talk to Zeb Kifire, or even Datt Licon the Selantrian contractor about buying a supply of it. I noticed a lot of metal that might make some really nice knives, handles too, here; I even brought you a small piece of it."

Handing Yufic the piece he had found the elf examined it, turning the piece over in his hand.

"That has probably been lying outside for at least a couple hundred yarns," said Alex.

"Thank you for thinking of me Alex, I'll heat it up and see what I can do with it, if it look's promising, I might just see about acquiring some."

As Alex rode back to the palace, he asked Drott,

"I take it you don't care for Kiggham Stenuck very much?" Drott snorted, and replied,

"He hates us, chases any of our people who go up there, swears at them and makes threats." Having met Kiggham, Alex doubted that was true, although the warlord did tell him he didn't care for centaurs or fairy folk.

"Has he or his people ever harmed or killed anyone you know?" Drott muttered something, then hemmed and hawed,

"Well…No, but he's come close." Then his daughter spoke up,

I've heard he and his people like to watch young centaurs and kentauride who go up there and…" Drott suddenly stopped and turned to Khima,

"I hope you're just repeating hearsay, because if I thought you were speaking from first hand experience…" With a gasp of horror, Khima blurted out.

"Oh no father, you know I wouldn't do anything to dishonor this family!"

"See that you don't!" Snapped her father.

Before saying goodbye to Drott and his daughter, Alex had to sign the voucher book again detailing the return trip, then as he was about to enter the guest cottage, Fergus stepped around the corner.

"How'd you do that Fergus?" He asked

"Do what?" Replied the little man with a big grin on his face.

"Aww you know what I mean," replied Alex,

"I'm a Lepreehun," explained Fergus, "That should explain it all!"

"Whatever."

"Where have you been?" Snapped Kelly, "There was a guy here looking for you, he wanted to get you ready for the party." Looking around Alex grimaced, then asked,

"Where's Bria?"

"Oh she's talking to that Giselbert guy about something; she'll be back pretty soon." A few minutes later, a butler showed up with Alex's evening wear. The clothes looked like what he wore the last time but smelled a whole lot fresher.

While he was dressing, Bria returned but not saying a whole lot. Finally the time came to make their appearance at the dinner, Alex wondering what would get him into trouble this time.