Trials Of Impending Night

Chapter 3: The Snivelling Saviour

Chapter 3: The Snivelling SaviourAn uncomfortable night's stay in the Filksolm cells gave the teenage terrorists bad backs and sore heads. Seff snored away, replicating a sound as if Moon was in the cage with them, but the bear himself remained outside, left prodded and teased for hours on end by bored guards. Wick listened to conversations in the soldiers' quarters – the officers discussed the events of the night before, as though there was always more for them to complain about. Lumni could also hear them speaking. She focused on the talk of an execution. The captain of the guards and other important figures were planning how they would publicly serve justice, to restore order to the frightened people. Hanging, beheading and many other methods were brought up, but none seemed harsh enough in their eyes. Lumni hid her fear well and Wick was too overflowing with adrenaline for the severity of their actions to fully sink in. Even if Seff came around and helped them escape, their chances of fleeing the city were extremely low. All hope had seemed to have long gone. Even their way of execution was uncertain, so all they could do it sit and wait. “As soon as they open these bars, I'm going to kill them, I swear,” Wick said, clenching onto his bear necklace. Whenever he was parted from his dear friend, he held onto the totem that stayed close to his heart. Though the origin of it remained a mystery, it carried comfort, nonetheless. After being cursed with voodoo by the treacherous Iwa spirit, Lay-Vau, almost dying at the hands of Yewnin, and being abandoned by Yewki, Moon was the boy's means of solace more than ever. “I'll kill them… I will!” he repeated.

“No, you won't,” Lumni snorted.

“I can hear them with Moon. They're bullying him!” Outside, the guards banged on the bear's cage, preventing him from getting a single moment's rest. “Perhaps we should feed this fat lump to next year's dragons; watch it run around on fire,” one officer hissed.

“No, I want to turn it into a rug,” another officer chuckled.

“Well get in line, the captain said the same himself”. They searched the floor for clumps of stones and passed them around to each other to throw at Moon. The rocks bounced off the metal and the bear's squishy body. Although it wasn't necessarily harming him, the stones were incredibly irritating. The guards chortled every time the poor beast twitched in the slightest way, but the fun would soon come to an end for them. He bobbed down to fill his mouth with stones that had landed in the cage. “It's not food, you fat lump!” the officers laughed between themselves. Whilst they sniggered, Moon spat out the rocks like breadcrumbs into their faces. The saliva-coated chunks smothered them, causing sudden pandemonium. They slammed against the cell and pointed their swords and torches inside, scaring him half to death. He cowered to the floor in submission, but they didn't plan on stopping. “Stupid, freakish bear!”

“I would cease your mistreatment, gentlemen,” a gargling voice called out from behind them. The guards swung around to put a face to the insolent warning, not expecting to see a hunched being with a long tail. His skin was grey and green like a mouldy corpse, but he was far from dead. “Dirty Bonborran, what business do you have here? You won't find spare change around these parts!” one of the bullies scowled. The man cleared his throat and unravelled a scroll he pulled from the inside of his scruffy jacket. “To whom it may concern-”.

“Stop right there, what's going on out here?” the captain ordered, charging out of the building. He snarled upon seeing the hideous hunchback and scoffed further when he saw his men dripping in bear spit. “Why is there a Bonborran here?” he continued, forever in confusion. The intruder was dressed in a tatty suit and torn tie, as though he had too much to drink at a fancy ballroom dance the night before and had fallen from a cliff and into a row of thorny bushes, unable to clamber out without the aid of a ravenous pack of wolves. “To whom it may concern,” the Bonborran said again.

“No, enough of that”.

“To whom it may concern-”.

“That dastardly bear spat at us! He deserves to die,” a soaking soldier whined.

“To whom it may concern-”.

“Well why did it spit at you? Bears don't spit, do they?”

“To whom it may concern!”

Wick had no window or crack to look through, so the escalating confrontation outside was killing him. He only cared for Moon's safety but all he could hear were guards shouting and an unknown croaky voice talking as calmly as he could, given the situation. “What's going on out there?” he sighed. Lumni didn't have an answer as she was trying to hear the conversation for herself. Eventually, the shouting died down and footsteps walked towards the door. Wick scurried to the bars to see who came into the building. “You are beyond lucky,” the captain grumbled. “Wake up!” he clanged against the cage to alarm Seff, making him to shoot up from the floor. He looked around in a hurry, still half engrossed in the dream he was having. “What's happening?” the Wizard spluttered.

“The impossible,” the captain replied.

“Greetings, Mister Greenwick, Mister Seffry, and of course, Miss Lumni,” the creepy gentleman hailed them kindly. “My name is Quigsy and nothing more… and my Master has provided you all with freedom,” he elaborated.

“You're a Bonborran… why would you be concerned with our affairs?” Seff asked.

“Although your race can be odd at times, I only wish to serve and ensure your safety – a responsibility bestowed upon me by my Master,” Quigsy replied with a chuckle before coughing uncontrollably in their faces. The guards unlocked their cell with a great lack of enthusiasm and dragged them out, praying that they continued their conversations outside.

Officers scowled across the room as the inventory workers passed Wick, Lumni and Seff's possessions across the desk. They stared with grimace as they gave back Seff's satchel of peculiar potions and materials, and the sheer number of weapons that Lumni had been carrying on her body. Moon grunted at the soldiers before taking Wick's side, reminding them who was in charge. They quickly left by following Quigsy's literal tail, down the muggy road and towards a damp, wooden carriage hidden behind large bushes. “What's with the secrecy?” Seff muttered.

“Surely you know how many people are wanting your head on a wall,” Quigsy cackled. “My Master knows of your ventures, and they want to make sure you don't die”.

“Who is your Master?” Wick ponded.

“You will never know, so please… do not ask”.

“How long have you and your Master kept eyes on us?” Lumni asked.

“Since you and Mister Wick caused the scuffle in Brewtown”.

“They're reckless, it's not my fault,” Seff ensured.

“Yes, I agree, but more so my Master agrees. I'm sorry I can't elaborate further regarding their identity, but I promise it is for your own safety”.

“I don't like this,” Lumni murmured.

“You don't have to. Just climb aboard so we can leave with haste, please”.

“What about Moon?” Wick pointed out.

“Well that's what the inside of the carriage is for,” the Bonborran chuckled. The three of them clambered on top and sat next to the oddly smelling man, whilst Moon squeezed inside the tiny box of a carriage. Quigsy swung his ropes like whips setting the four horses galloping at full speed, taking his passengers by surprise. “I regret to inform you that our only way out of town is through the city so-”.

“We can't go back through Filksolm! They'll know our faces for sure!” Seff gasped.

“We need to go west, so which way do we need to go?” Quigsy asked.

“…Through Filksolm,” Seff sighed.

“Just keep your heads down and we'll be away from the crime scene before you know it!” The three of them followed his orders but were still confused by the situation, although they were grateful even so. The horse and cart whooshed through the quiet, depressed streets – it was a stern contrast to the festival before, with confetti soaked on the floor and broken signs littering the roads. Upon reaching the main roads though, horseback traffic was worryingly high, for trailers full of people's possessions clogged up the main exits. Wick and Lumni soon realised that they had made the mass population leave Filksolm in despair of the recent tragedy. There was also the notion of hungry dragons returning for revenge, so a high portion of civilians didn't want to stick around and take the chance. The people's method of receiving good luck had been disbanded and their spirits torn in two, but the youngsters responsible felt no guilt, as their actions were intended to wake the people up and make them realise that life led by superstition was no safe way to live. Their plan was indeed thoughtless and slightly barbaric, but it was time, in their eyes, for Filksolm to grow up, especially with the disastrous affairs happening out in the world around it. It was a hard knock, but a push in the right direction. “Oh dear… there seems to be a line to the city gates,” Quigsy gulped.

“Go around,” Lumni snarled.

“The carriage is too wide, Mistress Lumni”. The horses had no choice but to halt behind the dozen carts and wagons ahead. Moon's quarters included windows but lacked curtains so he tried his best to stay low, but there was only so much his plump body could do. Locals walked by, often peeking into people's carriages subtly due to sheer nosiness. Their eyes didn't have to loom slyly when they reached Quigsy's cart, as Moon's fur stuck out of the gaping squares at either side, catching their eyes against their will. “Look, Ma, those rugs are moving!” a child whispered. Their mother shuffled a little closer to inspect and saw the fluffy blob breathing. “Hello, you there… you, selling furs, traveller?” she questioned Quigsy.

“Nothing for sale, I'm afraid,” he stuttered with a nervous laugh. The mother beckoned others to come over for a look as she began to piece things together. “Do you know you've got a bear in your passenger carriage?” she asked.

“Bear? No. That's preposterous”.

“They said it was a girl and a boy the other night who freed all those dragons. Someone said they saw a bear with 'em!”

“Yeah!” another person clarified.

“That has nothing to do with us and our cargo,” Wick stammered.

“I think it does!” she raised her voice. At that point, the whole carriage was surrounded by at least thirty people, slowly growing in anger as they collectively came to the same conclusion. “They're agents of Yewnin! They tarnished our heritage! Let's get 'em!” The mob of furious men and women threw rocks, torches and farming tools at them, leaving Quigsy no choice but to guide the horses to the side in an attempt to cut through the line. Word spread like wildfire and more rioters joined in with each blink of an eye. Pitchforks and rakes impaled the cart and flames began to grow near the back. Quigsy crammed the carriage between the queue and the buildings at their side, scraping off large chunks of the cart and the houses they passed. “I told you it was too wide!” he panicked. Seff and Wick blew the fire out whilst Lumni yanked the ropes from the Bonborran to show him how navigating in tricky situations was done. She weaved in and out of the line whilst villagers continued to throw whatever they had in their hands. Guards stood at the open gates and saw the crazy carriage hurtling towards them, forcing them to dive out of its way. They were in the clear, but they made sure to stay at full speed until there was plentiful distance between them and Filksolm.

The bumpy journey continued for hours into the late afternoon. The fiasco was far behind them, but it was all they could think about. Witnessing the people's response to Wick and Lumni's actions left them with a lot to consider. The fact that they were labelled as agents of Yewnin was both offensive and outlandish, but the more they thought about it, the more it made sense. “We're no worse than Yewnin,” Wick said.

“Don't be a fool. I'm still annoyed at you both, but I know for a fact that your actions were for a good cause, his are the complete opposite. The only reason you'd find Yewnin freeing dragons is to enslave them himself,” Seff comforted.

“So, you admit we did the right thing?” Lumni smirked.

“That's not what I said”.

“Go on, say it,” she prodded.

“That's enough. You think heroism comes from being insane? I know you meant well but you practically ruined the livelihood of an entire city!” Seff complained.

“Make up your mind, did we do the right thing or not?” Wick jabbed.

“If it's any consolation, my Master agrees it was incredibly stupid,” Quigsy chimed in.

“Thank you,” Seff exhaled.

“Well your Master mustn't know us as well as they think they do,” Lumni said.

“My Master thought you was better than this. Giving attention to yourself the way you did isn't a wise move if I'm offering advice”.

“We don't even know you,” Lumni hissed at him.

“And why is bringing attention upon us a bad thing?” Wick asked.

“How is it not?” Seff yelled.

“You know what forces pollute this world, do you not? It wouldn't be so clever to catch their eyes, if I may speak freely,” Quigsy continued.

“You have no idea,” Wick huffed.

“Hmm,” Quigsy grumbled. After a portion of silence, the carriage reached its destination. The three of them were prompted to dismount and take the rest of their journey back to Seff's home by foot. Moon heaved himself out and leant forward for strokes and pats whilst stretching his legs. “And this is where I leave you,” the stranger informed, “I hope I have been of good service”.

“Wait, why can't you take us all the way home?” Seff whined.

“Because I have matters to attend to with my Master. Besides, the dirt plains of Setune is no place for my broken cart. Who knows what bounty's have been struck regarding a runaway carriage full of criminals. You'll be safer without me at this point… though, I recommend making Moon the bear walk an alternate route,” Quigsy explained.

“Why so?” Wick scowled.

“Because people will be looking for an old man, and two children with a bear. At least without the animal's company it will less fit the bill if you're stumbled upon”.

“He's sticking with us all the way home,” Wick replied.

“Oh, so you're all coming back home with me, after what I told you?” Seff said.

“You weren't serious about relieving us from your care, surely?” Wick gasped.

“To an extent I was, but you're both going to have to stay in line and out of trouble before you give me heart troubles… and you can be sure I'm going to make you clean up after the bear a lot more!” the old man half shouted, half grinned. Quigsy wasted no time for goodbyes and left with just a salute in the form of a quick nod. “Let's hope we never see him again,” Lumni sighed.

“Show more respect… that Bonborran saved all of our lives. Although, it makes me paranoid knowing that there are people keeping watch over us,” Seff contemplated.

“What organisation do you think he's a part of?” Wick wondered.

“I don't know. Let's hope it's a good one”. The four of them had a tiring trek ahead of them before they got anywhere near to where they needed to be. The dirt plains of Setune was famous for its poor weather and lack of greenery, but it was the only passage they knew which would get them home in decent time.