The Unreached Duchy

Chapter 10

“I don’t see why not. I’ll speak to Senara on your behalf. She will meet with you before and after the Transformation Ceremony tomorrow. I am sure that she will discuss it with you.” Namtao promised.

“Gratitude Namtao, for not only speaking with Senara on my behalf but for being so hospitable to me this entire journey and for making sure that I was well informed about the decisions I have made. I appreciate being treated with such honor, respect, integrity, and dignity. I always try to treat others the same way, even if they do not deserve it. It was becoming increasingly difficult in Thrace to do so.” Derketo said as he watched Namtao nod in acknowledgment and leave with his trident.

The morning dawned bright and cheerful, Derketo thought it was the perfect way to start a day that was bound to be full of new beginnings. He carefully packed his Ocarina and set of Senet that he had played by the hearth in his room the night before. There was no one else transforming into a Kabouter, so Derketo had the entire room to himself and Ade.

He wasn’t sure what time it was when he stopped playing his Ocarina, but Derketo noticed that playing it seemed to calm Ade and him both. He played a few songs he learned in Thrace and a few that he had learned at the last Cassini festival he attended in Skirophorion; that’s also when he learned to play Cassini, Derketo decided it was a fun game but he still preferred Senet.

At dawn, the waterway gate opened through which a red scaled Mermaid with green eyes and black hair entered. She looked rather official as she scanned the room all around before turning to look at Derketo and Ade, who had moved to stand between Derketo and the new comer.

“I am Senara, your Escort to and from the Transformation Ceremony. It is also my duty to escort you to Thargelion after Alaiceaus has ended.” As Senara spoke, Ade seemed to relax a little bit and even went back to lay down on the straw that Derketo arranged into a bed for her. “I spoke with Namtao yesterday after you arrived at the Temple and he said that you would like to enjoy the rest of the festival before moving on to Thargelion, is that still correct?” she asked.

“Yes it is, I’ve been able to attend both Cassini and Alaiceaus Festivals before as a human. I’d greatly like to attend the rest of this Alaiceaus as a Kabouter after the Ceremony. I understand that there is specific events that take place for each race and I’d like to see them at least. I’ve always been restricted to the human events and I’d appreciate the chance to see the Kabouter events.” Derketo explained as he moved to now sit next to where Senara was in the waterway with his feet dangling in the water.

“I have no qualms about remaining in Maimakterion until the end of Alaiceaus. That is a very reasonable request. It will also give you a chance to meet other Kabouters, as well as, other scribes and musicians. I understand from Namtao that you are quite skilled at the Ocarina.” Senara continued, barely nodding to acknowledge Derketo having spoken to her.

“Yes, I guess so. I have not had any formal training on it but it does relax me.” Derketo said caught a little of guard by Senara’s frankness.

“Now that is all out of the way. Whatever belongings you have brought with you that you want to keep in their original condition and be transformed with you must be in your pockets or in your hands when the Transformation happens. I cannot express the importance of this enough to you. Like your Ocarina, if it is in your pocket then it will be transformed to a Kabouter size Ocarina when you are transformed; if you leave it here then it will remain the size it is now. Does that make sense?” Senara inquired, “You look confused so I want to make sure that you understand just how much everything is about to change for you.”

Derketo nodded, “Yes I understand. It makes perfect sense things that are with me when the transformation takes place would be transformed as well. The only things I’d like to have with me is my Ocarina and Senet set. I’m not sure how my Senet set would be possible though. Namtao told me yesterday before he left that there would be things brought here for me after the Ceremony, do you know what kind of things? Namtao didn’t say.”

“There’s a way for your Senet set to be transformed when you are, you are allowed to have 1 satchel with you. The Ocarina you can put into your pocket or you can put it in the satchel with the Senet set. As for the things being brought to this room for you, it is simply shoes and a simple tunic in the appropriate size; which for you would be Kabouter, that way you have appropriate sized clothing to wear.”

“Excellent, I was wondering about that during the night. So, when can we depart from here for the Temple?” Derketo asked Senara, taking her by surprise.