Chương 34: Nova Wars - Chapter 29 - Dark Tidings

Humanity tells tales of how magic or fire or wisdom was stolen from their gods by trickery. If you know humans, you know this is false. They snuck up behind their gods and bashed their heads in with a rock and ran off with what they wanting, hooting and laughing. - Confederate Diplomat Dreams of Something More, 02 Post Second Precursor War Getting up slowly, Strechen watched as both the Terror Surscee and her charge, Tawtchee, sat down facing one another.

Tawtchee accepted another peach and a refill on his mug of ale, while Surscee smiled and refilled her own mug.

"Before I set you on the next wandering road of the Path of the Traveler, would you like to hear a story?" the Terror asked. The other Way of the Means agents were slowly getting to their feet, bruxing their back teeth, smoothing their whiskers, or rubbing the tops of their heads in anxiety.

"A story from the lips of a beautiful immortal? Of course," Tawtchee said. Surscee smiled wider.

"Oh, I like you," she leaned back slightly, taking a small oblong object off her belt. She shifted her fingers and a fan spread out, the fan itself decorated with drawing of trees and flowers. She fanned herself slightly as she looked up at the clear blue sky.

"In days of yore, before the fall of the Babbling Tower but after humanity's ejection from the Garden of Plenty and the sinking of Atlantis due to the Nephilim's pride, there existed Theseus of the Parting Ball, known as Prometheus. The only son of Ahbahl, who was slain by Cay-yun and Hercyouleez, Prometheus had long sought to lead humanity from rude sticks and stones to something greater," the Terror said.

She waved her hands and pictures appeared in the grass between the Way of the Means Agents, Tawtchee, and herself. They were stylized, brightly colored, and interesting to look at. Strechen found herself fascinated by the tale and the visuals.

"In these days, before the Fall of the Babbling Tower, humanity could speak with the animals, the spirits, and the elements," Surscee said.

"Prometheus saw how the Gods had fire, and how useful it was for driving back foes, clearing brush to allow sticks to be used to furrow the ground to plant grain, for heating food, and making tools.

"He desired to steal fire from the Gods and present it to his fellow mortals. To accomplish this, he consulted the Oracle of the God Apollo of the Creed of Gladiators at Delphi. The journey was fraught with danger worthy of other tales, but eventually he came to the banks of the great lake Gitcha-Gloomy-Gus. He consulted the Oracle, who told him he had to search out Happy Festus, the bald headed God of Crafting, Forging, and Making.

Prometheus asked the Oracle how he would find Happy Festus and the Oracle told Prometheus that he must search out Spider, the trickster, who would lead him to Happy Festus.

"So Prometheus journeyed far, across the mountains and the plains, to where the Fertile Valley River poured from the laps of Bah-humee and Tutu Pay-Me. It was there where the animals went to bathe. Prometheus knew that he would find Anansi the Spider, the Trickster, there where the water was so pure and sweet.

"There, Prometheus saw that the animals set down their fangs and claws, so that they could trust one another to bathe and drink. There he saw that Tiger had the largest fangs and sharpest claws while Anansi, Spider, had small fangs and no claws.

"Prometheus knew that Anansi the Spider was jealous of Tiger's fangs and claws, and so he went to Anansi in secret and told him that Prometheus had a plan. When they went to bathe, Prometheus would steal Tiger's fangs and claws.

"Anansi liked this idea and so agreed to lead Prometheus to Happy Festus, planning on stuffing the human into a pot and cooking the human for Spider's wife and many many children.

"Prometheus went to the Lion, who was often indolent and lazy and praised Lion's claws, but then said sadly that Lion's claws were not as impressive as Tigers. Lion was angry, but then Prometheus, who had no claws of his own, promised Lion that he would steal Tiger's claws and Lion would have the nicest claws. Lion agreed, thinking to just eat Prometheus, as he had eaten many Mister Mans before, and promised Prometheus that he would show off his new claws to all the animals.

"Prometheus then went to Monkey Land briefly, teaching them a song, before going to the river and hiding in the bushes. When Tiger came and removed his claws and teeth, Prometheus went and stole them, taking Lion's claws and replacing them with Tiger's before putting Lion's claws where Tiger's was. He then ran to Anansi, who was waiting eagerly.

"When Tiger saw he was missing his fangs, he looked around to see Lion showing off his claws. The Monkeys all began to sing that Lion had stolen Tiger's claws. Angry, Tiger got a shovel and hit Lion so hard that spots flew off and hit Cheetah, who ran away.

"Prometheus picked up Anansi and ran away, following Cheetah, while Lion and Tiger argued.

"Anansi wanted to put Prometheus in a pot, but Prometheus carried him down the River of the Water of Life. They crossed the Lands of the God Kings, answering the Great Riddle of the Sphinx, before crossing the Lands of Coyote, another Trickster God whose fierce people danced and sang in great celebrations. They crossed the oceans in a canoe built by Mowie-Wowi after plying him with seven sacred herbs and spices. Then, they reached Mount Olympica.

They climbed the mountain, battling the hundred handed and the Jotun through Prometheus's might and Spider's cleverness and trickery, until they came to the great forge of Happy Festus, who worked metal in the mountain's hidden spaces where even rock was liquid. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Spider went forth, showing Happy Festus the fangs of Tiger, and asking for his fangs to be just as large and sharp. Happy Festus was wary, keeping Spider in sight, but agreed. He forged Spider sharp fangs that could pierce the toughest coat and hide. When Happy Festus, holding an orb of light in his mouth, presented the fangs to Spider, Spider complained that he could not reach up and get them.

"Happy Festus bent down and attached the fangs to Spider. That was when Prometheus jumped out and smote Happy Festus in the head with a rock, knocking the God of Crafting and Making to the ground. The earth trembled as the Gods raged, but Prometheus grabbed fire from the great forge, and, with Spider, ran down the mountain, dodging great bolts of lightning hurled by Hey-Zues and Thawr Owe-Din's Sun.

"At the base of the mountain they rested. Spider produced a jug of wine and bade Prometheus to drink with him. But Spider poured his own cup into the ground, which eventually grew to become the great grape fields of Iron Fence, while Prometheus drank his fill and became drunk.

"Spider hid the fire in a hole, and went to Hey-Deez-Nuts, and told him where Prometheus lay drunk. In a rage, Hey-Deez-Nuts ran down and beat Prometheus with his testicles until Prometheus lay unconscious. Hey-Deez-Nutz gathered the other Gods, and they bound Prometheus to a rock, with Thawr hammering great spikes of iron into Prometheus's hands and feet. Each day the Three Vultures would peck out his liver. Each night it regrew, so his suffering was endless.

"Spider took the fire home, where he used it to keep his stew pot warm so his wife and children could eat their fill.

"But Spider felt guilty, and so he devised a plan. He climbed to the top of the tallest tree and let loose Fire. It spread out and Spider danced happily, but suddenly the great forests of the world burst into flame, sending Man and Animal alike running from the fire. The great goddess Shiva had to dance to put out the flames, her footsteps causing the earth itself to shake.

"The other Gods knew that Spider had stolen the Fire, and Spider shrunk himself down to hide in little holes to hide from Man, the Animals, and the Gods even as the fire raged. While the Gods and Man and the Animals wailed and lamented about the great forest catching Fire, Spider laughed and cackled with glee, for he found he just wanted to watch it all burn.

His laughter was heard and every creature of the wind, the water, the air, and the earth began to hunt Spider, forcing him to abandon his fine house and hide in the small holes forever.

"And that is why Spider hides in holes and how Man gained fire," Surscee said. The images vanished and Strechen frowned. The tale was obviously impossible, but she was not about to protest in the face of someone who controlled the very weather as if it was little more than drawing shut the curtains. Surscee leaned forward, staring Tawtchee in the eyes.

"Do you understand the story?" she asked, her eyes intent. Tawtchee nodded slowly.

"I do." Surscee leaned back, smiling.

"Good," she took out her fan, snapping it open, and fanning herself.

"Then let us prepare you for the next step of the Path of the Traveler," her face became serious.

"The next Guardian is fierce indeed, and will slay you just for being what and who you are. He is to be treated with respect and fear, even by one such as I." Tawtchee nodded again. Surscee smiled and stood up, folding her fan and tucking it into her belt.

"One of you must bear the map of the Path of the Traveler," she said, still smiling.

"Who offers themself as tribute?" Tawtchee stood up.

"I do." Her smile grew wider.

"Do not worry. It will only hurt. A lot."

"I am ready," Tawtchee said.

"Very well," Surscee held out her hands, runes appearing above her fingertips, the fiery pattern erupting under her skin. Tawtchee was lifted into the air, his arms and legs pulled out as straight as his body would allow. Strechen could see his jaw muscles bunch up and knew he was gritting his teeth. Lighting crackled over the small Dra. Falten male, fire covered him repeatedly to explode outward, and a glowing nimbus flowed from Surscee's hands to Tawtchee.

Finally, Tawtchee was lowered to the ground, where he fell to his hands and knees for a moment before struggling to his feet. Strechen could see the effort it cost.

"Another will have to read the map, little one," Surscee said. She stepped forward, touching Tawtchee on the forehead. Strechen noted the back of her hand was a rich brown color but her palms were pinkish white, like her brother's skin.

"I thank you for this gift," Tawtchee panted.

"When the pain subsides, you will discover the gift that I give unto you and you alone," Surscee said. She looked up, sniffing the air.

"It will rain this evening." She turned and started walking away.

"I advise you to return to your ship," she said. She paused at her doorway.

"Two Guardians remain, hero," she said. Then the door closed and she was gone.

Strechen stood and watched as Hrekkel carefully helped Tawtchee out of his shirt. On the small male Dra. Falten's back were upraised scars. Numbers, lines, starbursts.

"She said it is a map," Tawtchee said softly, staring at the far wall.

"It is," Hrekkel said. He held up a camera and snapped a picture. The camera gave a sharp whine then bluish smoke leaked from the casing. Hrekkel looked at the camera, sniffed it, then shook his head, going over and setting it down. He picked up a holorecorder and tried making an image of the map. The holorecorder gave a high pitched whine and smoke leaked from it.

"I might have to have you sit next to me while I translate it all," Hrekkel said.

"I have an idea," Strechen said. She moved over and picked up a graphite pen and some paper, then sat down behind Tawtchee, spreading the paper out on the table. She began carefully outlining Tawtchee's torso.

"Of course, she would insist upon the old ways," Hrekkel said. Tawtchee just nodded, staring at the wall. Strechen kept drawing. The ship moved slowly and carefully toward the Oort cloud. The Third Guardian awaited.