Post by graypath on Mar 21, 2014 7:54:36 GMT
The Early Years
Chapter Two
The Thief
By Arthur Pepka, aka GrayPathMage
The settlers of Cambreya became secure in their new home. They had already found the flora and fauna that was both hurtful and harmful to them. Already the plants they could eat were being cultivated to increase their dirt. Barriers were quickly built to protect both themselves and their livestock. While there were still new surprises, there were very few deaths.
When the focus of construction was removed from Bellos Castle and Academy, there were still a number of families who had no official home. Most of these had carved holdings out of the wilderness, but one group still lingered. They clung to the outskirts of town like children to a mother’s apron. When a group of Bellos villages came to him to complain, Cambrey decided to take action.
He dressed in old clothes and armed himself with his staff. Thus equipped, he went in search of them. Outside of town, within one of the original crude shelters, he found them. A clan of fifty-one people living together. Cambrey entered and approached a fire pit where an elderly man sat.
“Excuse me sir,” Cambrey began. “I am looking for this clan’s leader.”
“You have found him,” the man said.
Cambrey sat on a nearby rock and faced the elder. “I noticed that your group has not settled yet. May I offer my assistance?
The grizzled old man eyed him warily. “Do not think to fool me, majesty. You may have dressed down, but your face is recognizable. We don’t appreciate patronization.”
“Then I shall come to the point. There are villagers complaining that your group is stealing. Now I have investigated and found no proof of your guilt, but the thefts have occurred. Now, to appease the townsfolk, I wish to help you get settled. I would also like to identify the actual thief. Now perhaps you have some thoughts on either subject.”
The old man looked about the room and seemed to weigh the trust of his kin. Cambrey watched as one or another nodded or shook their heads. At last the elder made a decision. “M’lord,” he said. “Let me properly introduce myself; my name is Jumper.” The old man now raised himself off his stone seat with effort. Groaning, he at last straightened his back. With shuffling footsteps and a coarse gesture, he led the way out of the shelter. Jumper’ course led away from the village down toward the river. Here he turned and walked along the shore, down river. Though he walked with a limp, Jumper was steady on the rocks and did not tire.
At last they came to a small grotto made by a mild waterfall. The river made crystalline pool and the waterfall curtained down over an overhang. There was a smooth sand beach all around. Jumper pointed to a niche hidden in the back of the cave. Cambrey went to investigate.
“M’lord, have you ever wondered at the amount of life existent here. This planet is hardly primitive. We have found many forms of wildlife here. Some which seem to recognize weapons. As if they had been hunted before.”
Cambrey nodded. “The far seers knew that this planet possessed an environment suitable for our survival. They could not guess at what we might find.” Cambrey moved closer to the niche. He noticed foot prints in the sand. Small feet with splayed toes, possibly webbed, had made them. Inside the niche he found some of the stolen items. Cambrey withdrew the list of stolen goods from a pocket and compared it to what he saw.
“I think you’ll find that most of the food is gone already. And some of the things that could be useful underwater as well.” Jumper called out.
“You’re right, but why leave the clothes and candles. And these three loaves of bread. They’ve been bitten into but otherwise remain untouched.” Cambrey then reached in and picked up clumps of stringy weeds. “This looks like seaweed braided together like a net. Why would someone do that?”
“My lord, you keep thinking it is one of us. Why limit your options?” Jumper asked.
“Because those are the only options. Either a human, elf or dwarf could be responsible. We are the only ones here.” Cambrey retorted
Jumper rubbed his stubble covered chin, “What if there were a fourth option. Something already here.”
“We have already catalogued the indigenous animals. None of them would be able to manipulate the locks and containers which housed these items. Let alone braid fibers into a crude net.”
“My lord, assume that life developed here as it did back home. Whatever divine power molded us could be at work here as well. What if Cambreya contained intelligent life before we arrived?” Jumper argued.
“But where is it?” Cambrey exclaimed. “We would have found it already.”
Jumper wagged his finger at Cambrey. “Tch, tch milord. Do not let your archmage arrogance cloud your thinking. Life is here but hiding. They are not as advanced as we are. My fisher folk spotted them when we were scouting good harbors. Your mages spend very little time near the water. But my people hale from a fishing village. We wish to settle and fish the Cambreyan seas. But …”
“You think the seas are already claimed.” Cambrey finished.
“I know they are. Look behind you. In the water.” Jumper yelled.
At Jumper’s shout, Cambrey spun around and faced the pool. He could clearly see a figure submerged. The creature saw him and froze momentarily in place. It then panicked and raced downstream. Cambrey sprang off the beach and onto the rocks, chasing the fleeing being. Quick as he was, he could only watch it disappear into the depths beyond the rapids. Cambrey muttered a spell and rose into the air. He soared over the water but could make out nothing within the murky depths. The very nature of the river hid the thief. Frustrated, he could only turn around and rejoin Jumper.
“What was that thing?” Cambrey asked him.
“I don’t know, sire. But my wee grandchild was the first to spot one. He called it a Mariner.” Jumper replied.
“Sounds like a fine name for such a water dweller.”