<html> <body> Metamor Keep: Lament of the Kangaroo By Charles Matthias Part 3 <x-tab>         </x-tab>The Keepers were awake well before the sun rose.  Even after a long night around Malger Sutt’s table, regaling each other with stories one moment and then negotiating peace in western Pyralis the next, not a one of them could sleep for long.  Too many months had been spent sleeping on edge for them to find comfort even in this safe seaside city.  Though they did not post a watch, for that would have been absurd, they could not completely forget the many lessons of the mountainous wastes, forests, swamps, and grasslands. <x-tab>        </x-tab>With the sun’s rise they found themselves on one of the balconies overlooking the Mendaisse river as it flowed past the castle and through the city and its many canals.  Malger had sent them bread and cheese to begin their day, and his regrets that he couldn’t join them as his attention was fixed on writing up the official agreements they had come to last night with the new Marquis du Tournemire. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“It’s just as well,” Kayla said as she sipped at a cup of steaming cider.  Sutthaivasse rarely saw snow in its winters, but the mornings were still cool if not freezing like they would be in Metamor. “That those two men are going back to Tournemire with Philippe.  They were victims as much as any of us, but it’s been awkward travelling with them these last few weeks.  I almost chocked when they described the Marquis as a hero!” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“He did save my life,” Jessica objected with a sharp caw.  The black-feathered hawk lifted one talon and pointed at the skunk. “It was his card that stood between me and the sword.” She lowered the talon and then lowered her eyes. “Not that I can forget what he did to all of you in Breckaris.” She glanced to Lindsey who crouched in one corner, elbows on the earthen balustrade. “And especially you.”  Lindsey’s long ears flicked at the words, but she did not turn or open her muzzle to speak. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“It was the corruption,” Abafouq said simply and shook his head. “If we had not been protected, we could have done the same ourselves.” The Binoq stoked one hand through the flank of his companion Guernef.  The Nauh-kaee was busy swallowing fruit whole. “I am very grateful that we have been spared!” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Kayla frowned, long tail flicking back and forth behind her. “I don’t know.  It looked to me like he enjoyed doing what he did to us.  And especially to Rick.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“My Weyden is still in prison because of him,” Jessica added.  Her feathers settled quickly. “I’ll have to tease him about oranges when we get home.” She chuckled, as did the others.  Whatever else, Philippe did have a few amusing tales to tell, as only a child could tell them. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I’m sure they’ll have let Weyden go free by now,” Charles said softly.  The rat leaned against the banister, petting his vine as it curled around his chest.  They all wore the garments fashioned for them, but this time Charles had managed to worm into his with the vine on the outside.  It did not seem to mind the cool air. “And Rick should be awake too.  And the Duke married!  I wonder what else we’ll find when we return home.  I wonder how big my children are.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Weyden asked me to marry him when I returned,” Jessica announced, her golden eyes distant. “I hope all of you can be there for it.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“We shall!” Kayla assured her, finally smiling. “As I hope all of you will be there for Rickkter and I to wed.” She gave the rat a meaningful glance, but he only smiled and nodded in return. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I don’t know what I’ll do when I get back,” James murmured. “Go back to being a Glen Scout I guess.  There’s this... this... no, never mind.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“And we shall certainly stay for a while,” Abafouq added. “At least until the mountain passes clear in the Spring.  It will be nice to stay in Metamor for a time.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I too will linger,” Andares said in his smooth baritone. “But I cannot say for how long.  The stars will guide me as they did my master.  But I do wish to see Metamor, the first of my race to do so in many years.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“And I wish I could go see it, but it is not to be,” Phil sighed. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I thought you said you would see us back to Metamor!” Kayla asked, her voice pained anew. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I hoped to,” Phil replied, shaking his head with obvious regret. “But the damage done to Whales was too great.  In the last two weeks I have conferred with my commanders to learn the extent of our losses.  The Whalish Navy has been crippled in the western seas.  We’ve lost thousands of sailors in this fight, and more ships than I care to number.  My father and I will both be needed as leaders and as symbols for the morale of our people to see to our recovery.  It will be years before Whales has returned to her former strength.  I fear a trip to Metamor, no matter how much my heart yearns for it, would be irresponsible.  I have wasted time even in coming so far as Sutthaivasse, but as last night and today will prove, I can still serve to ensure that during this time of rebuilding, Whales will not need to have fear from war in Pyralis.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Phil spread his white paws wide and his long ears fell. “Still.  I wish I could go on with you.  But my ships will return south once we’ve finished restocking and making repairs.  Two day’s hence at the earliest.  Three certainly.  But I will enjoy what time I have left with you my friends before we leave.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Charles put one paw on the rabbit’s shoulder and smiled. “We understand, Phil.  We will take whatever message you wish to send to his grace, Duke Thomas, with us.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Thank you, Charles.” The rabbit swelled as much as his lapine body would allow. “Just seeing each of you again has brought me great joy.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Indeed!” Charles gave Phil a firm hug, then set his friend to one side with the gentlest of touches. “Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but I would like to explore this city.  I’m not sure how much of a start we’ll give the city, but it’s not like they haven’t already seen us when we docked.  I’d like to make a good name for Metamor even here.  Who else?”  He had no shortage of volunteers. ---------- <x-tab>         </x-tab>Lindsey opted not to join Charles in his quixotic quest to explore Sutthaivasse.  She wasn’t alone in this, as both Guernef and Jessica also declined, but at least the Nauh-kaee and hawk had the option of leaping off the balcony and flying away, which he did immediately and she did only after taking her full animal form.  So she lingered in the room she shared with the women.  Once there, she removed all her clothes and sprawled her kangaroo body on the bed, paws resting on the small mote swelling within her pouch. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I’m here,” she whispered into the air, ears laid flat on the pillow, chestnut eyes rolled back in her head as a smile split her muzzle. “They’re all gone.  Are you growing?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>The child she could almost feel the outlines now beneath the furry flap of flesh enclosing her pouch.  Charles may have children of his own, but he was only a father and could never understand the adoration shared by mother and child.  Of the others, only Kayla and Jessica could ever be mothers, and neither were yet.  But those whom they would wed were still alive, while her Zhypar had been slain. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>He’d given his life to protect and nourish this child. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>He’d spent his last moments in seeing to this child’s well-being, making sure that Lindsey escaped with the child safely tucked inside her. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>She had to protect this child.  She knew it in her heart.  For Habakkuk’s sake.  And for her own.  Even if nobody else could understand. <x-tab>        </x-tab>They won’t understand. <x-tab>        </x-tab> Lindsey nodded, stroking her clawed fingers up and down through the soft russet fur. “I know,” she murmured. “I won’t tell them.  You are mine and mine alone.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>In such sweet delirium she lay communing with her child for many an hour. ---------- <x-tab>         </x-tab>Malger was less than enthused by Charles’s suggestion to explore Sutthaivasse.  In fact, he outright forbade them to enter the city.  Seeing his objection make the rat more obstinate, Malger cajoled them to stay in the manor house, assuring them that they would be mobbed by the people if they openly walked the streets.  Not only were they beastly in appearance, but rumour of them and their heroic exploits had already spread through the canals, streets, markets, and shops.  There was not a single soul in Sutthaivasse who wouldn’t clamour to get a glimpse of them let alone touch them for good or ill. <x-tab>        </x-tab>This was enough to convince Kayla to abandon the idea.  Andares promised to show her more of the Åelf game that Qan-af-årael had begun teaching her two months ago.  At seeing the others demur, Charles also relented, but once they had left the Lord Sutt’s presences, revealed his plans.  And so, Jerome dressed in common clothes led James as a donkey carrying Abafouq  who masqueraded as a midget, with Charles as a rat perched atop his shoulder.  Such a strange group merited a few glances, but did not incite the onrush of panic their benefactor feared. <x-tab>        </x-tab>They enjoyed their brief tour of the city, though not knowing their way around, quickly became lost in the intricate maze of canals and alleys that dominated the lower ward.  A few oblique questions from Jerome who cleverly hid his Sondesharan accent, and they were back on the main road along the river. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Still, when they returned they were met by an irate Malger. “You could have been killed!” he shouted at them when they stepped off the lift onto the manor property.  They stared incredulous at each other for several seconds, before Malger shook his head and amended himself; “You could have killed someone!”  His remonstrations met with no apologies, and in the end, Malger surrendered with no more than a half-hearted fit of self-effacing laughter.  <x-tab>        </x-tab>It was the last time they ventured from the Sutt manor, as neither James nor he truly enjoyed being treated as an animal, and also, Charles didn’t like being separated from his vine.  It was healthy enough now that he could remove it from his flesh, but it would be months before he’d be able to plant it in good earth.  Until then it would need his flesh to subside in.  He hoped that it didn’t unnerve Kimberly when they finally returned to Metamor.  The vine, that splendid gift from the Wind Children which had saved their lives in the swamps of Marzac, was a part of him in a way now almost as inextricable as his Sondeck. <x-tab>        </x-tab>And so they stayed in the Sutt Manor, waiting for their ship to be reprovisioned.  Of them all, only Guernef and Andares failed to exhibit impatience with the delays.  Malger assured them that they were unavoidable as the ports closest to Metamor would likely be blocked with ice at this time of year.  They would need supplies for a land journey once they reached Ellcaran.  If they were lucky, the passes would be open as far north as Giftum, but few of Malger’s sea captains thought that likely, and even Phil expressed his doubts that they would fare so well. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Nor was the estimable lapine to remain with them long.  Only two days after Charles, James, Abafouq and Jerome had taken their tour of the city, the Whalish vessels completed their repairs and Prince Phil made good on his promise to depart for Whales.  The farewells were difficult, with many tears and promises as well as firm hugs between old friends and wishes for the future.  They stood on the topmost tower of the Sutt castle to watch the proud array of Whalish vessels disembark and take to the wintry waves.  They stayed upon the lofty perch until the last of their keels disappeared beyond the horizon. <x-tab>        </x-tab>They continued to wait and did their best to keep up their good cheer.  Kayla and Jessica spoke of magic and inquired after both Abafouq and Guernef for the arts that they knew.  After so many months together, they held back no secrets and the hawk learned of many of the secrets of stone and air that their companions from the Tabinoq knew.  Kayla marvelled at all they spoke of and revealed to each other, but many of these secrets were beyond her skills, however fine they had been honed in the months of their companionship. <x-tab>        </x-tab>And so she instead spent time practising her swordsmanship with the men. The dragon blades were comfortable friends in her paws now, and she found they guided her motions so adroitly that she felt a confidence in battle she’d never before experienced.  She hated even letting go of the blades; her paws felt barren without them.  Still, those who’d spent their lives in combat such as Charles and Jerome, not to mention Andares, were always the ones teaching her how better to stand and move.  And then there was Malger who often joined them for their impromptu matches, sporting twin, slender blades with bright tassels affixed to their hilts.  Those tassels did nothing but confuse and distract her.  <x-tab>        </x-tab>Other than James who had only first learned a year past, all of them could make their weapons dance.  But each had their own style that way too.  Charles and Jerome were fast and hard, like the pounding of a thousand hammers in a smithy; even then, she knew the Sondeckis were holding back.  Andares was stately and refined, precise in the way the stars moved in the sky, but no less devastating.  But Malger was a true dancer, almost seductive in the way his body twisted and turned with each stroke of steel and flash of colourful thread.  Even though he wore his pendant and his musteline body was hid behind the veil of a human illusion, she could see through to the marten and understood why so many dreamed girlish dreams for him. <x-tab>        </x-tab>But most of the time Malger was treating with Val, his named successor Regent Sicillan, the new Marquis du Tournemire, or any of the other nobles who had come at the call of the Archduke of Sutthaivasse.  Philippe called on Charles and Jerome a few times to learn more of his late father who it seems had sent him to Whitestone shortly before he’d ventured into the Marzac swamps; they’d never spoken since.  Charles wondered if perhaps in some way, the late Marquis hadn’t deliberately kept his son in Whitestone to keep him out of the affairs of Marzac.  It was harder and harder to hate the man the more he dwelt on these truths. <x-tab>        </x-tab>And then there were the officious scribes sent by Malger to record the tale of their journey from Metamor to Marzac and of the defeat of that great evil.  They did their best to retell their tale, omitting only events and descriptions of places that it seemed best to keep secret for now, such as the artifice of the secret stone markers in the Åelfwood, the ancient flying ship Nak-Tegehki, the location of Qorfuu, and what they could recall of the spells Yajakali had cast.  The last must remain buried with him, on that they all agreed without hesitation.  But the rest they told freely and in some detail as much as their tongues could stand and for as long as they could sit still.  Neither of which proved to be very long. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Of them all, only Lindsey did not appear to tire of their confinement.  The kangaroo spent most of her time cloistered in their rooms, eyes withdrawn and manner indifferent.  She always joined them for their meals, but she often left after finishing and spoke little to the rest of them.  It was painful to see, but they knew her pain had to be great.  She had lost the man she had loved deeply but whom the curses of Metamor had prevented her from having.  And now she was a female kangaroo to match him, and he was dead and lost to her.  This was a grief that Lindsey appeared to prefer to face alone, and so they left her to it. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Three days after the Whalish fleet had returned south, news came to them that a vessel was ready for the long journey north along the Sathmoran coast.  A Sutthaivasse crew and one of their faster carracks waited for them at the wharves.  Malger was still waiting for his vassals to arrive but seemed optimistic that he would be following them back to Metamor in no more than a month.  Still, he seemed reluctant to part when the time finally came, and joined them in carriages down to the wharves. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Guernef because of his size refused to try fitting into a carriage again so he took to the air with promises to meet them once the ship cleared the wharves.  The rest crowded into a single carriage, their refurbished gear stowed into the travel packs and stored in the carriage rear.  Malger smoothed out his fine breeches as he sat. “Well, soon you will be on your way home again.  I apologize for keeping you here so long  But it couldn’t be helped.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“We understand,” Kayla assured him with a warm smile.  Her long monochromatic tail twitched behind her head. “It’s been a long hard road for all of us.  And not all of will be even be home when we reach Metamor.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Though,” Charles said, casting a quick glance at Jerome, “you are all welcome to stay at Metamor.  It won’t be the same not always seeing each other’s faces every day.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“We shall decide later such things,” Andares said in a firm tone. “For now it is enough to think of the journey before us.  Who will be our captain?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“A seasoned veteran.  Benito Aldanto.  He captained one of my carracks in the battle against Marzac’s forces and rather distinguished himself.  I’m told he cut the head off of a Merai who foolishly attempted to drag his first mate overboard.  And that with a single stroke.  He has made the journey north before and,” he added with a smile, “this will not be the first time he has seen Metamorians.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Has he been to Metamor before?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Once a few years ago as part of a trade mission.  He has orders to see you all the way to Metamor.  He will deliver letters from myself and from Regent Sicillan to Duke Thomas.  I want to see our cities be allies no matter the distance that separates us.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Good,” Charles said with a firm nod. “Metamor needs all the allies she can find!” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Indeed,” Malger agreed. “And there is one other who will be accompanying you to Metamor.  Once Captain of the Iron King, he was taken by the taint of Marzac but has now been freed.  He wishes to go to Metamor to seek his brother who he’d thought slain.  His name is Darius Egland.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Charles’s eyes widened. “His brother is Sir Yacoub Egland?  Did you tell Darius what has become of his brother?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Malger nodded. “He took it fairly well, but now insists that he must see his brother for himself to bring word back to his family that their youngest son is not dead as they’d all thought.  He will return with Captain Aldanto, but for a time he shall journey with you.  Charles, as you know Sir Egland, could you bring Darius to his brother?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>The rat squirmed in his chair, one paw reflexively cupping the vine which now curled over his chest. “I had hoped to find my wife and children first.  But I suppose I can, or at least, lead him to Sir Egland’s home.  I don’t suppose anyone else knows the elk knight?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Only by reputation,” Kayla admitted.  The rest shook their heads. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Then I will do it,” Charles acquiesced with a sigh. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“You’ll see them soon enough,” Jessica cawed in a gentle voice.  She draped one wing over the rat’s shoulder. “We’ll make sure of that.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Charles smiled and patted her long black feathers. “Thank you, Jessica.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>The carriage rattled on along the terrazzo streets until they reached the wharves.  After Malger’s announcements, he quickly told them of the remaining compliment of their crew and what time they could expect to make.  With luck they would reach Ellcaran in three weeks time, and another two week’s journey would bring them to Metamor.  If they were truly fortune and the ice hadn’t closed the northern wharves, they could reach Menth and shave a few days off their voyage.  Either way, they would likely see Metamor by the middle of February. <x-tab>        </x-tab>After what seemed an interminable number of minutes, the carriage came to a stop and Malger was forced to bid them farewell.  As before with Phil, there were many hugs and promises made, although all knew that they would likely see Malger returned to Metamor in the months ahead.  This tempered their displays, but they were no less genuine. <x-tab>        </x-tab>The carrack was a sizable craft with two dozen oar locks and sailing masts fore and centre.  The aft castle was raised to accommodate passengers, and as quickly as they could, they all fled beneath where they wouldn’t be seen by inquisitive city-dwellers who’d followed their carriages out to the wharves.  Captain Aldanto proved to be a stout, bow-legged man with deep black hair turning white around his ears.  He promised he would speak with them more once they were underway, then proceeded to shout orders to the rest of the crew. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Their belongings were brought on board after them, and as they divided up the guest rooms between men and women again, they felt the ship groan against the water.  Through the narrow portholes they could see the city slowly shifting away.  A few moments later a loud thump resounded above them. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Abafouq laughed when they heard the startled shouts of sailors and the shouting of the captain. “Guernef has landed.” The Binoq rubbed his hands together and sighed. “Another stage of our journey is over.  Onward to Metamor.  I hope the seas stay calm.  I’m eager to be off these waterborne nightmares!” <x-tab>        </x-tab>“We’ll all be home soon,” Charles murmured softly as they settled down one-by-one to endure the long weeks until they saw the spires of Metamor. “We’ll all be home soon.” With a long sigh, they watched Sutthaivasse continue its long slide to the south, the floor shifting beneath them as the waves glided with the carrack to the north. ---------- <x-tab>         </x-tab>The child was growing.  Lindsey could feel it not only swell her pouch, but he exhibited a definite shape now too.  She could feel the outline of his spine growing in a downward turning lune from one side of the pouch to the other, head and tail.  She instinctively knew his head was on the right.  It was connected there, drawing nourishment from her body. <x-tab>        </x-tab>And talking to her.  More and more now.  She spent more time talking with her unborn child than she did with her companions.  But they didn’t understand and wouldn’t like it if they knew.  After a week in Sutthaivasse, and now two days at sea again, she already knew that she didn’t want any of them near her anymore. <x-tab>        </x-tab>It should just be her and the child. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>She shivered with delight, her fur standing on edge in eager anticipation.  The affirmation from the child, Zhypar’s child, was like sweet nectar on her tongue.  She ran her paws over her pouch and smiled.  The lump within stirred against her paws. “I will keep you safe,” she whispered with nearly shut snout. <x-tab>        </x-tab>All the way to Metamor. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“Is that where you’ll be born?” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab> “Zhypar would like that.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab> Lindsey smiled, ears, folded back in her cramped bed.  The ship rocked gently in the waves.  The others were undoubtedly topside trying to make themselves useful.  Good.  They should stay up there and away from her and her child.  Only a few weeks more though and they would be in Metamor.  She knew the forests very well.  It would be no trouble to slip amongst them to have her child in secret. <x-tab>        </x-tab>Until then, she would keep her pouch concealed from their eyes.  Her gaze fell on the trousers she’d tossed in a pile on the floor.  She’d have to wear them when the others were around.  Her child was growing so fast, surely they’d notice soon. <x-tab>        </x-tab>They will.  You must hide me. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I will.” Lindsey gently patted her child inside her pouch. “I promise.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab>“I love you my child.” <x-tab>        </x-tab>Yes. <x-tab>        </x-tab> Lindsey’s tail twitched, her body shivering with a cool delight. ---------- May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love, Charles Matthias !DSPAM:4b18f7c0263021804284693! </body> </html>