Echoes from the Lost Ones (8 page)

I waved to Wirt, but he was engrossed in chat with the Ladies and did not notice my gesture. So I dropped my hand and walked with Audrey to the meetinghouse. It was a jolly building to be sure, the colour of a summer sky and it had big red and white flowers painted here and there. We climbed the five wooden steps to the entrance and Audrey let go my arm. She opened the door, which boasted a huge gold knocker fashioned to resemble an oak leaf, and flicked her fingers in way of presenting the interior.

“Come in, come in and sit. Our dear Wirt will soon follow I’m sure,” Audrey said and pointed at a host of finely patterned soft bags propped against the walls. I plonked myself upon a vastly sized pillow the colour of the rising sun, sank into its squishiness and let out a rightly sigh. I gazed around the room and saw such splendid chattels. There was a table as big as three Manlymen that near filled the entire space. Silver candlesticks ran the length of it and high-backed chairs with curly carved legs were pushed underneath and each had a plate and shiny cutlery set in front.

A fireplace the size of two Nearlymen belched out roaring heat and a sweet pine-scented smoke. Before it, curled up quiet-like upon a red woven rug, lay a brindled kittlecat and its three kittles. Before this day, I’d only ever observed said felines on my lapcom as vids or games. A red-haired Lady with big green eyes and freckled skin entered carrying a tray with two large mugs upon it. She gave said cups to Audrey, winked at me, bowed and left us alone.

“That was our dear Odelia. She is a prize to be cherished, as are all or dear friends.” Audrey lifted her chin and scrutinised my face through half closed eyes. “You are from Cityplace are you not, my dear?” Audrey asked and handed me a cup of steaming wet. It smelt like sweeties, only better and I took a grateful sip.

“Choco-real and no mistake.” I gushed. Then realised the rudeness at not answering her query and added, “Is right, I am a Citydweller. Or was.”

“I wonder if you would tell my humble self, why you are here with little Wirt?” She sat next to me and brushed a lock of dirty hair from my somewhat mucky brow.

“I have no reason not to tell. The Agros took my bro-bro and a City guard gave me cause to believe that their trail wandered deep into these woods. He did not, however, give forth the info that a Clan of Nearlymen and Manlymen abided near with.”

“Ah. No need to expound further. I saw the discolouration upon dear Wirt’s features. At the hands of those hideous males?”

“More than once from Wirt’s own mouth,” I said.

The Lady turned her pretty hands into witch-claw clench.

“Do not fret,” I said. “I delivered a sentence to fit the crime.”

“What did you do, my dear?”

I opened my gob to answer, but caught sight of Wirt entering with the Ladies. He strode up to the table and said directly to Audrey, “She sang and sent the raptors upon them. We fled and left them bleeding.”

“Oh dear, I fear that they will be out for retribution,” Audrey said and took my hand. “You and Wirt are in great danger. Manlymen are known to be fierce when wronged, and you two have wronged them greatly. I am amazed, to be sure, that you made it this far without molestation. You must repose awhile with us, until we can be assured that the Manlymen have tired from the looking for you. Do not fear, we are hidden from all those whose company we do not wish to keep.”

“Wirt found you out pretty quick.”

“Only Wirt is privy to our whereabouts. He would not blab.”
 

“Nay. I would not.”

I chewed my lip and Audrey sensed that more was amiss. “I take it you have other concerns that weigh deep within?”

“Ever since I left Cityplace I have reason to believe that I was followed. Suspicion falls on Agros, since it was they who sent forces in to bend us to their will.”

“The Agros have been busy my dear. Word has spread of their infractions concerning provision distribution. Even we Ladies have been caught up in their scheme. We sensed something ugly in their manner the last time we were called forth to entertain. Good for us that our reliance on these villains is minimal. We here have all but severed connections with them. Still, they have made us somewhat itchier than we like.”

Her words caused a wave of high-pitched agreement from those present. I was glad in some measure to be talking of the far-reaching Agro threat. It seemed to dissipate its menace somewhat.

Yet my innards twisted at the thought of irate Manlymen bent on our demise. I was all but given over to panic at the thought, when I felt a softliness swish around my lower legs. I looked down and saw a tiny kittle nudge and budge at my ankle. I had never felt such cosiness and I guess my face reflected said thought, for the Ladies all as one said, “Ahhh.”

Audrey picked up the fluffy bundle and laid it upon my lap where it snuggled into my thighs. It turned and turned and made itself into a ball and for the first time in my life, I touched the furriness of a living animal. Oh, I had stepped upon beetles and buggles and the like, but I had never seen, let alone touched a breathing mammal. There were a few rigid stuffed ones in the class at the learning place, but they were old and musty and had eyes made out of glass. This, this was warm and soft and made a noise that made me want to smile. I did and let my hand fondle the tiny thing.

“It likes you. Not all kittles here would be so bold as to rest with a stranger. He knows you are no threat.”

“It hums and vibrates. Ha-ha, it tickles,” I said and all let loose a chortle. I heard a wailing cry and the kittle sat bolt upright. It opened its mouth and sent an ear piercing “Meeoooow!” back, then jumped off my lap and scampered towards what I believed to be its mam, who gave it an earnest licking before they wiggled-bottomed out of sight.

“How come you have such things? Are not all pets quite extinct?”

“That is what those in power would have you think. It keeps the order of things intact. As you can see, some animals survived and thrived, thanks to those who sought to preserve them for future generations.”

“Such as?”

“The forgotten ones.”

“And they are?”

“Moocow monks of the order of Maya,” Odelia said.

I stared at these fine fems, my head all-full of what others had said about them. How they are foolish, vapid and only exist to ease the lustiness of males. But even in my short time amongst them, I realised they were as deep as the barren seas that surround our blighted land.

“I am grateful to said monks for their farsightedness in protecting such beasts. I do not think that I have ever been so overwhelmed by the caress of any creature before.”

“You have a fine sensitivity about you, my dear, that is rare in these harsh times,” Audrey said.

“Do not they consume flesh?”

“Yes. We feed them with prepared goo that comes  from...Well, perhaps you will find out for yourself.”

I was about to press the matter further when Odelia spoke, “Excuse me, if you will, but did I hear rightly that the young fem, Adara, called upon the raptors?”

“She did.”

“Then she has the gift. She will be of use.”

I huffin’ well knew it. Didn’t take long for someone to glean my importance. My mood of contemplation and cosiness left me quicker than a blink and I gave myself up to my full height, which was not so tall, and said, “Now look Ladies, I am more than grateful to you all for letting us abide here for a short while. But, I do not take pleasure in the ensnaring and ultimate demise of our birdybird friends. In fact I will leave now if you mean to force my acquiescence in that matter. In fact…”

“No, no. You misunderstand Odelia’s remark, my dear one. Our prize egg layer has gone missing and it may be that with your powers you can persuade said chickle to return. Now calm down and resume your sitting position if you please.”

“Apologies a thousand fold,” I said and plonked my carcass back upon the softly pouch. “It’s just that the last time anyone demanded my abilities be put to the test, well, hence the reason we are here.”

“I have never understood those that partake of flesh. I find there are more than ample tit-bits to satisfy my deepest hunger, right here in the forest,” Odelia said and sat next to me. “You have power for one so young.”

“Not so certain I’d call what I do ‘power’.”

Odelia smiled, slipped her arm around mine and leant her rust-haired head upon my shoulder. However, after not more than one quickly breathing in, did said head jerk itself away and a pretty little hand clasp its delicate little nose.

“Goodness, how you throw up a stink. May I suggest a soak in something fragrant? Lest our finery become tainted.”

“Thanks for bringing my lack of clean to one-and-all’s attention.”

 
“Do not be offended. If you wish it, I would offer both you and Wirt the comfort and cleanliness of our bathhouse,” Audrey said, and before I could say yes or no, Wirt clapped his hands and answered in the affirmative for us both. Audrey nodded to Odelia, who stood and proffered me her hand. I took it and she pulled me from my cosy place.

Wirt came a-scurrying over, linked his arm under Odelia’s  and mine and said, “Will ye find the chickle first?”

“I can but try. Although I have never sung to fowl before and am not certain that my call will be apt.”

“Do not question your ability, Adara. Have faith in what you do and who you are and you will find the note that you require,” Audrey said, and with her encouraging words, I left with Wirt and Odelia to call forth a chickle.

Chapter Nine

The Chatter Of Chickles

We stepped outside and walked towards the open courtyard that held the veggie beds and fruit bushes. I could not help but be gladdened by the lushness of my surroundings. Trees and ferns are all well and good, but they loom all haphazard and tangled like. Here all things green grew in such neat rows, that it caused a soothe to the eye and heart. Back home all I ever saw was concrete and stone. On special occasions some straggly plants were plopped into a dull container by way of brightening the place up a bit. All it did though was to accentuate the blandness of the place. Not so here. Here, all was leafyiness and colour.

“I see you are admiring our crops, such as they are.”

“I am indeed Odelia. They are a welcome sight and distract the thoughts to lighter themes.”

“Really? And what insignificant subject are you thinking of now?”

“Oh, nowt in particular.”

Odelia put her arm around my shoulder and drew me close. She reached out, grabbed Wirt’s elbow and pulled him beside her. We stared at each other and Odelia gave us a mischievous grin. “I am wondering, Adara, do you have a beau where you reside?”

I pulled away and said all indignant like, “No I do not.” Then I looked at Wirt and turned my back before my face caught alight.

“How sad. Still I am convinced such a lonely state can be fixed without resorting to a search far off. Eh, Wirt?”

Wirt coughed in an exaggerated manner and I felt certain my hot cheeks would set fire to something, so intensely did they burn.

“Come, Adara, I but jest with you. Let us attend to the purpose in hand, that of retrieving our lost henyhen.”

Her words soothed my abashment and when my skin cooled, I turned to my companions. Wirt rubbed his eyes and made the coughy noise again whilst Odelia lifted her shoulders and chuckled.

“So,” I said in as calm a voice as I was able, “I am familiar with the song of birdybirds and raptors, but I have never heard the sound a chickle makes. If you could perhaps give voice to resemble said noise, then maybe I can choose a suitable note.”

“Oh, I do not need to do such a thing. Here, follow me and I shall take you both to the chickle coop where you can listen to their voices.”

She walked a few steps ahead, turned and used her forefinger to beckon us on. I walked onwards and felt Wirt’s breath upon my neck. Odelia linked arms with us both and we sauntered all-casual through the plant patches towards an area of shrubbery and flowers. We stopped in front of said flora and Odelia knelt down. She whistled faintly and I thought she had become addled. I’d heard of folk singing to plants and embracing trees, but I had never heard of whistling to bushes.

I was about to say something along those lines, when I saw a movement in the undergrowth. A soft high- pitched whine followed and Odelia pursed her lips once more. There was a loud rustling and much shaking of leaves, then out jumped a snarling Wolfie. I leaped up and backed away from its ferocious teeth and growls. I called to Wirt and Odelia to do the same, but they just guffawed and took to rubbing the beast’s ears.

“Come Adara, be not afraid. Look closer and you will see that this is not a Wolfie, but a dowgie. Come, let it sniff your hand and become a pal,” Odelia said and buried her face into the creature’s furry neck.

I almost choked at the sight of a Lady making sport with a dreaded beast, and near fainted away when I saw Wirt bend low and let the thing wash his face with its tongue.

“Yeuk, in the extreme, Wirt. That Wolfie’s drool must smell vile.”

“Nay, not so much. Come, it’ll do the same to ye.”

“Yes, Adara, please do make acquaintance with our dear Bliss. She is no beast, but a soft little dowgiewowgie. Aren’t you my pet?” Odelia said and kissed it upon the lips.

“Are ye afraid or something? Can ye not see the thing is no threat? Come, give her a pat at least.”

I vowed to myself that although I would show courage and touch its head, I would under no circumstance allow the slavering creature to drool upon my person. I slow-stepped over to where they squatted. The fluffy hound gave a “ruff, huff” sound and I came over all a-feared.

“Do not cringe so. She is as tame as a that pebble under your foot.”
 

“Eh, if you say so.”

“Go on, stroke her head.”

“Aye go on, Adara, she’ll not bite.”

I let my trembling hand hover above the pooch’s head, closed my eyes and patted the rough fur on its head and neck. The thing gave out an explosive grunt and I pulled back my arm and stepped away. “There I have touched the thing. Shall we go to the chickle house now?”