Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Seven - Dam It All

Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Seven - Dam It All

Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Seven - Dam It AllGét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

The cart rattled and bounced across the road. It was too low to the ground to have room for suspension, which really sucked. Every rut and bump in the otherwise decent road made me jump up, and then I crashed back down with a heavy whump.

My bum was going to be so sore.

So, I asked. Where are the mole people living?

Guard Captain Ward leaned back a bit. They live underground, usually. Some of their villages are open to the air though. They have walls most of the way around, with nets over the tops of their villages.

Nets? I asked.

Bastion answered that one. The Sylphfree mountains are home to these vicious creatures called amphipteres.

What are those? I asked.

Theyre long, snakelike creatures with wings. Theyre the offspring of a dragon and a non-dragon. Cunning, in their own base way, and aggressive. We fight them off when we can, and destroy their nests whenever possible. They dont attack sylph as often though, Bastion said.

But the mole people dont like them, I guessed.

The issue is that the amphipteres like the mole people. More specifically, the way they taste. Mole people have poor eyesight. They have other senses to make up for it, but theyre vulnerable to attacks from above, and often cant react to them.

And the sylph can? I asked.

Ward laughed. We can show those flying snakes what for, he said. A few good guards with sharp senses can scare one off easily. A few arrows, a magical attack or two, and theyll fly off to find easier prey.

Theyre still dangerous, Bastion said. Especially when cornered. They can strike quickly, and some have natural magics to lean upon. Their draconic ancestry means their breath is dangerous. Children have been snatched away in the middle of smaller towns before.

I gasped, a hand moving over my mouth. Thats awful!

Bastion nodded. Its why we keep their population low, culling them when we can.

Theyre not smart? I asked, just to be sure.

No smarter than a rabid dog, Ward said.

Well, I wouldnt agree with ever hunting down a dog, but I could understand the sylph hunting the amphipteres if they were so dangerous. So, the mole people live underground to avoid giant sky snakes. I guess that makes sense.

Its more than that, Bastion said. He paused as we passed over some particularly bumpy bumps. The mole people have cultural ties to the world, to the underground. They have a few dungeons deep under the earth as well. Its where theyre meant to be. Having them out on open land or, World forbid, in the air, would be like tossing a dozen sylphs into the ocean and telling them to make do.

I think I get it, I said.

I put my hands down onto the bench and pushed myself up a bit, absorbing some of the bouncing with my arms as I took in the countryside. There were little stands of trees here and there, all clumped up, with craggy, rock-covered spots between them.

Birds flitted between the clumps of forest with eager energy and happy trills, and I even saw a grey fox slinking away in the distance.

The further we journeyed from Granite Springs, the more the woods thickened, though the road stayed the same. A long, straight path, covered in loose white gravel. Soon we were crossing splits in the road that lead to little quarries busy at work.

The road didnt pass too close to them, I guessed because the walls around the quarry might collapse, and having the road near them would be dangerous. Still, I could make out sylphs, some operating boxy machines, others working to load up carts with big square-cut blocks of what I guessed to be granite.

So, is that why Granite Springs is called Granite Springs? I asked.

It is, Ward confirmed. Were one of the largest producers of rough-hewn stone in the kingdom.

Isnt all of Sylphfree mountainous?

It is, but you cant just dig a quarry anywhere. Not with the risk of landslides and erosion causing trouble in the future, Ward said. And the stone from here is quite unique. It has some magical properties that Im not clever enough to really comment on.

I nodded. They seemed to care about the environment then, at least a little bit.

He was a pretty good fighter. Probably... definitely the best one aboard the Beaver Cleaver.

Alright, I said.

There wasnt time for more talk. A form shifted above the walla shortish brown-furred figure in a long coat with what looked like a gambeson under chainmail. He had a helmet on that looked a bit like a pith hat, and an elongated, pinkish face with beady little eyes.

Halt! he called out. His voice was a squeaky thing, high pitched, as if someone was talking with their nose pinched.

Bastions boots crunched to a halt, and we stepped behind him. Weve halted, he shouted back.

The mole person on the wall blinked, then squinted. Oh, yes. Give me a moment! he said before turning and disappearing out of sight.

I didnt understand that last part, Ward said.

He asked us to give him a moment, I said.

Bastion nodded. Their language isnt too different from the common tongue. But they have adapted it. Some sounds they cant pronounce, and they use lots of jargon. Im certain the captain here could understand them perfectly well, given some time to get used to their accent.

Its a bit squeaky, I admitted.

I think it might travel well underground, Bastion said.

Three mole people appeared on the wall, including the one we saw a moment before. State your business! one of them said. His fur was black, and his armour was a lot more intricate. Something resembling full plate, with decorative work on the edges. He was hatless, but he did have a nice capelet.

Bastion cleared his throat. I am Bastion Coldfront, Royal Paladin of Sylphfree. I am here to speak with whoever is in charge. I come peacefully, with no ill intent.

The mole person stared at Bastion, and I couldnt quite read his expression. His pals sniffled at the air, though, but that could have meant anything. And whos that with you, paladin?

Hi! I called out with a big wave. Im Broccoli Bunch! And Im looking to make friends and meet cool new people!

Moley A. Holey

Desired Quality: Someone kind and friendly who likes avoiding beaches and who enjoys deep holes.

Dream: To become the General of the Eastern Garrison.

Holey seemed like a nice enough fellow.

I am Guard Captain Ward, of Granite Springs, Ward replied after a moment. I was pretty sure he said that in his own language, but no one seemed to mind.

And what are two armed sylphs and a... long-eared human doing here? Holey asked.

Im actually a bun, I corrected. But I used to be a normal-eared human. Also, Im not armed! I left my spade back on my ship.

We are here to talk, Bastion said. Granite Springs is concerned about the construction you have here.

Holey huffed very mightily. Then Granite Springs should have answered the letters we sent! he sniped back.

Bastion turned to Ward. Did the molefolk send any letters to Granite Springs? he asked.

None that Im aware of, was the reply. And if they did, I would know.

Bastion nodded slowly. Good sir, I believe we have a lot to discuss. It seems as if communications werent terribly clear, leading to... the current situation. Perhaps we could all parley? Preferably peacefully?

Holey eyed us all for a moment, then nodded. Lower the gate! he called out over his shoulder. You three may enter. But no funny business!

Well then, I said. Lets go have a chat!

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