12558 BBBC.

Morgatn Llanterna, Chief of the Hengelts, direct descendant of Lord Kielt Voice and Aldaria, Mistress of the Stones, stood arms folded, high above his people, his gaze piercing the fading light. Halfway down the hill Morgarth his firstborn encouraged the tribe to seal all access points against the strangers now erecting their camp not so far beyond. Sentries scrambled to viewpoints as archers quietly formed their lines. Never had the tribe had to face a challenge such as this. Four hundred cycles had they waited for the return of Cheeid, their saviour from the Vloede; now he had finally arrived accompanied by a multitude of oddly garbed strangers….. A night of vigilance passed.

At dawn Cheeid rose high, repeatedly crossing the hill, swooping and rolling as if at play, somewhat lessening the watchers tension. Darkfall and Dawn made their rounds, with Cheeid again performing his ariel antics, sinking ever closer to the Hengelts. Come zenith he descended to the strangers camp, where a woman climbed about his neck, to be transported away to the waiting fleet. Soon they returned, lowered a basket near the tribe, before landing a short distance yonder. The contents proved to be a gift of fish, cleaned and cut. A gesture of peace.

The Hengelts promptly reciprocated, roasting and presenting the fish to the woman, who turned to wave to her people, some of whom made their way, unarmed, up the steep slopes. The repast consumed, the strangers beckoned the tribe closer to Cheeid, where all were encouraged to lay their hands against his flanks, whilst he lay prone, apparently asleep. More food and drink were provided and exchanged. Come Darkfall. both entire contingents lay interspersed around him.

Over the following days many mixed parties walked to the five ships, some experiencing short sails up or down the river, or even to the southern shore. A few nomads there observed these visits, yet kept themselves well distant.

The sailors showed no inclination to depart, indeed indicated a wish to overcome the great difficulties of language, a process that took very many moons. The crews were mostly male, other than two or three females per ship. These women were skilled in sineage, skin decoration and healing. Skills that matched or surpassed those of the Hengelt’s ruling Llanterna family, with whom Svelka, Cheeids rider, clearly the fleet commander, was spending most of her time. Gradually the two parties learned each others histories, but there was not a total ease between the menfolk. Some of the Hengelt women had begun to take up with the muscular Oarsmen. The very different hierarchy’s of both groups kept a careful eye.

Wanting to know the origins of their visitors was paramount for the People of the hollow hill, Svelka first told the Legends of Wijken av Goetlaend, and of Skandar’s sons who, aided by Salter Dhoggermaens had created many settlements on the mainland. Here the story was interrupted ! - wonderful news for Morgatn once he saw connection with his own Krinjii forefathers. Svelka explained that over nearly three hundred cycles, ever better ships had explored hundreds of islands and rivers, coast hugging yet further south. Presently they had espied land across the sea, finding a large island splitting the mouth of a mighty river. They named this new land Whittenn for it’s chalk cliffs. and there created a new ship building base, to extend their Westward range. The base expanded, the settlers there named themselves Whittwikken.

Some tens of cycles passed before Whittwikken had fully explored the island, when a great section of its western extremities collapsed into the sea, exposing a vast cave system. Therein they encountered an ancient beast, maimed and weakened, her skin as white as the rocks where she laid, emitting a faint calming hum. Thus they felt safe to approach her. She was visited over many cycles by the Whittwikken healers who swore that communication was possible.

“And so my friends” said Svelka to her gaping listeners “this magnificent creature, told us that she was of a race of near immortal Doarakwaan. She had laid, damaged in these caves after taking shelter from the tempest that drove the Vloede. Her race is not of great numbers, that they sleep a span equal to many of our own lifetimes, and that her name was H’Alba. In her tolk this means white, and relates to their destiny, of which they are aware from birth. She was content then to end her time in these caves of chalk. She told us too of another such place in this land, far to the North where she had been separated from her young son, by that very same tempest which had carried her to our island home” At this point Cheeid snorted, and wandered off down the hill, leaving a heavy sense of discomfort in the air.

Following a lengthy pause, Svelka carried on “I was but a child when I was initiated to the Healing, I spent all of my days and nights with H’Alba for twelve cycles, until her end. She had asked me to be her M’Kafranne, which means Questor in my tongue and, I think, Seeker in yours. My people had long considered exploring the eastern coast of this land, thence striking off to navigate an alternative route to Viskerbij on Goatlaend. We thought we might seek H’Alba’s son at the same time”

“Aiwa ! yay ! That you have !” Shouted Morgatn “and returned him to us too !!” “Indeed, we found him asleep at the mouth of this river of yours. I was able to converse with him a while. Ha ! into the river he sprang and so led my ships to you”

There was much merriment that night. During which Morgatn and Svelka discussed splitting the fleet. Two ships would return to Whitten. Three would sail straight out across the open sea. Both tribes would travel, some of Whittwikkenn remain at the Hollow Hill. But first the bowsprit of Svelka’s vessel need a new bowspirit. Morgatn suggested that instead of the traditional human figure they should mount a carving of Cheeid. Oarshields perhaps decorated with similar images. Svelka the diplomat suggested that Daffryedda and Nanala, women to Morgatn, should oversee these creations. Cheeid indicated he wished to visit Whittenn, to complete, at last, his Mumsearch….

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12557 BBBC.

The two parties sailed, Cheeid swimming or flying alongside the Southbound vessels. Morgatn sailed due east with Svelka. Nanala, seething, heavy with child remained. Young Morgarth Llanterna, was now elevated to Lord Protector of the Hengelt, until his fathers return. Daffryedda, his mother would serve as the boy’s advisor.

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TO BE CONTINUED:

NeXt on Maurice’s Substack (Some Wednesdays - with a break in January).

Random #3, 4th Dec. “The Stone, Part 1/2”.

Random #3, 11th Dec. “The Stone, Part 2/2”.

NeXt on This Creative Adventure (Most Fridays - with a break in December).

T.C.A. #10, 29th Nov. “Hallo Goldie, An Introduction to Douglas McCleneghan” + “Now Here’s a Thought” + “January Competition” + “T.C.A. Scholarship, Terms of service”

T.C.A. #11, 13th Dec. “ Hallo Goldie, An Interview with Julie Gabrielli” + “T.C.A. Scholarships - Naming Our First Educator”.

N.B:

There is now a daily flow of new Free subscribers showing an interest in T.C.A. Scholarships - A programme that provides financial assistance to Newbie writers. Would you like to be considered for the Pilot Scheme ? Just Sub for free to @thiscreativeadventure.com

Thankyou one and all for your continued interest, lovely to have you here, lovely to read your comments too !! Big Hugs, Maurice….