Life in Kishahn had its ups and downs. Eternal youth was easier amongst kids, where the boy was not so easily dismissed and pushed around. But Zyra's Haven was not quite a paradise; surviving the jungle was hard work. Ewan spent the morning picking fruit with three others. His knees were scraped and his arms were tired from shimmying up and down trees. The boy had just loosened a bunch of papayas, casting them to the forest floor, when he caught a glimpse of 'something' moving in the underbrush.
Ewan froze and hoped whatever it was didn't look up. His tanned skin might have proved effective camouflage against the tree bark, but the Children of Zyra insisted he be painted all manner of colors indicating gods-knew-what about his station, status, and perceived destiny. Being a sorcerer meant there had to be a bone through his nose, which was annoying and hurt like the hells.
From his perch Ewan make out a vaguely Avian shape in the brush and blinked. Judging by the gorgeous plumage it was a peacock, albeit one wearing clothes. Eager for a closer look, the boy crept along the bough of the tree. Not paying attention, the branch gave out under his weight and sent him tumbling to the forest floor with curse, "Ow! Agh! Damnit!" he groaned softly.
The day was rather quiet and relaxing for the traveler who was moving threw the jungle. He was on the search for something amazing and wonderful to Draw . As an artist he was always striving for excellence and perfection in his work. He knew his are held greater value that way.
As he moved he smiled to himself. His happy persona was out at the moment . That was the odd thing about this strange peafowl.. he had a persona for every emotion. Though that did get him strange looks and made going in to towns very tricky. After all one might want to loch him up and claim that he was completely insane or something. Pension for not think that he was insane though. He just knew that he was odd and different in the eyes of others. Though to him they were the strange ones.
As he moved he felt the feeling of being watched. He stopped and glance around. His instincts told him that he was not alone. As he paused he heard the snap of a tree branch. Then a boy came down from a tree with a thud. He wondered if he was alright.
"Are you alright?" He as in soft accent. The accent could be something like a French mixed with German accent. He then held out his hand in case the boy needed help getting up. After all he did not want to seem rude or anything like that.
Ewan yelped in fright and scampered back at the looming shape. He raised his hands defensively then dropped them; the soft-spoken peacock was just offering a hand. The boy took it and rose to his feet, rubbing his bottom. "I'm fine, thanks. Didn't fall too far."
Ewan couldn't help but stare. He hadn't seen a sapient bird before. The peafowl really wasn't much bigger than the boy at all. He'd have pegged the bird a Kishani native but for the cultured accent and fine clothes.
"The jungle primeval's a bit of an odd place to be wandering alone," the boy cracked an uneasy smile. "I've not seen a soul out here in months." And that was true. He was eager for a bit of conversation; the children of the village preferred mud wrestling.
Pension could understand the boys initial fear . After all he was not a normal creature to be seen. He helped the boy up and smiled. He was always glad to help others." I am glad that you are okay." He said softly. He saw that the boy was starting but he was used to that. After all he was a sight to see.
He then skilled as he heard what the boy said to him next. Indeed one might find a lot of things he did that were strange. " Well most don't like to be around those like me. I am what you could call different. " He said softly to the boy. He was not to keen to share his problem just yet. Though if asked he might consider it. After all he was not in danger right now.
"Different how? Are you a were-bird?" a playful smile crossed his face, but it soon faded. There was an undeniable melancholy about the peafowl that made him feel bad for the teasing.
The boy straightened his posture and stuck out a hand. "I suppose we'd ought to be introduced. My name's Ewan. I'm a sorcerer you see, from the Haven," he added proudly and jerked a thumb in the village's direction. Of course he looked more like a grubby, feral child than a sorcerer. "So what's got you wandering Kishahn alone? Its dangerous business."
It was hard to hide his curiosity about the strange, rude as it might have been.
Pension smiled when he heard the boy playful comment. He took a breath and looked to the boy with a smile. " I have alot of personas. I don't know why but some of them aren't very kind to others. . " He said softly . He knew that most would think that he was crazy . However that was just their opinion to him.
He then heard the boy speaking again. " I am pension. I travel everywhere looking for thing to draw. I am an artist you see.". He said softly . "So you say you are a sorcerer" he asked. " Aren't you abit young?" He was just as curious about the boy as he was about him.
"Its good to meet you Pension," Ewan smiled but cocked an eye at the peafowl's cryptic remark. The boy decided not to push him on it; the bird seemed gentle enough. "He continued with a sheepish grin, "It's a spell meant to give eternal youth. I used to be much older. After that, a spirit called Zyra lead me to Kishahn. There's a whole tribe of children down here looking to stay that way."
"If you don't believe me I'd be happy to demonstrate," the boy gave an impish grin and wriggle his fingers, as though ready to weave a spell. "So what about you? What brings you down this way?"
Some yards away there was a rustle in the underbrush and a soft giggle. Ewan didn't hear it.
Pension smiled at what the boy said. He knew that perhaps the boy was a bit confused or something. However he knew that if he switched emotion then the boy would see what he meant. He then gave a slightly confused look as he heard what else the boy said. He was a magic user trapped in a boys body. Well stranger things have happened he supposed. "I see . That's very interesting....." he said his voice trailing off a bit. He was fixing to change emotions.
His eyes got a slightly more serious look to them. This was his nervous persona.. he was a nervous would who tried to halfway understand where others were coming from. " I uhhh ... don't really think that's ... necessary " he said shifting his feet.
He then looked at the boy with a smile" uhhh well ... I am ... looking for a ..... beast that is said to ..... uhhh live here.... I want to..... Be the first..... to draw .,.. it..." he said . He was trying to keep calam . Though it was very hard to do right now.
In the span of a moment the bird's entire demeanor shifted. Ewan was a bit taken aback, not frightened, but startled. A look of realization came over his face and he asked quietly, "Have you got more than one soul?" It seemed a rude question. The boy knew little of the mind but understood souls anima well enough. It was the only plausible explanation for such a sudden change.
Then Pension bird went on to explain his plight, nervously stammering the whole way. Ewan stood with his hands at his hips, listening intently. Ewan did like love his giant apex-predators.
"What sort of beast are you lookin' for exactly? Someone might know about it at the Haven," he grinned impishly, "I could even turn into it for you I bet! Why don't I take you there and we'll see?"
Pension noted the boys reaction to his sudden change. Though what he asked next was something that made the peacock frown and pause for a second. This was not the first time that he was asked that question. He knew that it could have been possible. He just never considered that before. " Uhh... well I ..... have been told ..... that before. ..... I guess you could..... say I do." He said with a nervous giggle.
He then heard what the boy said next. He smiled slightly and said " its a bird... who is said ... to be made ... of flame ... it never dies... and is reborn .. from its ashes." He explained. He then smiled and said. " You must ... uhh. ... be pretty ... talented then" he said with a smile. " Yes .... that would be ... good" he said . He was starting to calm down a little bit. He did not want to get himself too worked up. Though that was the curse of being what he was.
He listened patiently as the peafowl tried to explain. The boy liked the calmer soul better but decided not to say anything. "A phoenix can't be too hard. Just a matter of tapping into elemental fire a bit. Stand back, yeah?" Ewan motioned for Pension to stand aside. Then he whispered an old faerie verse, arms spread wide. Orange and yellow down sprouted from the boy's outstretched arms. He grined, so far so good! He started to weave a bit of fire into the spell and that's where it all went wrong.
There was a flash and a buff of smoke and Ewan stood coughing, surrounded by charred feathers. He flushed with embarrassment. He brushed himself off and looked to the bird, suddenly worried he frightened the nervous thing. The boy composed himself and gave a reassuring smile, "We'll get you supplied at the Haven if you like. Someone there ought to know if there's a phoenix in the jungle."
And the two set off down a vaguely marked path, Ewan carrying a basket of fruit. Perhaps to someone more observant than Ewan it would be clear 'something' was following them through the brush...
Pension nervously smiled when the boy said that a Phoenix could not be hard. He backed away. Then as he watch he switched emotions again. This time it was his more quiet persona. The one who often just let others talk while he listened. Though it was said that this persona was a bit rude at times. At the boys failed attempt he just grinned.
"That's the trouble with magic. It sometimes failed." He said in a slightly darker tone then before. Then he nodded to the boy and said"okay sounds good to me." And with that he followed the boy. He did get the feeling of being followed. His instincts told him to remain alert. After all you never knew what could be in the jungle.
"And it doesn't usually develop 'till adulthood," the boy huffed at the bird's sudden smugness, and beckoned the peafowl to follow. The pair soon came upon a trail marked by faces painted onto the trees. "Just a bit further. How'd you come to be out here without an expedition or guide? Must be pretty lonely..."
A spindly figure exploded from the underbrush and grabbed hold of Ewan from behind. The boy gasped in fright, then looked up with a sour expression. "Hello Ara. You've got to stop doing that!"
It was a girl in her teens wearing a smock of dyed and woven grass. Contrary to Ewan, who simply wore a loin cloth, she spored an assortment of braids and bodypaints; each signifying some special achievement. A bow hung at her side. She playfully tousled Ewan's hair, "Little man should be paying more attention, yes?"
Ewan slipped from her grasp. "Look. I just want to get Pension here to the Haven so he can rest and get directions."
"Haven is for the young; Zyra's Chosen." Ara's brow furrowed and she looked from Ewan to the peafowl. "Are you grown bird-man? How old?"
Pension just smirked slightly at the boys words. The he walked behind him.
As he walked he heard the sound of something moving though the brush. Had he been in another mindset he would have probably said something. But this persona was a bit more to himself. He then heard the boys words. " Actually it was lonely. Not many like to be around me. I kinda learned to accept that really." He said in a sad tone.
He was quiet as he saw the girl had frighted the boy some. Though it seemed that he was used to this. Then he listing to them converse. When the girl spoke to him he had to think a second. Yes he was an adult but it was his age that made him pause. " I am grown. As for how old I stopped counting at twenty . " He said in a nicer tone then before. After all he was rude before.
Several more of the Children emerged from the undergrowth. They were a bit older, all adorned as hunters and armed. Two boys jostled each-other but stopped after a sharp look from Ara. Despite their best efforts they couldn't quite appear as menacing. A proper knight would've laughed. The huntress continued, "Cannot enter the Haven. Zyra provides for us. Wants young, pretty, happy; not old."
Ewan gave Pension a sympathetic glance. The Haven seldom dealt with outsiders. It was xenophobic at the best of times, perhaps for good reason. It didn't help the children were terrified of growing up... and any reminder of it. "He just needs some directions and supplies. He won't be there long"
Ara shook her head and hushed Ewan, her gaze turning to Pension, "Where you going, Birdman?"
Pension glanced when saw more children come from the brush. Now why was it that he had not see any of them while he was exploring here? Maybe he just missed them or something either way it did not matter. He then heard the girl speak again. He understood that there were different cultures around this land. He also knew that it was better not to upset them." I understand" he said.
He then as the boy spoke with the girl now. Then she turn back to him. " I am on the search for a mystical beast that is said to live here. I wish to draw it" he said with a smile. He was trying to be respectful and nice. Though he really just did not care.
"He wants a Phoenix," Ewan elaborated sourly and thrust his head toward the looming volcano range "Reckon you could point him the way up there?"He never liked Ara; always pushing him 'round. With proper sorcery he could have turned her obnoxious face into a rat's!
The huntress pursed her lips and looked from Pension to Ewan. Her expression softened, probably regretting her little dig at the peafowl. "Boy will guide you."
The little sorcerer gave her an incredulous glare. "I barely know the jungle as it is. Better if someone more experienced walked him over."
"Boy is soft. Needs learning," Ara prodded Ewan's rounded belly; his face reddened.
"But-" the hunting party turned to follow the trail, leaving Ewan and Pension behind. The boy felt bad turning the peafowl loose, but it was a long way to the mountains. That and the jungle was horribly dangerous. He gave Pension a hapless glance, hoping the bird might refuse his services...
Pension just listened as the boy spoke. He was quite sure that the boy did not care for the female before him. However that did not matter . What did matter was that he needed a guide. Though judging from what was being said the boy did not know this place much better then he did. Oh well help was help.
" Okay thank you." He said as they left. He the turned to the boy. He was switching personas again. This time he had a sinster evil look in his eyes. " Maybe we can help each other. surely there is something that I might be able to do in return for you." His voice was just as evil sounding as his look. However this persona was actually not as bad as he acted. He just liked to scare others . His way of getting respect.
In a blink the bird went from shy to near-menacing. Intellectually Ewan knew Pension wasn't much of a threat. On a deeper level he a small boy who who scared easy, and didn't feel much like a sorcerer at all.
"I suppose they'll have me climbing trees for fruit for weeks if I don't help you. I've not much of a choice" A bemused look smile crossed his face "Though I suppose you'll be needing me to find you food and build you fires anyway."
"What can you offer in return anyhow?" the boy was curious.
Pension looked at the boy as he spoke. He nearly laughed when he heard what was said. He knew well how to find food himself and build fires. After what kind of traveler would he be if he did not know how. " Heh well I do know how to take care of myself. I'm not an infant you know." He said with a sigh. He really just needed a guide. And perhaps a packhorses if the boy kept this up.
He then looked at the boy when he asked his next question. He was not certain how to respond. His answer would depend on what the boy wanted really. " Well that depends on what you want." He said softly . His eyes still held that evil look . He was not going to hurt him though. Just make sure he knew who was boss here.
Ewan squirmed beneath Pension's gaze. What did he want? And what did the bird have to offer? there was more to the peacock than met the eye. "It'd be nice if I could do proper magic, if you've got spellbooks. Or any books, really, its a bit boring out here." a sheepish grin crossed his face. "Or soap? Maybe shoes?"
"Guess I miss Serendipity. Came here for answers and magic, and wound up living like some dumb little savage," the boy through up his hands in exasperation.
At a glance there was nothing extraordinary about the clearing they stood in. To the discerning eye, however, a tin grinning face was carved into one of the thicker trees. It was a trail marker. Ewan was versed well enough in them. It was just a matter of following them south and crossing a river. Easy!
"I suppose we'd best get started..." he pointed down the crude trail.
Pension just watched the boy carefully. His eyes gave a lighter look as he heard him speaking. Maybe he could help more then the boy knew. Or get him in to trouble. He was quite good at that. " Well I have a couple of books and I do have soap. Heh as you can see shoes are rather useless to me..If you miss it why not go back. I'd even help if you wanted to." He said softly. He could understand missing a place. He missed his home where his kind thrived.
He then nodded as the boy said that they should get going. He was not certain how long this adventure would take but he was ready for it. " Let us go then. " He said. He let the boy lead them down the trail.
"They better be some good books. Any mysteries?" he flashed a brief grin trying to lighten the mood. But Pension's question was a good one. Why was he here? The boy mulled this over as they walked in silence. "I suppose I could go to Serendipity. But this seems my proper place if I'm going to be a kid forever," he shrugged "Like how old families stay in crumbly estates for generations, I guess."
"Where are your people from?"
It was mid-morning and just a trickle of sunlight breached the high canopies. Overhead monkeys and birds chattered back and forth. For about an hour the pair followed a crooked trail along the river. Most of it was obscured by undergrowth. Ewan's feet were horribly calloused by now and he didn't seem to mind. The trail seemed to slope upwards... or perhaps the river cut downards... because soon enough they were atop a cliff with water roaring below.
Ewan felt ill at ease without supplies or his spellbook. But unlike the inhospitable northern lands it was enough to wander into Kishahn with he clothes on your back. The weather was warm and food was plentiful.
"There's a bridge ahead we'll need to cross."
Pension smiled when the boy asked about the books. He actually had a couple of mystery books and one book on history. "Well two of them are. The other is a history book. " He stated. Then he heard what else the boy said. That made sense to him. After all it was good to be in a place where you were welcome. " I understand that." He said. Then he heard the next question.that was a hard one to answer.
" I come from an islad far from here. I lived among others like me." He said . He was carful as he walked along the path. He was used to walking everywhere himself. Though his feet were bird-like and had claws on the toes. He took in the sights and sounds of the jungle. He love places like this. The sound of the boy voice made him jump a bit for he got lost in thought.
" Okay . It's very nice here. " He stated. He was getting ready to switch personas again. Who knew who would come out next.
They continued their journey through a thick patch of wilderness covered in flowering vines. The rush of water could be heard from the base of the cliff which divided their current location from the imposing volcano.
"You're an artist there be trade?" Ewan could catch a hint of melancholy in Pension's voice. He knew it was a bit rude but his curiosity and imagination were running away. "And what's a city of peafowl like? Do you mostly walk or fly places?" Besides that, the bird's temper was bound to shift. Maybe it was better to change the topic?
The boy more carefully than Pension. He wasn't accustomed to traveling so far out into the jungle, and he needed to look for the trail markers. Ewan made performance of it to show the bird he was doing his job. If he didn't look the knowledgeable guide he'd end up carrying a pack or two.
"There isn't much dangerous out here during the day. Big cats mostly come out at night. River's got hydra's though, big as houses some," he spread his arms for emphasis. "We'll build a fire to ward off beasts at night. Got to watch the monkeys though, they get curious."
Ewan was oblivious as a pair of curious apes loomed from the treetops...
Pension listened to the boy as he spoke. His persona switched again. This time it was his intelligent personality. The one who enjoyed teaching and learning things. " Well yes. My parents were artists. I was taught from an early age. We mostly were like you human are . We do a bit of both though flying is hard for us males with our long tail feathers." He said softly. He did not mind the boys questions. But now it was time for him to ask a few himself.
He now heard what the boy was saying. He frowned and listen to what the boy was saying to him. That made a lot since to him. " I see. I fear cats. Cats like birds to eat. That would be great." He said softly now. Cats scared him a lot. However he needed not to show it.
" So what about your home. What was it like?" He asked. He had been everywhere but never really had time to learn the customs. He stayed in the wilds mostly. He was happy that the boy was good at his job. It made him feel a bit dealer now. though he did notice the monkey in the trees.
Ewan smiled impishly, "I imagine most big cats would want to eat me too, if that helps."
"I'm from Ravensway in Serendipity. Its an old forest, lots of fey and magic. I grew up in the country with about a dozen siblings and cousins," he smiled at the memories. "I went off to study magic when I got older. There wasn't much place for me otherwise."
"Why'd you leave ho- ah!" Ewan shrieked. A pair of tree apes swooped from the canopy. One snatched Ewan's pack, and the other unsuccessfully tried to grab Pension's belongings. "He's got my pack! Hey! Drop it!"
The ape sat perched in a tree, grinning and hooting as the boy jumped in the air trying to recover his just-out-of-reach possessions.
Pension smiled to what the boy had said. Indeed it did make him feel a little bit better. As the boy spoke again he was interrupted by a pair of monkeys. He was barely able to hold on to his makeshift pack. He then noticed that the boy had his stolen. " Don't worry I think I can get it." He said softly.
Pension then gave a leap flapping his wings a bit. He tried to look as scary as possible. The money's scattered but left the pack. Pension got the pack but slipped off the branch. He laned on his back with a thud. The pack then came down as well and hit him in the head. " Ouch!" Pension stated rubbing his head slightly now.
"I could've gotten it!" the boy snapped. He was flushed, messy-haired, embarrassed at having been jumped like that. "I mean Thanks," Ewan tried to suppress a giggle as the pack fell on Pension's head. A book and some assorted supplies for the road. "Didn't think peacocks could be so scary."
As they continued their journey they neared a great stone bridge spanning the gorge between the jungle and volcano. The stonework was beautifully carved, albeit worn and mossy with age. The parapets shaped into some sort of horned tiger. All around it a thick shroud of mist rose up from the river below.
"I've never been this way before..." the boy piped up uncertainy. There was something about the bridge that made him ill at ease. A strange magic? Of course below them a large hydra lounged on the shore.
Pension heard what the boy said. He just smirked and rubbed his head. "You are welcome. We can be scary if we want to. " He said . He then got up on his feet. He hoped that there would not be anymore monkeys for a while. He might just let the boy get his own pack then.
Here follows the boy once again. As the neared the bridge he thought that this would make some beautyful scenery . Then he heard what was said next. He was getting an odd feeling from this bridge himself. " Something don't feel right." He said softly . Now he was getting a little nervous.
He took up Pension's pack along with his own, trying to hide a sour expression at the menial task.
He crossed the bridge first. "It seems stable." The stone was cool even in the jungle heat and it made Ewan shiver. The boy took a few steps across the bridge and stopped. The cloying mist blotted out the sun and turned the world an unhappy shade of gray. The life and cheer of the jungle vanished; so did the other end of the bridge.
"Maybe you're right. This ain't mist from the river; it's too thick," Ewan called out and waved to Pension. It was so quiet that shouting felt wrong and out of place.
Pension followed the boy to the bridge. He let him cross first. He still had an eerie feeling about this spot. He the saw the strange just that seemed to close in. That was not natural. He heard what the boy was saying now. " Oh okay." Pension said feeling a bit on the nervous side. He then carefully started to cross the bridge himself. He was wary about what kind of creature or person could be leaking here.
They walked and walked. It shouldn't have taken anymore than ten or twenty minutes to complete the span. Yet it seemed an eternity to Ewan. The stone chilled his feet, and the cold mist made him hug his arms. "Something is definitely not right..." he whispered. The boy didn't want to scare the bird, who was chattering and nervous, but he was scared too.
Just ahead of them an imposing figure slid from the fog as though parting a curtain. He was tall, perhaps 8-feet? The creature was part man and part tiger, with four curved horns jutting from his head. Gold and jewels and silk adorned him like some exotic prince. Then he grinned; a friendly smile yet something unsettling lurked beneath the veneer of it all.
"Ho there wanderers. Seek you passage across my bridge?"
Pension noted that it was taking a very long time to cross the bridge. It seemed that there was still something eerie about this bridge. Of course that could be because he was so very nervous too. Then he heard what the boy said. So he felt the feeling too. " I agree" he whispered softly back. He was trying not to show his fear. He did not want the boy to get scared even more. He felt that he needs to act brave for his friend even if he was not.
Pension then stopped as he saw a creature walk out of the mist . He was a very scary looking thing. The way he smiled at them made the peafowl shiver . Then he spoke. Pension looked at the boy then frowned. " Uhh... yes we do." Pension said with a stutter. He was not the bravest peafowl in the world.
The bridge daemon stroked his whiskers with a triple-jointed arm. His voice was a wistful growl, "Upon a time soldiers and children and heroes and wyrms strode this stone. But no longer for Kishahn is wild..." The horned beast loomed toward Pension as he stammered, as if sipping the last drops from a flagon. Claws clacked and raked across the stone.
Ewan stuck out his chin and interrupted in a shaky voice. "What do you want, daemon?"
The left eye swiveled to Pension and the right toward Ewan, "What do most bridge-keepers seek? Are the bricks polished and regrouted? How is the scum scraped 'way from the pillars? A toll it is I seek. What, boy and bird, can you offer?"
Pension was watching the creature as he came closer. He was not really certain if he wanted to trust this creature or not. He heard what the boy asked. He also heard what the creature wanted. A toll. Well he was not certain what he could offer such a creature. He glanced at the boy as wondered what he should do.
Ewan shot Pension a glance and shrugged. It seemed the peafowl wanted him to pay. So the boy unslung his pack and rifles through his collection of junk and keepsakes untouched by the sticky fingers of Kishahn's immortal children. Camping supplies? No. His book of spells? Definitely not. There was a lion-crested necklace rom his family; that wouldn't do.
The little sorcerer thrust forward a fistful of rusty copper bits, looking sheepish.
The rakshasa snorted, "What use have I for coin? It is the hopes and fears and stories of mortals I feast upon. Who has crossed my bridge and how has this journey transformed them? What sliver of your spirit shall be remade?"
Ewan toddled backwards and looked to Pension, alarmed. "I don't think I'd like to cross anymore."
A chill breeze cut through the mist. The daemon gave a short, purring laugh. "Half way across the bridge you've walked and half more to go forward or back. Now shall you pay my toll, or must I take what is due?"
Pension frowned. He had not really meant for the boy to pay the toll. He was nearly trying to figure out what he should do. He shivered as he heard what the creature was now saying to them. He then had another switch in his personality. He was having a braver side come out. He looked to Ewan and frowned.
" It seems we don't have a choice. " He said in a more confident tone. He the looked at the creature and shivered a bit. " I'll give you what you want. Just please don't hurt my friend. " He said softly. He wanted the boy to be safe.
"Friend I think not? Acquaintances? Travelling companions?" the daemon purred, eyes fixated on its quarry. "But if you insist on the phrase friend, little bird, perhaps a game to see just how close of friends you are?"
Ewan mustered his courage and stepped forward. Daemons seldom sewed horror at random. At least not the daemons worth their salt; the things a clever daemon wanted had to be given and not taken. "Just name a price and we'll be off!"
"Oh no, we are well past that!" the tigerman spoke in a foreign tongue, thrusting a tripple-jointed arm toward Pension. The peafowl would feel a spell setting in, perhaps his muscles weakening? It was an enchantment meant to render him frozen in time, unable to speak, at least for a moment.
"We shall do a trade. You shall name something of the bird he must part with, and something he shall gain. And when we're through, he shall do the same to you," it grinned a toothy grin, pleased with the unintentional rhyme. "This shall be amusement enough."
Pension listened to what the creature said. Yes perhaps had used the wrong word. But in his native language the word friend meant the same thing as aquatics or friends. Just depended on how one looked at it. He was silent as he watched the demon now. It was then that the boy spoke.
What was said next made pension shiver. It was not like they were in a good situation. Then he saw the creature point at him and heard him speak strange words. He felt himself getting weak . He found that he was unable to move or speak.
He then heard what the demon wanted. Oh this was going to be a bit hard. And it could turn out to be rather interesting.
Ewan gave Pension a panicked look. What could the bird possibly want? Or be willing to part with? The frozen peafowl gave no indication. He gave a sigh of exasperation, "I uh... maybe turn his feather's...?"
The rakshasa's claws clacked impatiently on the stonework.
The boy's mind raced, finally blurting out "The nervous and frightful bit his soul; can you trade it for a more jovial bit? And Pension! If you can hear me don't ask the daemon to-" the boy's request was cut short as his body turned rigid. He stood frozen, hoping the bird didn't inadvertently age him to dust.
"Curious. Mildly clever but predictable and a slight disappointment. Though your adventures could do with a bit of livening up, hm? You hardly add youthful exuberance to the mix. Perhaps that ought to be changed." The daemon clucked his tongue in disapproval then approached Pension, peering into the artist's eyes. The stammering of the nervous persona seemed to grow dimmer and dimmer until it was but a whisper in his psyche, all the while a fresh voice crescendoed with joyful laughter. Feeling returned to Pension's muscles.
"How do you feel, artist?"
Pension did not like not being able to move. Upon hearing what the boy wanted to trade he inwardly cringed. As he felt his Beverly's half leaving and being replaced with a happier persona he was relived. He thought that it might hurt. He then saw the creature look in to his eyes. He had to think carefully about what he should say. There was something the boy did not want changed. Sadly he would not know what that was.
" Ugh ... maybe you can make his magic stronger. You know better at casting spells." He said to the creature. He hoped that was not a mistake.
"Your mood picking up already I see," the daemon nodded, motioning Pension onward.
"The boy parted once with knowledge for youth, though not by my doing. What shall the price of this boon be? Hm? What shall he part with? Restoring his true age is beyond my power; such a thing is fixed in time. Such a bore that would be."
Pension was thinking hard about his next words. He looked the demon in the eyes and nodded. " Perhaps read it for his adult temperament. " The peafowl said now. This new happier persona was also really encouraging and smart. Though the bad thing was that he was not good at trading .
"A risky proposition... a mind young as his body? His sorcery outgrown both? My, my..." the bridge daemon gave a small bow with a flourish. "Perhaps this shall amuse me. True to my word, you may pass."
What on earth did that mean? Ewan's mind raced, pondering just what the trade meant. He'd first given up power to be young? Now what!? He wanted to scream in protest before the bird made things worse, but he couldn't move. It wasn't fair!
Then the spell faded. Ewan gasped. He didn't feel any different... "W-why didn't you turn my hair green or something! He could've stolen all my memories or- or-" the boy pouted, stamping his foot in anger.
Pension listened to the creature. There was a reason that he did that. The boy had taken away the persona that was the artist. Which meant that he could not paint as well. That was not something that made him very happy. He looked to the boy who was complaining now. He could not blame him but he still was not happy. Time to expand to him .
" You know why I did that. You made it to where I could not paint. My nervous side was the artist. He was the one who could pain such pretty pictures." He growled back at the boy. It seemed that now both of them had a problem.
"Painting's about your eye and muscle and stuff anyway!" Ewan snapped back without thinking "And how do you paint while nervous anyway"
The boy chewed his lip, feeling a touch guilty. It was the daemon's fault. Just the same he wasn't going to let the bird blame him! He sighed and emphatically and grumbled. "I'm sure he was just... kidding anyhow. Like teasing us. Let's just get going."
He reached out sheepishly to tug the bird's wing, not quite believing what he said, but wanting to.
The fog and bridge daemon were gone. Across the long span the jungle thinned into rolling green hills, lit orange by the sinking sun. It would be time to camp soon.
Pension just sighed. He should not have snapped at him like that. He just shook his head slightly. His nervous half was the half that liked art. The others weren't that interested or good at it. But he just decided to end the argument before it got out of hand.
" Never mind . I am sorry for grumping at you . Like you said we need to keep going." He said in more gentle tone. He did not want to fight with the boy. He just wanted to get on with what they were doing. He smiled when the boy tugged his wing. He was moving now with him.
He looked at the sun and knew that they would need to find a place to camp soon. " You think that we should make a camp soon?." He asked now.
Not far from the nearest trail-marker was a clearing with the remains of a firepit, and a small window through the canopy to star-gaze. The jungle hadn't seen fit to reclaim it. The boy peered about awkardly, the pair not having much to unpack, "Well i guess I'll find some firewood. And some food." Being the guide, Ewan felt a little odd asking Pension for help. He smiled and pointed to a stump near the old firepit.
He scrambled about the nearby clearing to gather bits of tinder and dry wood. "Gotta make a big fire, and one lf us has gotta keep watch. There are big cats out there," the boy stretched his arms for emphasis with a flicker of a grin. "Not to scare you!"
Ewan dumped a bundle of wood near the firepit, panting, and went out to look for more. Having weak arms was a nuisance.
Pension looked to the boy as they got to the clearing. He really did not want the boy to have to do all of the work. He heard the comment about the big cats. That again made him shiver. He did not like cats. He could imagine that the jungle would be creepy at night. he then thought to offer his help.
" Would you like some help? I don't sleep much at night myself if you would like me to keep watch first." He said to the boy now.
"If you want to'" Ewan gave Pension a shy look. "Bet that stupid spirit was lying thoigh. You ought to try and sketch or... or something."
The boy dropped a bundle wood by the fire, panting. He then began to stack it about the tinder... as he'd seen it done before. Doing it on his own was another matter.
"It's pretty out here besides."
Pension looked at him with a strange look. Was the boy wanting him to draw? Well he could try he supposed. It could turn out quite well. " If you would rather I draw I can try to do that. " He stated with a soft smile. His relaxed personality had come out. The one who never seemed to have a care in the world. Though this probably wasn't the time for that .
He then carefully took out his sketch book from his bag. His eyes got a happy look to them as he pondered what he wanted to draw. He was just surrounded by so many pretty things .
Ewan roughly scraped to large hunks of flit together as they spoke "Its an awful... long way and I'm... curious bout.. your art" the tinder caught and burst into flame. The boy let out a cheer. He curled up near the fire, sooty and sticky from the work.
There were a handful of subjects within view. To the west loomed the volcano, black against the orange-purple haze of the falling sun. Eastwards was the daemon's bride, a marvelous bit of stonework set against the misty river. Closer to Pension a yellowed eyed monkey lounged in the canopy, watching the stars. And there was the filthy child huddled by the fire.
Pension smiled at his words . He was also impressed with his fire making skills. " I see. Well thank you." He said with a soft smile now. He topped the paper as he thought about what to draw.
He then smiled as he picked something now. It was a few trees that had some unusual looking fruits on them. He got a really focused look on his face as he began. One might not that his hand shook a bit as he did so.
(Sorry! Its been a rough week.)
Many-hued and spikey, the unusual fruit grew in bunches and resembled plump flowers. A lovely subject for a sketch or painting. Sketching it didn't feel much different to Pension... the tiny movements his fingers, perspective, shading, all came naturally as ever....
Ewan meanwhile was growing restless near the fire. He had his little book and supposed he could work on some spells for the journey. Maybe some poultices to keep them comfortable in the heat? But he felt twitchy and restless and not tired at all. So he sidled up behind Pension to take a peak.
"Its pretty fruit," the boy teased loudly with a smirk, "but why not do one of your trusty guide, huh?"
The finished product was good, but not brilliant as it ought have been. The talent was there but so were mistakes. Perhaps it was Ewan being obnious? Or perhaps the more relaxed bird was not paying close attention to detail...
( It's alright I understand)
Pension frowned as he stared at what he had drawn. It was not what he thought it should have been. Heart was much much better then this. He looked to the boy now giving a slight sigh as he tried to smile at him. It was not the work that he usually did. And that kind of bugged him some.
" Well it's not as good as it should have been. There are mistakes that should not be there. My are is usually perfect. Either I'm tired or I'm just not focused enough ." Pension said with a sigh. He then looked to the boy and smiled.
" Is there something you would like to do ?" He asked in a slightly calmer voice. He was wanting a distraction now. He had a bad thought in his mind now. Wondering if his career was over now.
Ewan squinted at the page, then to the fruit. "It looks, to me, like whatever that spiny fruit is." He didn't know much about art.
The boy considered Pension's question, idly tossing his spell book up in the air and catching it. He felt antsy, likr running or climbing, "I don't know. You could draw me? Or so could try using magic. See if that dumb spirit is right?"
Pension smiled at the boys comment. He knew that most would not see what he did. Would not notice the small differences that artists always noticed. " Heh thank you." He said with a slight laugh.
He then heard what else the boy had said to him now. " It's up to you. Might be kind of interesting to see if he was lying or not though." Pension said. His persona was about to change again. Though he tried not show it.
Ewan slapped his book onto a fallen log turned makeshift bench, and began flipping from page to page. He hadn't tried many of them in a while. He hadn't the strength. Was it some long-repressed sorcer that made him so antasy? "I've got one to mend wounds, but we're not cut up. I can make plants grow, but that's sort of boring, unless its a man-eater! Or change one of us into an animal. Do you fancy that? This one tames forest beasts!" Ewan counted off the spells on his fingers.
When all was said and done an impish smirk crossed his face and he looked to Pension, "So! What do you suppose we'd ought to try?"
Pension just listened as the boy was talking about his spells. His persona whent back to his intellectual persona. The one who liked to learn new things. The thing was he could never keep in one mind set for very long. Especially when all of then wanted out at the same time. It was a real hassle to deal with at times.
" Well I would say you could try the animal one but I think you would have to change yourself. Because technically speaking I am already one. Or you could try to take an animal but that could be risky." He said. He seemed to be thinking as he spoke. One thing about his personas was that none of them knew how to make soild desions. That sometimes could be a bad thing.
"Risky? Hardly," the boy gave a haughty reply. In moments the bird had shifted from enthusiastic to rational and doubtful. A bit of a killjoy. "I do feel much better now. I bet I could call forth a sabercat right here. Or even that hydra we saw, if you fancy!"
The boy held out the tome and began to sing a verse. As the spell went on Pension heard a ghostly howls resound throughout the jungle. Something was happening. A cacophony of chirps, snarls, and roars answered back...
Pension just looked at the boy as he spoke. Now this persona was no fighter. So he would not argue with the boy. He would just watch and observe him. " Okay I understand" he said softly. He then watched carefully as the boy started to cast his spell.
As he listened he heard the calls of the jungle creatures. It was rather odd to him. Maybe the demon was wrong but he would find out in few moments. Then of course he would probably be proved wrong. That he was just tired was all.
Ewan and Pension sat in silence, hugging the warmth of the fire. No animals answered the summons.
"Told you it was just some nonsense!" the boy huffed, kicking a stone into the firepit (and accidently scuffing dust and smoke toward the poor bird.) "Daemons are always trying to just get everyone riled. They the eat your feelings-- I mean, feed on emotion."
"If the deal worked like you asked. I'd have had the strength to make a giant sabercat my pet." The boy yawned and jammed several of the spiny fruits onto a long stick, beginning to roast them.
Still, the jungle continued to sing...
Pension was intently listing to the sounds around him. As an animal like creature it was almost calming to hear the sounds of the wild. Though he then heard the sound of his friends voice.
He listened to him talking. As the stone caused some dust to get in his face the bird sneezed a couple of times. Though he made no remark about it. " Well the good thing is that you were right. Sorry I doubted you." He said with a soft smile. As the darkness closed in he smiled . Maybe he truly was just tired. Stupid him for being paranoid like that.
Or was he really right after all?
Ewan pulled his stick from the fire and yanked one of the charred fruits off the stick, juggling it between his hands (it was far too hot). The boy thrust the stick in Pension's direction and ate his messily. "Whelp. You picked a good fruit to draw."
"And I don't know very much about phoenixes. Phoenices? Are they sapient or just big fiery beasts?" he mumbled between bites, rudely licking juice from his fingers.
On the very periphery of his far superior vision Pension might have seen the shadows move. Maybe it was just the fire? But a then a twig cracked! Or did it...? The boy noticed none of this, though he was not of a species so attuned to the movement of predators.
Pension could not help but laugh to himself when the boy juggled the very hot fruit.he was a bit more careful when he took his own fruit from him. " I'm glad I did. Thank you for fixing it. " He said with a smile. He really did not mind the boys messy eating. Though he was a bit more mannered in his way of eating. The bird had seen worse eating habits though.
" Well phinoxes are birds of fire obviously. The can come back from Bing killed by rising from their our ashes. Some are sepiant others aren't. " He said softly to him. He too was enjoying his meal.
He then paused as a movement caught his sensitive eyes. There might have been something here. Hum well he wasn't going to say anything just yet. He would just watch and wait for whatever happened next.
"Those bits I've heard," Ewan blushed, wiping juice from his face. He used to be well mannered, anyway. "Was more wondering its going to try and incinerate us. Some birds can be territorial, you know."
And then a great shape leapt from the shadows toward the pair. It was a canine of some sort, thick and muscular, with thin fur and a wide snout. It landed on Ewan who screamed, "Help! OFF! Get it-" of course the wild dog was licking and tussling with the boy as it would a pack-mate.
Pension knew that other birds were territorial. He had been in a city that held other types of anthro creatures. They weren't that much different from animals. As he started to respond to the boy he saw whatever moved before leaping from the jungle.
He stood quickly when he saw it land on the boy. He was fully ready to defend him when he realized that it wasn't attacking him. It was licking the boy. Well that was really strange. " I think he wants to be your friend for some reason." Pension said in a very confused voice. He wasn't sure about what was going on right now.
The wild-dog fell back on its haunches, tongue lolling, and Ewan struggled to his feet. Packs of those were known to bring down sabercats and bigger. He was pale from the shock, and flecked spittle from his face with a sour expression. "Its the spell I cast; meant to command animals. I've not- I've not managed it in a long time."
"Might just be luck." The boy hesitantly extended a hang for the beast to sniff. He could feel its thoughts mingling his own, and catch occasional whiffs of scent. "...sit,"
Pension just watched both the boy and the dog creature. He heard what was said. It was then that his persona switched. He was back to his calm collected self. The one that the boy had first met. The bird had so many personas rattling around in his head that it was rare that he ever showed the same one twice in the same day.
" Probably is luck. Like you say before. Demons just feed on emotions. " He said to him. He then frowned. He did not quite believe his own words. The bird man knew that there was something going on here. he just decided to keep it to himself for now.
Ewan gave a nod and took a seat on the log beside Pension. "You want the first watch or the second? I suppose the dog could even help."
"Though the last time I made a friend with this spell I got him killed protecting me," the boy's voice grew sad. Though the bird had gone from cheery, to thoughtful, to analytical... hardly the best sympathetic ear.
The giant dog trotted after the boy obediently. He thrust its snout alarmingly close to Pension's face, snuffling loudly.
Pension thought for a brief second then looked back to the boy. " I'll take the first watch if you don't care. Hehe maybe it could." He said softly. He then heard what does was said to him. That made him kind of said. Even with his many personas he could still feel sorry for others.
" I'm sorry to hear that." He said softly. He would have patted the boy but he wasn't sure if that was appropriate. Or if the dog would let him. Pension did not move when the dog got close to his face. He just allowed him to smell of him now.
"Just wake me when you're feeling sleepy." The boy gave Pension a smile and laid against his pack, using it as a make-shift pillow. The jungle was clammy and humid this time of year. The fire kept the chill at bay, though he felt filthy and over-exposed, "Wish we had a proper tent or something; haven't got a thing in the village not woven outta grass or animal skin."
The beat took a liking to the peafowl and went from curious sniffing to slobbering over the meticulously groomed artist, laying its head expectantly in Pension's lap.
"Hey! Off him!" Ewan snapped, though the dog didn't seem to listen. "Sorry. I'll try and break the spell..."
Pension smiled slightly. He wasn't real certain what he could do to make things more comfortable. He really had not brought much with him. Though being that he was mostly an animal he didn't feel much cold . His feathers kept him warm. " Okay I will. I wish we did too. I do have a couple of small blankets in my pack if you would like to use them. I don't get cold myself. At least not very often." He said to the boy softly.
He turned his attention to the beast who was now slobbering all over him. While it really didn't bother him he did kind of nervously laugh. " Heh it seemed he's friendly. There's no need to be sorry. " Pension said gently putting him hand on the dogs head. He did not mind overly friendly animals. It did not bother him much.
Ewan cracked a rueful smile. "Well he smells awful and I don't fancy being coated in slobber myself." And the stupid thing was compelled to be loyal; he'd hate to have it die protecting them...
His eyes lit up at Pension's offer, greedily accepting the blanket. "Thanks! And uh, you sure you don't mind? Both the blanket and first watch that is." Wrapping himself in the garment he laid back down, eyes drifting from the crackling fire to the misty skies above. The wild dog settled in as well, collapsing around Pension's feet. Was it affectionate or merely enthralled? The latter made it seem less cute.
The boy yawned, "So you've been all over Le'ranna right? What else have you seen and painted?"
Pension kind of smiled at the boy. " Your right about the smell. My father's dogs were big on licking others. By the way if you want to break the spell you can. " He said to him with a slight laugh. h e would not want the dog to get hurt either.
" Your welcome. I don't mind at all." He said softly. The sound of something moving not far away made him kind of glance at the jungle ahead of them. He listing very carefully. Whatever it was it was growling in the distance. It made the bird feel kind of tense. Though he knew that he should probably just listen for the moment.
He glance at the boy when he asked his question. " Yeah I have been to quite a few places. I have painted many things. Trolls and some other creatures were hard but I managed. " He said with a smile.
(Sorry for the delay. Had some personal stuff to tend to and one thing just lead to another. I'll be posting more consistently now!)
"How'd you sketch a troll without being eaten? Don't look like the type to go around thrashing monsters into submission. No offense."
The boy stifled a yawn, sleep setting in as he listened to the bird. "...I'll shoo him off tomorrow..." He was feeling very lazy after the long day's hike. Ewan tuned out the growling in the distance. The dog, however, like Pension grew tense from whatever stirred in the jungle...
(( It's alright. I understand.))
Pension smiled at the boys question now. "Well to be honest I hid and did it while he was sleeping. After all I could really get away without waking him up. " He said softly. Though pension did have to Waite quite a while for the troll to get up and move away from him. But he was a patient bird most of the time. At least this persona was.
He continued to listing to the growling. It was a low rumbling sound that seemed to vibrate the very air. It was a sound that he had never heard before. " Sounds good to me." He said to the boy with a slight smile on his face now.
Ewan drifted to sleep as Pension told tales of the various beasts and monster he'd drawn. Not to say they weren't fun stories, of course, that his particular incarnation of the bird was not particularly animated! that and the day was long. And so the peafowl and dog were left sitting in silence by the fire, which waned in the cool mist.
That's when they heard. A loud stomp. A loud stomp followed by the sound of branches parting, and birds fleeing, as something very big came their way from the north. It let forth a low bellow like a crocodile.
Ewan's spell had definitely called more than a friendly dog to keep watch.
Pension stopped talking when He noticed that the boy was sleeping . He frown as he soon heard the crashing sound of the creature approaching. He stood up when he heard the loud growl. He was ready to defend them if he had to.
That's when his other persona took over. This was a darker more sinister persona . One who was a loner who hated dealing with others. Though he knew it would not be wise to leave his guide to be eaten. So he chose to stand there and awaits whatever was conning for them.
Ewan awoke with a bewildered scream as the forest floor shook. The peafowl stood in silence, staring out at the forest, and the dog was whimpering and looked ready to bolt. "Wh- what's going on..." he sprang up trying to disentangle himself from the blankets.
At the very bottom of the hill the were camped upon a dark shape emerged from the jungle. It looked to be a lizard of some kind, standing upon two legs and almost 12' nose-to-tail. Its maw was large and toothy. Whatever spell kept the wild dog guarding their camp gave way and the canine bolted with a whimper.
"We... we gotta move!" Ewan haphazardly grabbed his pack and began stuffing various supplies from around the camp into it. There was no time for such things but he already lost one spellbook! He wans't losing another.
Pension noted that the boy had woken up. He frowned as he was helping the boy get all that stuff they had. He was able to quickly get most of their stuff. He figured that whatever the boy had was the least of it. He then glanced at the boy as he spoke to him
" Oh yeah I know we need to get out of here. " He said to him. He then looked at the creature who was coming closer to then. " What the hell is that thing?" He asked out loud. Then he shook his head and looked at they boy again." Go ahead of me. I want you to atleast be safe." He said. This persona usally did not care. However he knew that it was best not to tick off native tribes.
"Tyrant... lizard? Some kind of dragon? I've only heard stories!" he looked around the clearing in a panic. He could see the beast's silhouette coming their way. Was it drawn by the fire?
"Dash toward the road and we'll lose it?" he grabbed at Pension's arm-like wings and tugged the peafowl along. The bird's current persona had a queer amount of confidence for an artist facing a lizard! An idea dawned on him as he peered at the enormous trees surrounding them "Or! Or you said you can fly a little? C-can you make it?"
Pension just frowned a bit."oh well Wed better run in any case." He stated. He had gotten all he could quickly. What the boy said didn't sound good at all.
He was then stumbled as the boy was pulling him along . It wasn't confidence that made him so bold. It was the feeling that he could get hurt by the natives that made him wish to protect the boy. That and the fact that he looked like a child.
" Maybe we can" said to the statement as they hurried along. Then his question came and he thought for a brief second.
" Yeah I can. I need you to hold on tightly if I am going to get us both up there though." He said as he looked up at the trees. He hoped that the thing could not climb or fly though. That would be very bad for them if they got stuck in a tree with that thing.
Ewan gulped climbed on Pension's back, holding on for dear life, and wondering if the bird could bear his weight. It was certainly an awkward situation. Intelligent birds, he imagined, didn't much enjoy giving out rides. "O-okay!"
Letting forth a defeaning roar the tyrant lizard broke into a charge toward the boy and bird. "QUICK!" he shrieked, forgetting all the other sorts of spells he might've thrown its way.
Pension was glad that the boy was not too awfully heavy. He was actually a bit stronger than he looked. Some of his personas were actually quite good at fighting and running for long distance. He just didn't like doing it. " Just hold on tight." He stated now.
He then flapped his wings as he ran. He noted the thing was running too . With in a few seconds he had gotten off the ground. Soon they were in the air and in a few minutes he had found a very high branch to land on. " Hold on this might be bumpy. " He said as he made his landing.
The pair tumbled along a dense thatch of branches and into the trunk of the tree. Roughly ten feet below them the beast roared and snapped and roared, ineffectually, pacing angrily back and forth. Ewan disentangled himself from Pension and non-chalantly dusted loose blue down from his fingers. He was hanging on far too tight; flying would've been fun if not for the near-death experience of it all.
"Sorry. Hadn't tried that one in a while. S'posed to make all the animals in the forest bring you food and stuff," he gave Pension a sheepish glance, peering down at the tyrant lizard with awe. "It is pretty impressive, ain't it?"
There was a dim orange glow in the east though it barely pierced the fog. It was near morning. How they were going to progress from here... was anyone's guess.
Pension had noticed how tightly that the boy was hanging on to him. He didn't really blame him though. He wasn't excatly the best flyer in the world. But he was at least efficient enough to get them out of danger. That was all that counted. As they landed another more friendly persona took over. He bliked a bit looking at they boy to make sure that he was okay. At least for now. It seemed that he was.
"Yeah he is impressive. I am just glad that we are okay. I do wonder how we are going to get out of here though." He said. His voice was noticeably more calm and kind. He looked out just seeing the first light of the dawn. Wow it had been an eventful night.
"Could try drawing him! If you don't mind getting bellowed and snapped at." The tyrant lizard glowered at the pair, lumbering about the thicket in search of easier prey. Ewan gave a yawn and shimmed to the edge of the branch and shyly peered down. "Didn't get much sleep did you? Could try to rest up here."
"Don't fancy climbing down while that lizard's stomping about." Surrounding the pair was a dense canopy twined branches and vines. An agile climber or glider might simply hop tree to tree.
Pension was looking at the lizard creature. He was not aware that there were creatures like him out here. It made him realize that this place was very dangerous. Though he supposed that things could have been worse. They could have been eaten. That made him glad that he was a bird. He then heard what the boy said to him.
" Well he'd certainly be interesting to draw. " He said to him now. He then kind of smiled at what he told him next. " Well being more animal like then human makes it to where I don't need much sleep." He then looked at the boy with a smile. " Would you like to get some extra sleep? You didn't get much either." He said to the boy now.
"I'm good. Don't suppose I'd be able to sleep much after all that excitement anyway..." Ewan crept along the branches to explore their surroundings. The dormant volcano, where the phoenix roosted, lay on the on the horizon. "I think we should go. Bit nervous about going down to earth. Gods know what's up here huh? Serpents you think? Nagas? Hopefully not more apes."
The sorcerer lead Pension along the canopy. They went slowly and carefully at first, picking up speed as he grew more confident in his climbing. The peafowl was no doubt better suited for the whole affair. They'd traveled a few hundred feet when Ewan heard a branch snap. He scuttled back with a yelp, arms flailing, and managed to grab a vine before the branch fell away beneath him.
"Can't believe I joined that stupid tribe! Almost got me killed playing guide for you!" the boy huffed, swinging back and forth.
Pension nodded as he listened to the boy. What he said made sense in a way." Yeah same here. I just hope that there is not something worse then that thing up here. " He said to him. His kind weren't tree dewlers. They preferred the ground. Though he did feel safer up here.
He followed the boy as he moved through the trees. He was better at climbing then humans were. Though he was by no means an expert. He then saw that they boy had almost fallen out of the tree due to a branch breaking. He then heard what he said. Now he felt really bad for getting him in to this situation in the first place.
" I am sorry. I never meant to put you in danger." He said with a sad sigh. " Maybe we should just give up now before one of us gets killed." He now added. This was his sad personality coming out.
Ewan gently swung back to safety, heart pounding and looking quite a bit paler despite his sun-tanned skin. Of course the bird looked positively melancholy. He was used to the bird's changing temper by now, usually somewhere between wistful and terse, but this despondence made him feel horribly guilty. "Well we can't give up now! We're awful close. And- and you already had to give part of yourself to that daemon. You really wanna make it for nothing?"
"Cannopy seems pretty safe anyhow. Guess most of the predators I roused are on the jungle floor. And you can fly tree to tree fine. Its me that's the problem..." he laid out his large grimoire and thumbed through it, wrinkling his nose in thought. "Just need to make myself climb or fly..."
Of course as Pension knew the boy had a poor grip on his spells once they were came to fruition...
Pension watched as the boy swung back to safety. He was glad that he wasn't hurt. The persona that was currently out was not very enthusiastic. More or less it was the part of the artist that was sad and depressed. Almost the half that wanted to give up.
" Well I guess you are right. " He said to him with a sigh. He then heard what else the boy was saying to him . He frowned as he thought about what happened last time he used a spell. " Do you think that you might want to be careful. " He said to him. He did not want them to get into more trouble.
"I"m a very good magician!" the boy smiled and tried to reassure the peafowl, already beginning to page through his grimoire, stopping occasionally to murmur in some odd fey tongue. "Just an enchantment to make me more agile is all. Could make myself sprout bird wings. Would really be something to fly around up here wouldn't it?"
Though in bickering with the peafowl the enchantment got away from him. A tingle ran over the boy's body. Brilliant green feathers sprouted from everywhere. His limbs twisted. And then he began to shrink. In the boy's place was a tiny parakeet perched atop the book.
"Y-you distracted me! I was just supposed to grow wings!" he huffed in a shrill voice, flapping about, and not very intimidating at all. "And- and wasn't that bridge daemon supposed to make you cheery and not so worrisome?"
Pension just nodded. If there was one thing to not it was that he had many personas that had similar issues and thoughts. It was the curse of have many different thoughts going on at once. . A problem that could and often did result in the harm of others around him.
He watched as the boy accidentally changed himself into an actual bird. Then he when and blamed the peacock for it. Now that made him mad. "Do not blame me for your mistake . You wanna see another persona. Well how about you meet this one. " He growled. Now it was very clear that he was upset. And that was not a good thing.
Ewan fell silent and perched on the tree beside his book, stretching a wing to examine it. Being small and not having arms was awkward business, and annoying. "I suppose we can get there faster at least.
"You'll carry my pack, won't you?" he cocked his head at Pension nervously. The peafowl was certainly unpredictable.
Pension just closed his eyes. He was trying to force himself to calm down. He should not have gotten that upset. " I am sorry. I just get upset easy." He told him him now. He then smiled at him slightly. " yeah I guess we will get there faster though." He added . He hoped that his friend understood that he could not control his self that good.
He then heard his other question. He had no problem carring the boys pack. " of course I will" he told him now. May be there would be no more problems now.
"Sorry." Ewan chirped, flapping about. He'd turned into a bird once or twice before. It didn't feel as exciting as he'd imagined; perhaps in teaching him how to fly the spell drained the novelty of the experience.
"Hope this doesn't wear off..." the Ewan waited patiently for Pension to take his pack; still a bit cagey over potentially losing his book. No matter; they were off.
The pair went flying through the canopy. The jungle grew dark and dense, at first. They darted past a feathered serpent thick as a tree-trunk, then soared over a moot of enormous apes wearing bones. They near careened into a squirming tree oozing phosphorescent sap, which a multitude of little faeries were gathering into jars. Eventually they came to see the sun again and the forest grew thinner and thinner until the ashy hills of the volcano were in sight.
Thick fog surrounded it and there was an orange haze in the distance. Was it the sun or an erruption? Ewan perched on a branch and looked to Pension. "Least we're out of the woods. Sure you want to go further? Never heard of this errupting though I don't want you cooked all the same..."
Pension nodded to the boy. " I hoped that it doesn't either. " He stated. He then pick up the boy pack. Then they were off to make their way to the volcano. He took in all the sites that they seen on their way there. It was really interesting to the artist. After a while the finally arrived near their destination.
As he looked it over he noted that it seemed that the thing wanted to blow up. Though he still had confidence that they would be okay. After all he did not hear the usual sounds that came with eruption. " I think that we will be okay. It doesn't sound like it's eruption . " He told him as he looked on with great interest now.
"I c-can't keep this up much longer..." the little red bird stuttered. The spell was wearing off and the branch was buckling under his weight. With a yelp Ewan leapt, flapping as he fall, and landed in a burst of feathers. He was a boy again.
"Guess we're walking. Let's hope that glow is the phoenix and not an eruption. Or a dragon. Besides being all of cleansing flame and renewal do you know much about them? We're not going to be hiding in some crevice for days while you draw I hope?" he cracked a smile.
A crude stone path was laid before them which seemed to wind its way up the mountain. Stone makers lay along it, carved into the shape of spread wings.
Pension looked at the boy when he spoke now. He cringed when the beach cracked under him. Well at least the spell did not make him a bird forever. " Are you alright?" He asked comming up beside him now.
As he spoke again the peafowl just smiled a bit. He did know that if they were intelligence most phinoxes were okay. If they were wild well they might have to be careful. " It depends on if they have been around humans. Some can look like people for a short time. Those ones can be nice. The ones that can't are not quite as kind." He explained to the boy. Out here they were likely to meet one that was wild.
" And it usually only takes me a few hours to draw a master peice. " He added with a smile. He was a very good artist and was very confident in his skills.
"Do we have to bring a gift or something? And just who carved these anyway you think?" Ewan trudged up the ashy slopes, feet turning black from the dust. "And just who do you think carved these? Haven't seen any tribesman."
Clearly something capable of working fine tools lived here once. Besides the avian stone markers an enormous sun relief was carved into the cliff-side as they zigzagged up it. "And... do you get the feeling we're being watched? Awful quiet here. No animals. No people."
Pension thought about the boys questions for a minute. He really didn't know the answer to them. " Well I really don't know. I don't think that a bird would want a gift. And maybe some ancient race was here before or something. " He said taking a good look around. As he walked his tail feathers dragged along in the dusty ash. It made small dust cloud behind him.
Upon hearing his next question he frowned. He got that feeling as well. And it did bother him a bit. " Well I do. Think it might be the creature that carved these . Maybe they are still here." He stated with a frown. He was very unsure of what was out here.
"Suppose you're right." Ewan thought he heard more scuttling in the rocks as they crept up the path, but thought nothing of it. Probably just the wind. He could feel heat emanating from the rock. Was an eruption coming? Could he manage to become a bird again?
As the duo neared the second ledge from the top they heard a shrill cry and an arrow whizzed past Ewan. A warning shot. It came from a tiny lizardman covered in red plumage. Soon more of the strange theropods, all screeching, squawking, and waving spears were upon them. Ewan's eyes widened as he backed up defensively, book in hand and spells at the ready. Pension could make out some of the words: Intruder, Trespasser, Invader. It was a primitive form of the dialect spoken by many avian peoples.
"I - uh- do you understand them? I could... poison them... or... try and become a dragon... maybe..." the boy looked to Pension, mind racing.
Pension was quite as he heard the same sounds the boy heard. His instinct told him that they might be in trouble here. So in reaction to his his persona switched to a more defensive one. The one that came out to protect him.
As they moved further up the mountain he frowned as an arrow whent by them. Then he saw the lizard people. He could understand a couple of words that they were saying. He then looked as the boy as he too backed away. He really did not want to upset the locals here.
" They are calling us Intruders. I think they think we are trespassing. Which I guess we are. I might be able to talk to them but I'm not sure if thay will listen." He told the boy then he frowned slightly. " I don't know if killing them would upset the phinox or not." He added now.
One of the raptorfolk danced forward. It had colorful orange plumage with gold and cobalt jewels. Its slited eyes narrowed with disdain and it began to squawk, "You speak outsider? Why come here? Most glorious and beautiful and wise and glorious god of life and death morns. No visitors. No wishes. No cures.
"You go back!" it thrust a crude, obsidian spear in their direction.
"I don't know if I can fight them..." the boy shrank back, toying with a cat-tooth talisman around his neck. "Maybe see if you can't bribe them? I've only got my book!"
Pension was quite as he listened to what the creatures were saying to them now. He could see that these creatures seemed to apparently see the phinox as a god of some sort. He had to try to think of away to talk them in to letting them pass. Though it sounded like they were pretty upset. " I can try talking to them but I'm not sure if it will help. I don't have much to offer them either. " He told the boy now
" Why does your god mourn ?." He said trying not to look or sound threatening. He was not the best at talking to hostile tribes people. He wondered though if he could convince them to let them pass or not.he was also wonder how he could win their trust or at least not upset them more.
"Think they'd want a sketch?" Ewan gave a bemused smirk. Of all the dangers to stand in their way it was idiot goblin-things.
"Not know! God knows so much we so little!" the raptorfolk lamented, bowing its head in reverence. "Time come for hatching. For rebirth! Is joyous, yet is so sad. Bored. Silent. Do not understand!
"Perhaps boy make good slave? Can sing? Dance?" it chirped hopefully.
Pension looked at the boy when he asked his question. He wondered that himself but had not asked. They did not seem like the type who liked art . Though he knew he could be wrong. " I have no idea." He told the boy now. He then turned his attention back to the bird creatures.
Then he heard what they asked . He was not really wanting to put his friend in danger. " think you could entertain them?" He asked the boy now. He did not want to force his friend to do something he did not want to do. It was part of the persona that was domanet now.
"About the most entertaining thing I can do is turn into an animal sometimes." Ewan didn't much like the glint in their beady little eyes. He shuffled behind Pension, squeezing the peafowl's wing embarrassingly tight. "Why? What are they saying?
"Tell the phoenix you'll sell him a sketch him! I mean you were gonna draw him anyway right? I bet whatever art these things do isn't a tenth as good..."