Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Chanirra ❯ Chapter 5

It was, just as Chanirra had predicted, midnight when they reached Lirista. The town was quiet but it was unnaturally quiet. Chanirra's ears twitched cautiously as a crow flew down and perched on his shoulder. Chanirra looked at the crow then smiled in recognition.

 

“Hello Harold. I told you I wasn't really a crow, didn't I? What's been going on around here?” he asked and Sayorr and Roekler watched in awe as he conversed with the bird.

 

“I wish I could do that,” Roekler commented and Sayorr jabbed him in the side. “What?”

 

“Quiet. Something's wrong. The town shouldn't be this quiet. Even the crickets have stopped their nightly song,” Sayorr whispered.

 

“I see. Thank you Harold,” Chanirra said and the bird flew off. “The entire town is after us.”

 

“Why?” Sayorr asked.

 

“When Turath died he said his ghost would do anything to get the amulet back. Apparently his spirit manifested in the dreams of the townspeople and now they are after us all. I don't think they'll be willing to listen to our side of the story. Is there another way out of town?”

 

“We might be able to make a path through the forest but we don't have the right tools,” Roekler said.

 

“We'll have to do what we can. We're in no position to stand around here and discuss the issue. I can hear them coming our way,” Chanirra said.

 

“How can we get them back to normal?” Sayorr asked and Chanirra shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't know. Midnight, did your witch live around here?”

 

Midnight shook her head and Chanirra sighed.

 

“Well there went that idea. Wait! There's a section of the forest not far from here that's a meeting place with one of the spirits. Perhaps we can call for his assistance,” he said and Roekler looked impressed.

 

“Can spirits rid curses too?” he inquired.

 

“I'm not sure but what have we got to lose? We can't stay here and maybe we can lose them in the forest. Come on!”

 

Chanirra ran into the forest and the others followed him. An owl swooped down out of a tree and Chanirra hailed it. The owl flew over out of curiosity and Chanirra glanced at it.

 

“Hello friend. Could you tell us the quickest way to get out of the forest? There are some humans after us and we need to get to the main road,” he said and the owl blinked its eyes.

 

“Why?” it asked and Chanirra sighed.

 

“Because they do not truly understand the reasoning behind what we did.”

 

“What did you do?”

 

“I don't have time to explain it to you. Please, will you help us? If we don't get over to Boruta's clearing, your home may be in danger.”

 

“I've heard about your people before from my cousins but I never thought I'd see one. B-Boruta's Clearing? Why do you want to call upon the forest spirit?”

 

“It may be the only way to stop them. Now are you going to help?” Chanirra asked and the owl nodded its head.

 

“I guess I will. I don't want the humans coming after me. Wait a second. You're traveling with humans aren't you?” it inquired and Chanirra glanced behind him.

 

“They aren't part of the problem. The other humans want to kill them as well. See? One's holding a cat and she's not complaining.”

 

“Well that is true but...”

 

“Look. Stick with us and you'll get the whole story when I tell Boruta,” Chanirra said and the owl considered the proposition.

 

“Well Boruta may not come. He can change into many different animals. He might even be a tree. What do you want him to do for you?” the owl inquired as it flew over a low hanging branch.

 

“I need a curse removed. I know this is all extremely complicated and it must be very difficult for you to understand even though you are one of the most intelligent of the bird species.”

 

“I am flattered.”

 

“I'm only speaking the truth. I have known a lot of birds and there are only a few kinds that are just as intelligent as you.”

 

“Which ones are they?” the owl inquired as Chanirra jumped over a root.

 

“Well the hawk and eagle are on par with your intelligence. Then there's...” Chanirra said then glanced behind him when he heard Sayorr cry out in pain. He stopped running and went back to help him up.

 

“Thanks. We aren't as agile as you, I'm afraid,” he said and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“I tend to forget that. Well if you're having a little trouble keeping up, that means the townspeople are having difficulty as well. I guess we can afford to slow down a bit, don't you think?” Chanirra asked the owl and the owl perched on a tree.

 

“I suppose we can but we can't slow down too much. Humans can carry many more weapons than we can,” the owl said and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“You've got a point there. How much further do we have to go?”

 

“Not much further. We're going to have to go across a stream, though. You're bound to get your feet wet.”

 

“That's fine. We'll do whatever it takes to bring peace back to this area, won't we?”

 

“Absolutely,” Roekler said and Sayorr glanced at him.

 

“You don't have to be so ready to agree, you know,” he said and Roekler shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I can't help it. He looks so cute. I wish I had a dog like that.”

 

“We are not pets. You can keep a hound if you wish, but you could never keep one of us as a companion,” Chanirra said.

 

“Oh I know that. I wish I could, though. It would be fun,” Roekler said and Chanirra shook his head.

 

“For you maybe but not for us. We like our independence and we would never do anything that would go against tribal rules. That is how we were raised.”

 

“We must go faster now,” the owl said as it began flying again. “The stream is not that far away. Hurry! The townspeople never come this far into the forest. You will be safe soon and that much closer to Boruta's Clearing.”

 

“Try not to splash too much when we reach the stream,” Chanirra said as Roekler looked around.

 

“I think I've been around here before. Isn't this the spot that I used to catch fish from?” he asked and Sayorr shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't know. I don't remember much about life before Turath came. I wish we had some of the mages right now though. We wouldn't be in this mess if they were still around,” he said as Chanirra jumped over a small ledge. He landed in the stream and brushed the excess water off his hands.

 

“Don't get Midnight wet. I don't think she'll like it,” Chanirra said as Roekler jumped down.

 

“This way now,” the owl said and flew off in a different direction. Midnight mewed expectantly at the sight of fish and Roekler paused.

 

“Can't we just stop for a second and go fishing? I think she'd like that,” he said and Chanirra sighed.

 

“We really don't have time for this. Give me a second. I don't like eating the creatures but I know how to catch them,” he said as the owl flew back to them.

 

“What's wrong now?” it asked as Chanirra slowly knelt down. He watched the fish swim around his legs for a moment then quickly reached down and grabbed one. He pierced the fish's skin with one of his claws then handed it to Roekler.

 

“She'll have to wait on eating it until we get to the clearing so you'd better put it somewhere safe,” he said and Roekler opened a pouch affixed to his belt and dropped the squirming fish in. Midnight glared at Chanirra and Chanirra held out his hands in apology. “We can't risk you being skinned, can we? I do not think you would like to be a pair of gloves.”

 

“Hurry up will you? I want to get back home before the sun rises,” the owl said and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“We're coming. I hope you managed to get a sufficient meal before we came along.”

 

“Well it wasn't bad but it wasn't the most memorable meal I've had. I would have preferred some more mice but there haven't been a lot of them out at night lately.”

 

“My feline friend knows where there's a lot of mice. Perhaps she'll be willing to share with you. Just don't eat to many of them. I did promise that I'd help the cat cut back. They have families too, you know.”

 

“Yes, I suppose they do. I try not to think about that. If you get too familiar with your prey, you're bound not to want to eat them. I'm sure you're experienced that, haven't you?” the owl inquired and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“Oh I never go after the animals that help me out on jobs. It destroys the trust in that area if I should have to travel there again,” he replied.

 

“Course change. This next part is a little tricky. There's a lot of trees in the way so you'll have to go around them. If you all were birds, there'd be no problem. Sadly, you're not.”

 

“I'll let them know that. We're going to be weaving in and out a lot so you've got to keep up. Apparently Boruta didn't want humans to find his sacred ground.”

 

“I never was too good at mazes,” Roekler said and Sayorr grabbed his hand.

 

“Don't let go and you won't get lost,” he said and Roekler grinned.

 

“You're always trying to look after me in one way or another aren't you?”

 

“That's only because you're a soft-hearted fool. People can easily take advantage of you. Look at the mess you got yourself in with Turath.”

 

“You got mixed up in it too.”

 

“I was only after the money. I should have known he would double-cross me. I've got the entire town after me and not a coin to my name.”

 

“Tell them to be quiet. If we make too much noise, Boruta may refuse to help you,” the owl said and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“Keep quiet you two. We don't want to upset the spirit,” he said and Sayorr and Roekler fell silent.

 

“Do you always travel with humans?”

 

“No. Normally I travel alone. This is most unusual for me. Well at home I sometimes traveled in a pack but only when my brothers insist upon it. I never travel with others when I'm on a job. A companion would only slow me down.”

 

“You know, humans make no sense to me but I'm glad for the ones that grow grain. Lots of grain means lots of rodents and lots of rodents makes me a satisfied bird. One more turn and we're there.”

 

“One more turn and we're there.”

 

“Did you hear that, Roekler? One more turn and where there,” Sayorr whispered and Roekler nodded his head.

 

“I heard. One more turn, Midnight and you'll get your fish,” Roekler said and Midnight mewed hopefully.

 

It's about time, she thought. I've gotten sick of being held like a piece of bread. You could have made them carry me in a more refined fashion, Mr. Wolf.

 

They walked around one more tree and stepped into a large forest clearing. Roekler set Midnight down and dropped the fish and Midnight purred happily. Sayorr watched Chanirra walk over to a stone carving of a deer and knelt before it. The owl flew over to an old oak tree that stood behind the statue and perched on it. The tree itself was larger than all the other trees surrounding it and they almost seemed to revere the elderly oak for they all stood a respectable distance away. The owl then turned its attention to Chanirra who had placed a hand on the base of the statue. He then bowed before the statue until his nose was almost touching the ground and began uttering a language that no one else could understand.

 

“What's he saying? Is he talking to the bird again?” Roekler inquired and Sayorr shook his head.

 

“I don't believe so. The owl isn't responding. I think that perhaps he's using his native tongue,” Sayorr replied.

 

“I would have thought his language would sound like dog barks but I guess I was wrong. It's beautiful sounding, though. It kinda reminds me of those old elven songs the mages would sing.”

 

“We never should have let them leave.”

 

Chanirra's ears twitched as the tree behind the statue began to rustle and the owl screeched in shock. A pair of eyes appeared in the trunk of the tree and Chanirra looked up in shock. A large mouth formed on the tree trunk and it grinned broadly.

 

“Surprised you, didn't I?” the tree inquired then glanced up at the owl. “You can stay there if you'd like. I seem to have a bit of a bug problem. If you would be so kind as to take care of them, I would be eternally grateful.”

 

“Oh mighty spirit Boruta...” Chanirra said and the tree glanced at Sayorr and Roekler.

 

“What's this? Humans? Not my favorite species as of late but perhaps you can explain to me why you have brought them here, young one.”

 

“There is a town not far from here called Lirista...”

 

“I am familiar with it. Those people used to take care of this land quite well. They would cut down trees that were crowding out other plants and they kept the animal population under control. But tragically and without warning, they ceased their activity in the forest. Disease has afflicted many of the plants in the forest as well as the animals. I no longer hear the songs of the elves that some would sing. This land has suffered because of their departure. I guess once you get used to something, it's extremely hard to live without it.”

 

“The people of Lirista were being used!” Chanirra cried and Boruta raised an eyebrow.

 

“What's that? Used? What do you mean?” he inquired.

 

“An evil sorcerer forced all other magic users out of Lirista then took the town prisoner.”

 

“But why?”

 

“He had stolen this.”

 

Chanirra held up the amulet and Boruta gasped in shock. He held out a tree limb and wrapped it around the amulet so that he could study it more closely. Boruta then handed the amulet back to Chanirra and gazed seriously at him.

 

“That is why you are here,” he said and Chanirra nodded his head. “I actually wondered what you were doing so far from the Orrefors Peninsula. My cousin has told me numerous tales about your people. It is truly an honor to meet you. I trust you disposed of the sorcerer?”

 

“I did but he placed a curse on me when he died. He said that no matter what, he would get the amulet back. I don't know if you can rid curses but I would like you to if at all possible. If you don't, the people of Lirista may destroy the forest just to slay me,” Chanirra said and Boruta gasped in shock.

 

“Why?”

 

“A crow told me that Turath, the sorcerer appeared to the townsfolk in a dream and told them to kill all of us no matter what . They are pursuing us as we speak and I do not wish any harm to come to this land or the animals that inhabit it.”

 

“I'll see what I can do. It will take some time though so I will open my home to you. Climb up into my branches and I'll take you to it. I will have to put your human companions to sleep for no human eye has ever seen the path to my home and I do not plan on starting now.”

 

“Do what you need to do. We'll do whatever it takes to get this place back to normal,” Roekler said as he stepped forward.

 

“Ah I remember you. You helped care for the injured creatures when you came across them. You are a kind soul,” Boruta said as he lowered some thick branches to the ground. “Climb up both of you and breathe deep the scent of my blossoms. The intoxicating aroma will put you in dreamland in no time.”

 

“Let me get Midnight first.”

 

“The cat is eating now. Leave her be. She will be safe in this clearing. Also I don't think she would enjoy the ride.”

 

“It can be no worse than riding on my back. Come on Midnight. There will always be more fish,” Chanirra said and Midnight picked up what was left of the fish and walked over to the tree. She dropped the fish in front of Boruta and gazed up into his face.

 

“If I can hold onto a wolf I can certainly hold onto you. Besides, I'm not going to let a tree mock me,” she said and climbed up Boruta. The spirit winced in pain when her claws dug into his bark then glanced at Chanirra.

 

“You'll have to get on as well. Even in your wolf form, you won't be able to keep up with me once I get moving,” he said and Chanirra glanced at him.

 

“Very well then,” he replied and pulled himself up.

 

“I can't believe you're actually scared of a tree,” Midnight said and Chanirra glared at her.

 

“I am not afraid. I just prefer traveling on my own two feet whenever I can.”

 

“Hold on everyone. I take large steps,” Boruta said as he uprooted himself from the ground. Chanirra tightly closed his eyes as Boruta began walking and Midnight dug her claws into a branch as far as she could. “Please don't hold on so tight, my feline friend. You'll make my sap run. I won't drop you.”

 

“I t-think I preferred riding on your back!” Midnight cried as a set of trees opened up like a gate and allowed Boruta passage.

 

“Sleep if you must. It's still a long ways away even though I can travel great distances. Now, my wolfish friend, have you ever met my cousin?”

 

“I don't think I have,” Chanirra replied as he watched the trees move out of Boruta's way. “Are you making them do that?”

 

“No. All forest life respects me and they are willing to do what little they can to assist me. Also, the trees don't want me to step on them. It's quite hard to see where I'm going sometimes. My leaves get in the way,” Boruta replied.

 

“I don't understand why he wanted to erase all of this. Humans can't survive in a world solely made up of humans.”

 

“Greed is a weakness to man. Power is also a terrible malady of mankind. When man tastes power, he only wants more. He seldom considers the consequences of his actions.”

 

“They are such an ignorant species. Sometimes I wish they hadn't come to our land at all,” Chanirra said and Boruta smiled.

 

“But not all of them are evil and we both know that. Also as much as I hate to admit it, there are elves that can be just as cruel as humans. We just have been fortunate enough to not have run into any of them. This world is not perfect and we must keep that in mind at all times,” he commented and Chanirra sighed.

 

“Turath wanted to create a perfect world. At least what he believed was perfect.”

 

“Mortals can never be perfect. That is why the perfect world does not exist. If you could rid yourself of feelings like love, hate, and determination, you wouldn't be mortal. You would be, in my opinion, quite boring. Now for a change of subject, my friend. Do you know any traveling songs?”

 

“I know a few. We aren't as good at writing music as the elves are I'm afraid.”

 

“Traveling music is traveling music. I don't care about the quality.”

 

“Very well then. Um, I look upon the big round bowl to tell me where I should go. My journey is long and hard as I step upon the snow. The tracks of my brethren have all but faded like passages long ago. My breath looks like smoke upon the frosty night air. I cross the woods without a care. The moon is my light, she is my companion by my side. She tells me where to go and when to hide. She comforts me the whole night through but in the morn she'll be gone. So until she returns again I'll sing this simple song.”

 

“That's not bad. Not bad at all. In fact I like it a lot,” Boruta said and Chanirra blushed.

 

“Well thanks. It's not on the same level as elven music though,” he replied.

 

“Elves are different creatures from you. You can't compare their work to your own. It's impossible. You have a unique style that's quite fetching. You must sing it to my cousin when you go back home.”

 

“All right. If you really think I should.”

 

“In fact I insist.”