Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Chanirra ❯ Chapter 11

The ocean became warmer as Chanirra's head breached the surface of the water. He was becoming weak from all the exertion and he was certain that he couldn't go on much longer. They had been swimming for what felt like ages. He took a deep breath of fresh air then looked around. He could see land not too far away and he glanced at Undine.

 

“Is that where we need to go?” he asked and she shook her head.

 

“No. Get back underwater and follow me. There's a fishing boat coming our way. We don't want to be caught,” she said and submerged.

 

“I don't want to get back in the water.”

 

He reluctantly followed her then stared in shock as a shape darkened the water above them. He had seen boats before but never at this angle. The bottom of the boat almost looked like the belly of an enormous monster. Undine grabbed one of his flippers and he turned away from the ship. He was not there for sight-seeing after all. He was there on business.

 

“Hurry up. We've got to get out of this area before they drop their nets,” Undine said and Chanirra followed her.

 

“Nets? Like the one you were caught in?” he inquired and Undine nodded her head.

 

“Something like that. Fisherman use large nets to trap a lot of fish so they can sell them at markets. Many port towns eat a lot of fish because they are so plentiful.”

 

“What about the ones who don't live near water? I've heard a desert doesn't get much rain. What do those people eat?”

 

“I don't know but you can ask Set when you meet him.”

 

“Will he actually come? I thought the others said he was busy.”

 

“It might take him awhile to get to the meeting spot but he'll come.”

 

“What makes the two of you get along so well? You watch over two completely different realms. Your realm is wet and his is really...dry.”

 

“I don't know. I guess it's his personality. It's so warm like Bennu's. That's why I can't stand Auril. She's always so cold. Even though that's her personality, she could make an effort to be a little friendly, don't you think?”

 

“I don't know. You seemed to be quite cold in the beginning. Maybe you just need to make an effort to get to know her better.”

 

“Mortals aren't supposed to tell us what to do,” Undine said as she changed direction. “There's another ship above us. It must be time for them to work. Don't fall behind. I don't want to save you from a net like you saved me.”

 

“Can you change shape?” Chanirra inquired and Undine nodded her head.

 

“To an extent. I can't change as much as you. Most of my transformations deal with my realm.”

 

“Could you change into a shark? I've heard tales of those creatures but I've never seen one.”

 

“A shark? I could but why would I want to? Sharks are not glamorous in the least.”

 

“They must be glamorous to other sharks otherwise how would they species survive? Not every animal has to be attractive to get a mate.”

 

“Do you have one? I'm sorry. That was really forward of me,” Undine said and turned away.

 

“I'm actually surprised you said something like that. It doesn't seem like you at all,” Chanirra said then grew serious. “No. I don't have one. As I have mentioned before, I like my solitude and there's plenty of others back at home who would like to raise a family. I don't know how much you know about real wolves since you're out in the ocean a lot but the ones known as lone wolves leave the pack to go searching for a mate. When they find one, they stay in that area and start a new pack. Thankfully, we don't reflect our canine brethren in that respect. I have no desire to find a mate. As I mentioned before, I like my solitude.”

 

“You don't ever want to fall in love?”

 

“I have no use for love. I have my job and that's all I need. Not everyone needs to fall in love but I guess that concept is hard for females to understand.”

 

“Why do you say that?”

 

“Females seem to have a greater need for love than males. I guess it's because they are the ones that bear children. In most cases in nature, the male only goes to the female when she is in season. Aside from that, they stay away, tending to whatever duties they have.”

 

“I'm glad the higher species have more sense than that. A girl needs a man around to provide her comfort and support.”

 

“A girl can get a man if she so desires. A male can live for years without a mate.”

 

“But are those years happy?” Undine inquired and Chanirra shrugged.

 

“I'm content with it. How much further do we have to go?” he asked.

 

“Not that much further. We've got another thirty minutes to go. I'm sure you'll like the meeting place. It's quite dry and I know you're tired of swimming.”

 

“You're right. I'll be glad to set a foot on dry land again. I don't know how water creatures can stand living in the water all the time.”

 

“They don't know about anything else. Try to find a water creature and tell him who you are. He won't believe you for a minute.”

 

“I have noticed that I'm getting odd looks from the fish,” Chanirra said and Undine smiled.

 

“That's because you don't belong in this area. These waters are too warm for a seal,” she replied.

 

“What is Set like?”

 

“Hmm. Well he's nice and he's tan and he's quite humorous.”

 

“So he's human? Or human looking?”

 

“He looks like a djinn.”

 

“A what?”

 

“A djinn. That's what they call spirits in Set's area. They wear silken clothes and colorful scarves. The people in the desert wear a lot of colorful clothes. I guess that's why I like visiting him so much. I didn't know land dwellers could be so creative.”

 

“Sure you mock the people in my region but you like the people in his. Aren't you being a little one-sided?”

 

“I've known Set longer.”

 

“We're getting closer to land, aren't we? Why does the land look so light?”

 

“It's because of the sand. I think the land dwellers call it bleached. I don't know why but I do know it only exists in this region.”

 

“I wonder why.”

 

“Just keep swimming. Oh wait a minute. I think I see Set up there. Come on. He can probably carry you to the meeting area. Set! Set!”

 

“I thought that was you down there Undine. Is that a seal? What's it doing down in this area? I thought they lived up near Auril's region,” a tall dark-skinned man with shoulder length ebony hair said as he flew down to the ocean's surface. He wore an open vest over his bare chest and over-sized pants. Chanirra noticed that they began small at the waist then billowed out at the legs then became small at the ankles again. This style of pants seemed extremely odd to him.

 

“This isn't really a seal. He's a shape shifter. We came down here because he has an amulet that needs decoding. There's a terrible problem in the north. Didn't you get the message Boruta sent you?” she inquired and Set folded his arms.

 

“I got it but I couldn't really make sense of it. Boruta can be quite wordy at times. So what's going on?”

 

“Let's get to the meeting place first. Do you think you can carry this mortal? He's been swimming ever since we left the Sacred Grove.”

 

“Are you serious? I never thought a mortal had the strength to travel all the way down here. Well then, I suppose I can carry you to the meeting place. I don't normally do this so be grateful,” Set said as he picked Chanirra up.

 

“I am. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't make it. This form is quite awkward for me,” Chanirra replied.

 

“What is your true form?”

 

“Allow me some time to relax and then I'll show you. I am not accustomed to extensive swimming. I'm a land dweller.”

 

“You could have fooled me in that form. So, where are you from?”

 

“I live near the Orrefors Peninsula. Have you heard of it?”

 

“Only from travelers. That's at least a month's traveling time, isn't it?”

 

“I don't know. Did it take us that long to get here? If it did, it certainly didn't feel like such a long time.”

 

“We didn't start out from your home and I did use my magic to speed up our travel. It took us only four or five days to get here because of that,” Undine said and Chanirra glanced at her.

 

“You were using magic the entire trip?” he inquired and she nodded her head.

 

“If I hadn't, you would have become exhausted long before now.”

 

“And I thought I had exceptional stamina.”

 

“You do. You just needed a little assistance. I didn't have to help you too much because you were already in great shape. Sometimes I use my magic to help wounded sea creatures get out of danger. They are extremely grateful to me when I get them home.”

 

“She's got a big heart when it comes to the ocean wildlife. I can't imagine anyone else guarding the oceans,” Set said as he set Chanirra down on the warm sand. “That was fast, wasn't it?”

 

“Yes. It's so nice to be on land again,” Chanirra said then began concentrating. Set watched in interest as he transformed into his natural shape. Chanirra shook his head then stroked the fur on the back of his ears. He hated having wet ears. Set sat on a beige colored rock and watched

 

“Amazing. I've never seen one of you before You're quite fascinating. You remind me a little of the jackals that I see further in the desert.”

 

“Jackals? What sort of animal are those?”

 

“They are wild dogs similar to a fox. I've heard tales of a wolf species that looks more like a jackal but I have never seen it. Your canine ancestors are far reaching indeed.”

 

“I'd like to see one if at all possible. I've never held a conversation with one before.”

 

“Perhaps later. Now you must tell me why you are here. Oh wait a moment. I'm sure you're hungry, aren't you? I have some dried meat on me. Let me see...”

 

“I thought I could smell something like meat but I couldn't figure out the type. I'm sure you have a lot of strange animals out there, don't you?”

 

“To your eyes perhaps. Ah. Here it is. I got this meat as an offering from some of the locals. Here you are.”

 

He tossed the meat down and Chanirra picked it up and bit into it. It was a little tough and had an odd gamy taste but it wasn't bad. He just wished that it was a bit fresher. Set watched him eat with interest then stood up and walked around him.

 

“You have a tail too. If the some of natives saw you like this, they would think that you were some sort of god,” he commented as Undine placed a hand in the water.

 

“Oh come on. Why would anyone think he's a god?” she inquired and Set glanced at her.

 

“There are people in this land revere the animals. A lot of creatures don't care for the dry heat so they are thankful for the ones that exist in these barren lands.”

 

“What sort of animals do you have in this regions?” Chanirra asked and Set looked at him.

 

“There are all kinds. Birds, reptiles, and mammals. Most of them tend to be brown in color to help them blend into the land. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, the desert can support plants. A lot of the plants have adapted to the dry season and we do get rain but it is not always guaranteed. I have seen areas of this desert go without rain for many years. Other times it rains and in just a few hours, the land is completely under water,” he replied and Chanirra looked confused.

 

“If it sometimes takes years for rain to fall, how do the animals survive?”

 

“There are places in the desert known as oases. They come about because of springs or underground streams. The animals sometimes have to travel many days to get to one but they do what they can. The birds can survive on the moisture kept inside the desert plants. I know all this may be strange to you but the concept is not that much different from what exists in your land. But enough about the desert. Where is the amulet you came to ask me about?”

 

Chanirra reached into his pocket and pulled out the amulet. Set took it from him and shook his head. Undine turned her attention away from the water and stood up. She was now in her land form and she walked up to where Set stood.

 

“I noticed some writing on the back,” she said and Set glanced at her.

 

“Where did you get this?” he asked as Chanirra placed the last bit of meat into his mouth.

 

“It's an heirloom that was stolen from my employer. He claims one of his ancestors found it while exploring this area,” Chanirra replied.

 

“Where was he exploring?”

 

“I don't know.”

 

“Do you know where it came from, Set?” Undine asked and Set nodded his head.

 

“I do. Some of the ancient tribes have large burial sites deep in the desert. I believe this amulet came from one of those sites and it needs to be taken back there,” he replied.

 

“Will that remove the curse?”

 

“The curse?”

 

“Let me explain this all to you,” Chanirra said and Undine folded her arms.

 

“If you had come instead of watching your silly mortals fight, we wouldn't have to go through all of this now,” she said.

 

Chanirra explained to Set about his employer and about Turath. Undine walked back over to the water as Chanirra explained about Turath's death and the curse he had placed on the inhabitants of Lirista. He then began explaining about how he had met Boruta and Set raised a hand.

 

“No more explanation is needed. I understand. I'm afraid that I can't allow you to take the amulet back to your employer. That would just leave the door open for someone else to steal it,” Set said.

 

“But I have to return it back to the noble. The completion of my contract depends on it,” Chanirra said. “I have never failed a job and I'm not going to start now.”

 

“I can't allow such a dangerous item to be in the hands of a human. The man who took it to begin with was lucky but now that others are aware of its existence, we cannot allow you to take it back to your employer. That is only inviting jackals to your front door.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“It's an expression some of the desert people use. Basically it means don't go searching for trouble. In this case, I think the expression is most fitting.”

 

“All right, I see why you are concerned but what am I supposed to tell the noble? I do not wish destruction on the entire world but I also do not want my reputation destroyed.”

 

“Set, aren't there craftsmen in your area?” Undine inquired and Set looked at her.

 

“What do you mean?” he asked.

 

“You know, craftsmen. People that make things, specifically jewelry or people that recreate artifacts. Don't you see Set? If you can get someone to make a replica of the amulet, he can go home without being shamed.”

 

“Hmm. I see, but how am I supposed to find one?”

 

“Oh come on Set. This is your land. You should know what all the people here do. You watch them enough.”

 

“True. I'm afraid you can't come along though, Undine. You'll dry out in this land.”

 

“So what should I do? Wait for you or go back to the Sacred Grove?” Undine inquired and Set shrugged his shoulders.

 

“What do you want to do?”

 

“Can you get to Boruta's forest and see how they're doing?” Chanirra inquired and Set looked at him.

 

“The mortal has a good idea,” he said and Undine nodded her head.

 

“He does get them from time to time. How long do you think it will take you to return the amulet?” she asked and Set thought for a moment.

 

“Well first we'll have to find someone willing to craft a duplicate. That may take us some time. The closest village is half a day away by camel.”

 

“A what?” Chanirra asked and Set frowned.

 

“It has been referred to as a desert steed. It's a large animal that the natives use to get across the dry sands. It can survive without drinking fresh water for over a week. Humans on the other hand will die if deprived of water for seven days. That is why the natives take such good care of their water. The natives of this land know how precious liquid is and they never take more than their fair share,” Set said and Undine glanced at Chanirra.

 

“It sounds like you'd get along with them quite well. They sound a lot like your description of your people,” she said.

 

“That may be true but I still didn't get a good picture of a camel,” Chanirra said.

 

“You'll see one before too long. Now we must do something about your appearance. If the locals saw you like this, they might become frightened and refuse to help us. Even though some may see you as a god, they will become afraid if they see you walking amongst them. Gods are not known for their mingling with mortals,” Set said and Chanirra looked at him.

 

“What about you? Aren't you like a god?”

 

“I am a lesser god. I do not rank as high as the creators of this world. Now how should we disguise you?”

 

“What shape should would you like me to take then?”

 

“There's no need to be that extreme. We just need a robe to cover up your ears and tail.”

 

“I had a robe but it was accidentally left behind at Boruta's place. I'm fully aware of the confusion my appearance would cause to humans. I also would prefer not to be captured as some sort of trophy. I have seen far too many slaves in my travels and all of them were of pristine races that humans viewed as unusual. Selling living people as trophies is barbaric.”

 

“If you can stay for a bit, Undine, I think I can get a robe from a group of travelers a few dunes over.”

 

“All right. Just don't get sidetracked,” she said as Set rose up into the air.

 

“What do you mean?” he asked as she folded her arms.

 

“Don't stop to watch the animals. I know how they entertain you.”

 

“I won't get sidetracked. Soon I'll have a canine companion to amuse me.”

 

“I am not here for his amusement,” Chanirra said, once Set had disappeared through the sand.

 

“Don't judge him too harshly. He's a really laid back person. That's why he's not the most reliable spirit out of all of us. He loves everything in his region and he sometimes forgets about the rest of us. Well he doesn't forget about me but sometimes I have to wait hours for him to show up when I pay him a visit. He's not the most organized one out of the group,” she said and Chanirra kicked a bit of sand.

 

“Boruta told me not to judge you harshly too. It took me awhile to change my mind about you.”

 

“From my experience with mortals, you deserved how I treated you. I thought you were some careless creature.”

 

“Well you could have at least listened to the explanation instead of yelling at me. I was only doing what Boruta had told me to do.”

 

“There has never been a mortal in the Sacred Grove before. What was I supposed to think?”

 

Chanirra muttered something in his own tongue and Undine looked at him with interest.

 

“What did you just say?” she inquired and Chanirra looked at her.

 

“Nothing,” he replied as she sat beside him.

 

“What is that language? I have never heard it before. It reminds me of the elven tongue but it's not an exact match.”

 

“It is the speech of my people.”

 

“You don't just bark at each other?”

 

“We are more advanced than our canine brethren. If we can speak human speech, why would we need to communicate in barks and howls? Our manner of speaking is as ancient as the elves. We are, after all, descended from the same god.”

 

“So elves are your distant relatives?”

 

“Do I look like an elf?”

 

“Well you're not as graceful as one but I can see some similarities. I think you should journey past Alavus Lake and see just how they live. You might just learn something about your own kind.”

 

“I would be out of place in an area like that. If the elves live like we do, they do not take kindly to strangers,” Chanirra said and Undine sighed.

 

“But you're not a stranger and I think they'd be able to see that. The ones with honest hearts that is,” she replied.

 

“Boruta mentioned something about evil elves. Such creatures exist then.”

 

“Nature is, as you have said, cruel. The elves you speak of are known as dark elves and they live in the lands west of Set's area I believe.”

 

“How many spirits are there? You five can't be the only ones.”

 

“We're not. There's at least five others that watch over the other half of the world. I have a sister in the south seas. We don't see each other much and she's quite difficult to get a hold of sometimes.”

 

“Boruta said he has a cousin that lives around my home. Do the others have relatives as well?” Chanirra inquired and Undine paused to think.

 

“Well Auril has a brother in the deep south I think. I'm not sure about Bennu and Set though. Set's pretty talkative but he's never mentioned anything about relatives. I haven't wanted to ask, either. Let's talk about something else. I hear him coming back,” she said and Chanirra shaded his eyes as he looked up into the sky.

 

“That didn't take him long.”

 

“Set's really fast. Sometimes the mortals living in his land see him in the sky but to them, he looks just like a cloud. Set doesn't change his form to disguise himself much. I don't know why.”

 

“Why? I want people to know there's a higher power governing this land,” Set replied as he landed. “Here you are. It's white because white reflects the harsh rays of the sun. I don't think you want to become jackal food in the middle of the desert.”

 

Chanirra took the robe from his outstretched hand and put it on. He tied the rope that served as a belt then produced a pair of clasps. He pushed back his hair and folded his ears then affixed the clasps to his ears.

 

“Doesn't that hurt?” Undine inquired and Chanirra shook his head.

 

“Not really. When I pin them back, the hood looks more natural over my head. It's a trick I learned many years ago,” he replied then glanced at his hands. “Damn. I never got my gloves back.”

 

“The sleeves are over sized so you won't have to worry about burning your hands,” Set said.

 

“That's not what I'm worried about. If I have to shake hands with someone, what will they think?”

 

“Don't shake hands then. Now let's get going. I don't want to be the reason for Boruta's forest lying in ruins. Come back as soon as you can, Undine.”

 

“How long will you be gone?” she asked and Set shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't know. I don't normally walk like a mortal,” he replied. “Come back in a few days. If I haven't shown up in an hour after you've arrived then try again the next day.”

 

“You are so terrible with time, Set.”

 

“Time isn't my concern. This land is my concern. Come mortal. We need to get going.”

 

“Just because my heritage lies with the wolves doesn't mean you need to treat me like a pet,” Chanirra said.

 

“Set, he does have some good qualities. I know that's hard to believe with mortals but...” Undine said and Chanirra glared at her.

 

“I don't need you to back my case up.”

 

“I have respect for you for traveling here from the Sacred Grove,” Set said. “But my land is different. It takes many qualities to survive this land. Do not disappoint me. I'll see you soon, Undine.”

 

“If you remember that is,” she replied as she watched the two of them walk off. She shook her head then changed back into her sea worthy form. Hopefully Set wouldn't forget his task and abandon Chanirra in the endless sands to pursue something more entertaining.