Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Chanirra ❯ Chapter 13

Akhmim was a bustling city and Chanirra watched the human antics with interest. Their skin was a dark tan and they wore robes quite similar to the one Chanirra was currently wearing. Some humans did not wear a robe or a shirt as they walked down the street. They spoke in a tongue that Chanirra could not understand and Set smiled. Chanirra cried out in shock when a man brushed past him and Set placed a hand on his arm.

 

“Careful. He was trying to lift your wallet. Thankfully, you weren't carrying anything,” Set said and Chanirra sighed.

 

“I wish I had my actual robe. I miss it. So, what idea do you have?” he inquired.

 

“Well I can use my magic and you can say I'm a sorcerer or something. Get a big crowd around and collect money from them. I won't use my magic until we have enough cash for a duplicate.”

 

“Isn't that dishonest?”

 

“No. I can do magic, can't I? Now stay close to me and we'll find a likely spot to do our show.”

 

“What will I put the money in?”

 

“Well we can't have them hand it to you. That might frighten them. Let's see...”

 

Set paused for a moment as he thought and Chanirra tried his best to get out of other people's way. Set then manifested a small pot in his hand and handed it to Chanirra. Chanirra took it, being careful not to show too much of his hands and Set folded his arms.

 

“This will work nicely. People can throw their money in this. Just make sure no one steals it. Man has a tendency to be greedy after all. Now let's see where a likely spot to set up shop is,” he said.

 

“Will they be able to understand me? They seem to be speaking a different language,” Chanirra said and Set nodded their hand.

 

“They'll understand you. Don't worry about that. There's a perfect spot. Come on. We've got to cross the street.”

 

Chanirra followed Set out into the street where the villagers walked with their livestock or pulled carts. He sniffed the air with interest as Set placed a foot on the other side. There was meat cooking somewhere. It smelled like beef. He wondered if this was the town the nomads purchased the mutton in and wondered if there was a butcher somewhere near by. Set grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the street and Chanirra blinked his eyes in shock.

 

“Standing there won't help us with our monetary problem,” Set said as they walked to a vacant lot. “I'm going to need a carpet. Make sure no one's watching will you?”

 

Chanirra glanced around as Set waved a hand and a carpet appeared on the bare ground. A child began crying somewhere near by and Set snapped his fingers. Chanirra glanced back at him and Set nodded his head.

 

“Now. Really sell the idea that I'm some sort of wizard,” he said and Chanirra sighed.

 

“I have never sold anything before so I'll do my best. Excuse me, this man is a wizard and he'll gladly do magic tricks if you place a little donation in the box,” Chanirra said to a man that had paused to look at the carpet Set stood on.

 

“Magic? I don't believe it,” the man said and Set raised his hands.

 

“Then I will give you a free sample,” Set said and the man watched in amazement as a small chicken appeared in his hand. “There's more amazing stuff but you've got to place a donation in the pot and tell your friends.”

 

The man began yelling excitedly and within seconds a crowd ha gathered to see what all the commotion was about. The man told the others how Set had made a chicken appear out of thin air and the others began shouting out suggestions. Most of them seemed to be animals, Chanirra observed as Set raised his hands again.

 

“Please good people! Be quiet or you will disrupt my concentration. I cannot bestow wealth upon each and every one of you but I will do spells that will completely amaze you. If you are generous and provide me with a little traveling money. Just drop it in the pot my friend is holding,” Set said and the villagers hastily got out their money purses and deposited money into the pot. Chanirra nodded his head in thanks as he watched the people push and shove just to drop a coin in. They reminded him a bit of cattle, Chanirra observed. He had witnessed a stampede on a cattle ranch during his travels and he had tried to communicate with the frightened creatures but they were too frightened to listen to reason. The humans, now drunk with the thought of the possibility of untold wealth before them were close to crushing him in their haste.

 

“Please! Let's have some order here!” Chanirra cried as he took a step backwards.

 

“Stop! If you continue to act like a group of wild beasts, I will not perform!” Set yelled and the crowd immediately became calm. “That is more like it.”

 

He clasped his hands together then raised them into the air. The crowd watched in awe as he slowly lowered one hand down to his side. A long string of brightly colored scarves appeared and he tossed them out into the audience, where a few people began fighting over who kept the lot of them. He then spread out his hands and produced three small desert birds, who flew off in confusion then glanced at Chanirra.

 

“Brace yourself,” he whispered and Chanirra's eyes grew wide in shock when he felt himself rise up into the air. The astonished audience murmured to one another as Chanirra tried not to look down. “And now, my last trick for I grow weary. My companion and I will disappear.”

 

Set lowered his hands to his side and then sharply brought them up again. A moderate sandstorm blew up and the villagers shaded their eyes. Set motioned for Chanirra to follow him and they flew to a clear spot up from where the crowd stood then set foot on solid ground.

 

“I can't believe they behaved like that. For a moment there, I almost expected them to stampede like cattle,” Chanirra said as Set changed the pot into a satchel. He took the satchel from Chanirra's hands and placed it inside his robe.

 

“No one would dare attempt to rob me. Now let's go down this street. I believe the craft shops are down here,” Set said as he turned a corner.

 

“You mean you don't know?”

 

“I'm not certain. There are a lot of towns in this area despite what you may think. Akhmim isn't the only town I visit. Yes, this is the correct street. Keep your eyes open for a jeweler. You do know what one is, don't you?”

 

“This isn't my first city, you know.”

 

“Maybe while he's making the duplicate we can get you a new pair of gloves. There's a clothing shop over there.”

 

“Perhaps.”

 

“I know there's a jeweler on this street. Ah there it is. Come on.”

 

The crossed the street and stepped inside a small shop that boasted rings in the window. Chanirra looked around the shop with interest as Set picked up a small bell and rang it. He never could understand the human fascination with gems. They were translucent rocks and they were quite common in certain parts of the world. Why did they treasure them so? A middle-aged man came out from a back room and pushed up his glasses.

 

“What can I help you with?” he inquired and Set bowed slightly in greeting.

 

“We would like you to make a copy of something. Can you do that?” he inquired.

 

“It depends on what the item is.”

 

Set held out his hand and Chanirra handed him the amulet. Set laid the amulet on the counter and the shopkeeper studied it carefully. He turned the amulet over and squinted to make out the writing on the back.

 

“This is very old,” he commented and Set nodded his head.

 

“There are bandits after it and we want to make a copy to fool them with. This is a valuable artifact and we do not want anything happening to it while we transport it to the museum in Aljuid,” Set explained and the shopkeeper nodded his head in understanding.

 

“Yes, I think I can reproduce it. I'll get started right away. It shouldn't be too difficult to do. The ancients were detailed for their time but their skills are crude when you compare them to today. Come back in a couple hours.”

 

“How much will you want for the job?”

 

“Well since you are transporting it to a museum, I'll give you a break. I'll only charge you a thousand.”

 

“That sounds reasonable. Do you want the money now?” Set inquired and the man shook his head.

 

“When you pick it up is fine. Since this is an important artifact, I don't believe you will leave town without it,” he replied.

 

“We'll be in the area if you should finish ahead of time. My companion recently lost his gloves and he wished to purchase a new pair. We shan't go far.”

 

Set ushered Chanirra out the door and back up the street to the clothing shop. Chanirra glanced back at the jeweler's and then at Set.

 

“Why did you make all that up?” he inquired.

 

“Because it was a story he could believe. No mortal would believe the truth if I told him,” Set replied.

 

“Those travelers we ran into did.”

 

“That was different. Now come on, let's see if they have some gloves that will fit you. It would make things a little less awkward.”

 

They stepped into the clothing shop and a young man greeted them heartily. Chanirra paused as he sniffed the air. There was a familiar scent and he moved closer to the back room while Set and the shopkeeper were conversing. He tried to peer into the back room but the shopkeeper walked up and steered him to a display of gloves.

 

“There's nothing back there you'd be interested in. It's just the servants working. Now your friend tells me you're looking for some gloves. We have many different styles. These are made out of leather while these are fashioned out of crocodile leather. That is why they have such a unique pattern,” the shopkeeper said and Chanirra paused as the scent grew stronger. Chanirra turned around only to see a person similar to his own people with large fox like ears standing near the counter holding a brightly colored dress. The shopkeeper spun around and began swearing at the person.

 

“How many times have I told you not to come out when I have customers?! Get back in there and you can forget about eating tonight!” he snapped and Chanirra took a step forward. Set placed an arm in front of him and gravely shook his head.

 

The Fennec shrank back into the back room as the shopkeeper followed him. Chanirra closed his eyes in pain when he heard the whimpers of the Fennec and Set turned away.

 

“So some of them did end up here,” he commented. “This one has a cruel master.”

 

“What can we do to free him?” Chanirra asked and Set sighed.

 

“I don't know if it would be right to free him. It has been at least five years since the Fennecs were captured. It is not in their nature to be combative and this one may not want to leave. He has a life here.”

 

“This is no life. He is not some sort of dumb cow or mule. He comes from an intelligent species and should not be treated this way. No one deserves to be beaten.”

 

“Quiet. He's coming back.”

 

“I'm so sorry about that but I'm sure you know what it's like when beasts do not obey orders,” the shopkeeper and Chanirra opened his mouth to retort but Set stepped in front of him.

 

“I'm afraid I don't know. What gives you the right to treat him in such a manner? The gods gave him the right to live in this land too,” Set said and the shopkeeper folded his arms.

 

“What are you? Some beast sympathizer? Where'd your companion go?”

 

Chanirra stepped into the back room and approached a pair of Fennecs. The first one knelt in a corner whimpering in pain while the second tried to comfort him. They both glanced up when Chanirra stopped in front of him and the second protectively embraced his companion.

 

“Why are you back here?” he asked as Chanirra knelt before them.

 

“Are you truly happy here?” he inquired.

 

“This is all we have now. We have no other life.”

 

“Why don't you fight back?”

 

“Because he's stronger. Why are you back here? You're going to get us in trouble.”

 

Chanirra pulled up the sleeve of his robe and extended a hand. The second Fennec glanced at his hand then stared up into his face.

 

“What are you?” he asked and Chanirra smiled.

 

“I'm not that much different than you. The jackals miss you. They told me about your misfortune,” he replied then frowned when the shopkeeper burst into the room.

 

“Get away from them! They are mine! I paid good money for them!” he snapped and Chanirra stood up.

 

“Would you buy your own mother if she were on sale?” Chanirra demanded and the shopkeeper looked confused.

 

“What are you talking about? They aren't even human. They're lucky to serve us. They can't survive without us.”

 

“They have survived for generations without your help. If you'd just leave them alone they'd survive for much longer.”

 

“Who are you to tell me what to do? Get out of my store this instant before I call upon the law!”

 

“Do you two really want to stay here and be beaten by this man?” Chanirra inquired and the Fennecs looked nervously at their master.

 

“We are not in a position to go against him,” the first one replied and Chanirra shook his head.

 

“No one can control you especially not him. You were in this land first. Besides, don't you want to see your friends again?”

 

“If you insist on treading where you don't belong then I will take the law in my own hands!” the shopkeeper cried and withdrew a knife from his pocket. He ran towards Chanirra then gasped in shock when Chanirra's hand shot out, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it sharply back until he dropped the weapon. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water and Chanirra gazed coldly at him.

 

“Why can't you learn to get along with one another? Why must your kind fight? Why must clans kill each other over a plot of land?” Chanirra demanded and the shopkeeper's face grew pale.

 

“My...kind? Are you...are you one of them?”

 

“Perhaps. Now you two. Answer me truthfully. Are you happy here?”

 

“Being forced to work and deprived of food is not a happy way to exist,” one of the Fennecs replied and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“Then we will take you back to your jackal friends,” he replied.

 

“How can you have sympathy for a race that lies with the jackals?” the shopkeeper demanded and Chanirra gazed coldly at him.

 

“It doesn't seem strange to me. Why must you persecute people just because they were not born from the same god as you?”

 

“What do you know about the gods? The gods would never create creatures like this.”

 

“They were born of the same blood as elves and yet you humans enslave them as well.”

 

“You are one of them aren't you?”

 

“Not quite.”

 

“You! Are you going to let this creature malign me like this?”

 

“You wouldn't like my opinion,” Set replied and the shopkeeper stared at him.

 

“Are you one as well?!” he asked in shock and Set shook his head.

 

“Certainly not but I'd watch what you say about the gods. I know quite a few.”

 

“Wh-what are you talking about?”

 

“I am the spirit of this desert. Normally I watch the antics of you mortals in concealment but a danger greater than any mortal has surfaced and it has forced me to take a more...public stance. I was upset at the tragedy that befell the Fennecs and the jackals but there was nothing I could do about it. However, I would like to make amends to the survivors of their tribe and to the jackals. Now I do not know if you are one of the original people that lay siege on their peaceful tribe or if you are simply a greedy mortal but their people did not deserve the attack. Your people came in the middle of the night and stole these people in their sleep. They had never done anything to your people and yet you came, captured them, and sold them as slaves. Do you do that to everyone that does not look just like you?”

 

Chanirra let go of the shopkeeper's arm and kicked the knife out of his reach in the same moment. He then took off his robe and handed it to the injured Fennec. The Fennec's companion took it and looked at Chanirra in question.

 

“Let your injured companion wear it. He should not be subjected to the stares brought on by the wounds of cruelty,” he said and the Fennec looked confused.

 

“But what about you?” he asked and Chanirra shook his head.

 

“Don't worry about me.”

 

“I guess we'll just have to get you another robe then. You're not used to this climate. You need to be protected. Now that this kind shop owner knows who we are, I don't think he would deny us a couple of robes and some gloves, would you?” Set inquired and the shopkeeper shook his head in fear. “Then show us your best products.”

 

The shopkeeper hastily retreated to the front of the store and Set, Chanirra, and the two Fennecs followed him. He soon produced two light tan colored robes and a pair of black crocodile leather gloves. Chanirra tried the gloves on then looked at the pattern on them. The concept that a lizard could be used to make gloves was beyond him. He had eaten a reptile once before but he found that he wasn't all that fond of white meat. He could stand the taste of birds, but their meat seemed to have more flavoring than reptile meat. He then glanced at the Fennecs who both looked like they had not seen a decent meal in weeks and sighed. They would have to be fed before they were taken back to where he and Set had met the jackals. The shopkeeper cowered in fear as Set took out the money satchel.

 

“How much is the bill for the clothes? I will not pay for the Fennecs freedom however. Cruelty should not be rewarded,” he said and the shopkeeper shook his head.

 

“K-keep your money. If I had known who you truly were, I wouldn't have...” he stammered and Set folded his arms.

 

“You would have put on a false face to impress me. You would not have shown your true colors. Most humans do not wish others to see just how cruel they really are. However, I should think it's in your best interest to change your ways.”

 

“I shall thoroughly consider it oh great spirit!”

 

“Let us take our leave. I believe we have been here long enough for the jeweler to finish his task,” Set said and Chanirra glanced at him.

 

“Will we be able to purchase some food with the money? They're starving,” Chanirra whispered and Set nodded his head.

 

“We'll stop for food just before we leave town. I noticed their malnutrition as well. Do your best to keep an eye on them. I think they're still in a state of shock.”

 

“I will. I made a promise to the jackals after all. What are your names?”

 

“Ah I'm, I'm... It's been so long since I've been called it,” one of the Fennecs said and the other paused to think.

 

“I'm Blaze and this is my brother Hazel.,” he said and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“Those are nice names. They sound a little exotic to my ears though but I like them,” he said.

 

“Where are we going now?” Hazel inquired and Set glanced back at them.

 

“We're going to the jeweler's. I have to pick up something and then we'll be visiting the Moruna burial site,” he replied.

 

“The Moruna burial site?” Blaze asked and Hazel thought for a moment.

 

“I think he's talking about that old building that's about the three days away from our old home,” Hazel replied.

 

“Didn't the jackals used to play there?”

 

“We used to go there too. There were a lot of interesting things inside there.”

 

“Have you ever seen a crocodile in there?” Set asked and the two Fennecs shook their heads.

 

“No. The crocodiles don't go there. Why do you ask?” Blaze inquired.

 

“One of the jackals said there's a creature living inside the burial site. Do you have any idea what it might be?”

 

“No we don't. We haven't been there in over five years after all.”

 

“You were lucky that you weren't separated from your brother,” Chanirra said and the Fennecs nodded their head.

 

“Fortune smiled on us in that respect. We have had two different masters but we have never been separated from each other. No matter how bad things got for us, we were always together. We were able to comfort one another,” Hazel said as he took his brother's hand.

 

“Here's the jeweler's. I hope he's finished it,” Set said as he walked into the shop.

 

“What would you two like to eat?” Chanirra inquired and Blaze looked interested.

 

“You mean we get a choice?” he asked and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“Why not?”

 

“It's just it's been so long since we've been able to make our own choices. I wonder what happened to all the others.”

 

“You never saw any others in town?”

 

“Our masters wouldn't let us outside. Both times we were kept hidden in a back room and chained in at night so we couldn't escape,” Hazel said and Chanirra stared at him.

 

“They chained you up? Like a criminal?” he asked.

 

“I guess so. We never did anything wrong, though.”

 

“That never stopped them from punishing us,” Blaze said then sniffed the air. “What is that smell?”

 

“Beef I believe. Did you ever get to eat raw meat when you were enslaved?” Chanirra inquired.

 

“We got the scraps they wouldn't give to their hounds or livestock. It was tough and tasted awful but we didn't have a choice. It was either that or nothing. Sometimes we didn't even get the scraps.”

 

“I'm really sorry. It tears me up inside each time I see one of my people working in front of a whip but I just can't save them all. I saved you two because it pained me to hear your cries. Also, I promised the jackals that I would try and find some survivors. They were really worried about you.”

 

“They tried to save us but the humans were too many. It'll be nice to see them again.”

 

“Well he got it done just as promised,” Set said as he walked out of the shop. “I think this will satisfy your employer. Take a look at it.”

 

Chanirra took the duplicate from Set's hand and gazed at it. It was perfect to the very last detail. He nodded his head and Hazel outstretched his hand.

 

“May I see it?” he inquired and Chanirra handed it to him.

 

“Please be careful with it. I've got to take this back to my employer. The original was stolen from him,” he said and Hazel handed it to Blaze.

 

“There is a spot at the ruins that this would fit perfectly in.”

 

“Set believes the original was taken from Moruna Ruins by the ancestor of my employer,” Chanirra said.

 

“Why did he have it?” Blaze asked.

 

“He found it while exploring and he believed it brought him good luck. He returned home safely with it and it has been in the family for years,” Chanirra said.

 

“Until it was stolen,” Set said and produced the real amulet. “This one is capable of summoning Valac, a demon with great powers. The mortal who stole it wanted to destroy the world and rebuild it in his image. My companion killed the human but the human placed a spell over a town that he controlled and the humans were told to kill him and whatever stood in their way to get the amulet back.”

 

“And that's why you're going to the ruins. You're taking it back to where it belongs,” Hazel said and Set nodded his head.

 

“Yes. They were fortunate to evade adversity for so long but fate caught up with it. This is not an item mortals should have. Now let's see about feeding you, shall we? I've got some money left.”

 

“Why does a spirit need money?”

 

“How else was I going to pay for the duplicate? So what would you two like?”

 

“Anything that's rare,” Chanirra said and the Fennecs faces lit up.

 

“I haven't had rare meat in years. Can we really have anything we want?” Hazel inquired.

 

“Absolutely,” Set said and Blaze clapped his hands.

 

“You know what I'd like? I want a huge piece of steak,” Blaze said and Chanirra cocked his head.

 

“Have you ever had lamb?” he asked and they shook their heads.

 

“Is it good?” they asked and Chanirra sighed.

 

“It's amazing. You'll love it.”

 

“Well if you get so excited over it then I've got to try it,” Hazel said and Blaze nodded his head.

 

“Me too,” he said.

 

“Well then three orders of rare lamb coming up. There's a butcher's near the edge of town. Let's go,” Set said and the Fennecs lowered their heads in thanks.

 

“You are so good to us, kind spirit.”

 

“It's the least I can do for my negligence. I was on the other side of the desert so I couldn't get back in time. When I came back, it was already too late. But let's not dwell upon the past. Let's get you some food then let's get back on the road.”