Return Of The River Guardian
She could hear the whispers again. Even in her sleep Bailey could hear muttering around her.
Something’s wrong. Said that voice deep down inside her,
Something’s wrong and you need to wake up. So saying, Bailey forced herself out of her sleep. She became groggily aware of Stranger’s fur under her cheek, the thud of his heartbeat and the rise and fall of his breathing. And then she heard the whispers.
Muttering. All around them.
Though her mind was running at full speed Bailey became frustrated to find her body less then cooperative. Feeling like it was filled with lead Bailey lifted her head and looked around blearily. She rubbed her eyes lethargically and blinked several times to clear her vision.
Around them were a group of masked creatures that was only just above Bailey’s knees in height. And they were armed with some very nasty looking spear and pike type weapons…
“Oooh, not good…” She thought. She surreptitiously glanced at Stranger, and, wouldn’t you know it, he was still asleep. Not taking her eyes off the surrounding creatures and not making a sound Bailey reached back and clenched her fist in Stranger’s fur, giving it a sharp tug. Stranger snorted quietly and finally awoke. He looked at Bailey sleepily and was about to ask what the devil she thought she was doing, when he caught sight of the strangers circling them.
Immediately all drowsiness left him and he watched the surrounding soldiers with sharp green eyes. Bailey could feel all his muscles tense and go rigid, ready for action. Slowly, he unfolded his four Steef legs from beneath him and stood, Bailey rose as well, her fingers closing around the hatchet at her belt.
But as soon as Stranger had stood up and came into full view the soldiers all took a step back and Bailey heard several gasps.
“A Steef.” They whispered,
“Are the Steef returning?” one asked another,
“What’s that other creature?” another one whispered, gazing intently at Bailey. Bailey and Stranger looked at each other. One of the soldiers stepped forward, and bowed.
“Dude Steef.” it said, it’s voice feminine. Bailey’s eyes widened in surprise, the creature’s voice and accent reminded Bailey of the few friends she’d had when she was at home. Friends she couldn’t openly call friends…they were not looked favourably on by society…
Bailey shook her head slightly, pushing away the memories.
Stranger noticed her shift and put a hand on her shoulder. The creatures saw the way Stranger treated Bailey and their eyes seemed to soften towards her.
“Dude Steef,” said the leader again, “We’ve been waiting a long time.” Bailey frowned gently in confusion but Stranger seemed to understand, he nodded. “The Seer is waiting for ya.” Said the leader. Stranger let out a deep breath. He drew Bailey closer to him,
“My kid comes with me.” He warned, the leader of the soldiers nodded.
“Course Steef dude.” Bailey noticed that the leader of the soldiers around them said the word ‘Steef’ differently. As if it were an honoured title, like she was saying ‘Lord’.
“Who
are you guys?” Bailey asked at last. Even though she couldn’t see their faces Bailey had the distinct impression that she had delighted them in some way. Maybe it was because she had the same pattern of speech as themselves, or maybe it was just hearing an alien being speak that excited them, she didn’t know, and she didn’t care either. She just wanted her questions answered.
In answer the leader of the soldiers took off her helmet. Her face was painted with green markings. She bowed slightly to Bailey,
“We are the Grubbs,” she said, smiling, “And we have been waiting for the return on the river guardians for a long time now. Now, at last, Steef has returned… Follow me, the Seer of our tribe will want to meet you.” Bailey looked up at Stranger with an expression he had never seen on her before. He suddenly saw in Bailey a young child completely trusting him. He smiled down at her reassuringly. Bailey looked into his eyes and was calmed. She nodded.
It was as if she had spoken, though she had not said a word to him, Stranger heard words speak in his mind in Bailey’s voice;
I will follow you.
The female Grubb leader watched the silent exchange and realised that there was more too these two travellers then met the eye. She knew what it was as well…
“It is as the Seer said. They are the two we have been waiting for…” she thought, smiling inwardly. “This way.” She said, a hint of the smile on her face. She turned and with her soldiers, Stranger and Bailey following, she led the way along to the river towards the Grubb village.
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Bailey stayed close to Stranger as they followed the group of Grubb soldiers towards the village. She was sure this was what the whisperers in the graveyard had wanted her to do, but she didn’t know what it would lead too. Now that she was here, and faced with the consequences of her actions and the brink of Stranger’s destiny, Bailey began to feel slightly nervous. What if she was wrong? What if she
went wrong?
The consequences would be dire.
Bailey just hoped she could do what she had to when the time came.
When they arrived at the village it seemed that every Grubb that lived there was out to greet them, but they stood, in complete silence. Both Bailey and Stranger felt uncomfortable with such quiet and so many eyes on them.
Bailey looked up at Stranger, outwardly he was calm, stern and strong, staring straight ahead, but Bailey knew that he was ready for an attack at any moment. Bailey became unnerved by the silence of the Grubbs and decided it was high time she got some answers. She glanced at Stranger, feeling her gaze he looked down at her.
Bailey discreetly nodded her head towards the female Grubb leader.
“I just wanna ask her somat.” She whispered. Stranger nodded, Bailey moved away from Stranger and fell into step next to the Grubb leader.
“Why are they are so quiet?” she whispered.
“They are showing respect for Steef. They have waited for many years for their guardian to return.”
“You mean Stranger’s been here before?” Bailey asked,
“Stranger?” the Grubb asked confused,
“Er…I mean Steef.” Bailey corrected herself,
“His kind has not been seen since Sekto began hunting them, many years ago. We have been waiting for the Mongo River guardians to return and defend us, for a very long time.”
“So now that he’s here, what does he have ter do?”
“The Seer will answer all your questions.” Said the female Grubb,
“Erm…before we came down into the valley…” began Bailey, “We went through a graveyard and I-”
“The Seer knows. He will tell you.” The Grubb cut her off. She glanced behind them, “I think Steef wants you.” She said mildly. Bailey blinked and looked back. Stranger was watching them with bright, neon green eyes. He looked edgy and when Bailey looked at him, those green eyes which she found so fascinating pleaded for her to come back.
Bailey looked at the female Grubb leader again. She smiled mysteriously. Unnerved Bailey went back to Stranger. He looked at her.
“She wouldn’t tell me anything. Apart from there had been waiting for a Steef to return to the valley for a long time. She kept saying this Seer dude’ll tell us what we want to know.”
“Bailey. What are yer afraid of?” Stranger asked suddenly, Bailey blinked at him in surprise.
“I’m not-”
“I can smell it Bailey. I smell fear in you. Why?”
“Stranger, I am not afraid.” Stranger sighed, knowing very well that she was lying.
“When yer ready ter tell me. I’ll be here.” He murmured. They walked on in silence, past little mud huts built on little woven platforms reached by ladders, and crowds of Grubbs. Then suddenly the group of Grubbs they were following stopped before a hut that looked like every other. Stranger and Bailey looked at each other and stopped too. Stranger, wary and Bailey, apprehensive.
The little band of warrior Grubbs parted into two groups and their leader turned to them.
“This is the hut of our Seer, you will meet with him now, and he will tell you all that you need to know.” She moved aside and after a slight hesitation Stranger went forward, Bailey following. The Grubb leader climbed up the hut’s ladder, (Stranger finding this slightly more difficult then Bailey) and pulled aside the bead curtain that was over the entranceway of the hut and Stranger ducked down into the hut that was almost half his height. Bailey looked at the Grubb leader one last time as she passed.
The Grubb could not hold the human’s piercing gaze.
“There’s some Steef soul in that one too…” the Grubb leader thought to herself.
Bailey followed Stranger, stooping into the hut.