Mulrox and the Malcognitos by Kerelyn Smith
Author:Kerelyn Smith [Smith, Kerelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fog Field Press
* * *
Mulrox spent the next six hours following Yahgurkin through the Woods Mercurial. He hardly said a word as he followed her lead. The malcognitos chatted happily with Yahgurkin, but Mulrox’s thoughts were on Sounous, the Vaccus, and what he would do when he finally faced it.
“We should be getting close now. Does any of this look familiar to you?” Yahgurkin asked.
Mulrox squinted and tried hard to remember what it was like when he had fallen down into the gully. It seemed like ages ago.
“I think that’s where you fell.” Yahgurkin pointed up the hillside to a trail of broken branches and shrubs that extended up a steep incline.
Mulrox nodded. He turned and there it was, the circle of enormous trees.
“A fairy ring,” Yahgurkin said.
Mulrox nodded. “This is it,” he said, pointing to the tree. “Do you want to do the honors?”
Yahgurkin nodded and stepped forward. She took a deep breath, brushed the wrinkles from the front of her shirt, and then knocked three times on the trunk.
“Great squirrelmonk from the tales of old,” Yahgurkin began, “we have come to beseech you for advice.”
They were answered with silence.
“Maybe she’s not home,” Mulrox whispered.
Yahgurkin frowned. “We bring offerings.” She reached into one of her pouches and laid a handful of black-and-yellow-striped seeds on the ground and then stepped back.
There was a rustling, and then Mulrox saw a hood pop out from the branches. It pulled back and then appeared again on the other side of the tree.
“What kind of offering?” a voice called down.
“Sunflower seeds.” Yahgurkin pointed.
In the tree above, Rodenia edged out from behind the trunk, revealing her full cloaked profile. “You’re not supposed to be here.” She crept closer to the little pile of seeds while she glared at Mulrox. “It’s against all the rules.” She edged closer. “I’m not to interfere. They are very clear about that.”
“But if you were to talk to me,” Yahgurkin said, “that wouldn’t be interfering, would it? It’s Mulrox’s quest not mine.”
“I guess I could pop down for a little consultation.” The squirrelmonk tapped one of her fingers against her other paw as she thought. “Alright.”
Rodenia leapt from her branch down to the next. She started to shimmy her way down the tree trunk when she twitched, lost her balance, and plummeted to the ground.
“Confounded tail!” She took in the rest of the motley group and scowled. “HA! Malcognitos.” She cocked her head at Mulrox. “He’s doing better than I’d imagined. Still, plenty of time yet. Let’s have a look at this offering.”
Rodenia picked through the seeds, holding each one up to the light to inspect them.
“She’s really something, isn’t she?” Yahgurkin whispered to Mulrox.
“I was,” Rodenia said and then settled on top of the pile of sunflower seeds like a dragon over its hoard.
“You still are! The great Rodenia.” Yahgurkin bent into a deep bow. “It’s an honor.”
“You’ve heard of me then, I suppose?” Rodenia sniffed.
“Oh, yes,” Yahgurkin said. “Your prophecy to Mulrox alone is legendary. An instant classic, in fact.” Yahgurkin gave Mulrox a sly smile.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
