Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 3
Both Box and Goola lived with their grandparents. Their father, Julen's much older brother had died in the border wars between the Eastern and Northern Kingdoms. Not the usual skirmishes that sometimes took place, but the last real war. Where the two kingdoms had went all out at each other's throats. Each wanting to completely annihilate the other. An impossible task in reality, that inevitably always led to ceasefires, minor victories and more endless border grabs and skirmishes. So it was very much a war - and a death - in vain, and it created a deep-rooted grudge on the part of Box's grandparents. Especially so Grandpa Taxilian. It was a well hidden grudge, and rarely expressed - and even then modestly so, but it could easily be garnered from his disposition whenever such topics popped up.
Compounding things, Box and Goola's mother had also disappeared around about the same time, and no one knew quite how or where to ..or if she was even still alive at all. She'd just went. One day. Out of the blue.
Her side of the family had always been a little odd and unusual, as per their other grandfather, Luteeay, who was something of an unorthodox figure himself. So it was suspected that she had took it upon herself to leave for some unknown personal reason, or on some emotional whim, rather than for reasons beyond her own control. People made lame excuses for why she'd left, but everyone, even Box and Goola, knew that they were just that, excuses. The general feeling being that she'd simply been selfish, and had decided to up sticks and abandon everyone. A feeling that wasn't felt with any real malice or ill will, more with just a resigned acceptance of the situation.
It was Grandpa Luteeay who made the most excuses for her. He would explain to Box how the universe worked, and all manner of other odd and irrelevant things, but when this topic popped up he tended to be somewhat hazy about it all. Almost nonplussed. "She must have had her reasons," "There's no point in worrying about things you can't control," and other such mantras.
Box always found this slightly annoying. Like he was childishly in denial, masking the seriousness and sadness of it all with platitudes. Things that only sounded meaningful and useful, but that in reality were just empty words. Others saw it more as a genuine attempt to keep the spirits up though, and to help people deal with a sad situation. He was after all a Kytalyk. So he did have a role in the community that required him to do just that - to offer some kind of seniority and worldly wisdom.
The Kytalyks were vaguely priest-like figures, but more with the aesthetics of hermits or village elders. In fact, village elder is perhaps the more apt likeness. As that's all they now were in actuality. Their general role being a bit of a hodgepodge of "local wise elder" type functions. They gave advice, performed strange ceremonies, helped teach the local children about the world and how it worked. They practised weird kinds of natural medicine. Told stories. Basically, they occupied the elevated role that wise old people tend to occupy in all cultures. With a little bit of esoteric mystique thrown in for good measure.
Though they still had the outward trappings of wisdom and seniority, these days the Kytalyks were quite impotent figures. They had no real power. Certainly no executive power to speak of, and they tended to avoid anything truly political. They were largely content to just carry out their ceremonial displays, give their personal advice, and keep their various peculiar traditions going. Still, there was nevertheless the distinct sense that at one point in history the Kytalyks must have had real, actual power and clout. That at some point, deep in the past, they were a real authority of sorts. Filling the role of tribal judge or leader, and forming counsels amongst themselves to decide important issues and serious affairs. Now, however, with the various states and kingdoms subsuming all these functions, they were essentially redundant. Meeting at their various counsels and engagements to perform their now meaningless rituals, and to discuss more abstract and altogether trivial things.
Her side of the family had always been a little odd and unusual, as per their other grandfather, Luteeay, who was something of an unorthodox figure himself. So it was suspected that she had took it upon herself to leave for some unknown personal reason, or on some emotional whim, rather than for reasons beyond her own control. People made lame excuses for why she'd left, but everyone, even Box and Goola, knew that they were just that, excuses. The general feeling being that she'd simply been selfish, and had decided to up sticks and abandon everyone. A feeling that wasn't felt with any real malice or ill will, more with just a resigned acceptance of the situation.
It was Grandpa Luteeay who made the most excuses for her. He would explain to Box how the universe worked, and all manner of other odd and irrelevant things, but when this topic popped up he tended to be somewhat hazy about it all. Almost nonplussed. "She must have had her reasons," "There's no point in worrying about things you can't control," and other such mantras.
Box always found this slightly annoying. Like he was childishly in denial, masking the seriousness and sadness of it all with platitudes. Things that only sounded meaningful and useful, but that in reality were just empty words. Others saw it more as a genuine attempt to keep the spirits up though, and to help people deal with a sad situation. He was after all a Kytalyk. So he did have a role in the community that required him to do just that - to offer some kind of seniority and worldly wisdom.
The Kytalyks were vaguely priest-like figures, but more with the aesthetics of hermits or village elders. In fact, village elder is perhaps the more apt likeness. As that's all they now were in actuality. Their general role being a bit of a hodgepodge of "local wise elder" type functions. They gave advice, performed strange ceremonies, helped teach the local children about the world and how it worked. They practised weird kinds of natural medicine. Told stories. Basically, they occupied the elevated role that wise old people tend to occupy in all cultures. With a little bit of esoteric mystique thrown in for good measure.
Though they still had the outward trappings of wisdom and seniority, these days the Kytalyks were quite impotent figures. They had no real power. Certainly no executive power to speak of, and they tended to avoid anything truly political. They were largely content to just carry out their ceremonial displays, give their personal advice, and keep their various peculiar traditions going. Still, there was nevertheless the distinct sense that at one point in history the Kytalyks must have had real, actual power and clout. That at some point, deep in the past, they were a real authority of sorts. Filling the role of tribal judge or leader, and forming counsels amongst themselves to decide important issues and serious affairs. Now, however, with the various states and kingdoms subsuming all these functions, they were essentially redundant. Meeting at their various counsels and engagements to perform their now meaningless rituals, and to discuss more abstract and altogether trivial things.
This lack of real power and importance also meant that they had become a little ridiculed too - though only endearingly so. With most people tending to tolerate them with a warmth and fondness, though nevertheless dismissing their doings and goings-on as something well past it's usefulness. One particular point of ridicule was the Kytalyk fondness for eggs. To the Kytalyks the simple egg was an important and powerful symbol, and they would often begin their stories and allegories by holding an egg aloft in their hand. A visual prop to illustrate some abstract concept or natural phenomena. Their fondness for eggs also meant a fondness for chickens, so chickens were a common sight wherever Kytalyks were found. Pecking and bouncing around their yards and hovels. Once again, strengthening the comedic sense that now attached itself to their image. Especially in the eyes of younger people, like Box. Of course, there was nothing that unusual about chickens bouncing around yards and hovels, as pretty much everyone in this part of the Eastern Kingdom kept chickens, but with them it seemed to be just chickens. Mainly chickens. Always chickens. Whereas for everyone else chickens were just one of many animals kept to farm.
Box disliked chickens, which added another element to the minor friction between her and her grandfather. She thought they looked "ugly," especially when compared to all the other birds flying and gliding out and about in nature. Whenever she would point this difference out to Goola she'd get agreement. They did look ugly ..and they did look especially ugly in comparison to all the other birds. But though Goola agreed, she was never really that bothered. It didn't make her pause for thought the way it made Box pause. She could observe the difference when it was pointed out, but she would never have observed it on her own. This was another subtle difference between the two sisters. Likewise, Goola was never really puzzled about the way the world was when they heard the familiar descriptions of it from Luteeay. Or from the other Kytalyks who came ambling through their part of the countryside.
The last time Box had been told about the world her grandfather had mentioned eggs that time too. "Like the yolk of an egg." Surprisingly he wasn't actually holding an egg in his hand that time, but he may as well have been, it was such a familiar sight and routine.
In many ways it was quite striking that neither Box nor Goola had inherited any of the quirky leanings that could be seen in their grandfather and mother. That side of the family had always felt somewhat distant to them. It just wasn't their world. They were both much more down to earth. There was nothing flimsy or abstract in their worldviews. Even their dreams and ambitions were very much rooted in the real world. They both simply wanted more from life. Box wanting to see more of the world, Goola wanting more in general. This grounded attitude they had was inevitably a consequence of Grandpa Taxilian and Grandma Mayleen. Their straight-talking ways and lack of grandeur meant that Box and Goola always placed complete faith in them. They never questioned or doubted a word they said they way they sometimes doubted Grandpa Luteeay. Mainly because they never said anything especially far-fetched or doubtful.
Nevertheless, Box and Goola did both have a strong physical resemblance to the family members on their mother's side. Something that was often commented upon by other people. One feature in particular was their very translucent skin, which meant that, when close up, you could see the green-blue veins branching underneath it. Particularly noticeable were the soft blue veins visible on their foreheads, rivering from the corners of their eye sockets. Goola's fanned by her sunlight blonde hair, Box's by her ever-so-slightly more reddish flop of fringe. They would often note that if they were ever to meet their mother again they'd be able to tell it was her solely by this recognisable trait.
As Goola looked in the mirror admiring herself she remembered this, but didn't mention it to her sister, who was quickly drifting off to sleep. Strangely, they too, like their mother, would now both be leaving, and this sudden unexpected change in events made Goola pensive and restless. Usually it would be her drifting off exhausted, as Box struggled to suppress her boundless energy. This time Box was eager to sleep, looking forward to the next day, as Goola, over-thinkingly, wondered on.
On hearing that state head-hunters were coming east, looking for recruits, Grandpa Taxilian had acted fast. He'd decided it would be best to send Box, Goola and Julen further east, across the sea, to Maiden's Tower. Where his cousin, Ellever, lived with her family. The reasoning was simple. Get Julen as far away from the wars in Western Isles as possible ..and the story Taxilian had hastily concocted to justify this plan was straightforward enough. He was sending Box and Goola to live with Aunt Ellever for the next six months, just in case the Pox broke free of the quarantine. Julen would be their chaperone, ensuring their safe journey.
Naturally though, this news had come as a huge surprise to Box and Goola. Why leave all of a sudden? If there was serious danger of the Pox spreading why wasn't everyone leaving?
Nevertheless, Box and Goola did both have a strong physical resemblance to the family members on their mother's side. Something that was often commented upon by other people. One feature in particular was their very translucent skin, which meant that, when close up, you could see the green-blue veins branching underneath it. Particularly noticeable were the soft blue veins visible on their foreheads, rivering from the corners of their eye sockets. Goola's fanned by her sunlight blonde hair, Box's by her ever-so-slightly more reddish flop of fringe. They would often note that if they were ever to meet their mother again they'd be able to tell it was her solely by this recognisable trait.
As Goola looked in the mirror admiring herself she remembered this, but didn't mention it to her sister, who was quickly drifting off to sleep. Strangely, they too, like their mother, would now both be leaving, and this sudden unexpected change in events made Goola pensive and restless. Usually it would be her drifting off exhausted, as Box struggled to suppress her boundless energy. This time Box was eager to sleep, looking forward to the next day, as Goola, over-thinkingly, wondered on.
On hearing that state head-hunters were coming east, looking for recruits, Grandpa Taxilian had acted fast. He'd decided it would be best to send Box, Goola and Julen further east, across the sea, to Maiden's Tower. Where his cousin, Ellever, lived with her family. The reasoning was simple. Get Julen as far away from the wars in Western Isles as possible ..and the story Taxilian had hastily concocted to justify this plan was straightforward enough. He was sending Box and Goola to live with Aunt Ellever for the next six months, just in case the Pox broke free of the quarantine. Julen would be their chaperone, ensuring their safe journey.
Naturally though, this news had come as a huge surprise to Box and Goola. Why leave all of a sudden? If there was serious danger of the Pox spreading why wasn't everyone leaving?
"We aren't leaving if you aren't leaving," was the incessant refrain. This unyielding protest finally led Taxilian to relent and explain to both the real reason for the journey. On the promise that neither would tell Julen. Once they both knew it was for Julen's sake they quickly changed their disposition. Consequently, for Box it now became a little mission. It had a neat purpose, and it gave her an excuse to be excited by the prospect. Goola too felt a touch of excitement, but she wasn't quite as certain about the prospect. Either way, it would be a major change in fortune. Neither Box nor Goola had ever even seen the ocean before, let alone travelled across it. So to head all the way to Maiden's Tower was an enchanting endeavour.
For Julen it also represented a huge change in circumstance. Though he, being older, was slightly more well travelled than they were. Once before he had been to Maiden's Tower as a child. Plus, he'd occasionally made journeys to the east coast, or to Lake Fryjia, with Taxilian. Again though, these were rare exceptions to his normal, less well-travelled life. So a journey by land, then by sea. Followed by six months in a completely different part of the world represented a colossal switch of scenery. It would also be the first time he'd made such a journey on his own, without an older figure to guide his hand. And this was the thing that appealed to him the most.
For Julen it also represented a huge change in circumstance. Though he, being older, was slightly more well travelled than they were. Once before he had been to Maiden's Tower as a child. Plus, he'd occasionally made journeys to the east coast, or to Lake Fryjia, with Taxilian. Again though, these were rare exceptions to his normal, less well-travelled life. So a journey by land, then by sea. Followed by six months in a completely different part of the world represented a colossal switch of scenery. It would also be the first time he'd made such a journey on his own, without an older figure to guide his hand. And this was the thing that appealed to him the most.
So, like Box, he too slept soundly. Thoughtlessly eager for what was to follow.
(The Eastern Kingdom, and across the sea
to Maiden's Tower)
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