Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene XLIV

Eartaria, Allacat and Celalah arrived on Terrella to find it strangely quiet. Sure, the birds were singing, and the lush semi-jungle habitat was green with life, but the half-tails themselves remained aloof. The three weary visitors had been travelling for over an hour now. From the long sandy beaches of the coast, around the tricky mangrove swamps, and now, finally, up the jungle ascent towards the more mountainous middle of the island. For Eartaria it was his first visit, but Celalah and Allacat knew the island well, and the quiet was noticeable. As they headed further into the canopy the heat began to take its toll. The damp wet of the jungle and the sweat beading from their foreheads being as one beneath the shade. The surprise at the lack of activity adding to the tiredness and frustration.

As they stopped to ponder their whereabouts Eartaria gulped down the last of the water in his flask. His determination remained resolute, but the last few empty drips tempted his body to turn back. He wiped the sweat from his brow, then scanned the forest surround. Noting the strange fruits that hung from the trees, and the brightly plumed birds that hovered in and out of them. Then, at last, in a dash of fortune, he caught sight of what he'd came to find. Up ahead, in the distant green, two half-tails came wandering through the trees. A tall male carrying what looked like rope over his shoulder, and a shorter female, who carried a large jug of water. The male was largely unremarkable, but the female had a long tail that snaked out from the base of her back. It bobbed and undulated with every footstep. The heavy jug a weight against the swaying rhythm. Relieved to find life, the three strangers picked up the trail again and began heading in their direction. As they caught up Celalah shouted over. The two half-tails looked around, then genially ambled towards them.

"Where is everyone?" asked Celalah, in a familiar tone, "We've came from Once Woods - we want to speak to the head."

"Everyone's further in land," came the reply from the male. "We're moving things further up the mountain. Building." He looked at the rope he was carrying in gesture.

"Why?"

"Signs," noted the female, with a smile. Her pleasing form instantly catching the eye of Eartaria, though the answer confused him. He looked across to his Celalah and Allacat, in hope of an explanation, then back again at the woman. As he did so the two island half-tails looked at him with a drift of apprehension, realising he wasn't one of them.

"C'mon," said the male, politely hiding the drop of unease, "Let's head on in, it isn't far. We can talk more when we get there."