The Other Lykar

“Baaahhhaa.”

Something warm and damp bumped into Elian’s ear, bringing him from deep sleep to panic in an instant. Buggers?! Here?

He wasn’t entirely relieved when his brain caught up to the fact that there was a goat halfway up his bed.

“Blackbeard! No! Down!” The goat took an optimistic bite of his pillow, decided against it, and obediently put his front hooves back on the floor where they belonged. Or didn’t belong. “What are you doing here? How did you…?”

He looked over at the other bed, wondering how Kaia could sleep through this – only to find it empty.

“Kaia!” Frantically, he looked around. Where could she…

“I’m here. Couldn’t sleep in there.” She leaned against the open balcony door, yawning, still wrapped in the blanket she’d taken from the bed.

“I know you prefer the open sky, but the beds…”

“...were too soft.” She grinned. “Much better out here. At least until that silly creature almost landed on me.”

“He jumped up here? No way! We’re on the second floor.”

“I think he climbed. The outside wall is rough stone. Goats are excellent climbers.”

They both turned to look at Blackbeard, who had moved to the door and was pushing against it with his head. Elian shook his head. With those scrawny legs and round belly, the goat shouldn’t be able to do either, but he’d learned never to underestimate what a dwarf goat was capable of. A hoof scraped at the floor, and the horns bumped into the door.

“Looking for Brinja, are you?” He hurriedly got the door open before the goat decided to burst through it, and went to knock on Brinja’s. It took some time for her to open, and when she did, she was yawning, hair a mess.

“What do you want so early?” she complained, then squealed as black horns rubbed against her hip. “Blackbeard, you clever goat? Did you miss me? You know you're not allowed indoors, and that goat pen looked perfectly comfortable.”

She kept scolding the goat, who was listening idly while chewing affectionately at the hem of her tunic.

“Oh well,” she sighed, motioning for them to join her in her room. “Since we're all awake, we might as well get on with our day then. Lots to do.”

“After breakfast,” Elian said quickly. Inka had told him there’d be pancakes. And jam.

“Of course. I have my eye on a nice cheese omelette.” Brinja smiled. “And I’m sure they’ll have some tasty meat dishes too.”

“So what do we need to do today?” he asked. “Food supplies, new bedrolls for the journey, a spare set of clothes…”

“News and transport,” Brinja added. “It would be great if we could find a ride already tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” That’d mean one more night in the soft bed, and at least two more baths…

“I need arrows,” Kaia said. “Strings and oil to care for them.”

“I don’t know about news and carriages,” Elian admitted, “but the trapper I spoke with yesterday mentioned a Lykar living here. Beohr the Bowman." Kaia’s ears perked up.

“A Lykar? Here? From which tribe?”

“I don’t know, but he’s apparently running a small weapons store. He should have everything you need.”

“Okay, then you two should go see him. He’ll probably give you a better price if I’m not there.” Brinja grinned, idly scratching Blackbeard's head. “I’ll seek out the dwarf elders in town, see what they know. And look around for transport heading south.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Then let’s get ready for breakfast.” She looked at Blackbeard. “But you get to eat yours outside!”

*

One long breakfast later, Elian and Kaia walked through the streets of Tarrin. Stores and stands selling produce were opening, and they passed a bakery from which amazing smells wafted through the door. Children were running past them, running errands or simply playing, tossing a ball between them. A couple of dogs and cats were lazing around, soaking up the sun.

He could easily imagine the pups racing along with them, laughing. Meow too. He sighed, he really missed them all.

They found the small weapons store easily, not because of the faded sign with a couple of stylised, crossed swords, but because Kaia could easily follow the scent of the only other Lykar in town. Beohr was sitting outside carving the fine details on a tall bow, brown ears turning their way before he looked up from his work.

“Morning bright,” he greeted them, eyeing Kaia curiously, and they responded in the same way.

“That’s a fine-looking bow,” Kaia complimented him. “I’m looking for arrows. Or the materials to make them.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place.” Beohr smiled and got up, welcoming them into the store. Spears and a couple of swords were on display on the wall, while knives in various shapes and sizes were laid out on a large table.

“No axes?” Elian asked, looking around, and Beohr laughed.

“No, not here. The dwarves have that market covered.” He fetched a large box from one of the shelves and beckoned Kaia to have a look. It was full of arrows, tied together in bundles. “These are the ones I’ve made. Which length and feathers do you prefer?”

“Turkey,” she said, picking one up, studying the bindings closely. “These are very well made.”

“Thank you. If you wish to make your own, I have…” More boxes joined the first, and he and Kaia were soon deep into a discussion about the benefits of different kinds of wood and feathers. They were clearly enjoying themselves.

“We’ll take these ones, thank you.” She selected two bundles and a small bag filled with materials for later. “How much?”

“For you? Three silvers.”

Was that a good price? Elian had no idea, but he took out the pouch and found the right coins. Beohr pocketed them, then smiled.

“Now that our business is taken care of, why don’t you stay for some tea and talks?”

“Thank you, we’d like that.”

Beohr opened the door at the back of the store, hollering:

“Jenna-dear, we have visitors. Would you like to join us outside for talks?”

“How lovely,” came a woman’s voice. “I’ll put the kettle on.”

They went through a wide hallway and out another door that led into a small but well-kept garden. They took seats at wooden benches framing a chubby table.

“Where are you from?” Kaia asked. “I didn’t expect to find a kinsman here of all places.”

“I was born into the Saira tribe, but it’s been over a decade since I travelled with them.”

“Saira? We often meet with them,” Elian said, and got a puzzled look in return.

“He’s Nareth,” Kaia explained. “And I’m Kharun.”

“So the rumors are true then, Roahr really did take in a human pup.” Beohr smiled again. “It’s just like him.”

“He's a good leader. How did you end up here? Away from your tribe?”

“It’s a nice place. Life is free here, and trade is good. And…” He got up to take the tray from the pretty black-haired woman who had silently joined them, placing it on the table. “... nobody here was bothered about our living arrangements."

Elian nodded. Myan’s romance stories aside, inter-species relationships were uncommon and frowned upon by many. He glanced at Kaia, who was watching them with a soft smile on her face. It was strangely relieving to see a couple who obviously had made it work. 

Jenna picked up the chubby pot, poured tea for everyone, then sat down next to Beohr.

“What brings you two here?" she asked. "I was so surprised to see a young Lykar traveling with a human.”

“We came east to investigate the bug problem,” Elian said. This wasn’t the time to be political and beat around the bush. “They’re building an army. Here. In the mountains.”

“What?”

“It’s true. So we need to warn everyone. Tell them to prepare, to…” He sighed, shoulders slumping. “To… I don’t know… prepare an army ourselves…”

“What do you mean?” Beohr demanded. “The bugs have been a human problem for years. Not ours.”

“That might change soon.”

He and Kaia took turns describing everything they’d seen in the mines, as well as what happened on the farmstead. Their faces darkened the more they heard.

“You’re right. This isn’t just a human problem anymore.” Beohr looked thoughtfully at a tiny ant climbing the wall behind them. “I’ve heard stories of insects - normal insects, I mean - that do this. Move from area to area, devouring everything in their path. But on a very small scale from our perspective."

“Nothing about these buggers is small.”

“The threat is real,” Kaia said. “They can be fought, but it’s hard, even for our best warriors and weapons. Impossible if we’re unprepared.”

“Hm.” Beohr’s ears twitched, and he scratched his chin, looking at Jenna. “You know, we have talked about leaving for a while. Tour the markets in the south. Perhaps we can start the journey with a visit to our cousins.”

Relief washed over Elian as he stared at their hosts. Would they really...? They were both nodding, and Jenna placed her hand over Beohr’s, then turned to Elian and Kaia.

“What message would you have us give them?”

“Tell them…” Elian took a deep breath. “Tell them to stay in the Autumn Camp. To stay away from the caves even if winter grows close before we’re back. Tell them that things are worse than we feared.”

“I’m sure Roahr wants more details than that.”

“You remember him well.” Elian smiled, suddenly homesick for the tribe, wishing desperately that things could just go back to the way they were. Where he was just Elian-teacher. Safe with the people he loved. “And you’re right. He needs to know everything we just told you.”

“If you carry the warning to the Nareth first, make sure they stay away from the caves, and they can spread the word to Kharun…” Kaia said, relief all over her face. “Then my mind will be at ease. I’ll be very grateful.”

“We both will.” Elian nodded, part of the lump in his chest dissolving. “Choosing our first step has been hard. This affects everyone.”

“We’ll handle your duty to the tribes. For if you fail to alert the humans, we will all suffer for it,” Jenna said, face grim as she squeezed Beohr’s hand. "I'll spread the word around town as well. If it comes from me, at least a few will listen."

"Thank you," Elian said. "The ones I tried to warn seemed to brush it off."

"People here are wary of outsiders. So, it's settled then?” Beohr asked, turning to his wife. “We’ll pack up as much as the horses can carry and leave?”

“Of course. After what we just learned… we must help. And,” she looked at Elian, then back at Beohr, “I’d love to spend some time with your people.”

“You’ll like it there. And the pups are great. If you stay, you could teach them some more human. I’m sure they’ve been busy not practicing.”

“Kids are the same everywhere, aren’t they?” Jenna smiled, glancing at Beohr. “If we end up spending winter with them, I’d be happy to help.”

*

“That went well,” Elian said as they walked back toward the inn. “I hope they’re still with the tribe when we return.”

“Yes, they were very nice people. And they’re doing us a great favor.”

They passed an open stand with blankets and bedsheets.

“Are those bedrolls?” Elian stopped to have a closer look. “We still need new ones. And some warmer clothes. The weather could change any day now.”

“True. A warm robe would be nice. Especially if the rains come.” Her fingers were busy comparing the thickness of the different models of bedrolls. “We should buy food too.”

“Definitely,” Elian agreed, brightening up. “I think we just passed a place selling meat pies. They smelled delicious.”

Kaia laughed at that, then got the attention of the woman behind the stand and pointed to the bedroll she’d chosen.

“We take these, please. Three. And blanket.” She was definitely becoming more comfortable speaking in human, and the little mistakes were oddly charming.

“Of course,” the woman said. “Excellent choice. I’ll wrap them up for you.”

Once Elian had paid, Kaia nudged him, pointing back from where they came.

“Come on. You were right, the pies did smell delicious. We should get some.”

His smile widened. “Definitely. One of every flavor.”

Soon after, their new purchases rolled up into neat bundles and tied so they could be carried on their backs, they headed back toward the inn. Mouths full of pie. They tasted even better than they smelled, and Elian was very glad they'd bought extras.

“Let’s go give Brinja one of these, and see what she’s found out.”