Akoril learns the anadi folktale of "The Wishing-Loom, the Golden Donkey, and the Cudgel-in-the-Sack". However, his leftover feathers are a little wilted after all this time in the humidity! Zachva and Zanvi show him how they store their art supplies in a cool dry chest. Akoril, ever interested in ley-lines and flow, helps the spiderlings organize the pile of stuff. It will probably stay that way for at least an hour.
☀☀☀
Goss and Chimwemwe sit down with the spiderlings.
Ummm… we saw a little dog person by the fireworks that one time… while momma was on the mail route last week, we saw her again making a farmer's cow purple, which was funny…
No it wasn't! Purple is stupid!
Nuh-uhh! My dolls will have PURPLE DRESSES!
After being shushed by Tzeniwe, Chimwemwe eventually gets a tally of ancestries they've seen, such as zenj and bonwat humans, elves, dwarves with shiny eyes (perhaps an aasamir), gnomes, halflings, and a scary student with scaly snake-scales who hissed at them. Are you listening to Mariama's stories again? chides Tzeniwe.
In doing this, Chimwemwe has given Goss a chance to learn about other ancestries and modes of dress too. The dreamweaver spins intricate garb for the carvings — between the two artisans, they have created objects that will be treasured by the spiderlings for years to come.
Tzeniwe places the dolls in the diorama. Thank you for taking all this time, they can't wait to bring their carvings to the festival!
☀☀☀
Alone in the dimly-lit stacks, Soomdevi reads an ancient tome. Inside is a picture of demon-summoning implements — one of them is a strange pick that symbolizes bypassing the laws of morality, to find what lies beyond… it's shaped suspiciously like the lockpick Soomdevi holds in his left hand!
Cool air brushes the back of his neck, as if something invisible just walked past.
--
Later, Mariama rolls her eyes. BAH! They weren't fangs like YOURS! They weren't as COOL!...
☀☀☀
Mariama nods. SEE!?
The pick is difficult for Soomdevi use due to its odd shape , but gets him past some locked doors. So far, no secret portals into the abyss are revealed.
Ignaci happens to be walking by while Soomdevi its tinkering with the door to the tunnels. He scoffs and shakes his head.
The Kianidi festival is next week. This week, there's the zoo protest!
The protest is a rather small affair — Ignaci doesn't attend: he only says Protesting publicly puts a target on your back… Chizire sleeps in and misses the protest. On the other hand, Tzeniwe brings the spiderlings so they can learn about the importance of civil disobedience.
Oba herself closes the zoo for the day and hides inside, deigning not to acknowledge your efforts.
Esi hands out flyers. Most people politely read them; some even keep them. You gaher a more intereted people as Root begins to spin music on two rhythm bones, and the atmosphere becomes a little festive, with a little dancing and slogan-chanting! Hopefully, if you hold more protests and events, the movement will pick up steam.
Wisps walks around talking to people, trying to gage where they currently stand on the zoo.
Alrinkiri finds a perch in a nearby tree and keeps a careful watch during the protest, in case anyone tries to cause trouble.
While they're at it, they're able to listen in on some chatter about the event.
Akoril wanders the crowd, curious to see who's showed up.
Chimwemwe helps Esi hand out the fliers. While he does so, he keeps an eye out for anyone taking an interest since the protest might bring the person who set the beasts free back to the scene.
Wisps learns that most people enjoy taking their kids and families to the zoo on holidays. The concept of animal cruelty is one that seems somewhat strange to many, as they view most of the animals in Oba's zoo dangerous anyway. She manages to convince some to think about it though. She also hears rumors of some kind of creature smashing things on the outskirts of town, as if enraged. People wonder if it has to do with Oba.
Alrinkiri sees some hooded figures lingering on the edge of the crowd. But they're gone before they can say more. They hear some people in the crowd murmuring nervously about them.They don't seem to know much more than that, or t least won't tell you.
Soomdevi notices an old farmer, he's got a flyer in his hand and is staring at the gates as if he wishes he could smash them to bits. His fists are clenched.
The flyer, music, and small crowd proves too much for Akoril and Chimwemwe enjoy. Nonetheless, they manage to sit with the three andais and help them join in the protest.
Yeah, I do young man! I came here this morning from my orchard, Crooked Creek, to sell my sweet matokes. Some weird monster’s been runnin’ amok, climbin’ in my trees and wreckin’ the new growths. Even knocked some of my best trees over! Leavin’ craters on the ground, an’ weird marks like some kinda gator. An’ to top it all off, we been hearing’ thunder but no seein’ lightnin,’ when there’s not a drop o’ rain.
Never seen nothing like this before, not in my generation, nor my parents’ generation. Downright spooky is what it is.
But now, I’m lookin’ at your protest here, talkin’ about irresponsibility an’ angry beasts, an’ it seems a mighty strange coincidence, if ya ask me…enough ta make a man angry.
Wisps quietly whispers to her friends, "This is Farmer Werkneh. His orchard grows the finest matokes and he is a prominent member of the Farming Collective."
To the farmer, she says, "Perhaps after the event, we could come take a look at your farm and see if we can find signs of any of Oba's animals?"
I'll feed ya! Free homecooked dinner if you all can help. Never gonna say "no" to the Magaambyans help.
"It sounds like the mpeshi trying to get home," Chimwemwe says. "There is magic that allows people to speak with animals, but I'm not very good at that sort of magic at all. And I seem to say the wrong thing too often."
Chimwemwe and Alrinkiri think that the GOAT may be:
1. hard to track because it Leaps incredible distances
2. hungry
You could prepare an offering (if you know anyone who likes food, they might help you) and get extra help to cover more ground (some of you are good at tracking, but there's nothing wrong with bringing along a scout or tracker).
"Not that I want to endanger them, but if the new anadi students wanted to come with us and we impress Farmer Werkneh, it might, hmm, help the anadi people's standing in the city," Chimwemwe suggests. "Or at least, hmm, theirs. More eyes is better, and I understand Mazta is a skilled tracker. I wonder if Savanakin can figure out what it eats? It must be hungry by now so far from its home in the clouds. Food might lure it to us or, hmm, even convey that we mean to help it."
"Those all sound like good ideas" nods Akoril, not at all wise in the ways of animals.
Soomdevi buys a scroll of Speak with Animals at the Powderpile.
Mazta hangs upside down in a Baobab tree as he listens to the job. He nods.
Savana notes that she has seen goats eating tree bark, and crocodiles eating crayfish. The cafeteria has some day-old prawns, and there's plentiful bark on-hand — choice samples from Mazta's favorite trees, in fact. She simmers the shellfish in a bark broth, and tastes the unusual concoction after it spends a good hour thickening. Delicious. I will name this dish "Baobab Boil."
Goss comes along too, just to help… but not even he will taste the stew. Hopefully, it puts the Mpeshi in a better mood…
As you walk along the path to Crooked Creek orchard, some people cross to the far side of the road when they notice the anadi. But not all. The anadi pretend not to notice, and seem happy when strangers wave or greet the Magaambyans.
Crooked Creek ranch doesn't have a fence or signpost; the foliage suddenly changes from random trees to acres and acres of matoke trees planted in neat rows. The eponymous crooked creek runs at jagged angles through the orchard, which takes up almost the entire valley. Ferns and dead leaves cover the soft ground; the underbrush is alive with scurrying lizards and other animals.
Now, it's time to find that GOAT…
"More eyes are better, theoretically," Chimwemwe says with a self-depreciating chuckle as he tries to follow Mazta's instructions on how to find signs of the mpeshi's passage. "Probably around tall trees, though."
Wisps leads the way.
Wisps has a hard time finding the tracks; maybe her friends can do better.
Wisps DOES manage to talk to the matoke-tree spiders. She finds the communities in turmoil getting their webs knocked over by some creature to the North. But the directions are vague.
Mazta turns to Soomdevi and Alrinkiri. Goss asks, Alrinkiri, Soomdevi. You are experienced trackers as well. Think you can help too?
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"It leaps," Chimwemwe says, distracting the kayal with a lesson on the mechanical differences between the two movements. "If it could fly, it would have no trouble returning to its home. I have enchanted my sandals to accomplish the same feat, but you wouldn't say that I flew. Well, maybe, hmm, if you were being poetic. Speaking of leaping. We should have sought permission to bring the mpeshi into the Magaambya. It might be able to reach home by using the Soaring Spire..." He prattles onward.
Alrinkiri stalks through the trees, trying to stay out of sight as best they can as they look for goat signs.
Soomdevi is so confused about he takes you on a detour that costs several hours. Even Blinks is wantdering in circles by the end.
By sundown there's nary a GOAT to be found.
Farmer Werkneh comes and meets you. The farmer is a tad disappointed, but polite. Well, I suppose you tried your best. Least I can do is serve ya dinner. Come on back of the farmhouse, sit under the marula tree an' have some fresh matoke juice and meat pie. Try again tomorrow?
Akoril shakes his head in shame I really should have paid more attention in goat tracking class he thinks sarcastically to himself.
Akoril nods to the farmer "Hopefully tomorrow brings us better luck I'd love to try the juice, but if I could trouble you for say a simple salad instead I'd be much appreciative."
Sure, sure. He has an abacha salad for Akoril and anyone else who wants.
☀☀☀
It's a long walk to the orchards. Late the next morning Farmer Werkneh meets you on the road to his property. He's on the way to town, it seems.
Oh, glad to have caught you! I thought I'd let y'all know, some other people came in this morning, riding their horses hard. Offered to help track down this monster, too. Of course, I said "yes." Seemed like you could use the help.
Figured I'd let you know, in case you see 'em on the property. They been here for hours though, so they're probably far afield by now, I'd reckon.
"Thank you for the hospitality. It certainly makes sense for you to allow multiple groups to track the creature, to maximize your chances of getting it off your property." To themself, they add: I wonder what their motivation is?
Thanks for understanding. Between us, I don’t like Oba much but I need my farm in order. She said when she finds it she’ll know whether it’s her critter, and she’ll pay for damages and take it away if it was hers. He scoffs; clearly he doesn’t trust Oba to be honest. And if it’s not, she’ll take it off my land for no charge. Probably some kind of valuable beastie she can sell, eh.
He shrugs. I’d prefer you found it. Probably treat it kinder. Either way though, that weird critter comes off Crooked Creek today.
"We'll try our hardest," Chimwemwe says to Farmer Werkneh. "It's a dangerous beast. Hopefully the others who came to help do not get it too worked up before we have a chance to, hmm, try to reason with it."
Well, Oba got a head start on you, so best get goin.' I'll be back later. The farmer waves goodbye.
The Anadis look worried. Goss asks: How can you be so calm? We can't let Oba win, right? We have to help the Mpeshi!
You can make more checks to track; everyone gets +2 with Mazta's help. Today there's more on the line.
"I think I've found some prints!"
"Oba is here?" Chimwemwe asks as a glower forms on his face. "Fine. No distracting me with discussions on aerodynamics, this time, Soomdevi. Need to focus."
Knowing there's no more do-overs today makes you bring your A-Game. Wisps finds tracks going towards the upper highlands, and then talks to the local spider colonies to confirm the Mpeshi went Northeast.
Soomdevi is able to pick up the tracks after a 60-foot wide gap.
You spend hours repeating this process.
☀☀☀
It's late afternoon. Suddenly, you hear Oba's voice echo up from the valley below: "Hurrry up!" — she still seems to be a ways back, but and her hunters are closing in fast. if you want to avoid a confrontation with the zoo keeper, you need to move quick.
A ways ahead, the forest is quiet: a telltale sign there's a dangerous animal nearby. Mazta hangs in tree just ahead and points towards a glade. The Mpeshi is very near.
You have a moment to prep for your encounter.
In the glade, you see something moving in the trees.
BAAAA!
The Mpeshi is about 20 feet up. It shakes its head, clearly agitated…
Chimwemwe quickly arranges the offering of bark-boiled crayfish and then retreats just as quickly so as to not interfere with the negotiations.
The Mpshi leaps up to Soomdevi and looks him in the eyes. Soomdevi stares back, into those yellow eyes with weird side-slanted pupils. Electricity crackles off the creature's borns, making his hair stand on end. Blinks growls.
Baaa-aaa-aa-aaaaaa-aaa-a!
Soomdevi remembers Koride teaching him that 70 to 93 percent of all humanoid communication is nonverbal. Animals have no structured vocabulary: it's purely associative and context-based, informed by body language and the inflection of sounds. So while the rest of the party only hears bleating, Soomdevi hears so much more.
The goat tastes the food. I was hungry! This is good food! it pauses.
Baaaaaa-a-aaaaa-aaa-aaa.
I remember you! Is this a trick to put me in a cage again? I wish to be free. To leap and be happy in the open air. I miss my family! The little cage hurts. It makes me sad. I will fight you, and I will choose to die before you ever put me there again.
The Mpshi seems surprisingly intelligent to Soomdevi.
B-aaa-aa-aaaaaaaa.
I want to believe you. I can walk on the clouds to find my way home, but I cannot reach them! These trees are too small. Do you know a way to get me higher?
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Akoril looks at Soomdevi, and back to the goat and back to Soomdevi.
What have I gotten myself into. thinks Akoril to himself.
Alrinkiri pauses for a moment, thinking about the implications of what Soomdevi just said. "Haibram is going to love this."
Chimwemwe blushes at Soomdevi's compliment. "I, hmm, might be able to help, hmm, help it make an even greater leap if you can teach it how to, hmm, how to use my runes," he says, pointing at the runes paint on his greaves and sandals. "I have enough paint left to apply them once more today."
"I thought about testing the idea myself with one of Haibram's gliders, but, hmm, I'm not sure I would survive the atmosphere in the clouds," he adds.
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Bb-aaa-aa-a-aaaaaa
I'll follow you, but don't trick me!
B-aaaaa-a-aaaa-aaaaaaaa
If you help me, my family and I will leave the area. We'll go to the mountains. We will leave you alone!
With the anadis' help you can sneak past Oba and her hunters. Along the way, Soomdevi and the Mpeshi work out some basic gestures, so it can understand basic communication after the spell wears off.
☀☀☀
Farmer Werkneh is on the road near the gates to his property. Funny how he always just seems to appear when people are coming and going from his property.
He rubs his chin. So that's the critter, eh? Didn't know gators could jump. Didn't know goats could fly. He spits. Welp. A man learns something' new every day.
And you say Oba had this thing caged up in her zoo? I ain't happy with her. That's for sure.
You done your job. I'll uphold my end of the bargain. If you school students need anythin' from me, lemme know.
Go on then, git. Whatever hijinks you're up to with that critter, do 'em well off my property. He pauses. Hmmm. Can't get back to town with something' like that, leaping' around' behind you. Tell you what. Go borrow my double-wide cart and donkeys. I'll send someone over to retrieve 'em in the morning.
With the farmer's generous help, it's easy to transport the GOAT back to the university. It doesn't like being in the cart, but as long as you leave its top open to the sky it seems to calm down.
"Well done, Soomdevi! I can speak to spiders and you can speak to goats!"
As the group nears the campus, Wisps sings loudly to draw attention away from the sounds of the creature being transported.