The Disjointed Tales Of Renryre Island

10-2: A Quest Most Noble, Most Honourable [continued]

His quest nearing its end, Irikhart persevered. Deeper into darkness he marched, his eyes adjusting as he went. Time and day vanished from memory, each step appearing no different from the last. But soon he came upon a cavern most grand.

There in the entrance awaited a creature beyond mortal ken. Fifteen feet tall it stood, with eyes facing all around. One hundred ways it could see, and one hundred great tentacles with talons writhed in a mesmerising dance.. Its great head stood tall, with little body to feed. The ancient guardian was not there to eat, but only to defend the prize. Its hundred tentacles rippled in the air, threatening any who would go near.

Without caution did Irikhart face the beast. Without fear did he stand before it and speak.

"Excuse me," he demanded with might in his voice, "could you step out of the way, please?"

The beast turned to face him by not turning at all. One hundred eyes it had, but with only half a hundred could he see Irikhart's approach.

"What?" asked the guardian. "That's not how it works."

The two faced each other in silence while long moments slipped by, until eventually it was Irikhart who broke the impasse.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

The guardian cleared its throat, clearly distraught.

"Well," it said. "You are supposed to defeat me in battle, or die trying. Or at least wait till I am asleep and creep into the chamber undetected. That's what a hero does. I don't just stand aside, and let you take the treasure. It's, well, it's just not how it works."

"Who said that? Are there some rules somewhere I don't know about?"

"What?" exclaimed the guardian, exasperated. "What are you talking about, rules? There are no rules. It's a fight to the death. It's, well, it's just how it is."

"But I didn't come here to die," insisted Irikhart. "I came here to retrieve a coin. A gold coin, with a ship on one side, and seven stars on the reverse. Is it here? Have you seen it?"

They stood in silence for another moment. Soon, the beast curled up its tentacles. It looked like it sat down. It looked like it put its head in its hands.

"Godsdammit!" it said. "You are Irikhart, right? God of fools?"

"Yes!" he said, amazed. "How did you know?"

"Godsdammit!" sighed the guardian, making a gesture that looked like shaking its head. "Why are you wearing blue underpants?"

Irikhart looked himself over.

"It's a loincloth," he said. "A hero's outfit. I traded it with a kind gentleman before entering the mountains."

"Did he give you that rusty practice sword too?"

Irikhart drew the sword, and swung it a few times before him. Not in a threatening way.

"A hero's sword. Worn and aged by its countless previous wielders."

"Godsdammit!" said the guardian, loudly cursing Irikhart's kin. "One hundred years guarding treasures from famed warriors and ironclad knights, and this is what I get? What do you want the coin for, Irikhart?"

"Well," he said, standing tall, "It's—"

"Is it for a girl?"

"Ah, ahem, yes it is."

The guardian was still shaking its head. Well, it was shaking its body.

"Right," it said. "Look, if I let you take the coin, do you promise you won't tell anyone? Just tell them I was asleep, or tending to nature, or something. I have a reputation, you see."

"Of course," agreed Irikhart excitedly. "I won't tell anyone how nice you have been."

"Fine, then. Go on."

About twenty tentacles lifted in a gesture as the guardian stood aside. Irikhart trotted along into the chamber, having bravely defeated the ancient guardian without needing his sword. It wasn't long until he found a shelf with a gold coin glinting in a beam of light that appeared as if from nowhere. Irikhart collected his reward, and discovered he didn't have a pocket to put it in. Slightly annoyed, yet undefeated, he kept it in his hand.

"Sorry to bother you again. I promised a man a cut of the treasure. Do you mind if I take a little extra?"

"Is this the man that gave you the blue underpants?"

"The hero's loincloth, yes."

"Godsdammit!" said the guardian once again, glancing habitually at the end of one of its tentacles. "Look, just take what you need and get out."

"Thank you!"

Irikhart collected a few smaller treasures that he could carry, and then turned to make his way out of the caves. Then he realised, he didn't really know where he'd come from. Plus, there were those ice raptors outside the cave.

"Sorry, just one more thing," he said. "What the best way to get to Helen's Bay from here?"

The guardian's head was so deep in its tentacle palms that they may have fused together.

"Are you serious? Do you want a horse too?"

"That would be most kind of you!"

Stunned silence.

"Look, there is a back door down there. It will lead you to the foothills."

"Thank you very much. You've been most helpful."

"Any time Irikhart, really. It's the least I can do. If you ever need me, I'll be there for you. I'll even bring a hundred ice raptors. An army, at your service."

"Thank you, I really do appreciate it."

Irikhart stood staring in awe at the kindness of the guardian, while half a hundred eyes clinched in what Irikhart could only assume suggested a profound mutual appreciation.

Just go, Irikhart, before I change my mind."

Irikhart found the door easily, and walked through. The tunnel was dark, but easy to follow. Victorious, he marched through the tunnel as fast as his feet could carry him, which was impressively fast given he was a god.

He emerged from the tunnel at the bottom of the foothills. Before him lay the green pastures of the west country, and the ocean beyond that. To the north, the coast travelled far before it bent out west. To the south lay Helen's Bay, his path, his destiny, his future bride. Behind him lay a small cave entrance with a wooden sign that read: no entry.

With renewed vigour, Irikhart began his journey south, his relentless pace resumed, his debt to the man on the beach forgotten, his epic story ready to be told for all to hear. He pictured Ryleine's face as he presented her with the gift, while dressed as a hero on his triumphant return. The smile, the hug, the offer of her undying love; for Irikhart had completed his heroic quest.

Even as the sun eased below the shimmering horizon and the darkness gave life to the restless stars, Irikhart never slowed his pace. His eyes were fixed before him, his feet falling with confidence, his destiny so clear – as if it were painted before him. But it wasn't what he saw that was important; it was what he failed see. For high above in the darkened sky, a tiny light began to brighten. Had he turned his head just then, he would have seen not one, not two, but three stars falling; his kin descending to Renryre Island.

Authors Note: For those of you who are wondering what an Ice Raptor may look like, Sarah_MacLean has shared her fantastic interpretation in her Bennu Birdy Art Book (in the chapter "Fantasy Art: Ice Raptor"). Thanks Sarah :)