3) In The Jungle

By early evening I am deep in the jungle carefully picking my way through the undergrowth and searching for a place to camp for the night. The forest is so dense that, even in the bright nights of the southern summer, it is too dark to see more than a few feet in front of you. Thankfully I find a good spot to rest for the night before the light fades. I remember it from my previous trip through this jungle.

 

Near the banks of the Wis River is a small natural clearing. I carefully sweep the leaf litter into a pile off to the side and I use one of my knives to dig a shallow hole for a small fire. I set my back down and lean my scythe against a nearby tree. I spend the remainder of the time before night fall gathering firewood.

 

After night falls and my little fire is going strong I get a couple slices of bread and a piece of cheese. I don't dare hunt in the jungle. The Amilas tribe would consider that stealing. Once I clear the tree line I will be able to catch rabbits and such for my meals.

 

I make sure the fire is under control and a breeze won't blow it into the dense greenery. Once that is settled I lean against a tree, my scythe balanced on my knees, and let myself sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

I wake at dawn the next morning. I stand and stretch my stiff muscles. My fire is out but the ashes are still warm.

 

I take off my cloak and weapons and head for the river with my scythe and a drying cloth. I quickly wash off and fill my two canteens. I won't be near a body of water until I reach a lake on the other side of the jungle a good two days walk away. As I climb back onto the bank to get dressed I hear a faint sound, like leaves brushing against cloth.

 

I calmly dress and go back to my camp site. Standing at the opposite side on the site are three men. Their skin is golden tan, there is hair short, there are bodies heavily muscled. They are wearing lose white cloth pants, brown saddles, and grim looks. The one on the left has a orange-and-black-stripped tail and matching ears sticking out of red orange hair. The one on the right looks like the left one's twin with the same tiger features. The middle looks to be the leader of the Amilas patrol. Judging from his black tail, ears, and hair, I think he is a panther.

 

“Greetings, cat shifters of this jungles Amilas tribe,” I say with a small bow. I keep my eyes on the panther's and my scythe in my right hand.

 

“Greetings, Palmen,” says the panther shifter as he steps forward. He stops when he reaches my fire pit. “What do you want, girl?”

 

“I'm heading for Wisport,” I tell him. “I want to be in the north before the first snows. The quickest way is through this jungle.”

 

“You come from the direction of the Palmen emperor's palace,” points out the tiger on the left.

 

“How do we know you are not one of Hisdin's spies sent to find our weaknesses?” asks the other tiger.

 

“You don't,” I say calmly. “I come for the palace, that is true. I am one of the emperor's knights, that is also true. I am also a worrier and I respect your people for their strength in battle and I would not spy on you,even if my emperor asked it of me.” I shrug. Breaking my gaze from the panther's, I gather the ashes of my fire into a small cup sitting next to it. “I'm told I'm too honorable for such a thing.”

 

The tiger twins look totally baffled by my works and behavior. The panther narrows his eyes and flows me as I take the ashes and pore them around a nearby sapling.

 

“Ashes make great fertilizer,” I say while spreading the fine, gray dust evenly around baby tree. I keep my back to them as I explain. “I've a friend who is a farmer in an small eastern island. Every five years, he burns half of his fields to the ground. He says that fire is a purifier and the ashes richen the soil and make the crop for the next years better than any other.”

 

“You are a strange Palmen, girl,” the left tiger says as I use one of my knives to fill in the fire pit.

 

“What are you called?” asks the panther.

 

I stand and smile at him. We are barely an arm's length apart and now no hole separated us. My scythe is on the ground next to me when I extend my right hand for him to shake. “Most call me strange, but my name is Mirina.”

 

The panther's face holds it's grim look for another moment,but that is softened by his smile. His handshake is firm. “I am Arim, panther Amilas of the Wis Tribe. Will you come with us to our village?”

 

I almost smack myself. I really want to see the first snow of the year, but to decline would just be too rude, even for me. On the other hand not many Palmen get to see an Amilas village. It may be worth missing the snow to see one.

 

“I would love to, Arim,” I say honestly. “It would be an honor.”

 

After I gathering my things and sweep the leaf letter back into place Arim and the tiger twins surround me and lead me deeper into the forest. I more carefully and quickly, using my scythe to push plants out of my way. The Amilas seem surprised that I can more as easily as they can through the thick undergrowth.

 

By noon Arim, the twins, Bin and Fin, and I are talking easily, telling funny stories from our childhoods and travels. Arim is an ambassador for his tribe to other tribes and Bin and Fin often go with him on his trips throughout the islands. Walking with them, exchanging tales, makes me think, and not for the first time, that my father is wrong to hate these people.

 

Its early afternoon when we reach the village.

Author's Note

Lalalalalalalaaaaa-dedede-da-din-lalalalalalalaaa.......