Culture Shock

[Clutus]

Clutus struggled against his bonds, as large, furry shadows moved around him.  One of them produced a knife from the darkness, while the others loosened Clutus's bonds and outstretched one of his wings.  Their intent was no mystery, but he was helpless against it.  The knife-wielder slowly, calculatingly sawed at Clutus's wing, until the last tendon snapped.   

The barn owl stirred from his dream, as if for mercy's sake; and the darkness gave way to dull, flickering light.  His vision hesitantly came into focus, and a familiar face materialized overhead. 

?Good morning, Mister Clutus.?  Said the voice, which seemed at least loosely associated with the hovering rabbit.

Clutus mumbled a  reply, his bone dry tongue protesting fervently.  ?Whut??

?Not that it's really morning.  It's night actually, but it just seemed like the right thing to say.?

Clutus raised his throbbing head from the ground, taking in his surroundings through squinted eyes.  A circular wall of upright timber surrounded him.  Each narrow, sapling trunk was fastened to those beside it, with pale green, dried reeds; leaving only the slightest opening between.  A roof of weaved grasses blocked out the moon and star light.  The only source of light was a torch immediately outside the hut, casting its flickering light through the palisade.  The structure was akin to a large, inverted nest, except instead of being warm and secure, it was cold, drafty, and unwelcoming. 

?Where 'm I??  Asked Clutus, though he was fairly certain that he wouldn't like the answer.

?We're in the village.  Those big, nasty rats threw us in here after they caught us.?

Clutus pushed himself upright, and immediately regretted it as his stiff joints protested in a crepitating chorus.  The rabbit beside him offered a paw.  Clutus ignored her, swaying unsteadily until the hut decided to stop spinning.  Once he was able to uncross his eyes, Clutus took a more careful look at his surroundings.  Along with the juvenile rabbit, there was another ground-dweller in the hut, sulking in a shadowy corner.  The dim light made it difficult to identify the creature, but as he cocked his head inquisitively in its direction, it spoke.

?Don't get too excited, bird. Eet's just me, Rexeem.?

The owl clicked his beak in disappointment.  Not only was he being held captive, but he had to share his misery with this belligerent vulpine.

Pacing around his new confines, Clutus questioned the fox.  ?Where are the others??

Rexim shrugged, but his heart was beating uneasily.  ?You're guess ees as good as mine.  The savages gave me a good knock between the ears, as they did with you.  Rallentando here, says she at least saw Chokk escape.?

The rabbit nodded mutely, as her outstretched paw traced patterns in the loose dirt.

?I'm weelleeng to bet that the rest made eet out too.?  Rexim carried on.  ?Otherwise, they would either be een here with us, or else their bodies would have been paraded een front of us.  The Gloomers love that sort of theeng. They eenjoy makeeng beasts fear theem."

?Well then, I have no doubt that even as we speak, a rescue attempt is underway.?  Clutus said, his eyes shining with hope.

Rexim shrugged again.  ?You can believe what you like, but they haveen't got eeny way of knoweeng whether we're dead or alive.  Captain Blackteep ees smart enough to know when to cut hees losses.?

Clutus's tailfeathers stood up with agitation, and his voice quivered slightly as he spoke.  ?Perhaps if it were only you and the rabbit, but they could not afford to abandon me so easily!?

Rexim snorted.  ?Now that they finally lost you, I'm sure they'll head straight back to Koteer.  Weeth smiles on their faces, no doubt.?

?I knew you were stupid, fox; but this takes the nest.  My extensive knowledge, and superior intellect is the only hope that this quest has.  Rousseau realizes this, even if the rest of you do not.?

Rexim laughed, his words punctuated with a sprinkle of saliva.  ?So far, all you've done ees eat eveedence and make a fool of yourself, and Rousseau hates you just as much as the rest of us.?

?Rousseau and I have an understanding!?  Clutus fired back.

?All you've got is a meesunderstandeeng, about everytheeng.?

?How dar-?

?Stop fighting, both of you!?  Yelled Rallentando, her eyes turning damp with tears.  ?We're all stuck in here, but all you two can do is fight.  You are supposed to be grown-ups!?

Clutus's eyes never left Rexim.  ?Oh look, now you upset the morsel.?

Rallentando took a step towards Clutus, her eyes narrowing.  ?The what??

Clutus waved a dismissing wing towards the rabbit. ?Calm yourself, I never eat angry food.  It gives me indigestion.?

Rexim was peeking between the palisades as he spoke.  ?Let's hope the gloomers share you feeling.?

Clutus swiveled his head towards the fox. ?Pardon??   

?Eet's just sometheeng I've heard about theem.  Nevermind eet.?

An uncomfortable pause grew into a prolonged silence.  Clutus nested in the loose soil across the hut from Rexim.  After looking between the two of them, the rabbit curled up beside the fox.  Clutus rested his tired eyelids, and dedicated his complete attention to the sounds around him.  Seasons ago, his ears had guided his talons as he hunted over Mossflower's moonlit treetops.  Now, these perfect instruments of surveillance listened to every whisper and rustle beyond the hut, allowing his mind's eye a leisurely stroll around the village.  The prison hut was situated in middle of the village, in an otherwise open, courtyard-like clearing.  This courtyard was bustling with activity.  A large fire had been lit, some thirty paces from the hut.  A monstrous cauldron straddled this fire, and its contents bubbled and steamed profusely.  Roughly a score of water rats surrounded this fire.  Some were beating drums, their lazy rhythm sounding like a heartbeat.  Others were chanting strange, monotone words.  Occasionally, the chanting rats would begin an exuberant dance around the fire, and act unnervingly excited about something.  Clutus's stomach gathered in knot, aggravating the hunger pangs that were becoming increasingly bothersome. 

Opening his eyes, Clutus glanced hungrily towards the young rabbit.  Her eyes stared back at him.  In the darkness, Clutus doubted she could tell whether his pitch black eyes were aimed at her; nevertheless, the impromptu stare down dragged on for what seemed like an hour.  Slowly though, the rabbit's eyes drooped, and then shut completely.  Clutus waited for her breath to slow, and then made his move.  He moved like silent, white ghost.  He was halfway across the hut when the door burst open.

?Wake up, heathens!?  Shouted a skinny, adolescent water rat brandishing a crude spear and a yellow smile.

Clutus's first instinct was to lunge at the creature, but the spear was enough discourage him.  He heard Rallentando and Rexim awake with a surprised squeak and a grunt, respectively.

Backing away, Clutus tried to speak menacingly, but in his startled state the words came out an octave too high.  ?Who goes there?  What do you want with us??

?Is that food??  Rallentando interrupted, her tiny nose scenting the air.

The rat's smile wavered for a moment as he replied.  ?So many questions.  Let's see; I'm Cefin, I'm here to feed you, and...?  he hesitated for moment, wrinkling his bright black nose.   ?Yes, more or less.?

Three pairs of eyes stared blankly at the rat, who seemed to be enjoying his moment of attention.  Suddenly, as if he had forgot something, he backed out of the hut.  A moment later, he returned with a wide, shallow bowl balanced on one paw, while he held the spear with the other.  He set the steaming bowl on the ground gingerly, and backed away again.

?Eat, heathens!? Cefin nearly shouted, all the while smiling.

Rallentando was the first to move.  Crawling to the bowl on all fours, she took a cautious sniff.

?Blech! Smells like something Miss Feverfew would cook.?  She said, her ears flattened in disgust.

?No, not smell...  Eat.?  Cefin pronounced slowly, stretching the last word out over several seconds.  He acted out his words, making as if to chew his own paw.

Rexim knelt down beside Rallentando, taking a pawful of the alleged food.  It had the sticky consistency of oatmeal, but smelled of stale grain and rotten eggs.  Rexim took a taste.

?It tastes bad??  The water rat asked, his tone suggesting genuine concern.

?Yes, very.?  Rexim assured, after the gagging subsided.

This seemed to please Cefin to no end.

Clutus thrust his burnt breast feathers forward, and reminded the water rat.  ?This food is not suitable for a bird such as I.?

Cefin shook his head.  ?No, it is not.  Now eat, feathered one.?

Clutus's chest deflated slightly, before he reaffirmed.  ?I need meat, this slop will not do.?

?Meat is only for the Children of the Water.  Heathens will eat what is given to them.?  Cefin explain patiently.

Rightful anger surged through Clutus's blood.  He slammed his talons against the earth, wincing as he did so.  ?I am Clutus, the Great Philosopher of Mossflower, Jewel of the Forest, Exposer of Secrets, and Master of the Mind.  Yet, you dare deprive me of my nourishment!?

Cefin seemed to have lost interest about midway through Clutus's list of titles.  The young gloomer bit his lip distractedly.  ?You know secrets? Maybe, if you expose a secret for me, I will give you meat...?

Clutus straightened himself proudly.  This was what he was born for, besides hunting and killing.  ?Speak, and you questions shall be answered.?

Cefin kicked his hindpaws sheepishly, and continued chewing on his lip.  Clutus wondered if it tasted any good.

?There's this real' pretty rattess I know, who lives across of the village.  I think she might like me...?

Clutus's left eye twitched, as he felt something burst in his neck.  It may have been his patience, yet somehow the owl scratched some more.

?I will answer your question, but first I must see your offering of-?

Rexim elbowed the owl in the side, interrupting the explanation of his strict up-front payment policy.  ?Tell heem to take you to hees chief.  Maybe that Caractacus character will help us.?

Clutus's extended wing pushed Rexim away.  The owl was hungry for flesh, and the only doubt he had was whether he wanted fresh trout or roasted sparrow.  His eyes brightened as he considered whether Cefin would be willing to offer Rallentando as payment.  However, a nagging idea, incited by Rexim's suggestion, brought Clutus's trail of thought to sudden and unnatural end.  There was one thing that was more attractive to Clutus than even the most delicious feast. He wanted freedom, even if it was only a chance at freedom.  He wanted to walk out of this village, alive and well.  He wanted finish Vulpez's quest, and leave Kotir and its insolent inhabitants behind forever.  He wanted to disappear into the forest, and never speak to another ground-dweller again.

After a long moment of thought, Clutus finally spoke.  ?Take me to your chief, and that fair maiden will be yours.?

* * *

His ears had not betrayed him.  The rats he had heard were still drumming, chanting, and dancing around the great blazing fire.  A few of them turned to watch the owl as he was led from prison hut, their hostile glares dashing any ideas he had of overpowering his guard and escaping.

The chieftain's home was the second largest tent in the village.  A tarnished, copper globe capped its center pole, from which dark green fabric draped down.  The the fabric was supported by multiple guy ropes, and then allowed to drape to ground.  It made for an impressively sized pavilion, but it was dwarfed by the colossus that sat across the courtyard.

Cefin bowed reverently towards the larger tent.  ?That is the House of Water.  Home of the sacred waters of the Lake.?

The tent in question was nearly twice the size of the chieftain's tent.  It was made of blue fabric and topped with a golden spearhead.  To such primitive creatures as these, it must have been quite an impressive structure.

Clutus regarded it suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.  ?I was under the impression that the wolves had stolen your all-important lake.  Did you simply make a new one??

?The Sacred Water cannot be replaced.?  Called a voice from behind.  ?The House of Water contains Water that I retrieved from the Lake long ago.  Since your masters have taken the Lake from us, it is the only way in which we can worship.?

Clutus spun around to find Caractacus.  The rat was standing in the doorway of his tent, draped in robes of green and red.

The chieftain gestured for both of them to enter, holding the flap open for them.  ?Please, enter.  It is not good for you to be seen outside at such a time.?

The inside of the tent was surprisingly plain.  There was no ornate throne or treasures.  The ground was covered with rugs of various color and size, and the back half of the tent was draped over with a large curtain.  A small fire burned near the middle of the tent, and two spear-wielding guards flanked it.  Caractacus ushered Clutus to a straw-filled mattress beside the fire, leaving Cefin to guard the door.

?I am Caractacus, First Son of the Children.?  The silver-streaked rat said, as he reclined himself on his own mattress.

The owl nested himself into the straw as he introduced himself.  ?I am Clutus, the Great Philosopher of Mossflower, Jewel of the Forest, Exposer of...?  Caractacus's unimpressed stare silenced the owl, the words trailing off like a stricken beast.

?This is not the first time I have heard your name.? Said the rat, lips curling in tiny smile.  ?I expect that pleases you??

?It does not greatly surprise me.?  Clutus replied nonchalantly, though he practically beamed with pleasure.

?I remember as a young one, your name was spoken with fear.  'Scourge of the sky' they called you.  I heard rumors that the otters killed you.?

?The otters? Those bumbling riverdogs lack the ability to kill one such as I.?  Clutus scoffed.

?Indeed, but now that ability is ours.  The 'Scourge of the Sky' is at our mercy.  Is that why you have come to see me, to plead for your life??

?Yes, I suppose you could say that.?  Clutus admitted.  ?I owe no allegiance to the wolves, I was only brought along as a guide.  I have no quarrel with your tribe.?

Caractacus raised a skeptical brow.  ?I question if your words are true; but regardless, whether or not your allied with the wolves matters very little.?

?Then why, pray tell, have I been imprisoned?? Clutus asked, as anger rose in his throat.

?For the the sake of forgiveness.?  Answered a menacing voice from the behind.

Both  Caractacus and Clutus turned to face the intruder, who stood, framed in the doorway.  It was a monstrous, disturbing example of a water rat.  A brown, stained tunic covered his barrel-like chest.  Where the small piece of clothing didn't cover his body, scars did.  Long, criss-crossing scars covered his body from tail-tip to nose, while sinew and muscle bulged under his leather-like skin.  It looked as if some creature had stitched the rat together from spare body parts, and did a very poor job at their needlework.  His face was was worst of all.  Four massive scars ran parallel over the top of his head and down his face, both ears were shredded, and hardly a patch of fur was left to cover his mangled features.  Clutus had regurgitated better looking things.

?All of us have sinned, it is inescapable.  The greater offense though, is to forget those sins, and carry on without reconcile.  That is why you are here, Heathen.?

Clutus rose from his mattress as the rat approached.  ?Consider me reconciled.?

?You are not here for your own sins, such great forgiveness is impossible.  You are here to reconcile our sins.?  Said the rat as he reached the circle of mattresses.  Several armed water rats followed behind him and moved to flank Clutus.

?I hope you do not expect me to speak to your god, on your behalf.  Believe me, I have nothing good to say about you.?  The owl said as he felt the guard's stone-like grip lock around his wings.

?We expect nothing from you, bird; except death.  Tomorrow at dawn, you will suffer the Wrath of The Water.?

The speechless Clutus turned to Caractacus's slack features, and then Cefin, who was investing his complete attention to chewing his lip. 

There was no help coming.

* * *

The prison hut was quiet upon his forced return.  Both Rexim and Rallentando were sleeping fitfully where they sat, side by side.  Cefin's gooey concoction remained uneaten on the floor.  Clutus took a beakful of the stuff.  He had eaten worse things, but not by much.

Rexim stirred.  ?Good news??

Clutus threw his head back, swallowing the revolting slop.  ?No.?

He took another beakful and swallowed, and after a long silence said.?We join Luka at dawn.?

Not another word was said.  Clutus left the remaining food, and nested beside Rexim.  The fox and the owl spent that night awake, listening to the peaceful snores of the rabbit.