IP: 82.14.67.140
Posted on April 15, 2012 at 10:45:13 PM by thoth
It had all started four days ago. The book had been a new one, and written by an anonymous author for good reason: it was crap. Entitled Shaman at War: Contributions of Apeliotes Island and the Shady Labyrinth, it claimed to provide insight on the different war preparations, techniques and personalities of the two territories. Almost everything in the books was either common knowledge or wildly inaccurate, but it had made a few statements which had piqued Thoth’s interest. One was its comments on the erection of Apeliotes Island’s naval fleet. The majority of the fleet had been constructed by Joel and a number of other carpenters and builders, but according to the book, a few of the ships had been donated by Aura. Presumably, she’d created them using magic back when she’d been in possession of divinity. Since two other sources also made references to Aura’s boats, Thoth had felt it was worth investigating further; if such boats existed, they ought naturally to fall to him as his mother’s only named heir. The old naval fleet hadn’t been as difficult to find as he’d first thought. It had never been used in warfare (no sea battles had ever been conducted during Shaman’s civil war) and is today still moored in the place it has always been moored: the dock at the northern end of the island. Some of the small sailing boats are used as public travel to the mainland, although rowing boats are generally preferred for that activity. As far as Thoth is aware, the large ships have never been used. After several hours of wandering around the docks, he’d finally found it. None of the books had mentioned the name of the ship, but such was unnecessary since the name was instantly obvious: the Ibis. In Ancient Egyptian mythology, the god Thoth often appeared as an ibis or a human with an ibis head. His mother had named her ship after him. Since there hadn’t been anyone manning the dock (why would anyone need to defend a fleet of unusable war boats in a time of peace?), there had been no one around to stop him simply strolling up the gangplank. By the time he’d left at dark, he’d had tears in his eyes. The ship had been typically prepared for war with the usual weaponry and minimal decoration, but there had been small signs of magical intervention in various places. Small ibis images were carved onto the ship’s wheel, which one wouldn’t expect of an understaffed team of builders desperately trying to produce enough sturdy crafts in a short space of time, and the captain’s quarters inexplicably contained a map of Great Britain. Time to ponder that night had led to the kind of impulsive decision to which Thoth is prone. Thus, this morning he’d packed up a few things and left the island for the mainland. Thoth has travelled the path to the royal castle so often now that it’s almost second nature. It only takes two and a half hours of walking before the majestic building looms into view, complete with guards stationed at every corner and entrance. Most of them know Thoth by sight as the weak, intellectual kid who comes by once a week or so to use the castle library so they rarely give him trouble, but as luck would have it a guy who takes his job seriously is on duty today. The incessant quizzing only stops when Thoth decides he’s had enough and bursts into tears. The guard backtracks immediately and finally walks him up to the library, leaving him with the promise that he’ll check on him in ten minutes. Thoth waits until he’s out of sight before strolling back out of the door and along the corridor. As always, he’s overestimated his ability to navigate the castle. It takes three wrong turns before he makes his way back to the entrance hall, where the route to Arthur’s office is clearly marked. Two knocks on the door is sufficient to announce his arrival. “Good morning, your majesty,” Thoth begins fluently when the king opens the door. These days he usually only slips back into his elaborative, formal habit on occasion; it’s a sign that he’s in a calm and balanced mood. Probably a first for Arthur. “I trust I find you in good health. I have come to make some enquiries of the official nature, although I realise I had not the foresight to schedule an appointment; if the time is inconvenient for you, we can reconvene at your leisure.” Not the type of language on expects from a seven year-old – but then, Arthur is probably aware by now that Thoth is no ordinary seven year-old. thoth someday you'll walk tall with pride |
take your time xP no rush.
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