Chapter 57 Finding a way out
Just as they neared the boundary, they realised something was wrong.
The boundary was closed. The only person who could open it was Malouf.
“Damn it,” Vandal exclaimed in annoyance. Without Malouf, they could not reopen it.
Reaching a compromise with him was not an option.
“We will have to attack the boundary together. Maybe we will be able to break it, especially now that we are on the inside,” Mael said.
They began gathering their echo attacks, power building in their hands as they prepared to strike.
“Do not bother. You waste energy. You waste time. Then you die,” a flat voice spoke out.
“Who is there?” Mael jumped back, looking at his surroundings, while Yazmeen, Jaclynn, and Hutrar went on full alert. The only person not shocked was Vandal, because his left eye was still active and he had already seen the speaker. He then closed his eyes and shut it off.
A short man came out of the thick outgrowth. He had jet black hair and a stocky build. His beady eyes scanned them suspiciously.
“Who are you?” the short man asked.
“We should be the ones asking you that,” Mael replied as he stared down at the man.
“I hate tone. I leave you. You die,” the short man said with a cunning smile.
“What did you just say? Did you just threaten me?” Mael asked, annoyed, as he was about to form a light beam, only to be stopped by Vandal.
“Thank you for your advice. Please, how do we leave this place, friend?” Vandal said with an amiable smile. He had always been one to observe and know when to pick his battles. Patience had always been one of his strengths. It served him well here too.
“Follow me. We go see father,” the short man said, motioning for them with his short limbs to follow him.
Vandal moved ahead first, positioning Sabine gently on his back as he followed the man. Everyone else followed behind him.
“My name is Pakkun. What is yours?” the man said as he pushed away ferns and branches, leading them deeper into the jungle-like environment. He proceeded toward the depths of a place only he knew.
“Where are we heading, friend?” Vandal asked, emphasising the word friend because he noticed the man seemed to like being called that.
“I take you to the clan. Clan open gate. You go. You do not die,” the man said simply.
“If you are lying, you are going to be the one to die,” Mael said stiffly.
The man stopped abruptly, turned toward Vandal, and pointed his short, stubby finger at Mael. Looking up at him directly, he said, “I do not like you. You are a stupid man. You will die soon.”
“What did you say?” Mael stepped forward, ready to confront him. “Say that again. Say it again. We will see who dies first, short man.” Something about the man, Pakkun, seriously irritated him.
“It is okay, friend. Mael is my friend too. He is sorry,” Vandal said with a smile, trying to settle the issue so they could move forward.
Soon enough, they arrived at a location that outsiders would not normally discover. It was a mysterious structure in the middle of a shallow stream.
Pakkun entered a canoe at the shore and motioned for them to follow. Vandal, however, noticed that the water was not deep enough to drown them. When he stepped in, the water only reached his legs. He then looked at Pakkun, who stared at them as if they were foolish.
“You don't use a little boat? You drown,” Pakkun said. He looked at them with genuine concern. When they did not comply, he seemed surprised and kept rubbing his eyes as though he thought it was a dream.
Vandal smiled faintly. This man was… something else.
Soon they arrived at the structure. Calling it a palace was an overstatement. It was more like a small house for short people. Pakkun stopped them at the door.
“Male visitors not allowed inside. Only women,” Pakkun explained, then went inside through the small doorway.
“Hahaha, he truly believes we could enter even if we were allowed,” Vandal chuckled.
Soon, a short, beaded man wearing gold ornaments walked out with an air of importance, followed by several others of similar height.
“These them?” the beaded man, who also wore a crown, asked.
Pakkun bowed respectfully. “Yes.”
“I am King,” the man said. “These are my people.” His people stood on either side in an orderly fashion.
Some men brought a small golden chair and placed it on the ground for the king to sit on. Aside from the gold stacked around his neck, he wore clothes similar to those of the others from the guardian clan.
“What is the woman upon you?” the king asked, looking at Vandal and noticing Sabine on his back.
“She is injured, but she is recovering,” Vandal explained. Then he continued cautiously, “Please, could you help us leave this place? We are trapped by the boundary.”
“What is your name?” the king asked, stroking his beard.
“My name is Vandal,” he replied.
“Your name is Vandal. My name is King,” the man said, as if reminding Vandal of his status. Vandal held himself back from saying anything that might be misunderstood.
“I help you leave this place,” the king said.
Vandal’s expression turned to relief, but it froze the next second at what he saw and heard.
“King treats women on Vandal back. Pakkun, call Mister Closewound.”
“Yes, King.”
Pakkun left immediately before Vandal could explain that she was already stable and just resting. Moreover, he decided not to object, since rejecting help might be seen as an insult.
A few moments later, someone wearing a robe of leaves and a straw cap emerged. As soon as the eyes beneath the cap met Vandal’s, there was instant recognition.
“It’s you! How?!”