Meanwhile, outside of the village on the largest farm that surrounds much of the land. Lutzi makes his way through the field quietly as he does what a looker does best. He watches from behind plants standing tall, providing cover as they sway in the wind. a man works the land, tilling the soil as a young girl follows behind dropping a few seeds in each hole he digs. She uses her hands to press the dirt back together in a mound around the seeds before moving to the next one. Lutzi looks through his mask which has large eye holes as only a lookers mask does. He is silent as he spies upon the two planting in the distance. Just Then the girl looks around, she gets the feeling like someone is watching her. Narfeesh Allmeya, the man, and girl’s farjer digs a few more holes before he realizes she is not following behind. Standing straight up he asks, “ what is it?” Jexic, the girl, and daughter replies, “ I feel like we’re being watched.” Narfeesh looks around. Lutzi realizing they are looking in his direction quickly drops to the ground. Narfeesh says, “ it’s probably one of Ursa's lookers up to no good.” Jex returns to her task of sowing the seeds and mounding the dirt. “ Do you think Yetzan would send someone all the way out here just to watch us?” She asks. Narfeesh also goes back to his task, digging holes and turning the soil. He replies, “ you would think they’d have better things to do in their glorified stink hole. Perhaps piling rocks and sticks together with more mud, or squabbling about nothing. Maybe even complaining they want more grain before the cold comes. They expect me to grow more but only allow me to keep one third of the seed.” He goes on about the chief and his followers. Jex has heard the stories many times before and tunes her farjer out thinking about who could be watching and why. Looking back she spots Lutzi as he sits up. She doesn’t say anything, just continues to sow. Narfeesh concludes his rant, “ and that’s why we need to get away from this wretched place, start a farm somewhere else where dhandas aren’t hysteric.” Jex agrees with a simple, “ uh huh...” As Narfeesh then questions her, “ were you even listening to me?” Jex regurgitates what her farjer was saying, “ they expect you to grow more but only give you one third, want to leave this place, start a farm elsewhere. Am I close?” Narfeesh looks at her with the look she knew all too well. He tilts his head slightly to the side and forward, peeking through the corner of his eyes as he squints the one closest to her. “ Alright already, I get it!” She says.
Just then errow is spotted at the edge of the field making his way towards the two. Narfeesh tells Jex, “ go to the house, I’ll deal with this goonji mook.” Jex nods taking the seed bag with her as she runs off towards the farm house. Lutzi sneaks through the field towards the house after her. Errow makes his way down the small lane that separates one field from the next. Narfeesh lifts his digging stick up and slams it into the soil firmly so it stands on its own. Inside the farmhouse Jex grabs a shining golden gear seated upon the wall. She makes her way to her farjer’s room where a secret hidden compartment is built into the wall. Outside the window a shadow passes in front startling her. Jex gasps as she quickly places the gear in the secret hiding spot. She covers the compartment and turns around to see there is a man with a large mask standing in the door way. Her body freezes with fear, “ what do you want?” She asks. The man remains silent as he slowly approaches her. Jex waits till he gets close before she rushes him, turning his mask to the side as she pushes the man backwards causing him to fall. Running past him Jex rushes into the next room to grab something she can utilize as a weapon. She grasps a digging stick leaned up against the wall. As the masked man struggles to fix his mask Jex runs at him with the stick giving him a good whack across his head. Falling to the floor the man shouts, “ Jexic, stop... It’s me.” As he removes his mask revealing his face. Jex shouts angrily, “ Lutzi Toem what are you doing sneaking up on me in my house?” She holds the stick in his face as he replies, “ I can explain...” holding his hands up. Shaking the stick in front of his nose she demands, “ you better start explaining real fast!” Meanwhile outside, errow approaches Narfeesh. “ Well hello there Allmeya, nice day for digging holes?” He asks attempting to ease into the conversation. Narfeesh bitterly responds, “ It’d be nicer if you weren’t bothering me, but I can’t change that now can I?” Errow smiles, “ no I suppose not. I don’t mean to interject while you are doing what it is you do, but this here is what I do. I talk, so forgive me for doing my job while I stop you from doing yours. I’m actually looking for one of the lookers, figured you may know something.” Narfeesh retorts, “ I thought you just said your job was to talk, now you’ve been demoted to looker, looking for another looker. That there is a lugubrious situation.” Errow smiles widely, “ wow, with words like that I don’t understand how you ever got stuck digging holes in the dirt. True, my current task is dismal to say the least, however things need doing when they need to get done now don’t they?” Narfeesh reaches back grabbing his digging stick. Lifting it high over his head he strikes the dirt and turns it about in circles.
“ You know when you are right you are right, things do need to get done when they need doing and right now, holes need digging. Next thing you know your chief is going to make one of you, probably that lilliputian yappy mouth, what’s his name?..” As Narfeesh slams the stick into he dirt again, errow laughs, “ there you go with those grand words again. You really ought to consider joining us. You’d be better suited beside us rather than outside us. I’m sure Yote would gladly take you on” Narfeesh shakes his head, “ Yote, that’s right. Look out for Yote the ankle biter. If I were to join you who would bother to grow all the food and plants. You bunch of thick headed fat mouth wannabes would starve, and then where would we be?” Errow nods, “ you have a point, perhaps we take you for granted.” He says looking around at the plethora of plants the farmer has grown in the vast fields.” Narfeesh slams his stick into the ground digging another hole before leaning his chin onto the end as he supports his body. “ You’re darn right you’ve taken my whole family for granted. You’ve ostracized us from your group, leaving us alone when we need help, and bothering us when the works all done. You have no respect towards what we do.” Just then the two hear Jex yelling from the farm house. Both men look over to see her chasing Lutzi out with the digging stick. “ See, your dhanda there is bothering my dawtea while you bother me. Exactly what I mean.” Errow apologizes, “ I’m sorry you feel that way. You’re right you know, I will show more respect to you and your family from now on. Thank you for your words.” He says walking away towards Lutzi who is running off through the field towards the village. Jex stops as she shouts, “ Don’t you dare show your face here again!” As she shakes the stick in the air. Narfeesh leaves his stick protruding from the ground as he makes his way over to his daughter. Errow chases after Lutzi back to the village.
Nearing Jex Narfeesh asks, “ What was that about?” She exclaims, “ he was in our house!” He looks at her as anger begins to overcome his emotions, he asks, “ did he touch anything?” Jex laughs, “ Yeah his face hit the broad end of this stick a few times.” Narfeesh’s anger is diffused as he smiles, “ that’s my girl. Did he see the sunji stone?” Jex answers, “ No, I hid it before he came in. What did the other one want though?” Her father replies, “ he said he was looking for the one in the house.” Jex questions, “ I wonder why? What was he looking for?” Narfeesh shakes his head as he snickers, “ Not sure, but that one talking to me seemed odd. He acted like he actually cared, but then once he noticed the other dhanda, it was like nothing mattered.” Jex smiles, she acknowledges, “ now I get why you want to get away from here. I too want to leave and go where life is different. I’m tired of all the sneaking around, and being confined to our land. There has to be more out there, more to this life.” She looks off into the distance as her father makes his way back to his digging stick. Pulling it from the ground he lifts it up, and slams it into the dirt. “ Oh there is, so much more than you will ever know. Don’t you worry.” He says digging a hole in the ground.
Meanwhile, back in the village errow chases Lutzi down, finally catching up with him. “ Lutzi, stop where you are!” He commands. Lutzi slows down his movement, turning to look back. Seeing errow coming after him he decides to keep running. Errow growls, “ don’t make me hunt you down!” He shouts as the two hastily make their way throughout the village. Lutzi runs into the busy market hoping to lose errow in the crowd. He passes by a woman buying some freshly picked fruits, squeezing her butt as he runs past. She shoots upwards in shock, with an “ oooff!” Turning back to see errow behind her she gasps. Angrily she grabs the largest fruit she’d just traded for and slams it onto errow’s head. The man behind the fruit cart shrieks at the sight. The woman takes her remaining fruit and leaves, all the while Lutzi ahead in the distance watches and laughs hysterically. Errow pulls the fruit from his head, wiping the juices and seeds from his face as he then looks around. Spotting Lutzi he begins the chase once again. Lutzi snaps from his laughing fit and runs ahead as A man cuts a fish, ripping it open before jamming his hand inside the fish. Pulling the guts out, he discards them into a large wooden bowl. Lutzi runs past but then stops a moment later, turning back he stands by the man gutting fish. The man turns to looks at him, he asks, “ hey how’s it going?” The man smiles, his hand deep inside a fish. Just as errow approaches shouting, “ I’ve got you now!” Lutzi bends down and grabs the bowl of fish guts, tossing it right in errow’s face. The man gutting the fish laughs wildly as Lutzi turns to take off once again. Errow disgusted by what he would consider his most hated thing he’s ever come across. Once again he wipes his face, spitting as he blows any residual fish guts from his mouth away. He chases Lutzi again, through the market, nearing the end. All the while the two had been watched by Yote Kye, relaxing as he sips a dark drink from a nut husk made from roasted berry beans. Finishing his drink he places the nut husk carefully onto the wooden stump table. Standing to his feet he brushes himself off and begins to make his way over to the gate leading up to Yetzan’s dwelling atop the hill. Lutzi running ahead of Errow looks back to see if Errow is following him. Seeing the coast is clear he stops running. Standing still he looks for any signs of Errow behind him. Smiling he says to himself, “ lost him.” As he turns forward and begins to slowly walk towards the gate at the base of the hill. Hearing rustling in the brush to the side Lutzi laughs, “ nice try Errow, but you’ll have to do better than that!” Then there is a stick snapping behind him, “ huh?” He says turning to look back. There’s Nothing or no one there, the wind then blows rustling the leaves again. Lutzi sighs, “ just the wjind.” He says. Turning forward he bumps into Errow who is standing there in front of him. “ Wha? How?” He asks. Errow seething with rage at this point doesn’t even give him an answer. Instead Errow raises his fist readying to hit Lutzi, who covers his face to avoid being struck on it. a moment passes and just before errow strikes down onto Lutzi the two are interrupted as Yote shouts, “ enuff!” Both men suddenly freeze and look over. Lutzi, looking through the gaps between his fingers quickly removes his hands from his face. Errow lowers his fist to his side as both men stand fast. “ Yes Yote, what is it?” Errow asks. Yote paces in front of the two, “ yew may fink oi dun no wot it is yew tew were doing.” Errow interrupts, “ I can explain!” He exclaims. Yote turns towards him, scrunching his face he points his index finger at errow and replies, “ I dun wanna ear yor cucass explanations. I seen de ole fing. Wot I do want is ta know ow it is...” as Yote turns to not face the two Lutzi takes the opportunity to shove errow towards the small man’s back side. Yote continuing turns back to see errow right behind him, he snarls asking “ ...wot in Kraznot are yew doing?” Errow smiles, “ I..I..ugh couldn’t hear so I was getting closer.” Yote demands he stands back to his feet before he continues, “ wot was oi saying?” Lutzi steps in, “ you wanted to know something Yote.” He says smiling as errow looks at him angrily. Yote thinks for a moment, “ ah yes fanks, see errow, yew should take note from em.” Errow turns his eyes at Lutzi glaring as Lutzi smiles back. Yote explains, “ oi want to know about dat madja ew wos up talkin tew de chief. Ow did she get dere?” Errow attempts to explain but is cut off by Lutzi who replies. “ Yes that mysterious madja appeared yestermorrow, she demanded to speak with the chief and so errow took her to see him.” Yote looks at the two, errow laughs nervously. Yote asks, “ is dat right den?” Errow nods, “ yes Yote, that is correct.” Yote turns to Lutzi, “ fanks Lutzi, but oi ave nuffin more for yew. I ave to speak wif errow about dis incident. Yew are dissmissed.” Lutzi smiles, “ thank you Yote.” He says bowing ever so slightly before taking a step back. Yote turns around grabbing Errow’s arm, “ yew are gonna explain why yew didn’t seek me furst!” He says as Errow looks at Lutzi who sticks his tongue out at him before leaving.
Yote and Errow walk up to the large wooden gate at the base of the hill. Stopping before the gate, Yote pushes the gate to the side with his free arm. He then takes the lead pulling behind him Errow. The gate closes behind the two as they begin to climb the steps leading up towards the top. Yote asks, “ well yew bettah get esplainen den” Errow nods before beginning to tell Yote what had happened, “ well, we were all sitting around the fijar as Lutzi told the story of the fijar mogk. Mid way the story was interrupted when the oracle of Enios appeared demanding to speak to Yetzan. Lutzi wanted to take her, but I chose to do it instead. So I walked her here and had her wait at the gate. She decided to take matters into her own hands when Yetzan came to the door. That’s all I know.” He says as the two near the top of the hill. Yote stops on the last step turning around thus stopping Errow three steps below him. The two now face to face as Yote asks him, “ wot exact wording did she say to em?” Thinking for a moment Errow looks up as if to gather the thoughts in his head. On the chief’s property Natutu, the chief’s only son watches from inside the house as the two converse outside the upper gate. Errow replies to Yote, “ Something about everything you love will be gone. She will take it, it’s hers, don’t pursue them. Oh and something about friends and enemies, but That’s all I really remember.” Yote smiles, misinterpreting the paraphrased message to align with his own agenda. For years he has been secretly planning to overthrow Yetzan and take the village for himself. He fantasizes that he will take Shukara by his side and the two of them will rule over the entire village of Yenga. Letting go of errow’s arm, Yote happily dismisses errow. Before leaving however he says, “ yew need ta go clean yurself, yew smell of rottin cucass.” Errow bows ever so slightly, keeping his composure he thanks Yote and turns to leave down the hill. Yote opens the gate and enters the yard atop the hill heading towards the chieftain’s home. Inside the home Yetzan steps up to the entrance of his son’s room. “ Natutu, have you chosen a suitable madja in the village to bear your children?” He asks his son. Natutu looks away from the window towards his farjer, thinking for a moment he replies. “ Yes, of all the madjas in the village I have chosen the one that resides just outside.” Taken back by this Yetzan gasps, “ no... you mean?” And simultaneously the two say, “ Jexic Allmeya” Natutu smiles, however Yetzan frowns. “ That cannot be!” He groans angrily, Natutu then proceeds to question, “ it is my choice is it not?” Yetzan shakes his head placing his hand over his face. “ The point of choosing someone from the village is to stay within the village. I won’t have those hicklebelly farmers enter our proud warrior family. Make another choice or I will be forced to choose for you.” He says, Natutu retorts, “ what’s the point of giving me a choice if I don’t really get to choose?” Yetzan turns around walking away, he replies, “ to see where your head is, if you are to be my successor then you must start thinking like my successor. I’ve heard enough. You have one more day to make a choice.” Like that Yetzan leaves his son to toil with the task of choosing a suitable mate from the village. Natutu grumbles, “ it’s not fair.” Before slumping himself back onto his bedding.
There is a knock at the front door. Yetzan steps over to answer. Opening the door there seems to be no one there, “ hmm.” Yetzan scoffs. Yote clears his throat, “ uh-ummm..” Yetzan looks down, “ oh yes Yote, what is it?” He questions. Yote replies, “ oi my chief I fink we must be avin a meetin wot wif all de lookers, lisseners, and linguises. Dere seems to be some confusion as to ew does wot.” Yetzan smiles, “ sure Yote, organize it you tell them all what they are supposed to do again.” He slams the door just as Yote replies, “ an won more fing... aww nevah mine, you cucass ole farf.” Yote walks away grumbling about how soon enough the village will be his. Not realizing Natutu had been listening in the window the entire time. Taking the opportunity Natutu makes his way onto his window ledge and outside. Chasing behind Yote he calls out, “ Yote wait up!” Caught off guard Yote turns to see Natutu coming up from behind. “ Oh great...” he mumbles. Making his way towards the gate he reaches out and swings it open. “ An wot can I do fer yew?” He asks. Natutu panting from the light jog replies, “ you know my farjer quite well don’t you?” Yote nods, gesturing for Natutu to enter through the gate. “ Oi, ove known yor fava for some years now. Why is it yew asking?” Both walking down the steps towards the base of the hill, Natutu then asks, “ how do you think he would react if someone were to do something he didn’t agree with?” Yote stops on the step, thinking in his head that perhaps Natutu is referring to his scheme. He scrunches up his nose, as his left eye twitches. “ Wot do yew mean den? Get on wif it.” Natutu responds, “ farjer wants me to choose a madja from the village to be with, and the one I’ve chosen he disagrees with. I don’t know what to do.” Letting out a Sigh of relief Yote asks, “ eww is it? Purapps oi can elp.” Natutu considers the idea for a moment before he sighs, “ I guess I’m asking for help, so it would be rude to refuse. The madja I want to be with is Jexic Allmeya.” Yote smiles. “ Oi let me andle it den. All see if aye can pursuede er to see fings are way.” Natutu asks with concern, “ what of my farjer? Surely he won’t agree even if she does.” Yote smiles revealing his corroded yellow teeth, “ yew asked me fur moi elp right mysun?” He questions. Natutu nods, furling his brows as the look of seriousness comes over his face. “ Yes.” He replies. Yote places his hand on Natutu’s upper arm, “ well den mysun, let me elp yew. aye’ll deal wif Allmeya, and your farjer. Sound good?” Natutu nods, he becomes relaxed and relieved.
“ Thank you Yote, you have been good to my family. If only others were as loyal as you.” He says with relief. Yote smiles deviously, “ yes, if only. Now yew must ave somefing yew should be doing, am aye right?” He asks. Natutu nods in agreement. Yote follows up, “ well den no point standing around not doing it. After all oi cannae very well elp if oim ear wif yew can oi?” Natutu shakes his head from side to side as to agree with the question. Yote concludes his statement, “ Trust me mysun, everyfing in due time. Off wif yew now.” As he gestures waving Natutu away. Stepping back Natutu thanks Yote one final time before turning around to return to his home. As Yote smiles and makes his way through the lower gate he says quietly to himself, “ Everyfing in due time...” laughing maniacally as he makes his way into the village.
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