Tylywoch ~ 03

 Tylywoch ~ 03 The Natural Disasters 

Len Morgan

    After surviving the ice, Weilla changed.  She became more reckless as if looking hard into the face of death and surviving had wiped away all fear.   Her actions caused concern to those around her.  Even some of her teachers thought her a potential danger to others, yet surprisingly nobody actually got hurt.   Others said it was a natural reaction and, that she would change again if they just gave her a little time.  She wouldn’t be expected to choose a specialisation until she was ten, so she still had five years in which to settle down and find her path in life. 

.-…-. 

When they reached the age of seven there were changes made.  They were organised into units of twelve.  Each unit consisting of three teams of four students, known as quads.  The quad was the basic working unit for the Tylywoch.  They were selected by their trainers, who had intimate knowledge of each student's strengths, and weaknesses.  The members of a quad were chosen to complement each other, to bring out the best in the quad, and help individuals overcome their limitations, together, they would quickly become a well-balanced close-knit team.  Each quad was named, by custom, after successful quads from the past those that had distinguished themselves and brought honour to their name.  Weilla was attached to the ‘Natural Disasters’ consisting of the three quads; Fire, Flood, and Storm.  Storm quad was made up of two boys Soren & Mynach, and two girls, Hildi & Weilla.

Soren had great dexterity and speed, his sleight of hand was legendary, surpassed only by his ability to solve puzzles, and pick locks.  His knowledge of mechanics and all kinds of devices was almost intuitive. 

Mynach even at the age of seven was solidly built like his parents.  His strength was equal to that of the other three quad members combined.  In addition, he possessed a rather unique talent, the ability to mimic and reproduce accurately any sound, after just one hearing. 

Hildi was the antithesis of Mynach.  She was quiet, thin, wiry, and double-jointed.  She could get into and out of spaces and things that others wouldn’t even attempt.  She could move soundlessly like an eel without disturbing a blade of grass.  She was deceptive, a pretty doll-like child with strength, out of all proportion to her stature.

Weilla possessed both physical and mental strength, she was strong-willed, tenacious, and fearless, she would never admit defeat.  She was an excellent tactician, not afraid to be cautious and at times to gamble or sacrifice when it became necessary.   Her mind was logical quick and sharp as a razor.   She would formulate solutions while others were still coming to grips with the problem.

.-…-. 

The Games – were designed to stretch their abilities, reveal their individual skills, and ingenuity, as well as their leadership qualities, and their ability to work as a team.

The rules were simple:  The Games always took place at night, each was of thirty minutes duration, two quads would defend a flag against the third.  Each member of the twelve-man team would be given the opportunity to lead their quad in an attack.  They had to produce their plan on paper and submit it to the invigilators prior to commencing their attack.  They could then be judged on their planning, ingenuity, and flexibility.  There were seven unsuccessful attacks then it was Weilla’s turn to present her plan.

Each quad made four attacks on the Flag and defended eight times, four against each of the other quad’s.  It was Storm’s third attack, Weilla had analysed all the previous unsuccessful attacks and knew that in each, the element of surprise was lacking.  Being aware of the strengths of her quad members, she carefully outlined her plan.  Only Soren was skeptical, but since most of the work would be done by Mynach & Hildi, who were more receptive, she submitted her plan regardless.  The invigilators' eyebrows rose, but he said nothing.  The horn sounded and she rejoined the quad, immediately an altercation broke out within the group.  She called them harshly into a huddle, and for several minutes they were engaged in earnest discussion.  Hildi’s voice raised in protest, Soren answered loudly, Mynach and Weilla joined in the exchange.  Hildi made an abusive comment, which Mynach took personally.  The two defending quad’s edged closer to better follow the heated exchanges, smiling with amusement.  It seemed that Storm quad were having a falling out.  It would make their job easier if they encouraged it.  Weilla shouted for order and was pushed from the huddle, landing unceremoniously on her behind in plain view of the other quads.  Nearly half the allotted time had expired and still, Hildi & Mynach’s voices could be heard, raised in heated disagreement.  The defenders, unable to resist, began to hurl their comment in support of one or the other.  Eventually, they all became involved in good-natured banter with various members of the Storm quad as full time approached.  The horn blew, and the attack was over.  Both Fire & Flood whooped with delight… 

“Attack Successful!”  Announced the invigilator.

The defenders smiles changed to disbelief then horror as they turned to discover the Flag was gone.  As if in answer to their pleading looks, the invigilator held up the flag, as Hildi turned and headed back towards the other Storm quad members. 

“It Worked!”  She yelled in triumph.

“Of course it did, it was Weilla's plan,” said Mynach imitating Hildi’s voice.

There were no further successful attacks that day, so much to the chagrin of Fire & Flood, Storm was top quad! 

.-…-. 

   The two women shared an intimate embrace and a few private tears, then Weilla shouldered her small bundle of personal possessions, and left their home as a child, for the last time.  Meillo felt tired and so alone, she wiped a tear from her usually implacable face.  Aldor was away, traveling the Empire, keeping the peace, and winning the hearts and minds of the ordinary folk.  He’d made his views known, that they would have need of friends and allies in the not too distant future, and it was his responsibility to make things happen.

The Natural Disasters would from now on share a Kebu, a communal hut, living as an extended family.  Fishing, hunting, cooking, bartering, and planting, whilst continuing their education as a team.  They would continue to work in quads, but from eight years of age, they were expected to embrace a larger team, the Tylywoch community.  A thirteenth warrior would be joining them, appointed by virtue of his/her age and experience, to be Kebu master.  All the quad leaders would then report and be responsible to the Kebu master.  It was not usual for operatives so young to be used in real operations, but they would have their share of training operations and exercises to test the efficiency of other imperial forces, at the direct request of the Empress.  The Tylywoch were her shadow warriors, answerable to her alone.  They were fiercely loyal and lived by the code: death with honour.  Prior to undertaking a covert operation in her name, they would yell the oath at the top of their voices.  Since one weak link could destroy them all, they had to have complete confidence in every member of their quad or team.  A month after moving to the Kebu, the natural disasters were introduced to their Kebu master, Galyx.  Newly returned from serving as Captain of the Empress’ honour guard.

He was a tall slim serious young man of eighteen, sporting short dark wispy facial hair.  He, it was who began their training in earnest!

.-…-.

  By the time they had reached the age of ten the Natural Disasters had grown hard with work and to the casual observer or outsider could be taken for adults.   Dressed in warm sturdy waterproof clothing hoods and full-length capes that would double as a tent, they headed for Sudoren, the nearest town, just thirty miles distant.  Outsiders were reported to be staying there, asking questions about their mountain homeland, and its inhabitants.  The inn-keep was their eyes and ears in the area and had called them to do a routine surveillance and vetting operation.  They had carried out similar operations many times before, enough to make it routine.  Galyx had delegated Fire quad to slip into the town, locate and identify the tools and equipment the visitors were using.  They had been taking soil, rock & mineral samples, and were studying the geological formations in the area.  They had ore samples, detailed maps, and their tools suggested they were who they said they were, mining prospectors.  Two were pale and stocky wearing heavy animal skin clothing and boots.  Their leader was tall, broad-shouldered with iron-grey hair and of indeterminate age dressed in the local fashion.  “Outsiders,” Galyx said with distaste spitting on the ground.  “They must not be allowed to approach home territory, they must be followed constantly.  Either Fire or Flood will shadow them at all times.  Storm will accompany me into Sudoren.  We are a hunting party, stopping for supplies.  Ask discreet questions, and try to get closer to them, to discover their true purpose on our side of the Saber Tooth mountains.“

 Weilla and Mynach were more obviously mature, and would therefore be the ones to make the closer contact. 

.-…-. 

 “Over the centuries, the Meyam people have panned for gold in the rivers filtering down to the lower slopes of the Sabre Tooth Mountains.  The streams and rivers have provided them and their ancestors with a good living.  Now, they have become greedy, they are seeking the mother lode; the source of all their prosperity.  They come into our lands seeking the source.  They may guard its location jealously, but others will eventually follow.  We will allow them to discover and mine the gold, but neither they nor the gold will leave these mountains.  There are deposits several miles upriver, not the mother lode but several rich veins that will keep them occupied for weeks.  The gold will replenish our coffers, and enable you to gain experience.”  Galyx held up a piece of black rock, speckled with gold pieces, for their inspection.  “This is what they are seeking.  Weilla and Mynach will accompany me to the Inn where they lodge.”  He threw the rock to Weilla who caught it easily.

“You will lead them to the deposits, and stay as guide and hunter, learning all you can of their expedition.  You will need to learn their language, this will be part of your training,” Galyx explained.  

“How do we…” Mynach began.

“You will learn keywords, joining words, common words, and how to create sentences and ask questions.” 

“We will need somebody who speaks both languages.” Said Mynach.

“I speak many languages, one of them is Meyam.  There are tricks to learning language, I will teach you the rudiments and you will learn from our visitors.” Said Galyx. 

“Is one night sufficient?” Hildi queried.

“For the Natural Disasters it will be,” he said, "gather round..."

(to be Continued)

Copyright Len Morgan