BBOTSS Travel Logue - Part 5

After three long days of celebrating in Bonoba, we finally have word of Amuhl. Unfortunately, the word is not good. Apparently during his travels in the Rattle and Hum ceremonies, Amuhl stumbled across one of Lexapidis's most famous legends - the giant Haydens. Haydens were thought to have become extinct on Lexapidis several hundred years ago. Haydens of course arose from Lake Haydis and journeyed to coastal areas, as far from the mountains as possible. The Ruffians were more than capable of dealing with the Haydens and often shooed them into the Salt Sea. Scholars have maintained that they believe the giant Haydens migrated to a larger continent and are still in existence there, but no one has any proof of this theory. Every artist has at one point tried to capture the essence of the Haydens with their glowing clubs, but the most famous version portrays the king of the Haydens standing on a beach.

King of the Haydens

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Apparently, Amuhl was not looking where he stepped after a huge smoke-fest and woke one off the southern coast of Bonoba. The Haydens, not knowing of Amuhl's importance carried him into the sea as an offering to the Naked Mother. By the time Amuhl's companions realized he was missing, the Haydens was already too far off the shore. Amhul's companions watched helplessly as he was cut down by the Haydens.

Black Beard's reaction to this news shocked me. He said, "Well, I expect that we must make due with Achtung. Achtung, where are the missing diplomats?" This was not the Black Beard we all know. Apparently the smoke-fests have altered his manner of speech. After my first grass log experience, I had abstained from the ceremonies, but Black Beard and his crew were quick to join in and add grog to the celebrations.

Achtung responded to Black Beard's question by saying, "The diplomats arrived with important information for us, but could not remember their purpose after the smoke-fest Amuhl held in their honor. When we asked them when they would return to their homeland, they told us that they had quite forgotten the route, and decided to stay here and become a part of us."

At this point Black Beard turned to me for our purpose. I told the Bonobans of our lady Missandei and our plight against the Ruffians. I pleaded them for assistance in this war for the freedom of Lexapidis.

Achtung looked very thoughtful. He then proposed a smoke-fest to deliberate the Bonobans' participation in our cause. After the smoke-fest, the elder priests gathered to make the decision. They invited Black Beard to join their council having been regaled with his adventures and military prowess. I was not permitted to attend the council, but it did not take the Bonobans long to reach a decision. Achtung agreed to accompany us back to Lexapidis to join my lady's army south of Naomida. Smoke-fests were postponed for the next 3 days while the Bonobans made their travel arrangements.

Black Beard took this time to explain what was going to happen:

"The Bonobans be goin' with me to be joinin' the lass's army. They be bringin' their sweet grass along in hopes it be helpin' me and me crew and the army to be sharp on the toes. I be tellin' them to be gettin' the young strong lads to be goin'. Me crew be trainin' them fightin' skills on their way to the meetin'. If the scurvy dogs can be keepin' up with us, we be reachin' the meetin' very fast. Tell yer lady to be saddlin' up and meetin' me there. We need her council on how to be fightin' this war."

With this logue, I have attached a request for my lady to do as Black Beard wishes. It was so great to hear him sounding like his old self. There must be something in the sweet grass that helps him find the words we normally use. In two days, we will be returning to Lexapidis. Achtung still needs to bless the sacred portrait of Amuhl before we begin the journey back.

Amuhl's sacred portrait

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