Fast Food Furries Book 1

Chapter 11a: The Truth - Part 2

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Naelo

On the Planet Aflax

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No, I shan't, I—"dramatic effect?" Really? Very well.

...

The shimmering violet carp twirled gracefully just below the surface of the water. The harsh sun broke through the ripples and glimmered off the creature's scales.

A piercing splash was succeeded by a small plume of blood. Elrin's spear had found its target. He withdrew his kill. "Methinks," he was saying, "Laeroth is clearly the sole hero—beyond any doubt."

"I'm beginning to suspect you're intentionally missing the point," I said.

"Bah," laughed Elrin. "Let's call it a unique interpretation." I laughed and shoved on his shoulder as he sat back down in the boat. It was a warm, late autumn morning. "So you argue," I said, amused, "that, rather than the intended message of the story—that Laeroth couldn't have done it without the help of the others—

"—that the others couldn't have done it without the heroics of Laeroth, yes."

I laughed as Elrin tossed the violet carp into the basket. "You're obtuse," I said.

The boat drifted through the open water. I leaned against the side and admired the western mountains looming in the distance, illuminated brilliantly by the sunlight despite the haze of distance. Their distorted reflections weaved across the surface of the lake.

"Hmm," Elrin said, feigning deep thought. "Repeat the tale, perhaps I wasn't listening well enough."

"No," I giggled. "We'd be here well into the eve."

"Ah, can't do that," Elrin said. "We'd miss Alarn's feast."

"Very true," I said, "you must be excited for her return. It's been too long."

"Three years," Elrin sighed. "Gods, I wasn't even apprenticed to your father when she left."

"Yet another reason we must hurry," I muttered. "Father would hate for us to be out too long."

"Ah, worry not about that old grump," Elrin said. "He'll survive."

"He may fire you."

Elrin laughed lightheartedly. "He won't."

"Do you believe he'll allow you to cast soon?"

"Apparently not," Elrin sighed. "I'm 'not ready.' "

I gazed down at the water. The broken sunlight danced gently across the sandy lake floor. The water was crystal clear today. A sunbeam passed over something embedded in the sand, and its brilliant glare caught my eye.

"What was that?" I asked, distracting Elrin from the next fish he had lined up.

"Hmm?" he asked.

The shine had disappeared, so I promptly moved on. "Hm, nevermind," I shrugged.

"Woah," he said after a moment. "The shine?"

"You see it?"

"Yes," he said, holding his gaze on it while setting down his spear.

"What are you doing?" I laughed.

Without saying anything, Elrin dove off the boat into the water, diving down the ten or so feet to the bottom. He brushed some sand away and grabbed the object. He kicked off the lakebed and broke through the surface. "It's a tooth!" he gasped.