The Heroes of Aeseganora: Part 1 - The Oca-Tree

Escaping The Slaves - Part I

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please see end of  the chapter for notes.

TW: Implications of mistreatment

Ollum stormed through the streets of Ocalihalla, a combination of fear and annoyance burning inside him like fire - fear for Aeseganora's future and how the Octonauts were doing, and annoyance at... well, everything, really.

He ignored the tangling sensation in his insides and decided to go looking for them. They couldn't be dead, there was already so much at stake. They'd been gone for a while, and there was no sign of any of them returning. They would still be at the Tree, waiting for the others.

"Silly creatures," he muttered.

"Quite right, they absolutely are."

Ollum flinched at the voice, which was far, far too close for his liking.

"Where in Aeseganora did you spring from?" he exclaimed in surprise.

A brown fox pushed a grey-black hood back from her head. She wore two small hoop earrings on each ear and a pair of glasses that seemed too big for her. She also had an expression on her face which some would've described as a mixture of greedy and beguiling.

"Hello, Your Majesty," she gave a quick curtsey. "I've come with a message from The High Lord Of All Slaves."

"And who might that be?"

The fox raised her eyebrows. "I thought everybody knew Lord Brone."

"Well, I guess I don't, then," Ollum replied. "Which is really strange, considering I've been the ruler of this universe for almost ten years, approximately. Anyways, what is your message?"

The fox gave a quick glance over Ollum's outfit, which was a combination of royal and casual. "I'm Raquel," she said. "You're the King."

"Well, first of all," Ollum begun. "I'll thank you to judge me on my own terms, and not the position that I hold, if it's all the same to you, and secondly-"

"Except it isn't all the same to me," Raquel stepped even closer, into Ollum's personal space, right up to his nose. "These explorers from the Other Side of the Portal have a lot to answer for around here."

"Just give me the message, please."

"It has been drawn to the Slaves' attention that you have met with the following people at around mid-morning at least two days ago..."

She read out a list.

Barnacles PolarshadowKwazii GoldtigerPeso FrostglowShellington PinecrestachInkling SeamountstarDaschenia DaisythornTweaketta SwampriderTunip, Barrot, Tominnow, Grouber, Codish and the Vegimals

"Would you like to see them again?" she asked as she took out a bag which had a book, a camera, a spyglass, a pair of binoculars, a medical bag, a blue satchel, half-eaten kelp cakes and a tool belt.

Ollum recognised these items immediately. "The Octonauts? Where are they?"

"They're safe. For now," Raquel replied. "But time has run out, your Majesty. We wanted to arrange an exchange."

"An exchange? An exchange for what?"

"We wanted a way out of this world," she said. "We wanted that giant orange octopus-shaped vehicle that they used to travel to the Mist, otherwise one of their own would be harmed."

Ollum laughed. "You wanted them to give away a ship - one that they all live on board - for a crew member's safety? That is absolutely ridiculous!"

"They're your friends."