The Language Of The Trees/ An Evalyce Novel [#NaNoWriMo16]

Chapter 15: The Horned Cat

South Ward, Port Jericho, 10000 ft above the Aeryth Ocean, Year of the Lion Claw, 1727 CE

    Our destination turned out to lay within South Ward, within the infamous Alley. Of course, after Ari explained what ‘jiix’baak’ meant, I was at least expecting it.

    The Alley is the pleasure district and seemed a most unlikely place to find a mercenary or Hunter guild. House lights were already being lit for the evening. I had to admit, the riot of colours was quite beautiful.

    Each establishment had a large artifice lamp hanging beneath its sign, sometimes accompanied by two or three smaller ones. Inside these lamps were smaller orbs of differing colours.  

    Morroco took great delight in explaining what the different coloured lights meant, leading to more blushing on my part. Pale yellow meant scantily clad dancers, and the deeper goldenrod signified  dancers in the buff. Muted magenta will lead you to places whose courtesans offer straight sex, while sapphire, amethyst and emerald signaled things more exotic. Smaller orbs tinted gold or silver will tell you if the courtesans or dancers are female or male, as well as pairings offered in the Houses with lights other than yellow.

    We arrived before our guide could add any further insight into the lights, much to my relief. It was easy to find Jiix'baak amidst the other Houses. A statue of one of the horned longteeth stood rearing to bat the lights hung above it.

    A low chatter filled the inside. People were everywhere. Tourists gawked at elegant dancers, both male and female, bedecked in jewel bright feathers, and little else, many of whom danced tabletop, or upon raised platforms protected by surly looking males. The dancers all had furry longtooth ears and tails as part of their ensemble. There were plenty of Jerachi among the visitors to Jiix’baak, easily distinguished by their clothing and air of familiarity. Exotic music filtered into the room through hidden artifice speakers.

    Occasionally, a feather-laden Jiix’baak member would disappear down a long, softly lit corridor, trailed by a rather dazed tourist, or an amused Jerachi. To the far back, a large stage stood empty, save for a set of massive Arkaddian ground drums that flanked either side. Two levels of railings ran along the walls above the main hall, and I could just make out the vague outlines of doors running around each.

    “Morroco,” a rich voice purred, “have you brought me something fun to play with?”

    A tall woman glided from the shadows to stalk around us, jade eyes sizing us up. Like all of the other Jiix'baak members I'd seen thus far, this lady wore feathers woven through her obsidian hair. Unlike the others, this woman was felan, what I would come to learn was a Jiix’shan, out of Su Ramerides. Her black-furred ears, and tail were no costume props, but the real thing. A pair of tiny horn nubs poked up through her hair, beside her ears. Morroco gave a slight bow.

    “Master Tempest sends a gift, Lady Balaa. Fledglings seeking a job.” A playful smirk twisted Morroco's lips.

    “Well now, hard for me to refuse such a treat.” Black furred ears flicked back, revealing a patch of white on the back. “So, you want to be Hunters, eh? I wonder….do you have what it takes to be Jiix’baak?”

    “And what exactly is that?” I snapped, my temper getting the better of me.

    The woman threw back her head, her laughter a rich smoky sound.

    “Feisty. A queen, do you not agree, Morroco?”

    “Aye, Lady, a queen indeed.”

    Beside me, Ari was struggling not to be amused.

    “All of the Jiix'baak are both Hunters and fireflys. We are the only guild accorded the privilege of operating out of the Alley.