Holes & Strings

The sun was coming up. Xylo and Brandon had been walking all night. Brandon had wanted to rest, but Xylo insisted that they would make it to Lutef by sunrise.

“We’re almost there,” Xylo claimed.

“Do you know any melodies that can get us there faster?” Brandon asked.

“If I did, I would have used it, Brandon,” Xylo laugh.

“Tell me more about the melodies,” Brandon said. “That should help pass the remaining time. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the melody types.”

“It isn’t that hard to tell what type a melody is,” Xylo explained. “Melodies of mineral usually deal with things of the ground. Melodies of beast deal with living creatures. Melodies of healing, that’s obvious. Melodies of vibration deal with sound and invisible force. Melodies of body involve the human and sometimes animal body, while melodies of death involve death, decay, and sometimes destruction. The last two have songs that are illegal. While some of the melodies of body are illegal, all of the melodies of death are unlawful.”

“What about the melody of rift?” Brandon asked. “I remember you mentioning it.”

“There is not much I can say about that one,” Xylo said. “I heard that there was only one song for that melody type. And to my knowledge, nobody even knows it.”

Just then, a small, fat creature wobbled from out of some tall grass in front of them. It had bulging eyes, puckered lips, and moist skin. Brandon stepped back. The creature made a small noise that was similar to a flowing creek.

“You act like you’ve never seen a Juog before,” Xylo observed.

“You won’t find anything like this in my land,” Brandon replied.

“We may see some more while we’re traveling,” Xylo said. “You’ll get used to them.”

Xylo and Brandon entered Lutef. The streets were crowded. People were bargaining left and right.

“We can either get some rest at an inn now or get breakfast,” Xylo explained. “I’m leaving it up to you.”

“I’m pretty tired,” Brandon said. His stomach growled.

“I doubt you can sleep with an empty stomach,” Xylo said. “Let’s get something to eat.”

“I can go to sleep,” Brandon replied. “What about it being my decision?”

“Your decision is lame,” Xylo responded. “You’ll love this place.”

Brandon followed Xylo to a place that served food. The building had no walls. It had strong brick columns that supported each corner to hold up the ceiling. The aroma was grand. Light came in through square openings in the ceiling. The sounds of boiling, steaming, and mixing could be heard.

A man guided Xylo and Brandon to a table.

“A server will be with you shortly,” the man said as he put down wooden plates and napkins.

Brandon rested his head on the table. Xylo looked around with a smile and cheery attitude.

“Hello, you guys,” a voice said. “My name is Idalene Lani and I’ll be your server today. What would you guys like to order?”

Brandon raised his head up and saw a young woman. She was wearing dark-purple lipstick and dark eyeliner. She had tanned skin and dark-brown hair that reached just below her shoulders adorned by a bandana with a green feather and blue pearl.

“We’ll just have some vegetable soup,” Xylo said.

“You like being in control, don’t you?” Brandon responded.

“Relax, Brandon,” Xylo said. “The herbs they have in the soup should wake you up a little.”

“You got it, boys,” Idalene confirmed. “Here are some menus in case you guys want something else.”

Brandon yawned and then looked through the menu. “Xylo,” he said. “Do you have any idea how much maps cost?”

“I have about sixty gold coins,” Xylo said. “Maps cost one-thousand gold coins.”

Brandon put his hand over his eyes and said, “How could you possibly expect us to get a map anytime soon?”

“I know a melody of healing that should get us enough money to get a map,” Xylo explained.

“Oh, yeah?” Brandon mumbled.

“Yeah,” Xylo continued. “Melody of Healing: Song of Relief. It takes care of stomach aches, head aches, and common colds. I can offer my services around here. Fifty gold coins for one session is reasonable and should do the trick.”

Idalene came back with the soup. It was in a big bowl. She placed it on the center of the table. She gave them both shell-like utensils.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Xylo said.

“We don’t eat like this where I’m from,” Brandon said.

Xylo scooped up some soup and said, “That’s the life of a traveler. Encounters with new things are bound to happen.”

Idalene pulled a chair to their table and sat down. “So, you’re a musición?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Xylo answered.

“How’d you know?” Brandon responded.

“That’s funny coming from you, Brandon,” Xylo said. “I could have asked you the same thing a few hours ago.”

“Seeing you carry your instruments gave me a hunch,” Brandon replied.

“I heard you guys chattering,” Idalene admitted. “You guys are looking for a map? I have you covered. I’ll give you one free of charge.”

“What’s the catch?” Brandon asked, knowing it sounded too good to be true.

“I’ve been working here for two months,” Idalene explained. “I want to save up so I can go to a university. Unfortunately, this job isn’t cutting it. At this rate, I’ll have to work here for five years before I even come close to having the amount of what it cost to get into a university.”

“Looks like we have a smart girl,” Brandon said. “You want to go to one of them universities, a place of scholars? You sound determined. You must have a plan.”

“Yes,” Idalene said. “There is a new industry forming. It involves making something that they’re calling electricity. I want to be a part of it. It’s supposed to be big. They’re aiming for it to be global.”

“What do you want me to help you with?” Xylo asked.

“Since you are a musición, money can come real easy for you,” Idalene said. “If you take up some requests for people, within a mouth, possibly, you’d have the money I need to get into a university.”

“We’re kinda on the move,” Xylo said.

“How about I give you the map, and you guys come back with the gold once you’ve collected it?” Idalene suggested.

“Are you sure?” Brandon asked. “Can you wait that long. It’ll take time for us to travel back, as well.”

“I make myself so mad sometimes,” Idalene interrupted, remembering something. “I sold my map two days ago.”

Brandon sipped some soup and said, “I guess we’ll just continue with our first plan, Xylo.”

“No, wait,” Idalene blurted. “I have another offer. I can be your guide, your map through the lands.”

“Without a map?” Xylo responded.

“I’m the daughter of a traveler,” Idalene said. “Before I settled here a year ago, my mother and I traveled with my father. He would lead my mother and me through the thickest of forests, taking the safest path. For twenty years of my life, I was traveling. I know these lands like the back of my hand.”

“As long as you don’t get us lost, we gladly accept your help,” Xylo said.

“Great,” Idalene cheered. “I noticed the bandages on your arm. Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Xylo answered. “I’m fine. Speaking of the topic, I’m going to need you to change my bandages every so often on this trip.”

“Not a problem,” Idalene said hesitantly.

“That reminds me of other conditions I have for you,” Xylo said. “I’d like you to show Brandon here how to change the bandages, too. Along with that, I’m gonna need you to not wear lipstick or anything around your eyes.”

“What?!” Idalene blurted.

“I’m not a fan of things of the sort,” Xylo continued. “I don’t like when girls cover their natural beauty.”

Idalene paused. Her eyes met with Brandon’s. “I’m apparently his luggage carrier,” he said.

“Fine,” Idalene agreed. “This will all be worth it later. Where are you guys staying?”

“Meet us at the inn by the west gate this evening,” Xylo said. “Be packed and ready for travel.”

“Gotcha,” Idalene responded.

Later that day, Idalene met Xylo and Brandon inside their three bedroom suite at the inn. The sun was slowly setting. A crow could be heard in the distance. Idalene was leaning on the wooden drawer. Brandon was looking out the purple curtains of the window. Xylo took his footwear off and relaxed on the bed.

“You guys aren’t planning on leaving today?” Idalene asked.

“Nope,” Brandon responded.

“Not at all,” Xylo added.

“What was the point in meeting you here, again?” Idalene asked.

“We’re leaving early in the morning,” Xylo said. “Take it easy.”

Xylo and Brandon fell asleep shortly after. Idalene walked over to Xylo’s belongings. She looked at Xylo’s acoustic guitar. She raised her eyebrows. She walked over to her bed and sat down. She rested her head back and closed her eyes. She began to wonder who Xylo was and, after a while, accidently fell asleep.

When the moon’s light was shining into the room through the window, it was silent. Idalene opened her eyes when she began to hear noises coming from the corner of the dark room. She slowly raised her head and saw someone going through their luggage. Idalene turned to Xylo.

“Xylo!” Idalene shouted. “There’s someone in the room!”

Xylo got out of bed alert. Brandon also got up, a bit slower. They all looked toward their luggage and saw no one.

“What wrong, Idalene?” Xylo asked.

“She definitely needs more sleep,” Brandon commented. “She’s hallucinating.”

“No, she wasn’t, actually,” someone said. That someone was leaning next to the window.

They looked toward the window. They could see a young guy with white hair and bright blue eyes. He looked like he was around Brandon’s age. He had on a blue scarf with a white shirt, dark-blue pants, and sandals. His arms were crossed and he had a smirk on his face.

“Who are you?” Xylo asked.

“My name is Zygous Deluma,” he said.

“Why were you going through our stuff?” Idalene asked.

“I didn’t take anything,” Zygous admitted. “I’m not really into materialistic things.”

“Why are you here?” Brandon added. “How did you get in here?”

“I noticed the musición’s arm,” Zygous said. “I was just a little curious. At the moment, I’m only here to warn you three.”

“Warn us about what?” Brandon asked.

“There has been a mysterious mist roaming across the land,” Zygous said. “All I have to tell you is not to go through it.”

Brandon and Idalene looked at Xylo.

“I don’t know anything about the mist he is talking about,” Xylo said.

They looked towards the window, but Zygous was not there.

“I suggest you take my advice,” Zygous said as he leaned on the room’s entrance door.

Xylo saw something in Zygous’ hand.

“Is that an instrument in your hand?” Xylo asked. “It’s very small. You know, it was once rude for a musición to play a melody in the presence of another musición without saying the name of the melody and song he played, right?”

“You’ll have to forgive me,” Zygous said indifferently with a smirk. “I don’t show and tell.”

Zygous opened the door and left the room. Brandon rushed to the open door and saw that Zygous was nowhere to be found.

“I think now is a good time to hit the road,” Xylo said.

“But the sun isn’t even showing yet,” Brandon said.

“It’ll be sunrise in around two hours,” Xylo cheered. “The earlier we leave, the better.”

Brandon sighed to himself. The three of them gathered their belongings and exited the building. Lamps lit the streets and crickets were chirping.

“So, you didn’t know that Zygous guy, Xylo?” Idalene asked as they walked through the calm and nearly empty streets.

“That was my first time meeting him,” Xylo answered.

Exiting the east side of the village, they came to a dirt road surrounded by wheat. Xylo walked over to the wheat and picked some out of the ground. He put one in his mouth to chew on and looked up into the starry sky.

“Alright, Idalene,” Xylo said. “Guide us to Eanop.”

Idalene took lead and they walked on the dirt road. Two birds could be seen flying about them. There was a tree on a grass field in the distance. Crickets were still chirping.

Eventually, the dirt road forked. It was surrounded by a green field with tall patches of grass here and there. Idalene took the path to the left. The sun had already begun spreading its light upon the land.

“What would we do without you, Idalene?” Xylo said. “I really appreciate you tagging along with us.”

“Aww,” Idalene responded. “It’s always nice to be appreciated. Thank you for letting me tag along. You guys have given me an opportunity to live out my dream. I’m looking forward learning more about electricity.”

A sound could be heard in the distance.

“I’m not familiar with this electricity stuff,” Xylo said.

“Neither am I,” Brandon added.

The sound drew near, but none of them had noticed it.

“I’ve never considered going to a university,” Brandon continued.

Xylo’s eyes grew wide. He stopped in his tracks. The sound of strings had gotten closer to them. It was an eerie tune that felt off beat.

Xylo had shivers go down his back. Brandon and Idalene saw the panic on Xylo’s face. They looked further down the road and saw something in the distance dragging itself toward them.

Xylo grabbed Brandon and Idalene by their shoulders and rushed them into a patch of tall grass on the side of the road.

“Keep quiet,” Xylo whispered.

“What are you doing?” Idalene whispered. “What is that thing?”

“Hush,” Xylo whispered.

The sound of horrific strings was closer than ever. The sound seemed to follow the creature that was now only a few feet away from them. It was about 7 feet tall, and it had pure black skin that appeared burnt. Its arms were long and stretched all the way to the ground. It dragged its feet as it slowly moved, scrapping its knife-sharp fingers in the dirt. It had a boney pelvis that was held up by two skinny legs. Its neck was coated with hair all around and came a little bit below its chest. The head of the creature was shrouded in a haze. The only thing in the haze that could clearly be seen was its red eyes.

Brandon observed the creature as it finally passed them. He looked at the grave expression on Xylo’s face. Brandon also saw Idalene looking at Xylo. The eerie music was almost gone. Xylo stepped back onto the dirt road.

“What was that, Xylo?” Brandon asked.

“That was a jux,” Xylo replied. “One of the most dangerous things you can come across while traveling. Encounters with it are usually fatal.”

“It was so slow,” Brandon said. “What exactly is a jux?”

“I don’t know,” Xylo replied. “I only know it by name, by appearance, and by its dangerous reputation.”

“I can still hear that wretched music,” Idalene said. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“Let’s not think on it too much, Idalene,” Xylo said.

Idalene continued to guide them. Green fields could be seen far and wide. Beyond those green fields were hills and valleys.

It was noon when they reached the village gates to Eanop. What now stood in front of them was a fifteen feet tall wall made of stone. The wall had a stone door. On top of the wall sat a man on each side of the stone entrance. They were wearing clothes made from animal hides. Both of them were holding a flute.

“Hello!” Idalene shouted sassy-like. “You have a couple of visitors who would like to enter the village.”

One of the men looked down to see who it was speaking. He look at the man on the other side of the door and nodded. They both began to play a melody in unison. The melody last about six seconds. Not even a second more after they finished the melody, the stone entrance slowly shifted downward into the ground.

“Whoa,” Brandon uttered. “That is amazing.”

Xylo, still with wheat in his mouth, began walking into the village. Idalene followed behind him.

“Are you guys not shocked by this?!” Brandon exclaimed.

“Eh,” Xylo responded.

“I’m quite used to it,” Idalene added.

As they completely passed through the entrance, the flutes were played once more and the entrance slowly shifted out of the ground and back into place.

“What’s with the gates, anyway?” Brandon asked.

“Vicious wildlife live in these parts,” Idalene answered. “The huge walls that surrounds this village are simply for protection.”

“I wonder what they need to keep out that requires such huge walls,” Brandon responded.

They looked around and saw an active village. There were people moving their livestock, trading, having conversations, and even children running around and playing.

“I suppose it is safe within these walls,” Brandon said.

“We’re here looking for a musición who can play melodies of healing,” Xylo said.

’Where should we start looking first, Xylo?” Idalene asked.

“There seem to be more musicións in the village than where we’ve been so far,” Xylo noted. “We’ll ask around for a bit. We can simply move on if we get no leads from here.”

An elderly man walking his donkey came to Xylo. “I overheard you all are looking for a musición who excels in melodies of healing,” he said.

“Yes, sir,” Xylo replied. “We are.”

“A musición of that nature is in the small village two miles from this village, the elderly man said. “North of this village is a river. There is a small bridge that will take you over the river. Then you will be at your destination. It is a pretty safe path during the day. The village is pretty much a safe zone. Dangerous critters don’t wander there.”

“Thank you very much,” Xylo said.

“You are very welcome,” the elderly man replied. “Happy traveling.”

Xylo began walking to the north part of the village.

“Why are you seeking this musición, Xylo?” Idalene asked.

“I’ll explain on our way to the exit,” Xylo replied as he bit down hard on the wheat in his mouth. “I have a bone to pick with him.