War of Djinn and Men Part 1.

As I get back to the cart containing the general supplies, I notice the old man. He's keeping his eyes on me, likely trying to figure out who or what I really am. Why I was helping or whatever the case was, I tell myself “There will be time for you old man, let's deal with the injured first.” The wolves separated and are doing the same motion at other carts the slavers had. I grab both the waters from Timous’ pack and mine, I slightly lift the canvas and hold it up as I move the water bladders inside, “Timous, 2 waters. Do you need anything else?”. I hear him walking inside. “Not at the moment, they need water first and foremost.” I remember back to my time back home with a few movies about gremlins, water was not good and neither were gremlins. I look at the old man and say out loud “Why just water?”. The old man answers before timous, “ Gremlins have soft,soft skin. So soft that sunlight gives them bad burns, even their muscles and bones burn in the sun. They generally live in caves in the mountains with plenty of water to keep wet.”

“Are they friendly? They seem smart enough…” I ask as Timous grabs the waters inside the caravan cart and turns to help the gremlins. “That I don't know, I know of them but not them in the flesh.” I nod at him, and look back to see the large mouthed boy staring at me. “Hey kid, what's your name?” He answers in an almost slurred voice “Devin”. “Hey buddy, in this cart is my friend. Would you mind standing guard here?” His large mouth leads to an even larger joker smile and nodding. “Stand here, keep people out of the cart and let me know if my friend inside needs anything ok?” I ask as he walks up looking relatively proud as I stand. “Thank you young man. His name is Timous, if he needs anything just yell for me or him and my name is Mark.” I say while also pointing to the old man.

Devin keeps nodding and seems happy to have a job. I look at the other kids and look them over while the old man walks to them as well. So far so good. No more kids in cages, doesn't look like very many injuries. I move to the next cart, remembering gremlins can't handle sunlight. I want to be cautious about just opening the canvas. I slowly work my way under the canvas and see nothing truly fascinating, rugs, chests, weapons, general supplies and equipment. On to the next where the wolves are actually sitting by it, wagging their tails and intently leaning into it and sniffing. Which I immediately find odd. Slowly peeking inside under the canvas, I see a walkway down the middle of the cart.

In trying to learn new things with my ki, on this i learned was to use my ki as fuel and ignition for whatever purpose i could. In this particular case, I use it as a simple source of light. I charge my ki very lightly to my right hand and ignite it. Using my hand as a torch. More cages with thicker bars, inside the first one on my right is a medium sized cage, looks like puppies sleeping in it, but the bedding looks meaningful which I find odd. Looking over the 12 pups again I see only 6 are breathing… I think back to Louve and her pups “More Lycans maybe? Just dogs? What's with all the plants for bedding?” A rattling ahead stops me from thinking and I look ahead to the next cage.

I think I see a kid's back, I lean in… “Is it wrapped in fur? Is that a belt? No, it's around its head. Is it another creature?” I stand back up right and try to peer ahead, not sure of what to think here. A loud bang to my left forces my face shield down, as I lean in ready to punch something with my fist ablaze… It's a kid staring at me… With a gag in its mouth and fur around its legs,all I can do is stare. I think it's a girl and she's crying, “ Come forward, I'll cut the gag” she sits still staring at me. I show her my left hand with my right one on fire, “Please honey, lean forward. The bad men are gone, we are gonna free you..” She leans forward after a moment. “Stay still honey… Here you go.” I use my index finger to tear through the leather that was holding it together. She can hardly close her mouth, “Sit still honey. I will be right back.” I move carefully but swiftly to the back of the cart and leave. I can hear the child crying.

“Old man!” I call out as I move outside and drop back down to the ground, he looks over to me and starts jogging over my way. Shockingly for an old man he moves very well. Within a few feet of me we begin talking. “Yes?” he says out of breath. “There are creatures in here I don’t recognize… I need to know if you know them or if they are members of your group.” Still breathing hard he nods “Anymore gremlins?” Unable to give him a truthful yes or no, I simply reply “Not yet.” And hold the canvas open a bit for him, he climbs in and I follow. I reignite my hand for light inside, making it a bit stronger. He looks back at it, “Interesting magic you have there.” He says, breath catching up to him as I smile and point to the pups.

“What's this bedding here?” as we move over the pups. “All of those herbs are pretty potent, I've seen them used to sleep larger cats, goats, wolves, you name it. The herbs are still pretty fresh, and it looks like they killed a few of those pups.” I look at him questioningly “ Did the herbs kill the pups?” “Oh yes, too much of any of them will kill any of us. Pups and babies more so.” He informs me confidently, so I feel like he's being honest and forthright. I'm starting to think I just made an ally again. I point down the cart again to the girl, “Oh my! My dear. Why didn't you free her?” I look back at him, “I'm not sure what she is or if she's safe…” He shakes his head “I understand they are rather safe and just children, please release them.” “Well, stand aside.” I hold the top of the cage in my left hand and grab the lock with my right hand still on fire. “Hold on honey. The cage will shake” I slowly pull the door lock until the metal snaps, and the door opens.

I turn to the one behind me and start to do the same, another of the same breed stares back at me tears in eyes and silently begging to help again… “It's ok, sit tight. All I need you to do is be calm and sit still so we can free you.” The creature nods, I hear more rustling in other cages as the man says loudly, “It's ok, stay calm, we're going to free you. Just wait a few more moments please.” I break the cage open and reach in to cut the gag. The creature leans forward towards me, I slowly snap the gag. The creature starts shuffling almost fully turned around and I see its hands are bound. “They're hands are bound too. Hold on, I'll get them off.” I say out loudfor the old man. I do so and the child inches for the door, keeping its eyes on me, I walk forward and find a few more of them towards the front. 8 in total, Old man, you want to lead them outside?” “Of Course, Come on, kids. The rest of my children are right outside. You will fit in just fine.” He says making his way to the rear of the cart.

I begin breaking into the other carts one by one and freeing these other kids. They all slowly crawl out scared, nervous to leave, nervous of me. The last 3 just watch me “It's ok kids… you're free, let's get out of this cart.” they move a little faster when they get together but stop midway, “My name is Mark guys, c’mon. Let's go outside. You're all safe now.” They move back to the end of the cart where the old man still holds the cart open. He helps them out slowly, I pick up the cage of pups and hand them to the old man and join him outside. “They are called Fauns and Satyr, Satyr are the boys and Fauns are the girls. I've never seen them but from what I know, they are smart. Like to keep to themselves and enjoy wine and music… But why did slaves have them?” I look at them huddled by the tire of the cart, just crying together. Timous starts walking up and the wolves take a very fond interest in the pups, I break the cage for them and take the pups out one by one. The wolves start panting and licking the pups, they lay with them and act like they are mothering the pups.

“Ah, a batch of 13 gremlins and now Satyr and Fauns. Oh, and a breed of pups as well. A very interesting day I'll say.” Timous speaks to us in general. “I'd really like to thank you for protecting my kids, we were going to be leaving further inland. But our missing leprechauns had us sit still.” the old man holds his hand out to me to shake. “My name is Ion. And I've been looking after these halflings with some friends for a few years now.” I take his hand and shake it, he gives me a hearty squeeze for an elderly man. “I’m Mark, looks like you were doing fine until they showed up.” He nods “Indeed, And you master Leprechaun?” “Timous is my name sir, I hear a few of your kids coughing, do you mind if I help?” “Oh by all means, a few of them have been sick for a week or so.” They start walking over to the kids.

I move to the Fauns and Satyrs slowly and try to be soft in my tone, “Hello, Im Mark. You're all welcome to stay here. In fact I'd be grateful if you didn't run. Stay with us a while please…” One of the biggest who I assume is the oldest, a male nodding at me is not the fauns covering their chests and points. “Do the Fauns need clothing?” They all turn their heads and one says sharply “Please!” Turns out they have some modesty. I jog up to the next cart, and open it slowly then release my Ki to make a torch of my hand once again. I start inspecting the whole of the cart, no cages, all crates, barrels and chests. I rip the lock off a chest and find light blue wools, I break a medium size creates top off. I think I see meat, It looks a bit like Pemmican bars. I pick a piece up and chew it, and it is indeed a basic pemmican! “Some good luck…Hey you Fauns! Come to this cart! I say grabbing the pemmican case and taking it out to the rear. The girls sheepishly make their way over and the boys come, I think out of support… “There are some wools in the back there. Please go ahead and try them on…” They stop and stare at the cart before I can walk away.

I look at them a little confused. “Ah, yes. Boys why don't you get the wools for the girls and girls just try them on on the other side of the cart. You'll be ok.” 2 of the boys climb their way in and start rummaging, as I walk away to rejoin the others. I stop by Devin, “Take one buddy it's not bad at all.” He does so and starts chewing right away. I get over to the others and tell them “ Here's a little food you guys, come get a piece. There should be more too.” The kids flock to me, and start taking pieces. They reveal that the crate had 4 layers of pemmican. I look back to the Fauns and Satyrs who cracked open a similar box and are eating some too. After maybe 2 minutes, four children stand in front of me who look like they did not get any food. I look to the group, “Anyone else not get any pemmican?” 3 others sitting in front of Timous and his apothecary wall raise their hands. “ Can you walk over to the satyrs and ask them to share for all of you 4, those 3 kids, Mr Timous and Ion please?” They all nod and start running over. I look back at our personal hand buggy and the leprechauns seem to be ok and sleeping. “Did you get to eat, Devin?” a child says in a raspy voice, so I turn my head to see. “Yes.” he replies proudly. “Ok!” The child says turning and running to keep up with the others. I see them all talking together shortly and the satyrs turn the open box to them without hesitation. “Looks like sharing won't be an issue for this little family of misfits.” Ion says next to me.

“How do you manage all these kids alone? Are you just fostering them?” I finally get to ask. “ Oh no, I’m not alone. My brother is off to see the elves as we look for lands to settle. Another half breed we found in our younger years is at sea, visiting his family.” He informs me as he watches over the children, but he sounds tired. “Ok, one other brother and a halfling at sea?” I ask him trying to get more details. “His father is a merman. They naturally can’t leave the ocean for long so it took many years to find each other. Needless to say we were all excited to find his father when he was about 16. His name is Lodon, he’s set to return the next day from a fishing expedition for the kids.. We picked this land to help him stay close to the ocean to see his family.”

“Mermen are real and can make half breeds too? There are so many creatures…” I say finally getting some new insight. Timous who was able to hear us a few feet away also adds into the conversation from his apothecary wall. “Well yes, there are so many non-humans, and just as many halflings. It's hard to keep track even for me.” Ion nods in agreement, “Many of my children don't know their fathers, some their mothers. Few even know what they were.” I think out loud , “An interesting dynamic little family.” The Lycans rejoin us causing the wolves to rejoice and surround them, Sassaba stops by Timous and Conri walks up to me. “Slavers 3 days away. Depending on. When they come. 40 or more. Plus animals. No halflings.” I drop to one knee and put my hand on his head as he pants. Thanks Conri, you did really well.

The Satyrs fauns and other halflings sit together and talk or play, the sick ones seem to nap from what medicine Timous gave them. The other two leprechauns wake up nauseous, and generally weak. Ion informs us they had gone into the city to get more supplies to feed the kids and make preserves. He wasn't sure why they disappeared and could look for them since he had to watch the kids. Timous makes them more medicines to counteract their poisoning from the black iron shackles, and reapply new balm to their wounds. Ion and I help with that, the wounds are less black but still rather nasty looking. While we do so, we ask about the gremlins.

Timous tells us as he makes them some elixir to calm the bellies of the sick two leprechauns. “ So I heard Ion inside the cart. He is right, gremlins stick to caves generally in the mountains. Mostly eat fish and shellfish. They are plenty smart like most of us fairies. But they prefer the simple community life.” I chose to stop him and ask about the movies back from my world. “So in my world , if a gremlin gets wet they give birth to several more from its back. They were also destructive and devious little things. And they all came from a little furry creature first who needs to eat after midnight to make gremlins.” Timous stops and stares at me, Ion asks. “From your world?” I smile at him, “ That's a separate story, we will tell that one next.” Timous giggles “And a good story it is. So again your world is similar but a bit different. Gremlins have very thin soft skin which will burn in sunlight down to the bone. Dusk and dawn are also deadly to them. They do breed normally and they give birth from their backs, the baby gestating in a sack on the mothers back. After a few months of gestation, The child is fur bearing to help keep warm, and as they grow it sheds off. There are accounts of them attacking people who try to steal them, well simply for their skins. To make water skins, shoes or other leather goods. They can be very vicious of course with claws and teeth, but are generally extraordinarily polite, simple and just prefer their own kind.”

Listening to the story I stare out toward the sea looking at the mountain shooting directly to the sky. I hear every word Timous says but there is something about this place I feel drawn to. I get up and walk towards one of the mounds in the earth, I assume Ion made it and it has multiple dead slavers in it. But I still climb it and look back at the kids momentarily, bellies full they all seem to be relaxing. I look back out to the sea and I can see the land more clearly. I send Ki to my eyes, On the left are heavy white capped waves. Leading directly to rocks which must have fallen off the mountain and stick out of the water, it has no beach I can see. It simply goes from sea to mountain, it shoots straight to the sky disappearing in the clouds. On the right side of the mountain I see the land smooths out, there is a perfect cliff side facing this land I stand on. “That's a big piece of real estate…” I say to myself softly I can see trees, tall grass, birds and to the far right the land seems to meet the sea.

I relax my Ki and turn around, “Are there any claims to the land out there?” Both men stop to look at me then the mountain. “None I can think of Timous says questioningly. Ion Pauses, “I think none will try. Beyond the island there is talk of sea. They hunt mermaids, but get destroyed periodically by great creatures.” I get shocked by that and ask the question “Hunt mermaids? What's with humans hunting the non-humans?” Timous smiles a little, likely because he appreciates the thought I'm not like the humans he's known. “I've never seen one, but I've seen their tears. Those tears are worth more than gold, they are brilliantly beautiful and only mermaids make anything like them. It's just hard to catch a mermaid and keep them out of the water long enough to make them cry…”

Ion interjects “They are also extremely protective of one another. When one does get caught it's not uncommon for the vessel to get swarmed and attacked by many more. And they are all vastly different from one another too. Some have human tops,fish bottoms. Some are human bottoms and live on the seafloor and their fish tops scavenge what they can. Some are said to sing beautiful songs with voices that can carry across the shores. Lodon’s father, is actually more eel or snake lower half, and man upper half. He was very short with me and my brother when we met. Grateful we looked after his son, but he seemed to hate us…” “So humans hunt for rare hides, trophies and treasure tears. And the ones they hunt hate them in return.” I say allowed but think to myself “ Seems simple enough, humans in my world committed atrocities to the day I had disappeared to come to this world.” Four wolves run across my view towards the city, breaking my attention. My eyes follow them as they sprint up the hill, then stop and bolt back tails between their legs. Suddenly I see troops from the city crest the hill and continue towards us. Ion exhales a moan, “Don't have the strength to fight more men.” I look back at him and see Timous reach back to pat him on the back. “It takes too much of my strength to roll the earth.” He finishes his sentence, seemingly tired of the fighting and from the days in general. “There, There friend. Mark and I can handle this, You just watch the kids.” Timous gets up and walks towards me with his walking stick as the men of 40 or so make their way halfway towards us. We look up the hill together and examine them together, “In the front are the city guards, but who's the other men in the back with the emissary?” I ask Timous as we walk to meet them.

"In the back is a king's knight, half scholar and half warrior. They do their fair share of hunting non-humans and fairies, but they also investigate crimes, conduct reconnaissance, and gather information from other humans. They will likely interrogate us and work diligently to unravel our pasts, presents, and more. Please do not disclose the location of our home," he emphasizes the end with an inflection that suggests I might volunteer the information. Shocked by his cautionary tone, I remain calm and collected.

"I would never risk you, your wife Angela, or the Lycans. Never. Do not let them take you out of my sight if they try; then, we fight." I notice Sassaba by his side and Conri by my left. In a softer voice reserved for private conversations, Conri states, "One of us will stay with one of you." I didn't even ask or call for them, yet they have our backs. Not long ago, we were in a cave where he tried to make my arm a chew toy. Now, he's a ride-or-die best friend, and even his family looks after mine without question. Comradery at its finest.

We meet the men at the foot of the hill, observing them as they inspect the slavers' bodies that Ion did not bury in the earth. The fact that I can see the pompous emissary shocked and horrified by it brings me satisfaction.

Lieutenant Brockson speaks up, "Hello, Mark. I went to get more men, and we were temporarily stopped from returning," Brockston explains. The emissary addresses us beyond the rows of troops, "But they said you were outnumbered at least four to one. Where are they?"

"Well, we didn't do it alone. The old man down there is resting. Apparently, rolling slavers into the earth alive is hard work," I say, observing the shock in everyone's eyes, even the knight appears surprised. "We represent the King and his will. We need to speak to you," the knight says, attempting to recompose himself.

"Let's get on with it. We have mouths to feed," I retort sharply. The knight dismounts his horse, and the men fan out. "Leave the halflings alone!" I shout with enough force to make their ears hurt.

The knight, standing roughly 5'9" and adorned in shiny armor with noticeable wear and scratches around the moving joints, begins asking simple questions. "What breed are you? What are you doing with so many halflings? Are you friend or foe? Where does your allegiance lie? Where do you think you will go with all these creatures? Is the Vampire Nations Army moving?"

Faced with his inquiries, all I can do is recount the story. "I was driving to work, and something sent me to this world where I met the leprechaun, this world's version of myself, and a djinn we now call Hugh, who is sent back to another dimension." It's the only information I have, and it provides no answers for him. The emissary, also walking with us, seems skeptical as well. Fortunately, the knight appears attentive and listens, connecting the dots and generating more thoughtful questions. "So, if there are newer creatures working to dominate the world, where would they be? How can we recognize them? What can we do about them?" These questions are much better, and we have no answers other than what Jessica told us when she was with Sonny's dad. Timous and I recount the story, and the emissary poses a relatively intelligent question. "How will we know which creatures to kill and not kill? Which ones will work with this Djinn?"

"Again, we're gonna need to work together. If you find creatures who might not be eating humans, you can check them. Smell their breath and bodies to see if they smell like rotting flesh. Their eyes will be red or reddish. If they don't seem to be those things, let them go or get a hold of us. I'm hoping we can all come together before they get much stronger."

"Don't forget the Conjure that brought you here, Mark." Both men look at Timous as I vividly remember the eyes and bellowing noise the thing made. "That beast was one of a kind and may have been a very intense yet first attempt to make new creatures to do his bidding." The two men look at each other, and the knight speaks first. "In another kingdom further inland, our king dispatched us to investigate damages to a village. There were maybe 200 people on-site, and in the two days it took us to get there, we crossed masses of farmers retreating. The village we found was turned upside down. Massive buildings had walls scattered 40 some feet away from the building. Only a dozen people were left dead in contorted positions. No survivors, and all footprints disappear in the mountains. One set of feet was elephant-sized, but elephants cannot walk on two feet."

Some of the troops have now heard the story, and the gravity of the situation is evident in their expressions. Several soldiers glance over at the halflings, satyrs, and fauns. "I'd like to hear from as many kings as we can manage. I want to try and reserve that island as a home for these creatures. We will maintain communication and remain in good standing with all the lands and people. We provide them with a land of their own, and we come to the mainland when called upon or to continue searching for the djinn. The idea is that the island can't be contested once we are in place," I assert firmly to convey the message.

"But, sir, the mermaids. Those creatures wreck our ships. What about them?" a voice inquires. I stand and declare, "We speak to them next and hopefully add them to a list of allies."