Bolo led Tu-lock toward the mountains. To their surprise, they had come across Bolo's friends that had also escaped. They had apparently taken another path toward their home. Bolo was so happy, while Tu-lock was more astonished to see more of these creatures.
They looked like Animals that he had seen before. One was a white furred tiger and the other was a bear. Although, they walked, talked and dressed like… people.. however their clothes were much more.. finer. He thought. Materials he had never seen, nor touched before.
Bolo introduced them to Tu-lock and told them how he had defeated the monster. The others were so enthralled by the tale and even more amazed by the looks of Tu-lock, for they have never seen anything like him before.
They came to the foot of the mountain and began to climb up a particular path on the side of it. Up, up, up they went. Tu-lock was no stranger to climbing. But this was something else. “Are we nearly there?” He called to the children, who were very far up ahead of him. They exchanged looks and snicker amongst themselves.
“Almost!” Bolo called back. “Just keep up!”
Tu-lock rolled his eyes and sighed as he continued on.
They came to a very tall rock wall and climbed ever higher up. Tu-lock very far behind.
The children waited for him at the top. Breathing heavily, Tu-lock dragged himself up to the top and rolled on to his back. His arms and legs were sore from all the climbing.
“One thing is for sure..” Said the Tiger-Girl named Pika. “Whatever you are.. you sure are a poor climber!” They all chuckled. Bolo helped him up to his feet.
“We are just about there.. Come on!” He said.
“Is there more climbing?” Tu-lock groaned.
“Mm. No, no more climbing.. Come!” Bolo and the children lead him to a small Crack and hole in the mountain side. “Watch your head.. and mind the drop..” Said Pika as she crawled in and vanished within. The bear, named Chogo, was next and Bolo quickly followed.
Tu-lock thought for a moment. It was a slim hole.. He was much taller for his age and certainly taller than the children. But he managed a way in and crawled a bit until suddenly the ground vanished from beneath him and he tumbled forward. Sliding down a long dark tunnel. Up ahead was a bright light and he braced himself.
Sliding out into the air, he tumbled down a lush green hillside, crashing through bushes and finally coming to a stop in a clearing.
Pika, Bolo and Chogo stood over him and started to laugh.
“You're a funny thing, Tu-lock!” Chogo laughed.
Tu-lock followed the children through the forest of wide leafed trees and the tall bushes.
As he pushed through a thicket, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. For a most wondrous sight stood before him.
Down pass the river of rolling green hills at the very center of the hollowed out mountain.
Stood a great city of White Stone, Brick and wood. It stretched for miles and miles around and beyond.
Tu-lock had never seen anything of its like before.
“Welcome, friend Tu-lock, To Avolan!” Said Bolo.
The children raced down the hills. Tu-lock was not far behind.
They crossed a bridge over a small ravine and came upon another bridge over a moat.
The entrance was a great wall that surrounded the city. To the side was the sound of loud snoring.
“Shh.. quiet Tu-lock. Be careful.. Outsiders are not very welcome here.” Said Pika.
The snoring came from two large, armored guards. A rhino and a boar slept on each other's shoulders.
As the group passed them by, The Rhino snorted and the two began to snore in a sort of rhythm. The Boar scratched an itch on the Rhinos belly and the Rhino in return scratched at the Boars face itch.
Bolo waved Tu-lock along. The outer walls were quiet enough.
Above them, high in a watchtower, standing guard was an Ox. He too was falling asleep from the quiet of the morning shift. As his heavy head dipped, he quickly looked up and blinked his eyes. Deciding to shake off the sleepiness he stood up and stretched his legs. Yawning, he peered down.
The three children passed his sight. But the first thing he did see was Tu-lock.
He gasped, fumbling at his sides, pulled out his bullhorn and blew.
Tu-lock froze as he looked up at the sound.
Bells began to clang.
“INTRUDER!! INTRUDER!!!” The Ox bellowed.
“Oh no! Run!” Said Chogo.
“Run, Tu-lock!, Run!!” Bolo said.
The children ran off.
Tu-lock had no idea where to go.
“There He is!!” The Rhino from the front gate hollered.
“Uh oh..” Tu-lock took off running.
Soon a whole squad of soldiers were after him.
He ran through side streets and alleys, and then he came upon what appeared to be a bustling marketplace. Creatures of all kinds, shapes and sizes wandered about.
A panda nearby was hawking his fine pottery, while a Cat flaunted its fine linen.
The sights and sounds were overwhelming.
“THERE!” A voice called behind him, snapping him out of his stupor. He ran straight into the crowd.
Those that noticed him were startled and screamed.
He found a strange set of straight stairs made of wood and began to climb up.
A soldier gripped the stairs and shook it.
“Get down here you!” He grunted as he tilted it over. Tu-lock saw a hanging rope and jumped for it.
He swung straight on and crashed through a wooden window of a nearby structure. He tumbled to the floor and rolled up to his feet.
He came face to face with a tall female fox in the middle of dressing.
She held her dress up to her bare breast. He blushed a bright red.
“Sorry..”
“Ahhhh!!” She screamed.
And he darted for the door.
As he made it out the door, soldiers were racing up the stairs.
He took off running toward an open window. Looking out he saw what appeared to be a clothesline. He took hold and climbed out the window. The clothesline snapped from his weight and he went swinging.
Kline, the stag, was a great, masterful painter. He had just completed a work that took him exactly one month, two days and eighteen hours to finish. Breathing a great sigh of relief he positioned his large piece close to the window to allow the breeze from outside to dry it further. He stood there, his back to the window, and looked over fondly at his work.
A knock came at the door and he went over to answer it.
Just then a great calamitous crash came from behind him.
He slowly turned around and found his painting utterly destroyed and his work station in ruin and in disarray. Paint everywhere. A two legged, hairless creature stood up from the spilled paint covered head to toe in color.
Kline's gaze went back to his painting and he fainted.
Soaking wet in paint he opened the door and surprised an awaiting Deer who stood on the opposite side of the door.
“Pardon me..” Tu-lock said as he made his way out.
He stepped out into the street and found himself surrounded by spears. He gulped.
Soon, Tu-lock was taken to a big structure that had many stairs that lead to the front door. The world spun around him so fast and before he knew it, he stood in the center of a great hall. Creatures of the city gathered all around. Noise was everywhere as they chatted amongst themselves.
A gavel sounded but the noise did not die down.
Suddenly an Elephant trumpeted from its great nose. “SILENCE!!! Council is now in session!!” He bellowed. The crowd simmered down.
When the elephant sat, the hall shook under Tu-lock's feet.
Before him was a three row bench. In the front was a Bear, Pig, Panda, and Storke.
The second row was an Ape, Wolf and Alligator. On the top, was an Owl cloaked in blue and white robes and feathers.
The Ape cleared his throat, “What do we have before us!?”
“An intruder! Majestor Bolin!” A Rhino guard snorted.
The crowd whispered loudly.
The Ape banged his gavel. “Who are you, Boy!?” He asked. “Are there others like you near!? How did you find this place!?”
Tu-lock was shaken.
“Do you speak?” Asked the Stork.
“Can you speak!?” The Alligator snapped.
Tu-lock swallowed hard. “Yes.”
The crowd came Alive again. The wolf banged his gavel.
“Well..?” Said the panda.
“I-I am Tu-lock, of the Oh'ani Tribe..” he stammered.
“Oh'ani!?” The Pig snorted.
“RECORDS!!” The Bear hollered.
Within moments, an aged lizard handed the Bear a stack of papers. The papers circulated around the Council.
The Ape looked over the papers and then down at Tu-lock.
“You don't look like an Orc..”
“Certainly doesn't smell like one!” The wolf added.
“I.. My mother is Tuva. Chieftess of the Oh'ani. She has raised me since I was very small..” Tu-lock answered back.
“Is that so? Well, Orc-ling.. What are you doing here? Where did you come from?!” The Bear asked.
The doors suddenly burst open. A Tigress rushes into the hall. Bolo, in her Arms.
“Bolin! Our son is returned to us!!” She called out.
Bolin, the Ape, stood up from his chair and rushed down to meet his wife and son. They embraced each other as Bolo recounted all that had happened to all that were listening. When his tale came to a close. All eyes were upon Tu-lock. All was silent.
The Owl stood up as all looked toward her.
“I bid thee, Tu-lock of the Oh'ani, Welcome.. To Avolan!”
The crowd cheered.
Tu-lock was treated to a hero's welcome with a great feast in his honor. Held at The Owl, Minerva's great house. He walked out onto a balcony. The house was very high and situated just above the City Square. The stars were bright in the sky. They almost appeared closer than what they normally do. The breeze was gentle across his face.
*ahem* a throat clears.
Bolin, Bolo's father, stands at the doorway.
“May I join you?” he asked.
Tu-lock nodded graciously. Bolin was a large Ape. Twice the size of Darlock, by Tu-lock's recollection. Both in height and width. He could hold Tu-lock's whole body in one hand if he chose to.
They stood there, silent for a moment. Tu-lock spotted a gathering of candle light deep down in the square below. Curious, he strained to look. Bolin, noticed.
“They are mourning the loss of the other children. They gather with their families. Offering prayer and comfort.” He explained. Tu-lock felt sad, deep down he wished he could have done something sooner.
“I wanted to thank you.. personally.. for returning my son to me and my wife. We are deeply indebted to you. Should you need… Anything.. We would be more than willing to help.”
“I still don't understand.. What is this place? How did you come to be here.. I mean.. with all respect… I've never seen your like.. in this manner before.. Is this.. Magic?” Tu-lock questioned.
“Oh, well… mostly yes.. and no.” Said Bolin. “Hmm.. you see. We are what you may call, Beastmen. Our roots dig deep to the very founding of Paradawnia itself. Long ago, our ancestors roamed freely in the lands to the east. Until dark creatures rounded them all up, caged and enslaved them. A Demon Wizard, a master of dark magic, twisted and transformed them. Made them do more than just walk upright and talk. They were forced to serve without questioning. Build their monuments. Fight thier enemies. Work in their tunnels, mines and fields. Serve and wait on them at all times.
And then, an Angel came and spoke onto a select few. The Founders of Avolan! The Founders fought for our freedom and defeated the Wizard.”
“And you all came here?” Tu-lock asked.
“Not all. The ancestors scattered throughout the lands. Many went south, Some went north and far west. The Founders lead us here. To the mountains. Thus, Avolan was created. And here we have been for as long as I have memory. Away from the affairs of Man and their ilk.. Safe… and Free..”
They fell silent again.
“Tu-lock… If.. If you wish.. you could always call Avolan… Home.”
‘Home’ The Word echoed in Tu-lock's heart and mind.
Home….