8.
Rhutherum Nimbus
Hart barged into Nami’s room and yelled, “Come look at this!” and rushed outside as fast as she had come.
Nami woke with a start. She looked at her opened door through which Hart had just come through, she yawned and stretched, and slowly she climbed out of her blankets and with half open eyes she dressed into her clothes. Goneck followed the same procedure, except he didn’t change his clothes. He shook himself and trotted out of the room leaving Nami struggling with sleep.
Goneck stepped outside. He noticed that it was a quite dreary looking day and a cold wind was blowing. He found Hart and Sabrawnia looking into the sky. They were muttering in inaudible tones and expressions would flit across their faces from time to time. Goneck looked around in alarm to see if anyone had been watching them but realized that everyone else was too occupied with something in the sky that nobody was looking around. Goneck looked up in curiosity and what he saw caught him completely unexpected. In the sky was a massive cloud. It covered the whole sky. It was purple and black with a flash of green and blue. It looked daunting and fit to burst. Hart looked back and found Goneck looking up at the sky as well.
“Where’s Nami?” Hart asked.
“Still changing.” Goneck announced, whilst looking up, transfixed, at the sky.
Hart turned back and looked back up at the sky. Goneck trotted over and joined them and soon Nami came outside just as a chilly wind blew.
“Oh my, it’s cold out here,” Nami looked at them and saw all three of them looking at the sky. “What the…, what is that?!”
“That my dear, is a storm that some people have called “War of Storms” and I think you can guess why. It comes once a century. It builds up in the sky and every ten years it’s buildup of moisture causes it to drop down. Its proper name is Rhutherum Nimbus.” Hart was now standing beside Nami. Nami now noticed that people all over Tradhalem were poking their heads out from windows, or standing in the streets looking at the monster that hung over their normally cheery city.
“There is about 10,000 tons of water in that cloud. It’ll flood this city. And this city wasn’t built for floods. Soon there will be lots of work to be done to make this city as flood free as possible. If my calculation is right that cloud will burst in about 4 days. That gives us 4 days to work. Since this city was built partly in a valley we’ll have to build a ditch that will allow the water to flow out the east side. This city is going to be a bustle of activity. There will be a meeting in the town center I’m guessing so if there is then we will go there and offer our help. They will need as much help as possible and it would be a shame if this beautiful city was ruined by a monster cloud”
“How on earth did a cloud that large go unnoticed while it was coming?” Nami asked with astonishment.
“Because this type of cloud does not drift, it drops, so it is not visible until it comes down at least a couple hundred miles.” With that she went to the storeroom and started to gather all her shovels that she used for planting plants.
“The mere effect of this cloud on this city will be devastating!” cried Sabrawnia. “In all my years I have never seen a storm cloud this bad.” She heard some giggling behind her. “What?!” She demanded when she turned around to face Nami and Goneck.
“Well, you’re only 2 years old!” answered Nami cracking up into laughter.
“So what?!” snapped Sabrawnia. Sabrawina turned her head and faced the other way, but Nami could still make out a small lift on her lips, exposing square grass stained teeth.
Hart was right about the meeting in the town center. The mayor of the town was speaking on a wooden podium about the cloud. He gave all he same information about the cloud as Hart did. Then Nami saw that Hart was standing in the back and realized that Hart must’ve told the mayor. The mayor organized different people to lead different jobs. Some worked on the ditch, others worked on making house roofs sturdier and so on and so on. Nami offered her help to build the ditch, seeing that she didn’t know a thing about house thatching.
She and Goneck, dug together while Sabrawina plowed deep holes in the ground with a plow. They were following Sabrawina’s plow trail and making it deeper. Nami noticed that some people were doing the same thing.
There were horses that were small and some were big, but they were all dark looking and dull, but one horse, even though it was a black horse, caught Nami’s eye. He was pure black just like Ethanic and had an extremely elegant figure; with powerful flanks, long slender legs, and a perfectly shaped head, it must’ve been the best looking horse on the field. Nami noticed that it was a stallion, but besides him Sabrawnia stood out the most with her pure white mane and body, but soon she too was brown from dirt and dust and sweat drenched her neck and legs as was the stallion with the exception of turning brown with dirt. Goneck was working hard and his front paws were a blur from the speed that he was working. It looked like dirt was flying from his backside.
Nami had laughed at that thought. Many people had paused to occasionally congratulate Nami on training her dog so well that it would even dig a hole on command. Nami had thanked them sincerely and laughed with glee when she saw the indignant expression on Goneck’s usually composed face.
As Nami and Goneck moved forward to start on a new spot they bumped into Sabrawnia’s plow.
“Hey, why did you stop?” Nami yelled while brushing away sweat that was dripping down her face. Sabrawnia didn’t answer, instead her gaze was transfixed on the stallion that was plowing away. Nami laughed.
“You can talk to him later I’ll introduce you, just keep moving.” Sabrawnia looked at Nami, sighed and kept moving.
Soon it was lunch time and as Nami promised she went and introduced Sabrawnia to the stallion. He was standing next to a boy and they were resting underneath the shade of a house. Nami went forward and introduced herself to the boy.
“Hi. My name is Nami.”
“Oh, hi, my name’s Ettrick, nice to meet you.” He said, standing up. Nami nodded. Ettrick had dirty brown untidy short hair which matched his tan complexion and his eyebrows shadowed his eyes which were green with a hint of grey in them. He had small lips and a definite square jaw which created a look which made him appear much older than he possibly was. He towered over Nami by at least a finger’s length.
“Well the reason I came here was because of this love struck filly.” Nami said pointing at Sabrawnia and laughing. Sabrawnia turned and gave her a glare. Nami ignored her, but she thought that Ettrick had noticed because he was staring at Sabrawnia peculiarly.
“My horse, Sabrawnia here, wanted to meet your stallion.” Nami said clearing her throat nervously.
“Oh.” He laughed in amusement. “Horse’s name is Bruno.” Ettrick pushed Bruno toward Sabrawnia. He saw her and willingly trotted over to her. Nami noticed how big the stallion really was. She guessed that he had to be about a foot taller than Sabrawnia.
“His size is quite immense.” Nami exclaimed.
“Yeah, I know. I’m guessing that he had quite large parents.” He said, affectionately rubbing his neck and ruffling his mane.
“What is your horse’s name?” He asked nodding towards the white filly.
“Oh, her name is Sabrawnia.”
“By the way, how did you know your horse wanted to meet mine?” he asked curiously. Nami hesitated, but she quickly thought up an answer.
“Oh. She was staring and I guessed that she wanted to meet this horse. I don’t know. It was just a guess. But I think I was right by the looks of it.” Ettrick laughed. Sabrawnia nickered and took a step closer. The big black stallion took a step forward also. They touched noses, but all of a sudden Bruno jolted back. He neighed and arched his head. His front feet left the ground as he reared. Sabrawnia was startled and took a step back and reared also.
“Hey!” Ettrick said, trying to calm down Bruno. Then Bruno stopped and he slowly arched his neck and bowed at Sabrawnia. Sabrawnia did the same. Ettrick stared with wide eyes in amazement.
“What just happened?” Ettrick asked completely startled.
“Uh, I don’t know. I’m as stumped as you are.” She looked at Sabrawnia right in the eye and she stared right back at her, her gaze unwavering. Then she turned and looked at Bruno and nickered. And then without warning, the two ran off. They continued running until they were ant sized dots on the horizon. Ettrick was quite shocked. Nami was just standing there next to Ettrick, feeling quite awkward.
“Umm, so, what do you think they’re doing?” Nami asked, unsure of what to say.
“Uh... Hmm. No idea really.” He laughed. Nami smiled. She knew but she wondered if he did.
“So, er. Do you live here?” She asked.
“Yeah. For almost twelve years I’ve been living here with my ma and pa. Own the bakery shop down the street.” He said pointing his finger down the street where he lived. Nami couldn’t recognize the odd way of speaking but she understood enough to just nod. “And you?”
“Oh. I’m just visiting. Great time to visit eh?” She laughed. “A great big cloud just happens to come when I visit. Perfect timing.” Ettrick chuckled at her humor.
“Well better luck next time.” He turned around and sat down, leaning on the tree once more. “What did you say your name was again?”
“Nami.” She replied as she sat down next to him.
“Right. Sorry.”
“No worries.” Nami said casually.
Over the course of the next four days they made a successful ditch that let the water fall into the deep end of the valley. And as Hart said the storm stuck on the 4th day. It was a terrible and raging storm. The wind was harsh and unforgiving. Water pelted down on the ground. It stung unfortunate people who chanced to be outside. Nobody could go outside; there was trash and debris flying everywhere. About two people’s houses roofs had caved in. The streets were flooded with rainwater, but the ditch saved the city from being completely flooded. They rain ran into the ditch and flowed out.
The storm lasted for a whole week. During that time, Hart was teaching Nami, Goneck, and Sabrawnia about weather and plants. She taught them that a munish leaf could heal burns and the brunt leaf juice could be used as a type of glue. She also learned about seasons and weather disasters. She learned how to read plants and animals reactions to weather to tell what kind of storm it would be. Nami found all of this very interesting and kept many notes for future reference, but she realized that Goneck and Sabrawnia already knew most of it.
Nami found Sabrawnia occasionally talk about Bruno. Nami asked Sabrawnia if she had told him about whom she is. Sabrawnia said that she did and something very coincidental was discovered. She told Nami that Bruno was also an Inoruven. He was separated from their herd three years ago. He told her that he was injured by stepping in a squirrel hole. Nobody had noticed that he was gone, and they had all left. Ettrick found him and set his foot right and they stayed together from there on.
“He still wonders if he can go back to the herd.” Sabrawnia said sadly. See, the thing is, if an Inoruven makes contact with a human and houses and also wears the scent of human they are not allowed back in the herd for fear of being discovered. That was a law created by Ethanic. Everyone found it very wise so they all agreed to it, Bruno also agreed to it, but now that law is keeping him from returning home.” Sabrawnia sighed. “Bruno was Ethanic’s heir. He was supposed to lead our herd after Ethanic could no longer take the responsibility. After Bruno was lost there was no heir of Ethanic for 2 years. It was a problem that was much discussed when I was very young. They have chosen a new heir though. He is just as promising as Bruno, but Ethanic still speaks of Bruno and talks about how he wishes that he was still there. In a way Bruno was robbed of his rightful position by letting Ettrick take care of him and Bruno was quite upset at him for a while, but he realized that if it wasn’t for Ettrick he wouldn’t be alive so he let go of his anger and just surrendered to the fact that he would never lead our herd. You know his actual name is Rorathorn. That’s why I didn’t know who he was. I guess Ettrick named him Bruno. You should tell Ettrick to call Bruno, Rorathorn. It sounds better anyway.” And with that she trotted off to gaze at the billowing wind behind the house.
The storm ended in eight days. By the time the storm was over and gone Nami had learned so much about nature. She knew enough to predict 7 different kinds of storms and heal 4 different kinds of wounds, and she memorized all of this perfectly. But she wasn’t going to stop yet. She still had a lot to learn. And with the storm gone, Sabrawnia and Rorathorn spent a lot of time together.
Nami still hadn’t told Ettrick about Bruno’s real name even though Sabrawnia pushed her to. Nami just did not feel her, nor he, was ready to tell or hear. When Sabrawnia and Bruno went off and Nami and Ettrick hung out and talked about everything, but Nami concealed the reason for why she was really here and where she was going. Ettrick, Nami found, was a really pleasant person. Both his parents work at their own little shop where they sell sweets and bread.
Ettrick is an only child and he is seventeen and he planned to explore the whole of Saradana and all its mysteries and secrets before he settled down to run the shop and a family. Nami was quite impressed that he had such large ambitions. To travel the whole of Saradana was an incredible task, one that she was incidentally trying to accomplish.
They were able to talk about many things, but Nami decided to not tell him much of her past. It was unnecessary information and she didn’t want to talk about it anyways. Not many happy memories were stored there.
During these days Nami felt full of life and vigor and she happy beyond comprehension. Her lessons with Hart were incredibly interesting and she felt like she was learning more than she had ever had. This was the manner of life that Nami had sought after for an extensive period of time and now she was so joyful to finally obtain it. These were the days which she was able to spend without regret or misery.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
You don't need to say that it will flood the city. Nami would probably think that, and ask about it. You can break this up into smaller bits of conversation. i.e. "Oh my-" "Quiet girl! I was talking to you!" Etc.