Spray Part 1
_ I have worked up to this simple life that I live. A life of crafting and being an artisan of many trades. I spend most of my time crafting bows and arrows and have become a master of this art form. Each bow is made sturdy by my hand and each arrow is made stealthy enough to pierce flesh within seconds. I am content, living within the walls of the Lagarfljót Mountains. This is my permanent home after all; this is where my parents left me and this is where I'll remain. Or so I thought........_
_ I woke up to a crisp, cool morning within my room. I was enveloped in my warm sheepskin blankets. I didn't wish to awaken but I had to get to work. In the last few weeks I had received several letters of request for fine bows or healing teas or what not. These simple items were what kept me on my feet. After I finished my crafting I would have to go hunting with my bow so I would have something to eat for dinner as my stores were empty. I stretched my arms and let out a yawn. I breathed in the sweet cool air of my room. This place was nothing like my home of Mumbai in India. It was infinitely cold here. Thick forests stretched for miles where the elven courts resided. These courts consisted of my other customers. They mostly called for the making of arrows, bows, and potions; though I got the occasional buyer of veal slabs. Back in India demons and trolls existed in harmony, but here such mixture of race is looked down upon. To me it is an utterly primitive notion, but I cope with it so I can make a fair buck; though it is wholly unnatural to me. I was raised in the religion of the people of Mumbai. That which they call Hinduism._
_ My parents found religion strikingly powerful and so adopted it in the form of Hinduism. I was raised to remain peaceful and to love each being on this planet. When I was to slay an animal for food I was to be thankful in the eyes of lord Vishnu. When someone vexed me I was to forgive them and move on. These notions clung to me as I crossed the many seas to get to this land; they even clung to me after the passing of my parents. A heart full of love is naught but illusion, but a true path of Dharma nonetheless. If there is no love in the heart of a working man then there is nothing at all; and I was a working man, work was my vice. The notion of pleasing my tribe and the many beings of Iceland was my sustenance. This was my true dharma._
_ I got up out of bed. I wiggled my toes a bit, letting my small black claws mingle against the surface of the caribou pelt rug. I ran my fingers through my silky hair, pulling out the tangles. I licked my stale lips, my tongue running over my sharp yellowing tusks. I was strange looking indeed, many trolls are not born with tusks, and yet I had some plain as day, sharp like the boar lord Varaha's. I walked over to my oak drawers and pulled out a pair of pants and a shirt. I pulled the black pants over my thin legs and I shimmied into the grey v neck shirt with laces brimming over the neckline. I neglected to slip my feet into my heavy black boots and went to make some tea to give me a boost. From my cabinets I pulled out a porcelain cup. Inside were many fine herbs imported from India. Such exotic things as Saffron and cloves. I boiled a pot of water and poured it into the mug along with a few of the herbs. I gave the mixture a few minutes to seep before I let the tea slide over my lips. The tea was sweet, but sharp, just how I liked it. After drinking my glass of tea I walked to the door as I had to go collect wood to make new bows for sale. I opened the door and to my surprise found an envelope before me. I picked it up and examined it closely. It was clearly addressed to me, Falor Hãra was written in gold letters across its crimson surface. I closed the door and retired to my kitchen table to review the contents of the letter._
_ I opened up the envelope and found a letter written on the surface of a rather large cottonwood leaf._
_ Dear Mr. Hãra,_
This letter is coming to you from Thistlethyne Rue, honorary lord of the seelie court of the woods of New York State. It seems that I and my court are in need of your goods. Your crafting skills are legendary and spoke of highly amongst the elven tribes of Iceland. It is regrettable though that many of our precious forests have been cleared to create steel and concrete structures and no wood is available to us for crafting. Without our forest homes we are without food and soon shall commence to migrate south. It is our deepest wish that you bring one thousand bows so we can commence the long and difficult journey south. You will be compensated for your journey and paid a large sum of currency for your efforts. I hope deeply for you to consider the offer. If you so choose to assist us let me know by way of letter by next Friday evening.
Sincerely,
_Thistlethyne Rue, Lord of the Seelie Court. _
_ I laughed lightly. My crafting skills? Legendary? I was naught but a meager craftsman. But no matter, I would not refuse the great lord my services. It seemed to me that many souls were in need of my help, and I was not someone to condemn the innocent to death. As soon as possible I would go out and collect the wood I would need to make the bow frames. I had plenty enough thread though to string the bows. So the task would not be quite as hard, but for the lord I would create a special bow much like my own. Gilded in gold with inlaid jewels and carved to look like twisting vines. I got up and left the letter on my table. I walked to my room and then remembered that the lord had wished for a reply. I went to my drawers, which stored my painting supplies, and fished out a worn piece of parchment. I wrote upon it that his request would be met. I rolled up the paper and tied it shut with a ruby colored thread._
I left my room and emerged in the many tunnels of the mountains. The tunnels of the mountains were like a labyrinth, a labyrinth twisting every which way to room after room. The rooms consisted of living quarters such as my own, or shops, or tribal meeting places. My shop was in the deepest point of the mountain, the only way to reach it was to go down a winding stair carved into the stone. Most of my business though was not commenced in my store. I mostly traveled Iceland selling my goods. The trolls of my tribe were usually the only ones to set foot in my store. I descended that cold stone staircase till I reached the deepest part of the mountain. Down here it was damp and cold. Stalactites spat on me from above. I walked through the entranceway and entered my shop. The tables in my store were crammed with unsold bows, arrows, and teas. Indeed, I did not get much business in this room. I went into my storeroom, well more a store closet, and got together my supplies for making my bows. I went to my work bench and set the tools and materials down. The requested bows would be quickly made. Though for the bow for the lord Thistlethyne I would have to go to the metal smith to have it gilded in gold.
_ I left my shop and commenced the long journey to the outside of the mountain. It was still early so not much life was seen. A few of the meat sellers were skulking about the tunnels with bows and maces in hand hoping to catch some fresh game in the nearby woods. Soon I came to one of the many exit doors. It was simply a large opening carved into the side of the mountain, surrounded by images that were engraved into the thick stone. I walked through the threshold and inhaled the fresh air into my nostrils. The thick forest lay just on the horizon and I ventured towards it. As that was the place where rich oak trees lived, and these rich oak trees shed their branches often. I entered the woods, the trees eclipsed the light of the sun and darkness enveloped me in its grasp. I sniffed the air lightly. It was damp here as it had been in the tunnels. It must've rained heavily last night. I crouched down, low to the ground and began gathering thick branches for my bows. I created a pile for the wood that sat under an old, twisted oak tree. I asked the oak tree to watch over my wood. I sauntered farther into the woods and found myself stepping into a circle of toadstools, a faerie ring. Such rings were created when elves or sprites held their moonlight circular dances. I removed myself from it before I got myself in trouble. I heard a giggle erupt from the darkness. Too late. I let out a heavy sigh as the giggling continued. A voice like ambrosia echoed from within the woods. "Look sister, look what we have here, a troll man, how handsome he is" said the voice. "Yes sister, he is quite handsome, perhaps he will entertain us le lo" a second voice answered in sing song. I stood my ground. A pair of pixie women emerged from a patch of heather. The first faerie woman had long light blonde hair that fell down to her hips and glossy eyes the color of raspberries. Gauzy cicada like wings sprouted from her back. The second faerie woman had green and orange eyes, long lashes, and messy brown hair lined with grass and mushrooms._
_ The brown haired faerie woman stepped before me. "Handsome troll man, kiss me li lo, tickle my lips with those tusks of yours li la." I felt my cheeks redden. The blonde haired faerie woman giggled loudly. "He is a shy thing I can see." I finally managed to open my mouth and speak, "I must refuse your advances." "Then perhaps you want me and not my sister" chimed in the blonde faerie woman. I sighed heavily once again. " look, I am not fit for entertaining, my tusks are sharp and will pierce your lips, my hands are rough and will tear your skin, and my claws are needle points that will scathe your breasts, now be gone" The blonde faerie woman frowned then burst out into heavy laughter. "Handsome troll man, I feel inside that I would like to feel this sting that is your tusks brushing against my lip" My emerald green cheeks deepened in their red hue. I didn't know what else to do so I broke into a run, tearing through the brush. Once I was certain they were gone I collected several more pieces of oak wood and added them to my pile. That should be enough for one day I thought to myself. I gathered the many branches in my thin arms, thanked the archaic oak for watching them, and returned to the mountain. As soon as I got back I descended to my store and plopped the branches down on my work bench along with the other supplies._
_ I drank one of my potions, a potion to give me energy, and then began my work. Well into the evening I crafted fine, but simple bows. Soon enough I had a large pile of bows before me, each one crafted lovingly. After several hours of tedious labor I came to the last bow, the bow for the lord Thistlethyne Rue. For this bow I took out my carving knife and began carving the wood into the form of twisting vines. In the niches of the twisting vines I placed shimmering rubies and sapphires to compliment the bow. After I finished the tiresome work I got up and took the bow to the metal worker to have it gilded in gold. I paid the old troll a fair buck and left after he promised to have it completely gilded by the crack of dawn tomorrow._
_ I walked outside and called out into the night air for a crow, as I had to send the return letter. A glossy black crow landed at my feet. "Kaw Kaw" he said, "fair sir you called for me." "Yes" I replied and pulled out the bound parchment. "Can you take this to the Lord Thistlethyne Rue of the seelie court of the New York forest?" The crow nodded his head. "That I can troll, but what will you give to me in return?" "How about a fat veal slab?" I replied. The crow narrowed its eyes. "Raw or cooked?" "Raw of course, and still plump with blood." The crow nodded. "Your trade is fair, okay I shall take this letter to the elven lord." "Thank you" I replied, grinning slightly. "Now go fetch me that veal slab before I start my journey south." "Yes sir" I replied and went to my store. From a bucket of ice in the storeroom I fetched a fat veal slab. I brought it to the crow, who no sooner as I put it down pierced it with his beak and tore off large chunks of meat. "Kaw, I have not had such a delicacy in many years" the crow said. I smiled. The crow looked up at me with his beady eyes. "I would very much like to have a glass of ale with this meat, would you care to fetch me some?" "Of course not" I replied and went to fetch him some ale from my room. I returned to the crow and placed the glass of ale before him. He lapped it up quickly. "You are a kind sir" He replied and grabbed the letter in his beak. Then he commenced to shoot into the air, after a few minutes he was gone._
_ I took a deep breath of the fresh air and returned to my quarters. In the morning I would go to the metal smith, and pick up the fine bow for lord Thistlethyne, but for now I would rest. I stretched my arms above my head and retired to my cot. The warm sheepskin blankets enveloped me once again and I shut my eyes and dozed off._
_ I woke up to another cool morning in my quarters. And like every other morning I had to get up and work. I rose from my cot and stretched my arms. I opened the door, ready to pick up the bow for Lord Thistlethyne, and spied another envelope resting before my feet. I picked it up and took out the letter._
_ Dear Mr. Hãra, _
I am quite pleased with your decision. It has made me and my people very happy. Once you reach the city meet me at the Noir club at midnight. I will be disguised as a human being, and I will take the bows there. Glamoured of course. Glamour them as bottles of alcohol as to not raise suspicion. Here is the address for the club Noir:
1831 South Ivory Street
I will be awaiting your arrival.
Sincerely,
Lord Thistlethyne Rue of the Seelie Court
_ I shoved the letter in my pocket and went on to the metal smith. He greeted me, smiling with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. He was an old, rough troll with calloused hands. His flesh was olive green and his hair was black and in matted dreadlocks. He held the bow out to me. "That is a mighty fine bow Falor, the new owner shall be pleased with your work." He said. "Thank you Xephor" I replied. "No problem Falor" I grabbed the bow and went to my workshop. I took the thousand bows before me and separated them into small groups. Each small group of bows I bound together with thick twine. I gathered a group of bows in my arms and took them just outside the mountain where my cart and horse were. I loaded them onto my cart gently. Someone tapped my shoulder lightly and I turned around. Long black hair tied in a ponytail, emerald skin and orange eyes. It was my friend Gars. "You need help with that?" I smiled, tusk points digging into the flesh just below my nose. Gars laughed in a way that was barely audible. "Don't pierce yourself with those knives in your mouth." He flicked my right tusk gently. It was a loving gesture from him. When I had moved here from India he was my first friend. "Sure thing" I replied. Gars followed me into my store and gathered several bundles of bows in his long, muscular arms._
_ By the time the cart was completely loaded it was nearly noon. Gars walked with me all the way to the ocean, all the way to my small, dingy like boat. The very same I had come to this isle in with my parents. This would be the first time in years that I would be using it for a long sea voyage. Gars also assisted me with loading the boat._
When the boat was loaded to the brim with my bows I smiled at my friend. He smiled back with his small, yellowing teeth. "Thank you for the help my friend" I said in a wispy voice. I was holding back tears. I knew inside that this job wouldn't last very long, but I never was one for goodbyes. Even short ones. All the goodbyes in my life were hard and painful so I feared any sort of goodbye anymore. My first goodbye was when I had to say goodbye to my homeland of India. I had to let go of my tribe, of the demons and trolls and the smell of fresh spice. Then shortly after I had to say goodbye to my parents when they passed away. I stared at my friend with empty eyes as I reminisced.
He opened up his arms and gave me a hug. "Be safe my friend" He said. I smiled, the points of my tusks poking the flesh just below my nose again." I will" I replied, releasing myself from his embrace. I turned away from him, ready to get into my boat and set sail. "Ah wait" Gars said. I turned back to his flaming orange eyes. "Yes?" He pulled out a small bottle from his wrinkled leather pants. The bottle contained a wisteria purple liquid. "Take this potion and drink it when you get to the bustling, iron filled, streets of the human city, it will lighten the effects of the iron upon your flesh even to the point of nearly making you immune, and it will strengthen your glamour as well" " Thank you" I replied hoarsely and took the small vial from him. Then I got on my ship and untied the rope. "Gars, can you cast me out?" I asked my friend. "Of course" He replied and pushed the ship lightly so as to get me on my way. I waved goodbye to him with my clawed hand then turned around to face the open ocean. The current dragged me further and further out to sea till Iceland became a small speck on the horizon. A speck with dense forests, towering mountains, and primal volcanoes. My home. I let out a heavy sigh. I had been stuck in the same place since the passing of my parents and all this felt very alien to me. Sure, I sailed as a hobby, but never did I venture this far out to sea.
_ I got up off my haunches and headed below deck to where there was a storage room for provisions, and a small room with a cot and washing basin. I went into my room and dug under the bed for one of my boxes. I grabbed the worn wooden box and dragged it out. From within it I pulled out some parchment, an ink well, and a quill pen. I hopped upon my bed and began writing some poetry to pass the time. I never wrote in the tongue of the English man, nor the Nordic tongues of Iceland, but in my native tongue of Sanskrit. Sanskrit was the language of Hindu scholars and poets alike. And so I wrote my poetry in this archaic language, reminiscent of the scholars of old. Those who had first written the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, I looked up to them and admired them, asking them for guidance. I looked behind me at my picture of Shree Ganesh, the elephant headed, that was hanging on the cabin wall. Ganesh was a god of scripture and wisdom, and so silently I asked him for inspiration as well. And so from my pen blossomed poetry that told of great kings and fabled demons, the tinkling bells of the Vasparas and the ventures of the ancient gods._
_ After writing several poems I stretched and yawned, then got up and put away my ink well and quill. I placed my poems in the box as well. I turned around and stared at the image of Ganesh. I closed my eyes and smiled. I was due for some devotional worship, and on this long journey it seemed fit to bow before the lord of overcoming obstacles. From another box I pulled out some incense for my Bhakti. Then I went and kneeled before the image, lighting my incense. I clasped my hands together in prayer as the scent of Nag Champa filled my nostrils. "Lord Shree Ganesh" I stated out loud. "Most holy son of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, Great lord of starting new journeys, overcoming obstacles, wisdom, wealth, and scripture I bow before thee and ask that you help me journey to America safely and that you aid me on this journey, also I ask that you aid the elven court of Lord Thistlethyne on their journey." After saying that bit I said a few prayers in Sanskrit and some words in Hindi, another tongue I knew well. After a while I put out the burning incense and bowed before the image one last time before laying down in my cot and going to sleep._
_ I woke up to a heavily rocking boat and a musty cabin room. I stretched my arms and got up. I ascended the stairs and stood on deck. I breathed in the stale, salty air. It was hoarse against my lungs, not fresh and damp, like the mountain air I would breathe daily. The sea seemed to be infinite, but I knew that I would reach the shores of America eventually. I estimated I would reach the shores of New York in about seven to ten days. I went below deck to the store room and grabbed myself an apple from one of the barrels. I sunk my sharp teeth into it greedily, taking in every inch of its dew filled flesh. The juice dripped down my chin even after I had completely devoured it. I ate another apple after that and then returned to the deck. The wind blew lightly and caressed my long, silky locks. The sea was calm so there was no need to fight it with my oars so I decided to tie some knots to pass the time._