“Marlin, is that you?” Hanali stepped towards the old man.

The old man squinted beneath thinly rimmed glasses. He hobbled forward, holding onto his curly cane. “Hanali, is that you?”

Hanali nodded.

Marlin chuckled a raspy cough and straightened his glasses. “M-my how you’ve grown!” He looked back at the crowd and smiled. He waved his lantern around. “It’s alright—there’s nothing to fear.”

The crowd sighed with relief.

“What are they doing here though?” a man said.

A child began to cry in a woman’s arms, and she tried to comfort it. She turned her gaze back at the boys and frowned. “How can we trust them?”

“Marlin, what if they’re here to hurt us?” said another man.

The crowd grumbled and the old man shook his hands around. His cane tipped over and he hunched over in pain. “Please, it’s alright. This is Hanali. Mishavlo’s son,” he said.

Without thinking, Evalieh picked up Marlin’s cane and returned it to him. “Here you go.”

Marlin nodded. “Such a nice boy.”

Hanali pulled Evalieh back and kept him at arm’s length. “Marlin, what’s going on here? Why are you all here in a place like this?” Hanali asked.

The crowd scoffed and grumbled. A few turned their nose up and looked away. “We should be asking you the same thing,” they said.

“It’s not like we know who you are,” said a man.

“Your name proves nothing,” said a woman.

“I thought everyone knew who I was—they know my mother, right?” Hanali turned to Evalieh with a worried look on his face.

“Don’t ask me, I don’t know what’s going on.”

Marlin walked through his crowd and beckoned the boys to follow him down the river. The group held up their lanterns and trailed closely behind. Evalieh kept looking back because his back tingled from their furious stares. It felt like they were staring right through him.

“What are you two doing out here in the dark? It’s not safe—those darlurchs might come after you in here,” Marlin said.

“We’re on our way to see the Great BayoBayo Tree,” Hanali said.

“Oh, the great wise one. I’ve met him, he’s about six days from here,” Marlin said.

Evalieh looked around and narrowed his eyes, feeling suspicious. “Where is here?”

“You’ve fallen into the old mines,” said a man.

A kid scurried up close to Evalieh, holding her lantern on a stick. She smiled and tried to hold Evalieh’s hand, making him flinch and pull away. “The others used mine here. Now those nasty monsters enjoy scaring us from time to time,” she said.

The darkness slowly faded around them and the mushroom’s glow stretched further across the rocks.

“Why are you here, Marlin? I thought you were headed to the Water Clan after retiring as my mother’s advisor?” Hanali asked.

“I did, but I grew bored and eventually guilty. I had abandoned the Sun Clan and didn’t deserve to return. Although I didn’t feel at home in the Water Clan either. So, I wandered around until I met a few others who felt similar,” Marlin said.

A man turned around and gave Evalieh and Hanali a nod. “I can relate. I wanted a change of scenery. I left the Warrior Clan to explore the island and light the way with my flame. However, as the shamans grew more violent, I worried my travels were over and become lost,” he said.

“I remember you—Hanali,” said a girl. “It’s not been that long ago but not all of us know the members from each clan.”

Hanali shook his head and sighed. “But why here? Why would you end up here and not in a clan where you could be safe?”

Marlin waved his lamp around. “It’s not that we don’t respect the clans. We each have a flame, but we didn’t want to belong to just one faction of the island. We wanted to belong everywhere, so we came together.”

Evalieh narrowed his eyes and doubted the man. Flashes of the Cloaks of Adam appeared, taking him back to the days when he was trained to be obedient. No one was meant to act on their own or belong to another, instead they were meant to act as one unit. When he saw these people who fell outside the island’s mold, it made them feel more relatable. Evalieh shook his head and lamented because he was an outcast too and didn’t want to admit it.

Further into the darkness, the mushroom’s glow met the light of the twilight sun. The abyss faded into a town sitting close to the ocean’s edge. Along the rock walls, houses were fashioned out of large mushrooms and huge tree roots. They were connected by wooden decks and bridges that hung over the river. Warm air ruffled the big leaf bushes and hibiscus flowers, stirring up a dull sweet smell.

“Welcome to Oreville—our little makeshift town,” Marlin said.

They traveled across the decks and the crowd began to break away. Some returned home with their children.

“You seem okay, but what are your plans? What do you want with us?” asked a man.

Evalieh scoffed and scowled at the man. Hanali patted Evalieh and he shrugged. “Didn’t he say—we’re trying to get to the BayoBayo tree thing. We fell into the chasm when we couldn’t get across,” Evalieh said.

“I can help with that,” Marlin said. He put out his lantern and tried to shoo the others away. “It’s fine—they can stay at the inn for the night. I’ll show them how to get out of here tomorrow.”

The remaining crowed mumbled and was satisfied with his response. They fell behind as Marlin beckoned the boys onward. Fishing boats, nets, and fireflies filled the river. Big leaves tied in knots sat on roofs for cover, and branches held up the windows’ arches. 

Evalieh was excited and felt light on his feet. He expected a nice steamy bath, a warm room, and good food. He bumped into Hanali, hit his head, and fell over. “Why’d you stop?” Evalieh asked.

“We’re here,” Marlin said. A large tree root stood with two windows and one circular door. Off to the side, stood a wooden box that was decorated with old flowers and pinecones. He pulled out a pair itchy robes, wooden slippers, and a basket of dried meats. “These are for you while you stay. I always share my food with guests and let them use the robes my late wife made.” Marlin nudged the robes against Hanali, urging him and Evalieh to wear them.

Evalieh rolled his eyes and snatched the robe up. “I’m not taking my bodysuit off.” He rubbed his chest, wishing the suit would mend itself and cover the scar. He felt naked and disappointed because he always thought his suit would protect him.

After they slipped the robes on, Marlin welcomed them inside and lit the lamps. The room was empty except for a long stone fireplace and raised floor, leading to a spiral staircase. 

Evalieh hurried inside and ran up the stairs. It was another flat space with blankets stacked in the corner. His heart pounded and his body had chills. He was searching for a bath. Towards the back, he found another door and slung it open with a smile. “Finally!” The door thumped against something and swung back at Evalieh, knocking him over a large fuzzy lump.

The lump gave a grizzly growl and a pig squealed.

“You pervert! What are you doing?!” someone said.

Evalieh’s head throbbed as he came to his senses. He rubbed his face and felt something rummaging around his robe. To his horror, his heart sank when his arms squirmed around on their own and his stomach bulged with lumps.

Hanali and Marlin ran to his aid. “What happened?” Hanali asked.

From beneath Evalieh’s robe two fuzzy ears and long billowing taupe hair popped out. A feisty pig jumped out of the tangles of hair swinging his fists around. “Gimme my skull hat—I’ll get him, my prince. Let me down! I’ll fight that oaf!” said the pig. He had a high-pitched voice and squealed and snorted between breaths, nearly exhausting himself. He had large yellow eyes, a big snout, wrinkly dark pink skin, and wore a large dangly ruby earing on his left ear. His face looked like a grumpy toad in an oversized robe with two tiny bat wings flapping around.

With a gruff toothy yawn, the other person rose and stretched. He opened his ruby red eyes and wiggled his big fluffy tail and wolf ears. He had dark tan skin, a narrow cheerful face, and wore an identical ruby earring on his left ear. “I was sleeping here, Hambone—be quiet.” He spoke with a smooth deep voice, but his words were broken, missing the H, and slurring the rest.

“A wolf-boy,” Hanali said.

Evalieh dusted himself clean and folded his arms. “A wolf—what?” The pig grumbled and he stepped behind Hanali.

“M-my lord, are you alright? How dare they trample all over you—these peasants!” The pig rummaged through his robe and pulled out a club in the shape of a wolf’s head. He slung the club at Evalieh’s face. “You shameless pervert! How dare you!”

Evalieh smacked the club away. “How dare I? How dare you—you—swine! You should be roasted for fooling around inside my robe!”

The pig gasped and pretended to faint. He was being over dramatic. “Oh, master, I can’t believe it. People here are so rude! They’re even too stupid to know who we are—who I am, a pig imp!” He showed off his tiny wings by flapping them around. He was too heavy to get too far off the ground.

“Ham—needs—roasting!” Evalieh said.

The pig imp’s eyes bulged, and he groaned. His face turned red, and he huffed and grumbled.

Hanali quickly covered Evalieh’s mouth and pulled him into his arms, squeezing him. “You’re the wolf prince, of the wolf tribe, aren’t you? We’re just here for the night—we didn’t know anyone else was here. We mean no trouble,” Hanali said.

The wolf-boy pushed the pig away with his foot and approached. He stood at least a foot taller than Hanali. He leaned in and sniffed the two young men. “You smell…nice, but big trouble follows,” said the wolf.

The pig straightened his skull-hat and wobbled over to his master. He tried to push the wolf-boy away. “See here, my prince, these peasants are a troublesome lot. Let’s leave.”

“No, Hambone. Be nice.”

Hambone groaned and flopped down. “But…my prince…why?”

“Bacon…”

Hambone froze stiff.

Evalieh snickered, he could barely hold back his laughter. He wiggled free from Hanali’s grasp and scowled back at him. He twitched his eyes around, hoping Hanali would understand what he’s thinking. What’s with these weirdos, he mouthed.

Marlin chuckled, startling the others with a jolt. “You lot are a lively bunch. Why don’t I go fetch you some nice warm food?” He dismissed himself.

“I am Otta Rex, prince of the wolves.” The wolf-boy bowed, causing his long hair to dangle around his face. He laughed because his ears sat atop his head and brushed against Evalieh. Inside his earring, the Warrior Clan’s flame flickered brightly.

“My prince! You do not bow to these people! You’re the Harbinger of Justice!” Hambone said.

Otta growled like a wolf.

The pig backed away, sulking, and pointed at Evalieh. “You see, wretch! You got him mad at me! Pervert! Keep us out of your robe next time!”

Evalieh took a deep breath, feeling furious. He grabbed ahold of his robe and flung it open. “I have a body suit on—you pompous swine!”

The pig staggered around and smashed into the walls back and forth. “Oh! No—you nasty!” He fainted.

Otta chuckled. “Ignore. Hambone is always grumpy.”

There was a knock at the door and all four of them hurried downstairs. Marlin came with a tray of wine, water, fruits, and meats. “I forgot that I had guests staying—or—do I recall having guests?” He stood silent for a moment and then smiled back at the group. “I hope you all can forgive me, but this is the only room I have. You’re welcome to stay if you don’t mind sharing.”

Evalieh looked over at Hambone and smirked. “I think they were just leaving.”

“Evalieh! Don’t be rude,” Hanali said.

Hambone snickered and turned his nose up. He waddled away chuckling.

“We can go.” Otta said.

“No, stay, I want to ask you some things,” Hanali said.

“Are you serious? Stay with this wretch?” Hambone threw poked Evalieh with his club.

Evalieh smacked the club away and picked the pig up by his wings.

“I can fly you fool!”

“Then, do it.” Evalieh let go and Hambone crashed into the floor.

Otta poked Hambone. “Chubby piggies can’t fly.”

“I guess that’ll be all for the night.” Hanali turned to Marlin, but he had already left.

Evalieh folded his arms and slumped against the wall. “After all we’ve been through, I must share this room with this—thing! I can’t even get a good bath.”

“Bath is upstairs. Behind door—on back deck,” Otta said.

Evalieh felt a spark of excitement run through him. He took off upstairs and to his delight, he smiled when he found the wooden tub. A mound of stones held the tub up so that a fire could be built underneath. Beside the tub stood a wooden water pump and bucket. It was far more primitive than the conveyer belt style of sprayers and tubs he’s used to dipping into, but it was enough to get him clean.

Evalieh wasted no time in filling the tub, he tossed one cold bucket of water after the other. He poked at the ashes and firewood beneath the tub. He didn’t know how to build a fire and peeked around the corner for help. He jumped, to his surprise Otta and Hanali had come to check on him.

“Find what you need?” Otta asked.

“Do you feel better?” Hanali asked. He looked himself over and pulled at his robe. “Perhaps, I should take a bath as well. I’m starting to smell a little rank myself.”

“I didn’t smell rank!” Evalieh said.

Otta sniffed Evalieh and laughed. “No. You smell…nice…like fire. Flickering sad but full of life.”

Evalieh snarled and backed away. He spread his arms and legs wide, blocking the door. “I—I’m not a fire, but I need one. My water is too cold.” Otta and Hanali poked their heads between Evalieh’s arms and looked. He grumbled at the two and kneeled by the firewood. “I don’t know how to make a fire.”

Hanali shrugged playfully. “I’ll help you.”

“No. Me,” Otta said. He nudged Hanali out of the way and held his hand out over the firewood. His long black nails were neatly manicured into sharp claws. His hand trembled and he strained his focus.