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They, had been a short distance, when they were ambushed, by those creatures. Gobby by name and by nature, would definitely be equatable if not for the creatures to be certifiable.
Ugly and, it was not, a moment, to pause and count how many. They saw them, realized and, then those creatures took aim. AIM? They had, small insignificant ones, of their own kind.
YES, their own! Ones they now threw at them, for the things to slap against them, oozing, belching and farting and I kid you not.. the gas had them spluttering.. Toxic? Naij had screamed at Ameryst NOT to breathe that stench in. NOT easy NOT easy at all!
It was a good thing, that Ameryst had decent hearing. That paid off, as she, became more wary of and, disposing of, the things. Shifting them away from her almost instantly. The creatures, had a body odour that was most unpleasant, without, the dried vomit on them, the pooing, peeing and farting?
All together, the stench, was almost overpowering. Clever, yes the things were not stupid! The smell, was slowing Ameryst and Naji in their abilities, to respond, to such an attack. Naij had NEVER, known them to do this.
Ameryst it must be her. They had sensed her power! Here, to prove herself and, were they there, to add to the ongoing test? HOW could she rid not just her but her and Naij of this pestilence?
Her body raised she leapt upwards. Something, Ameryst was more than used to and, capable, when she did, using her body to respond and respond ?
Fists out, arms flailing, legs and feet, kicking out as the things, still being thrown at them were now kicked or punched back, some hitting those who had launched them in the first place? Inertia, she had harnessed the effect to perfection.
The power, the strength of this... KET? nay KETLET (female), was now registering, as being too powerful for them. They were running out of ammunition and also, finding some of their mob, were also RUNNING.. at some speed; AWAY!
The splatter or was it splattering was seeing some laid out and the others if they had not been hit, were
scattering. The NOISE, was full of shrieking, squealing and squeaking.
UNTIL Quiet .. no noise, nothing. Well momentarily, cos Ameryst and Naij, were shifting away from the creatures around them, the bulk of them motionless for the most part. To a clearing where they could at last breathe!
Babies? Were they throwing babies at them? Naij shook his head. “NO. Just another variation of their race. Smaller and, those the bigger ones, often bullied, mistreated. This IS, the first time, I have seen them, used as ammunition”
Through the brush, to a small pool area, affording them, the chance to wash and though a change of clothing was delayed, they felt and smelt much better.
Food packs with some Frubu washes, a real treat; left them feeling fed, watered and refreshed.
We have a ways to go beyond the rocks ahead of us. Those rocks, could be seen and, if Ameryst had wondered about those creatures ?
“We have seen the last of them. They don’t for some reason go beyond the rocks. I think it is because of the Sxibei. Not just one, but several flying above them. 
The trophy she had to retrieve was protected it was said, by one of those things BUT it was NOT what they were looking at or had seen?
The beast guarding the Chalice was much much bigger.
The other Sxibei brought food to it. Dropping to land at the entrance and unloading the food.
Sometimes if, it was in a bad mood the one bringing the food would end up attacked and eaten?
“NOT that you, will be getting that close to it! “ Naij grinned, Ameryst was smiling, but more than aware of the challenge that lay ahead.
Resuming their journey, the area they now entered was beautiful. Colours, colours and more colour of the bushes, the flowers around them.
Sweet but not sickly sweet, the smell, the aromatic scent AND the flutter around them of butterflies as we would know them.
The risk of that plant, being amongst them, was something, they, were both paying attention to. IF, they had thought, it was NOT to be found ? Naij , had pointed, one of them out. Carefully, moving around it and, NOT touching it, they moved on.
At, the top of the ‘hill’.. they stopped and Ameryst let out a gasp. Naji had turned to her to grin.
You did not think, we were going to end up in a cave for the night? We, are going to be the guests of my Ketlis (sister) Princess Omrie. “
The castle. A castle? The towers, in the distance. circled by more of those Sxibei.
“We need. to keep a look out for those things, the closer we get to the keep.
We, can use a tunnel, to shield us as we enter.”
Closer, Niaj had them move toward a large tree? Almost the size of a ‘giant redwood’.. well if you knew what one of those looked like. The closer they got, their eyes had to adjust to what was a hatch?
At the bottom of it in the shade, they stopped, as he pulled back a door of sorts. Large enough opening for them to now step inside. The tunnel was lit by lamps that flickered. Somewhat annoying but OK once you go used to them which luckily did not take long.
The distance, was a short trip beneath the moat; to the inner sanctum? Stepping up and, out into the sunlight. Looking around, Ameryst gasped. The view, was spectacular but moreso because, the buildings, the river, that flowed beneath a bridge, where several were stood watching them?
The whole scene, was calming, bewitching and he could hear her gasp? NOT that Ameryst had not been to places like this. Mama had taken them out on trips to other worlds and this was certainly not new to her BUT in the moment?
“Welcome. Naij” “Om! and Sudu.” Sudu it transpired was her CoJoined. Inseparable, her arm tucked under his. “Njai, who is this..” She shifted slightly the whiff carried on the air of the..
Naij grinned. “We got mobbed by some Gobbies..” Omrie had her hand, up to her nose, trying not, to let it show that she was definitely, as was her CoJoined; now more than aware of the stench.
It would NOT be long, in fact remarkably QUICK that some fresh clothing arrived for both of them.
Stepping close, to the river Ameryst had partially stripped.
She jumped, nay LEAPT into the river.. Much, to the amusement, of those watching on as now Naij joined her.
The fresh, invigorating water AND, losing the stench, now left behind them... was bliss, pure bliss. 
Leaving the water, to discover, their clothing, the original ones had been taken to be destroyed? Omrie was looking to see if Ameryst might have been offended by such an order from her?
NO! More a delight, at the clothing, the fresh, Gobby free, sweet smelling attire, at her feet, as she dressed was a gift from the Gods.
Expensive, free flowing, silky soft and, she had received compliments on how beautiful she looked in them.
“We have prepared a feast in your honour. We already knew you would be arriving! Nothing happens without our Seer knowing all.
You will get to meet her later at the banquet. “
“First my love, I think they will want to rest a while?” Naij had to agree. They were tired, not quite totally exhausted but tired, nothing a little siesta would not fix.
Escorted to their domiciles, leaving Naji and heading away from them Omrie was smilling whilst talking to her CoJoined. “I like her. Impulsive, a little reckless and mischievous streak in her. Naij and her, would be a good pair do you no think my love?”
“Well it is, the first time, I have seen Naij so quiet! “ He giggled. “When he stripped down to jump in the river with others watching on now that did amuse us! Normally get him on the river let alone in it?” More giggles.
“The seer, has arranged the food, for Ameryst. No one else, is to touch it. It is reserved, for her and her alone.”
“I will make sure the Seer’s request is upheld. I will talk to the couii (servers’).
The seer? “We need, to make sure you are well fed and rested. The challenge ahead is NOT an easy one.
There are those, who are in the shadows, conspiring to see you fail. The Gobby? Insignificant in comparison to the real evil ones. “
Elsewhere?
What was forming before them was SLOW SLOWLY becoming more and more visible.
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