a King of a man to stand for what’s right, a coward
of a man who wants to be famous, a Remington .30-06,
training from the US Army, and a hotel balcony in Memphis.
Or you could shoot yourself.
This entails a Nazi leader with no where left to go,
acknowledgement of defeat, the cowardly way out,
a Walther PPK, and a gunshot to the head.
Eventually you may assassinate someone if the
circumstances are just right. But you need a taller then
average president, attending a play in Ford’s theatre,
a confederate spy, a balcony to jump from, and a unfortunate
change in his schedule.
These are just a few ways important men have been shot.
By blunder, terribly, cowardly, and by elimination. These
men have left this world with knowledge some used for good
and some for bad. Imagine what you could learn from
these men over lunch.
“LOK”
by collin wise
Chapter 1
It was late, and the hunting party was getting tired. But still, they were not ready for sleep. While they barely found enough to keep them going for the day, they did have an encounter with a very vicious bear. It attacked many members of the party. Only one was injured. Luckily, he will recover, but in the meantime, he has a very large and bloody wound on his leg.
The injured man was named Thimoro. And while the hunters are having a very hard time finding food because of the drought, Thimoro is slowing them even more. And worse, all of the bloody rags will draw the attention of more bears, or perhaps worse.
Now there was a man in the group whose name was Lok. He was very short. He wore a traditional garb of a Scutta partially woven skirt-like clothing made from banana leaves). And he had a headdress made of wood and bone. Lok was unaware at that time that he was about to go on a great adventure.
“Kuppa tu kusta!” Lok said in his native language. But to us, it the words would be “They were everywhere!” He was telling a story about one time he went out hunting- as he often does- alone. Lok usually did things alone. Not because he was unsocial; in fact, he was quite eccentric. He was so eccentric and spontaneous that he had a hard time keeping focus and remembering his partners are there with him, which is why, as was already said, he prefers to hunt alone.
“I mean, everywhere!! And I just found myself surrounded by them as I slept!” Lok used many exaggerated hand gestures as he talked, almost flailing about, using his entire body to try to add to the story. “When I woke up, I tried to sneak away, but I woke one of young rams, and it made a loud noise. Suddenly, ALL of the rams around me were awake. And they watched me as if I was a--”
Lok stopped. He saw something, out of the corner of his eye. A blue blur, about half the size of himself. Without thinking, he slowly walked over to the bushes. He knew he saw something moving in that area.
He went toward it to investigate. He walked past the tree line that surrounded the small camp, and then past the bushes, putting him just at the edge of view from the camp. From there, he did not see the small blue animal.
He smelled smoke. He sniffed the air, and found the smell coming from just past the tree line in front of him. Lok ventured just beyond that point. On the other side of the trees, was a cliff, from which Lok stood and saw the torched ground below.
The grass was all broken, and turned to blacks, browns and yellows. There were hardly any trees left that were not burned.
Lok heard a rustling in the tall grass next to him. He turned and threw his weapon- a stone on a rope or twine- into the grass. There was a squeal, and the stone which he had thrown into the bush came back to him when he tugged on the twine. He caught it in his hand.
Lok walked over to the tall grass, and pulled out the blue animal he had killed. His party ate it that night with him. That is where the story begins.
The next day was slightly better, as far as the hunting went. They still did not catch much, but they were able to bring something back: a wild boar- which was likely food enough for half the village… for the rest of the day… maybe. They returned home with it.
Chapter 2
The next day, Lok and a few others from the tribe were invited to dinner with chief elder Vhu. During the meal, Lok made mention of what he saw while he was out hunting just days ago. He talked of the scorched Earth.
“There must have been a fire there just days before we arrived.” said Geo, another of the chief’s guests. “No doubt because of the drought. The earth is hard, and the trees have dried, and become good for burning.”
“That may be so,” said Thimoro, the third guest, “but what could have started the fire? Thunderbolts? It hasn’t stormed around here for many moons.”
“There are legends of great beasts of fire that live in the woods.”
“In the woods which surround our village?” asked Geo. “What do you tell us?”
“Just how great are these beasts?” asked Thimoro.
“They are as tall as a man, perhaps taller. And they are as long as three or four men.” said the chief elder.
“I have never seen such a beast!” Geo insisted.
“Neither have I,” said Vhu, “What I tell you is what I have heard form master Urrukahma before me.”
“If these creatures live in the woods just outside our village, why have none of us ever seen one?” Geo demanded.
“Are you questioning the veracity of the late elder chief Ohay Urrukahma Matahi-e?”
“Perhaps.” said Geo.
“Do you think that she could have contrived? Do you think that she was named chief on error?”
“Perhaps. But I do not doubt her loyalty to her people. I remember when she presided.” he told them, “No… in fact, I do attest to her truth. She was the most adept of the chief elders. Even though some of our leaders may be less worthy.”
Everyone was stunned by what he said.
“I believe he just said that you are not trustworthy, High Chief.” said the previously silent Loka Tai, the chief’s coadjutor.
“Geo… why do you say these things?”
“I am most sorry, respected chief. I meant nothing by it. Besides, would you think of me as the type to break bread with one he does not trust?”
The chief was silent for a long time before changing the subject. “Does anyone know where Lok has gone?”
Everyone looked at Lok’s seat and were surprised to see that he was not there.
Vhu left the dining hall in search of his guest. Soon, Thimoro joined. Then, Geo started to stand up, but Loka Tai began to stand over him in a way that seemed to say ‘you had better stay there.’
Chapter 3
Soon enough, Vhu and Thimoro went outside and saw Lok. He was shouting; he was telling the people about the creatures, which he had apparently decided were to be called Shu Pa, which in his tongue meant ‘fire harbinger’. He was telling all the people of the village who would listen of how the creature was burning the forest, and that it was the reason why he and the other hunters did not find any food (which actually could have been true.) He told them that he would go into the forest to fight the Shu Pa, and he invited anyone to come who wished it.
“Lok, you speak without knowing.” said Vhu. “I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to hunt this beast.” He turned to the crowd and announced, “This creature is not to be hunted, and is not to be bothered. I have once heard Urrukahma call it a dragon.”
“Why shouldn’t we?” asked one of the villagers. “If this man is telling the truth, then the Shu Pa is why all of the animals are leaving our part of the forest by burning it down. If it were gone, perhaps we could find food again.”
“You say we should hunt this creature because it changes the land? Then what shall we do with the beaver? What shall we do with the elephant that tears up trees to get to
food? And what of us, for we have done the same, clearing land to grow our crops and to build our houses and our boats.
“And you say that hunting the dragon will bring the food back? Are any of you weak with hunger? Have any of you even gone without eating recently? The gods have given us food enough to live on, as they always have. We just have to work harder to find it.”
Lok did not accept Vhu’s answer, and began to rally for the hunt again. The crowd sided with him, and joined in chants and began to ready themselves to go in search of the beast.
“No!” Vhu warned them, “You do not what you wish to do. Dragons are larger than even the mighty elephant, and much more powerful, too. They have wings on their back, and can travel amongst the clouds as the birds do. Blades run the length of its back, and on the tip of its tail, which contain poisons that could kill a warrior in only a couple of moments, and they can turn their bodies to fire, setting ablaze everything around.”
“Do you fear for the lives of us who will go?” asked another from the crowd.
“No, I fear for the lives of every one of us if someone were to anger this otherwise peaceful monster. I forbid you all from going near it!”
Everyone seemed satisfied with the chief’s argument and dispersed, trusting in his judgment. That was, at least, until that night.
“Nyrrrrrrraaaah!!!!!” some of the villagers heard this noise late that night. Lok had a house that he had built high in a tree top, and he went outside of it to see if he could find what made the sound. It came from above him, in the sky. He quickly climbed the tree, jumping from branch to branch, until he was at the very top (and flimsy) branch of one of the two very trees that his house was built around. It swayed extensively while he held onto it, looking as though it might break. From the branch, he was able to see the large black figure in the sky. Surely, he thought this must be the Shu Pa. and he was determined to kill it. He snuck away that night.
Chapter 4
Traveling by night through the forest can be very dangerous, especially if you don’t know where you are going. Lok was determined to get to get to where the Shu Pa was and vanquish it. He just didn’t know where it would be. His red potato-colored skin hardly appearing visible in the dark of that night. Only his headdress could be seen. That night, he added a wooden mask to his outfit, to help protect him.
As he ran, his feet barely made a sound, splashing powerfully against the wet ground. You could still hear him coming, because of the clank of his bow hitting his slingshot. His other weapons were a shiv and a rock tied to a twine which was wrapped around his shoulder five or six times. He chose his weapons carefully, preferring those that were lighter. Lok was known to be very nimble, and didn’t want weapons that would weigh him down. You could see his strength and agility as he gracefully leapt over large jungle roots like a deer, swerved to avoid branches shrubs and trees like a fox and avoided sharp terrain or small gutters like a mouse, at a spectacular pace of a cat.
He was pushing himself harder than he ever had before, because he was never so determined to get something done before. He felt that he needed to slay the dragon- the Shu Pa- to honor his tribe. All his life, he felt like an outsider in his own home, like he didn’t belong. He didn’t have many friends because everyone thought he was annoying. If only he could do this for them- if he could prove to them what he could do- perhaps something would change.
He knew that the best place to start looking for something would be in the last place you saw evidence of it. That is why he decided to go back to the site of the scorched earth which he had seen the day before.
There, he also saw foot prints. They were no doubt left behind by the Shu Pa. The prints may have been as large as Lok’s torso. He thought that it would be best to follow the tracks, and see where they led him.
Lok found other evidence of the beast. If it wasn’t tracks on the ground, there were burned branches, or the distinct smell of its flame. There was actually so much evidence of the creature, Lok suspected maybe it wanted to be found. He wondered how something so evident could have gone so long without being noticed.
He had a lot of time to think of this, for his journey was quite long. Before the break of day, he had already crossed the greater river, and passed the moss grove by dawn. Going farther than most men from his tribe had ever gone, he got to the edge of the forest. No one had ever had a reason to venture past the edge of the forest… until now. By this point, Lok was convinced that the Shu Pa was hiding somewhere in the mountains. Now at the edge of the forest, he could see all of the mountains clearly. He had decided to be the first from his tribe to go there, which he would do so that he could find his dragon.
But he wasn’t ready just then. He had been up all night, and needed rest. He climbed into a tree and slept.
While Lok ahad begun to get into sleep, his fellow tribesmen had just finished awakening. Already, someone had noticed that Lok was not there. In fact, everyone noticed it. Lok always makes such a presence, that it felt strange not having him around, especially when there wasn’t a hunting party out.then. He had been up all night, and needed rest. He climbed into a tree and slept.
ss grove, and going farther than
Chief Vhu was as concerned as he was angry, for he knew where Lok was and what he had gone to do.
Chapter 5
Lok slept for half the day. He climbed down, and continued his adventure. After only a few steps, he found himself out of the forest, and in the vast prairies. He went through it. The grass and shrubs were very long, and some were sharp and cut him. He couldn’t see through the grass to avoid them, unless he was very careful. So he slowed down as he walked the plain, until he discovered a brook, which he followed all the way to close to where the mountains were. It took him a little off course, but still got him to the mountains sooner. There were berries along the side of the water that were good to eat. He picked them as he trekked. At one point, he killed, cooked and ate a rabbit.
As he got closer, he found more evidence of his Shu Pa. He eventually found what looked like a cave in the side of the mountain which he suspected was certainly the site of the dragon. He went that way. As he kept going, the ground began to be less and less grass, and was covered with gravel, dirt and rock; this was a sign that he was getting higher up the mountain. That, and the fact that the ground was getting steeper. It was dusk when he had reached the point where he had to start climbing up the crag. Soon after, it was dark. Lok couldn’t see his handholds apart from loose rock, so he determined to rest for the night. He found a small nook and crawled inside. Making sure it was free of any dangerous creatures, he lay down to sleep.
He woke early the next morning, just before dawn. He was awoken by the sound of the dragon! His suspicion was correct! The dragon was just a small ways away, and it would be waiting for him in its den farther up the bluff.
He wasted no time. Lok continued climbing higher- and once the greater light orb rose off the ground behind the mountain- Lok went faster as it illuminated the land more. As he lifted himself over one last small summit, he found the mouth to a large cave. It was the very cave he went in search of! The greater light orb was still behind the mountain, and its rays shone and glistened on the sides of it, portraying the cave as the divine splendor that Lok attributed it to be.
Inside the cave there was some light, most likely sunlight through a small hole on the other side somewhere.
But as he stood bravely in front of the cave, Lok could see the light was disrupted by a large shadow that moved on the wall as loud noises echoed from inside at a savage ferocity. Lok braced himself, put down his headdress over his face, and readied his slingshot, aiming it into the cave. But the shadow on the cave wall grew smaller and smaller as the sound became clearer. Soon, a figure came within sight. Lok saw the face of what looked to be a very large lizard. Its skin was as black as the piercing midnight, and large horns adorned its head. The beast had a very long snout with long jags of teeth that looked like ra
zors.
The Shu Pa lowered its head suddenly to the ground. It did not move.
Lok was then aware that a head was all of the creature that was before him, and that it was now lying at the feet of what looked the shape of a man. Lok was not sure what was going on. This ‘man’ that carried out the Shu Pa’s head was made of silver! At the end of its arm was a large blade. It held up the blade, looking ready to attack.
“Greetings, native villager! My name is Sir William Kelvin of the distant kingdom of Brittania. Fear thou not, for I have vanquished the wyvern.” said the knight.
Lok did not understand a word of what the metal man said, but before he said it, he cast aside his weapon- Lok was still not sure if the man was to be trusted.
William raised both his hands and took off his helmet. Lok realized that what he saw was not necessarily a man made of metal, but perhaps a man covered in a metal suit.
Lok started to trust the man a little more, but still not enough to lower his weapon.
Then, William walked over to a sack near the entrance of the cave. Lok didn’t even notice it before. William reached inside and pulled out an apple for himself, and took a bite. Then, took another, and tossed it to Lok. Lok dropped his weapon and caught the apple, then scrambled to get out his shiv.
Eventually, he warmed up to William. He sat and ate next to him. Neither of them could understand each other, but they enjoyed each other’s company, both of them having gone several days without seeing another person.
Later that night, after the lesser light orb was high above them, they started to prepare places to sleep just inside the cave. They would go home safely in the morning, parting ways. Lok was happy that the Shu Pa was gone.
Both men were eager to see what would await them once they got home.
The End
Except it wasn’t the end! While the men were deep in their sleep in the very early morning, they were awakened by a loud noise. “Nyrrraaaahhh!!!”
The men rushed to the mouth of the cave.
They saw big flames high in the sky. The dragon could not be seen because it was too dark, but they knew that it was another dragon.