Mr. Nackerick V. Botch's Story

The blister beetle darted surprisingly nimbly through the altitudinous winds. It was a noble member of Epicauta hirticornis, and its family had been in the service of Nackerick Botch since he was a child. Though its form was not aerodynamic, indeed its bulbous red eyes and fat black body made it look rather clumsy, it was quiet and could protect itself. This was the reason for its constant use as a recon scout. Spying its home and master, it flew down and perched upon his well-bitted shoulder.

Assisted by his lantern-staff, Nackerick walked quickly along the stone strewn road leading to the next village he planned to visit. Not knowing much about it, he had sent a spy in earlier that day. The town was called Iradei, he knew that much, and it was supposed to be rather poor. He didn’t relish staying in hungry places, but he would only be there a few nights. Oh well. His thoughts were interrupted by a needling sensation on his left shoulder. Turning his head he saw that his scout had returned, and he grinned. The beetle scrabbled over to his ear, avoiding the lice that seethed in the hair patch above it. Jerking and twisting its mandibles in a sickening motion, it whispered its report of the land ahead.

It spoke of a wide and luxurious landscape, where sweet fruit was plentiful and music was heard in all places. Botch was certainly surprised; this contrasted what he had heard about Iradei completely. However, he trusted the blister beetle and nodded his head in thanks. No sooner had he done so, than the creature burrowed into the bruising blue skin of his neck. It pulled itself under and disappeared in his anatomy. Nackerick winced ever so slightly, but he was used to it by now.

After some time, Botch passed a rather steep hill dotted with deep green pines. As he did this, the small cloud of flesh flies he had been following suddenly changed direction. They began heading over the hill. Though he was confused as to their path, he followed. Peaking the hill, he could see vast and rolling landscape. It was rich and ripe and full of life. A mountainous stronghold of a castle stood in the distance, and all manner of shops and sweetmeats could be smelled even from this distance. He grinned widely, and as he did he felt his parasitic company grow excited and restless.

Lead on, gentleman, he thought in happy disbelief. Cautiously walking down the steep hill into the valley, he saw a great stone wall. Chuckling to himself he approached it. Looking it over, he rapped on its surface with the base of his staff and saw a small shower of pink sparks leap off. His smile dropped.

There was magic here, strong magic. From the corner of his eye he could see little blue streaks that faded when he turned to see them. Could it be some kind of barrier…? But from whom? And who had cast it? Hmm… Well it’s worth a shot in any case. Let’s go boys. He pursed his lips as if to whistle, but the sound that escaped was closer to the rustling of rough paper. His graying cloak shook violently in response. From his sleeves poured hordes of yellow moths and black beetles and all manner of winged insects. Flocking to his skin the cloud of life obscured him, and he was slowly lifted off the ground. When they passed over the stone wall he could feel energy rush through him. There was a spell there, but it seemed to ignore Botch and his friends. His feet touched ground again on the other side, and the swarms were drawn back to the folds of his cloak. A grin far wider than before now cut across his face. He knew where he was.

This wasn’t Iradei. Not by a long shot. This was the Hidden Valley, stuff of legends, flights of fancy. It was a sanctuary to nonhuman kind. Of course he could find it and enter. Familiars weren’t technically human, even less so were his children. He had found the capitol of all the world’s secrecy and peace. He had found Home. Every corner of his being radiated with clicks and buzzes of joy. He threw back his head and with the voices of a thousand parasites, did something truly unsettling.

He laughed.

As Nackerick began the short trek into the kingdom, he looked at down at his patched gray cloak. It was already pretty moth-eaten, and made from a rough and itchy fiber. He had dressed for Iradei and would've blended in well with the poor folk of the village. But against the wealthy background of Home, he stuck out like a termite in a butterfly field. He had to find better clothes to fit in with this lot.

Normally I could’ve just scavenged for some common clothing, he thought as he carefully scratched his hair’s inhabitants. But these folks look so well off even that would get me noticed. I’ll have to actually buy some. Damn it. Keeping to the sides of the road, he walked through what was thankfully a busy market. Botch peaked into nearly every shop he walked past, but saw none that had any clothes amongst their wares. Sending out a cloud of flies to search the town was out of the question of course. He couldn't afford a single question about where he came from, and even though there were undoubtedly other familiars--

That’s it. Perfect. Perhaps if he could find another familiar, he could drum up some sympathy and get some information while he did it. Now, how to weed out an animal lover… He clicked his tongue in thought, when suddenly he heard a collective shout ring out in the market. A young woman with a red braid who had been standing a few feet away from him tossed her armfuls of apples up into the open air. He bent discreetly to pick one up, and pulled it into his wide sleeves. She hadn’t noticed him, but he was grinning slightly in her direction. The surprised, “Yelp!” she called out had a hint of animal in it. Not enough to suggest she was a hybrid, but enough to show she had spent considerable time with one. She turned and headed off to another section of the market.

He brought the apple to his lips, though by now it was half eaten and full of maggot holes. Eating hurriedly as he walked, he followed after the animal girl. He caught up with her again, tossed the core down his sleeve, and took a breath. Preparing his best poor-weary-traveler face he tapped on her shoulder.

Reagan was busy searching for more things to eat, she had spotted a few fish that she was sure Benjamin would like and she was bent examining over them when suddenly she was tapped on the shoulder. She let out a surprised sort of jerk and whipped around, her braid hit her in the back and she went to fix her hair hurriedly. She wasn't expecting to see the man before her, he looked terribly bruised to her and she wondered if he had been in a fight.

"Oh... Hello?" She offered him a smile, it was a genuine one, after the shock of his appearance she quickly got herself over it and straightened. "Do you need something?" she asked him. She took the time to study him a bit more and noticed that he seemed to have something crawling over him. She fixed the apples in her arms and then took one and offered it to him. She thought maybe he was some straggler who had heard of Home and had finally made it.

"I havent seen you around before." She said "You look new, well not new exactly... but new to here... if that makes sense..." she sighed softly and said "I'm Reagan."

She had been buying fish, when he'd approached. She spun around wildly, her braid hitting her in the back. She seemed flustered, but quickly straightened out. Introducing herself she offered him an apple, finally giving her name as Reagan.

“Honored,” he replied, his company lending a fluttery sound to his voice. He bowed his head slightly and smiled. “I’m Botch.” He shook his head politely and gestured toward the apple. “No thank you, Reagan. For I’ve just eaten.” Even as he spoke the apple core in his sleeve was being brought to nothing by a small troop of ants. “You stand out in a crowd as someone with intelligence, and I was wondering if you’d direct a tired traveler to a place where I could purchase some clothing.” He leaned a little more heavily on his staff than he needed to. She had a look of honesty about her, and it rather unnerved him. He also disliked how quickly she noted him as not native to the Hidden Valley. Those with good memories for faces usually ended up being trouble.

What’s her connection? He ran threw a few options in his head as he spoke. Well, she’s buying fish… Cats, maybe? Or birds? She’s also bought apples… But those might just be for herself… Hm…

He had an interesting voice and she wondered why it made her think of wings. "Nice to meet you Botch." she took the apple back not offended at all and instead rubbed it on her shirt and then took a bite. she enjoyed the taste and then laughed as he said she stood out. "It's the hair isnt it?" She gave her head a shake and then said "Well Botch, we've got an inn down the road just there" she pointed. "It's a fairly simple inn if you want fancy you've got to sweet talk the king but I'm afraid that's a rather difficult task." She sighed a bit remembering the parties at the castle.

She shrugged away the thought and said "If you want I can walk you there, its on the way to my home." She noticed how he was leaning on his staff and wondered if he might need help. She hoped not because he seemed a bit gross to touch, she hoped he wasn't carrying any illness.

She turned to pay for the fish and it was bagged for her and she took it and said "Benny's gonna love me." She laughed at her own inside joke and didn't bother to tell him what it meant. Instead she turned back to face him and said "shall we go then?"

He made a mental note to avoid the castle. He’d had bad experiences with royalty in the past. She mentioned an inn, and he smiled in response. He enjoyed the hive style of living found in busy inns. She also seemed rather pleased in her purchase of fish for ‘Benny’. Though he knew more about the insect world than nearly anyone, his knowledge of larger animals was severely lacking. He could really only conjure up one or two animals that ate fish that weren’t just fish themselves. It must be a cat, he decided. She’s a cat familiar.

Turning his attention back to her, he gestured openly with his free hand to the open road ahead of them. “Thank you, Miss. Please lead on.” He smiled his most gracious smile, which sat uneasily on a face built for scowls and grins. She seems a bit too eager to help… he thought, better safe than sorry. He clicked his tongue softly, and a little white Peppered Moth flew discreetly out from the base of his cloak. It flew behind them, ready to follow.

Reagan walked, leading him to the inn and she saw in the distance a familiar large black mass coming towards her. Benny had grown bored of waiting for her and was lumbering down the road. People avoided him but they weren't afraid. Reagan raised her hand and waved to him. He let out a low grumble and when he reached Reagan she brought out a fish for him which he gobbled up.

Reagan stepped back and looked over at Botch "Botch, meet Benny, Benny meet Botch." she grinned as the black bear nudged her and she patted him and put an arm around his neck. "shall we press on?" she asked as she gave another fish to Benny. She gestured ahead and said "Botch? don't be offended or anything, but what are you?"

"Bears eat fish," he mumbled under his breath. "Benny is a bear." He shook is head, breaking his initial shock. No one else seemed to be screaming, so it had to be somewhat normal. Then he turned to Reagan and offered her his answer. "Yes of course, I should've said. I'm a familiar." Then he exhaled deeply, and a small set of five or six locusts flew from his lips.

"But my friends are a bit... parasitic. I like having them close, but their long term effect is fatal." He thought back to a little leather bound book his moths had torn through, and what he had learned. "I learned a little life sustaining trick from a book we borrowed once... They can't kill me, but the burrow holes and bruising is still rather apparent." The locusts buzzed about his bluish hand, before finally perching on top of his lantern-staff. "So then, fair's fair Miss. What's the situation with your furry friend here?"

When the locusts came out of his mouth her eyes widened in surprise and she felt a small shiver run down her back. "Oh er..." She was at lost for words when she realized that he was a sort of home for his friends. She appreciated the fact that he was giving up his body for them, that was true dedication to his animal that he was connected to. She glanced down at Benny who made a playful swipe at one of the locusts and grumbled happily at the sight of a new familiar. Since Benny didn't seem to be grossed out she decided she wouldn't be either. "Just between you and me Botch." Reagan said leaning towards him, "Don't tell the inn keeper what you are telling me." She laughed a little laugh at that and when he asked about Benny looked down at her friend and smiled.

"Benny and i have been together since I was five." She explained, "My father took me out on a hunting trip and we were scouting out a bears cave when I spotted him playing with his mother." with out thinking she began to stroke the back of Benjamin's back as she recounted her tale "something about it called me to them and before my dad knew what I was doing I was out there playing with them as well. He says it took 100 years off his life." She leaned against Benny and said "We've been together ever since."

She shrugged and then gestured that they walk and talk, she moved them along towards the inn and asked "This life sustaining magic of yours. Does it last forever?" She was curious about this man.

He shook his head, dismissing the idea. “Just until something else kills me. A sword in the throat, poison in the wine, you name it.” He smiled and gestured to his throat in show. “I’m not immortal. It just keeps me safe from my friends. Similarly, I can’t kill them. Kind of a two-way deal. Not that’d I’d ever want to,” he shuddered at the thought. “But if we didn’t have immunity to one another, I’d being crushing a beetle with every step and I’d be dead from eight kinds of tapeworms inside a week.”

He was still feeling a bit anxious around such a powerful animal. Of all the people in the marketplace, he sought out the one with the bear. Still, she seemed willing enough to help. As long as he was careful not to get to close, he’d probably be safe. Maybe it was just that she had raised here where magic was common place, but he was surprised at her acceptance of his company. He grinned again, slightly. He was going to like it here.

Then speaking again, “I’m not totally even sure how it works. They know some parts of it, I know others. At this point it’s just something we take for granted.” As though they knew they were being talked about, two of the locusts began lazily circling his head. “Thanks again for taking us to the inn. What's it like around here?", he asked looking around at the background of the roads.

Reagan listened to him and she couldn't help but notice that the deaths he had listed were all murders. Was there some one out to get him, was he a wanted man? She pondered for a moment and when he mentioned the tapeworms her nose wrinkled. "Benny had those last year." The bear grumbled at her as if he was offended she would share such personal information but she just shrugged and said "He ate some bad apples, was a nightmare to get him through it." She told him, "I am happy however that you can live so closely with your animals like that. It's really quite nice to see." She offered him a smile.

He asked her what Home was like as they pulled up in front of the inn. It was a nice looking place, two story with wood pillars to hold up a balcony where people ate and drank. "Home is a nice place, we haven't got any homeless people, nor do we have any crime." She looked around and gestured "Everything is nice. But the catch is that there are lots of rules to follow, but once you get the hang of them you live quite peacefully. To be honest, nothing really happens around here. You're the most exciting thing that has happened to me for a few months." She moved her hands to her pockets and dug around looking for something. Once she found it she pulled out her hand and held out a small pouch she had made out of animal skins. She presented it to him as a gift, "Here, welcome to home Botch, made that myself I did." She looked at him proudly. "I'm a hunter and on the side I make things out of the skins." She explained. "That can hold a few things for you that you want to keep close, wont ever rip, I promise."

"You've," he struggled to put it in words, "given me a gift?" He was shocked. He planned to wait until the bear was out of the picture to start begging or flattering, but... he hadn't needed to. She had given him a gift. She worked on it, and hunted for it, and then given it to him. Something in Botch screamed about paranoia and that she was buttering him up but it was a tiny voice, far too small for him to hear. She hadn't gagged at his sight, or ran from his friends. This strange young woman, hair shocked red and escorted by bears, had called him interesting. Smiled at him. Given him a gift. He stolen from and spied on her. He chewed his tongue for half a moment in confusion. "Thank you," he said, his voice accompanied by his kin. He took the pouch carefully from her and hung it on his staff. He found himself smiling. Catching himself in the midst of his thoughts, he regained his composure. "You know where to find us, I suppose. If you ever need something..." he straightened his posture and pushed open one of the twin doors of the inn, "thank you again," he said quickly, and walked inside.

The little white Peppered Moth he had sent to follow them a while back stayed behind, fluttering quietly above the girl and her bear outside.

Once inside, Nackerick tried to clear his thoughts. He silently willed his lice to burrow out of sight, leaving his thinning hair motionless. The locusts above his head and on his staff flew into the small bag he had received. All visible members of his party sunk away into his recesses. It left him looking merely bruised and down trodden. Not entirely normal, but for a town of magic folk nothing out of the ordinary he hoped. He cleared his throat and took his place in line behind a rather tall man, who was just as wide. He was clad in earthen tones and the skin of his arms bristled with dark hair. Some warrior, Nackerick supposed. He waited patiently behind him and when it was his turn he spoke to the manager with a voice that was his alone. It sounded weak without it's entourage of clicks and flutters, and Botch was uncomfortable using it. He secured a room in the upper floor with his last remaining coins from his last scam. He had given lice to an entire town, and offered bottles of colored water as an elixir to cure it. It worked of course, he simply told the lice to leave. Easy. But boy had he made a killing on those "elixirs". He sighed in longing for such funds and gathering up his bag, lantern, and staff, he adjourned to his room.

Safely in his room, his swarms unraveled. Within minutes the small, warmly painted, 8' by 8' room was filled with nests and hives from floor to ceiling. He sighed again, this time happily, and laid upon his creaky bed still clothed. "Room 31. Home. Hidden Valley." The walls of insects whispered in perfect time with him this little observation. "What a strange place." He listened to the drone of bees and cicadas as he laid on his bed, in sleepless thought.

He seemed so surprised by the gift she had given him, it was just a thought that had occurred to her in a split second. Perhaps she had done something wrong by giving him the little pouch. Then again it had been a bit of a self marketing ploy on her part, she did feel a bit guilty on that part. She wasn't the only leather worker/ hunter in town. She wanted him to come back to her. She watched him leave and secretly wished him luck and then turned to Benny, never once noticing the small moth above her.
"Come on boy, lets drop these off at home and we'll grab our hunting gear." She took the apples home and grabbed her arrows and small knife that she tucked in the belt at her side. She slipped a leather guard over her chest and put on her wrist guards. She looked over at Benjamin and gave him the thumbs up and they headed back out again.

They traveled out of the gates of home to where the farm lands lie. She smiled at the smell of fresh food and dirt and headed on down the path towards the forest where all kinds of creatures called home. She hummed softly as they headed deeper into the forest until finally Benny caught wind of a deer off down the road a bit. They worked together at a team, capturing and bagging their prey. One pursued and the other trapped. They killed quickly and cleanly, leaving the animal in no more pain than it needed to. Benjamin was to carry the deer once it was strapped to his back and they made their way back to Home.

Reagan had a small hut dedicated to the tanning and skinning of the animal and there she spent most of her day, dividing the meat and packaging it to sell. Outside Benny lay sleeping in the sun, the both of them were quite content.