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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 8:21:33 GMT -6
Jeffory turned along the dirt road. About two months ago his superior was notified that a team of archaeologists were requesting to do a expedition within the vicinity of their village. All they needed was of course permission, which they gave with a word of caution. They've been having a string of robberies that are taking not money but livestock. Nobody has gotten hurt, but also nobody has laid eyes on these things so they couldn't report to authorities of the problem.
But even with the heads up it didn't deter the team in the slightest. They still wished to come and so the natives gave the green.
Jeffory met them at the airport and was now driving them in his jungle jeep to his home village of Duskenber.
After about three hours of driving they finally came to a stop.
"Here we are," Jeffory said stepping out of the jeep. "Apologies but I did warn it would be a long drive, though I should have also warned of the bumpy road. I'm so use to it I forget to share it with visitors."
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 9:53:14 GMT -6
Despite the ride being far from smooth, both of Jeofory's passengers seemed unfazed.
"No need to apologize," laughed a man in the passenger seat, "We've had rides a lot worse than this."
The man's name was Ezekiel, though he preferred to be called Zeke. He was well into his middle ages, with grey hair that sprinkled his brown beard and thinning hairline like salt. Though he was not seriously overweight, he certainly was "pleasantly plump." He was a famed archeologist, and certainly looked the part. He was wearing a brown, lightweight cotton dress shirt, and cargo pants. His grey eyes had become a bit weaker over the years, and so he now had to wear prescription glasses.
"Jacob, we're here." Zeke announced as he he looked over his shoulder at his assistant in the back seat. It was clear that the bumpy ride had not disturbed the young man that Zeke was trying to speak to, as he was currently fast asleep, still experiencing jetlag after the long plane ride halfway across the world. He was sitting upright, but his head hung limply, his chin resting near the top of his own chest.
Jacob was Zeke's young assistant. Though he was only eighteen years old, he already had experienced a fair amount of adventures. He had short, raven-black hair, as well as a bit of stubble on his face. This small amount of facial hair added a bit of maturity to his otherwise boyish face. He was skinny, but had a bit of muscle due to having to do much of the heavy lifting during his and Zeke's excursions.
"Jacob!" Zeke said again, this time a bit louder, "Wake up! I said we are here! I need you to help me carry our stuff."
"Hmm...?" Jacob mumbled in sleepy confusion as he opened his eyes, revealing blue irises.
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 10:12:20 GMT -6
Jeffory patted his hand on the side of the jeep. It wasn't too loud but should be enough to ruse the sleeping passenger.
Jeffory like the other people of his homeland had a tanned skin thank to the warm climate. He also was dressed in shorts, light shirt, and hiking sandals. The terran they lived on seemed to be like mother nature couldn't decide what it would be. For in some areas it can be thick trees like a jungle others are open, and some are rocky.
The guide petted his goatee as he waited on his guests to be ready to go.
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 10:17:37 GMT -6
Jacob's eyes opened up more as he became fully alert, now realizing what Zeke had just said.
"Oh, okay." he said quickly as he unbuckled himself and got out of the jeep, though drowsiness was still present in his voice. He walked to the back of the vehicle and opened the trunk. Inside where two backpacks, and a cooler. He grabbed his own backpack, though he struggled trying to lift it due to its weight.
"This village really is quite beautiful." Zeke commented to Jeffory as he also stepped out of the jeep. "It seems like the kind of place I would want to retire to some day."
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 10:26:13 GMT -6
Jeffory gave a slight chuckle. "I don't know. Where we live it's filled with challenges. I can definitely say never a dull moment."
With that he helps them out grabbing the cooler along with her own napsack that he slung over his shoulder. With a jerk of his head he leads them into the village. It was surrounded by a wall made from plant materials to keep wildlife out. They had no problems getting in thanks to Jeffory.
He then takes them through the main path till he stopped at a wooden hut with thatched roofing.
"Feel free to set your stuff anywhere you like inside. We had this hut prepared for your arrival. I just need to go park the jeep back and then I shall take you to my superior."
He sets down the cooler and turns heel back the way they came.
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 10:30:17 GMT -6
Zeke gave Jeffory a polite nod, then stepped inside the hut. Once Inside, he removed his backpack from his shoulders and sat it down on the ground.
Once Jake removed his own backpack, he walked over to one of two beds that were inside the hut and sat down.
"Do I really need to go with you to tour the village?" Jacob asked Zeke with a yawn. "I'd rather stay here and catch up on my sleep. You can tell me about everything tomorrow."
Zeke shook his head. "Sorry, but it's better for you to learn about this place from the villagers firsthand. I won't do it justice if I try to just summarize it to you later."
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 10:31:50 GMT -6
After a few minutes Jeffory was knocking at their door.
"It's me," he called from behind the closed door.
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 10:34:57 GMT -6
Zeke opened the door to let Jeffory in.
Reluctantly, Jacob stood up off the bed, knowing that there was no point in making himself comfortable when they were already about to head out again.
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 10:36:19 GMT -6
"If you are ready I shall show you around as well as bring you to Ms. Torel. She'll be helping you with where the dig sites will be."
Waving his hand he ushered them to come along and began the tour. The village wasn't very fancy but wasn't caveman either. Most of what they had were built by hand from the materials they had around them. But certain houses did have technology. Mostly within Ms Torel's department. Nobody was sure what her title was officially, some would see her as the chief, lord, or mayor of the village. Might as well just pick one and go with it.
But the people lived like a well oiled machine. Many doing recourse gathering. Others were in charge of livestock. Some would hunt or fish. Some worked at the dam which supplied their fresh drinking water.
"I hope the heat isn't too much. Sometimes it can get much hotter here," Jeffory said.
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 10:44:25 GMT -6
Zeke followed Jeffory, with Jacob right behind him.
"No, we are used to the heat." Zeke answered. "To be honest, my only concern is that when I was researching this village a few weeks ago in preparation for this trip, I discovered that theft has apparently been an issue around here. There frankly is not much information about this village to the outside world, so my research was limited and I couldn't sort out all the details. But is it true, that burglary is common here?"
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 10:47:02 GMT -6
"Unfortunately very so." Jeff scratched at the back of his head. "It's very often and the thing is nobody has caught even a glance of these thieves. Unusual though they're not stealing anything like money or jewelry. Instead it's our livestock. Cows and sheep. Our ranchers keep track of the amount all the time and then the next morning they find out the number has decreased with two or three missing. We alerted the authorities about this. They even tried to catch them by stakeout during the night. But the thieves got away all the same and the cops never fell asleep. It's as if they just vanish into thin air."
"They're not," said a voice.
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 10:50:45 GMT -6
Jacob and Zeke both jumped, startled to hear a voice behind them. They both instinctively turned to see who this newcomer could be.
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 10:52:38 GMT -6
Jeffery slapped a palm to his face. "Oh great."
Standing behind Zeke and Jake was another man. He was in his early thirties, dreadlock hair, and coffee eyes.
"It's the beasts. They are the ones stealing our animals from right under our noses. They only show at night and then they come to pilfer us. And the reason nobody knows is their powers."
"Knock it off Zeal," Jeffory said interrupting.
"You keep saying you don't believe," Zeal continued. "But I saw them. I saw them and they almost saw me. They leave their marks on our flesh."
"Alright that's enough. Come on Ms. Torel's office is just this way."
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Post by sleepwatcher on Apr 13, 2018 10:59:30 GMT -6
Zeke nodded and followed Jeffory. He had seen his fair share of rambling lunatics over the years, so he did not think much of what Zeal was saying.
But Jacob did not immediately follow them. Instead, he stood and stared at Zeal for just a moment longer. Looking at the side if the man's neck, his skin was scarred with two dots, with a fair amount of space between the two. Was this the mark on the flesh that he was talking about? It actually looked kind of like a bite mark; two puncture wounds caused by two large fangs. But what kind of animal would...?
"Jacob!" Zeke called, breaking Jacob out of his deep thoughts. Reluctantly, the boy tore his attention away from Zeal's "mark," and ran to catch up with Zeke and Jeffory.
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Post by softscales on Apr 13, 2018 11:01:50 GMT -6
"Don't mind him," Jeffory warned. "He's considered as the village idiot. I don't have a habit of labeling people in such ways. But he just keeps going on and on about the 'beasts' haunting our village. That they are pale as a lightless moon, and their eyes are as red as blood.
Here we are," Jeffory stops at hut. The biggest and best looking out of all within the village. He steps inside, pausing for a moment to scratch an old scab on his arm.
Jeffory takes them into a room that looked greatly like an office.
"Have a seat I'll fetch Ms. Torel."
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