The Seflouber Septor: A Search

By John R. Mabry | Jr. High

Author's Note: This story takes place not in our time, more around the time of King Arthur. But, in fact, not in our world, for as you will see, the animals talk (half of them anyway) and the countries are fictional.

I plead with you to enjoy this somewhat gothic tale of daring and cunning.

John Mabry, the author

CHAPTER ONE: THE HERO

"When are you to embark uon this expedition, Severin?," asked Leguameer of Eestnad.

"In the marrow," replied Severin.

"And who is to accompany you?"

"My friend and constant childhood companion, Grillfud of Simira!" Severin, for the first time in this meeting smiled contently.

"All right, I'll supply yourself and Grillfud with food and horses for--what? Gr-r-r-rillfud; the dog! A common MUTT?!!!!" shouted Legumeer, severly accenting the T.

"HE is NOT a mutt, OR a dog," Severin scramed, his hand on his sword hilt. "He is a hound!"

"A hoooouund," King Leguameer mocked. "It is hard to conceive of a common canine being given such a high title as a hound. Oh, he says he's of houdish sescent, but I've always regarded him as a liar!"

"A LIAR!!!!" there were tears in Severin's eyes, he shook with anger, he drew his sword and severed Leguameer's neck with it, another blow cut his head completely off. Severin sat, sweating fiercely.

***

"You should not have done it, it was unnecessary," Grillfud's voice cut through the darkness of the night.

"I am not shamed, still--"

"The townspeople are dancing in the streets, happiness is reflected in the air itself. However, you are an outlaw. Our journey was to retrieve the Seflouber Septer to bring justice to Estnad. Now you must flee to Alberdow, retrieve the septro, and return with it to prove your innocence."

"And you, Grillfud?," asked Severin.

"I, as planned, shall accompany you." The hound got up and walked towards the town. The boy cried with tears of relief and happiness rolling down his face. He stood and jogged off after Grillfud.

***

Joyfull singing filled the streetes:

"King Legumeer is dead,
Severin chopped 'is head,
Hail Severin! Hail Severin!
King Legumeer is dead!"

Severin crouched at Grillfud's haunches. "Salutations, Grillfud."

"And to you, dear Severin."

"Grillfud, how are we--"

"Shhh, I hear something," Grillfud's ears pricked upright. "Children, by the sound of the footsteps, and a hound, like myself."

"Let us hide, quickly, Grillfud."

"I disagree, Severin; they will do us no harm, but remain still."

The party grew closer and closer and closer, but still too far for Severin to hear.

"What are they saying, Grillfud?"

"They say nothing, not yet."

"Shh, they come. Grillfud, look, it's Balstar and Sherian, our friends from Leprownyan!"

"Severin," Grillfud's voice was no longer a whisper, "I feel it unwise to make our presence known, however, I suppose they are looking for us, let us greett them warmly."

"And that I certainly shall."

Grillfud barked and leaped above the bushes to where his friend, Limgul (also a hound), was standing. Severin, too, came out of hiding. "The seekers had found their prey" (a quote from Slabing, the Estemad Eagle). They were also quite surprised. Severin told briefly (moreso than I have done) what had happened.

"And now," Severin said to Sherian and her brother, "You will tell us your story."

CHAPTER TWO: SHERIAN'S STORY

"We started early Saturday morning ("6:30, sis." "Shut up Balstar.") We were out herding sheep when a Piturfanian warrior rode over the hill." [FOOTNOTE: Piturfia, a very cruel country, has many defectors, mostly warriors who gaurd the borders, when off duty will run into Simira or Enstnad, they are usuall news-carriers.]

"Egumeer is dead, the tyrant deceased. By the grace of Severin, rejoice!!!"

"Severin, huh-hoo?"

"Severin," said the warrior, "Son of Dalkner, descendant of Glesheer's original tribe, bless Severin, for he has killed the tyrant Legumeer. Can you keep a secret?"

"Oh, yessir!"

"Well, then, listen." Though no one was around--except sheep (non-talking sheep, of course)--he whispered, "Severin convinced Legumeer that he was traveling to Seflouber as spies to gather information, but instead Severin was planning to, with a large army waiting at a port in Lefbarg (all of this arranged by Severin's friend King Flabbing, who understood Severin's need ) to sail southward to Alberdor, and hike inland to Seflouber, conquer the Alberdowans, retrieve the Septor and bring it back to Estmad. With its Magical powers, Severin planned to overthrow the king and turn Estmad into a democracy."

("Yes, yes, we know all that"--Severin
"But the readers don't"--author)

But Severin got mad at Legumeer (more than everyone else is) and killed him; so now," said the warrior excitedly, "he, Severin, has to, using the same basic plan, retireve the septor and bring it back to clear his name."

"Wow, Severin, our friend Severin did that?" queeried Balstar.

"Of course it was Severin!" answered Sherian.

(Nips of "Legumeer is dead, Severin chopped his head," etc. were heard from the now-moving-on warrior.)

"I think we should join Severin, don't you agree Limgul?" The hound said, "Of course, I am anxious to see Grillfud on the otherhow, if he's with Severin."

"Oh, I'm sure hi is, Limgul," said Sherian.

"Then we leave tonight."

***

(Back at campt with Severin and Grillfud...)

"And that's it, Sev."

"Very good. Thank you for joining Grillfud and I," said Severin.

"Then we suggest..."

"That we get some sleep," said Grillfud AND Limgul (who thought very much alike), "We start tomorrow."

CHAPTER THREE: A BEGINNING AND AN ENDEING

"Walk, walk, walk, walk, all we ever do is walk. Sev, aren't we ever gonna rest?" Balstar's voice was hard. "Shut up, Balstar!" Shouted Sherian.

"Listen, little sister, you--"

"Be of silence, bickering will NOT get us to Seflouber, or even to the port, where w are to take a ship to Colestmad!"

"Grillfud is right," said Severin, upon returning from the look-out hill, from which you could see for kilometers around, "We must control ourselves."

Grillfud spoke, "And now friend, what hat you seen?"

"We haven't to worry about food, I have seen a carcass of a bull at the end of the hill."

"Supper, Severin?"

"Yes, I believe so, Balstar, a non-talking bul, for it has not tags, and is smaller."

Balstar spake, "Well, I never for a momnet took you for a cannibal. You--"

"Balstar, shut-UP! Now, Severin, how far to the seashore?"

"Well, Sherian, I would estimate the distance to be approximately 5-10 kilometers, therefore I should think that we will be there before dawn, or even before sunset, however our ship, the Desla Queenarie, isn't in port. Oh, well, not to worry, not to worry, it may be there in the marrow, so let us be of rightheartedness and be merry, as we trudge down the hill!"

"Why so happy, Severin?"

"Because, Grillfud, it is the BEGINNING of our journey.

***

"Whew! That was a long walk! Where is the bull, Sev?"

"Shut-up, Balstar."

Severin halted abruptly. "My dear Sherian," said he, "It would be greatly appreciated if you would refrain from shushing your brother. It's aggravating!"

"Yes!" --Limgul.

"It's irritating!" --Grillfud.

"I never get to say my lines!"--Balstar

"Besides, you're wasting paper space!"--Author

"Well, the nerve!! Oh, all right, I'm sorry Balstar, I'll try to stop."

A hungry smile broke out on Severin's face.

"Ahh!! Here we go," said he, "Wait!! This Beast's alive!!! And look it's trying to say something!"

"It must be a talking beast, but no tages, and it is small!," Grillfud said (to the beast this time). "I (dramatic pause) am Grillfud of Sinira! And this is Severin, Balstar and Sherian of Estmad! Who are you?"

"I am Tasklonson, son of Tasklon, of North New Flabbington. Severin, comrad, leader in our need. I have a message for you, the ship is gone... the Alberdonan wizard, he heard of plan, stopped ship. You are to contact..."

The name was never heard. Severin shed a tear; "the beginning of our journey, the end of a companion's life."

CHAPTER 4: CONTACT WHO?

The tevern's light was dim. The small party entered slowly, quitly. Sherian was struck down by exhaustion, Severin and Balstar carried her. Grillfud spoke for all of them, "We'll need food and shelter for a day or so."

"Righty Mate, who do ah get the gulpts [unite of money, equal to $5.00 or 2 pounds] fum'?"

Balstar reached into his pocket and brought out six gulpts. They then proceede to their rooms. Severin, Balstar and Grillfud took one room, which the dmsels, Sherian and Limgul, took the other.

***

"For the sake of..." said Severin.

"Severin, our leader, slayer of the tyrant Legumeer!" finished of the horse.

"Are you, in fact, the contact we are to meet?"

"I am."

"And you wouldn't mind playing a dumb sorse, and leting Sherian ride you?"

"Who is Sherian? A member of our group?"

"To be sure. Your name?"

The horse whinnied (laughed). "Of course, Pecknerhause, son of Esuahrenknep. Call me Peck. And shall gladly carry Sherian."

Severin slapped his side, "Welcome to our troop old man."

***

Concealed in the bushes, Severin and his band watched the busy seaport.There were a hundred ships, but none were the Delsa Queenarie. "Servants of Severin," whispered Balstar.

"Huh?" queried Severin.

"That, King Severin is what we shall call ourselves. Servants of Severin." Balstar smiled.

"Well, I don't know..."

"Well then, Sev., how about the 'New Knights of Estmad?" Balstar said again. "That's better, and--."

"But Balstar," Limgul interrupted, "We are not knights."

"Ahh--that can be fixed," Severin drew his sword. "Kneell before me Balstar. I place this sword on your right shoulder for courage, now your left for to warn off evil. The power of the sceptor, and by Estmad's law, I, Severin, King of Estmad's law, I, Severin, King of Estmad, order you to rise, SIR Balstar. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you!"

Severin spake unto Sherian, saying, "...Rise, LADY Sherian..." and "...Rise LADY Limbgul..." "and to you, rise SIR Pecknerhouse..." "Now, my friend, Grillfud," Said Severin in a kingly manner, "Lower thyself unto me, and thou shalt be knighted."

"Ah, but you forget friend Severin, I am not a subject of Estmad, or you, for I am a Simirian, a subject of good King Simia. But I will shake hands with you, Severin, a promise, with witnesses, of my total loyalty and friendship forever." They shook. They, the New Knights of Estmad had founbd theiir contact, too. He had something to tell them..."

CHAPTER 5: SAILING, SAILING or WHY IS SEVERIN SEASICK?

"Go south to Galper. In port will the be Delsa Queenerie, ungaurded, for the Alberdaowin wizard has better things to do than to gaurd a ship. There's a war going on , y'know!," said Peck.

Severin looked thoughtful, "Ah, yes, the war. How did you know all this?"

"W-w-weel, ah-a-ah, well a little bird told me, a, a, a, a, a sparrow! I swear!!!"

Severin knew: Recknerhause was a spy!

"He knows," thought Reck. He began to run.

"After him!" shouted Severin. Grillfud leaped up and raced of after Pecknerhause. The humans followed as closely as possible.

END OF MANUSCRIPT