How to Avoid Death on a Daily Basis

Chapter 350: Mother Knows Best

Chapter 350: Mother Knows Best

I will need something from the person you wish to make the doll of, said Mrs Somya. Hair, semen, saliva, semen

You said semen twice, I said.

Whatevers easiest for you, she said.

I think you have the wrong idea about me. She had the wrong idea about a lot of things, so at least she was consistent.

As you please. She had a whittling knife in her hands, quickly and efficiently reducing a piece of driftwood to wood chips as she spoke. It would have been impressive even if she wasnt blind.

Once she had a rough clothes peg figure carved out, her fat calloused hands expertly covered it with bits of dried grass and various other natural fibres that happened to be lying around. Winding, weaving, tucking it was like watching RuPauls Drag Race in miniature.

How she was able to make something look so eerily similar in appearance to the person being turned into an effigy was bewildering. She only required a few words of description and she was able to produce a mini-marvel.

Blind people are known for having heightened senses to compensate for the lack of sight, its like a fucking superpower, apparently. But just as genius autistic people and schizophrenics with wonderfully diverse and interesting personalities, the reality isnt quite what the movies would have you believe.

There used to be a blind woman with a black labrador who went past my house on the way to and from the bus stop. She would routinely be led straight up the drive into my front garden and get trapped there until I went out and led her out. The last time I saw her, she went past looking a mess with the dog drenched and the fur on one side missing. Never saw her after that.

People are people. Most arent very good at what theyre doing. Sure, there are always going to be exceptional individuals who achieve more than anyone thought possible, but most will fit in the middle, their results mediocre at best. And beneath them, the ones who dont do well with disadvantages and are too resentful to try.

As a fully paid up member of that group, Id like to state that adversity does not transform you into a noble soul.

Youd think a fantasy world was where a square peg could fit into a round hole, thanks to the power of magic. Mrs Somya was something else. More than a savant, she was a square peg in a square hole such a thing was possible in a land where normal rules didnt apply. It all works out for some people, they find their purpose and it makes them happy despite the drawbacks they might face.

Hahaha, she cackled. Hes a pompous one, isnt he?

I hadnt described Captain Noles personality to her, but she had him down cold, in every respect. The doll looked just like him. Now I just needed a sample from him, preferably not a fluid.

Thats excellent. Thank you. Mrs Somya. If being British had taught me anything, it was how to suck up to old people.

Dont mention it, she said. I still expect the world to end and for you to be responsible. At least try to stay a moving target. It was good advice, backed up with a practical example. She threw the whittling knife at me.

Had I been prepared, I might have dodged. As is was, it hit me in the chest and it fucking hurt.

Ow. She stabbed me.

Captain Somya showed no reaction. Just Mum being Mum, as far as he was concerned.

Stop whining and heal yourself, said Mrs Somya, no sympathy for the recently impaled. I did as I was told. Some women are good at that sort of thing; common sense, I suppose youd call it. Most dont preface it with a knife in the chest. Unless youre from Dagenham.

She held out her hand for me to return the knife, and held it out in completely the wrong direction. She could hit a gnat at fifty paces, but couldnt shake hands if you were standing next to her. Maybe her true special ability was that she wasnt blind at all and a supremely accomplished bullshitter.

The ship looks in pretty good shape, I said to Captain Somya. He was looking out to sea with a serene look on his face. The recently risen Eternal Infinite bobbed about on the waves.

Fine, he said. I wasnt sure what that referred to. The thread my life was hanging by?

Why dont you take the men, yours and the ones from the other ship, back on board and prepare to depart?

He turned towards me, a mild look of curiosity forming across his undead features. They have allowed us to leave?

Not as such. Were still in negotiations. We may be forced to continue to negotiate while sailing away as fast as we can.

He nodded. We will be ready.

I liked him. He wasnt chatty. He wasnt trustworthy or friendly or alive, but he didnt flap his lips unnecessarily, which is a big plus in my book.

Im going to go to the shrine, and then Ill meet you on the ship when I finish. Might take a while, so dont go anywhere without me.

You have no cause for concern, we will stay unless you are killed. Mother will know.

Would she? How could she tell if I popped my clogs in a pocket universe in a shrine under the island? Why was I even bothering to ask? That was probably one of the least amazing things she could do.

I am going into a situation where Im outnumbered, outpowered, and where everyone seems to know more about whats going on than I do. I dont particularly fancy my chances to tell you the truth.

Captain Somya stared stoically out to sea and said nothing. What a man.

It wasnt like he had much choice in the matter but still, he handled it with style. Probably helped being numb from the brain down. Only a fool or a madman would willingly follow me into the maelstrom I was slowly descending into.

You keep your eyes off my boy, said Mrs Somya.

Madam, you are confused, I said, which was probably the gayest way I could have denied her insinuation.

Ready to go, Damicar?

Ready to go, Damicar? Mrs Somya echoed, bursting into a cacophony of laughter. She sighed, wiping a tear from her eye. Were all going to die, she added poignantly.

Ready, said Damicar.

We set off back to the shrine, stopping occasionally to pick some flowers, for reasons of herbology. I saw us as an unlikely but well-suited pair, like Han Solo and Chewbacca. I had no idea what I was doing and he didnt try to tell me how to do it better.

Isnt that what you want in a partner? Someone you could be around who didnt piss you off just by being there, and who could also make excellent sandwiches?

Damicar grinned and handed me an orchid hed picked. I was starting to see where Mrs Somyas confusion was coming from.

Richina was waiting for me at the shrine entrance. No one else was about, no islanders had stayed to guard this magical portal that everyone was so interested in. If Id left a nicely roasted human leg over the entrance, fuckers would be lined up with napkins tucked into their collars. If they had collars.

Youre alone, she said.

No, Im with Damicar. Bit rude of her to dismiss his presence.

Yes. Just the two of you, is it?

I realised she meant Biadet wasnt with us. I hadnt seen her since my trip to the Council. Was she still there? Had she snuck back? I had no idea. Of all the variables in play, she was the most unpredictable. And probably the most powerful. If they wanted to take care of the people making trouble, why not send her?

If youre worried about where Biadet is, you should be, I smiled. Richina smiled back. This was clearly the future of our relationship two smug wankers contesting the world championship.

Im not worried. She seems very nice.

Well, she doesnt eat people or force others to, so theres that in her favour. You dont challenge the reigning champion of smug wankery and go unopposed.

Richinas smile widened, which isnt endearing when theres nothing to smile about. Its kind of creepy.

I was maybe being a tad harsh on the girl. Whatever her role in all this, she was probably under the sway of some higher power. Not really her fault, she was just following orders. A perfectly reasonable defence, if you end up on the winning side.

I headed down the steps into the shrine. Richina and Damicar followed.

I wanted to ask you something, I said to Richina, about Godsbane.

The plant? She sounded like it was a stretch trying to recall.

Thats the one. I made a light so I could see where I was going. Where does it grow?

Oh, everywhere, she said. I mean, its not easy to find, theres no one particular place, and it only blooms for a few minutes a day.

And the Golden Wing? I asked. Does the bird live in the jungle, too?

Oh, it isnt a real bird, she said.

Not really a bird? Like how youre called Fire Bird but you arent a real bird?

Thats just a nickname my daddy gave me.

A ripple of emotion went through me, a reminder that Wesley was still there.

I was fishing without knowing what I was fishing for, but you have to remember I had become quite a good fisherman. Fish loved to prove they couldnt be caught by pulling on the end of my line.

He must have given it to you for a reason. I thought maybe because you have a habit of rising from the dead like a phoenix, but maybe that isnt the bird he had in mind. It doesnt matter, well be leaving soon.

Yes, Im looking forward to it, she said.

I stopped. No one said you were coming.

But Im part of the team. Arthur said.

Arthur doesnt get to choose who's on the team. He makes suggestions, thats all. Like the fat guy in a football match up in the stands shouting instructions at the players. Thats Arthur.

Her expression was that of someone who had no idea of what was being said to her. Some people have no culture.

Why did you have to mention his weight? she asked. A brilliant manoeuvre, going from the absurd to the absurdier.

If youd ever been to a football match in London, you wouldnt ask something so daft.

Perhaps one day youll take me, she said, thin smile, big eyes, claws out just out of sight, probably.

I doubt youll ever leave this place, said Biadet, stepping out of the shadows.

How long have you been here? I said, pretending she hadnt just made me jump out of my skin.

My whole life, it feels like. You took your time.

I had things to arrange. I dont suppose you know what a Golden Wing is.

Never heard of it, said Biadet. She set off ahead of us. I followed.

The crunchy path led us to the archway in the middle of a vast cavern, the same as last time. We paused.

You can all stay here, I said. Wont be long.

You should really consider me for the team, said Richina. I can be very useful.

I would not disagree, I said, and then I stabbed her.

The wooden sword was not a great stabbing weapon, but with a little infused energy, it slid into Richinas chest. There was no blood, of course, just some hissing steam. If I cut her open would I find normal human organs?

She was surprised, her eyes locking with mine for a moment, the enigmatic smile present as always, but the only sound from her lips was a small gasp before collapsing.

Was that on purpose? asked Damicar.

Yes. I did consider saying it with heavy sarcasm, but then I remembered that he was the last person to kill her, and not of his own volition. Dont worry, shell be back in a bit.

I dont advocate violence against women, but then I dont advocate violence against anyone. Sometimes it happens, though, and then it should be independent of gender, because feminism. Its not who you kill, its what you gain from the experience that counts (Gary Gygax, 2009).

We waited. The shrine was where Richina had appeared from last time shed been killed, and there didnt appear to be anywhere else for her to come from.

I didnt really see what use Richina could be to me with her currently known abilities. Reusable human shield isnt how most people would choose to employ their infinite number of lives, I would guess.

A few seconds later, she walked through the archway, looking exactly the same.

That wasnt very nice. I saved your life.

I wouldnt brag about it, I said. I save my life all the time, and no one ever shows any appreciation. Probably think itll only encourage me. I took another look at the arch. Your real body is in there, is it?

This is my real body, she said.

I dont know if youre lying or just stupid.

How many guesses do I get? asked Biadet.

Youre both being very rude. Richina pouted. I have a lot to offer. There are difficult times ahead.

And Ill need an immortal bag of flesh?

I can do other things.

Like what?

Im not allowed to say.

Then youre not allowed to go.

She pouted again. Ill have to ask my father. Then she pulled a funny face and collapsed.

Biadet was standing there, hands behind her back, face completely guilt-free.

Did you do that?

Biadet shrugged and elegantly swiped her foot to the side, sliding both bodies off the walkway we were on.

Dont worry, said Biadet, no one will notice two more down there.

It was too dark to see what was down there, and I wasnt going to make a light big enough to find out.

If you go in now, Biadet continued, you might catch her on the way out.

I wasnt really sure what I was looking for in regard to Richina, but Biadets idea was as good as any. If I could find her real body it might tell me something.

Okay, if she comes out before I do, send her back in. We had now all killed Richina once. Your turn, I said to Damicar. He seemed like he was about to object, but then relented and took out his meat cleaver. Good old Chewie.

Time to return to the void to deal with Arthur. Or at least attempt to grasp what he was after.

The thing about managing several factions at once was that as soon as you got a grip on one, the others took the chance to get the upper hand. You constantly had to play whac-a-mole.

Arthur had solved this issue in Gorgoth by creating a self-correcting system where each of the parties kept the others in check. The Council had used the exact same system to keep the four cities in check. Coincidence?

It could be that one party had seen what the other was up to and copied it. Or it could be the same person behind both. Hard to say. But both systems relied on keeping any interfering forces off the field of play.

What I did know, though, was that a system in balance is easily shifted off its axis. One Jenga brick can be enough to send the whole thing toppling. And if anyone knew how to play the brick around here, it was me.