Dronin’s Travels, Chapter 7—A New Commander

Written by Dronin Gammerson

I woke up with a very painful headache. I could smell the Bungle berry tea in the air.
He must be making tea for some customers I thought
“Hey, are you going to just keep me here forever or do you have a plan?” I said angrily to the opening to the other room.
“Ah you's awake!” He said, “Yes oi have decoided that you's going to be released.”
“Great!” I said gesturing to my bonds.
“And four your troubles oi will tell you about the People you's looking for” He said and sat down. Making no attempt at actually releasing me.
“They's tall with black hair one's named Nordic and the other's named Munel.”
He got up and cut my ropes, “Oi hope that helps you.”
“Thank you” I rubbed my wrists, “Although I don't forgive you for hitting me the second time. That was totally uncalled for.”
He shrugged his shoulders, “Oi didn't want you's makin' a racket.”
“You could have just waited until I did make a racket and then knocked me out.”
“Seemed simpler.”
“Hmph” I grunted, stood and walked out. I headed to the King's palace to tell him about what I had learned.
“Your name” said a guard
“Dronin Gammerson Battle commander number nine senior surface strategist” I said.
“Welcome back Dronin” the guard said as he opened the door.
I nodded and walked to the King's palace. When I opened the door I saw that the King was not in there. So I turned around and went to the command room. There was no one there either. I went back to the King's room and asked one of the King's servants where the King was.
“In Stonesburrow” He said pointing, “They possibly found poison.”
“Thanks” I said and jogged in that direction.
I found the King and the other commanders outside a house talking.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Ah Dronin” the King said, “Where have you been we were looking all over for you?”
“I was detained” I said
“Well anyway” The King said, “We might have found some poison, are you able to verify that?”
He held up a glass jar full of some liquid. I grabbed it, opened the lid and sniffed it. The sweet smelling odor gave it away
“That is not poison” I said handing him back the Jar.
“Oh” He said sadly. Then he shook himself, “Well better luck next time. We have found the replacement for Manden.”
“Great” I said, “I know the names of the murderers of Manden.”
“Really now” the King said, “And what are their names?”
“Nordic and Mundel”
“Well done” the King said, “We shall see if we can find them and put them in jail. Kilimor will you look after that?”
“Yes your highness” Kilimor said.
“Dronin” The King said, “Will you come with me, I would like you to meet your new partner.”
We walked to the King's palace where we found a man waiting there. He was not there when I was here to find the King.
“Dronin Meet Jaric” the King said, “Jaric this is the senior surface strategist Dronin.”
“What temperature is it above ground?” I said testing him.
“It isn't only one temperature it varies depending on when and where you are” He responded obviously expecting this.
“What makes it light on the surface?”
“A great big ball of fire called the sun.”
“He'll do” I said, “I'm sure there is still stuff he needs to know but I will do that when we are not taking the King's time.”
“Good” the King said, “I would like you to teach Jaric as much as you can.”
“Yes your highness” I said
We came to my house and before I could say anything Jaric said.
“That was the King!”
“Yes it was” I said not impressed, “ I see him every day, and so will you. Anyway we need to see what you know. How many cycles are there on the surface?”
“Two, day and night.”
“What lights the night?”
“The sun when it is horizontal to the surface.”
“No the moon lights the surface during the night. The sun lights it during the day. What you are talking about is the sunset or sunrise. That happens between day and night. What does the surface look like?”
“Many different things. It can have snow or trees or rocks or fields of grass.”
This went on for a long time. Me asking questions Jaric answering as best he could. Occasionally he would get it wrong and I would correct him but that was not often.
We kept going until a guard opened the door, “The King wants you Dronin”
We both got up to come with him, “No only Dronin” the guard said to Jaric.
So I came to the Command room as the last one there.
“Good we're all here. The guards have located the murderers” the King said.