The Quest of Millie Blackbeard

© 2013 by Tony Beck. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/04/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8127-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8128-6 (e)

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Contents

Dedication

An explanation to get you started.

The Quest Millie Blackbeard

Dedication

I wrote ‘The quest of Millie Blackbeard’ for my granddaughter, Millie Olds; it is dedicated to her. I believe she wanted a fairy story or something similar; the ‘Quest’ is what I came up with.

It is intended to be an apologue or fable, but it can be read as just a story; it will make no difference.

I had great fun writing it, so I hope you ‘the reader’ enjoy it too. More than that though, I hope that Millie gets pleasure from it. After all, it is for her.

AJB.

An explanation to get you started.

The Habitants—Inhabitants—in the place where Millie Blackbeard lives have their own way of speaking; this is apparent from the first page. It is not difficult to understand, it’s just a variation on our own modern English. As the story unfolds these differences become self explanatory and understandable. Also, some way into the tale, the spoken word reverts—more or less—to modern speech patterns, but to help you get into it I will explain a few words to get you going.

Time. Time reads as: Turn. IE. ‘It will be a long turn before I do that again.’

Turn: One Hour.

Smallturn: One day.

Fullturn: One Year.

Oneday: Monday.

Twoday: Tuesday.

Threeday: Wednesday, and so on.

Smallplace: Village or town.

The Black: Nighttime.

Prom Island. A huge plateau where Millie lives.

Smallplace 17. The village or township where Millie lives.

The rest of the differences you can work out for yourself.

Do be enjoy’n it.

AJB.

The Quest Millie Blackbeard

Millie did often be wonder’n about her name… Blackbeard, she never did be hear’n of a famly name such as that before; it was big differ’n. She did be think’n of it right now in fact. Blackbeard, she said out loud. Don’t you’s be think’n it be an oddish name, Grooder?

It was Sixday, so it was a non skoowl turn and they were free to do as they wished.

They were sitting in their favourite place on top of flowers hill; a biggood place where they could be seeing the whole valley down below. Auntie Baggly’s small homeplace dwelling could be seen big easy from where they were, and smallplace 17 was off in the distance. Folks who lived away from smallplaces were called outlanders; Millie and her aunty were outlanders.

Grooder 667 looked at her for a second or two before answering. His big round brown eyes looked thoughtful, and his little hairy trunk swayed in the light breeze that blew across the top of the hill. He was a Grooder, and a very handsome yanimal too. His fur was pink and soft, his ears were perky with a little flop at the ends, and his short stubby tail had a yellow tip to it. He was a smallsize Grooder, so he was only three hands tall; obviously he was taller when he stood on his hind legs, but he didn’t do this very often, because he would fall over, likely as not, and he didn’t like getting his fur dirty. He could be quite fussy could Grooder. He wasn’t one for treking a long way either; treking was too much like hard work.

I think it be a bigfull interest’n name Mil, he told her, his trunk curled up out of the way. He had to do this, otherwise his voice sounded mufflish. All names are big interest’n as far as I be concerned, because, as you be knowed, I don’t be have’n one of my own; I be just a number. He mentioned this small fact with a sad and very quiet voice before dropping his head just a smallbit. Then just as quickly, he looked back up and smiled. I would be loveful of you though, Millie, no matter what your name be. He bumped her with his hard little head to show he meaned it.

Millie stroked him and thought about what he’d said. As far as she knowed, all Grooders were called just that… Grooder, with a number. One of the other skoowlers owned a Grooder too, and it didn’t have a name either; he was 882. Do you be wishful of one, Grooder… a proper name I be mean’n… a name like us yumans be have’n? She wondered if it was letbe’d, then decided that it probably wasn’t; names be sacred, they did be come’n from the bigbook and there was no mention of names for Grooders in the bigbook, or any other kind of yaminal, be come’n to that.

I would Mil, but I don’t want to be get’n you into bigtrouble… trouble is bigbad.

We could be keep’n it secretful I suppose. Millie said, and patted his head absent mindedly. Someth’n that we could be use’n when we be loneful.

What would it a be’n do you think… if I did’be have’n my own name?

She thought for a minute. Graham. Graham Grooder of the Blackbeard clanish; how does that be soundful?

Grooder curled into a ball and began to make a whistling noise through his trunk; it was a high squealing sound that made Millie feel big sad.

She gathered Grooder into her arms and cuddled him. Don’t be cryful Grooder… please don’t be’d. She began to be cryful herself. If you don’t be like’n the name, we can be stay’n with Grooder; Graham don’t be such a biggood name anyway.

No Millie… I be love’n of it. I just be cryful because I’m be’n so bighappy. His whistling slowly faded. I must be’d the only Grooder in the land who be own’n his own name.

Oh Graham, you do be such a lovely bigfriend, I was biglucky to be a get’n you.

And I was lucky to be a get’n you, Mil. We were both biglucky weren’t we?

Grooders were scarce; hence to old saying, ‘Rarer than Grooder eggs.’ They lived a long time though, many times longer than yumans, so they ended up having many owners. Graham Grooder, as he thought of himself now, was on his forth owner… young Millie; and he was bigglad of his good fortune, Millie was a kind and considerate lass who treated him big fair like. She spoke to him like an equal… like he be another yuman.

Grooders were handed on in the big draw when their owners did be died. Every young’n under ten turns, who didn’t already own a Grooder had their names put into the local lottypot for the draw. Millie had won, so now he was hers.

If they were lucky, a yuman and a Grooder bonded, although it didn’t happen very often. Mostly, the Grooder just became a pet; something to amuse its owner. Even so, a yuman and a Grooder working together became smarter than either one on their own; so as a pair, folks considered them to be special. Grooders on their own were thought to be special, but no one really knew why.

A bonded unit though, rare as it was, was special. They would never, could never, let each other down, they became like one unit.

Grooder and Millie had bonded, and it was a relationship that would endure for all of Millies Life. It would never be challenged by anyone; not even if Millie became wedded when she was at fourteen fullturns or more. It had been many fullturns since a bonding had taken place, and never had a bonding been as strong as theirs… ever.

Graham Grooder stopped crying and thought about these things as he settled on her lap; for 667 it was the best place in the world to be. Before long he went to sleep, his mind slotted into Millie’s mind and he felt safe. He also had big work to do.

Millie wiped her eyes and felt Graham Grooder lock into her brain. It had been strange at first to feel him inside her head; but now… well, she liked it, it was a good feeling. She could sense the glow of his love and caring and she found it comforting.

She thought of Graham as being a he… a man yaminal, but she understood that he could well be a she yaminal. Grooders could… if they wanted… become either one… if the need arose. There wasn’t many Grooders around, so finding a lifemate for breed time was always a problem for them, especially as they were so separated.

Millie looked up at the sky and saw the green tinge behind the blue. It was a good day. Purply cream clouds drifted by on the breeze and the bright crimson sunnything warmed her. She loved the sunnyturn season, it was her favourite part of the fullturn.

She loved being out in the fresh air with her Grooder… Graham. It gave her a sense of freedom; although she knew that was all it was; a sense, an illusion. Nobody was really free on Prom Island.

One more fullturn after this, she though, I will have to finish with skoowling and become a dult. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea much; dults didn’t seem to have many laffturns. Mostly, she thought, dults were all saddeners and that was a shame thing.

She sighed; it was turn to go back. The black would be here in a soonish, and the black was a badthing and dangerful. She gave Graham a little push. Come on sleepy boy, we should be a go’n now.

Grooder was wide awake in an instant and fully alert. He knew he was safe with Millie, she was always watch’n of the light, but he was a smallbit idleful someturns, and he knowed a mistake in get’n homeways late would be big fatal. Backways then, is it? He jumped of her lap and looked at the sky. It will be a rain’n soon, my Millie. We should be go’n bigfast or we be wetted.

They trekked to their dwelling place, side by side, down the hill… two good friends together. Sometimes Millie carried him, sometimes he walked. This turn he walked.

It took them twenty mins to get back to auntie’s house; drops of sweet blue rain were just starting to fall as they got there.

Aunty Baggly was standing at the door, waiting for them; she wasn’t big happy. You be cut’n it too fine my girl. She waggled a firm finger a Millie. One of these smallturns you’ll be get’n it wrongful and the screamers will be have’n you, and then what would I be a do’n?

You must’n be worryish, aunt Baggly, you know’d Grooder wouldn’t be let’n me be in dangerful.

Ah, well that’s as may be, Baggly said, slightly soothed by Millie’s words, but you might be have’n a big tumble or someth’n like, and not be able to be get’n back afore the black sets in. And I be tell’n you… with all of his be’n skillish, Grooder can’t be carry’n you… not at all. She humphed out a big puff of air. Even if Grooder did be a full sizer he would be a struggle’n… but he don’t be. I be know’n he’s a goodun, but he do be only littlesize. She bent over and stroked him to show she meant no harm.

I be sorry aunty, I don’t be mean’n to be upset’n of you; I just be forget’n someturns.

Baggly kissed her cheek. You be all I be got’n child. What would I be do’n if’n I lost you?

Millie was silent for a while, she knowed her aunty loved her and it was big upsetting to see her so troubled. She vowed that she would try harder in future; she didn’t want to be caught in the black either.

They all went inside; it was time to eat their vitals.

Aunty Baggly, what do screamers be look’n like? The black and the screamers was something folk were constantly aware of.

I don’t be rightly know’n, nobody do be, not proper like. Baggly told her. Folks who do be seen’n screamers don’t never be live’n long to be talk’n about it. All we knowed for sure is the terrible big sound they be make’n when they is prowl’n, but I believes they be dark creatures with yellow fangs and bigsize orange eyes. That’s what I be told anyways. She gave Millie a hug. Now you be sit’n at the table and be eat’n your food; there’s a good lass.

They had cornstuff bread and fruit spreader, with papple juice to wash it down with. Grooder ate what his partner ate; he always did… that was the way it was with Grooders. He nestled by Millie’s feet and attended to his own dish, and while he dined, he listened to what was being said. Millie’s words were of the greatest importance to him.

Millie put a thick coat’n of spread on her bread and then cut it into bite sized pieces; this was how she liked it. Aunty Baggly, can I be ask’n you a question… about my prents?

Baggly was pouring water into the wash bowl from an ironwood bucket. She put the bucket down, but didn’t look directly at her niece. I don’t be think’n you be old enough to be talk’n of such matters… not yet.

I’m eleven fullturns and more, Millie said firmful. And I’m paired with Grooder; that must be make’n a bigthing difference… don’t you be think’n?

Baggly sighed. Yes, I spose it do be. You’re crect, being Groodered does be make’n a big differ’n. Very well Millie, we do have to be talk’n about it someturn, so I spose now be as good a turn as any’n. She wiped her hands on her apron and sat down. After taking a deep breath, she started.

Your mothy and fathy did be… scluded… as was my own biggood husbandman; your uncle Tomar Rubin. They was found to be retics by the landelders and they be sent away. She wiped a tear from eye with the back of her hand; it wasn’t a happy memory for her.

Your uncle Rubin did be a good husbandman; your prents did be good folk as well. Baggly held her mouth in a grim line. They would be for sure’n all, your mothy being my youngun sister and that.

What is a retic? Millie had never heard the word spoken before.

They be folks who be speak’n out against the words in the bigbook. Baggly’s voice had dropped to a whisper.

Who do be these… landelders who be send’n them away. Millie asked. She had forgotten her food now; she was completely focused on her aunty Baggly’s words.

Landelders be live’n in the big sityplace many stopovers away. Baggly sniffed and wiped more tears away. They be keep’n hold of the real and first bigbook and be make’n sure there is no mendments. Folks who do be try’n to make mendments are called retics, and like I be tell’n you… retics are scluded. And that my sweet girl, is why you be live’n with your aunty Baggly.

Millie felt Graham Grooder push against her leg. He was letting her know he was a caring for her. She reached down and touched his hard head; it comforted her. Aunty Baggly, where do folks be go’n when they be scluded?

Baggly shook her head slowly. Nobody knows. They were scorted southways by the runners is all that I be knowed. I heard say that they be’d travelled many stopovers before they did be finally scluded. I heared from one of the scorts that they were pushed through the big lockout and made to be climb’n down into otherworld.

What is otherworld, aunty? Millie’s eyes were wide with the telling of it.

Otherworld be anyplace that don’t be Prom Island. Baggly said, and sniffed sharply.

Millie understood that they lived in Prom Island; it was the place that Biggod had given to the bigbook keepers. And now she knew the real bigbook was kept by the landelders in the big sityplace. What she needed to do now was to think over the things aunty Baggly had told her. It was all very portant stuff.

Come child, Baggly said firmly. The black be almost here, so we must be pull’n the shutter’n in and be do’n lock up. She got to her feet. You be light’n the lantern youngun, and I be close’n up.

Two mins later, the small homeplace was safe and secure with its thick ironwood door and shutters locked up and bolted tight. When this was done Millie held the lantern high while aunty Baggly opened the stout trapdoor in the floor; then they all went down into the safeplace room.

Before Baggly closed up she lit a twelve turn burning stone with her firebox. Then, as she always did, she pulled the trapdoor down and pushed the ironwood bolts home. This done, they could rest in peace. The screamers might try, but they wouldn’t be able to get in; even with their sharp teeth and talons they couldn’t break through ironwood. This was what Baggly always said to herself every turn she closed the trap. Well, she reflected as an after thought, they’ve never got in yet, thank Biggod.

Millie and Grooder and Baggly lived some twenty mins from smallplace 17 and a good ten mins from the nearest other dwelling place. Folks said Baggly was a dafter for living so far out from smallplace, and her stubbyness was danger’n Millie and Grooder. She stood firm though. She told them, ‘If you hadn’t scluded my husbandman and Millie’s mothy and fathy, then we wouldn’t be in any danger’n at all.’ Baggly wouldn’t be pushed bouts by any folk, and specially those who be speak’n out agin her famly.

Every early blackturn before they went to bed, Baggly would do her chores. She would darn or knit or make clothing from cloth they had been given by the weavers from smallplace 17. Baggly was well able to make anything with a needle and thread; no sheman in Prom Island could out sew her.

Aunt Baggly and Millie had no coin earners to support them, so the elders of smallplace 17 made sure they were given goods and vitals out of the communipot. This meant that both of them had enough vitals and clothy things to keep them warm and fed, but no coinage. Millie was gifted her skoowl books and penthings from the skoowlpot; this was the way it was for any habitant with no coin earner.

Whilst Baggly darned, Millie sat silently, with Graham at her feet under the low table; she was trying to reach out to him with her mind. She thought she was getting better at it, but in truth, this was only because Graham had said she was. He had told her that one turn soon she would be able to talk to him without saying the words; he had splained this. She would be able to think at him and he would hear her, and 667… Graham, would be able to do the same with her. Graham had told her not to be worryful… he told her it would all be come’n soon enough.

Grooder had been in Millie’s mind ever since the turn she had won him in the lottypot; she just hadn’t known it. Then, slowly, over the two fullturns he had been with her, he had been working on her mind to make it more receptive towards him. She was big special; he had sensed it right off, so he worked continuously to do what he could. He’d been making smallthing nudges here, a littlesize pushes there; eventually he would get her to the right place and bring her to full potent; he knowed this. He also knowed they were almost there… she was almost at bigbreak. No yuman had ever made the bigbreak before, but he was sure Millie was going to do it… he could sense her mind voice just a fingertip away.

Grooder had knowed from the beginning that Millie was big different. He was even starting to believe that she would be the one… the saver of the yumans… and his Grooder clan. Her mind was pure… she never had any badthing ideas, and all the workings in her head were goodthing. After the first fullturn of their partnership, he had passed this news on to 882. 882 had, in turn, told other Grooders within voicing distance and so on. Now, the whole Grooder population on Prom Island waited to see how she would turn out.

Grooder 667 of the clannish—Graham’s crect title—was well respected by his fellow clanners. So if he said Millie be special… then special she be.

Millie’s eyes were closed tight and her brow was creased with all her effort. Can you be hear’n me Graham Grooder? She pushed the thought as hard as she could. And there… very faintly at first, she could hear Graham answer her… his mind voice entered her brain.

Yes my Millie, she heard him say, I can be hear’n you. It sounded very far away, but hearing him just a smallbit made her much bighappy. Rest now, he told her, his voice growing clear inside her head, it will be bigbetter and more easything next turn. Then, as she relaxed, she felt his kind mind move gently away from her.

She sat back and looked under the table; Graham was looking back at her and he was smiling… they had done it… they had made the bigbreak!

You be be’n bigquiet miss, Baggly said, what do you be think’n on?

Can I be talk’n to you bout someth’n that be on my mind please aunty?

Well of course you can be. I think we can be take’n it that you be bigsize enuff now to be talk’n mostful on what you be want’n. Baggly kept her head down and continued to sew away. You and Grooder be making bigthing forward moves I can be tell’n. I be hear’n you talk’n someturns and I knowed you’s be try’n some bigthing. I knowed that Grooder be a teach’n you big stuff, so really, you be older n’wiser than your actual fullturns; you are near to be’n big grown.

Millie smiled… she was glad that aunty Baggly could tell things be happen’n between her and Graham, it would help when she explained it all later.

How would you be feel’n if I be say’n I be want’n to seek out my fathy and mothy… would you be big vexed?

Baggly put her workings down and looked Millie right in the eye. All folks who get joined with Grooders be special; this is someth’n that be known. So that makes you be special as well; this is a truething. She stopped to think. If you did go a seek’n for your famly, it would be mean’n you would have to be leave’n Prom Island. If any yuman do be leave’n Prom Island they do be scluded by their own actions… it be a donething and there isn’t no back move letbe’d… you do be understand’n that don’t yous? And, she said extra. The elders get vexed if’n folks try to be do’n things they don’t be a say’n; they do be punish’n folk real bad if they catched them… real bad.

Millie nodded her head. Yes aunty. But I be feel’n that if my famly do be out there in otherworld, then I should be with them… even if it do be mean’n I will be secluded; be’n secluded wouldn’t be matter’n would it? We would be go’n anyway. Millie hadn’t thought it all through; be’n caught was