Chapter 31: Ismi’s Fish of Doubt and Faith

Ismi lay on top of the fish, for a moment considering her life choices, thinking of all the actions that led to her being a caravamellier and thus being stuck underground, chased by animate snow sent by a snow-witch and slipping on a metal fish, presumably left behind by a talking twipstrider.

Deciding to carry on the family business seemed to be the main culprit. Ismi’s family, the Caralid family had been a caravan driving family from before the days that the Honey Factory and thus caravamels existed.

Lying on top of fish was not really part of what was expected in the job.

“Still, it could be worse couldn’t it? I mean we haven’t come across anything like the Firelord’s Cinders or something like that” Ismi muttered optimistically.

No ominous sounding music followed that statement, nor did any of the fiery tyrant’s forces which were terrorizing the south of Elcon appear. No, Ismi simply got up from off the fish and got to the tedious business of keeping watch.

Nothing at all happened.

After some time however, Ismi spotted something!

In the dirt, something was slithering!

It looked like an oversized worm, but its head was canine, completely furless and without any eyes!

It wasn’t larger than Ismi, she had no idea what it was, but she did know that she had a handy heavy metal fish before her. She swiftly picked the fish up and batted the worm away, the worm flew through the air and fell into the jade river, where it was quickly devoured.

It was after all, only a mere barkworm. Barkworms, while deadly to wooden beings, trees and furniture are known to have a bark far worse than their bite, in all seriousness, the bark of the barkworm is said to be one of the more annoying and infuriating sounds to hear, especially when it comes from the really nice wardrobe you got from a merchant who assured you the low price was just due to excess stock.

Ismi sighed and went back to her boring duty, keeping the metalfish on hand.

Not long after that, the sound of Grinnerel’s music cried out!

Ismi reacted on instinct and threw the metalfish, barely even looking at what she was throwing it at.