Ben - Chapter Forty

The chatter of hammer and steel was all too much to hear and bear. The under appreciated serenity of the trees surrounding was surely gone now, replaced with the clack of beaten wings. These would no doubt be made into valuable trinkets and sold on to travelling currency-pedgers. The modern banking system of the modern world, taking so much and giving so little.

Past this, a food stall stood erect and well-staffed, with some unfortunate withersneegs laid out head first, empty bottles falling around and sore heads emanating slurpy burps. Two remained, and slammed dancing leaves upon the table, goading for a debt that was to be handed over for a misunderstood victory. One larger would grab the shiv from the aggressive smaller one. The temper of a poodle springs to mind, and the smell continued.

A small gulley had been carved by a well paid elephant and it was this that proved to be the giver and taker of everything. It was a well known to good relief that the creatures living amongst this wreckage and vile water had accustomed themselves so much that they would bathe within and sip with impunity. Their variety in shape knew no bounds.

Ben, knowing that he had a fine pelt that would make a trapper very rich, fed oiled and content, was only too wary of the danger his beauty posed. This gloss of grey fur matted with history and rich beats would indeed attract even the most fashion conscious Arctic flea, and it was well passed among all who breathed (and those that did not) that these were the wealthiest with pockets as deep as caves.

It was for this reason that Ben covered himself and averted attention at all times. The ground-bees that guarded would let him pass without filter or hindrance, as was requested by the Universe. It would not be useful for her, this writer or others dear and reading should Ben fall into a vat and be turned into a bag of slippers fit for a wooded dictator, ousted or not!

Ben took a moment to himself, sitting away from the fray. Relieving himself, he remained hidden in plain sight and reached into his pocket to pull out some petrified beetle manure. He chewed on this slowly and thought of a large chess board and what his next move in this game was going to be.