arctic oasis

2021-01-19

We hadn’t ever explored beyond the ice fields because they were unnavigable by boat, and probably fatal by foot.

But then troido came by and said that he had managed to domesticate a couple of arctic water apes–a feat none of us knew was possible! So we piled into a couple of canoes. And troido returned with two water apes on leads. Huge apes, submerged in the frigid water up to their noses with just the tops of their heads showing, water beading off their oily black and white fur.

So we set off, and the apes pulled us forward, swimming strong and fast in a sort of butterfly stroke. When they crest the water like dolphins you could see the white stripes down their backs like badgers.

When we got to the first large bits of ice, the apes leapt out of the water and smashed the ice to pieces with their huge fists at the ends of their huge arms, clearing enough of a path for them to swim through, and through which we could follow in our small boats.

Soon we were already much further into the frozen ocean than anybody had ever traveled and lived to tell about it.

The apes stopped because we had found land. They couldn’t smash through or swim past earth, so they just floated there bobbing in the water.

We cautiously exited our canoes and stepped foot on the thawed earth. It was soft. There was grass growing. And up ahead atop a slight hill was a village that looked like it existed in a bubble of summer. Huge trees of dark black, purple, and red wood grew among and between a dozen or so modest buildings. Their branches mingled above creating a canopy of shiny metallic leaves that flashed in the sun like small knives. And strange glowing fruit hung like lanterns from the branches.

We ventured into the village and found it populated by small people dressed in thick cloth as opposed to our furs. They resisted all attempts we made to greet them and talk with them. In fact it seemed they were shunning us.

I opened the door to one of the buildings and went inside. There were three of the strangely dressed people working at a table. One of them seemed to be in charge, and regarded me coolly as I approached and said hello.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” they said. “You don’t look technologically advanced enough to have found us.”

“Oh,” I answered, self-conscious at my crude appearance. “We have technology! Just not this far into the ice lands. We just have a few outposts and camps here. Back in the city, we have great technology!”

The other continued to regard me. “Come back then,” they said, “when you can show me a short bow, and a clockwork, and …” and they rattled off a list of items.

I consented but, not wanting to leave empty handed, asked, “Can I at least take some samples from your magnificent trees before I leave? I’ve never seen such wood or leaves or fruit!”

They nodded, and I went out and found a deep purple tree with red veins and glowing yellow fruit. I pulled out a small wooden hand axe, and tried to chop a small wedge of the wood, but my dull axe blade cracked and crumbled when I stuck it against the tree.

I was suddenly embarrassed by how primitive and uncivilized I must look to the villagers here.