“Jhong-opaingakh ei-xhrejor pú xhluxo-yájhei qlús
jhasqewa-yòtya,” khnu-paje-xhmiîyeqhe khnu-yAlixhlìnye fhirmò-yajókh
twaô-yejikh jekhmìr-ejet qir sayonexhlothelónge kexh-ing.
“With respect, I did not know whether any ravens did smile,”
humbly chanted Alixhlìnye, who felt pleased, in fact, that she had slid into a
conversation.
#
“Qùlimm taê qhimàqraqai tú-xhli-xing,” pajè-pfheu
Turkhàka-xing Thèloi, “xhnoe fhaxè-yangil aî-qhokòkhti-xing pweî tei-xing. Paje-tàfhli’ ó jáxe qyikhes-òlkha’ ureîfha
qreqà-yejet fhoâ kei-xhni-xing. Xhnoet
khnáng-àxhnan xhmoe xhmifhifhi-yapònya xhamepa-yetyikh-aîntil qoe khmùthu pejor
xhthòrla kú teiqha-khlála-yùpwar xhmoe jhasqèwa-xing qakhqakhàpweqel.”
“You are lost, oh ballerina doll,” sang the Cobalt Duchess,
“and that’s a simple fact, oh small seedling.
‘Tis chanted that a raven smiles in general because it can laugh. But sometimes a laughter-loving raven’s
laughter is a thing that may inspire strong, tomemic heroes to grow pale in
horror.”
#
Qtí’ ur qoe’ Alixhlìnye khwéti ser ing khmarniyo-yulkha-yengut-ing-aîqhor
paje-khmefhèxhna kexh-ing xhyoatim-àlwos ei jáxe’ euxujóqì-yejikh thòkhmi pfhu
xing xhmir khufhekaxuxùrfhre kexh-ing.
Lweîpa khuin-ùlkha khmafhitur-èthya xhmanumàt-atser tsena xhnir fhènti
fhimetsu-yùpwarn sofhwes-ùtya supta-yùtya khyìmet si Tùrkhaka Xhrutim-èpyer
ófhir-èngpor kekexhe-yan-ing kus xoxákant pompèmpe khórt wtsaojhe-yaxúng-ùtya
kekexhe-xhrejor-ing Tùrkhaka Khotsáraîm-utakh xhmir ùsti-xing.
The gravity of this remark happened to trouble Alixhlìnye,
and she thought it hypothetically would be best that she introduce some subject
or other for the conversation. While she
was trying to snatch one, as if trying on clothing, the Aurantiaceous Duchess
began to take the cauldron of soup from the fire, and immediately set out to
work, as she tossed and jerked violently into the air all things in reach of
her, towards the Aqua Duchess and the baby.
#
Xhìntu qhèyetsa sir ínge tsongtu-yòntet lràpo. Ei xhlir fhtiî tanxho-yùtya xhnoe jètithu
xhnoe plàta xhnoe’ àmpal xhnoe pfháwi kus jáxe-yoîtal suka-yùlkha. Khnen-opaingana lyowèngqamat xhroe xhòkhra xhroa
Turkhaka-yònwo Prèlim xhmixhni-yatsèr-ajókh kekexhe-xhrejor-ing kei-yaiqhor
xhekhéfha fhwuyo-yoâqent pejor tlhèkhar kóm pfhìkhukhu ser qthowo-yèxhyeu’ ei
jhong-opainate’ ú wthaoyi-yájhei ku-xhrejor-eng xhlir xhmefhèxhri fheil
tnaruî-yaxúng ku-xhrejor-eng qwúwè-yepakh.
The fire tongs and the coal pokers came flying first. ‘Twere a squall of saucepans and pie tins and
dishes and basins and bowls that followed next, in general. The Cærulean Duchess did not, by accident,
notice the dishes, as they hit her, in fact, but the baby happened to be
howling already so much, that ‘twas possible that one did not know whether the
blows scathed both of them or the sockdolagers did not hurt the both of them.
#
“Ás paj-etoirxhentu-yories-òkhwo keis keis wthaijhelónge tú
tú-xing!” pèxhlulu khyéja’ Alixhlìnye kus pyotsotso-yoâqe pòyim párs
xhekà-yatser. “Khau-kaûtor akhan koe
qáwel xhroe tsanthènthe pfho fhéfha-xing!” tlhaôr jhkhèkhqa’ ei-xhrejor
kexh-ing lyekà-yatser sá-yàntar-ing sepurkh-usqrun-ing-àxhwa jhùkhnu xhroe
sèlet xhroa lraukh-àxhwa tsefheir-anyùng-ajókh kei-xhrejor-ing.
“Be it, oh, that you please pay attention to whatever you’re
doing!’ cried, saying Alixhlìnye, as she was jumping up and down in
terror. “Alas, humbly look out for the
baby’s precious eyestalk!” she shouted, saying, as a large spork of a size of
unusualness flew near the body part, as it was nearly carrying it away.
#
“Khapari-yalwos-àthnem xhmiqìt-atser khorna-junáso-yant,”
pajè-pló Tùrkhaka Prèlim kekoi xàmlim tlhìntril sae, “pá Pyìsya xhroe xing Qó
xhroa xing ólyu ker khloert-aônyas xhmarka-yètwekh qìr xhré.”
“If all the castes merely set out to conduct business in the
Emperor’s library in the proper fashion,” the Jacinth Duchess sang in a
melancholy voice, “the worlds of the Land of Story would, verily verily be
habitually orderly, in comparsion to the dreamlands that were.”
#
“Xhw-opaingateqha khréxhye téxa-yàxhmikh kúl?” Tlhiî kexhe-qi-xing qhátìm tlhir Alixhlìnye
tlhenújo paje-tiênamat oer-èxhyeu khmeuqhijhon-ùpwar teiqhà-pakam xhroe thi’
exhe-yan-ing. “Xhyeixhmoas xhloên
jhwùra’ íkh tìjhwa tijhwa-yùtya khwál-ùtya koaqing Wthirpàlqamern Táfha-xing
temlì-yaloi fheil fhùnkhuss se sòqro pòtyi?
Ákh-ufhang-ùjhwu ker tìjhwa tìjhwa ker kònxhien koaqing Wthirpàlqa
qharnì-yufhamm Tnìngelis pfhu xhnoike paje-penxhì-yaxúng fhoyeqti-yòtya
fhyekhtu-yapònya Khòltoto Khwalì-yofhiet Xaxhla-yèxhyeu pú-sa …”
“Would such truly be beneficient?” Alixhlìnye, who was glad and saying, was
happy to have the opportunity in order for her to demonstrate her knowledge a
little. “How does proper caste business
after proper caste business touch some of the billion, billion realms of my
Father’s Covanent, whether daytime or nighttime? There are a zenzizenizizenzic souls in his
Empire, ruled by the Synod of Lords, and I, in fact, do not consider the
creatures that may dwell beyond the Great Wall of the South …”
#
“Qtorenga-yeîtlho,” paje-paiqelónge Turkhàka-xing Thèloi,
“Toxhwa-yáxeus khyi’ Ifhrúripen kepu-yan-eng lwii-yèxhyeu Pteixhàthwufha
kekhrin-an!”
“Concerning Heretics,” sang the Blue Duchess, “Would that we
disembowel the Children of Ifhrúri, she and I, so that we may dearly feed the
Windspirit Rainbow Serpents!”
#
Qtau-yènxhur qroîkaka Tùrkhaka Pelyu-yètyikh Alixhlìnye qoe
twìtwim ei-xhrejor keis keis jhpùqte kekexhe-xhli-xing sanínxho-yèpyer khnóri
qhoqhulele-yoâqent fhweû Turkhàka-yant Fhyanthim-aîqhor p-opaingana qhìthnaing
xhroe yaxúng xhnípe xhroa yepyer kho paje-fhaplinamat-ojhwan-ùngpu kekexh-ing,
Alixhlìnye, rather anxious, began to glance upon the Aurantiaceous
Duchess, in order that the maiden see whatever the other happened to do, but
the Orange Duchess was busy, stirring the soup on purpose, and seemed not to be
listening, so the Duchess continued saying again,
#
“Ól khréxhye xhajhya-khnìnthiel kóm qir Xhèra’
Ikhi-yùlkha-xing ú-qi? Áraqelínge
xhmuju’ ó qayáparum pejor tnór kúl-an.
P-opaingaja tlhotlho pejor Tnór Pwéro korpa-yònyii. Qir tnònga tlhése xhroe’ aqhus lríse’ aqhus
jíse’ aqhus lwísa’ aqhus pixhísa’ aqhus tlhexhíse’ aqhus thexhísa … Fheil tnórxha
sòrt qir tnònga lwitlhésa xhnoipe jutlhésa xhnoe jithésa xhnoipe lwithésa xhnoe
lwothexhísa xhnoipe xhilwixhísa …”
“Does it come to pass that one has so many souls in the Land
of Story? One would think that such must
be created in terms of prime numbers.
All things intentionally seem to be in the context of Cælestial Prime
Numbers, ‘tis inferred. For instance,
two and three and five and seven and eleven and thirteen and seventeen … Or
Royal Twin Prime Numbers, such as twenty nine and thirty one, and seventy one
and seventy three, and one hundred and ninety seven and one hundred and ninety
nine …”
#
“Xhrana-toirxhèntu’ ulta jit-e-sa khnón-utya!” paje-khníjur
Turkhàka-xing Thèloi. “Khlunàtemal
qìfhis ó-xing poa!” Ei pfhu’ éjàr-atser
kho qìr té thyiim-epleis-ùngpu tsena-jinga-khón-òtya kekexhing kus jáxe
khlípeqhè-yejikh titìlpi pfhu kus qeqèqte thìqyut kei-xhrejor-ing pejor lràpra
xhéyefhù-yaloi khlien-ulkha-xùxhwi.
“Who cares! Don’t
bother dear me at all, in fact,” sang the Jacinth Duchess. “Perhaps I, for one, was never
number-fain!” Saying that, next she
began caressing their child again, as she sung some hushabie or other, and, as
she stroked and shaked it violently at the end of every verse.
#
Khosyaràsqa:
Tsàri xhlaûpamet
khrúje tepu
Khnata xhmir qhokòkhti
qlùtim!
Ás wtsarlkhèntu
kei-xhrejor-ing
Keis wthitlhàngamett
tú-xing!
Wthae-yàxhwa jhyòpi
swenxhi-yòlkha
Kei
tneingpentu-yèxhyeu xexhliin-èxhyeu.
Khosyaràsqa:
Let’s sing and be
rough
To our little
seedling!
Be it that you thrash
it,
When it sneezes!
As for the little one,
it only sneezes
To vex and annoy!
#
Xhwó-xing ku-yuqei-sas qhùnima paîyafha xhroe
Pereluyasqa-yòntet Qhokòkhti-xing.
The Quire, among whom Pereluyàsqa and the Seedling jointly
sung.
#
Lwa! Lwa!
Lwa’ ei!
Lwa! Lwa!
Lwa!
#
Pereluyàsqa:
Ptauqti-yakhlaut-òqyus
khnón
Xhnoe senui-fhoreîka
qiqweyóti.
Khwèjha khlàwa
xhmenu-yèxhyeu tei-xing.
Xhí tnút ptauqti-yòtya
sarte-yèxhyeu tei-sur.
Paje-fhepfhi-yétyai
Pejor fhrìle kóm!
Paje-khmiqhor-étyai
Pejor xhlir qhóyi!
Paje-qhoqhulele-yétyai
Qir pùltoqe pejor
ptùrka kóm!
Pereluyàsqa:
I say that nothing
resembles pepper,
And pepper resembles
nothing.
That’s not yet half
enough.
That’s not 0.83% of
pepper enough.
Boil
it
So
easily!
Churn
it
With
machine oil!
Stir it in vigorously
stirred water
With sneezes thus!
#
Taê’ íng! Taê’ éng!
Taê’ áng!
Khuîn janya xhmir
Tùrkhaka!
Fhát
Jhasqewa-yaswaôr-ing!
Tlhètor tsena xhmir
Qhokòkhti!
One! Two!
Three!
One for the two
Duchesses!
Two for the Raven!
Three for the
Seedling!
#
Tuntan-oîtal khwingtern-òjhwa khnewa-qáwel-òtya-xing
pfhìkhukhu Turkhàka-yant Pèlyu.
Then the Orange Duchess poked the feathers of the baby’s
eyestalk.
#
Pejor sèkhai khwersa-yùtya jhwei-yaswaôr-ing Turkhàka-xing Sakóniqhe
pompempe-yòjhwant fhéfha-yùpwar xhwars-exhyeu-yòntet xhwòyan xhlir khlojúfha
ser kekexhe-yan-ing-aiqhor fhwuyo-yoâqen kóm jhoîxei qyóyot
jhefhíjur-exhyeu-yèfhto khyása-yùtya’ Alixhlìnye.
While the Indathrene Duchess sang of the verses that the
dirge or lullaby had, she kept tossing the baby up and down with violence, and
the unfortunate little thing so ululated that Alixhlìnye could barely hear of
the words.
#
Jhùrsa kanit-áxeus
tepu
Poel
qhokokhti-yaswaôr-ing!
Tupi-yáxeus khyi
kei-xhrejor
Ker
swenxhi-yaôngi-xing tepu’
Engeût-ejet ptaûqti
kei-yan-ing
Pejor xhmúrl únitem
kei-tlhix-ing.
Let’s be severe and
sing,
To our seedling!
Would that we thrash
it,
The sneezer,
Because it enjoys
pepper,
As it yearns uselessly
to smile.
#
Xhwóxing:
Fhwa! Fhwa!
Fhwa’ ei!
Quire:
Fhwa! Fhwa!
Fhwa!
#
“Qlantalta-yeqras-ìnwi’ elel ùsti pae xing qir oâqe qrètlho
xhroe’ aî-tlhesteîkh-ing tú-xing-inwi khnereri-yàlwos tú-xing,” pajè-qritu
Turkhaka-yàxhwa Khotsáraim Alixhlinye-yàswaor qyikhei-yeîlwai pfhìkhukhu xhroe
kexhe-xhmi-xing qléyayai-yeîlwai, “thìtyu jis kei-xhrejor-ing qir khreûqamern
kekhrin-an.
“Ah! You may be the
nursemaid to the baby for a brief time, white armed maiden, if you like,” sang
the Blue Duchess to Alixhlìnye, flinging the baby to her and speaking, “before
she and I dearly cook it in the soup.”
#
Xhmaîntii tlhir xhàmim pú-tlhi’ àkhte xekhya-lwákhe
lwé-yèxhyeu Xhwongeîthe xhroe Fhwaja-yuqei-xing-ènwe Jhwutha-yòlkha
Xhmaungefhwaja-yènwe tepu-xeng.”
My Sister and I are overjoyed to leave and mummify ourselves
in order to play Diamond Ball with the Speaker of Cytoplasm, the Suzerain of
Blood.”
#
Kàyaqha pfhìkhukhu staû-yepakh xhlir Alixhlìnye’ amlenii-yejet-ing-òjhwo
qhìxhlis xhroe kheîlyaim pfhu’ árnaxa-yòjhwo kìpu wthingayoi-yòlkha
qerntre-yèxhyeu kei-xhli-xing.
“Plá-yèthya-xing peint!” paje-tòngta’ Alixhlìnye.
Alixhlìnye accidentally caught the baby with difficulty,
because it happened to be a small creature of a strange shape, and it held
outwards its tentacles spread out in all directions. “Just like a seastar itself,” thought
Alixhlìnye.
#
Eiqhor-lreqhíkhqeun xhmèfhteqhe Turkhaka-yùpwar Thèloi kus jhkhelqa-yoâqe
takoseu-yòlkha’ Alixhlinye-yoâfhe.
And the Jacinth Duchess rose upwards, drawing her tentacles
around Alixhlìnye.
#
Thàrlenge quja tanxho-yupwar-òntet tsothwenthe-yòntet
fhórn-ùpwar kexhe-yoaka-xing Turkhàka-yant Fhyànthim
khmexusya-yupwar-athnem-ìnwi quja xhyémonthis-òntet pèqyung Soîma
kekexhe-xhli-xing.
On the one hand the Orange Duchess thew a skillet, some
chopsticks, and a stove after her, but, on the other hand, the Duchess merely
missed the elegant callinymph and her twin Sister.
#
“Pajexhàfhepel … xhàfhepel túxeng xhwaeyàmpeis fhéfhayùpwar
túyaneng jhúxe?” khwòkul khyéja’ Alixhlìnye.
“You didn’t … you didn’t both say you were going to cook the
baby, did you?” asked, saying Alixhlìnye.
#
Xhnípe tlharlaqamet-òlkha tsena-stém-èthya xhlir
thontim-ixorng-iîlii’ ùyo tungejheqhè-yatser kei-xhrejor-ing-ojhwo Steqírenat
susunetse-yojhwa-yeîlwai pein-e-xhrejor-ing fhletafhoralta-yèthya
xekhya-khlaojhyantu-yinxhna-yungpu-yeîlwai kóm ker sùnkhun khyoingaotha-yexhyeu-yoâqe
qir oâqe tèkhta xhroe trí fhèmpoka fheil fhyiîr pfhu kexhe-xhli-xing qoe
khlàfhetu kei-xhrejor-ing kexh-ing.
The mimsy and poor little thing happened to be huff-puffing
like a steam engine, when the Cælestial Princess caught it, and it kept folding
itself, as one folds rice paper, and it altogether was so jostling itself
again, being straight, that she was struggling for the first minute or two in
order to grasp it.
#
Qhìnkhikh Peltaîrenu Turkhàka-yan Xhrùtim jhwetlhim-èxhyeu’
ikaqoima-yòlkha kexhe-yoafhe-xing kekexh-ing.
Ujaxhmi-yìnthei paje-tsìlre’ Alixhlìnye jhkhathwot-ìnwi jùtlhutlha xhroe
xhnoipe tqikei-yìnwi’ khnewa pejor ejéxas kexh-ing.
The Orange Duchess set out and came to the Princess in order
to wrap up tendrils around her. Soon
Alixhlìnye found, learning that she was both hugging the little one and
enmeshed in her tendrils.
#
“Wthinájha tuxhwapfhìtlhetso tuxhwapfhìtlhetso teir,”
paje-fhèpyuliin Turkhàka-xeng xhwàqhunoi sànto sae. “Pereluyàsqa’ aqhus Khosyaràsqa kepu-xeng per
Sùthnu Tùrkhaka. Khmu-qhiqhíthnaing
paje-tafhli-yoâkhwent pó-xhmi Toîjo-xing Sórl xhnefhoaxeî-yaxúng ei
kekhrin-etyikh ól fhéfha-yàntong.
Khmixháka-yìnwi kepu-xhni-xeng xhnoipe qhimaqraqai-yìnwi kekhrat pejor
aikhtèrnem aikhtèrnem khyáya tú-xhni-xing khyáxe?”
“What a lovely haired doll you dearly are,” spake both
Duchesses with the same voice. “We twain
are Pereluyàsqa and Khosyaràsqa, the dual Duchesses. Our Husband and Lord informed us, always
telling us siblings that ‘twas impossible that a child of our own be born of
us. Wouldn’t you love to stay with us
and be our ballerina doll forevermore?”
#
Qir xhnoâ-yajókh kú-xhrejor-eng tùwu’ qluî’ ei-xhrejor Alixhlìnye
p-opaingajheqhe xhnípe-yejikh-ìngpen khlaûte xhroe pejor fharàlwana-yòntet
thukhro-yòntet jhàtis khangan-èmpai.
This close to both of them, in fact, Alixhlìnye found,
understanding that both of them seemed to be entirely composed of petals off of
flowers and clockwork machines and the most graceful of jewels.
#
Ke se sas fhàxi lyìlai’ eûfhunt pfhu kexhe-yan-ing qoe
fhìpfhu xhmena-yèjikh-ing kexh-ing-aiqhor oer-èxhyeu kúl wtsailrù-yan-ing
fhóyeîya-yétyai xhwárs fhéfha-yùpwar tsena pejor xhnèwei’ uthexhlíxei xhroe
kexhe-yan-ing xhnoe qìr té jhkhanunu-yétyai qhùthyim khnewa-staqha-yupwar-òntet
jhojhafhayoîltis khròlqu pfho kexhe-yan-ing simfhelónge-yèxhyeu
fhóyar-òlkha-xing kexhe-yan-ing ei qìr ké kus khnirlì-yan-ing Tùrkhaka
Qlufhem-ùjhwa xekhyà-twuqhuim.
As soon as she discovered the proper manner of behaving as a
nursemaid, and, in order to do such, she had to twist up the baby into an
arabesque of vagueness, then she had to grasp, adhering tightly to its eyestalk
and its rolling sphere-legs, in order to prevent the undoing thing, finally,
‘twas, that the damsel wrenched herself away from the Qlùfhem Duchesses.
#
“Tlhielkhurqtie-yènye … qhèsqa … qhesqa-yèthya-xing qir tíngapi’ ó poa,”
paje-fhrìmeqhe’ Alixhlinye-yìnwi’ akhasyil-ojhwa-yeîlwai’ usti-yòtya-xing
xekhya-khmofhur-oaqe-yeîlwai wthingayoi-yèkhmo Turkhakà-yejikh. “Xhnoet … xhnoet qir pé-yáxung thìfhyeye!”
“Perhaps … perhaps I may visit socially as a guest … a
guest-friend, in days to come,” chanted Alixhlìnye, continuously clutching the
baby and thrusting herself away from the tendrils of the Duchesses. “But … but not at this precise time!”
#
Taê pyèthu pú-xhrejor xá fhèrntol pú-tlhi s-opaingate
khyèxhle khyèxhle xhroe!” Qòtwi qòtwi
Tùrkhaka si kexh-ing kus xhnefhíjur khyitsekhwu-yoapa-yòntett tèmal
eiqhor-íkhil-ing tsena xhrir xhwoê
xekhya-fhúyetsa-yìnthei.
“Oh my braids! Oh the
ballet slippers that I wear! How late
‘tis becoming!” She kept stumbling away
from the Duchesses, as she crashed against chrysalis cocoons and mummies, but
soon she tore herself out of the hexagonal kitchen.
#
Koaqing kènxha koaqing tsotsòxhwi koaqing jhpèxema télola sweû sae
kexh-ing. Lràpa jhyanáwi-yùtya
kholpufhàng-aloi xhele-khmepefhri-yàtser-ing pfhikhukhu-yòlkha qir khmaê xhìmla
xhroe paje-xhyakhìkhra kexh-ing utakhi-yoâqent fharne-yùpwar xatlha-xàfhar-an.
She ran and ran and ran through the bejeweled castle. When she, carrying the baby into the air of
summer, began to reach the deck of the sky ship, she saw that several warships
were headed in one direction.
#
Koaqing fhèqha jhárs fhelqa-yèmlen-ing kexhing
paje-sixe-thoqelínge, “Thuselónge’ ei-xhrejor pú’ oaxhnir-ampeit-ìthni per
jhkhaûtu khluròt-utakh xàqni xhroe toa khmènxhi xhroa’ ó-yant poa.
Running down the gangplank, she told herself, “I think,
perhaps, I shall make a journey, departing in the opposite direction from that
sort of folk,
#
Eiqhòr-lrapor xiêma tyoe pengà-yengat pú-yuqei pú-yant,”
paje-pènxho’ Alixhlìnye, “tqorakh-ìthni kei-xhrejor-ing qir tyájhapi khuînt
fheil wthú kú-xeng. Tqetqètqar qlaêkh
ei-xing khyáxe khlètu xhmerer-àlwos kei-xhrejor-ing ú?”
Anyway, unless I take this child away with me,” thought
Alixhlìnye, “the twain will surely kill it in a day or two to come. Wouldn’t it be murder, if one leaves and
leaves it behind?”
#
Xhafhepel-uîqa xhyákh-àxhmikh ò-xhni pfhu kexhe-xing-uiqa
xhiqtákem tsena xhlir jhoîxei pejor thyòqamat khakhqexhàng-ejet pé-yatser
jhèlto kei-xhni-xing. “Xhrana-xhiqtákem
khnón-utya tú!” paje-tàfhli’ Alixhlìnye.
“Jeîqha xhmùqut kúl-ing keixhloas khwilifhufhu-yàqluir ó.”
After saying the last words aloud, the small thing happened
to make a tick tock sound as it replied, because it had ceased sneezing by this time. “Do not tick tock at all!” chanted
Alixhlìnye. “Such is an improper way by
which one ought to express things.”
#
Xhiqtákem-ùngpu’ utsi-yupwar-aîqhor qtaû khyi fhtelánim
khnewa-qáwel-òtya-xing kexh-ing qoe fhàxi qèkhet ei-xhrejor keis keis khnàple
kei-yeitlho-xing kexh-ing.
Khnen-opaingate xhyújòr-ejikh ei-xhrejor Alixhlìnye fhtìrtrekoi
tniiltenthe-yòjhwo keis pfhupa-yènxhur xixhlu-yùtya fhtìrtrekoi xhókh-ètwekh Ptanùs-ejikh
ker Ól tsena xhmir fhéfha.
The little one tick tocked again, and she, very anxious,
gazed upon its eyestalk in order to discover, to see whatever was the problem
concerning it. Axhlìnye did not doubt
that the baby had upside down celia indeed, which more resembled wheels than
actual celia of a Real Person.
#
Xhnoet s-opaingana’ ál-òlkha khmúyi pfho xhmir Qlùfhimm
tneûfhta qaîkhor. Lwasq-opaingate khàqet
xhroe khmàku xhroa’ Alixhlinye-yonwo-yìxhna.
Also, the cyclopean eye seemed to be small and extreme for a
Qlùfhem. Alixhlìnye, by accidently,
altogether misloved the appearance of the thing.
#
“Eiqhor-jhyopi-yènye fhrís-ùpwar ei-xhli-xing,” pajè-thothoas éxho-xing kus
khleûkh kekoi staqha-yòtya-xing qoe paje-tlhotlhònwa kexh-ing
tapimi-yájheî-yufhang.
“But perhaps ‘twas merely drooling,” she thought, as she
looked into its mouth-trunk in order to inquire as to whether there were any
saliva.
#
Khnól xhmoe pròtha tsena kekoaqing stàqha. “Tú-yalwos-ing qlókh-exhyeû-xing
xekhya-xhnejheixínger-àmpeis aîlyaêrsing,” paje-jhyèlta’ Alixhlìnye xhrìsu,
“sqopupu-yàmpeit khleit pejor xhyiirptu-yòntet jofhte-yòntett
takhtekhtíngtèngqor pú-yan! Qí xhiqtákem
talri-yétyai!”
There was no spittle in its mouth-trunk indeed. “If you intend to transform yourself into a
pocket watch, dearheart,” chanted Alixhlìnye, being serious, “I shall avoid
dear you, in terms of pendula and spindles and mainsprings! Now tick tock far away!”
#
Pejor jaîpa tiikhiikhii-yùngpu fheil xhiqtákem-ùngpu jhoîxei ser akhtan-ing
qthowo-yejèt-axúng ei jáxe janò-yejikh ó xhnoe kho qwó qlaikhtonthè-yaloi qir
fhìtqi thijúxeî-yatser kú-xeng.
The unfortunate, small thing happened to giggle again with
schadenfroh giggles, or tick tock again, for ‘twas impossible for one to know,
and so the two of them proceeded into the forest galaxy for a time in silence.
#
Khwunaqhi-yoâqe xhnir Alixhlìnye sixè-khmenein ei-xhrejor,
“Khmaô qháxhnù-yories xhyeipejos xhyeipejos pejor fhoyeqti-yèngat-ing pú-yonyii
xertsilúqhì-yatser kei-xhni-xing?” ke-qoas xhiqtákem-upwar-ùngqu pejor qwùjaja
kóm kei-xing qoe jhárs lyánaûmat khnewa-qáwel-òtya-xing xhlir qyéje
pyàkhtanga. Pé-yatser pfhasw-opaingate’
ei-yeitlho-xing fhoâ ú-xhni-sur pejor tsìfhli xhmoe kúl-ùlkha fheil jhyòpi
xhmoe kúl-ùlkha kei-sur-ing xhnoe xhùxhni-xing khèstui xhnújasùtya xhmìnyi
jòrfhe lwéfha poyim-ùtya kexhe-yufhar-ing kóm-èpyer paje-xhyuxhìnene kexh-ing
jèmpikh ei’ íroa fhtáyelónge kei-xhrejor-ing kexh-ing.
Alixhlìnye was beginning to think unto herself, “Now,
whatever shall I do with regards to this creature, when I return home with it? when it began to tick ctock so staccatissimo
that she gazed down upon its eyestalk in alarum. This time one could not make a mistake about
it, as it was neither less than nor greater than a gurgling gallimaury of
clockwork parts, crawling and creeping upwards upon her, she felt that ‘twould
be absurd for her to carry the baby further.
#
Kho’ éngi jhpèyeir amlenii-yupwar-àxhwa kexhe-yan-ing japwerthna-yeîlwai qlárs
xhmàxa-xing khlerlpu-yèthya lwéfha-yoaqe-yeîlwai tlhamfhamat-oakhwe-yeîlwai
xhnoike paje-tòngta kexh-ing xhnípe thatiikh-ejikh-èmpai khwóm-ing
paje-twímeqhè-yatser kei-xing qiqìtqe lràpor jhaûrptuma xhekit-ùtya xhnir
xhrìtsu.
So she set the small creature down, and it sprang upwards
like an arachnocrab thing, as ‘twas creeping and snapping, she felt that she
was very much relieved of duties, as she began to see it, gallumphing away, too
quiet, among the crystal trees.
#
“Qéses-àlwos kei-xing,” exh-ing pón-aswaor pajè-fhlama,
“s-opaingate pexhmeîn-ejikh jhùjhyumet peûqhathoing kae xhnoet p-opaingate
khrajo-yùlkha khmaikàyiyot pfhu yenxhur paje-xhixhlelínge’ ó poa.”
“If it grew up,” she chanted to herself, “twould have become
a strange child, an elegant alien, however, it seems to be a rather handsome
grandfather clock, I may believe.”
#
Eiqhor-xànxhu koe Syatlhan-ojhwa-yànwa kus khón ùwasu tsapàm-afham kexhe kae
xing kus fhipfhu-yeqras-ìxhna xhiqtákem-ulkha-yaôngi’ ingoireî-yan
kexhe-xhnix-ing-aiqhor paje-xhutse-yàthnem pónt pae, “Xhnujáxo-yáxeus khyi
khméta-yùpwar jaûlte pfhu pú-yan qoe khmòlreqhe’ ur qoe’ fhtanar-Ákhim Khwìnton
tsafhra-yèxhyeu pú-yetwur,” xhnípè-yatser fhoplulù-yejikh xhlir wtsaîlru kus
oirqùrser Pikhótsa Jhàsqewa xhroe kekoaqing thét khwafhye-yaîtlho-xing tsena
qir khyúng keis sefhwa-qyíyaûxi’ òkhnoxu Saraxìm-ejikh.
And she set out, beginning to tally her Siblings, who were
the only children that she knew, who may perform as clocks, as she was merely
saying to herself, “Would that I knew the exact method in order to make my
foster Brother be mutated in clockwork, when she happened to be startled, as
she noticed Our Heart Raven sitting on the surface of a bough of a crystal tree
which was a few cubits away from the Princess.
#
Qwèsur xhnoe’ Ureîfha fhisqà-yatser Alixhlinye-yètyikh. P-opaingana qhakhnaîkh-ejikh pejor xaûkhni
paje-qhèliya kexh-ing. Eiqhor-jhwóri-yaswaôr-ing khèngpeu khlonet-èmpai xhnoe
xhthúyoi púkh tìngpis xhnoe tneûfhta khmewuîngo fhoreîka khmèngpa kóm-ùtya
saxhme-yùtya qoe paje-xhwuxoînur kexh-ing xhnípe prewuwù-yejikh xhlir qèkhat
eûfhun kú-xhni-xing.
The Raven but grinned, when he began to see Alixhlìnye. He seemed to be friendly by nature, she
thought. However, the bird had very long
claws, and many sharp feathers, and winedark eyen that resembled so many
constellations that she thought that he should be venerated with obeissance.
#
“Aînoi-Khaûntu xaô-Tùqnu,” khyéja xhwàngpota xhweníqetlhang fhèqin xhnir
fhènti-xing pejor jhong-opaingate xhneyong-ájhei’ ur qoe tiyàrt-ing pi
koxh-ing. Xhnoet qwesur-àthnem
fhrau-yexhyeu-yèjhyi xhlir selupèkhatlha okháxei-yùpwar.
“Blessed and creative Lord, honored Firebird,” she began to
say, being timid, as she stood and bowed formally as if visiting a shrine,
since she did not know whether he would honor this title. However, the bird only grinned a little
wider, with shadows.
#
“Íreu! Wtsó-yùnyie
koxha-xhli-xing,” pajè-wthau’ Alixhlinye-yèpyer jhkhekhqa-yòjhwan ei-xhrejor
kexh-ing. “Thoqelínge-jathit qoe
tlhùnwu-xing pexhe-xhmi-xing koa-yutakh-e-sas xhthenta-yàqluir xhrir poâ pú
tú-yories-ing!”
“Let’s go! He’s thus
pleased,” thought Alixhlìnye, and she continued uttering, “Please honor me by
telling this girl the direction unto which I ought to go from this place!”
#
“Kúl-àxhwa khmeqa-yatser-èmpai telàrqhu fharne-yùpwar
koa-qoas thothàtlhamet fhìlqang tú-xhni-xing kei-xhli-xing,” xhràno khyéja’
Jhàsqewa.
“As for such, it happens to depend very much on the
direction you wherein you want to arrive,” smiled, chanted Raven.
#
“Qholu-yùfhyoa kòmla’ ó-tlhi poa,” paje-tsaqnelónge’ Alixhlìnye.
“Perhaps I’m indifferent as to going somewhere,” chanted
Alixhlìnye.
#
“Kho qúner ei-sur-ing xhrir khlùrot-ing koa-yaloi-sas xhàtlha texh-ing,”
paje-xhùtse’ Uréfha.
“Then ‘tis irrelevant concerning the direction wherein you
go, maid,” chanted Raven.
#
“Ei tlhím pae kus ethaikelínge-yàlwos pú,” paje-tsiwòniya’
Alixhlìnye jhèmena khrujáxu-yùlkha-xing.
“If ‘tis unto some place I arrive” chanted Alixhlìnye,
adding an explanation.
#
“Ethaîke’ áqya’ etháxil-ìthni qlaixha texh-ing,” wthèrmet
qhèlta’ ei-xhrejor Jhàsqewa, “xhwaoptu-yàlwos tsatsù-yejikh pejor tsufhi-yàsqron
tú-xing.”
“Ah! You will surely
arrive and arrive and arrive,” sighed, saying the Raven, “if you merely walk
enough and long.”
#
Újor paje-tsèpre’ Alixhlìnye xhnípe-yèfhto pikhlim-ùlkha tei-sur-ing kho
xhmèrir kenti-yupwar-èkhwus kexhe-yan-ing.
“Qhànkhakh qìr poâ poâ syí-yaxiis- Stein-ètyikh ker Ólu?”
Alixhlìnye felt, supposing that this was not deniable, so
set out and tried another question.
“What sort of Real People dwell here hereabouts?”
#
“Qir tlhunwu-yalyùr-ing pein,” jhpesyeîka jhkhèkhqa’
ei-xhrejor Jhàsqewa xhmoe kus tyesqu-yoâqe khyarseu-yòtya-xing, “khlòturn
Jhpepòrnain xhnoike fharne-yaloi-yèlkhum-ing pein,” kus thiqyut-oâqe
khíyiyíngtern-òtya-xing, “khùlamat Khmeníwa Jhàti xhroe.”
“In very direction,” smiled, chanted Raven, beginning to
wave his right wingfin, “dwells the Imperial Mad Scientist, and in yon
direction itself,” beginning to wave his left wingfin, “dwells the Tea Pirate.”
#
“Keníxhle qhíkhowe xhroe?” jàkhakhh khyéja
Qhimpíya-xing. “Pyàpyaxha qui qìr xhré
Telpar-eîtlho Qoxo-yùlkha. Tárl
kú-xhrejor xhlir tárl Posqéja fhwàlwin- fhàngau thyí-yùlkha qir
Khmepeng-aîlraikhh Khnìntha xhroe kú-yan uwatayénxha tnáma-yòntet kalisétsi
xhmérs-utakh jhao-Wthirpalqa-yàxhmikh kú-yan.
“A tea pirate?” asked, chanted the Princess. “I’ve heard of Candy Pirates, of course. The Færie Noble Caste licenses them with
pirate licenses to raid the sugar plantations of the Crimson Moons of Khnìntha
to bring both sugar and candies to the remainder of the honored Empire.
#
“Ptaô xhnoe tei-xing paje-tsèpre pú’ usyórim-atsè-rajókh
jakhna-khnál-àxhmikh. Eiqhòr-fhwexa
xhyeipejos fhongújo xhnir Qhaôm Jhati-yùlkha?”
“That’s only prudent, I suppose, as I do, in fact, like my
sweets. However, what’s a Tea Pirate
supposed to do?”
#
“Septungta-yaônyas qlaêkh jhati-yùtya koxh-ing,” qlikhéyu
khyéja Jhàsqewa.
“He habitually steals of tea,” yawned, chanted Raven.