The Furlites of Aroriel: Curse of Koris

By Marie J. Phillips

In this complimentary novel to THE FURLITES OF ARORIEL series, young Kutius and his parents move to the small town of Gabbruss in the State of Burtsal, a place very different from the open farmlands he grew up on. Upset and angry, the youngster hates his new hometown, and hates new classmate, Murkuria of Clan Darius. She stows aboard her Clan’s starship, disappearing from his life. Kutius, despite the bias against who he is, improves his life, leaving the musty home he abhorred. He finds peace in the city of Astrolis, until the Starship, thought lost, returns, carrying back into his life the girl he despises. His hatred rules him, and he connives to hurt her, her Clan, and the Felakoon abominations she brought home. He leaves the city, angry and anguished, but as he travels to escape his old life, a new one opens to him, and, despite the trials, proves to be full of extraordinary surprises. His only thought, when will that Darius girl drop in and ruin his life again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9781304659583

Book preview

THE FURLITES OF ARORIEL

CURSE OF KORIS

Written & illustrated by

Marie J. S. Phillips

The Furlites of Aroriel:

Curse of Koris

© 2013 by Marie J. S. Philips.

Registrar of Copyright: TXu 1-888-993

Second Edition: ©2014 by Marie J. S. Phillips

Lulu EBook Edition

ISBN: 978-1-304-65958-3

Imprint: Lulu.com

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or copied without permission from author.

The Furlites of Aroriel:

Curse of Koris

OTHER BOOKS BY

Marie J. S. Phillips

THE FURLITES OF ARORIEL

Book One – ON Matissia Wings

Book Two – Earth-bred, Matissia-born

Book Three – Eyes In The Dark

KHAN: A MAINE COON

OLD GENT

THE WHITE DRAGONS OF SUVWILUR

& OTHER STORIES

Available at www.amazon.com/author/mariejsphillips

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/riap27

DEDICATIONS

To my wonderful husband, Ed Phillips, whose love and support over the decades, as well as his scientific knowledge beyond my own, proved priceless in writing these books.

To my friend and mentor, Mr. David Ayscue, (November 1953 - September 2010) who proof read my work, and taught me proper punctuation techniques, bequeathing to me an invaluable gift I shall treasure for the rest of my writing life.

To my fellow writers in the old critique Group, Inspiration Point-thank you for all the helpful suggestions and constructive critiques.

To my High School English professor Richard O’Connor, who introduced me to the world of fantasy & science fiction through a borrowed copy of Lord of the Rings- Fellowship of the Ring in 1975.

To my current feline furbabies - - 22lb blue smoke Maine Coon Darwin, his half-sisters black smoke Abby and tortoiseshell JaJa, and 16 yo Bombay lookalike, Orion-who shaped a few characters in this book.

IN LOVING MEMORY

To my Mom, (January 27, 1931 - May 16, 2006), who always encouraged me to write about people, and I finally have, Mom, though they are not Homo sapiens!

To all my past beloved feline furbabies, who influenced the creation of many characters in this book; Tuxedo Maine Coon Demon (April 1990 - August 6, 1991), Brown tabby Maine Coon Khan (May 10, 1991- April 10, 2002), Silver Tabby 1/4th Siamese Phantom (July 22, 1991 - Aug 7, 2007), Blue –cream Mandee (May12, 1987 - March 26,1999), Tabby and white Maine Coon Indy (July 4, 1993 - Jan 9, 2008) Short-legged Munchkin (1992? - Oct 31, 2000), Black Satin (? - January 2008) Black smoke Maine Coon Warlocke (Dec 1994-May 2012) ) Red tabby Maine Coon Kai (Aug 2002-Jan 2015)

Table of Contents

MAPS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

EPILOGUE

GLOSSARY

FAMILY TREES

ADDITIONAL NOTES

About the Author

MAPS

TOWN OF GABBRUSS

CHAPTER ONE

Kutius walked up the road, tail drooping, shoulders hunched with anxiety. His backsack felt like it weighed a hundred octlos. The straps pulled at his long white fur with each step. He dreaded going home, but knew he must be a big boy, and face the consequences of his conduct. He trudged up the side of the country lane, his feet cushioned by thick lush maroon road grass. On either side of the road, tall slender dark green and maroon grasses stretched for ocyles, waving in the wind, broken by the occasional copse of trees. Ahead, a white steel rail fence marked the boundary of his grandparents’ farm. He slowed as he neared the house, looking through the fence at the Guanats which grazed the open meadow. He tapped a finger-talon on the rail. At the ring of claw to metal, a small juvenile raised its head, and looked at him, uttering a guttural cry of greeting before lumbering over to the fence. Kutius yanked up a clump of taller road grass, and offered it to the creature.

I am in trouble, he mumbled to the animal, as it eagerly lipped up the grass. Grandmother is going to blow a circuit over my grades. I should have asked for help with my homework.

Kutius! the call echoed from behind him. He recognized his cousin’s voice. She hurried up to him, panting, absently pulling at one of her backsack straps. Her pretty, long copper fur shimmered in the sun. He met her sky-blue gaze, as she patted the young Guanat’s head. Why didn’t you wait for me?

I’m sorry, Kaltara, Kutius also lapsed into baby speech. I know when I get home Grandmother will be so upset with me.

Well, you should have done your schoolwork, instead of going out to play in the field with this one. Kaltara gave the Guanat a smack to its long neck. The animal snorted, and turned away, lumbering back to its dam.

I did do it, after supper, every night. I didn’t think the 2nd term would be so hard.

Kutius, it is not! You’re just not putting in the effort. You should have let me help you. You are so stubborn. Kaltara pulled him away from the fence.

I wish I let you. I just felt so dumb, Kutius muttered.

You aren’t! Kaltara exclaimed. Sometimes other eyes can help you understand.

I just couldn’t let you see how stupid I am.

We all get stuck and need help sometimes. Remember that. Kaltara cuffed his shoulder. I’ll walk in with you.

We should watch our speech, Kutius sighed. That will make Grandmother even more upset if we keep talking like babies.

I know. It is just easier sometimes. Come on. I will back you up if you promise to let me help you next semester!

All right, Kutius agreed. He followed his cousin along the fence, and turned up the long shuttle path to the enormous farmstead. Tall White Sepurs shaded the path, singing soft songs in the summer breezes, their light maroon and green needles shimmering with a silver sheen in the bright sun. Kutius breathed deeply their scent, and drew up is courage. He looked up at the tall trees, and past them to the fields beyond, silently promising to do better at school. Someday, he might own this spread, the farm he adored.

He followed his cousin up to the door, his toe-talons clicking on the slate footpath. Bright flowers nodded their blossoms in the prairie winds. Kutius heard voices floating out of the Common Room window and winced. His mother’s shrill voice warred with his grandmother’s level alto tones.

Greetings everyone! We are home! Kaltara announced to the large common room, silencing the rousing argument. Kutius came up behind her, and his heart jumped. His grandparents and his parents sat on opposite sides of the room. His maternal-cousin, Altasara, Kaltara’s mother, stood beside his grandmother, her light green eyes blazing. His grandmother glanced at him, her pale-violet eyes scintillating with outrage. Her pristine, long, white, gold-spotted fur rippled over her back. Kutius quailed, averting his eyes, studying the green carpet, and the cream walls. His eyes roved to the brown and green lounges and chairs that decorated the room. Dark grey marble tables sat between lounges. Kutius wanted nothing more than to jump on his favorite chair and curl up.

Children, please sit, she commanded. Obediently Kutius scurried to his favorite lounge, and sat, wishing to crawl under the splotched green and brown cushion.

Grandaunt Karetura? Did I do something wrong? Kaltara asked.

No, but this is something you should hear as well. Karetura said firmly, then looked at Kutius. Mathematics is not the only subject in the world. You did well there, Young Man. Have you any explanation for your poor grades in everything else this semester?

N-n-no, Grandmother, Kutius stammered. The work was hard.

And you asked not one person to help you? Not even your cousins? Karetura asked sharply.

No, I was sure I could do it.

Really? Yet you wasted time in the fields playing with the animals? Karetura raised her voice. Very irresponsible behavior. Do you not realize the importance of doing well in school?

I-I-I do, Kutius stuttered. I. . .

Stop it, Mother! Kutius’ mother’s voice sliced away his reply. He is just a boy! Stop picking on him!

Why? Karetura snarled suddenly, facing Kutora, her eight eyeteeth, major and minor, flashed in the bright room. So he can turn out as weak and useless as you are?

That is not fair! You know how sick I was when Kutius was a toddler! Kutora wailed back. Her pale blue eyes blazed, and her shabby long, white, gold-spotted coat bristled. Kutius wished his eyes matched his grandmother’s, instead of a very pale white-blue version of his mother’s.

That is no excuse for your sloth now, Karetura retorted, snapping her eyeteeth together in a grimace. My fault, pampering you for long as I did, but I will not let you do the same with your son!

He is my son! Not yours! Kutora jumped to her feet, her breath coming in gasps. Her very round cheeks puffed with her efforts, bristling the short fur of her face. He needs patience. He had the same illness as I had!

He fared far better than you, and recovered in mere cinths, Karetura lashed her tail frustration, and Kutius wanted to disappear. He is in school now, preparing for his life and future ahead. I do not want to see history repeat itself. He is a smart child! The virus never affected his brain, nor yours for that matter. There is no reason for his poor grades!

Oh, Mother, please! You are too tough on him! Are you so with Kaltara? Or Sarelis? Or Salteos? Or even little Karlnios?

I have no need to be hard on your cousins. They all do what is expected of them. Unlike you or your son! Karetura slapped her tail against the cushions. You live under our roof! You eat our food, use our home, yet aside from your spouse working in the barns and repairing the machinery, you do nothing to help out around here. That is the wrong message to teach your son!

He is my son! You are being so unfair!

How? You do nothing. You refuse to shed that excess weight that slows you down and to go to a doctor for your fatigue! You are teaching your son your slovenly ways!

If you dislike what we do so much, we will leave! Kutora screamed in rage. Tears filled her eyes, leaking out to stain her white face fur dark. Kutius sat up, stunned, glancing at his cousins, meeting Kaltara’s shocked gaze, then terror gave him his voice back.

Mother! What are you saying? No! I will be good! I will do all my work! I promise Kutius cried in anguish. The thought of leaving the home he loved filled him with dread. Kaltara will help me!

Why should you be bullied into doing something so hard? Kutora snapped at him, then grabbed his spouse’s arm. Winferis gazed at her, stunned. Come. We are leaving!

But. . . Winferis protested softly, his violet eyes wide. His long, golden, white-spotted fur bristled. Where will we go?

Call your parents in Cyal. Tell them we are coming.

No! Winferis retorted. We are not bringing this turmoil to them. Why must we leave at all? I moved here because I did not want to be a fisherman, and stayed because I liked it even before I met you."

Then go north. Kutora snapped. Find a job up north somewhere tonight. You have Clan up there, right? They work for a quarry right?

It is all forest up there, Winferis grumbled.

Pick a place, Kutora said in anger. We cannot stay here.

All right, Winferis sagged, capitulating to his spouse. We go north. I will call them tonight.

Fine! We leave tomorrow, Kutora stated.

Kutius listened, incredulous, and saw tears shimmering in his grandmother’s light violet eyes. Kutius ran to her, leaping into her lap as he used to do as a toddler. She sat down with a thud onto her lounge. He clutched at her ruff.

Please! Grandmother!! Don’t let them take me away! He wept his fear into her fur. Karetura gently took hold of his arms, and broke his embrace.

I am so sorry, my sweet grandson with eyes the color of sea ice. I cannot. Your mother is right. You are her son. Where she goes, you do as well. Suddenly Karetura wrapped him in her arms. But never forget how much I love you.

Never, Kutius managed to croak out.

Let him up, Mother. Kutora’s voice shivered through Kutius. He held to his grandmother so hard he felt her wince when he pulled out her fur. His grandmother’s arms relaxed and fell away. Another pair of arms encircled him, and he met Kaltara’s tearing eyes, as she squeezed beside him on Karetura’s lap.

Pleease!’ Kaltara sobbed like an infant. Don’t let them take Kutius away! Nooo!"

Kutius reached over and put an arm around his favorite cousin. His other cousins stood in a tight clump just to one side of the lounge, gazing in shock, tears in all their eyes. Kutius sobbed, not believing his misfortune. His parents really planned to take him away! He bawled into Karetura’s ruff, taking comfort in her embrace and Kaltara’s presence, relieved his grandmother did not reprimand them for acting like infants. He wept uncontrollably as his mother took his arm and tore him free of his cousin’s grasp. She dragged him to out of the Common Room. He reached back with his free arm, crying, unable to speak. Kaltara reached for him.

Kutius, Kutius! Please, Cousin Kutora! Don’t take him away!

His mother ignored Kaltara’s pleas, and hauled him to his sleeping room. She left him by his bed, and lumbered out, anger in every line of her pudgy body. Her tail slapped the door on the way out. Kutius crawled into his bed, clutching the blue-pattered bed cushion, and wept. He barely knew any of his father’s side of the family, and his paternal grandparents, though nice enough, seemed like strangers so little did he see of them, even on vid. He agonized over the impending move, and his heart shattered, until sleep took his anguish away.

CHAPTER TWO

The fateful octien arrived all too soon. Rain battered the windows and skylights of the old homestead, and wind whistled in the old Sepur trees shading the front walk. Their conifer song echoed like a dirge in his ears, as Kutius followed his parents out the front door of the home he loved. He looked backward at his silent relatives. He saw unshed tears in all their eyes, and his own eyes blurred. His grandmother stood stoic, a stern angry set to her jaw, then closed the door. Kutius wanted to whirl around and flee back to the house.

Nooo, he wailed out loud and sobbed.

Quiet, his mother admonished and grabbed his hand, hauling him to the old commuter shuttle belonging to his father. Winferis opened the hatches and Kutius’ mother pushed him into the back seat. His backsack scraped the edge of the hatchway, yanking the straps mercilessly into his chest and belly.

Owww, he protested.

Oh, stop being a baby, his mother snapped at him.

I am not, Kutius retorted. That hurt.

Kutora grumbled, and sat in her seat while Winferis started the vehicle. Kutius looked out the back window, watching the beloved home, fields and white fence dwindle in the distance. His father drove swiftly through the driving rains. He wept in silence, letting his tears fall unchecked, saturating his facial fur. The shuttle whizzed through the center of town, past his school, past the Festival Grounds, and up onto the main thoroughfare that took them southeast, through the old city of Nital, which sprawled octyles beyond its ancient boundaries of stone. They passed through a huge gap in the ancient walls of the city, and by an old Inn belonging to his grandfather’s Clan Ratiaritus. Kutius sniffled, recalling many fun Clan gathering held at the ancient Inn. Will he ever see it, his grandmother and the farm again?

As the shuttle turned south, the rains gave way to overcast skies, with the promise of clearing to the east, but Kutius knew weather moved in from the west, and his parents’ shuttle only outran the storm. Ahead, the southernmost tip of the Burstal Sea churned with the fury of the approaching summer storm. As they passed by, Kutius stared out the window at the wet flats, noting how each surge brought more waves further up the beaches. Strong double high tide in a few quats, he thought. Kutius squinted, watching the water move, and knitted both brows, trying to recall his school lessons about Aroriel’s complicated tidal cycle.

Triple, double, and single-sized tidal cycles followed the orbits of Aroriel’s three moons, and when one or more overlapped, the double and triple-sized high tides occurred. When the big moon Cinsas and the smaller Kamus crossed in their orbits, the incoming tide was either a strong double or more likely weak triple, depending where little Tantis hung in its orbit. When all three moons pulled on the same side, as happens a few times a year, they caused full, very strong, triple-sized high tides.

Kutius watched the waves roll up the flats toward the thick, towering sea wall that ran along the edge of the highway. His father drove the shuttle in the second level traffic lanes for more speed, and the height gave him a grand view of the inlets and beaches. Kutius stared at the tumultuous waters, as his father turned the vehicle east, then north as they rounded the vast bay. He saw a large cargo boat far out in the bay, and Kutius shivered with fear. Why anyone wanted to work out on such dangerous water he never understood, despite the seafaring history of his father’s clan. Many of them worked the fishing fleet out of Port Alcor, while his father’s family owned a huge fishing operation in Cyal. His father left that life early, not wishing to follow the Clan’s fishing tradition, and went to the University of Cosmic Sciences technical school in eastern Alcor. After graduation Winferis sought work, and answered a request for employment from Clan Ratiaritus, where he met Kutius’ mother at his interview. He bonded to Kutora, and the Clan welcomed him into their home.

Further west, in Port Alcor, where his father’s uncle Tiboris owned a small fishing fleet that fished the colder waters of the Persusan Ocean, Winferis’ Uncle Tyabius bonded to a real landlubber, so he moved to Gabbruss to quarry stone, and built a nice home through Zalera Construction close to Lake Burstal. After a few years, he took a job aboard one of the cargo vessels that sailed the huge lake, unable to stay away from the boating life. His spouse, Zeria, stayed with the quarry company. Kutius barely remembered his father’s Clan, but met Tyabius’ household years ago at gatherings at the farm. Last he heard, Cousin Zalius and his spouse now had another child. Little Zoptius gained a little sister since the last big Clan gathering. His father’s family in Cyal he held only vague memory of, but the huge boats and machinery he recalled scared him to this day.

Kutius sighed. He loved farming, and dreamed of running the old farmstead when he grew up. Did any farms exist up there in the wild woods? Kutius felt ambivalent about living with such young cousins. Only a few days separated Kaltara’s and his birthdays. They grew up together, as close as any brother and sister pair. He missed her already.

His parents sat without speaking. Kutius watched the landscape change as the vehicle swung northwest. Tears fogged his vision. Waves rolled into the inlet, crashing against the sea walls, sending spray high into the air. He wondered if nasty triple high tide waves reached this highway with spray. He sniffled, and bet they did. They left the big inlet behind, whizzing along the open highway. The tough road grass glittered a deep maroon and dark green, flanked by tall prairie grass on either side. They saw little traffic at this quat, but an octien later, people on their way home from work in the nearby city of Astrolis and other towns would flood the roadways.

Prairie grasses gave way to scrub after a few quats of travel, and Kutius stopped shedding tears. The landscape slowly changed from scrub to forest, thickening as they headed northwest. Trees obscured the Burstal Sea inlets and bays. Weary, tired and hungry, he wondered if his parents planned to stop anywhere to eat or visit a toilet facility. He received his answer as they drove through the small city of Serp without even slowing down.

The rain intensified as they left the city behind, and traveled over the long bridge spanning the broad slow old Burstal river. Kutius felt a stab of pride. Geography he knew and understood, and he enjoyed seeing the old bridges and cities with his own eyes. Kutius wished better circumstances gave him this look at the lands he studied in his class. Why did he not ask for help this past semester? He heaved a sobbing sigh.

They passed through the small town of Stal, moving with increasing traffic. The rain fell, lashing the landscape, drumming on the shuttle in torrents. His father drove on, breaking out onto the famous Floodlands. Strong winds buffeted the shuttle, and his father dropped altitude and speed, guiding the craft over the ancient Floodland River Bridge. The Nesal River, also called the Floodland River by most people in the area, rushed swiftly beneath the bridge, over broad rounded rocks, already rising over its low steep banks. Kutius watched the water foam and swirl around the rocks, and gazed around the flat lands, understanding how this area earned its name. They left the Bridge and mini prairie behind and the forest closed in around them. Red-needled trees with gnarled trunks dominated the forest, and Kutius felt as if the world hurtled in to suffocate him. Tears welled up anew as he thought of his Grandmother’s farm, his home. When did his father plan to stop? He sat up straighter, tucking his feet under him, fighting the strong urge to urinate.

Shortly, Winferis slowed the vehicle and turned off the main road, onto a secondary road leading into a small town center. Kutius noticed three ancient, massive Northern Sunips standing in the middle of the widening main street. A thick sturdy stone fence protected the trees from errant drivers, and the road split to circle the giant conifers. Kutius gazed up into the thick boughs, reminded of the tall White Sepurs lining the farm’s shuttlepath. Tears filmed his eyes.

Traffic increased as people bustled between the businesses and schools. His father turned right, then left onto a narrow roadway. The rain fell gently now under darkening skies. Kutius’ stomach growled and he feared moving, desperately needing a toilet facility.

I havta go bad. Are we gonna stop? he whined, fearing wetting the shuttle cushions more than his parent’s annoyance..

I have to, and, are we going to, his mother corrected him sharply. We are almost at your Cousin Zalius’s house. Hold it a bit longer.

After what seemed like an eternity, the shuttle pulled into the parking area of a nice stone house nestled on an open lawn. Behind the house, a huge lake broke the monotony of the thick forest. Warm light spilled out of the windows and Kutius’ stomach growled. His parents exited the shuttle with their backsacks, and finally allowed him to climb out. He struggled to hold his water, but the urge overwhelmed him. To his utter dismay, he dribbled like an untrained toddler! He gritted his teeth.

I can’t hold it! he cried, and raced around the vehicle to the edge of the lawn, skidding to a stop behind a big red bush with yellow flowers.

Kutius! his mother yelped.

Sorrrry, Mother, he groaned, not caring if he was punished. He spread his legs and arched his back, and relaxed his spastic bladder muscles. It emptied in an explosive flood, and he moaned inarticulately with utter relief, leaning on the bush to avoid splash back. Just had to go sooooo bad!

Hurry now, and come back here, his father said, glaring at him.

Kutius finished, feeling much better, and ran back to the shuttle, retrieved his backsack, then followed his parents up to