"The Curious Custom of Turjan Seraad" by Lin Carter (1976)

Originally appeared in Flashing Swords #3 edited by Lin Carter for Dell Books 1976.

Plot: Having escaped from Oolimar Amalric and Ubonidus descend from their drunken bumblebee mount to land in an oasis in the night. There they are attacked by ojanzolla trees before meeting the friendly Turjan nomads. These extravagant savages feed and house the travelers with robust hospitality. But things go south when the king shows his prize possessions to Amalric and Ubonidus. When they say they are beautiful the king must give them to his guests. Being oblivious they do this three times until the king loses it and have them arrested. The two escape with ease becaus the Turjans can't imagine anyone not following the rules of hospitality.

Monsters:

The Ojanzolla Trees - These cannibal trees pose as harmless neolla trees. They grab unwary animals and travelers and shove them down their mouths at the top of their trunks. They have the ability to walk.

History: This tale of Amalric proves to be even less satisfying than the first. There is no real strife in the story and only one fight scene between Amalric and the Ojanzolla tree. These creatures were probably inspired in part by William Hope Hodgson's killer trees in The Boats of 'Glen Carig' which Carter selected for the Ballantine Fantasy series. The weakness of this story may have given Lin Carter the message that the book wasn't going well so he abandoned it.

Rating

0

1

1

1