We set of steadily toward Ja' Du. About halfway there Alloriah announced that she would not set foot inside the town, after they had shunned her for her hide armour. Lim insisted that she should go in with him, but she balked. Quite impressively I might add. She said she would climb up a tree and stay there. That got a small snicker from me, aside for the healing and Demeterious she would be more than welcome to stay up a tree, for all time. I proposed that Lim go in, and I would shadow him with Alloriah, out of the towns folks' attention. I was rewarded with a interested look from her, and she readily agreed.
For the remainder of the walk to this small town I was questioned, about the flower. Knowing what type it was, even when Alloriah didn't, its climate, and finally where I was from. Having traveled for weeks with these two, I began gathering information about them from the first day. For example, Lim is from the Citadel had a...what he called girlfriend...and is deep into debt with many people. This girlfriend among them. He became a 'investigator' as a scheme in order to make gold. Alloriah, and her family, were from a small village outside the Citadel, her father worked for the clergy, and her mother stayed at home with her. Her father was attacked while Alloriah was playing in the woods, she came back during the attack, Demeterious appeared, and she blasted the attackers with sand. Her father died a few days later, her mother horrified stayed out of Alloriah's way, she died also, a short time later. Alloriah made a living cultivating flowers for the clergy, keeping her distance from the other villagers. She left after the Citadel closed its gates. She had the option to be inside.
It was almost sad to see that now, only now, after weeks, they were questioning my origins. I answered truthfully enough. It was a flower found in the Northlands, used for grievance, and I was from a small village that direction. They stopped questioning. Just like that. I did not know whether to be insulted or relieved. While I pondered it, we arrived just outside the town. I took Alloriah by the arm and led her around in the shadows, and behind buildings.
Shadowing Lim as not a difficult task, as long as I could hear. He first went inside the local inn, and after a short time of fairly unfriendliness from the people he was sent out. A chill breeze swept through the town. Lim stood in the center of the street, looking around before setting determinedly toward a porch that housed a elderly man smoking on a pipe. This first meeting seemed to be going better for Lim. The elderly man talked with out much care of 'consequences', as he put it, he was too 'old', and had seen 'more than enough in the world to know right from wrong'. Alloriah couldn't hear the conversation very well, but that was of little consequence, I could hear just fine. I must say that Lim showed more respect to this man than anyone I've seen so far. When the questioning began the elderly man raised his voice and called out to Alloriah and myself to come over, to save Lim having to repeat the story for us.
I was a bit startled at being seen, but as I walked up onto the porch with Alloriah, he told me not to worry, he knew what to look for. Calling out to what ended up being his wife we soon received hot cider and quite a tale.
The township of Ja'Du was once prosperous, with logging, and mining, the Countess had a large household of servants and pets. Exotic pets, from all over the world. She would receive shipments via wagon. Men from Ja'Du were always hired as guards. Some people though, disagreed with the Countess' demand for rare and exotic pets. There was a plan. There was a attack on a wagon pulling in a new pet. The attack occurred, but a tragedy happened as well. This new 'pet' was with child, and fought ferociously. Men died, and those whom were involved became cowards and hid behind stories of men dressed as beasts. The pet escaped, and the Countess became livid.
For the remainder of the walk to this small town I was questioned, about the flower. Knowing what type it was, even when Alloriah didn't, its climate, and finally where I was from. Having traveled for weeks with these two, I began gathering information about them from the first day. For example, Lim is from the Citadel had a...what he called girlfriend...and is deep into debt with many people. This girlfriend among them. He became a 'investigator' as a scheme in order to make gold. Alloriah, and her family, were from a small village outside the Citadel, her father worked for the clergy, and her mother stayed at home with her. Her father was attacked while Alloriah was playing in the woods, she came back during the attack, Demeterious appeared, and she blasted the attackers with sand. Her father died a few days later, her mother horrified stayed out of Alloriah's way, she died also, a short time later. Alloriah made a living cultivating flowers for the clergy, keeping her distance from the other villagers. She left after the Citadel closed its gates. She had the option to be inside.
It was almost sad to see that now, only now, after weeks, they were questioning my origins. I answered truthfully enough. It was a flower found in the Northlands, used for grievance, and I was from a small village that direction. They stopped questioning. Just like that. I did not know whether to be insulted or relieved. While I pondered it, we arrived just outside the town. I took Alloriah by the arm and led her around in the shadows, and behind buildings.
Shadowing Lim as not a difficult task, as long as I could hear. He first went inside the local inn, and after a short time of fairly unfriendliness from the people he was sent out. A chill breeze swept through the town. Lim stood in the center of the street, looking around before setting determinedly toward a porch that housed a elderly man smoking on a pipe. This first meeting seemed to be going better for Lim. The elderly man talked with out much care of 'consequences', as he put it, he was too 'old', and had seen 'more than enough in the world to know right from wrong'. Alloriah couldn't hear the conversation very well, but that was of little consequence, I could hear just fine. I must say that Lim showed more respect to this man than anyone I've seen so far. When the questioning began the elderly man raised his voice and called out to Alloriah and myself to come over, to save Lim having to repeat the story for us.
I was a bit startled at being seen, but as I walked up onto the porch with Alloriah, he told me not to worry, he knew what to look for. Calling out to what ended up being his wife we soon received hot cider and quite a tale.
The township of Ja'Du was once prosperous, with logging, and mining, the Countess had a large household of servants and pets. Exotic pets, from all over the world. She would receive shipments via wagon. Men from Ja'Du were always hired as guards. Some people though, disagreed with the Countess' demand for rare and exotic pets. There was a plan. There was a attack on a wagon pulling in a new pet. The attack occurred, but a tragedy happened as well. This new 'pet' was with child, and fought ferociously. Men died, and those whom were involved became cowards and hid behind stories of men dressed as beasts. The pet escaped, and the Countess became livid.
No longer were the mines opened, no longer were trees to be felled, nor the soil tilled for food, no beasts were to be slain for meat or fur. The town would survive on turnips, that's all that seemed to grow here with out help. Standing, sitting, and leaning we listened attentively to this elderly man. I could hardly believe what I heard from his lips. When questioned why no one else in Ja'Du would not speak to Alloriah or Lim, he answered that they still have lives to live, and no one seems to be able to leave Ja'Du and remain breathing. He on the other hand had lived his life and made his peace with himself. His point was emphasized with a hacking cough that reached down deep inside him.
I leaned against the porch rail listening in near disbelief eyes focused on nothing, his cough jarred my attention. His cough and footsteps across snow, that is. Some of the townsfolk, a small mob of them, mayhaps fifteen men calling out, to well...Lim mainly. Cries of not being welcome, to leave, blasphemer. Feeling very exposed I clutched the hilt of my dagger taking comfort in the cold medal, knowing that it would soon warm with blood if things became too out of hand. Lim stepped forward and an argument resulted.
One particularly brave man stepped forward and threatened Lim directly. The elder stood from his rocker and shamed down the mob, all but this one, who seemed to have it in his head that a fight would solve everything. By this time the elders wife had come out of the house and joined us. Lim stepped forward toward the man and moved his hands. This man stepped forward fists raised, and landed flat on his back. Murmurs went around the group of 'magic and sorcery'. The man tried to get up again still full of steam, and was rewarded for his effort with another resounding thud. Jeers from the mob seemed to diffuse the man's fire, and he crawled away for a foot or two before he tried to stand again. The crowed dispersed with calls for us to leave. Oddly enough I felt that the calls were more directed toward Lim and Alloriah than to myself. It may have helped that I tried to stay out of sight.
It may have helped a lot.
I was wary of drawing attention to myself, especially after the incident in the Citadel. The elderly man put his hand on my arm and offered me a few comforting words. A few more questions about where exactingly on the road this attack happened, fifteen years ago, and we decided to examine the area. Not expecting to find any physical clues but for more of a understanding. I assisted the elderly man back into his rocker after Lim and Alloriah said their thanks and farewell's. While they began walking I lingered on the porch going through my sidebag to a smaller set of bags and pouches, finding the correct one I handed it to his wife with instructions to make a tea. They started to ask a few questions but stopped and nodded to me. I took off catching up to the others. Lim questioned what I gave them, and I replied, "Something to keep the man alive a bit longer, we might need him." He nodded.
I was wary of drawing attention to myself, especially after the incident in the Citadel. The elderly man put his hand on my arm and offered me a few comforting words. A few more questions about where exactingly on the road this attack happened, fifteen years ago, and we decided to examine the area. Not expecting to find any physical clues but for more of a understanding. I assisted the elderly man back into his rocker after Lim and Alloriah said their thanks and farewell's. While they began walking I lingered on the porch going through my sidebag to a smaller set of bags and pouches, finding the correct one I handed it to his wife with instructions to make a tea. They started to ask a few questions but stopped and nodded to me. I took off catching up to the others. Lim questioned what I gave them, and I replied, "Something to keep the man alive a bit longer, we might need him." He nodded.
We might just need him indeed.
~~~
I felt much more relaxed leaving the village and stepping back into the woods. The people of Ja'Du are unhappy and looking for a focus that they could lash out at. For a time I thought that Lim would become that focus. The silence and relative peace of the woods was as a salve to me. Looking around I noticed how deep the snow still was. This time of year in the Homelands spring is beginning and the snow is starting to melt. But here...on this continent it still seems as if winter is just starting, but it has been going on for more months than it should be now. I, it seems was not the only one. Alloriah began speaking of the snows, and a storm that she felt rolling in. I looked up through the trees into the sky. It was clear and blue, not a cloud, and besides an occasional breeze a very calm day. Trepidation filled my stomach, and wrapped around me like a cloak. I have learned druids are often not incorrect in dealing with the weather. Still, I questioned her, by this time we were nearly at the attack site, my questions were pushed aside by Lim for the moment.
Whatever clues there might be from fifteen years ago had to be found before the snow storm.We found a few deep claw marks in a tree, made by something huge. I shuddered to think again on the beast-bones that arose. Fanning out we searched for clues. Hours went by, nothing was found, nothing of much worth. The claw mark on a tree, healed from the past years...a paw print on the snow. Alloriah examined the paw print and said it was from a wolf.
The sun had begun setting to the east. We, in turn, began to head back toward the town when the storm unleashed. It started off as just strong wind but literally twisted to a snowstorm within moments. The howls of wolves echoed through the trees. If we didn't reach shelter soon we would freeze and become food. We followed Alloriah's lead through the forest. The sound of paws on snow followed us, accompanied with the occasional howl. We ran for minutes, Lim slipping on the snow once or twice, looking behind our shoulders. Seeing nothing, but hearing much. Then she stopped, a cave loomed before us. Shelter a place to harbor warmth, and mayhaps a standing point against hungry wolves. I slowly turned around to look behind us. Nothing, not a sound of paws not a howl, not panting breath.
"I think we lost them." Alloriah's voice put me on edge. More so.
Lim agreed, and after I looked about for a moment, I agreed as well but I couldn't shake a feeling that we had been herded here though. We entered the cave and lit a fire. It turned out to be a old mining shaft that had seen better years of use. After we warmed up, I went off to explore a tunnel, to see if there was another way out, I explained to the others. But really it was to see if something could find another way in.
A half hour of searching turned up naught, and I headed back. In my time away Alloriah had done some exploring herself. With the weather. Mildly impressed that she actually remembered on her own, my spirits dipped when she told us that the weather was being magically controlled. She couldn't tell from where but she knew someone was controlling it, someone to the north.We settled down for the night after Alloriah found enough wood to keep up the fire. Sleeping in our accustomed shifts. I settled against the stone and went in to meditation. Howls ran through my blood and jolted me back into full consciousness. Sitting up I watched Alloriah run to Lim and shake him awake, she then looked at me. Seeing that I was awake already she went back to her watching position.
"They found us. They are right outside!"
"Well, can't you do something to block the entrance?"
She gave me a sidelong look of disgust. I couldn't care less, she's a magic user, she has things she can do to help protect us, she has Demeterious, she has a staff. I have a dagger, and a short bow. You do the mathematics. If I had even a quarter of the magical abilities that she does at least I'd use those powers to there utmost instead of being frugal and worried about 'saving magic'. Please. What good is 'saved magic' when your corpse lies prostate on the floor? Chanting came from Alloriah, when she threw up her arms vines and plant life came to life creeping and twisting itself as a barrier covering the entrance. Well, that's something. Demeterious appeared a moment later as well. I was actually beginning to feel better about this. Until five sets of eyes reflected at us by the firelight, that is. Alloriah tried to speak with them. At least I hope that's what the yipping and growling coming out of her was. But to no avail.
The wolves threw themselves at the vine covered entrance, three were caught fast, the other two remained outside. The plants turned and twisted and caught the wolves in mid-leap. Pulling a arrow into my short bow I moved back until stone brushed against my legs. Alloriah sent Demeterious against one of the wolves. Lim had taken out his half-spear and engaged with another. Alloriah picked up her staff and began swinging at yet another one. Within mere moments Demeterious made short work of two of the wolves. The other two leaped in to take their places. Another few moments and five wolves lie dead tangled in the vines.
Alloriah put her hand atop Demeterious's shoulder and murmured something along the words of 'Good job.' She then went outside with him and examined the area for signs of more wolves. Lim went to work upon a corpse and began slicing out strips of meat and setting them on the fire to cook. I crouched back against the wall, observing. Allroiah came back in and announced there we should be safe for the rest of the night at least. She said nothing to what Lim was doing and only said "No.", when he offered her some of the meat. No disgust, no remorse, she seemed...proud of herself.
We settled back down and prepared to sleep again. I volunteered to take watch this time. The others readily complied. As they lay sleeping I put my hand once again into my sidebag. Wondering whether or not I should be worried about Alloriah's reaction to what just happened. Everything I knew about Druids seems to hold most untrue with Allroiah. Yet she is still graced by the Guardians with their magic. My own morals be damned. My hands run warm with the flow of human blood, though it has never been with out reason, yet. Yet...should not this human who's very existence cries out for life with all things, should she not have been bothered at what just happened? Just a small amount?
I let my hand once again grasp the smooth ivory fang. Confusion filled my mind. Trepidation seems a better description. I was brought up with the belief, 'All Life is Sacred.' I know this to be true, when I kill, it does not please me, but it is something that must be done. I do it. But where am I when one who's existence to uphold the very life I will inevitably take, cares not for the death she has caused?
The ivory felt very cold under my fingertips.
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