"This true, foolish it would be not to sell the cloaks." you wager, handing the arms over to the hunter. "We do not truly need them, and the money would serve us better. Only, shouldn't we wait for the guildsman before the library? I wouldn't want them to wait long."
"Oh it'll take some time for them to assemble, worry not about that!" Flax states, quite pleased you all think very much alike. "But actually, you know what? Let's meet back at the shop, whoever will be finished first, and should the others not come back long, go fetch them at their area of interest. So don't stray far! We won't be done with supplying still, given we'll have the better money later..."
"Let us visit the library first then, and do the rest after, along with this special exchange... And yes, I want to pick the trinkets for the staff myself. Only... The shield I'm unsure whether to give away, it is useful... Don't sell it just yet."
"Very well, thusly we shall do! " the leader passes a gesture to move. Like one you step forth, back onto the square and beyond. "Just so you know, Sas, another market lies down the street we'll march, and a last one on the other end of the second bridge. The guildhalls are not much good, very busy, unless you have a particularly big order... Take just something to eat for the road now."
"I'll accompany you as far, then." decides the bowman, whilst you splinter off once you reach the stalls.
"Hold on a breath, I have one question for the vendor!" you explain, and the company does halt. A single matter occupies your mind, that is, where to find a bonecarver to fashion the warranted accessories. And you figured, the furrier might have a clue.
Another face it is greeting you in the shop, but you do not hesitate for long, after all, anyone of the trade will do. What is the same with him however, is the gaze held captive by your garment.
"Good man, where could I find a bonecarver in the town?" you get on with business, perhaps too quickly for the dazzled fellow. Still, you do not have to wait long for his response, as he chuckles when finally processing the request.
"That craft you'll find for sure at the market by the temple borough." he tells you, raising the stare to face you properly. "But they may happen to peddle in the streets also, especially the savages, upmost discretion advised with those! Near the shrines, though, you are bound to get bones."
He then points over the river, behind the other bridge. You do recognise some of the roofs from Usodestis, the temples you will be able to identify, henceforth the directions you needed have been granted.
"Thank you!" you bid him farewell, and return to your group, which resumes the common tread.
Quite a bit of large buildings tower ahead this lane, one of them the library for sure. Before you reach it, you see some room for a word.
"Those are some nice garbs you have, where did you get those?" you ask the vagrant, to mine some insight out of the moment.
"Made them." she peeps. "Most of it, anyways..."
Promptly doth Flax bray hearing this, but he quickly simmers down. It is quite assuring though, unlike in the rural parts, not even a vocalisation of such potency draws too much attention.
"I suppose it so, you did patch up our marksman rather well..." the leader then voices, joining the quick gab. "There might be a nice spot in the house for you, then. Everyone can use a seamstress!"
"You seem awfully confident about the future... Wouldn't you find?"
"Ey, we'll turn you proper! I made a promise now, didn't I? Anyway, here we are."
The man rests his step, his eyes set on the building ahead, foundations set in stone - it cannot compare to the keep in size nor to the temples in splendour, but you can tell regardless, a special house it has to be. There, Sas parts with you for the time being, carrying on down the path, whilst you enter the structure.
A vast hall spreads itself before you, covered in carvings grander than all the bridges, poles and inns you've visited, files laid one next to the other, and enough parchments to bury a moose in. Not much people you see, the few scholars present hidden within the lanes, and some watchers you spot around the place, unlike the city guards, armed with but a blade and patience. You proceed forth, only leaving the javelin at the door.
Once the three of you bring themselves closer, a man stationed at the staircase has his attention kindled. Donning a dignified raiment, it surely can't be a visitor, but a resident, and with a mirthful face he hastes towards you.
"Guests, welcome!" he greets you. "Do my eyes fool me, or did a master of the unseen happen into our home?"
"I did indeed so." you reply, uttering words the cataloguer was clearly looking forward to, and hoped to hear.
"Yes quite, now say, you have a go with the good sport, I'll have a look around." Flax says, and leaves you with the fellow.
"What is it that brings you here, o tamer of the untamed?" he asks, and leads you closer to the corner, as to make you some room. "I remember not the last time, one of you came down our way."
"I have taken note, and it is many things ever eluding me..." you tell him, every sound he gobbles up like a starving beast. "Although there is a particular matter I have come to seek. My companions do not keep a map on them, and I have taken interest in the lands I cross..."
"But of course, of course! Come upstairs."
The furrier before tried to maintain some reserve, this jolly olith makes no such attempts to temper his excitement. Hard it is to fake too, and you both happily oblige.
On the floor above, there is not a single chamber anymore, and people almost none - the library extends only a little further, the space then narrows into a hallway, housing a number of rooms. Into one of such, you are now taken.
The cell is not particularly spacious either, but with more interior than any living quarters you've ever seen, the desk is full of parchments, drawers all around uncountable, and a codex reigns over it all so large you could take out someone with it. The man gestures to seat yourselves, and rushes out afterwards. Now just a guard keeps you company, dead silent.
"What is the matter with everyone?" the stoat whispers, while you can just about wonder as much.
"There really seems to be a certain fascination with shamans around here..." you speak, exchanging looks with her. "Can't imagine the craze on Flax's ground..."
Not a moment passes, and the man is back, a couple more scrolls with him. These he puts on the table, and opens one such vellum, revealing for you what have you sough after.
"Behold, once the dominions of the Southern kingdom!" he presents it, but little is it worthy for you as is, as there are no labels.
"Yes, could you be more specific?" you plead. "I have no idea where we stand, I am not at all familiar with these parts."
"With pleasure! You are at the westernmost bastion of Behal Kir, the city on the river near the top left corner. Our realm once sprawled all across this map, but has been reduced since - only the territories from here to Oñirdiral we maintain now, that is the castle by the eastern edge, our capital, and in between in the wildernesses stands Cengidas, a lesser town. As you can see, many a smaller settlement is concentrated near those..."
"Very well, I begin to build a picture. Now I have heard of these... Joñu, and Ponon pushing...?"
"You have heard right, our domain reached once beyond the mountains, outside of Niwirthola. But those lands have been conquered by the second folk, yes indeed. Whereas the Joñu piled up by the ridge, and now occupy the border, setting their realm between us."
"Say..." you lift your head up from the table, and gesture to the vagrant. "We have this... Artifact... Would someone be able to trace its land of origin?"
The librarian inspects the necklace, both with hand and eye, and shares his deductions.
"The bloom is a motif common, all over the earth mankind came to conquer... I cannot link it to any particular area myself."
"If not the form, perhaps other elements are to be read. Or a magical print, I cannot see."
"Possibly." the man rocks his head, and returns the jewel. "But there are others at hand who could help! We can fetch a resident cartographer or a historian, mayhap a magister of high ceremonial magic. After all, you are in the house of knowledge, and answers is what we are to provide!"
What do you want to do?
Poll
Author
Topic: Dwarf Fortress -Drawings- : Tales of the Deer Wizard (Read 169838 times)