"He might be a bit strange..." you say. "But at least he's truly happy and fulfilled in what he's doing. Don..."
"True." Flax cuts you off. "You can tell he enjoys life, and it's good to see. Not everyone does..."
You don't have much to add. You would like to talk for a bit, but can't think of anything meaningful. Both of your companions outstriped you during your indecisiveness, so you speed up to catch them up.
At last, the day was slowly coming to an end.
Sas managed to shoot a hare, getting quite a bit of praise from Flax, you could see he was growing fond of him. That was confirmed further when the sun began to set down, and Flax stopped the party.
"Okay boys, here's the deal." he said. "Black has coat of his own, but we wouldn't want to freeze to death at night, now, would we?" he continues and smirks. "So we're starting a fire."
"Isn't that... Obvious?" asked Sas. "I mean..."
"Oh right! The supper, that's it! Since you were so kind and got us one, that would be rude, not to feast tonight! So glad I have you two along..."
"I think he meant that's what your kind does in the wild, like, always." you state. "Why wouldn't we set fire otherwise?"
Flax was staring at you with a bit of a bewildered face, bit quickly caught on.
"Eh... Well... I'm not really that bothered by the cold... You know, and... Yeah, of course."
A moment of silence and puzzled glanced was interrupted, but soon your concentration was directed towards the aforementioned supper, waggling in Sas's hand. Flax widened his eyes and clapped twice in excitement, while you observed it all with a smile.
Sas soon started to smile too, as he began butchering the flesh with a knife. You made yourself comfortable on the snow plain, but not for long, as Sas sent you off.
"Get some wood, this will take a while." he uttered. "And bring something long, we'll skewer it."
So you and Flax stood up again, and went off. You had something on your mind that you wanted to discuss with Flax privately, and you thought this could be the opportunity, but he insisted on splitting out while collecting the twigs.
You watched him from afar, as you found it suspicious, but he wasn't doing anything strange.
When you came back with the wood, Sas was finishing. The weather was good, and setting a campfire was no problem, you started cooking. You weren't talking, as you were waiting for a better suited moment. But your dining wasn't silent, for Sas spoke:
"How are we setting up the watches?"
Flax laughed.
"We don't need watches." he said. "Or are you scared?"
"No..." Sas answered. "But there are dangers out in the wild and we must be vigilant all the time, you should know that."
"Also the fire needs, you know, maintenance." you add, nodding.
"Oh yeah, fire, I forgot." said Flax, waggling his finger. "That's right, fire. Well, I'm not against it, that's a valid concern. So how are we going to do this..."
"Maybe let Sas rest first..." you suggest, trying to set up space for your conversation.
"Then he would go second, and I'll take the last one, okay." says Flax. "Sounds good to me. Any objections?"
Sas remained silent, so did you.
"Perfect."
You finished up the meal, and gave your fellows a good night. Sas went to bed as planned, and Flax wanted to as well, but you stopped him. He didn't object at all, nodding, and sat down again. Sas went asleep rather fast, and so you began.
"I know you come such a long way to "fetch" me, as there is a problem only I can help with. What is it?"
Flax nods, signaling he's willing to tell you.
"Yeah, now it's a good time to clarify that, I suppose. You see, my people's numbers are dwindling, and we're facing a lot of hardships. My superior send me to fetch a shaman from the north, because your knowledge and connection to the spirit world might be the solution..."
"Well, you have to be truly desperate." you say, reliving your first encounter with Flax all over again. But you banish those thoughts from your mind, and carry on with the topic. "Back at the grove, the senior shamans were always making fun of wizards of men, trying to memorize incantations rather than live the magic... What is this problem I am supposed to solve, then?"
"As much I would want to, I can't tell you." sighs Flax.
"Is the one who sent you that dreadful?" you ask. As much as you hate this man's attitude, a glimpses of compassion surface here and there.
"No, no." whispers Flax. "He didn't tell me. And even if he did, I don't think I would understand. I am the soldier. He's the one who understands magic stuff..."
"I see."
"But I fully believe you can help us, with whatever it is he thinks you can. You're an expert..."
Another memory occupies your mind, this time your visit by Nami. You knew that many shamans experienced something like that, but she told you things no teacher of the Grove had. You felt like you might be onto something, you might uncover or acquire some knowledge your people have been misinterpreting or oblivious about... But should you tell this to Flax?
What do you want to do?
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Topic: Dwarf Fortress -Drawings- : Tales of the Deer Wizard (Read 170029 times)