"Say, let us find some wood to take refuge in, get us back in shape." you suggest. "Then, we can go for the road. But, like you've said, avoid staying in local hamlets overnight."
"Sensible." Flax nods. "We go further into the wilderness. Possibly when we'll find something to set fire on, I can't say, but surely, we got to stumble over something..."
Thus, you go, and look out for a spot to camp. The white plains look the same as ever, but what's beyond seems barren, you can't really see much. Not a hill, grove, even the mountains in the back stand vague as a mirage. Soon the scenery turns a bit more interesting, as it starts snowing mildly. And as you have something to talk about, time goes by pleasantly.
"Up the river it'll be better, that's where the snow starts thawing!" Flax tells you. "When the winter comes to an end, you'll see a land more lush. Water comes down from the skies at ours, too, not this frozen oat! Eh, you'll see."
"Is it where they send the potatoes from?" Sas asks him.
"Yes, but you can grow these wherever, up the mountains, even! And they do. When I was born, they already had it all over, no famine since they've brought these, it's everywhere. The southern king sure has some fields on the border, if they haven't taken that as well! I am not sure who exactly owns what in those war-torn parts."
"There is a war going on?" you ask.
"I am not aware of one right now, Sodu'd know." the warrior shakes his head. "But Behal Kir is in shambles, his majesty's seat and Todoti is pretty much all he has left. Once Usodestis became independent, it left the realm weak, and all the neighbors took advantage. Much of the land was taken by Joñu, and from the east by the union my home falls under. Wouldn't be surprised if the former still plunders or do skirmishes, they fight for the sake of it. Dwarves settled recently in the mountains, dwell on the other side, but those are wary of northerners, and keep their distance. Came trading at our place, though. What can I say, the world is in motion, something happens all the time. Envy all those peasants who don't need to care."
The day has passed, and it wasn't until sunset you have found what you've been searching for. Larger than the last wood, still somewhat small, harboring only a handful of the old, mighty trees. But, you'll take what you get, and it is suitable after all. No food have you come across, but hunger doesn't bother you yet, you feasted just a while back, more than you'd dream of in some time on such a trip. You start a fire, sit down, and see to yourselves.
"There, that's a splint, if I ever saw one!" you pick up a nice chunk, and chop it to get a flat edge. "Now, something to bind it with..."
"Could take my shirt, can do without it." Flax says. "But you'll have to retrieve it yourself."
"No need, I can give a strap!" Sas speaks, and hangs his items on the other belt. "Hope it's enough."
It proves so, as you set the broken limb, and mend it further with incantations, not much, as you've performed a lot magic already that day, but to some effect regardless.
"You've done this before, huh?" Flax smirks, watching you work quite pleased.
"Naturally..." you reply. "Does not happen that often, but one is to account for it..."
"So that's what you do. But what of the other tricks?"
"Well I'm not a mere doctor. I am a priest. Mediator between the mortals and immortals... As your sort does too. Though, I am not really supposed to fight."
"You're doing well." the warrior smiles. "I am sure master will recognize you as a truly remarkable ally."
"Who is this master of yours?" asks Sas.
You watch Flax carefully, as this was never really discussed with the hunter. But the man does not seem nearly as reluctant as you've seen him before, in fact, he answers with no hesitation.
"A powerful man, in charge of a hamlet. He seeks to broaden his relations and searches for aid in promising, to put it bluntly, foreign nations, to help solve our many, many problems. Above all, it is the many magic traditions of the world that fascinate him."
"If it is so, I'll gladly share how it works, but I cannot disclose the exact formulas." you speak. "Oaths I cannot breach."
"However you'll contribute to the cause, he will appreciate it, the effort you exercised already is more than enough!" he assures you. "Know, that for all that have helped him, he is willing to repay handsomely, he prides upon it! Same goes for you, Sas. You won't come off short."
"Well better not!" Sas says. "It's not like I can return home now. If ever..."
"I am sorry for that. But you fought like a true man, you carry a special honor, remember that."
"Honor... I don't know. I'm not sure it was right..."
"Bitter liquor, I say, I got you into a mess thus I have had to get you out!" Flax retorts, more soundly, though not angrily. "You heard what they could've done to us, to you two! We did nothing wrong by poking around that house, and you're not going to answer for it! Ridiculous..."
"But the man was a spy! Surely there must've been some crimes involved."
"You had nothing to do with anything! If you do not want it, all of today's blood on me. But the last thing we need, claiming the blame over someone else's ambush!"
Listening to this back and forth, you don't give your own input on the matter, now, it seems, it's over, as Sas sighs, and concedes.
"I suppose you're right. Still, it pains me."
"And I understand why. But we have to carry on." says Flax, as all falls silent. When you get your minds off the ordeal, he speaks again.
"We still doing watches? I'll take the last."
You lay out the plan for this night, under your advice both of your companions should have their sleep uninterrupted, so you take it upon yourself to be on guard as the second in line. The rest agrees, so you go to bed, while Sas stays awake.
As per usual, you witness the gloomy walls of stone, the small room, Melabil. Though it is not what you'd describe as normal, it boggles your mind that you would see these visions as an ordinary routine, and each time you do, you can feel your senses operating at full capacity, yet you can't do anything than observe.
This time, something a bit more interesting happens, as there is a previously unseen older man present, one you do remember just from the very first vision, enjoying a spot close to Rathegaru. Of fair hear, partially grizzled, round prominent eyes, the Joñu immediately come to mind. He wears a different garb than before, these sorcerers seems to be in abundance of, but it too is blue like at the feast. No candle is lit, but an eerie dim light permeates the air. He is kneeling behind the table, upon which the box with the earring rests, his arms and torso unsupported, head bent back. There is a circle drawn around him and the box, with some kind of powder or dye, you cannot tell in the dark.
The man's eyes are blank, but carefully looking, you can see the irises flickering all the way up behind the lids, but that is all the motion, the figure is as if dead, with no breath.
The scene is enthralling, but doesn't change at all, for all its duration, which you can't accurately measure. At the very end, the chairman shows up in the door, and that is when Sas wakes you up.
You switch places by the fire, and he falls asleep shortly after. You take the time to contemplate everything. Why do you keep seeing these things? Is there some sort of a connection established?Are you seeing what is happening now, in the past, in the future? Is it some kind of a cipher, or a direct window into things? Or are you just wasting your time over dreams, foolish mirages, senseless theatre? You can't be sure. After all, you're starting to see puzzling visions in the light of day, too, and are just as perplexed. You would ask Nami, but you can't seem to reach her at the moment.The wraith doesn't bother you either, the experience in the town left him rather delighted, and so far, he stays that way. It is just you and your thoughts, until the time comes to swap with Flax. You don't remember the rest of the night.
The next morning, Flax nudges you awake. Cranky you are, having not rest as well this time, but he likely has a reason, so you readily get up, so does Sas.
The warrior leads you into the trees, from where he points over the snowy field.
A group of men is approaching the wood, with an ox and a cart. They are still pretty far away.
"Fellers." Flax whispers. "So much for trying to avoid civilization for once, heh. Oh well."
What do you want to do?
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Topic: Dwarf Fortress -Drawings- : Tales of the Deer Wizard (Read 169911 times)