The warmth of the dwindling fire slowly rouses my senses come the morning light. Our makeshift camp slowly awakens by the busy movement of the wind, sun, and birds around us. Even the strange creatures I have found myself in the company of begin moving almost as if instructed though no words have escaped anyone's lips so far today. Survivor has begun rolling her bedroll, lost in thoughts I can't quite grasp. Surprisingly Tiamus and Navirah have joined us around the smoldering fire. He sharpens his blades with an intensity that mirrors the darkness in his eyes and she is in the middle of warming a meal for the two of them. Saemon is still scouring the ledger for any last drop from its cup of secrets. Tinkerer is messing with a plethora of different toys and gadgets from his packs scouring over notes trying to discover something unknown. I've nestled myself near the fire's warmth, curving my body into a large rock like a puzzle piece finding its place. No packing for me. I shoot up off the rock and with a big stretch of my arms and tail, grab my staff (which, again, is SUPER pretty by the way), and scurry over towards Survivor "Can I helps??"
She shakes her head: "Just finished, but thank you." She stands up straight looking around the camp, Lisle sleeps rather comfortably for being a prisoner between the 3 sleeping guards. "We're leaving gentlemen" Her voice pierces the morning, and the trio of guards spring to life as if electrified. Jolted awake, they begin packing their belongings as if they've been awake for half an hour in a flurry of scrambling.
The morning unfolds with a rather natural cadence, and our group gathers its collective determination for the day ahead. The long road which leads back to Evercast winds in between the trees like a slithery snake. While the others are focused on the tasks ahead, I've taken a more exciting approach to our walk, skipping along the trail next to Survivor. We travel for a few much boring hours before the cliff above Evercast comes into view, and nestled below, a few smoke pillars rise above house chimneys likely signifying lunch time.
The journey feels much shorter compared to yesterday. Approaching the edge of Evercast, we are approached from behind by a large cart stacked with barrels marked by large red roses. It's pulled by 2 large oxen who easily overtake us, this two legged form unable to keep up with the pack animals. At the reins sits an elderly dwarf man with a long gray beard speaking harshly in a language I don't quite understand. To another dwarf sitting beside him "E pa'n totu eh olai muy olai tainp ye at an, olait ula es mith nuss ematnon nho ait tittun lad!" Survivor stops for a moment, her face shocked with... rage? I feel her eyes shift slowly towards the cart. Something is off, something makes her uneasy. She slowly turns towards the cart and glares into it with a gaze that could light it on fire, her eyes darting around it fiercely. "Things every okay?" I ask her, placing a hand on her arm. It seems to knock her out of her trance and she returns to her stoic self, still with a wary eye watching it come by though not as destructive as before.
Nearly 5 feet from reaching us, Tinkerer responds to the cart in the same language "Ituunels odaxu doo mainoe!" His tone suggests a much lighter message than the conversation was predicated on. Immediately the dwarf calls the cart to a halt and a conversation ensues between the lead dwarf, Tinkerer, and the second dwarf beside him. Once the cart stops two other young dwarves show themselves from behind the cart but just listen to the conversation leaning against it comfortably. From what I can tell by the context clues it seems the elder dwarf is upset at the one in the front seat, Tink mediates some sort of argument being had, and almost as quickly as they stopped, the cart continues on its way again down the street. Survivor asks first "What was that about?" her eager angst still felt in her voice.
Tinkerer responds "Nothing really, just a small family feud, the father wanted the opinion of outsiders to teach his son a lesson. Not sure I gave him what he wanted, the son was mostly right." Tiamus pushes past the 2 of them almost intentionally shoulder checking Tinkerer but missing by an inch "No more lollygagging, we're on a job not a family therapy session." and we all follow behind towards Evercast.
YOU ARE READING
Elandria, The Web of Destiny
FantasíaThey say history is written by the victors, but some history is a little more grey than the black and white of winners and losers. There is a large grey between hero/villain, legends begin where story and history meet, at the convergence of Myth and...
