Whims of Kiraan

Fortune's Folly

"It is not a terribly impressive tower, is it?" Irse commented as the group made their way through the valley. "This god of yours certainly has meager standards." Ithan had to agree; there was not much to admire about the tower as he inspected it in the distance. From where he stood, it seemed to be just an ordinary tower, built with ordinary bricks, with ordinary stairs leading up to its ordinary entrance.

"One would do well not to judge by appearance," Apostalite replied. They took a deep breath, then looked at the cleric. "This valley is teeming with magic. Can you not feel it?"

"I feel hungry," Dhurik grumbled, grasping his stomach. "Who wants some lunch?" he asked as he eyed an elk grazing nearby.

"Mind your companions," Taer'inar muttered as he glanced at Fenvyre. She seemed to have not been paying attention to Dhurik, opting instead to marvel at the scenery ahead of them. Ithan could not help but enjoy it himself; everything was so full of life here, as if winter never reached this part of the mountains. It made Ithan yearn for springtime to reclaim dominion over this land, so that he might witness the first cherry blossoms bloom. But he was far away from Sol'vara, with no festival to celebrate the return of spring, no grand ceremony to welcome in the new year. At least I have some Aeviri. He figured he may as well share what remained of the bottle, at least with Taer'inar. Of everyone Ithan had met since arriving in Greenreach, Taer'inar was the only one he thought might understand Sol'vara's traditions.

For Fenvyre's sake, Taer'inar convinced Dhurik to refrain from hunting the various creatures the group encountered. Instead, they settled on eating some of the rations of food that Taer'inar had prepared before leaving Greenreach. He claimed that, though it may not be much, it would keep up everyone's strength for a while. Ithan laughed as his friends bemoaned the change in diet; for him, this was still a step up from his days digging through refuse for something to eat.

Unlike their usual routine, the party did not set up camp to eat; Apostalite was insistent that they continue traveling so as to arrive at the tower more expediently. There was no need anyway, since they had nothing to cook nor was anyone weary from travel yet. As Dhurik munched on the remains of his lunch, he suddenly collided with a distracted Fenvyre.

"Watch it!" he bellowed, but his shouting was met with silence. Fenvyre remained motionless, staring off of the trail. There was a fawn watching the group from a distance.

"It's so cute!" Fenvyre squealed softly. She carefully approached the fawn, but it sprang up and away toward a nearby tree. Fenvyre's face scrunched as she balled up her fists, and she began to creep toward it again. The fawn watched the dragonkin from behind the tree, its head just barely peeking out. Fenvyre made a strange sound as she walked‍—almost a bleating sound‍—as if she was trying to communicate with the fawn. It worked, evidently, as the fawn squeaked before cautiously stepping out from behind the tree. Fenvyre stopped moving but continued speaking with the fawn. Before long, it had started walking back toward her. Fenvyre put out her hand toward it, and it stepped up and sniffed at it before putting its head beneath her palm.

"By the gods," Bimpnottin muttered next to Ithan. "She's a druid."

"Fenvyre?" Taer'inar asked. "No, that can't be."

"She must be," Bimpnottin said. "Only they could speak with animals with such ease." Ithan marveled at the dragonkin. It was no wonder she was always trying to befriend any animal she happened across‍—it was in her blood.

"I'm going to stay here with Lili," Fenvyre called. "She got separated from her parents and she's waiting for them to come find her."

"All right," Taer'inar sighed. "Unit 17, would you mind waiting out here with Fenvyre?"