Skara Braens

Part 35

Part 34 Vote Tally

Option A: 0
Option B: 0
Option C: 1

Really? Okay then! Onward!

"How about we leave early tomorrow morning.  There's still plenty that needs doing here, and we could all use a good night's rest before we head into the unknown."

Mordina growls.  "I don't like the idea of going over in broad daylight."

"Early tomorrow," you assure her.  "We can probably swing first light."

Grunting, Mordina ate a spoonful of porridge, then screwed up her face.  "Tastes burnt," she mutters.

"Uh," you say.  "Sorry.  That was me."

Mordina glares are you.

"In their defence," Artair said, "they were distracted by a talking bird."

"What?"

Drest's inability to control his laughter at Mordina's incredulous tone and results in a strangled explosion of mirth.  You feel lucky that you were not seated directly across from him.

"But seriously," Mordina says.  "What the hell are you on about?"

"It seems our Eagle of the Stones can talk to actual eagles."

Mordina glances at you.  Her expression is caught between scepticism and confusion.  You shrug.

"It's a long story," you say.

"And entirely besides the point now," Drest says, swallowing back his mirth.  "Let's concentrate on what's ahead of us."

"Right," Artair says.  "Are you certain you want to wait, Iolaire?"

You nod.  "There's no point in heading over exhausted.  If it really is as bad as you've all said, we'll need our have all our physical and mental assets working at their best."

"Sound reasoning," Artair admits.

"I thought so."

Discussion turns to lighter matters, and the rest of the day follows the same suit.  You help as much as you're able, before heading to bed early, following the example of the others in the party who will be heading to Shapinsay; Artair, Mordina, David, and Drest.  Gordon elected to stay with Siona and help coordinate the mission with her, you learn.  It seems a wise decision.  Also, it gives Gordon ample time to tinker with the radio.

A radio, you discover, is a communication device that somehow transmit a person's voice through the air and makes it so it is as if they are standing right beside you, though they may be miles away.  Such a device seems like magic to you, but Drest insists it's science.

You fall asleep pondering the magic of the radio.

It's still dark when Artair shakes you awake.  "First light soon," he murmurs.  There's no real reason to keep his voice down.  He has already woken the only person who would be able to hear him at his normal volume.  Still, it feels right that everyone be as quiet as possible, somehow.

You nod, throwing aside your blankets, and rise from your bed.  You're dressed quickly, noting that Artair has brought with him two packs.  On, no doubt, is for you. In silence, you take up your pack, note the radio attached to it, and then follow Artair in silence to the gates of the village.  There you find Siona, a tattered blanket wrapped tightly around her shoulders to guard from the morning chill.

"Well, Iolaire," she says softly.  "It seems you are either a herald of death, or a herald of life.  What you do now may determine the fate of humanity.  My heart warns against your going for this reason, but I understand now as I did not before that my own fears may damn us all.  I wish you success in your venture."