Delmora: The Lost Quest

Endo

Rovera sensed a familiarity to the ancient forest the more they walked. She had heard it in stories. Giant boulders, marbles to ancient giants sat in peculiar places in peculiar ways. Some were shaped to sit like works of arts, witted by nature and time. One looked as though a single leaf could topple it to its side but it stood more still than the trees. It was hard to tell what these stones were for but they were once delibrate. The Ranger quickly found a path, it was old and overgrown, hardly a path anymore, but it was characterized by sunken walk stones here and there. Foundation for what could have been the side roads were covered in moss and dirt. Ruins of some grand forgotten civilization were hidden between the over growth, weeds and underbrush. Every so often they saw a patch of mushrooms in perfect circles. Curly green vines grew over everything and seemingly held everything in place like rope. Rovera saw Sabeka everywhere. They were lingering next to trees or playing in the fairy circles. Sometimes she would catch glimpses of hundreds of their eyes in her peripheral vision but their overwhelming presence faded in and out. They were never looking at her, infact they seemed to be looking into a different space entirely, like they themselves were not in the present but some kind of faded echo. She saw more of them the more they traveled until there wasn't a place she looked she could see one as vividly as Simone or the others. The animals also carried traces of Sabeka. Instead of running away they watched the travelers, often cocking their heads to the side curiously. One day as they were taking a break on a crumpled pile of old stones a fox slowly stuck it's head from the underbrush. The others looked on, frozen and confused. Morn reached for his knife but slowly Rovera greeted the fox with her hand outstretched. She saw colors swirling it's fur. It's eyes were glowing. As it's tale swished back and forth it left behind extraordinary light. It opened it's mouth as if to speak and then cocked it's head to the side and sat, back straight, much like a cat. Rovera spoke to it but it simply stared back at her very still. It seemed to be listening. Rovera continued speaking until the fox lost it's strange glow and stalked away. In it's place a very big Sabeka appeared. The fox moved around him into the underbrush and the Sabeka mirrored the awe of Rovera. They watched each other silently for a moment. The Sabeka was wearing long rags over it's plump round body. It had long feet but it's legs were unseen. It had a long trunk for a nose and little horns on it's wrinkly head. Little hairs stood atop it's head and he carried a simple staff with a blue amber stone at the top. It was shaped and smoothed into an oval with precision but it was held to the staff by bleached leather. Some unknown energy swirled above the jewel.

"Child" the creature spoke.

Rovera looked on and smiled slightly.

"Hello" She said shyly. She looked away bashfully afraid staring at it's intercate features would offend it. She had seen that one before. He was the first to speak to her and it wasn't a pleasant experience. But she had seen him over the years here and there and each time was different. He looked much older then.

"You have come despite the warnings. There have been rumors of you're presence, we all know you're here. I could not believe it. And now you bring more.... here of all places" The Sabeka's tone was hushed and fearful. He looked around his neck and eyes straining to see Simone and the others.

Rovera gulped and nodded.

"Can you see them?" Rovera asked.

"Endo is a very old place, the lines of magic are very thin here. It is a dangerous place Rovera."

Rovera looked downcast "I know"

The Sabeka walked forward suprisingly fast "I haven't much time child I never do" He knelt before Rovera and she flinched away in surprise.

"My name is Aticus, there is much you do not know and much I cannot tell you. Find me before the shadows do." Aticus reached out his hand and before Rovera could reach his, he vanished.