The Chronicles of Crwoan

Fire

As Oryikil turned in the bed, she will find herself alone. As she sits up the door is ajar, Jarox leaning against the frame, seems to be sipping on something warm.

"Is everything okay?" She will ask, rubbing her eyes as she approaches the man. He gives a smile and a nod. Oryikil will look to see that he was watching Crwoan in the distance.

"Just watching. He's very interesting. Though, I don't think he's actually meditating, so I wonder why he's been doing this every morning." Oryikil will turn to watch as well.

"There must be a reason, but I'm curious about how he's been communicating. I've seen it before[ Insight with advantage.- 18], but it's different..." Jarox looks down.

"Different how?" He'll ask, never seen anything like it. Jarox will notice[ Perception-20] Crwoan get up and walk towards the forest.

"I've seen Druidic Sign language before. It's distinctive, even though I'm unfamiliar with it, I can tell it's a little different." Jarox will shake his head.

"Are there others who have sign languages?" He will ask before a new question comes to him. "Do you think he can't hear? Or is it simply that he can't talk?" He will ask, getting a shrug.

"I have no idea, for both questions that is." She smiles. "I guess we will just have to see." Jarox lifted an eyebrow.

"I had assumed you would be leaving, I know your mission to be a hero is important." She will shrug.

"I like you guys more..." She will admit. "Where did he go?" Orykil will ask, looking for Crwoan.

"He went into the forest," Jarox informed sipping his drink.

"What? We should goo for him!" Jarox will move his hand down to her shoulder.

"He seems very capable. Besides, if he feels it's time to leave, then he has all the freedom to do so." He gave a gentle smile, but hoped he would come back.

Crwoan had followed a butterfly into the forest, not seeing one in so long he had to inspect it. As he wandered into the forest, he noticed[ Perception-20] a pair of feet jump in the short distance. He paused, letting the butterfly drift away as he looked up to the boy standing near. His teeth were clench, his face confused and his fist clenched angrily. Crwoan tilted his head. At the boy, seeing his leg bandaged up.

"What happened?" He asked moving his hands to form the words, his face shifting to show his question. The boy stared longer, but followed Crwoan's pointed finger down to his leg.

"I was attacked by a monster, got stuck in their trap." He growled lowly, Crwoan shook his head.

"That sucks... Normally Jarox hides the snares in this kind of plant." He signed, grabbing onto a nearby leaf. He lifted the leaf too show the hidden trap. "Animals can't see it that way. Is what Jarox told me." He explained, but the boy's eyes widened as the secret was revealed. "Don't get lost..." He signed turning to walk away. He pointed once more to the trap so the boy wouldn't get stuck and casually strolled through the forest back to the cabin.

As he walked back up, Jarox was in the garden, checking over his vegetables. Oryikil was admiring the carrot section. Neither of the two noticed the boy walk up[ Perception-O-7 J-9]. He stared for a moment before walking into the garden as well, seeing another bug he wanted to follow.

"Oh, your back!" Jarox gasped. "Quiet aren't you?" He smiled, simply getting a nod from the boy as he showed Jarox a caterpillar on his finger. Jarox smiled sitting up more, Oryikil watching. She knew it was time to talk to the boy.

"We wanted to ask you some questions, if you don't mind?" Crwoan shook his head. "Are you Deaf?" Jarox will start, getting a nod then with a flat palm next to his ear, Crwoan will pushing his hand back.

"Fully Deaf." Jarox seemed to understand[ Insight-23] the intention of the movement, while Oryikil didn't[ Insight- 10].

"Oh okay." Jarox looked too Oryikil, who gave an encouraging gesture to keep going. "What are you planning on doing now?" He will get a shrug. "Okay, how did you get here?" He will shrug. Jarox looks over for help.

"What do you remember?" Oryikil will ask, stepping forward.

"Nothing[ Insight- O-Crit 1- J-crit 1 ]." Neither of the two seem to understand the sign, Crwoan seeing the confusion on their faces, he will sigh writing 'nothing' in the dirt. They both stopped asking questions, unsure of what to do. The boy couldn't remember what happened, how were they supposed to help? Dinner was mostly silent, Crwoan tried to sign more to the group, but nothing relaying to them.

"Can you teach us?" Jarox will ask.

"Sign language?[ Insight J-23- O-13]" They both smiled too Crwoans confused face, nodding.

"I've never taught anyone before... I think?" After his statement he will simply nod at them, to confirm his answer.

-[ Perception-Crwoan- 20]

The night moved on, and when all were silently cuddled up in the bed. Something itched at Crwoan. He felt hot suddenly, making him roll onto his back. As he took in a deep breath, the air wasn't as fresh as it has been since he's arrived. And through the lids of his eyes, an orange and yellow danced, making him open his eyes. He gulped, sitting up slowly. The whole cabin was lite up, outside the window he could see the flames starting to move inside. Just passed the flames, he could see the dark figures of humans dancing and waving objects around. His lips parted as he pushed the air through his throat.

"Fire..." His voice cracked, in a high pitch, hollow sound as he spoke the word.