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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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<blockquote data-quote="Ilex" data-source="post: 4874472" data-attributes="member: 82687"><p><strong>4x01</strong></p><p></p><p>"I have an idea," Kormick announced. </p><p></p><p>Mena finished buckling on her new greaves and turned to listen. "We build a small raft," Kormick continued. "We paddle out to the middle of the lake. We tie a rope around the midsection of young Master Octavian. We lower him into the water to see if he spots the ruins of an ancient Alirrian shrine down in the murky depths."</p><p></p><p>"No," said Mena.</p><p></p><p>"Why not? He's a strong youth, good lungs, his armor would weigh him down beautifully –"</p><p></p><p>"No."</p><p></p><p>"How about we lower <em>you</em>?" Tavi asked Kormick.</p><p></p><p>"Swimming is not a popular hobby in Dar Und. Drowning, yes. And certainly our waterways are useful for the concealment of corpses that one would rather not see rotting in the streets and provoking uncomfortable investigations. But I do not swim."</p><p></p><p>"You'll have a rope tied around you," Tavi pointed out.</p><p></p><p>Kormick hesitated, then allowed: "Perhaps there is another way to determine if this is the site of Alirria's spring."</p><p></p><p>Savina stepped forward. "I – I prayed to Alirria this morning about it, but I didn't feel anything special. This place just – just doesn't feel very holy to me." Hearing Savina's usual shyness in her voice, Mena thought, <em>I must reassure the child that her ideas are always welcome.</em></p><p></p><p>"I would rather rely on empirical testing than prayer," said Kormick.</p><p></p><p>"I – I could be wrong," said Savina. "What did Kettenek tell you?"</p><p></p><p>Kormick stared at Savina. "Um, yes," he said. "Kettenek's proclamations are – vague on this point."</p><p></p><p>"Since when does Kettenek issue <em>vague</em> proclamations?" demanded Tavi.</p><p></p><p>Rose spoke up. "Regardless of Kettenek, my mother is rarely vague. She told me once that the spring was in a small vale. The water had no inlet or outlet. This place –" Rose pointed to the thundering waterfall that spilled out of the lake to the west " – has an outlet."</p><p></p><p>Tavi had been staring at the lake speculatively. "Isn't it possible that the rockslide dammed the spring and created this lake? Maybe I <em>should</em> take a look –"</p><p></p><p>"You aren't going diving," Mena declared in exasperation. "A <em>tree</em> attacked us. No telling what the fish would do."</p><p></p><p>"This place just – just doesn't feel right," insisted Savina.</p><p></p><p>Twiggy, who had been studying the shoreline, spoke up. "If this place had flooded in the last twenty years, we'd see the stumps of trees in the water. It looks to me like this lake has been here a lot longer than our lifetimes."</p><p></p><p>"Daughter Savina," said Mena, "did your prayers this morning give you any inspiration about where we <em>should</em> go?"</p><p></p><p>Savina hesitated. Mena looked at her kindly and steadily, not pushing her but not letting her off the hook, either. The others, mercifully, stayed silent.</p><p></p><p>"Well," the girl said finally, "we – we were following the buds on the trees, because they're a sign of Alirria. Water belongs to her, too. So following the water should keep us on Alirria's path."</p><p></p><p>"I like that idea," said Mena. Tavi nodded, and with that, the decision was made.</p><p></p><p>They set out the next morning, clambering down the rocky slope beside the rushing waterfall and then following the fast-flowing stream west through the thick forest. Kormick, in the lead, winced as a branch whacked him in the face. "If this is Alirria's path," he grumbled, "then, if we all die horribly, I suppose that's Alirria's will?"</p><p></p><p>"That wouldn't be very Alirrian!" burst out Savina.</p><p></p><p>Kormick chuckled. </p><p></p><p>Hours later, near midday, they heard a distinct cooing sound to the north. It stood out against the normal background of the forest's noises, resonant and jubilant. </p><p></p><p>"Mating calls," declared Kormick, after listening carefully.</p><p></p><p>"Well," said Savina, "if we followed the budding trees, and we followed the water, now we should follow the sex."</p><p></p><p>Tavi burst into laughter as Phoebe darted off in the direction of the bird calls. </p><p></p><p>"It's – it's simply Alirria's way," Savina explained, stricken.</p><p></p><p>"No, I'm laughing at Phoebe.,” Tavi replied. “She said, 'At least <em>someone</em>'s having fun around here.'"</p><p></p><p>They turned north. </p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p>The next day, when they arose, a column of smoke lay lazily against the morning sky, rising from a spot several dales farther north, near their planned route.</p><p></p><p>The young people were intrigued and eager to hit the trail. Mena, Kormick, and Arden exchanged wary glances, sure that this meant trouble. </p><p></p><p>"Slave," said Kormick, "hike over there and scream if anything kills you." Arden surprised Mena by raising her eyebrows in the barest hint of amused defiance, but Mena knew that Arden couldn’t refuse an order, even one apparently made in jest. There was more to that girl than she let on, and the Defier was curious. She was also a little tired of Kormick's jokes at Arden's expense.</p><p></p><p>"Rose, the safest choice is for you to send Whisper."</p><p></p><p>Rose nodded in agreement, and raised the pseudo-dragon on her arm. After a quiet moment of communication, Whisper coasted off toward the smoke. The others broke camp as they waited.</p><p></p><p>Whisper returned about half an hour later, making a steep dive down to Rose's shoulder and staring at her intensely.</p><p></p><p>"Oh!" said Rose, startled. She quickly contained herself, but caught the group's eyes. "Um, Whisper says – there isn't much to see – " Rose glanced sharply to the side of the clearing, a warning look. </p><p></p><p>Tavi stiffened. Mena slid her eyes in the direction of Rose's gaze. Although she saw nothing, she recognized the warning in Rose’s eyes and casually dropped her hand to her flail. </p><p></p><p>"Slave," said Kormick, a bit louder than necessary, "we need firewood." </p><p></p><p>Arden bowed her head without hesitation. "Yes, Justicar," she said, sliding her hand to the dagger on her belt and walking to the opposite side of the clearing, away from Rose's glance. <em>The one time he sincerely sends her into danger</em>, Mena thought, <em>she knowingly goes in.</em> Arden was stealthy and careful, of course, and it was a wise choice for the Justicar to send her. But how curious that the girl seemed to have no trouble facing danger for her companions when it was necessary. Mena had known warriors who lacked that kind of courage. Admirable, and an interesting puzzle.</p><p></p><p>Arden vanished among the trees.</p><p></p><p>Silence fell.</p><p></p><p>"That troublesome slave," said Kormick, heartily.</p><p></p><p>Silence.</p><p></p><p>"Um, so, Savina," said Tavi, "how's that new armor working out?"</p><p></p><p>Suddenly, from the trees that Rose had marked with her gaze, Arden cried out, unmistakably in pain. Then came the crashing sound of someone running.</p><p></p><p>Mena was off in a heartbeat – sparing a glance to confirm that Tavi wouldn’t budge from his spot shielding Rose. Kormick ran close behind Mena. They plunged into the trees and saw Arden crumpled on the ground, a vicious-looking arrow protruding from her upper arm. "That way," Arden gasped, pointing unnecessarily, since whoever had shot her was making a loud retreat through the underbrush.</p><p></p><p>Mena followed. She leaped over logs and shoved past thick branches as if they weren't there, ignoring the strikes on her face. Kormick fell behind, but Mena only ran faster; she was gaining on her quarry. She glimpsed him ahead: someone with short legs, stocky. Someone, in other words, not as fast as she was.</p><p></p><p>Then the little archer tripped. Mena raced forward as he stood up, saw her, and raised his crossbow to make a stand. He was the size of a dwarf, but although he had a long mustache, he lacked a beard. Mena closed with him in three strides and shoved past his bow, grabbing the topknot on the dome of his head and yanking. Hard.</p><p></p><p>He staggered and growled. </p><p></p><p>Kormick caught up, staring at Mena, his mouth dropping open less in exhaustion than in sheer appreciation. "You are an incredibly attractive woman," he gasped.</p><p></p><p>Mena grinned grimly, and yanked the topknot again, not so much to cause pain as to remind the little man that he had her attention, and that that was not the most enviable position. Her armor roiled and hissed. Her captive growled again and snapped at her. </p><p></p><p>"Careful," said Kormick to him. "This insane yet undeniably mesmerizing harridan will gut you where you stand. And if she leaves you your tongue, perhaps next you and I will have a little chat." </p><p></p><p>The prisoner growled once more: words this time. <em>It's Dwarven</em>, Mena realized. <em>Horribly corrupt Dwarven. Which makes you, my friend, a derro</em>.</p><p></p><p>"He doesn't understand you," she told Kormick. "But he'll understand me."</p><p></p><p>She let go of the derro's topknot, reached down, and grabbed the creature in a decidedly different location. She twisted. He shrieked. </p><p></p><p>"You hurt one of my friends," explained Mena in calm Dwarven, as if speaking to a child.</p><p></p><p>"Unhand! Unhand!" the derro wailed. "Find you all, death come under!"</p><p></p><p>"Something below the ground is apparently going to kill us all," Mena translated for Kormick. "It is strange to see a derro this far south. The maps we saw suggested that they live much farther north."</p><p></p><p>"Let's take him back to camp and have a civilized conversation about that." Kormick readied one of his warhammers. "I've missed creatures with kneecaps."</p><p></p><p>Mena shook her head. "I have no wish to expose Rose to this creature. You—” she turned back to the derro “--what are you doing here?"</p><p></p><p>"Our rock. What doing you?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't believe you've earned the right to ask questions. I want to know why you have traveled to this place." </p><p></p><p>"Death come under. Lurx. All kill, all kill." He grinned, showing teeth.</p><p></p><p>"How many of you are there?"</p><p></p><p>"Enough to all kill when find from below."</p><p></p><p>"Yes darling, all kill, I got that." <em>This really is like trying to get philosophy out of a toddler</em>, she thought. <em>A murderous, cannibalistic toddler, but still.</em> "How many? Numbers." </p><p></p><p>The derro stared at Mena. <em>Maybe they don't use numbers</em>, she realized. Then he grunted: "Better than yesterday."</p><p></p><p>"You mean your forces are growing? Where are they coming from?" </p><p></p><p>"Our rock."</p><p></p><p>"Why did you shoot at my friend?"</p><p> </p><p>"Our rock." </p><p></p><p>Mena sighed in exasperation and changed tactics. "What is the fire over the dale?"</p><p></p><p>The derro looked surprised. Then he snarled, "Our good fortune." </p><p></p><p>"Why? What are you doing here?"</p><p></p><p>"Lurx here."</p><p></p><p>Mena cast her mind back over the Dwarven grammar texts she'd studied and determined that, syntactically – insofar as this creature was capable of syntax – Lurx was a proper name. "Lurx is a person? A tribe? What?"</p><p></p><p>"Lurx hundred. Big. Better tomorrow."</p><p></p><p>"Where is Lurx?"</p><p></p><p>"Our rock beneath."</p><p></p><p>"I see. What does Lurx feed on?"</p><p></p><p>The derro frowned, as if the answer were obvious. "Fungus," he said. But then he grinned: "And trespassers."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ilex, post: 4874472, member: 82687"] [b]4x01[/b] "I have an idea," Kormick announced. Mena finished buckling on her new greaves and turned to listen. "We build a small raft," Kormick continued. "We paddle out to the middle of the lake. We tie a rope around the midsection of young Master Octavian. We lower him into the water to see if he spots the ruins of an ancient Alirrian shrine down in the murky depths." "No," said Mena. "Why not? He's a strong youth, good lungs, his armor would weigh him down beautifully –" "No." "How about we lower [i]you[/i]?" Tavi asked Kormick. "Swimming is not a popular hobby in Dar Und. Drowning, yes. And certainly our waterways are useful for the concealment of corpses that one would rather not see rotting in the streets and provoking uncomfortable investigations. But I do not swim." "You'll have a rope tied around you," Tavi pointed out. Kormick hesitated, then allowed: "Perhaps there is another way to determine if this is the site of Alirria's spring." Savina stepped forward. "I – I prayed to Alirria this morning about it, but I didn't feel anything special. This place just – just doesn't feel very holy to me." Hearing Savina's usual shyness in her voice, Mena thought, [i]I must reassure the child that her ideas are always welcome.[/i] "I would rather rely on empirical testing than prayer," said Kormick. "I – I could be wrong," said Savina. "What did Kettenek tell you?" Kormick stared at Savina. "Um, yes," he said. "Kettenek's proclamations are – vague on this point." "Since when does Kettenek issue [i]vague[/i] proclamations?" demanded Tavi. Rose spoke up. "Regardless of Kettenek, my mother is rarely vague. She told me once that the spring was in a small vale. The water had no inlet or outlet. This place –" Rose pointed to the thundering waterfall that spilled out of the lake to the west " – has an outlet." Tavi had been staring at the lake speculatively. "Isn't it possible that the rockslide dammed the spring and created this lake? Maybe I [i]should[/i] take a look –" "You aren't going diving," Mena declared in exasperation. "A [i]tree[/i] attacked us. No telling what the fish would do." "This place just – just doesn't feel right," insisted Savina. Twiggy, who had been studying the shoreline, spoke up. "If this place had flooded in the last twenty years, we'd see the stumps of trees in the water. It looks to me like this lake has been here a lot longer than our lifetimes." "Daughter Savina," said Mena, "did your prayers this morning give you any inspiration about where we [i]should[/i] go?" Savina hesitated. Mena looked at her kindly and steadily, not pushing her but not letting her off the hook, either. The others, mercifully, stayed silent. "Well," the girl said finally, "we – we were following the buds on the trees, because they're a sign of Alirria. Water belongs to her, too. So following the water should keep us on Alirria's path." "I like that idea," said Mena. Tavi nodded, and with that, the decision was made. They set out the next morning, clambering down the rocky slope beside the rushing waterfall and then following the fast-flowing stream west through the thick forest. Kormick, in the lead, winced as a branch whacked him in the face. "If this is Alirria's path," he grumbled, "then, if we all die horribly, I suppose that's Alirria's will?" "That wouldn't be very Alirrian!" burst out Savina. Kormick chuckled. Hours later, near midday, they heard a distinct cooing sound to the north. It stood out against the normal background of the forest's noises, resonant and jubilant. "Mating calls," declared Kormick, after listening carefully. "Well," said Savina, "if we followed the budding trees, and we followed the water, now we should follow the sex." Tavi burst into laughter as Phoebe darted off in the direction of the bird calls. "It's – it's simply Alirria's way," Savina explained, stricken. "No, I'm laughing at Phoebe.,” Tavi replied. “She said, 'At least [i]someone[/i]'s having fun around here.'" They turned north. ### The next day, when they arose, a column of smoke lay lazily against the morning sky, rising from a spot several dales farther north, near their planned route. The young people were intrigued and eager to hit the trail. Mena, Kormick, and Arden exchanged wary glances, sure that this meant trouble. "Slave," said Kormick, "hike over there and scream if anything kills you." Arden surprised Mena by raising her eyebrows in the barest hint of amused defiance, but Mena knew that Arden couldn’t refuse an order, even one apparently made in jest. There was more to that girl than she let on, and the Defier was curious. She was also a little tired of Kormick's jokes at Arden's expense. "Rose, the safest choice is for you to send Whisper." Rose nodded in agreement, and raised the pseudo-dragon on her arm. After a quiet moment of communication, Whisper coasted off toward the smoke. The others broke camp as they waited. Whisper returned about half an hour later, making a steep dive down to Rose's shoulder and staring at her intensely. "Oh!" said Rose, startled. She quickly contained herself, but caught the group's eyes. "Um, Whisper says – there isn't much to see – " Rose glanced sharply to the side of the clearing, a warning look. Tavi stiffened. Mena slid her eyes in the direction of Rose's gaze. Although she saw nothing, she recognized the warning in Rose’s eyes and casually dropped her hand to her flail. "Slave," said Kormick, a bit louder than necessary, "we need firewood." Arden bowed her head without hesitation. "Yes, Justicar," she said, sliding her hand to the dagger on her belt and walking to the opposite side of the clearing, away from Rose's glance. [i]The one time he sincerely sends her into danger[/i], Mena thought, [i]she knowingly goes in.[/i] Arden was stealthy and careful, of course, and it was a wise choice for the Justicar to send her. But how curious that the girl seemed to have no trouble facing danger for her companions when it was necessary. Mena had known warriors who lacked that kind of courage. Admirable, and an interesting puzzle. Arden vanished among the trees. Silence fell. "That troublesome slave," said Kormick, heartily. Silence. "Um, so, Savina," said Tavi, "how's that new armor working out?" Suddenly, from the trees that Rose had marked with her gaze, Arden cried out, unmistakably in pain. Then came the crashing sound of someone running. Mena was off in a heartbeat – sparing a glance to confirm that Tavi wouldn’t budge from his spot shielding Rose. Kormick ran close behind Mena. They plunged into the trees and saw Arden crumpled on the ground, a vicious-looking arrow protruding from her upper arm. "That way," Arden gasped, pointing unnecessarily, since whoever had shot her was making a loud retreat through the underbrush. Mena followed. She leaped over logs and shoved past thick branches as if they weren't there, ignoring the strikes on her face. Kormick fell behind, but Mena only ran faster; she was gaining on her quarry. She glimpsed him ahead: someone with short legs, stocky. Someone, in other words, not as fast as she was. Then the little archer tripped. Mena raced forward as he stood up, saw her, and raised his crossbow to make a stand. He was the size of a dwarf, but although he had a long mustache, he lacked a beard. Mena closed with him in three strides and shoved past his bow, grabbing the topknot on the dome of his head and yanking. Hard. He staggered and growled. Kormick caught up, staring at Mena, his mouth dropping open less in exhaustion than in sheer appreciation. "You are an incredibly attractive woman," he gasped. Mena grinned grimly, and yanked the topknot again, not so much to cause pain as to remind the little man that he had her attention, and that that was not the most enviable position. Her armor roiled and hissed. Her captive growled again and snapped at her. "Careful," said Kormick to him. "This insane yet undeniably mesmerizing harridan will gut you where you stand. And if she leaves you your tongue, perhaps next you and I will have a little chat." The prisoner growled once more: words this time. [i]It's Dwarven[/i], Mena realized. [i]Horribly corrupt Dwarven. Which makes you, my friend, a derro[/i]. "He doesn't understand you," she told Kormick. "But he'll understand me." She let go of the derro's topknot, reached down, and grabbed the creature in a decidedly different location. She twisted. He shrieked. "You hurt one of my friends," explained Mena in calm Dwarven, as if speaking to a child. "Unhand! Unhand!" the derro wailed. "Find you all, death come under!" "Something below the ground is apparently going to kill us all," Mena translated for Kormick. "It is strange to see a derro this far south. The maps we saw suggested that they live much farther north." "Let's take him back to camp and have a civilized conversation about that." Kormick readied one of his warhammers. "I've missed creatures with kneecaps." Mena shook her head. "I have no wish to expose Rose to this creature. You—” she turned back to the derro “--what are you doing here?" "Our rock. What doing you?" "I don't believe you've earned the right to ask questions. I want to know why you have traveled to this place." "Death come under. Lurx. All kill, all kill." He grinned, showing teeth. "How many of you are there?" "Enough to all kill when find from below." "Yes darling, all kill, I got that." [i]This really is like trying to get philosophy out of a toddler[/i], she thought. [i]A murderous, cannibalistic toddler, but still.[/i] "How many? Numbers." The derro stared at Mena. [i]Maybe they don't use numbers[/i], she realized. Then he grunted: "Better than yesterday." "You mean your forces are growing? Where are they coming from?" "Our rock." "Why did you shoot at my friend?" "Our rock." Mena sighed in exasperation and changed tactics. "What is the fire over the dale?" The derro looked surprised. Then he snarled, "Our good fortune." "Why? What are you doing here?" "Lurx here." Mena cast her mind back over the Dwarven grammar texts she'd studied and determined that, syntactically – insofar as this creature was capable of syntax – Lurx was a proper name. "Lurx is a person? A tribe? What?" "Lurx hundred. Big. Better tomorrow." "Where is Lurx?" "Our rock beneath." "I see. What does Lurx feed on?" The derro frowned, as if the answer were obvious. "Fungus," he said. But then he grinned: "And trespassers." [/QUOTE]
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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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