Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Mother of Dreams - Episode 5 (updated February 1st, 2005)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="RangerWickett" data-source="post: 1827356" data-attributes="member: 63"><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Episode Four: My Hero, Section III</strong></span></p><p></p><p>Babb pounded across the wooden planks of the Palesi docks, then planted himself heavily on the stack of crates beside Tri’ni.</p><p></p><p>He said, “I see they found you something to wear.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes.” Tri’ni grinned back, then waved her arms to show off the sleeved shirt, loose and pale gold. For pants she wore fur-trimmed brown leather. “I like it. It catches the wind better than ray-skin.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s what that was?” Babb chuckled. “You ready to go?”</p><p></p><p>“Well, of course. It’s not like I have much to carry.”</p><p></p><p>Babb and Tri’ni both turned to look at the ship they were set to leave on, the <em>Tvencleft</em>. Gold and green banners decorated the deck, and its three sails were woven with the symbol of Vanessi. It was certainly one of the most impressive ships in the harbor, which was filled mostly with stumpy fishing vessels and rugged merchant ships from Kequalak City or Turinn. It was nearing noon, and hundreds of dockworkers swept almost tidally along the docks, ferrying supplies from warehouses to ships.</p><p></p><p>Babb said, “Big festival, apparently. Everyone’s heading out to enjoy a whole day of sun. Must be pretty strange for you, huh?”</p><p></p><p>“The sun, yes,” Tri’ni said. She glanced up, shielding her eyes, then looked back down to the active docks. “But the city isn’t that strange. It’s very flat. I’m used to things being built in walls and ceilings. Only a few cities down below take up just one cavern. Most are spread out with tunnels connecting the different areas. But Palesi’s very open. And the wind here: I like it best of any place so far.”</p><p></p><p>Babb yawned, and soon Tri’ni yawned as well. A pair of sailors from the <em>Tvencleft</em> came over and gestured for them to move off the crates. Tri’ni hopped clear, and Babb staggered wearily to his feet. The men carried off the nearest crate, eyeing the two of them and chattering in Tennae.</p><p></p><p>“Trin,” Babb said, “do you get the sense that we’re the two most interesting-looking people in this city? Everyone’s been giving me funny looks.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni sighed. “You, me, and our employer, yeah.”</p><p></p><p>“So you consider yourself a professional now? What skills do you bring to our party?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni looked down, embarrassed. “I climb better than the rest of you, and I can see in the dark. Yes, I know it’s going to be daylight all day, and that there’s nowhere to climb on a boat.”</p><p></p><p>“You can climb on a boat,” Babb said derisively, but then he winced at himself. He had not intended to sound angry. “Look, I guess you don’t use them down underground, but you see all those shafts of wood and ropes on top of the ship. When we set out, they’re going to let down a sail, which is a big piece of cloth that will catch the wind. That’s what moves the ship. Actually, do you even have boats down there?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni frowned. Now she looked mildly offended. “Of course we do. You can’t very well have a city if there’s no water nearby. I don’t know what all these ‘trees’ grow on, but most of our food comes from the water.”</p><p></p><p>“I think the sun makes them grow,” Babb said.</p><p></p><p>“The sun. You act like it’s so important. We get by without any sun just fine. I don’t know. I’m becoming a little frustrated with the sun. I like it best when it’s setting.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, stop whining. You’ll get used to it. I grew up where it snowed half the year, and I got used to the swamp they built Elstrice in. Anyway, you’ve got an advantage on the rest of us with your eyes. You’d probably be a better scout than Allar.”</p><p></p><p>Allar was standing on the deck of the <em>Tvencleft</em>, about twenty feet away, but he turned and looked at them just then. He smiled for just a moment, then walked over to where Lacy stood on the gangplank.</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni sighed as if she was sad, but then her tone was cheerful. “For a man who tried to kill me, he’s actually rather nice. You know, he was asking about Lacy yesterday. Wait, look. I think he’s about to. . . .”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni nodded in Allar and Lacy’s direction, and Babb watched. Lacy was lower on the gangplank than Allar, but he still had to look up to meet her eyes. Then he opened his hip pouch and pulled out what looked like a small book. He handed it to her, and Lacy smiled. Babb started to walk toward them, but Tri’ni put out a hand to stop him.</p><p></p><p>“I knew you didn’t like him.”</p><p></p><p>Babb glared down at Tri’ni. “He’s not the problem. It’s who he’s talking to.”</p><p></p><p>Babb growled to himself. “You don’t know how it goes. Lace has <em>terrible</em> times with men. Everyone starts off feeling sorry for her, which just shows that the bastards think there’s something wrong with her. And then, every time, something happens that ruins it. The last time, there were two guys, and they ended up beating us to a job we were hired for.</p><p></p><p>“Are you sure you don’t hold it against him that he tried to kill him? Because if I don’t want to hit him just for myself.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni straightened her back and clenched her fists like she was getting ready to fight. “Yes. Hit our friends. You’ll be my hero. Then I can take Allar’s job as scout.”</p><p></p><p>Babb chuckled, then relaxed. “You’ll need to do better than that. Isn’t David teaching you magic?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni shook her head, suddenly dejected. “Not yet. I thought I had something in the mountains, but nothing since then.”</p><p></p><p>Babb said, “So you’re just a good climber who can see in the dark, and sunburns easily? I think we’ll keep Allar.”</p><p></p><p>“I can swim well,” Tri’ni said. “Allar wanted me to come along, and he asked as if he wasn’t sure I could.”</p><p></p><p>“Al wanted you to. . . ? Hey, he can do what he wants, I guess. Here, in case he’s still trying to get you killed, . . . I suppose I should give you a gift too.”</p><p></p><p>Babb self-consciously bent over and unstrapped a sheathed dagger from his leg, then rummaged through his pack to find a short sword. “Here. The sword’s new, got it this morning, but I’ve had the dagger for two years now. You know how to use these?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni took the weapons with a smirk. “No, not at all. At least, you know, not the way an ‘adventurer’ should. But, thank you.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ll show you some time, then. Just keep them with you when you go to the underwater temple.”</p><p></p><p>“You’re not coming, Babb?”</p><p></p><p>Babb stomped on the dock, then made a circular kicking motion. “Not built for swimming that well. Lacy’s set me up as a distraction, just in case.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh.” </p><p></p><p>Tri’ni looked disappointed, which made Babb feel good. While he admitted he probably would not have been able to swim to the ruins, he still was not happy being left out.</p><p></p><p>“So,” Tri’ni said hesitantly, “you like to tell stories. Didn’t anything interesting happen yesterday.”</p><p></p><p>“What has my sister been telling you?” Babb looked at her dubiously.</p><p></p><p>“Actually,” Tri’ni said, “I was wondering a little about Seekan. Whenever I see him, he stares at me a little longer than seems normal.”</p><p></p><p>Babb muttered, “Lizard man, not normal? Why would you say that?”</p><p></p><p>“I wonder if he’d be interested in teaching me magic.”</p><p></p><p>“Gods I hope not.” Babb held up a hand in defense. “Hey, sorry, but the guy is strange. He won’t say anything about himself. Even Lacy’s a little wary of him. He’s lucky he’s a wizard. With a face like that, he probably needs magic to ever sleep with a woman.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni cleared her throat in surprise, then shook her head. “I trust him.”</p><p></p><p>“So he’s probably got a spell on you.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni shook her head again, somber. “Believe me. I know what having someone meddle with your mind feels like.”</p><p></p><p>There was an uncomfortable moment of silence, and then Tri’ni smiled weakly. </p><p></p><p>“Thank you again for the, um, weapons. When Allar’s done talking to Lacy, maybe he’ll show me how to put them on.”</p><p></p><p>Babb straightened to his full height, trying to look imposing. Tri’ni cringed, but still smiled as she walked away. Babb watched her for a moment as she climbed the gangplank and started talking with Lacy and Allar. Then Babb felt someone standing close beside him. He turned to see a stiff Seekan, his robes barely moving in the wind.</p><p></p><p>“You are not accompanying the others to retrieve the gem?”</p><p></p><p>“Nope.” Babb took a half-step away. “I heard you’re not either.”</p><p></p><p>Seekan moved away, to the ship. Babb wondered suddenly why the man had no supplies with him.</p><p></p><p>Everyone else was aboard the <em>Tvencleft</em> now, and the last of the crates were being carried on, but Babb did not feel quite like leaving yet. The city was actually fairly tame compared to Elstrice, Lyceum, or Seaquen, but it was some place he had never been before. When he and Lacy had first left home three years ago, he would have been impressed by that alone. He could not explain it to himself, but he wanted to be surprised again.</p><p></p><p>Babb grumbled, looking around again, still unimpressed. “I guess after you kill your first dragon, the towns stop mattering so much.”</p><p></p><p>He was about to board the ship when he saw a nearby vessel unfurl its single sail, revealing the symbol of the church of Meliska: a pine tree in black field, lit by the blue glow of an eclipsed sun. Almost immediately he heard unhappy voices from the deck of the <em>Tvencleft</em>.</p><p></p><p>Babb nodded, grinned eagerly, and went on board.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">* * *</p><p></p><p>The two ships – <em>Tvencleft</em> of the Temple of Vanessi and Lupaseloma of the Chapel of Meliska – paced each other along the western shore of Tennas, traveling through what would have been night. Babb found himself on deck as the <em>Tvencleft</em> began to clip eastward, around the northern cape of the Stormchaser Coast. Tri’ni was on deck, as well as Seekan, so Babb kept his distance, slumping his back on the port railing, with his head dangling upside down.</p><p></p><p>It was cloudy, and dark, the low sun hiding the ship in the shadow of the coastal cliffs. At one point Babb saw motion on the shore, like some huge creature was diving from the old Elvish forest into the sea, but it was at least a mile away, and he was dizzy. In keeping with the festival atmosphere, the priests had brought along thick Tennae ales.</p><p></p><p>It disappointed Babb that even hanging his head upside down over the stormy sea could not make him vomit, so he stood with a sway, and went downstairs, intending to punch Allar. Instead he woke up the next morning to Lacy shaking him. They had reached the island.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">* * *</p><p></p><p>“You don’t trust her, do you?” Babb asked.</p><p></p><p>Allar squinted one eye, uncertain. “We’ve talked a little. She assures me there are Taranesti just as cruel as I used to think. And she seems to hate the Trillith pretty intensely. I don’t know. I suppose I just don’t know where I stand.”</p><p></p><p>In their room on the island, Allar and Babb were helping each other put on their armor. They were in the most distant building of the three that made up the Temple of Vanessi. They could hear the priests playing horns and bells in the courtyard, as the sun moved toward dusk. Lacy was with them, fasting in a ritual she understood only slightly better than Babb. David was double-checking the waterbreathing talismans to make sure they had not been a cheap scam, and Tri’ni was away with Seekan, a half-mile away at the Chapel of Meliska.</p><p></p><p>Babb said, “So are you bringing her along because you want to show how trusting you are, or because you want to keep an eye on her?”</p><p></p><p>“You’re the one calling me distrusting? Honestly, I’m bringing her along because she has Elvensight. Seekan mentioned the gem has a fragment of a soul in it. Full-blooded Elves can see that sort of thing. It’s better than picking up all the fallen rocks and looking.”</p><p></p><p>“Huh.” Babb frowned and shook his head to test the tightness of the neck guard. “I can still come along, Al. Last night I saw this nasty thing crawling out of the old Elf woods and swim into the ocean. What if it attacks? Of course, I was really drunk at the time. Are you sure you’re going to be safe by yourself?”</p><p></p><p>Allar smiled. “This will be fun, Babb. Too bad you’re going to be stuck here, watching our backs. We’ll leave a spare water breathing charm for you, just in case we don’t come back before the sun comes back up. Don’t worry, I’ll keep Lacy safe.”</p><p></p><p>Babb scratched behind his ear nervously. “Yeah, Allar, I wanted to tell you something about that.”</p><p></p><p>Babb felt the pressure of Allar staring at him, and he could not think of what to say.</p><p></p><p>“Just, watch out for her, alright? For me.”</p><p></p><p>Allar smiled. “We’ll be fine, but you can trust me. We’ll come back in one piece. You just try not to sleep around with any more priestesses.”</p><p></p><p>“Dammit, did she tell you about that?” Babb huffed.</p><p></p><p>“So, is that a normal ritual for priestesses of Vanessi? Because-”</p><p></p><p>“You’re pushing it, Al,” Babb said.</p><p></p><p>Someone knocked on the door, and Allar opened it. David stepped in, holding up two handfuls of stones on chains. He said, “They work. Take one, and let’s round up the others to go over the plan again.”</p><p></p><p>Babb turned away to pick up his sword. “Good for you. I guess I’ll get Trin and scaleface.”</p><p></p><p>David tossed him one of the talismans. Babb caught it and was out the door.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">* * *</p><p></p><p>He had not snuck up on someone in three years, and his last attempt had not been in plate armor. But he wanted to hear what they were discussing. The waves might cover some of the sound of his approach, and the scrabby trees would hide him, he hoped.</p><p></p><p>“- near Melasurej?” Seekan was saying. “Guenhavesti or Taranesti side?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni replied, “He was. . . . Well, he started, and ended up, on the Taranesti side. But I remember he told me that he was captured by the Guenhavesti when he was very young. They kept him as a slave until he was . . . thirty-eight, I think, when he managed to escape. He never did talk much about that, though.”</p><p></p><p>Babb wondered who they were talking about.</p><p></p><p>Seekan asked, “Would your father have told this Trillith anything more?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni’s voice sounded suspicious. “Why?”</p><p></p><p>“I am sorry if I have pried. I do not have a father of my own. A strange incidence of my birth.”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t want to talk about the Trillith,” Tri’ni said. “Anyway, the one that . . . that controlled my father and me, it’s dead. If you know about the Guenhavesti and the Taranesti, you must know about the Trillith.”</p><p></p><p>“I travel,” Seekan said, “but seldom linger. I do regret what happened to you and your father. I have kin in bondage. This gem will in part help free them.”</p><p></p><p>Babb could not see them, but he shook his head to himself and whispered. “He has to be evil. He’s too ‘mysterious’ not to be.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni said, “I hope we find it. I want to help.”</p><p></p><p>Babb worried that if they kept talking, the dark Elf girl might begin to trust the strange lizard man too much. So he stood and pressed against the tree, then called out to them. Tri’ni jumped a bit, but Seekan did not startle at all. Babb kept his eyes on the man as he told them it was time to go.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">* * *</p><p></p><p>They kept their voices conspiratorially low as the evening temple bells marked the approach of dusk. The others were gathered on stone benches around a candle-lit map of the nearby rocks and islands, but Babb sat near the door. If he was going to keep watch, he wanted to start early.</p><p></p><p>When their discussion ended, Babb nodded to Lacy and waved her over.</p><p></p><p>“Can we talk?”</p><p></p><p>Lacy might have sensed his frustration. She nodded and opened the door. “I need to change my clothes anyway.”</p><p></p><p>Babb followed her to the room she was sharing with Tri’ni, then waited impatiently outside as she went in to change. Babb tapped his hoof impatiently, and suddenly wished he had found a place to buy tobacco back in Palesi. It was almost perfectly quiet, just the sound of waves in the distance.</p><p></p><p>The door opened and Lacy whispered, “What did you want to talk about? I hope this isn’t about Allar.”</p><p></p><p>“Al?” Babb started to shake his head. “No, this is more import-”</p><p></p><p>Then Lacy stepped out of the door, and Babb groaned. She looked like she had borrowed half of one of Therva’s dresses. Her chest and hips were covered with white cloth, and she still had a dagger on a belt around her leg.</p><p></p><p>“There’s a monster out there, Lacy. I saw it last night when I was drunk. And it . . . I swear to Brakken, and hell, I’ll swear to Vanessi too, if you don’t wear more than that, the monster had better eat you.”</p><p></p><p>Lacy crossed her arms self-consciously. “Pearl divers in Seaquen wear this sort of . . . thing all the time.”</p><p></p><p>“Seaquen,” Babb said, having to restrain himself from yelling, “is thousands of miles south from here. Dammit, Lace, you’ll freeze to death in that.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve got that covered. If you had been listening, you’d know that David and I can both use magic to protect against the cold. I can’t swim in leather armor.”</p><p></p><p>“Allar is,” Babb said. “Wait, no. Dammit, you’re distracting me. I wanted to warn you about Seekan. I overheard him and Trin talking, and he’s just . . . suspicious.”</p><p></p><p>Babb checked to make sure Lacy was not going to laugh. Then he said, “He was asking about the dark Elves, and Tri’ni’s dad and <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />. I don’t trust him. It might not be safe down there.”</p><p></p><p>Lacy hesitated, thinking, then nodded. “You might be right, but do you know why someone we’ve never met would have it out for us specifically? Look, Babb, I know how you get sometimes. You get bored, and you want to make trouble. We’ve got to go now if we’re going to do this. Just keep an eye on Seekan while we’re out. If you are right, just get your hands on him and strangle him until he tells you what his evil plan is. But try to wait a little while before you do, alright?”</p><p></p><p>“You’re not wearing that,” Babb said.</p><p></p><p>“I’ll be careful.” </p><p></p><p>Lacy hugged him, then headed back for the room everyone else was in. Just as she was about to open the door, it opened itself, and Seekan glided out, his eyes on Babb.</p><p></p><p>“We must move swiftly,” Seekan said. “Night is upon us.”</p><p></p><p>Reluctantly, Babb followed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RangerWickett, post: 1827356, member: 63"] [size=3][b]Episode Four: My Hero, Section III[/b][/size] Babb pounded across the wooden planks of the Palesi docks, then planted himself heavily on the stack of crates beside Tri’ni. He said, “I see they found you something to wear.” “Yes.” Tri’ni grinned back, then waved her arms to show off the sleeved shirt, loose and pale gold. For pants she wore fur-trimmed brown leather. “I like it. It catches the wind better than ray-skin.” “That’s what that was?” Babb chuckled. “You ready to go?” “Well, of course. It’s not like I have much to carry.” Babb and Tri’ni both turned to look at the ship they were set to leave on, the [i]Tvencleft[/i]. Gold and green banners decorated the deck, and its three sails were woven with the symbol of Vanessi. It was certainly one of the most impressive ships in the harbor, which was filled mostly with stumpy fishing vessels and rugged merchant ships from Kequalak City or Turinn. It was nearing noon, and hundreds of dockworkers swept almost tidally along the docks, ferrying supplies from warehouses to ships. Babb said, “Big festival, apparently. Everyone’s heading out to enjoy a whole day of sun. Must be pretty strange for you, huh?” “The sun, yes,” Tri’ni said. She glanced up, shielding her eyes, then looked back down to the active docks. “But the city isn’t that strange. It’s very flat. I’m used to things being built in walls and ceilings. Only a few cities down below take up just one cavern. Most are spread out with tunnels connecting the different areas. But Palesi’s very open. And the wind here: I like it best of any place so far.” Babb yawned, and soon Tri’ni yawned as well. A pair of sailors from the [i]Tvencleft[/i] came over and gestured for them to move off the crates. Tri’ni hopped clear, and Babb staggered wearily to his feet. The men carried off the nearest crate, eyeing the two of them and chattering in Tennae. “Trin,” Babb said, “do you get the sense that we’re the two most interesting-looking people in this city? Everyone’s been giving me funny looks.” Tri’ni sighed. “You, me, and our employer, yeah.” “So you consider yourself a professional now? What skills do you bring to our party?” Tri’ni looked down, embarrassed. “I climb better than the rest of you, and I can see in the dark. Yes, I know it’s going to be daylight all day, and that there’s nowhere to climb on a boat.” “You can climb on a boat,” Babb said derisively, but then he winced at himself. He had not intended to sound angry. “Look, I guess you don’t use them down underground, but you see all those shafts of wood and ropes on top of the ship. When we set out, they’re going to let down a sail, which is a big piece of cloth that will catch the wind. That’s what moves the ship. Actually, do you even have boats down there?” Tri’ni frowned. Now she looked mildly offended. “Of course we do. You can’t very well have a city if there’s no water nearby. I don’t know what all these ‘trees’ grow on, but most of our food comes from the water.” “I think the sun makes them grow,” Babb said. “The sun. You act like it’s so important. We get by without any sun just fine. I don’t know. I’m becoming a little frustrated with the sun. I like it best when it’s setting.” “Oh, stop whining. You’ll get used to it. I grew up where it snowed half the year, and I got used to the swamp they built Elstrice in. Anyway, you’ve got an advantage on the rest of us with your eyes. You’d probably be a better scout than Allar.” Allar was standing on the deck of the [i]Tvencleft[/i], about twenty feet away, but he turned and looked at them just then. He smiled for just a moment, then walked over to where Lacy stood on the gangplank. Tri’ni sighed as if she was sad, but then her tone was cheerful. “For a man who tried to kill me, he’s actually rather nice. You know, he was asking about Lacy yesterday. Wait, look. I think he’s about to. . . .” Tri’ni nodded in Allar and Lacy’s direction, and Babb watched. Lacy was lower on the gangplank than Allar, but he still had to look up to meet her eyes. Then he opened his hip pouch and pulled out what looked like a small book. He handed it to her, and Lacy smiled. Babb started to walk toward them, but Tri’ni put out a hand to stop him. “I knew you didn’t like him.” Babb glared down at Tri’ni. “He’s not the problem. It’s who he’s talking to.” Babb growled to himself. “You don’t know how it goes. Lace has [i]terrible[/i] times with men. Everyone starts off feeling sorry for her, which just shows that the bastards think there’s something wrong with her. And then, every time, something happens that ruins it. The last time, there were two guys, and they ended up beating us to a job we were hired for. “Are you sure you don’t hold it against him that he tried to kill him? Because if I don’t want to hit him just for myself.” Tri’ni straightened her back and clenched her fists like she was getting ready to fight. “Yes. Hit our friends. You’ll be my hero. Then I can take Allar’s job as scout.” Babb chuckled, then relaxed. “You’ll need to do better than that. Isn’t David teaching you magic?” Tri’ni shook her head, suddenly dejected. “Not yet. I thought I had something in the mountains, but nothing since then.” Babb said, “So you’re just a good climber who can see in the dark, and sunburns easily? I think we’ll keep Allar.” “I can swim well,” Tri’ni said. “Allar wanted me to come along, and he asked as if he wasn’t sure I could.” “Al wanted you to. . . ? Hey, he can do what he wants, I guess. Here, in case he’s still trying to get you killed, . . . I suppose I should give you a gift too.” Babb self-consciously bent over and unstrapped a sheathed dagger from his leg, then rummaged through his pack to find a short sword. “Here. The sword’s new, got it this morning, but I’ve had the dagger for two years now. You know how to use these?” Tri’ni took the weapons with a smirk. “No, not at all. At least, you know, not the way an ‘adventurer’ should. But, thank you.” “I’ll show you some time, then. Just keep them with you when you go to the underwater temple.” “You’re not coming, Babb?” Babb stomped on the dock, then made a circular kicking motion. “Not built for swimming that well. Lacy’s set me up as a distraction, just in case.” “Oh.” Tri’ni looked disappointed, which made Babb feel good. While he admitted he probably would not have been able to swim to the ruins, he still was not happy being left out. “So,” Tri’ni said hesitantly, “you like to tell stories. Didn’t anything interesting happen yesterday.” “What has my sister been telling you?” Babb looked at her dubiously. “Actually,” Tri’ni said, “I was wondering a little about Seekan. Whenever I see him, he stares at me a little longer than seems normal.” Babb muttered, “Lizard man, not normal? Why would you say that?” “I wonder if he’d be interested in teaching me magic.” “Gods I hope not.” Babb held up a hand in defense. “Hey, sorry, but the guy is strange. He won’t say anything about himself. Even Lacy’s a little wary of him. He’s lucky he’s a wizard. With a face like that, he probably needs magic to ever sleep with a woman.” Tri’ni cleared her throat in surprise, then shook her head. “I trust him.” “So he’s probably got a spell on you.” Tri’ni shook her head again, somber. “Believe me. I know what having someone meddle with your mind feels like.” There was an uncomfortable moment of silence, and then Tri’ni smiled weakly. “Thank you again for the, um, weapons. When Allar’s done talking to Lacy, maybe he’ll show me how to put them on.” Babb straightened to his full height, trying to look imposing. Tri’ni cringed, but still smiled as she walked away. Babb watched her for a moment as she climbed the gangplank and started talking with Lacy and Allar. Then Babb felt someone standing close beside him. He turned to see a stiff Seekan, his robes barely moving in the wind. “You are not accompanying the others to retrieve the gem?” “Nope.” Babb took a half-step away. “I heard you’re not either.” Seekan moved away, to the ship. Babb wondered suddenly why the man had no supplies with him. Everyone else was aboard the [i]Tvencleft[/i] now, and the last of the crates were being carried on, but Babb did not feel quite like leaving yet. The city was actually fairly tame compared to Elstrice, Lyceum, or Seaquen, but it was some place he had never been before. When he and Lacy had first left home three years ago, he would have been impressed by that alone. He could not explain it to himself, but he wanted to be surprised again. Babb grumbled, looking around again, still unimpressed. “I guess after you kill your first dragon, the towns stop mattering so much.” He was about to board the ship when he saw a nearby vessel unfurl its single sail, revealing the symbol of the church of Meliska: a pine tree in black field, lit by the blue glow of an eclipsed sun. Almost immediately he heard unhappy voices from the deck of the [i]Tvencleft[/i]. Babb nodded, grinned eagerly, and went on board. [center]* * *[/center] The two ships – [i]Tvencleft[/i] of the Temple of Vanessi and Lupaseloma of the Chapel of Meliska – paced each other along the western shore of Tennas, traveling through what would have been night. Babb found himself on deck as the [i]Tvencleft[/i] began to clip eastward, around the northern cape of the Stormchaser Coast. Tri’ni was on deck, as well as Seekan, so Babb kept his distance, slumping his back on the port railing, with his head dangling upside down. It was cloudy, and dark, the low sun hiding the ship in the shadow of the coastal cliffs. At one point Babb saw motion on the shore, like some huge creature was diving from the old Elvish forest into the sea, but it was at least a mile away, and he was dizzy. In keeping with the festival atmosphere, the priests had brought along thick Tennae ales. It disappointed Babb that even hanging his head upside down over the stormy sea could not make him vomit, so he stood with a sway, and went downstairs, intending to punch Allar. Instead he woke up the next morning to Lacy shaking him. They had reached the island. [center]* * *[/center] “You don’t trust her, do you?” Babb asked. Allar squinted one eye, uncertain. “We’ve talked a little. She assures me there are Taranesti just as cruel as I used to think. And she seems to hate the Trillith pretty intensely. I don’t know. I suppose I just don’t know where I stand.” In their room on the island, Allar and Babb were helping each other put on their armor. They were in the most distant building of the three that made up the Temple of Vanessi. They could hear the priests playing horns and bells in the courtyard, as the sun moved toward dusk. Lacy was with them, fasting in a ritual she understood only slightly better than Babb. David was double-checking the waterbreathing talismans to make sure they had not been a cheap scam, and Tri’ni was away with Seekan, a half-mile away at the Chapel of Meliska. Babb said, “So are you bringing her along because you want to show how trusting you are, or because you want to keep an eye on her?” “You’re the one calling me distrusting? Honestly, I’m bringing her along because she has Elvensight. Seekan mentioned the gem has a fragment of a soul in it. Full-blooded Elves can see that sort of thing. It’s better than picking up all the fallen rocks and looking.” “Huh.” Babb frowned and shook his head to test the tightness of the neck guard. “I can still come along, Al. Last night I saw this nasty thing crawling out of the old Elf woods and swim into the ocean. What if it attacks? Of course, I was really drunk at the time. Are you sure you’re going to be safe by yourself?” Allar smiled. “This will be fun, Babb. Too bad you’re going to be stuck here, watching our backs. We’ll leave a spare water breathing charm for you, just in case we don’t come back before the sun comes back up. Don’t worry, I’ll keep Lacy safe.” Babb scratched behind his ear nervously. “Yeah, Allar, I wanted to tell you something about that.” Babb felt the pressure of Allar staring at him, and he could not think of what to say. “Just, watch out for her, alright? For me.” Allar smiled. “We’ll be fine, but you can trust me. We’ll come back in one piece. You just try not to sleep around with any more priestesses.” “Dammit, did she tell you about that?” Babb huffed. “So, is that a normal ritual for priestesses of Vanessi? Because-” “You’re pushing it, Al,” Babb said. Someone knocked on the door, and Allar opened it. David stepped in, holding up two handfuls of stones on chains. He said, “They work. Take one, and let’s round up the others to go over the plan again.” Babb turned away to pick up his sword. “Good for you. I guess I’ll get Trin and scaleface.” David tossed him one of the talismans. Babb caught it and was out the door. [center]* * *[/center] He had not snuck up on someone in three years, and his last attempt had not been in plate armor. But he wanted to hear what they were discussing. The waves might cover some of the sound of his approach, and the scrabby trees would hide him, he hoped. “- near Melasurej?” Seekan was saying. “Guenhavesti or Taranesti side?” Tri’ni replied, “He was. . . . Well, he started, and ended up, on the Taranesti side. But I remember he told me that he was captured by the Guenhavesti when he was very young. They kept him as a slave until he was . . . thirty-eight, I think, when he managed to escape. He never did talk much about that, though.” Babb wondered who they were talking about. Seekan asked, “Would your father have told this Trillith anything more?” Tri’ni’s voice sounded suspicious. “Why?” “I am sorry if I have pried. I do not have a father of my own. A strange incidence of my birth.” “I don’t want to talk about the Trillith,” Tri’ni said. “Anyway, the one that . . . that controlled my father and me, it’s dead. If you know about the Guenhavesti and the Taranesti, you must know about the Trillith.” “I travel,” Seekan said, “but seldom linger. I do regret what happened to you and your father. I have kin in bondage. This gem will in part help free them.” Babb could not see them, but he shook his head to himself and whispered. “He has to be evil. He’s too ‘mysterious’ not to be.” Tri’ni said, “I hope we find it. I want to help.” Babb worried that if they kept talking, the dark Elf girl might begin to trust the strange lizard man too much. So he stood and pressed against the tree, then called out to them. Tri’ni jumped a bit, but Seekan did not startle at all. Babb kept his eyes on the man as he told them it was time to go. [center]* * *[/center] They kept their voices conspiratorially low as the evening temple bells marked the approach of dusk. The others were gathered on stone benches around a candle-lit map of the nearby rocks and islands, but Babb sat near the door. If he was going to keep watch, he wanted to start early. When their discussion ended, Babb nodded to Lacy and waved her over. “Can we talk?” Lacy might have sensed his frustration. She nodded and opened the door. “I need to change my clothes anyway.” Babb followed her to the room she was sharing with Tri’ni, then waited impatiently outside as she went in to change. Babb tapped his hoof impatiently, and suddenly wished he had found a place to buy tobacco back in Palesi. It was almost perfectly quiet, just the sound of waves in the distance. The door opened and Lacy whispered, “What did you want to talk about? I hope this isn’t about Allar.” “Al?” Babb started to shake his head. “No, this is more import-” Then Lacy stepped out of the door, and Babb groaned. She looked like she had borrowed half of one of Therva’s dresses. Her chest and hips were covered with white cloth, and she still had a dagger on a belt around her leg. “There’s a monster out there, Lacy. I saw it last night when I was drunk. And it . . . I swear to Brakken, and hell, I’ll swear to Vanessi too, if you don’t wear more than that, the monster had better eat you.” Lacy crossed her arms self-consciously. “Pearl divers in Seaquen wear this sort of . . . thing all the time.” “Seaquen,” Babb said, having to restrain himself from yelling, “is thousands of miles south from here. Dammit, Lace, you’ll freeze to death in that.” “I’ve got that covered. If you had been listening, you’d know that David and I can both use magic to protect against the cold. I can’t swim in leather armor.” “Allar is,” Babb said. “Wait, no. Dammit, you’re distracting me. I wanted to warn you about Seekan. I overheard him and Trin talking, and he’s just . . . suspicious.” Babb checked to make sure Lacy was not going to laugh. Then he said, “He was asking about the dark Elves, and Tri’ni’s dad and :):):):). I don’t trust him. It might not be safe down there.” Lacy hesitated, thinking, then nodded. “You might be right, but do you know why someone we’ve never met would have it out for us specifically? Look, Babb, I know how you get sometimes. You get bored, and you want to make trouble. We’ve got to go now if we’re going to do this. Just keep an eye on Seekan while we’re out. If you are right, just get your hands on him and strangle him until he tells you what his evil plan is. But try to wait a little while before you do, alright?” “You’re not wearing that,” Babb said. “I’ll be careful.” Lacy hugged him, then headed back for the room everyone else was in. Just as she was about to open the door, it opened itself, and Seekan glided out, his eyes on Babb. “We must move swiftly,” Seekan said. “Night is upon us.” Reluctantly, Babb followed. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Mother of Dreams - Episode 5 (updated February 1st, 2005)
Top