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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4735770" data-attributes="member: 3285">Serpentine Path: Part 2 – The Crazy Old FoolFollowing the winding caravan trail was not a difficult task. Though the trail snaked its way around various mountain peaks, it was very well traveled and maintained. Vlad patted the corded neck of the stallion beneath him.  “These horses are amazing.”Dril allowed himself a smile.  “They’re the best trained horses in Onara. I’ve taught them several tricks, in fact.”“Have we much further?” asked Sebastian.  He had to ride in the cart, as no horse, not even Dril’s legendary mounts, would carry him. “We should meet up with the caravan bound for Klos Ka’Ra tomorrow…” Dril trailed off as he focused on a lone figure on the trail ahead.A very old man leaned heavily on a gnarled walking stick as he made his way down the road.  “This is the path, yes, the serpentine path…creatures of light and creatures of night, either may lead you to sorrow.  For they wind together down a serpentine path, and the rest of Onara will follow!”He broke into hysterical laughter and a coughing fit.  “He’s blind,” said Vlad.Noticing Vlad, the old man became agitated. He began another conversation with himself. “Eh?  You? Do I know you? No, it can’t be.  I saw you in Semar. Or, will I see you in Semar? How can you see if you are blind? Ah, the light of Illiir illuminates all.  But is that now or later? Hmmm.  Strange…are you late, or early? Shouldn’t you already be in Semar? I’m hungry!  What’s for supper?”Vlad and Dril exchanged glances.  “Heed his words,” said Beldin softly.  “I feel a kinship with this creature.  It only wears the cloak of a man.”“Great,” said Kham.  “So I guess we better feed him then.”They dismounted and began to make camp.  Despite his blindness, the old man had an uncanny knack for following people with his head, clearly addressing them. “The trees have ears and the rocks have eyes,” he said to Dril. “The sticks are snakes! I tell no lies!”“I believe you,” Dril said semiseriously. He preoccupied himself with tethering the horses.“The knowledge you seek is found within,” the old man said to Beldin.  “Be true to your heart and redeem your kin!”“I am doing my best,” Beldin said morosely. “An ancient evil is stirring.  Semar is not the prize.” He addressed Kham. “Hidden within is their goal—more power than you realize!”“Uh huh,” said Kham.  He took a swig from a wineskin.  “This is great! He’s got a saying for everything. Hey old man, tell me about this one!” And with that, Kham lifted one leg and let forth a rip-roaring fart.The old man sniffed the air. “There once was an Altherian monk, whose foot odor rivaled a skunk.  He’d go down to the stream, and scrub his feet clean, and the river would stink for a month!”Kham broke into a giggling fit.  “See?”“The dread king has been weakened but his reach yet extends,” the old man told Sebastian. “Your very survival, upon discretion may depend.”Sebastian shook the wings from beneath his cloak.  “It’s a little late for that, I’m afraid.”“Nothing for me?” Vlad asked, a little irritated.“An emperor most foul will sunder the pact, cowering in fear when promised to act. Causing Hurrian’s chosen much devastation, loyalties split along with a nation. Blood will flow from brother on brother.  First one war, and then another.”“Sorry I asked,” muttered Vlad.“This is great!” Kham was clearly entertained by the whole spectacle.  “Tell us more old man!”“Dark deeds are needed to combat the One Nameless.  Absorbing the elemental essence, the gods of man are blameless!”“Ha!” shouted Kham, sloshing his wineskin.  “That’s what I’ve been saying all along!”“Watch the babbling idiot,” Dril told Vlad. “I don’t want him wandering off in the middle of the night and getting himself hurt.”“What about the old man?” asked Vlad with a smirk.</blockquote>

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