The gooseherd looks confused.
"Village? No Miss, I live on the edge of town, I'm as much a part of Cormondal as the next man. Whatever done this, a goose is too big for a fox or a pike, we've nothing else round here but them wolves what could carry one off. If it's some monster, or someone's messing with me, I reckon we did the right thing coming to people like yourselves. And it may be just one or two geese to you, Miss, but each one is money to feed my family, begging your pardon." By the end of his tirade he seems to have worked himself up into getting quite upset.
"I want this sorted out," he says, and there are mutters of agreement from the others with him. "And the law's useless, and helping people is what the Vashti does, and killing monsters is what you do," he jabs a finger at Annika, "so we want something done before we lose more animals and more money! Good day to you, Miss, Sirs, Vashti." Embarrassed once more by speaking up, he and the other farmers turn and leave the temple. The goose carcass is left on the flagstones of the courtyard.
"W..." the Vashti calls after them. She is ignored. She closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose for a moment. "I apologise for that," she says. "My great aunt never had this trouble...." She points at the goose. "If you want to study that further, I'll have Sister Herbalist take care of it for you, otherwise I'll have it cleared away. Seems a shame to waste, but who knows what's been done to it?"
"Perhaps wise," rumbles Xielt. He looks at the rest of you. "It had a scent to it, that reminded me of the creature we fought at the mines. But not quite the same." The big tlaxu shakes his head, setting his braids (which have increased in number and complexity since you have known him) dancing.
********
Later, over a meal of baked trout and rice, experiences and options are discussed.
"You asked about the Jade Elixir," says the Young Vashti. "Our temple here is just one of many that gathers people who follow the teachings of the Great Sage Manrupashnar. Now, Manrupashnar never wrote down any of her teachings, this was left to her pupils. Some of the most popular writings were by young noblewoman named Eruvar, who gave up her life of ease to learn charity and humility at the feet of a master. However, when she reached the narvinda in the Three Sisters Mountains where Manrupashnar taught, she was too late. The Geat Sage has died, the day before she arrived. Eruvar prayed and fasted for many days, and had a vision of the Great Sage, who told her that she had been admitted into the company of the Immortals. She had been granted the Jade Elixir.
"Now, not all believe that Manrupashnar became an Immortal, and many of us feel that it is irrelevant to her teachings, which focus on making things better for people here and now. Our teachings are that the Jade Elixir was a metaphor, that the Great Sage's "immortality" was due to her teachings living on for four hundred years and inspiring others to great deeds. But, perhaps, there is such a thing that may be found somehow. We have a good library here, I can set some novices to researching for you. There may be other means to achieve what you seek."
[SBLOCK=OOC]
Post-It from the Vashti's Fridge:
Things to Do, Urgent.
- The Old River King came to the mortal realm with the Old Vashti and Flying Geese, probably about 40 years ago. What happened to him?
- Find a way to hide mortality from the River Princes. Jade Elixir?
- Get Vashti's scroll from Prince Oxbow.
- Seek Princess Springborn as possible ally.
- New River King has agenda. Is it harmful, can he be stopped?
- Missing corpse from the temple. What happened to it?
- Trouble at Tigerskin Gorge. The Merchants League should be informed. Further investigation?
- Attacks on local livestock by unknown person(s) or creature(s). Needs attention? May affect truce with wolves.
- Any other business.
[/SBLOCK]
