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His heart beating rapidly, Father McKinley watches from behind his tree as the scene unfolds. The transformation of the village clearing is a sight to behold, and although by now he should expect just about anything, Desmond's jaw drops at the spectacle.
So it was one of them... He came to warn them of something...
I think they know we're here, he whispers to those nearby.
Cooil rustles the bushes he moves into to hide, but thereafter holds still and observes, fascinated by the spectacle of the plant growth and the lights and the exotic language. He very much wants to meet these people, but holds back. He really wants to take a picture in case this is the only contact with this strange race of little people, but again, restrains himself until more is known.
He glances at Desmond and gives an indication of his state of mind with a grin. He then shakes his head to indicate a certain level of amazement and disbelief before he looks back to watch the conversation.
The village changing leaves Jasper agape right alongside Father McKinley. Dr Zeroux's auras or Dr MacCray's sense of direction was one thing: he had nothing but their word to go off on as proof of those powers. But this was visible, it was clear.
This was real magic.
He barely registered Father McKinley's comment, only noting off-handidly:
Perhaps, though they don't appear to have seen us.
The newcomer doesn't have a horn on him. Apart from his clothes he has a pouch attached to his belt as well as a knife sheathed. After a minute of conversation with the two from the village he turns away from them and kneels down to make a strange noise directed out into the garden. Only a few moments after the sound fades a rustling in the trees is heard behind you and you see a squirrel jump from branch to branch heading towards the newcomer. As it passes over you it hesistates and looks down, seeming to look directly at Cooil for a moment before jumping out of the tree to the ground in front of the newcomer. He makes noises like he is talking to it and it replies, hopping towards you and hopping back a couple times.
Straight away the newcomer seems surprised and stands up to take a step back and say something to the other two with him who also step back cautiously, one hands him their torch. He picks up a stone and throws it towards you, shouting before he lets it go. The stone seems to burn as bright as the torches the others are holding and it flies a little off to your left landing just past you. Everyone up in the trees starts making noise again now that they can see you. Some gasp, some scream, some talk to each other and others shout aggressively. The squirrel looks at them for a moment before dashing back off into the garden after the newcomer hands it a nibble of food.
Stupid squirrel says Janice, all their attempts at caution and observation ruined. She untangles herself from the underbrush and walks back to the path.
She lays the spear she was carrying down on the path in front of herself and holds her hands out, empty, trying to convey the idea that she has no intention of trying to harm them.
Jasper watches in amazement as these strange humanoids revealed a new "trick": with a few words, one summoned a squirrel from the trees, His awe quickly changed to horror as the squirrel pointed out their location. They'd been spotted!
The reaction of the natives as they were revealed only served to heighten his apprehension (in his shock, he didn't even register that the native had used a magic rock to reveal them). Like Dr Zeroux he stands up, but unlike her keeps his spear in hand at his side. He puts his other hand on her shoulder and whispers to her:
As much as I had hoped diplomacy would go over smoothly, we might want to consider the possibility that these natives are not friendly.
Janice whispers back No choice now. We can't fight the whole group. Especially if they have attack squirrels.
Cooil strides away from the bush he was trying to hide in and stands on the path, careful to move slowly and not toward anyone in the clearing (if possible). He stands with his hands open, showing he is unarmed.
After showing his hands empty, he slowly brings them together, palm to palm (as if praying or doing the Hindu greeting). He then bows and when he is back to standing upright, he lets his hands fall back to his side and watches and waits, hoping others imitate him and praying no one attacks anyone.
Although he knows they probably cannot understand him, he says, "Blessings be upon you. We mean no harm."
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McKinley too is confounded by the whole series of events. He feels like he's just tumbled down the rabbit hole into wonderland and half expects a jabberwocky to appear next.
No use in hiding now... he mumbles. He puts his hands up in a nonthreatening manner, more a sign of surrender than anything else, and steps out from behind his tree.
I guess there were eyes watching you Cooil, squirrel eyes. Is now a good time for "row row row your boat"?
He steps forward onto the path. I think it's best if you put the spear down Jasper
What do we say in a time like this?
He mumbles a few things under his breath, trying them out, but Cooil acts before he can decide upon anything.
I was not so much thinking of fighting than to try and run for the Nexus. I will take the rear and try to cover our escape, should things get ugly.
Sorry Father, but I'd rather not be unarmed if they choose to attack us.
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Father McKinley nods solemnly in response to Jasper's reasoning and takes this opportunity to look around and examine these strange people closely, especially to see if any of them have anything that can be construed as a weapon.
He also does his best to try and read these people, their reaction to what is most likely their first encounter with humans from Earth.
To Jasper: Ah, yes, good escape plan, and thank you for being vigilant. Let's see what they do first though. If they don't attack us, maybe we can get some supplies and help... which we *desperately* need. If they attack, I promise to be right behind you.
Cooil if not interrupted by the inhabitants of the tree village, continues talking in his friendliest tones, but addressing his words to his comrades, "This might be a good time to mention I've done this kind of thing before. Amazon rainforest tribes, Siberian Inuit, aborigines in the outback of Australia. Present them with no threat, trust them, and it inspires them to trust you."
One of the small humanoids points at the spears and speaks to the newcomer with alarm. One says something to you and points down the path. The other is watching you intently and shakes his head and speaks to his friend. They talk amongst themselves and those up in the trees become quiet and several more climb down to get a closer look but keeping a safe distance. One of them runs off into the garden in a westerly direction. The biggest weapon any of them seems to have is a knife and no one seems to be wearing anything more protective than the odd vest of leather, the existence of which shows the presence of animals bigger than squirrels .
One of the two that first climbed down opens one of his pouches and takes out a small trinket. The newcomer nods consent and the other walks towards Cooil and offers him the ziggurat shaped trinket.
Hearing Father McKinley's suggestion of gifts, Janice reaches into her vest pocket for two granola bars. She offers one to the small person in front of her, and if they take it, she demonstrates how to open it and take a bite.
Cooil puts one knee to the ground, to be able to see the gift giver face to face. He again bows with hands pressed toward his chest and reaches out to accept the gift. He holds his palm open to allow the other to lay it in his hand rather than taking it out of the other's hand, feeling it more respectful.
Cooil inspects the trinket.
After getting a good look at the object, Cooil pulls his compass off the carbiner that holds it to his belt. He offers to place it in the other's hand.
The one that Janice approaches doesn't seem as brave as the one approaching Cooil and he steps back hesitantly. The newcomer from the garden seems to understand and motions him to take the bar. He does so and copies Janice' motions. Taking a bite and seeming to like it he turns around and shares it with those other few that had joined them on the ground. Many still remain in the trees watching.
After Cooil hands him the compass, he and the newcomer speak to each other and examine it and then the newcomer takes it. They watch Cooil as if waiting for something to happen.
When you give him the compass he looks at it closely and turns it over.
He and the newcomer discuss it for a moment. "It looks like a wayfinder." "But it doesn't seem to have an ioun slot." "Maybe it's broken." "Yes that makes sense. Have it fixed for them." The newcomer takes the compass. You know they are speaking in their language but somehow you are able to understand it. The one you gave the compass to looks at you as if expecting you to do something.
Janice starts talking to them in English, and then cycles through French, Ancient Egyptian, German, Ancient Mayan, and Ancient Greek to see if any of them recognize something. She figures--magic, right? So maybe they have some kind of Babel fish that will help them understand.
Hello. My name is Janice. We came through a door at the other end of this path--that way. <she points> We need some food and water please. She holds up her Granola bar and her canteen as she says food and water, to emphasize her points.
She runs through each language with her little group, seeing if any of them react, or get it.
If not, she pours a tiny bit of water on her hands from her canteen and starts rubbing the ichor or whatever it is off better than she could just rubbing them on grass or trees. She thinks maybe if they see her trying to wash ineffectively, they will understand what she wants.
Janice responds to Desmond: Nope. Go for it.
Cooil smiles and shifts to sit cross-legged on the ground. "Thank you. My name is Cooil. My friends and I are lost. We hope you can help us find our way." Then he looks at the trinket given him. "It is beautiful. Tell me about it."
He continues to speak to Cooil in his language. "You must speak in our language." When you repeat yourself he replies, "I am Qualin and that is simply hand-carved from wood with an enhanced silver layer. Perhaps you don't know how we craft our magic and make focuses. If you let your other travelers hold it they can understand and speak our language too." When Cooil passes the trinket around he speaks again.
"How do you come here lost? Did you not use the door?"
Yes, we used the door, but we arrived in the place beyond the door accidentally, and unprepared. And we had not the power to return home. So we came here looking for help, and additional knowledge. Can you tell us what you know of the door? And perhaps, provide me some soap?
She adds the last spontaneously, realizing that being dirty was getting to her more than she thought.
Jasper is dumbstruck by the "trinket's" ability, finding himself more and more confused as things go on. He listens to the conversations wordlessly, still holding the spear but now simply by habit rather than real fear.
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When the trinket is passed to him, it is if a light had been turned on. All of a sudden, without effort, Desmond can understand their speech. He becomes fascinated by the trinket, examining it closely, enthusiastically.
He ponders over everything he knows through his occult studies, feeling that somehow, this place, these people, this implement, may hold the key to the mystery that has fascinated him for so long. Suddenly, the ziggurat shape of the trinket along with it's power of comprehending languages clicks, and Desmond gasps and whispers, Babel... He becomes so enraptured in thought that he almost forgets to pass the trinket along to Gordon.
As he does so, and once again becomes grounded back in his surroundings, Father McKinley realizes that Cooil and Janice seem to have the conversation underway. So many questions race through his mind that he wants to ask these people, but he decides to stand back and wait and listen, not wanting to overburden the diplomatic process.
Desmond realises that this must be some sort of completion component to help focus whatever magical energy was used. You have recognised the shape based on your knowledge. Perhaps it has some similar significance to these people too.
Qualin responds to Janice, "Truly this is amazing news. No one alive remembers the spirit door ever opening, no matter what we tried. Even the Angel will not open it for us. But if you are his chosen as the prophesy foretold."
It seems the longer you are here the more of them overcome their fear to come get a closer look at you. Even one of the children has snuck down and while you are distracted has managed to grab the first aid kit and is looking through it.
"We thought you were here to help us. The door doesn't open for the living but for the spirits of those who the Angel grants passage. Many spirits stay and watch over us. They saw you and knew you were not here to punish us."
"Seliam, water and wash for them all please," he says to the woman behind him and she nods and leaves. "My daughter will bring you a bowl to wash in and she can also show you to the creek where you can wash fully if you wish. We will clear the main tree chamber for you." He turns and calls out behind him, "Lift the ward!" Moments later the area under the village returns to the clearing you first saw. "We also have much food if you are hungry. We were just enjoying our evening meal."
While all this is going on the spear in your hands feels warmer than it should. Inside your head you hear a voice, "Even in peace you still stand watch. Now I have seen your heart. Bring the spear to me and I will show you how to wield it to smite your foes."
Jasper wheeled about, expecting to see someone behind him. Seeing no one around, he spoke out to the group, and to the natives:
Did you hear that? Did one of you say something to me?
To his surprise, he felt no fear, even as he heard the stranger's voice. The feeling of calm that he'd felt since entering the Nexus returned at the strongest he'd felt it: something amazing was about to happen.
I didn't hear anything but the villagers, Jasper. What did you hear?
Cooil waits for the trinket to make the rounds and then says, "Qualin, thank you for the gift of speaking your language. I should make introductions. This is Father Desmond McKinley, a religious leader and an investigator into the arcane and mysterious. Jasper Rolla, a historian. Doctor Janice Zeroux, healer and scientist." As he says the world scientist, he wonders how it will translate through their magical trinket. And Gordon Alexander, a scholar of ancient civilizations. I am a scholar also and a scientist, as well as a religious leader."[/b]
"Now, allow me to explain exactly how we came here. There were two stages. In the first, we five were working on excavating an ancient structure many thousands of years old. We were called to study this place because there were many mysteries about its origins and purpose. We found ourselves standing in a series of circles." Cooil took a pen and used it as a stick to draw circles on the ground more or less to scale.
"Next thing we knew, we had been transported, teleported--I'm not sure of the best verb--to a room, about the size of this area where your trees are, with a single door in the center of the room. Each wall of this room had a connection to a set of identical rooms in each direction. Each room had a door that when we opened several of these doors and each connected to a place such as this or a desert, or a cave. In one case, something tried to attack us. We came through to this place hoping to find other people to help us."
Cooil stopped talking and awaited a reply, extremely curious how these people came through and where they came from.
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Jasper's behavior maybe should be a cause for concern, but after all they have been through today, Desmond doesn't pay it too much mind. His faith tells him that the young man has most likely experienced something miraculous, and personal.
Instead, he addresses the one named Qualin, Excuse me, sir, but did you say 'Angel'?
Something else Qualin said also sticks out. Ward. Whatever powers were used to transform the village glen, the intention is now clear. It was a defensive maneuver, which precludes that danger does exist in this place.
But first, Desmond would love to know more about this angel.
Janice is also surprised that they can't trigger the door on their own. She knows that her group can get back through, since they tested it, but if these people can't trigger the door, they are unlikely to be able to use the circles either... which means her group won't be able to get home. For the first time, she truly wonders if they will never get back, and if so, what that means for her future.
She washes with the water that has been brought, and asks to see a copy of the prophecy.
To Jasper's outburt Qualin looks around confused, unsure of what he meant. Others look at him strangely.
Once everyone has touched it he takes the trinket back to "maintain the spell" for once it ends you will no longer be able to understand or speak their language. "Yes, there are some among us that seek to increase knowledge too. The most talented travel to the citadel, but there they keep most of their knowledge secret. Once you enter the citadel you almost never leave. No one really knows what goes on inside their walls."
"We are the tree people. Though we live on the ground as much as in the trees, that is how we are called. We have other villages too but here we are closest to the spirit door. I myself never expected this day to happen. If it weren't for the spirits alerting the gardener we would never have known you were there."
As he listens to Cooil's explanation of how you got there he has a blank stare. "We here are supposed to watch the door. But we know nothing of what's on the other side. Or if we did that knowledge is lost."
He is eager to switch topics to something he is much more familiar with. "Yes. It is the Angel that gives us day and night. It also gave us the prophecies many generations ago." He looks up into the sky as he speaks and from here through the leaves you can see the light source that changed from sun to moon earlier. "The Angel's warmth gives everything here life. It lets live even those that have forsaken it and dug into the ground to avoid it."
They have cleared a space for you to eat and sleep in the central tree. When you get close, these trees are actually grown hollow and you can walk up a ramp to the top. It is a bit of a squeeze but once at the top there is plenty of room for the 5 of you. Food is brought and singing resumed. Much of the singing seems to be about thanking the Angel for its light and warmth. Qualin asks that you not talk about exactly how you got here and risk worrying people more than necessary. "Ah, writing is not something we have much need for. If anyone has the prophecy written down it would be in the Citadel. But everyone knows it. Perhaps you would allow me to tell you about it Doctor Janice?" The atmosphere has returned to normal though you catch many of them staring at you still, quickly turning their heads when they realise you have noticed.
It would bring me joy to hear the prophecy, Qualin. Please tell me of it.
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So these people worship their sun... a peculiar sun, unwavering in movement, but brightening and dimming to produce night and day. Desmond was no astrophysicist, but he assumed that meant one side of this planet was kept in perpetual darkness.
Father McKinley gratefully accepted the food brought to them, gave blessing, and began to eat, at first taking nibbles to sample things, then eating with an appetite that surprised even himself.
He too was interested in hearing these prophecies, and so he relaxed back and listened with full attention.
Jasper went red when he felt eyes upon him. Er, forget it. he stammered. He then whispered to Dr Zeroux: I'll tell you about it later, in private.
He gratefully accepted food and water (after washing the sand from his hands) and sat down next to Father McKinley, eager to hear the "tree people's" story, and perhaps finally begin seeking a path home.
The food here is quite tasty. Boiled vegetables and soups and strange looking fruit. Spiced flatbread to dip or eat on its own. There seems to be no meat or dairy served here though.
Qualin smiles but waits till everyone has enough food to satisfy them before he starts. A dozen of the tree people have stopped their singing and games and are gathered around to listen, and more likely, get a chance to look closer at these strangers. Children are being put to bed and only the adults are still awake. "Some say the prophecy is complete nonsense. The utterings of a madman. But it is still the oldest story that we have and only the deep people have forsaken our history in every way possible." The expressions of the others sours at the mention of the deep people.
"The first Oracle of the Angel gave these words at the beginning. To remind us of our purpose." He tells how the Oracle and several others gave them the divine laws and built the Citadel for all to live in harmony so that they could create a paradise. If they lived well they would be allowed to pass through the spirit door and return to their original home from before the catastrophe. Over time groups of them following different views and interpretations emerged. First it was the deep people who had been the most skilled miners and metalworkers. They brought the first break when they denounced the Angel as a fiend. They decided the darkness was better and now live completely underground. No one foolish enough to seek them out has ever returned. After this the Citadel proclaimed them Forsaken and anyone proclaiming the same was banished below. "It is said that there is an entrance to the deep people's realms somewhere inside the Citadel itself." The Citadel then proclaimed new laws and there was a war. There were no winners. Finally a peace was made and the Citadel was opened again for any who sought enlightenment. Few trusted them but everyone got along in a sort of awkward peace. The sea people, tree people, hill people, Citadel and the farmers, some consider the farmers to be slaves of the Citadel though they deny this, have managed to get along for many generations now. "And so the first Oracle said that the door would one day be opened to the Chosen to pass through without first dying. When the spirits told us you came through the door we hoped that you had come to let the Chosen through." With a bit less cheer than before most make their way to their home and bed once Qualin stops talking.
"We have kept the commands and avoided the Citadel's tyranny, creating this garden to live in, watching over the spirit door faithfully. I sent a messenger to the other tree villages. In a few days all our leaders will be here expecting to see you. Will you stay here or will you look elsewhere for answers?"
Janice looks around at her companions when Qualin mentions letting the Chosen through the door.
If going through the door is what you wish, we will think on it says Janice.
I don't see any reason to prevent you from making that choice, but new places are not always better than old places. You should consider that.
A few days... that seems a long time to me, having so recently been separated from my home. Perhaps we will stay, or perhaps we will return to meet with them. We must discuss this. I do not speak for my friends.
Tell us, how far away is the Citadel you speak of? I do not wish to participate in tyranny, but I may wish to... seek enlightenment.
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After the meal has concluded, Desmond pulls out the flask of whiskey from his inner pocket. Do your prophets say anything about drinking alcohol? he asks, then pulls a swig from the flask. He offers the flask to Qualin, saying Peace be with you.
Sitting back, the Father continues, Our goal here is to get back home, safely. If you think the other elders may know the way back, then perhaps we should stick around. But, it sounds to me like our best bet in finding any answers lies in going to this citadel.
He looks to Janice, feeling this is what she also suggested.
He has a thought, a vision of teams of scientists, researchers, government officials, military personnel, all pouring through the gate into this peaceful garden. This would be something Desmond would wish to prevent, but he decides that's a conversation to be had when he and his companions have some privacy.
Cooil enjoys the hospitality of the host people. He sings a few Celtic folk songs to contribute to the music on offer. The stories about the oracle fill him with curiosity.
After Janice and Desmond speak, Cooil says, "We have much to learn from you. We come from a world that values peace and harmony, but also freedom to live as we choose. We too know wars and also changes in our world that have made surviving in some places difficult. We will help you if we can but you may need to help us just as much. I would like to return to where we came from, but I am delighted to learn about you and look forward to whatever meetings with your other villages you choose to arrange."
Before going to sleep, he records as much of the days events as he can remember in his notebook.
When the small people prove friendly Gordon puts down his spear but keeps it close. He moves slowly at first and tries maybe too hard not to give offense. He is amazed at the calling of the squirrel and the lighted stone and reacts in near shock when the trinket is produced and acts as a language translator. It takes him a moment to recover. Ever after he seems recovered he seems to be taking everything in and trying to calculate what it all means for the group.
Finally he begins speaking. Qualin, we need to make sure you know what is on the other side of the door. Unless you know a lot more about it than we do, and I can not guess how that might be the case, then you would not be safe there. It leads to a place of many doors; so many like grains of dirt in this forest. Each will take you to a new place. Some are not safe. Some contain things that will want to hurt you. And in some cases if you open the door bad things might be freed to go to other places and do evil. They might even come here. We have already seen an evil dead thing that walked and wanted to harm us for no other reason that we were alive. Until these doors are better understood no one of your people should go through. Please, you have to promise me that no one will try to go though without checking with us first and without knowing more.
Cooil wanders out into the village and away from the trees during the night to see if he can see stars. He will spend some time trying to figure out what the geophysical reality is.
"The Citadel is North. It will take about 4 days walk. Be careful there." He says to Janice.
"It is for celebrations. Many will have indulged this night. I thank you." Alcohol and fermented drinks are a celebratory drink and he gladly accepts the offered flask. "That is an interesting phrase. Here we say, 'Angel watch over you.'"
He seems to brush off Gordon's warning, "I will let all the elders know of this. But the word will spread. Chosen or not, there will be those that try to go through. There will be many dreams tonight about what wonders may be found."
Cooil doesn't see any stars but one. Looking towards the north he sees the bright star about 30° away from the moon in the centre of the sky. He also has started to notice an itch at the back of his neck every time he feels for north inside his head. It seems to be getting... 'itchier'.
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Desmond is glad Qualin is receptive of his whiskey, and he tries out the tree peoples' blessing as he receives his flask back. He is then sure to share his flask with his human companions as well.
When things have quieted down and he finds that they have been left alone for the night, he asks his friends, Well then, what shall we do now?