Zimm starts a bit at being addressed directly by the strange little man, "Us? Shimmer you say? " she says, referring back to the the list of goods available.
Having regained her composure, the addresses Surro, "Describe effects of Shimmer and Quasine. List any contraindications ."
He nods and swiftly replies :
"Both Quasine and Shimmer portion provide two effects, one is short period one which longs for two minutes or so, and another - long period one, which lasts about two hours.
Shimmer calls for hidden and un-used recources of the mind, while making your body bit tired and weak for short period, and makes your eyes sensetive to the light for long period - thats why it called Shimmer - because all reality start to shimmer abit around you. That means too much light could blind the user, but his or her eyes will be able to see through low-light surroundings better."
"Quasine makes person much more energetic and improves user's reaction for short period of time while harms user's sanity. It protects from outside psionic / telepatic intrusions though."
" I have limited stock of that stuff. And also two of those are required to count as "purchase" to fulfill terms of our deal"
Zimm listens carefully to Surro's explanation of the effects of the two drugs.
"Side effects to severe...perhaps when you've refined the formula further..." Zimm says flatly.
She then extracts a shim from a small pocket on her hip, she holds it up "Towards our use of your apparatus..."
" Low light vision? That could come in handy. I'll buy a dose of that, ah, Shimmer. "
I fish some shins out of a pouch and look at the price list again. " Hmm, two shins for the Shimmer, and I guess if you're sure it's safe, two shins towards the use of the flying device. "
Party gathered :
Zoose 2 shins
Talanth 2 Shins
Zimm Nata 1 shin
Flight complete.
Purchase - Shimmer - Talanth 2 shins
To complete deal with Surro party need more 1 minor or normal purchase.
"Good, so i see you are gathered 7 shins already, but Shimmer is minor purchase and some any other purchase required. Why don't you buy a bedroll. It could be very handy, i am sure that it is better than the one you have" - Surro says while turning his gaze towards Third.
"I don't believe I have enough shins for one of your comfortable bedrolls, but I can see the use in a dose of quasine. I'll take some of that."
Third will spend 2 shins on a dose of quasine.
"And if you wouldn't mind, Mr. Surro, I had secured my rope on your side of the river when we were attempting the crossing and it appears my compatriots are determined to use your device instead. Would you mind untying my rope once we've made the trip and I'll gather it back up on the opposite bank?"
Surro's eyes blinked in surprise in answer to Third's request.
"Well, young man, i am no runing boy and my health is not that good to do such tasks for you. You are healthy buy and should run to the bank and un-tie the rope while i launch others with slime-thrower. I will not lock the door till you return."
He turns to others and declare:
"So the deal complete, i will bring you your orders and Slime balls to charge the thrower. Please proceed to the machinery."
He waved with his hand, inviting the party to approach the apparatus.
"I will bring what is needed in few moments"
He turns towards Third again : "You can run and un-tie the rope now, my Seskii will guard the entrance" - he nodded to the Seskii, and with fast pace went back into his house.
After few moments he came out with two small polymer pockets, gave one to Talanth, and other to Third, and then approached big barrels near the thrower machinery. He opened four barrels, pressed button on each of them, and four green big polybags jumped from barrels one after other.
He turned towards the party and asked " So, who want to be first? the procedure is simple. You enter the nest. Hold a handle. I press the button. The slime ball with metal heavy core inside being projected towards dry grass landing pad on the opposite shore. You need to stretch your body when you go out, and curl it back when you cross shore's line. You should land directly into slime sphere which enveloping heavy metal core, which will land just moment before you will, and it should make your landing soft and safe. All you need is bit of reaction and easy body movement task. All you need is bit of attention. And do not release handle, of course."
Third unties his rope and hustles back.
"I'll go first.", Third says before getting into the nest and grabbing the handle Surro was referring to.
Speed:
Tough and determined Third takes the initiative, grabs handle and enters the nest.
Surro eyes him, winkle and nods, pressing the button.
The apparatus starts to vibrate and the power supply line makes its ascending tone sound.
Surro says short "Hang, Stretch, Curl.", presses another button and a metal core ball, covered by almost transparent, green-tinted, glass-looking slime hurls into the air, towards the opposite bank of the river. Nest makes soft "Click!" and Third with all his mass, like feather, leaves the nest in next fraction of the moment, holding the handle linked with some cable to the ball.
He stretches his body, and right after it curls himself, and land just atop of big slime covered ball. Slime absorbs him, and repels back, Third catching momentum and lands just on his feet bit owerwhelmed by speed and intensity of such "unusual" trip.
Hang, Stretch, curl. Hang, Stretch, curl. Hang, Stretch, curl. I think to myself as I raise my hand. " Uh, I'll go next " I say very nervously. Hopping into the nest.
Another core goes into the air as Surro presses buttons, dragging Talanth after it. He do all movements as guided by Surro with grace and because of his low mass and his agility he landed perfectly,being repelled by a slime sphere right on to his feets.
Amazed and inspired by how exciting and refreshing this trip was compared to his recent river "swimming" he gazed towards complex near landing pad on this shore.
He saw the trees, things from above. "I should fly someday." - this thought settled in his mind, as trace of what he experienced just few moments ago.
You gaze towards the complex of buildings on this side of the river. You notice same kind of apparatus, few regular buildings, small guard tower made of metal rails, and another plantation. All is covered by dense tree patch from side of the river and have some empty patches of chopped trees to the east, north and south directions. There is similar electric fence barrier.
You notice movement and turn your attention towards it. On the balcony facade, which belongs to the building, which is closest to gate and to the landing pad, you see few figures. One big and wide, other small and slim. There something else moving. There is some kind of animal sitting on the chair, and something small floating around it. It's not so far. That probably some kind of purple animal. The big figure looking like massive glaive, and the small figure have similar shape to Surro's one, so you could easily guess that the small figure is Surro's brother, Burro.
Third nods, impressed.
"Very well done, Mister Talanth! Have you any experience tumbling? I would take you for an acrobat!"
Zoose steps forward to pile into the next flight. He's practically quivering with excitement. As he is hurled into the air, he shrieks with delight.
Excited Zoose was so consumed by the flight and by experiences it provided, that he almost forgot to curl his body when he crossed the shore line, but his reaction saved him and he landed on the slime ball. His feet touched dry grass cover of the landing pad, and his body was shaking because of overflow of intense emotions and experiences it gone through.
Now only Zimm left on Surro's side, ready for the flight.
Zimm watches each of her companions fly through the air, noting the configuration of arms and legs.
Finally nodding to herself that she was confident that all of the variables were sufficiently explored, steps up to the apparatus.
"A novel design, Surro. Your own or found?" she asks as she settles herself into the nest, hands gripping the handle tightly.
"Everything you see here is done by either Surro or Burro. Or by our seskiis if we talk about random poo piles we have here and there." - he replied and pressed the button.
The calculation Zimm made was perfect. Dividing the travel path to 3 definitive segments was quickly made, but very efficient decision. Assigning to each one certain body position, and calculating vectors and transition requirements between the segments, she performed everything according to calculations she made.
During the flight she memorized the view from above on the opposite side's complex, and noticed some people sitting on balcony facade of one of the edge buildings.
This was inspiring. Zimm realized that her sharp and trained mind, with proper calculation, can rule her gentle and slim body to perform really complex physical movements and feats.
She landed safely and glanced towards the building where she saw human figures. There were 2 men and something small. And something small moving in the air around them.
There is complex of buildings on this side of the river. You notice same kind of apparatus, few regular buildings, small guard tower made of metal rails, and another plantation. All is covered by dense tree patch from side of the river and have some empty patches of chopped trees to the east, north and south directions. There is similar electric fence barrier.
-"I bet this is last one!" - said loudly low-tone bass voice.
-"We'll see, we'll see. Burro, do you have another bottle of bozna brew? We finished this one already... Gaelic, are we ready to take off now if they'll want to?" - said loudly strange, high-pitched voice with very distinct accent.
-"They need rest perhaps, not bozna brew!" - said soft and calm voice, and then he said very loudly "Come here, dear guests! Here! "
Third voice certainly addressed the recently landed party and was coming from balcony facade of one of the closest to the landing field buildings.
"Come." Zimms says to the others, then begins walking towards the the building where the individuals had watched their 'transport'
Party followed Zimm and approached the building. As they got close they saw the "meeting party" :
- aged and small man, who was certainly brother to Surro, but looked like he was "more adequate" and "less crazy" one. He was looking at new arrived guests with interest and curiosity and had warm smile. He worn sturdy coat and had massive tool belt worn on his waistband.
- huge hulking brat with very thick neck and alot of muscles. He was resemblinng Stirthal Thyrns, or, perhaps was Thyrn once, as Zimm noted to herself. He had two short swords placed in very Malvic fashion, and that hinted about this glaive's combat style.
- odd creature of purple color which was sitting or laying on another chair, it resemled big purple toad with three eyes - all of them were directed towards different guests during their approach. Talanth, Zimm and Zoose had one eye assigned to them.
In the air was some strange floating ball that was slowly moving towards the guests, it was 3 inches diameter sphere made of some liquid, constanly moving, mercury-like material.
Zimm noticed that the ball was ruled by the toad-like creature, it somehow tried to follow Third, but stumbled and stopped.
Party arrived just to the balcony facade and was met with silence and very curious gaze from "the meeting party" members.
Big toad-like creature broke the silence with it's high-pitched strange voice and heavy accent.
"Homuqa! Hello dear friends! You come to drink with us, and perhaps, i really guess, you also our new potontial costomers. Know! We value anyone, and are totolly and largely and completely glad to accept you at such nice place as our friend Burro's village!
Well met! I am Chaaseq, The Murden-bone! And there is Gaelic - my brave companion and friend, and this - is Burro, qindest person, and ownur of this citadol village which is our home!"
"Well met, I am Zoose." he says cheerfully as he steps up, bobbing his head to watch the eye follow him.
Gaelic scratched his head and whipped his nose with his hulking arm, and his mouth exhaled low tone "Hello".
He smiled lightly and nodded with his head. He had long straight black hair, and Malvic tattoo on his thick neck.
Third nods to the lot of them.
"Glad to meet you all. How long have you been in residence here? I must confess, Chaaseq, that I have seen no beings of your description before. From whence do you hail?"
He smacks his bald head.
"But where are my manners? Please, forgive me. I am known as Third."
"Greetings, my dear guests" - said calmly Burro with soft smile, waving with his hand inviting them to seat on the bench near the big table full of vegetables, fruits, and glasses.
"Aha mister Third, i am undoobtetdly pleased with interest you have to my porsona, but let me tell you something.... As i guess you came here because you heading to the east direction, and such guess makes me thinq that we should discoss something else first.... " - Said Chaaseq, moving his three eye's focus on Third hairless head.
"We should talk business and your desire to move onwards.... Firstly, you can have some rest here - surely dear Burro will accept you for night, if you desire, but let me worn you.... If you will stay here for too long and then move out in noon or after it you making such travel very perilous for yourself.... even more than it is already so..... You should rest till tomorrow, if you desire so, or move out very soon in order to reach only civilozed place in many miles to the east - Regel - before the twilight. The way is foll of dangers... And..." - he eyed Burro.
"Yes, Chaaseq is right. And I would advice you to take Chaaseq and Gaelic as your guides. They specialize in fighting murdens, which swarm areas ahead. They are Murden-Banes. They know all the area well, and this is their specialization - they keeping murdens in bay together with my fifteen seskiis. I wont give you seskiis but, I really advice to be smart and have so skilled guides as our dear Gaelic and Chaaseq at your side." - said Burro, stopped for few seconds and then added -
"The payment they request is merely small token of good will and worth less than lives they could save with their deep knowledge of hazards and area.
"So this is only thing we could really qontribote to Burro's household, and we obliged to be his usoful friends, becouse for few years he sharing his amozing village with us. And we also have fun!
Then, on our way, i will satiate your interest about my persona, mister Third "
"Two pieces of numenera. Good ones. And we are yours." - Gaelic low tone bass made very big contrast with high-pitched tone of Chaaseq speech.
"Yes. Good ones. Morely a token. So what you say?" - added Chaaseq, closed his side eyes and drilled his central eye's gaze into Third's eyes.
Third looks to the others, then pulls a dermal patch from his belt pouch.
"We do need to reach Regel- and the more the merrier on the road, I suppose. What I can offer is this patch. It restores vigor to one's mental reserves after applying it to the skin."
"I have metal boots that are very useful for someone with the right feet. Even if you can't use them, they're great trade goods. Very durable and useful for kicking."
Chaaseq nodded with his head and with all his three eyes blink and said : "Nice, mister Third. Please put it on the toble so i qan see it."
Then he turned towards Zoose and said : "I am not sure we could find it useful. The thing we need good numenera. Which worqs. Do things. Do wonders. As for boots and hats - mister Burro is very qrafty person. He qan do that himself."
Burro took carefully Third's pouch, and put cypher on the table. He examined it for fifteen seconds, nodded to Chaaseq, turned to Third and smiled.
Chaaseq examined Third's cypher and big weird wide smile formed on his toad face .
"Good, we have one. Another one and we are oq"
"Anything more?" he turned his side eyes towards Zimm and Talanth, while his central one remained focused on Zoose.
Zimm seems to ponder for a moment, then deposits an odd shaped device on the table.
"A device to impart Joy upon another. It will deposit the substance upon ones finger tip, from there by touch into the body of the other. Improvement in relations will develop."
Burro took it, examined from different sides, and nodded.
"Alrightly, now if you please to sit and have rest abit... in case you need" - his eyes moved towards Talanth - "Isn't it? What is your name, brave young man? You want to take short nap? You look wet and bit tired..."
" Call me Tal, and yes it would be nice to get dry and maybe rest a little. Is there a room where I could just change my clothes and rest for ten minutes? Then we could still head out today?"
Burro nodded and made sign inviting Talanth to enter nearby door, which leads from facade balcony into the building - "This is Guest House, come with me please".
He shown you tiny room with simplistic bed.
Talanth rested, and party ate, drunk, and talked abit.
Burro told that he build all his village alone, while Gaelic and Chaaseq been contributing to run it by keeping murdens in bay and providing guide services to people coming from Regel or ones who head there. He had fifteen armored seskies here, so the village was a real citadel and, as he said, could withstand even massive murden's assault.
He mentioned that in last two months there were two convoys of Aeon Priests, which headed to Regel. They didnt came back yet.
Gaelic mentioned that he was once a Thyrn, but he was not fond of certain "things" they did, and he run away, seeking new home. And he found it, in Burro's village.
Chaaseq was very talkative, but mainly he told jokes, and things that did not had any meaning. He didn't told about his origins yet. His mercury-like material ball was floating in the air, and often was making "frame" circles around head of person he was focused on.
He told that there is huge amounts of very aggressive murdens, and they live in cave networks undeground and ones that come from chasm. There are also another hazards, but they are rare, considering how the path ahead is infested by murdens.
Talanth finished his reast and come out. Now party is ready to go.
Ok, i see you are ready! - said Chaaseq when he saw Talanth coming out from the building.
"I reolly suggest us to go now, becouse we are risking to be caoght by twilight before we reach Regel, and that is reolly reolly bad thing.
anothing you need here? Want asq Burro about? Do it now. We need to go out, friends."
Suddenly he jumped like 7 feet away and appeared on the trail leading to the east gate of the village.
"Yes, lets go! To the arms!" - said Gaelic, fixed his short swords, and followed Chaaseeq.
Burro took cyphers, gone into building, came out, and waved with his hand, suggesting to follow him to the gate.
Party followed him and approached the east gate.
At their right side they noticed horde of sleepy and lazy seskiis which were following them with their eyes.
Burro openeed the gate.
zoose is juggling his batteries and looking back with a huge grin on his face over flying. He needs to do it again. "Yes, moving on. Forward, Onward racing the light."