Fola leads you to a large clearing in the woods around a huge tree. This is the first time in days you have clearly seen the sun. As you enter, Ekujae elves make room for you on comfortable seats. You have only been waiting for a moment when a pair of the oldest elves you have seen among the Ekujae approach you. They first nod to Fola, and then address you.
The first to speak is a tall woman, her grey hair falling gently over her shoulders. Every inch of skin on her face is covered in intricate drawings; none of the other Ekujae you have seen has nearly such extensive decoration. The other Ekujae clearly defer to her. "I am Elder Kalwe, and this is my husband, Elder Nolanu. We have been told you are Pathfinders, here to pay Sharrowsmith's debt to our people. Is this true?"
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Catorze answers in both Elvish and Taldan, bowing low and then holding her head up proudly. “I am Catorze the Pathfinder. I will let my friends will introduce themselves; we are all here to see justice done. When I was young, my playmates and I played tree-tag in the jungles not far from here. I am a child of the mwangi, who was captured and stolen away by aspis scum. I stole myself away, and became a Pathfinder so that I could free others.”
“Elder Kalwe,” Catorze says. “I did not have the pleasure to meet Sharrowsmith while he still lived, but my auntie knew him as an honorable man. I consider him a tribal brother, and I want to see his debt to your people paid. Will you please tell us what his debt was? If it is in our power to do so, we will make every effort to honor his wishes and fulfill the promise he made to your people.”
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Caena feels quite inspired by Catorze's elegant speech, but is herself a little tongue-tied at the weight of the situation. She takes a deep breath and introduces herself, "My name is Caena Coldmoon, and I too represent the Pathfinder Society. I didn't know Nieford Sharrowsmith myself, but from everything I hear he was a good, honorable man. I hope you also will believe that our entire Society is trustworthy one, and that is why we are here. You can ask these two." She nods to Danbit and Erta. "We want to do right by your people."
She looks to Catorze or Fola to translate her words.
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Lovissa smiles broadly.
"I am Lovissa, of the line of Halenbane. Daughter of Mergerice, and Granddaughter of Abrenica and Ferdinand. Famous Pathfinders, all." She bows at the elves around her.
"I am a wanderer at heart, and explorer. A discoverer of history, both epic and small. My deeds are many and my legend is great. I am the saviour of Janira Gavix and Balenor Forsend, Slayer of the Minotaur of the Kortos Caverns, Hero of Diobel, Investigator for the city of Ridonport, as well as it's Hero and Saviour, Victor of the Battle of Arnisant House, and Honoured Patron of Arnisant House Museum."
"Word has reached the Pathfinders that your people have been abducting supposed agents of our organization and returning them days later after painful interrogations. That these were innocents unrelated to the Pathfinders seems to have no bearing on the violence. The survivors speak of a favour owed by the recently deceased Sharrowsmith to the Ekujae. We are here to put an end to the unnecessary abductions, and to fulfill whatever bargain and promises Sharrowsmith has made with your people."
With an earnest look, Lovissa adds, "The Pathfinder Society is my family. I wish to put an end to whatever grievances you have against us, and extend the hand of friendship to you and your people."
Kalwe and Nolani's eyes meet, seeming to communicate pages in an instant. Probably only two who had shared centuries of experience together could share so much in such a short glance.
Nolani turns to answer Catorze. "There is an evil whose source is at a place east called Dehu Inu, where we are forbidden to go. Sharrowsmith promised to investigate but never did, so we require his debt to be fulfilled. If you wish to settle this account, stop whatever it is that has arisen there. Since our stories tied to this place tell us of great battles in the past fought by heroes wielding yellowheart weapons, you may wish to take these."
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Soddy politely raises one viney arm as Nolani explains the nature of the debt that Sharrowsmith had owed to the elves. "Evil? What sort of evil? I've heard that it comes in all sorts of forms so it would be good to know what form of evil this might be - so we can be sure to use the proper good form to get rid of it!"
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"We are here to fulfill his debt, and investigating a great evil is something we would do even without Sharrowsmith's promise. We are Pathfinders." She risks a small grin. "We never did find danger that we didn't run straight toward. As my father always said, keep the light to your back and the shadow to your front; that's where the trouble is."
"Any details would certainly be appreciated."
"Dehu Inu means 'blood maw.' We do not know exactly what this evil is. From time to time, creatures of darkness, usually ones that hide under cover of night, emerge from Dehu Inu and bring increased danger to the jungle. Before now these threats were easily dispatched outside its boundaries. Lately, however, the attacker has become clever and specifically targets Ekujae. Entire families have gone missing. The first sign of this trouble was when a patrol led by one of our best scouts, Kaghaze, disappeared several weeks ago."
"Yellowheart wood is sacred to us. When a scout is first allowed on patrol, she is given a club of yellowheart that she must carve to her liking. Most believe them to be only ceremonial, but the stories often carry the truth when written records are lost." She then points respectfully to the giant tree in the center of the clearing. "This is a yellowheart tree. Many Ekujae villages are home to one. Our oldest stories tell us that we must nurture such trees, for they help us to know when it is time to move. Once it has reached an age when it loses a limb, we cut down the tree and use its wood. Then we move on and begin anew. As you can see, this village is still quite young."
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For a long moment, Soddy is silent as she considers this new information. "First other fleshies tried to uproot you and now the Blood Maw tries to prune you down to nothing..."
The leshy suddenly pumps her small leafy fist. "No more! The Ekujae fleshies are strong but still need help. I want to help!"
A hint of a smile appears on Elder Nolani's face at Soddy's outburst. "We thank you for your help. Please, take any of these that may be helpful to you. We do not know what you may face, but there is probably truth to our old stories that speak of these weapons as helpful in fighting off evil."
At Nolani's motion, several Ekujae bring out a stack of various weapons made of a soft yellow wood, and some amunition.
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Caena brightens at the description of the task they're being asked to do. "Investigate and protect your people from an unknown evil presence? That hardly counts as a burden at all! You only had to ask."
She moves eagerly to the pile of weapons, feeling honored that the elves would share this piece of their tradition with them. But she freezes when she hears Lovissa's words. Oh. Are we still going to bring that up? She holds her breath and looks anxiously to the two elders.
Several of the nearby Ekujae look at Lovissa in shock at speaking to the honored elders in such a way. Nolani looks at Lovissa, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Is this how you extend a hand of friendship, Lovissa, of the line of Halenbane. Daughter of Mergerice, and Granddaughter of Abrenica and Ferdinand? Sharrowsmith had, to the best of our understanding, betrayed a sacred promise to our people. We sent many of our best to look for him. Some of them may have acted unwisely out of a sense of anger and betrayal. Fola did well to prevent any lives from being lost."
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"Beatings continue until morale improves or help is given?" Soddy asks, almost as though quoting something she'd heard elsewhere. "Fleshies don't usually respond well to beatings, do they? Lots of plants don't, either. Maybe next time ask nicely first and save beatings for last resort," the leshy suggests. "Flies and fleshies respond better to honey!"
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"Yes. It is," she replies. "With open honesty. And I expect the same in return. If I have a question, I will ask you. If I feel you have done wrong, I will tell you. Would you not do the same for a friend?"
"I will not lie to you, or tip toe around truths. I understand your misunderstanding at Sharrowsmith's death. I understand your anger. But, harming innocents was wrong. Surely you agree?" she enquires with a raised eyebrow. "The next time you desire to seek out a Pathfinder, I recommend a letter, Elder Nolani. Or a messenger, if you prefer. Directed to the Nantambu Pathfinder Lodge. Venture-Captain Aya Allahe would be thrilled to hear from you."
She wanders over and looks at the weapons. "Your people are talented craftsmen. These are all fine weapons." She picks up the terbutje and tests its weight in her hand.
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Caena releases her breath, relieved that Lovissa's words haven't instantly undone their diplomatic efforts so far. She faces the elders and and adds firmly, "I have come to appreciate my friend Lovissa's straightforward attitude. She speaks her mind, and I hope you also will take her words as they are, and not read any hidden message in them. Trust us with this task, and hopefully your people will not be burdened by this feeling of betrayal any more."
She turns back to the weapons and looks at the terbutje in Lovissa's hand. She murmurs, "An interesting weapon. The wood gives it stability while the blades provide powerful slice." At Sara's question she comments, "For people not used to wielding a weapon, a simple club would probably be best. Or you can leave the task of whacking evil in the face to us." She smiles grimly and gives one of the weapons a trial swing.
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“A moment, please, elders. May I try these weapons a moment?” Catorze is not unfamiliar with these types of weapons, but it’s been a while since she’s used anything but her bow and rapier. She tries slashing with the terbutje, but realizes that the balance does not quite work for her. The staff is interesting, as is the long spear, but both feel overly clunky. Then she tries the short spear, lunging, dancing and leaping with it. In the end, she holds it up and smiles, her tail high. “Ah. This one is a good fit for my fighting style. I’ll try this one.”
“I would also like to take some of the arrows — at least eight — if I may.”
The elders nod as they see your team respectfully trying out the weapons to see what they can handle well.
Kalwe turns to Fola, speaking in Elven (not spoilering, since I assume someone will translate). "You know that our people are forbidden to enter Dehu Inu, so we cannot assist in this venture. However, you are partly of us and partly not of us. We do not know the reason for the ban, nor what the dangers may be, but you are most likely to be able to safely accompany these strangers. Do you wish to go with them, and tell us about what you find, so we can better understand our ancient stories?"
Fola nods her head to Kalwe, and gives you a smile. She is obviously trying to look confident, but actually rather scared. Danbit and Erta offer to accompany you to the edge of the forbidden area.
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"Well said, Soddy Daisy!" Caena picks out the terbutje that seems easiest to handle, and pulls the shield off her back to grip it firmly in her left hand. She keeps her usual scimitar ready at her waist, just in case.
She glances at Fola, curious about the taboo they're talking about. But judging by their words, the elves don't know much about it either, and she doesn't want to push their luck by further offending anyone. So she simply smiles at Danbit and Erta and asks, "How far is it to this place?"
"I think I have to do this for my people," Fola quietly answers.
The elders bow towards Fola and towards you in respect, and then move away without saying anything further.
Danbit, Erta, and Fola help you get settled into a comfortable shelter on ground level for the night, since it is too late in the day to set off. Nolani stops by for a short time in the evening with herbal medicines for Soddy and Sara. The medicines are bitter but pleasant.
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Caena observes Nolani's healing with bright eyes. "Ah! I should have known that the people who live here have their own remedies for the local illnesses. I think if you want to deal with agents of the Pathfinder Society in the future, offering aid like this would be a great way to make allies among them." While getting ready to sleep she hums contentedly to herself, imagining a happy future where the locals and the Pathfinders can work together in this region.
The next morning, your Ekujae friends take you a few hours' journey into the jungle. Ahead the jungle foliage thins and becomes an open area of
stunted, low-growing brush and grasses that is nearly half a mile
wide. The perpetual sounds of life in the jungle fall silent. A series
of worn stone monoliths, each roughly ten feet tall and spaced
evenly every 100 feet, marks the perimeter of this clearing.
On the northeast border, a 60-foot-tall cliff rises to a plateau
above. More of the stone monoliths loom from the top of the cliff.
About halfway up the cliff, a ledge juts sharply into the clearing.
Danbit and Erta are unwilling to step into the clearing, but instead stand just under the cover of the trees, watching you. Fola shudders and gathers her strength, and then follows you into the forbidden area.
You stop to look carefully at the nearest of the stone monoliths. It is too worn by time to read every word, but it clearly contains many warnings of dire dangers in elvish script. Some sort of winged, shadow evil seems to be referred to. The dialect is over a thousand years old.
The monoliths also speak of a deal of some kind between the Ekujae elves and Jatembe, and state that this place is in the keeping of the Ekujae.
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Not particularly bothered by whatever seems to be spooking their Ekujae companions, Soddy toddles over to some of the nearby monoliths and squints at them.
"These words are strange, old. Maybe Catorze can read them?" she asks, glancing back over her shoulder. She then looks around the clearing and then up at the cliff.
"Long way up! Someone brought the rope, right?"
The face of the cliff is relatively rough, so it seems like a reasonably easy climb for someone who is skilled at it.
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When Lovissa mentions a grappling hook, Caena cries out, “Ah!” and takes off her backpack to start rustling around in it. She pulls out a set of climbing equipment. “I carry these because I’m not skilled at climbing, but if someone else would like to use my tools to get to the top and fasten a rope, I will gladly lend them.”
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I'm sure Catorze will make sure all securements are in place, rope knotted, carefully look at the wall she needs to free climb, and make her way to the top.
Guys, I got this! Catorze will secure the rope at the top, and release the other end down for the rest of the party to climb up.
Catorze makes the climb look effortless.
“You’re not going to make me climb AGAIN?! I’m afraid of heights!” Gellion grumbles the whole way up. He grunts. He moans. He screams a couple times as his foot slips. “And you’re making me do it while carrying all your stupid STUFF!”