So this was to be the end of Awenasa Windkeeper. A speck of dust on an unfamiliar planet, blown away by a gang of lowlanders. She has failed her people and she has failed these children. She is injured to the point where sh is fairly certain she can't fight all of Ely's men and survive. But she also knows that she will not let the children be enslaved again. There is no other option in her mind, death it is. She silently asks for Dawnlight's forgiveness but at least she will see Makayda soon.
With silent resolve, Awenasa glares defiantly at Ely and his men. "Children are not property!", she practically spits. "And I not steal anything. We went for walk and your men allowed it. They knew we go." She glances back at the path they had just took, "If we have to, we go back into cavern. Other creatures live there, we can too."
Her demeanour wavers for a moment as Thak is unceremoniously dumped on the ground. If she left with the children, he would most likely be killed. She doesn't like her chances of grabbing him and dragging him with her. If she was healthy it would be a different story but it isn't possible in her current state.
The Shoanti scowls at Ely, "You can't steal people. What you do to children not allowed where I from."
Awenasa wonders what, if anything Netuckelist would do. She knows that she was warned about how it would look to the sheriff if she was caught but surely the children's danger couldn't be ignored anymore if others actually saw how there were treated, could they? Were these people so inhumane as to ignore the injuries and condition of the children under Ely's supposed care?
She crosses her arms, ready to accept her fate and hopes that the sheriff still contained a shred of humanity. "Yes, you should tell the sheriff on me. She can decide what worse, me taking children for walk or you removing their fingers and torturing foreigners."
Awenasa could see Ely was surprised at her spirited defiance, the laugh dying on his lips. Clearly this was a bully used to softer prey then Shoanti. Awenasa was not boasting or lying. If she thought she could make it, she would herd these children back into the hills and die defending them. It was only Thak's prone body lying there that gave her pause.
The mine owner seemed to sense this and he squinted hard at Awenasa, in the dim starlight. He coughed and shrugged, "I don't think so. I think we can settle this ourselves, don't you think? Now, these children are my obligation, my workers and under my care. I can't have some stranger take them from me, vanishing off into the desert. Who knows what nefarious end you have ins tore for them." The big man shrugged, "Although I can guess, given where we are. The gnome promised you something? Well, he left you in a lurch, my friend. No one was here, no one to pick them up. Typical gnomeish trick."
He shook his head, jowls wobbling slightly, "No, it is just you. No gnome, no sheriff and no friends. Now, are you going to see sense or are we going to get messy?" he hefted his club, "Because the odds aren't good, one against six."
"You never were good at counting, Piggrich." A high-pitched voice called out. Awenasa looked and saw a short figure sitting on a low garden wall. It was Netuckelist, the gnome dressed in a bright green suit quite out of place with the dusty garden.
Behind him three other figures loomed, the rough looking men Awenasa saw outside the gnome's gambling den. They too were armed with clubs, stepping over the garden walls, crushing the flowers.
"I see four on six." The gnome replied lightly, checking his nails, as if bored at a party. "Five, if I count myself."
Ely looks uncertain for the first time, but recovered quickly. "So, you finally stuck your neck out, gnome? It'll cost you. When this is all over, I'll press charges. Some stranger, who cares, but you? You know these children are mine, by law and right. That is, assuming we don't end things here. Now." Then, with a speed that even startled Awenasa the heavy-set man barked, "Now, taken them. Bo and Grib, take the strange. The rest, take down that gnome!"
For his part he took his club and flung it directly at Awenasa's face, the heavy iron tip catching the dim starlight. Even as it sailed right for the Shoanti the garden broke out into chaotic fighting, men wrestling and pummeling in the dark.
Awenasa isn't surprised when Ely dismisses calling the sheriff when she calls his bluff. She can't help but snort derisively when he refers to the children as his workers. Had he been lying for so long that he believed his own lies? Did he really think she would ever believe that these children were anything but slaves?
The Shoanti feels slightly hopeful when Netuckelist and his men actually show.
She actually laughs at the two of them giving their counts of who was going to fight who. "You're both wrong." She motioned around her before her gaze narrowed in disgust at Ely. "You see property. I see slaves wanting to fight for their freedom."
"Children if they touch you, you bite! Find a stick. Use speed and trip them. There more of you than them. Don't be afraid anymore."
She obviously angers Ely as his club comes flying at her head. A lowlander may have been downed by such a move but Awenasa easily deflects the thrown weapon. She gives a feral grin knowing that she has given herself permission to do what she does best. "My turn."
She leaps into the fray with a flurry of blows, channeling her anger into pure power.
Awenasa felt her exhaustion, her injuries and her doubt fall away, replaced with a righteous burning anger toward Ely. It was not that she was sheltered, shocked by such an evil figure. Every Shoanti knew the world could be a hard place, nature uncaring and Gods ignorant. It was not the cruelty that bothered her, it was how necessary it was. These children were not suffering due to an unhappy fate or a twist of fortune, they were miserable because this man wanted fossils, and the things they could buy. They were whipped, driven and forced to live underground for greed.
And Awenasa could not stand it.
Filled her anger, she fell on the stout mine owner like a storm out of the mountains. Piggrich had drawn a long knife from a holster at his waist, but no matter. Awenasa was on him before he had a chance to do anything with it. The first kick slammed into his stomach, doubling the man over with a heavy wheeze. Her fist smashed into his jaw next, and Awenasa could feel bone and teeth break, shifting painfully under her hand. The final blow, an elbow to the man merely confirmed the overwhelming attack.
The man fell to the ground, hard enough to raise dust. To Awenasa's surprise the man was not dead, or knocked out, but lay there feebly spitting out blood.
Around her the fight was a confused melee in the darkness. Nothing like a Shoanti battle, it was more like a brawl as Ely's and Piggrich's men punched, kicked and wrestled in the garden plants. Euler had vanished into the dark and Perey had stayed with the children. Who, following Awenasa's orders, had created a miniature battle line and were heaving rocks at Ely's men. Clearly they did not intend to go queitly. Awenasa was just pondering if she should finish Ely off when a thundering bang filled the air, like Euler's thunderstick but ten times as loud. Awenasa, along with everyone else, winced at the rolling echoes.
"That's enough of that." A female voice said, cutting through the stunned silence following the blast. Everyone froze.
Altava strolled into the dark garden, as if walking along a city street. Her hands were resting on her belt, where two small thundersticks rode, and her polished boots crunched loudly on the ground. Behind her the ratfolk deputy followed carrying a gun nearly as tall as she was, blue-gray smoke still drifting out of it.
"So, bit of fun in the dark, eh?" Altava said, as she walked closer, eyeing the embattled groups. She spit on the ground and eyed Awenasa, 'What did I tell you about making trouble in my town, Awenasa?" She shook her head and walked closer, until she was standing over the prone Piggrich, who was still busy trying to breathe.
"Finally found your match Ely?" She toed the prone man with her boot, clucking her tongue. She spotted Thak and barked an order, "Get that bag off his head and sit him up." She turned back to Awenasa, "So, my informant was correct. You were staging a bit of robbery this evening?" She gestured to the children in the dark, and added, 'What am I going to do with you, outsider?"
She looked around at the assembled fighters, children, thugs and one Shoanti. At the last she raised and eyebrow, making her purple eye gleam in the starlight.
Awenasa is getting tired of being accused of theft. The fact that she's exhausted and injured does not help her temperament either.
"I no steal! Unless you think people are property, I no steal!" The Shoanti looks incredulous, "Do you think children are property?"
She motions at the children, "Would they fight if they happy with Ely? Take look at them. They are hurt, mutilated, and malnourished. How can your town agree with slavery and torture of the most vulnerable?"
Awenasa shakes her head sadly, almost ready to give up completely due to her physical state and the stupidity of lowlanders. "I not tell you what to do but what you do tells me kind of person you are."
Altava took this is silence, her face hard to read in the dim darkness of the garden-cum-battlefield. On the ground though, Ely let out gasping spit and said, 'See, she admits it! She's taking my workers.." He pointed a thick finger at Awenasa, and spit again, a bit of blood landing on the Shoanti's boot.
Altava crouched down, low over the prone mine owner. "Shut up, Ely." The woman said in a low voice, "Or I'll let this woman finish you off, you idiot, it's what you deserve." She patted the big man's shoulder in mock affection, "You are in enough trouble as it is."
She stood up and wiped her hands on her pants.
"Because I finally have you, Piggrich. You and I both know I've wanted to bust you for years, but couldn't. You are too important, too rich, and, usually, too smart. But today I find you on another man's property," Altava smiled and corrected herself, "Another gnome's property, starting fights while back by an armed gang. No a good look, Ely, even for you." The big man muttered something, trying to force himself into a sitting position.
"Ah, but they are not your property, Piggrich," Altava said sweetly, indicating the silent children with her chin, "Legally, they are your 'charges', which is an entirely different type of ore. You think your claim of 'self defense' will hold up to a judge? Maybe, but there is no judge here."
Altava sighed and then aid loudly, "This is how this is going to go, folks. These children are going to go on the wagon and leave. Ely, you will give up all claim tot hem and their supposed 'value'. In exchange, Netuckelist here agrees to drop all charges for having invaded his patch, here."
"I do?" The gnome said, still sitting on the garden wall. A hard look from Altava made him repeat, "I do."
Then the sheriff rounded on Awenasa, "And so, we come back to you, outlander. And for you, it's simple. You and your friends are welcome to stay in town to heal up, buy supplies and then you will leave this town. I think you are a bit too hot for the likes of us, what do you say? I figure your have pressing business anyway?" She inclined her head, and Awenasa could see the purple eyed sheriff knew that this 'demand' was exactly what Awenasa wanted anyway.
Awenasa watches the sheriff with growing respect as she listens to her put Ely in his place and announces what was going to happen.
"Heal, then leave with supplies? I agree to terms. Town fortunate to have you as sheriff. Wise and fair."
The Shoanti nods, "Pressing business, yes. But healing more pressing for friends and me. And sleep. Is bed still available?" Awenasa wants to make sure Thak and Perey are taken care of before falling into bed to sleep. Hopefully she can talk to the old sheriff first. The sooner she finds out about Eivind, the sooner she can leave.
"Save the compliments" Altava says shortly at Awenasa's first words. At her feet Ely groans something intelligible. Altava shakes her head and adds, "And your complaints. I'm not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I want her gone," She jerks a thumb at Awenasa and I want you to straighten out."[/b] She toes Piggrich with a boot.
She turns back to Awenasa, hands still on her belt. "Yeah, Headquarters is plenty big enough. Khoretz here will guide you back, make sure you don't get lost or cause more trouble. I will stay and sort all of...this out." She waves a hand at the assembled group. The sheriff pauses at Perey, now sitting upright and the bag removed. His reddish skin is mottled with bruises and more then a bit of blood yet the man doesn't look that....worried? In fact there is a smile on his face as if this has all gone very well.
"Khor," Altava adds to her deputy, "Straight back to headquarters. Break out the healing stuff if they need it, I don't want anyone bleeding on our carpets." A final glance at Awenasa, "See you in the morning, probably. Get some sleep."
Awenasa was far too exhausted and hurt to argue with the sheriff. Not that she had any desire to go anywhere else in this town. All she wanted was to get the information she had been promised, recoup, and leave.
She nods but holds up her hand when Khoretz approaches to guide her away. "Wait."
She looks around the crowd and her eyes fall on Euler. She moves closer and says, "You good for lowlander and have my thanks. Stand strong. May your spirit guide you."
She goes over to where Netuckelist is still perched on the fence. "Keep being thorn in side of town. Keep them honest. May your spirit guide you."
She then helps Thak to his feet and supports him as they move towards Khoretz. She glances at Perey and makes sure he's good with Dawnlight's walking stick and then nods that they are ready to leave. "See you in morning, sheriff."
Euler seems wildly uncertain about the whole thing, glancing from Ely to Awenasa. Whatever his future, good or ill, Awenasa doubted it would involve the old mine owner. Perhaps the man could use tis to make a new start. He wordlessly offers a hand for the Shoanti to shake.
Netuckelist is quite another matter, the gnome looks pleased enough to burst. His feet swing on the fence like a child, heels kicking against the red stones.
"A thorn, eh?" The gnome says brightly, "One could do worse. Ah, but before you go, I have something for you." His eyes twinkle as he pulls something from a pocket. It is... a piece of paper, covered in strange writing that doesn't even look like the usual letters she doesn't understand.
The gnome gives Awenasa a knowing look and lowers his voice, so only the Shoanti can hear, "Give this paper to the old sheriff, Krahnu Duhn will know what it means. Means I have forgiven the debt of the new sheriff." The gnome places a finger on his nose, "I have a feeling old Krahuny put you up to all this. This will help prove your case."
With that Netuckelist bursts out into a jolly song that fills the night air of his garden, and earns a few groans from the battered men of both sides. No matter.
Khoretz leads them out into the darkness, the ratfolk leaning her massive thunderstick on her shoulder. For a long time they walk in silence, moving at a slow pace to allow Perey and Thak to keep up. Awenasa finds they are on a small road that leads into town, which looks dark and quiet.
As they pass some buildings, the deputy finally speaks, "That was a good thing you did. Helping those children." Khoretz doesn't break stride as she talks, her tail curling in the dust. "Altava is pleased, though she won't show it." And that is all the ratfolk says.
Soon enough they are back at the cavernous Headquarters, the black building feeling quite homey after the unpleasantness of caves and canyons. To no surprise, Krahnu Duhn is waiting for them, seated in her rolling chair. Her eyes burn brightly at the sight of Awenasa, a smile playing around the edges of her aged face.
"So...how did it go?" She askes quietly, clearly anxious for the answer. "Altava said there was a disturbance..."
Khoretz coughs and says, "I have to go check on....something." And diplomatically leaves the room.
Awenasa frowns slightly as Netuckelist hands her paper like it's a treasure. When he explains the meaning, the frown smooths and she nods.
The Shoanti actually feels hopeful as she follows Khoretz through the quiet streets. Maybe, finally, she'll be able to get back to finding Eivind and helping her own people. She is glad to have helped the children but nothing mattered more than helping her own.
"Glad children no longer slaves but still confused how it happened in first place. I trust the sheriff will keep from happening again, her and you."
As soon as Khoretz leaves, Awenasa pulls the paper out of her bag and hands it to Krahnu Duhn. "It is done. Here proof."
She watches the old sheriff's face as she reads the paper. "So you tell me of Eivind now? Where he go?"
"So hasty," Krahnu Duhn says, but there is a ghost of a smile on her cragged and strange face. Up close her skin is very lined, wrinkled like an old stone left out in endless sun. Yellowed patches discolor her tusk-like teeth, eyes faint. Yet, for all that and being stuck in her strange chair, there is a vibrancy here, a life still being lived. Or at least, contemplated.
'Yes, yes, I will tell you." The old woman says, shrugging her massive shoulders, "But first..." Another delay? Awenasa is about to scream.
Meanwhile Perey had found a comfortable chair and sat down, eyes closed. Thak, apparently not as hard put as Ely suggested, remains standing and shares a look with Awenasa as if say 'Well, what can you do?'
One of the old sheriff's arms fumbles with a pouch at the side of her chair, leather slung over the side. There is a brief tinkle of glass and metal before she withdraws a dark red bottle. Liquid sloshes inside, faint but clear.
"This is a time for celebration." Krahnu Duhn says, "This is the real thing, like they make in the hills. Tiswin, made by the Shobhad-neh." A grin, "And it will turn even your head, Awenasa Windkeeper." A bit more fumbling for cups, very small ones made of yellow bone, hard carved.
As Krahnu Duhn pours the tiswin (which looks like someone mixed blood and vinegar), she says, "But I will not make you wait long, Shoanti of Golarion. I will tell you all I know of Eivind, the Man Breaker."
She sighs, "I was young then, little more then a child. Eivind and his group had come this way after great deeds south. Eivind and five others. They did not truly stop in Arsis, but had camped on the outskirts, keeping to themselves, ignoring the village. I was not a villager then Awenasa, I was one of the Shobhad-neh, whom the people here call the nomads. It is a long story, but I was alone at night and I was drawn to their campfire. Eivind and his comrades were great heros but I was a Shobhad-neh, in the high desert. I was silent as a shadow, careful as a rock rat. I found a hiding place near and listening."
She shook her head, "I had hoped to hear great legends, tales of great deeds, perhaps even catch a glimpse of powerful magic. But all I heard and saw was argument and disagreement. I will not share all I heard but their stride was great, as talk between friends should never be. I saw fists raised, curses spoked and, I think, an alliance ended."
A long silence here as the old sheriff's eyes misted, lost in thought. Transported to a windy desert night so long ago. Then she spoke again, "Then they left, even though it was still night. But they did not leave as one group. Three groups left. Eivind and two companions left, and another pair went alone. I do not know where they went. But there was another, a woman." Old eyes gleamed, "And when before she left the fire light, she turned and shouted Eivind's back. [b]"I will wait your apology at the Halls of Reason, Heavy Hand! "
"And, before you ask," Krahnu Duhn says, holding up a massive, leathery hand, "I know where the Halls of Reasons are." she pointed, "West. Follow the old canal, like an arrow. It is many days journey and I have never been there, but I am told it cannot be missed. It is a monastery, a holy place inhabited by holy men."
"You may not find Eivind there, but you can at least find one of his old allies there."
Awenasa takes the drink offered to her and lifts the glass to acknowledge Krahnu Duhn's words. She takes the shot and sucks air in sharply through her teeth as it burns all the way down.
She listens intently to Krahnu Duhn's story about Eivind. Her eyebrows raise in surprise at the mention of significant infighting that seems to have broken their fellowship.
The Shoanti is glad that the old sheriff anticipated one of her questions but she had others. She wanted to know which of Eivind's companions went with who. "Can you describe what companions look like who go with Eivind? And what pair look like?"
"Since many days journey, we will leave in morning. Sheriff wants me gone soon." Having run into trouble with locals, Awenasa asks, "Anything to know about land we travel through to get to Halls of Reason? What about holy men? Will they see outsiders?"
Krahnu Duhn's eyes misted over, and a soft smile crossed the cragged, weathered face. Suddenly, she looked much younger, as if Awenasa caught a glimpse of a young girl hiding among the sand dunes, all those years ago. It slowly faded and the crippled woman came back to the present, looking as weary and aged as ever, yet the smile remained.
”How they looked?” The old sheriff said, ”It was many years ago, Awenasa Windkeeper. I was young and so were they, these strange outsiders. They were strong, fair and powerful. What else would one say?”
Awenasa is disappointed by this but not surprised. Still, she does not need the woman’s help identifying the woman, because there had only been one in the Eivind stories.
Asny Kolbeindottir, the White. The Snowfall. Unlike most of the rest of Eivind’s group, she had been born of a powerful Ulfen family of nobles, rich and well educated. Asny had given all of this up however, to join the legendary band of the Heavy Hand, much to her family’s chagrin. The woman did not appear in as many of the stories as Awenasa would have liked, and the Shoanti suspected the Ulfen bard-singers gave ‘a mere woman’ short shrift. Despite this annoying quiet, Awenasa knew something about her.
Tall and imposing, Asny had been known for her intelligence and leadership, second only to Eivind himself. It was she that had broken the Siege of Salvar’s Rest and scattered the armies of the Spider Lord. It was Asny that had helped end the Frostbloom War, via victory and diplomatic skill. A particular favorite of Awenasa was how The White had won the Riddle Contest of Qui, giving Eivind and the rest access to the Tomb of Silver.
A worthy hero indeed.
Back in the present Krahnu Duhn went on, answering Awenasa’s other questions.
”I have not made the trip to the Halls, but it is a fair road, or at least it was in the old days. The canal avoided the mountains and remained on the flat plains. It is still desert but there should be other towns and villages, it will not be raw wilderness.” A quick grin, ”And there will be none of the Shobhad-neh, Great or Little. “
The woman shrugged, ”As for the Halls themselves….they are open to visitors. Many make the journey, for the holy men are great teachers or so they say. Yet, I am told they are very strange, both to the eye and the ear. Despite the welcome, few visitors remain very long in their company. But then again, what holy men are not strange?”
What else would one say?
Awenasa agrees that most Ulfin look alike and lowlanders definitely look alike; however there are aspects of Eivind's companions that at one time were distinctive. Although would they have been distinctive to a child?
"How about the weapons they carried? Any memory of those?
Could Awenasa dare to hope that she may actually meet Asny the White at the Halls of Reason? The chances of having to fight may not be as great as meeting others of Eivind's group but that didn't mean the Shoanti would have an easy go of it. Asny the White was Ulfin after all.
”And there will be none of the Shobhad-neh, Great or Little. “
Awenasa sighs, "I almost prefer the Shobhah-neh. I understand them, no understand lowlanders. I understand what you call wilderness. It is what you call civilized, I no understand. They backwards."
She is somewhat relieved to learn that the Halls of Reason are open to everyone. She doesn't want to have to fight her way into a place on a strange planet or try to sneak Perey and Thak in. She can deal with strange because almost everything outside of the Plateau is strange. "No matter if strange. Only matter if they can tell me where Eivind may be. Or at least Asny the White so she can tell me."
When Awenasa makes her observation about the Shobhah-neh and the lowlanders, the old sheriffs grows quiet. So quiet Awenasa fears she must have insulted the chair-bound woman somehow. Was the topic of her old people that sensitive? Would she-
Krahnu Duhn burst out in a rolling laugh, loud enough to echo off the metal walls of the headquarters. Like old thunder it rattles loud enough that Perey drops his glass of liquor, shattering it instantly. Khoretz appears from around a corner, eyes wild.
'What? What's going on?" The ratfolk says.
"Nothing! Nothing." The old woman says, waving two of her arms, and using the third to wipe her eyes. "Just...I have not laughed like that in many a year. Prefer the Shobhah-neh!" She shakes her head and gives Awenasa a long look.
"You might be right, Awenasa Windkeeper. Perhaps you would do better with my old kin then the villagers. I have a feeling you will find out one day, an old woman's vision. If you do, tell them Krahu Duhn remembers the Old Ways and will not forget."
She shakes her shoulders, "As for weapons, let me think." After a long moment, "Eivind carried no weapon, bare handed."
That fit the stories of course, Eivind's fists were enough to slay linnorms. But the others?
"The woman, this Asny you say? She carried a bow." Yes, that fit the tales as well. The Snowfall often used a ranged weapon in the old stories.
"The others...." Krahu pondered and added, "The two that went off on their own. They each carried war axes, matching pair."
A matching pair? Awenasa's mind went through the tales. Which of Eivind's band had used axes? Many of them, at different times and places. Such weapons were favored among the Ulfen, even in her own time. How many of the hated invaders had she fought with such weapons?
But a matching pair? It could only belong to the twin brothers, Jatvar and Joakir.
They were frequent companions of Eivind, although they rarely got their own stories. Both were fearsome warriors of course, feared for their battlefield prowess. They were always mentioned together though, which somehow diminished them both, as if they never got the solo tales Awenasa had heard about the others. No dragon's slain or warlords defeated, no riddle contests bested or storms endured.
Still, it did not surprise her they had stuck together when Eivind's band broke up.
Still, Awenasa had no idea where Jatvar and Joakir were, or if they were still together. Best to focus on Asny, a known person and location.
Awenasa cracks the smallest of smiles when Krahnu Duhn burst into laughter. To someone observing the Shoanti it looks like her mouth twitched rather than her smiling but her heart was lightened by the laughter.
She nods her head at the old sheriff. "If I meet the Shobhah-neh then I, Awenasa Windkeeper of the Tamiir-Quah, will tell them that Krahnu Duhn remembers the Old Ways and will not forget."
Awenasa processes all the information shared and decides that finding Asny is still the best option. It is good to know that the twins may be somewhere on this world but they were not her focus. Eivind is her focus and Asny the White was the best way of finding him.
The next day, events move quickly. Awenasa, Perey and Thak gather up their supplies for the trek ahead. Krahnu Duhn does not appear but Altava greets them in the main headquarters room, with a heavy sack in her arms.
”If I am kicking you out of town,” the young woman says, ”The least I can do is give you some supplies.” She tosses the bag to Awenasa, who catches it out of the air. Inside, the Shoanti spots rations, a spare blanket and a few healing potions rattling around the bottom.
”I hope it helps.” The Sheriff says, ”Wherever you are going.”
There is no other real farewell. The town does not turn out to celebrate, or see them off. Not surprising and frankly, Awenasa prefers it this way. She does wonder how many of the villagers are aware of what happened last night, of the mass breakout of the children. Did they know how many had been spirited away from Ely’s clutches and that the stranger in their midst had done it? Did they feel shame that they did not do it themselves? Or were they angry at some interloper upsetting the wagon?
Awenasa will never find out for no one confronts her, or her friends, as they depart Arsis and head west along the old canal. They find an old but serviceable road running there, half covered by red sand. While they can hardly get lost by heading due west along the dry canal, the road does mean a slightly easier journey then clambering over rocks and gullies.
For a solid week they head westward, Awenasa setting a steady but forgiving pace. They march through most mornings and rest during the savage heat of midday, only to emerge in late evening and march for some of the cool night. A few times they find old campsites along their path but they see no one else, no other travelers. Even better, there are no wild animals or dangers worse than blinding sun and biting sand insects. Awenasa, innured to such hardships, actually begins enjoying the journey, seeing the beauty in the red cliffs to the west, or in the high, wispy clouds above. Every night the stars put on a glittering show, a net of diamonds.
They pass through a few very small towns that make Arisis seem like a bustling metropolis. Awenasa and her friends keep a distance in these places, hoping to remain aloof from any more entanglements. A few hints reveal no one knows anything about Eivind or Asny, but all confirm the Halls of Reason lie ahead.
Finally , a day came when Awenasa smelled something, something she had not noticed in her entire time on his strange …planet. Indeed, it was rare even at home. The scent of water. Carefully, she left the road for a rocky outcropping and climbed it, subsciously being sure to not reveal her silhouette to possible watchers. Perey and Thak waited below, hidden by a crumbling boulder of red stone. At the top of the hill, Awenasa crawled to the west and peered out. And saw a great deal.
The canal, straight and dry as ever, ran due west ahead, a red ditch in the landscape. A few miles ahead though Awenasa noted another canal heading from the south, perpendicular to the one she had been following for days. The difference though, was that this new canal was full of water! Green-blue, it glittered in the bright sunlight, straight as an arrow. Once, Awenasa guessed the water flowed along ‘her’ canal, but something had gone wrong. Instead, where the two canals met there was a vast green swamp as water poured out of the canal and into a depression that filled a valley as far as her eye could see. A mucky looking landscape of trees, seaweed and reeds.
There was a town at the swamp’s edge, a low collection of wooden buildings. Awenasa could just make out tiny boats in the water, plying the unhealthy looking swamp. Clearly, if she wanted to keep going west, the swamp was going to be a problem.
Awenasa quickly takes stock of the supplies provided and meets Altava's gaze and says sincerely, "Thank you."
She briefly considers telling the sheriff where they are headed but figures the fewer that know, the better. Who knows if Ely would seek revenge. Regardless, Krahnu Duhn knew and could share if needed.
Surprisingly, Awenasa enjoys their journey. She doesn't expect to be at peace as much as she is considering she is so far from home. However, it is the closest to the feeling of home than she has had in a long time and she relishes it. Not knowing if her companions feel the same way, she helps Perey and Thak as much as possible without coddling them.
During one of their rests she asks, "Are you both better after being hurt in Arsis?" She had already told Thak about what had happened and he in turn had told her his story. But she knows that neither Perey nor Thak were completely healed when they left town.
Just as Awenasa knows that she will never forget the day she saw the sea, the Shoanti knows that she will not forget the sight laid out before her as she perches amongst the rock. To see so much water in the desert is a completely foreign sight.
The swamp gives her pause and she wonders how it will present as a challenge in her getting to the Halls of Reason. She knows that she won't know until they get there and find out.
Rejoining Perey and Thak, she shares what she saw. "I hope swamp not keep us from getting to the Halls of Reason. Odd that there be a swamp when other canal is so clean. We keep going and find out how to keep traveling west."
Perey and Thak both look better at any rate, to Awenasa's untrained eye. She is no healer or cleric but, over their days of uneventuful travel the various wounds and injuries have faded. Perey is walking normally again, no longer hobbling like an old man and Thak's various bruises have retreated to faint memories. Awenasa's own burns and scars have receded as well, which she is thankful for.
"No more caves." Perey says with a shudder, "I can deal with anything, as long as it is under the open sky." He looked up at the milky air, dotted with thin clouds above them, as if soaking it in.
Thak for his part seems even more unbothered. "Encountering some physical pain is of little import, in regards to how much good we did. All those children are freed of a horrible fate, now allowed to live their lives as they see fit. It makes one's heart beat stronger, to do such things. Heroic things, even."
As for the swamp, Perey seems unbothered, "We could always go around. The swamp can't go forever."
"But that might be days, weeks!" Thak says, shading his eyes as they trudge up the ancient road. Ahead, even on the flat, the swamp is a vague green haze on the horizon now.
Perey shrugs, "We have already come so far, Awenasa won't turn back because of a little mud." No, she would not, but she also didn't like the idea of extra weeks or even months. Every delay meant her people suffered that much longer. If there was a faster way, she'd take it.
It is evening by the time they reach the town at the intersection of the two canals, one dry and one wet. It is a larger settlement then they have seen so far (although not much compared to the great cities she had seen at home, like Riddleport). A high stone wall surrounds it, covered with plates of thick, pitted metal. Another road runs north and south, crossing the dry canal in a hasty bridge. That road looks more traveled and indeed, a caravan of wagons is lumbering through the city gates even as they approach.
While many of the vehicles are pulled by horses, some are instead hauled by the strange lizard creatures Awenasa saw among the nomads. The humanoid figures driving though are not the cloth covered desert people however. They seem to be a mix of humans and ratfolk, mostly wearing brightly colored, free flowing robes, inlaid with geometric design.
They seem to be making camp right outside the gate, setting up campfires, stalls and tents.
At seeing Awenasa and her friends walk past, a thickly set man with a short beard hails her, "Hey, traveler! You look quite strong." he pats a wagon full of crates, "Mind helping up unload? We can pay you, enough for a nights stay inside, maybe? Eh?" He lifts a pouch at his belt that jingles suggestively.
Awenasa doesn't like the idea of any delay to them getting to the Halls of Reason but the swamp is a concern. She shakes her head adamantly, "No turning back. No making plan until know what problem swamp is. There must be way for traveler's to get to Halls of Reason."
The cheerfulness of the local clothing catches Awenasa's eye. It is a nice contrast to the desert and she figures that this is a deliberate choice.
The Shoanti doesn't realize at first that she is being addressed until Thak stops and turns. Her eyebrows raise in surprise that someone would hail a complete stranger when it isn't an emergency. But the jingling gives her pause. Even though she doesn't care about money, or what the locals considered valuable, she has learned enough in her travels that sometimes they needed coin - especially in larger settlements. Besides, if this lowlander is familiar with the area then he may know the best way to reach the Halls of Reason.
"How much pay? Where crates unload?"
The man grins at Awenasa's reply, like an angler sensing a fish nibbling on a line.
"Just off the wagon, into our campsite." He waves at the rapidly assembling living space appearing as if by magic as men and women build campfires, erect awnings and set up chairs. Carpets are unrolled and horses unhitched.
"Two wagons." The man adds, pointing at two large wagons stacked with chests and barrels. 'Just onto the ground, where we will build the market."
"I can offer a tin piece for each pair of chests and a fine mollusk fossil for each total wagon finished." Awenasa has no idea what to make of this, she did not have time to shop in Arsis. Was this well dressed man trying to take advantage of a stranger? Perey looked confused too but Thak merely grinned. He stepped forward, "Two tins for three chests. And two fossils for the whole job."
The man eyes Thak with a wary respect but grins, "Good! Fair enough, and I will throw in a dinner meal with us. My son makes the best pickled saguaro this side of Arl." He flung his arms wide, in mock supplication, "I beg you, o wise and fair travelers. Ease a merchant's heavy load."
Awenasa looks at Thak, grateful he's with her since he seems to know lowlanders' ways better. She probably would have just agreed to what is offered first since she doesn't really care. Just another reason she dislikes lowlanders...why not just speak plainly and offer fair compensation for the work?
She looks back at the man making a show of asking for their agreement to help and resists the urge to roll her eyes at the display. "Agreed."
Awenasa gets to work, happy for the physical labour. Repetitive physical work allows her to clear her mind. As she begins to unload the crates, she asks some questions as she works. "What is this place called? Do you know way to Halls of Reason?
At least the brightly dressed man did not simply sit and watch her work, as she had seen lowlanders do before. Instead the man starts to rummage through the crates Awenasa unloads, picking through them with care. The goods inside are a strange collection of practical and decorative. One wooden box might contain nothing but tin cups, gleaming dully in the sunlight, while another is glass beads. Needles and thread in another, with the next being wide brimmed, floppy hats.
The man sets up a few planks to act as simple shelves and stacks them with items, carefully arranging them to catch the light or enhance their sparkle. Awenasa wondered why the man was making a market stall outside of town, but she had given up trying to figure people out a long time ago.
As he works, the man does answer her questions.
"This is Ardkin, often reffered to as Edgerwater, for obvious reasons." He waved a hand to the unseen (but still fragrant) swamp. "A common enough stopping point by those using the canal between Arl and the southern cities. You did not know?" He gives Awenasa a quick glance and chuckles, "Well, travelers do not always pick their roads, do they? We go where need must."
At her second question though the man stops working and gives the Shoanti a second, longer look. He grins, "The Halls of Reason? Then you are a traveler. " The merchant frowns though, one hand holding a bit of raw leather absently. "You do not look like a scholar or a pilgrim though. That usually who goes that way, those that seek to learn. It is the source of all wisdom, they say."
He turned back to his work, fussing with propping up a brightly striped awning over a stack of pewter plates. "I have not gone that way myself." The stout man went on, kneeling in the reddish dust, "But have met a few who have. You are on the right path, through the swamp and a few days past. I think my cousin's son went that way, we can ask him at dinner."
The man looks up as Awenasa easily lifts the crates over her head, her natural strength making the job routine. He whistles appreciatively, "I could use a porter like you in every town. Do you plan to be at the Halls long? I could find you work, if you and your friends need it. " Awenasa gets the feeling he is being honest but also is nosing about her business a bit.
Around them other members of the caravan are doing the same, setting up market stalls for everything from pots and pans, to corrals for horses. So far however, there are no customers.
Awenasa watches the man begin to unpack the crates and says, "What do I call the man I work for and share meal with? I am Awenasa Windkeeper of the Tamiir-Quah. This is Perey and Thak."
A breeze kicks up and the smell from the swamp assaults her nose. Her nose wrinkles in disgust, "Why not water run through other canal? Why swamp here?" She looks somewhat concerned when she adds, "Is hard to go through swamp?"
She nods when he offers to introduce her to his cousin's son at dinner. "That helpful." She then shakes her head when he asks if they'll be at the Halls long. "Still traveling. Halls of Reason stop on journey where I get further directions."
When the crates are unloaded and the market set up, she looks around and asks, "When do people come to market and who comes?"
The merchant pauses from his labor, and turns toward Awenasa. He bows slightly, saying, ”Amadillo Portia, at your service, Awenasa Windkeeper.” The man squints his bright eyes at the Shoanti, ’A strange name, one I have not heard before. And I have heard many names. You must have come a long way, if you are strange to me. “ He rubs his chin for a moment then shrugs. ’Still, your business is your own, although I admit I am curious.”
Amadillo turns back to assembling the stall, as he answers Awenasa’s questions, clearly happy to talk. ”The water used to run into the Old Canal, a long time ago. If you go into town, you can see where they used to join. Something broke it though, there is a huge crater at the old intersection. No one knows what happened. Some say it was a war, others claim it was some sort of gigantic monster. A few even blame the Gods, but they get blamed for everything.” the merchant snorts, ’Anyway, the water flows out of the break now and onto the plain, instead of down the canal. It’s too expensive to fix, so it makes the swamp. “
”Not bad for Arkin, mind, apart from the smell. Now everyone using the canal has to stop here, to change from boats to wagons, or the other way around. Good for business.” He waves a thick hand at his own assembled wagons and stalls. ”As for the customers, oh...they’ll come.” Armadillo says with the air of an angler discussing a well known fishing hole.
”Let me guess.” Thak breaks in with a smile, ”I have seen such things before. The town has a tax for merchants who do business inside? So you stay outside the gates?”
The brightly colored merchant laughs and points a finger at Thak, ”Ah, I knew it. You are a merchant! Yes, I could see it in your eyes. Not an honest woman like your friend, but another greedy money man. ” he wags a finger at Thak but nods, ”But yes, that is the way. When we stay longer, I pay the fee and set up inside, more customers. This is just a quick stop though, long enough to rest and sell the horses, before we take the canal north to Arl.” he sighs happily at this thought adding, ”A proper city.”
Awenasa enjoys the work, letting the man’s words wash over her. The manual labor is a welcome break from the tedious political battles she has been fighting. She would much prefer to lift a thousand crates then deal with gambling gnomes, indebted merchants and kidnapped children. The air, more humid then she has felt since coming to this world, makes her sweat, a fine sheen gleaming on her tanned skin. Her muscles move easily though, strong from a lifetime of practice.
It is with surprise when she reaches the last crate.
Amadillo grins, ”You work fast. I could use someone like you at every stop! Come, let’s take a break and eat. We can talk and I can give you the rest of your pay, eh? My son can cook and I’ll find my cousin’s son somewhere in this madness.”
The meal turns out to be an odd one, at least for Awenasa. Their are no chairs or seats, everyone simply squats or sits cross-legged on rugs surrounding a large firepit. This is familiar to Awenasa of course, her own people always sat this way. Frankly, she had found the lowlander’s obsessions with seating unusual. How many hours had she sat around the communal camp fires on the Plateau?
But everything else was strange. The food, the smells, the sounds, all were different. Most of all were the people. They shouted and yammered, far too much without a trace of decorum. They interrupted with ease, constantly overtalking one another until Awenasa’s ears hurt. Even taking food was a free for all, with the quick taking their share firs.t Among the Shoanti, all in the quah ate in order of age, with the eldest taking the first morsels. No one would go hungry (except in the worst times) but it was a sign of respect to let the wise eat first.
Not so among these people! First come, first serve. Still, there was plenty of food and it was surprisingly good, if spicy. The grilled saguaro turns out to be some sort of charred melon-like fruit, juicy yet flavorful. A good treat after a hot day of work, hydrating as well as filling. The others were moving on to some sort of honey cake dessert when a young man sat down next to her. His skin was very dark and he had long hair tied in a ponytail that hung over his shoulder.
He nodded formally at her, looking quiet and serious among the braying flock of the others. ”I am Ardile. The Trademaster said you wished to talk of the Halls of Reason? I have traveled there, not long ago. “
The serious young man adds something after a moment, ”Before we talk, I must ask you a question however. Why do you seek the Halls? They are not for the faint of heart. I must warn you, as I would warn anyone, sometimes finding what you seek is a curse, not a blessing.”
Awenasa hides a smile as Thak seemingly bonds with Amadillo. She figures that it must be difficult for the man to travel with her who was always of very few words. At least he'd be able to get his fill of conversations for a while until they had to part ways.
The Shoanti wipes her forehead before the sweat can run into her eyes after putting down the final crate. "Work good, earns rest. Sharing meal good too."
As they took their seats, she tasks Thak with collecting their pay because he'll know if what is paid is what was promised. She leans over to Perey and says in Shoanti, "Music after we eat would be welcomed if you are up to it. Maybe you can also learn from them if they have their own songs."
Awenasa is surprised by Ardile's formality when he approaches her to talk. She motions for him to sit and she listens earnestly to what he has to say. "I seek person said to be at Halls, not Halls. I traveled far from home to find them. Much of journey been difficult. I expect trouble, not blessing." She fixes him with a searching gaze, "Why are Halls a curse?"
Perey nods and notes, "I don't see any instruments. I will ask around."
Awenasa is surprised to find that Ardile holds up under her steely gaze, a rare thing among lowlanders who often quail under the Shoanti's unflinching stare. His eyes, brown with a small hint of purple look back unperturbed. Awenasa gets the sense the man has encountered far worse.
"Ah, you do not seek the wisdom of the Halls themselves then." The young man nods carefully but adds knowingly, "Many feel that way before they arrive. I would warn you, an open mind is a valuable tool in the path ahead of you."
He settles back on his rug, legs neatly crossed under him. "The Halls are not a curse but they are a doorway to many things. Their lesser gifts are knowledge and information, the who and where. Far more potent, and dangerous, are the ways of wisdom. Of why." This all seems a bit much to Awenasa. She really only wants the who and where.
"To many, finding what they seek is not what they expect. Many gifts come with barbed edges." The young man carefully picks up a bit of grilled cactus and chews it slowly. After swallowing he goes on, "The Halls of Reason are dedicated to all those who seek them. You will not find a locked door or barred gate. There are, however tests, for those that seek entry."
Before Awenasa can ask the young man shakes his head, "I can not tell you what they are, even if I wished. They are different for each visitor. Tests of hand and heart, or mind and soul. Steel yourself for the test, be true and you shall pass." He inclines his head and adds, "What person do you seek? I did not meet all that lived there, for my time was brief. I...I was not worthy of the questions I sought. Still, I learned much."
Awenasa feels like she momentarily channels Dawnlight as she has an overwhelming urge to bark, Bah, why! and smack him with her walking stick - much like she had done to Awenasa when she spoke of purpose.
Of course she will eventually need to deal with the why but first she needs the who and where. It is all interconnected after all.
There are, however tests, for those that seek entry.
She gives a displeased grunt. "Of course, tests" Did the universe not realize that her merely talking to a lowlander to track down an Ulfen was a test in itself?
Steel yourself for the test, be true and you shall pass
Awenasa gives a harsh laugh. Surely these people had never met a Shoanti. Only lowlanders would consider being true a test.
When asked who she seeks, she answers, "I seek Asny the White. She would be an outsider like me but not like me."
Her face softened a bit as she can relate to not being found worthy. Although she highly doubts that Ardile not being worthy didn't result in his sibling's death. "Maybe you learned what you needed to, not what you wanted to. Did you learn something you did not seek?"
To Awenasa’s surprise (when does anything go right?) Ardile nods when she speaks of who she seeks.
”Yes, Asny was there, although she did not call herself The White. Her name was Asny Efterladt.” The word obviously means nothing to the serious young man but Awenasa knows enough Ulfen stories to recognize it. It means ‘left behind’.
Unaware Ardile goes on, ”I did not study under her, she teaches the way of the warrior. Not so much fighting, at least that is what other students said. They said Asny taught one how to think, how to achieve victory over any foe. Many traveled a long way to learn at her feet. She was still there when I left.”
Well, at least Awenasa knew where one of them was.
At her question Ardile’s already somber face grows quite still, very much at odds with the convivial meal happening around them. Slowly he nods, ”Yes, but that is the way of wisdom. It is unpredictable, winding this way and that. Things which you did not guess can become the most valuable, and the things you most fear, the most sought after.” The man stands up and inclines his head, ”I wish you luck, Awenasa. May your time at the Halls of Reason, if you find them, open your mind.”
Around Awenasa the meal is winding down. Amadillo and Thak are deep in conversation, gesturing and nodding. The others are gathering up the communal bowls, rugs and other remains of the meal. Awenasa notes with approval that every bone, seed and other food waste is gathered up and saved. Her own people would do no different.
Then, just as she was about to stand up, music started. A thrumming, rattling beat that filled the air. Awenasa looked around and spotted Perey not too far away. The man was sitting cross-legged on the ground, with a large rattan covered drum tucked between his legs. Eyes closed, he beat on the top with his bare hands, keeping a steady rhythm. The other merchants and travelers paused and looked over. A few nodded and gestured, clearly approving of the musical sounds. Awenasa knew better though, her friend was just warming up, getting the feel of the instrument. When he finally got it, he would-
The steady rhythm died away, replaced by a deep pulsing beat. Somehow, he provided his own counterpoint, using his other hand to strike the rim of the drum, creating a hollow, echoing snap. Then, mixed in with the weaving music Perey starts to sing.
”Aho! The insects of the night, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
”Aho! The deer of the highlands, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
”Aho! The owls in the old trees, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
Awenasa knows the song well, for it is often told to children, a way to teach them the ways of nature and the animals. Repeated over and over, it is usually done in a large group and sung as a round, each child adding their own animals. But in Perey’s hands the simple child’s tune becomes a smoky, mysterious thing, conjuring up wild wastes and open skies. For a second Awenasa can see the stars of her own and smell the cookfires. Animals flicker on the edge of her sight, and she swear she can hear their cries.
”Aho! The trout of the deep pool, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
”Aho! The insects of the night, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
”Aho! The swifts of the morning, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
Awenasa shakes off the strange visions long enough to glance at the others. Everyone seems enthralled with the music, listening silently. No one dances or joins in, or even looks around. Instead they stare at the little man playing the drum, who seems surrounded by a wild world of speaking animals.
”Aho! The wild worms of the high desert, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
”Aho! The spiders of the canyon, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
And, as it always ends-
”Aho! The stars of the night, they are speaking, they are speaking!”
Silence reigns for a moment, as the sounds and sights of the animals fade from eye and mind. Then everyone starts to clap. Not their hands, as Awenasa had seen in Riddleport and other lowlander towns, but they slap their thighs. They roar encouragement and praise as they applause louder and louder. A few stand up, shouting for more. Perey blushes and shakes his head. Still, the crowd won’t be silenced and soon he is mobbed with questions.
Meanwhile Amadillo slides over to Awenasa and says, in a low voice, ”Your friend is skill in such things. You could make a fine living on the traveler's routes, your strength and his skill. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”
Awenasa's pulse quickens when she hears from Ardile that Asny was still at the Halls of Reason. She had been trying to not get her hopes up and it isn't until that moment that she realizes how much she needed to have a win. Her spirit feels lighter just knowing that Asny is within reach.
The Shoanti actually smiles upon hearing the news. Something to move towards and a step closer to helping her people. She finds it interesting that Asny has taken the last name that she has. Did Eivind really leave her behind or did she feel left behind because he never came to make amends?
Awenasa feels like this is the highlight of her evening until she hears Perey warming up. He smile returns as she watches her friend do what he loves. She is certain that the others are in for a treat...and she isn't wrong.
She wouldn't dare take the attention from Perey but she also feels compelled to move as she did in her childhood to the words being sung. She moves to the outskirts of the gathering where she has some room and she begins to move her feet in beat to Perey's drum and move her body like the animals sung about. By the time Perey finishes, she is both at peace and incredibly homesick. Who knew that she would be able to find a small sliver of joy so far from home?
”Your friend is skill in such things. You could make a fine living on the traveler's routes, your strength and his skill. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”
Awenasa slowly shakes her head. "It not a case of want. I need to help my people by finding Asny at the Halls so I can find Eivind." If she's honest with herself, she does enjoy the simple work and she also knows that Perey would love to perform each night but this is not why they were here. They were here to find Eivind and get home.
"You come this way lots, yes? If I find there is no way home, I come find you. Then we talk about living on traveler's routes."
Amadillo looks at Awenasa's face and sighs heavily. Then, adopting mock sadness says, "So I cannot convince you? Woe is me, to be handed such amazing talent, only to see it slip out of my fingers..." The merchant passes a hand over his face, the picture of despair.
Then he laughs and says, "Very well then. Yes, I pass through here once a cycle, following the trade." He rubs his chin and says, "The song was good, very good. Here is a final trade for it. You are crossing the swamp, yes? You will need the villagers to make the journey."
"I have dealt with them for many a year and they...are not to be relied upon. They are clannish, lazy and generally unhelpful. There are few that would actually carry their end of the bargain." Amadillo says this as if it is the worst crime a person can commit. [/b]"They would take your money, but leave you stranded somewhere, or turn back at the first bad turn. No, few you'd hire would be dependable."[/b]
"You want a man name Anno." The merchant says firmly, " I have worked with him before. He is not the most pleasant man, but he is honest. Anno, that's the man."
The party has fully broken up now, as the various merchants turn back to their stalls, preparing for customers. A few of these have started trickling out of the gates now, wandering over to the wagons, carefully casual.
Awenasa slightly raises an eyebrow at Amadillo's antics but doesn't say anything more about staying. Even though she had to think logically about her circumstances, she trusts the spirits to get her home again. She would not really allow herself to think about what happens if she gets stuck on this planet.
She should not be surprised that she is told that most of the villagers would act unscrupulously but she feels her dislike for lowlanders rise again. Just when she thinks they may not be all bad, she is reminded that she is right to begin with.
"Anno," she repeats, not wanting to get the name wrong. "Thank you, Amadillo. You are good man. May your spirit guide you."
Awenasa wanders through the stalls as she seeks to rejoin Perey and Thak. She looks at the goods for sale but her priority is to find this Anno, not shop.
The merchant waves away her compliment, saying, "If I was a better salesman, I'd have convinced you to stay. I do not take defeat lightly!" And with that Awenasa leaves the traders, moving through their marketplace with only casual interest. Like most of her people, the hum of buying and selling held no appeal for her.
As they move around a few racks selling leather jackets and hats, Thak says, "Can I have some of the gold, Awenasa? I think I found a trader who will accept it. These people travel a long way and some of the cities in this place do take gold. Who knows when we might get a chance to spend it." Awenasa agrees and hands the small man her money bag. In an instant he is gone, vanished into the press.
Figuring he would catch up, Awenasa and Perey approach the main gates. There a few slovenly dressed soldiers eye them. They ask a few basic questions but nothing too pressing. Clearly exotic travelers are not unknown in Arkin. Still, they are not overly friendly and when Perey ventures a question about Anno, gets no real reply.
They are about to enter through the gates when Thak comes up, all smiles. "Ah, here you go, Awenasa." he hands back her money bag, considerably lighter. "I could have done better but we were pressed for time. " He bows and formally hands Awenasa a small stone, carved like a leaf.
It is a Snapleaf
"Should come in handy," Thak went on, "Although I doubt you'll fall very much in a swamp." He rummaged in the bag, 'I also got a compass and a few other survival items. I'm tired of having to watch the sun for a few hours to get our bearings. This way, we'll know which way north is at a glance."
Awenasa turns the leaf-shaped stone over in her hand, running a finger over the delicate veining the maker had carved. "Handy? What it do?"
She nods at his explanation while she wraps a cord around it and hangs it around her neck. "I have survival kit if ever want to use", she offers, not realizing that Thak had been interested in finding his bearings. "Thanks", she says simply as she returns her money bag to her things.
Awenasa, Perey, and Thak get through the town gate and immediately she heads for the water. The smell took some getting used to but if Anno is the one they need to find to cross the swamp then he should have a boat at the water.
Thak gives Awenasa a little spiel on what the little stone can do. By itself, nothing but if the delicate leaf is snapped, it confirms both feather fall and invisibility. A useful, if slightly niche, tool. Awenasa's friend seems happier about the bargain then the result. Still, the Shoanti could think of times when being unseen would have been useful.
Soggy wood seeps under their boots as Awenasa and her friends patrol the waterfront. It is a sad, lackluster sort of place, clearly built on a former, larger city. Many of the buildings are of stone or metal, but in long despair, half empty. They obviously pre-date the swamp because, many stand out in the oily water, looking like rotten tree-stumps. At the waterline, rows of hastily built wooden piers cradle small rafts and ships. The main import seems to be fish but Awenasa also spots baskets of greenish grass, cargos of lumber, and tubs of thrashing eels.
It is mostly a human crowd, although their are a fair number of ratfolk mixed in. There seems to be two class of people in town. The better dressed, cleaner folks who live on land and the muddy watermen piloting the swamp-borne craft. Many of these have slightly darker skin emblazoned with tattoos. They are a stand-offish, quiet bunch who say little, even when pressed.
Awenasa is forced to ask over a dozen people until a landsman finally grunts and says, "He lives at the end of that pier." Awenasa is unsure if all the people are unfriendly because she is a stranger, or because Anno is not well liked.
The house seems to provide an answer.
It is a tiny, dilapidated shack perched on the end of a long, rickety pier. The wooden walls are covered with greenish moss and the thatched roof has several obvious holes. The 'door' is nothing more then an animal hide hung from an iron hook. There is no chimney, no windows, not even a chair to sit and watch the sunrise. If Awenasa hadn't been told, she would have assumed it was long deserted. The only sign of life is a long, low boat tied up nearby.
The stinking reek of the swamp is very strong here, filling Awenasa's nostrils with the smell of rotting wood, stagnant water and old fish.
Awenasa is slightly annoyed at how much she is forced to speak with the locals as she tries to find Anno. Just when she's about to resort to roaming the town and yelling his name at the top of her lungs, she's finally given directions.
As she approaches the shack that barely stands, she begins to doubt what she was told. Had she been lied to just so that she would go away?
At least there is a boat moored nearby. It is the only encouraging thing as she approaches what the owner thinks passes for a door. She switches to breathing through her mouth instead of her nose to minimize the stench the swamp.
She gives three sharp knocks on the wooden wall next to the animal hide. "Anno? Amadillo gave your name. We need to go through swamp."
The Shoanti listens for any signs of life after she speaks and waits, albeit somewhat impatientluy, for Anno to show himself.
The knock sounds wet and soggy, even to her own ears. Still the entire shack seems to shake under her hand, wobbling enough to make her fear it might tumble into the oily, greasy water below. Yet, it stands.
For a long moment there is only silence and then, a gruff voice says from inside, "No. Go away."
Awenasa almost laughs as she seems to have found the one lowlander who likes other lowlanders as much as she does. She had been warned that he wasn't pleasant and Amadillo had not been wrong.
"Not going away. Need to get through swamp. You honest. You take us." Then remembering how much currency motivates lowlanders, she adds, "We pay."
A laugh erupts from the inside of the dilapidated hut. "Look around. You think I care about money?"
Awenasa had to admit this was a good argument. She was from a people with little attachment to physical comforts but this oozing, mushroom ridden shack pushed even her far past her limit. Anyone who lived here was clearly a bit strange.
Thak took a canny look and added, "We are talented people, we could offer much. Can't you just hear us out?"
There is a long silence and then a thumping noise. Without warning the sodden animal hide is thrown back. A black and orange cat runs past, darting down the dock silent as a shadow. Meanwhile, a figure fills the doorway. A short man, gnarled and bent by a painful looking hunchback. His skin is a dark reddish color, reminding Awenasa of old rust. Wearing little more then a cloth skirt, his skin is peppered with old scars and faded tattoos. His eyes, one dark and one a rich purple, stare from a lanky growth of unkempt hair.
The man snorts wetly, "Amadillo talks too much." Another snort as he looks up at Awenasa, who overtops him by several feet. "Aren't you a tall one?"
Anno shakes his head and goes on, "I'm not going into the swamp, stop wasting both of our time. Go get someone else."
Awenasa bites back a retort about being part dragon and hoarding treasure to sleep on rather than spend. It didn't help her cause to antagonize a grumpy lowlander.
She subconsciously falls into a defensive stance as the hide is quickly pushed aside. Her eyes track the feline down the dock but quickly decides it is no threat. Her gaze returns to the human in the doorway. He looks like he has lived a full and eventful life judging from the scars and tattoos.
"There no one else. Amadillo says you the one to take us so you take us. We will wait until you agree. If not want pay, what do you want? Everyone wants or needs something."
"Everyone?" Anno waves his arm toward the broken down shack and then to his own battered body, "There is nothing you can give me, stranger."
The man turns slightly, looking out over the oily water. Awenasa follows his gaze, seeing beds of rank swampgrass, dead snags and green brush. It is a formidable sight, a maze of mud, water and plant life, quite at odds with the dry expanses of her homeland. A buzzing bug lands on her neck, seeking blood.
Anno shakes his head, "I doubt you'd make it anyway. The Black Break isn't for the weak." He points to the swamp, "It's eaten up tougher people then you. Tougher then me."
He runs a finger through his lanky, wet looking hair. "What's so important anyway. There is nothing on the other side. All the money is on this side, up the canal." he absently scratches an armpit, still watching the swamp.
"There is nothing you can give me, stranger."
Awenasa looks doubtful. "I not speak of things. But if life perfect and you need nothing, you are favoured."
The Black Break isn't for the weak." He points to the swamp, "It's eaten up tougher people then you. Tougher then me."
The Shoanti looks out over the swamp trying to understand what Anno was seeing. "Tougher, maybe. But not more determined."
Awenasa fixes Anno with her unrelenting gaze, "Survival of my people is what important. I need to find Eivind the Heavy Hand, he called Man Breaker here. Person he traveled with at Halls of Reason. I must speak with her so need to get to Halls. Swamp is only way to Halls and you best guide to get us there. I care nothing for wealth, only my people."
Anno takes all of Awenasa' word's in silently, from her claim of determination to her reasons for coming. The Halls of Reason, the Man Breaker and Eivind the Heavy Hand seemed to roll off the worn waterman like water off a duck's back. He tries to meet her gaze but something about Awenasa's intense gaze makes the smaller man finally turn aside.
He shakes his head, finally saying, "I never said life was perfect. Look at it, does it look perfect?" He waved a gnarled hand at the rotting, stinking shack. "There is nothing anyone can do to change it, that's all."
"And that includes you. My answer is no, whoever you are." With that, he slips back between the animal hide, which falls back into place with a wet, soggy snap right in Awenasa's face. Her and her friends are left alone on the rickety, mushroom laden dock.
Thak frowns but Perey laughs, shaking his head. "Well, now what, Awenasa?" He says, tilting a head at the shack, "Are you going to manhandle him into the boat and make him row? While I think you can take him in a fight, I doubt it'll work."
Thak seems puzzled at a man who doesn't want anything. "Awenasa," he finally says, after staring at the door, "I exchanged some of your gold for fossils back with Amadillo. Give me some of them, maybe I can go into town and pick up some information? Might be a job left to me. The small man smiles slightly, "This time, I promise not to be kidnapped and beaten."
"And what, we just wait here?" Perey asks.
Awenasa frowns at Anno's response. His words hints that there is something he wants but she also won't barge into his home to continue the conversation.
She sighs in frustration as the animal hide blocks her way. Why do these lowlanders have to make everything so difficult?
"Are you going to manhandle him into the boat and make him row? While I think you can take him in a fight, I doubt it'll work."
"Don't tempt me," she growls.
She is seriously at her wits end as to how to proceed when Thak pipes up. She shrugs and nods. She hands over what money is left, putting her faith in the hands of someone else. Even though it was hard to do, she has learned to trust her friends. If this doesn't work then she will have to revisit the idea of man-handling Anno into helping. Or else try to deal with someone less trustworthy.
"And what, we just wait here?"
Awenasa swats at more bugs that swarm around her and try to land on her exposed skin. "Maybe we don't wait right outside his door but I still want to keep an eye on him. Let's go wait in whatever shade we can find off the dock."
Awenasa does not like to be stymied. From the very start of this whole quest, she has felt a rush, a desire to be moving, to get it done. Rightly so, her entire people and way of life might be hanging in the balance. So it was with some reluctance that she took up a seat in a shaded spot near the docks and watched Anno's house.
Still, what else could she do?
Time passed.
The day remained hot and even in the shade, Awenasa was sweating. Towns people came and went by, generally ignoring them although a few paused and look, as if trying to see what they were watching so intently. Nothing really, just a damp shack sitting motionless against the backdrop of a overgrown swamp. Bugs flew and bit. Somewhere, Awenasa heard an drum beat and Perey cocked his head like a dog. The sun moved deep into the west and the shadows started to grow very long, reaching across the swamp like fingers. They would need to figure out a place to sleep soon. She doubted the locals would let her camp at the dockside.
Even as she pondered this Thak appeared. The small man tossed Awenasa a small round fruit, something like an apple but yellow. 'Here, have something to eat. It's a local delicacy." The man handed Perey one as well, before taking a seat nearby.
"Well, I did find a few talkative people." Awenasa's friend said, sighing as he stretched his legs. "Which I needed because our newest friend is not the most popular guy in town. Apparently he has been a crotchety fellow his whole life, from a whole family of grumbling watermen."
"He is, however, regarded as the best swamp traveler alive. Amadillo seemed to have been right about that. Very few locals actually go deep into it. Used to make a living fishing, catching turtles, that sort of thing. Never took guests." He points a hand, "But not anymore, and that's our trouble."
"He had a wife, loved her dearly they say. The man lost her in the swamps and has never forgiven himself since. Spent the time since then drinking his life away and being a public nuisance. There is a movement going around to kick him out of town and burn down his house. Public eyesore, they say. Poor guy."
Then, as if on cue, the hut's flap opened. Anno appeared in the growing twilight, holding a long stick and a bucket. He peered around then stomped up the wooden pier, feet heavy on the moldering boards. When he reached dry ground he turned to Awenasa and said flatly, "We are going fishing. Come." And he waved her to follow. With that, the waterman was walking again, moving down the waterside.
The time that passes while Awenasa waits is an eternity. Every second that ticks by feels like another one of her people dies, This gnaws at the Shoanti and weighs on her spirit. Sitting idly when the lives of her people are in danger is very difficult for Awenasa and she takes out her frustration on every bug that comes near her while she sits.
When Thak returns, she easily catches the fruit he tosses at her. She gives it a sniff as he fills her in on what he has learned. She takes a tentative bite before mumbling, "So Amadillo spoke true."
Her face softens somewhat when the loss of Anno's wife is mentioned. "Him and me have something in common," she says softly. "Not that that is a good thing."
Awenasa's attention immediately shifts to Anno's home when the animal hide moves. She jumps to her feet and waits expectantly as he stomps towards them. Equating Anno to a skittish animal that she may spook with too big of a response to him approaching her, she nods at the man and follows.
"I more hunter than fisher but I fast learner. Not much water where we from. You show, I do."
Anno grunts and adds, "Then you'll do better then most."
With that he leads her up the boardwalk through town. To Awenasa's amusement the gnarled man gets more looks then she does, a strange mixture of respect, fear and derision. Clearly it is uncommon to see the waterman out and about and many younger people openly stop and stare.
They wind through the dockside until Anno pauses in front of a burned out ruin. The seared walls are half fallen down, the roof long gone. Plants have already started reclaiming the site, with brush covering the ground and a few young trees surging skyward. A battered and broken slip reaches out into the water, drunken posts leaning in the murky water.
Anno waves her on and he nimbly hops out onto one of the posts. Perched quite comfortably, he ties some string onto his long stick. Then, from the string, Awenasa sees a iron hook on which Anno sticks glob of...something. Old meat? Then he lowers it all in the water.
In short order the pole suddenly bends, jerking down to the swamp. With skill Anno snaps it upward, and a struggling fish in revealing, impaled on the hook. He grunts, tosses the fish into a bucket and starts over.
"Turtle bait" he says once, idily.
A long silence as the man fishes. Time passes, and the world is turning into a dusky twilight. The swamp seems to change around them, shifting into a darker, cooler place. Frogs start to sing and bugs emerge. The swamp trees loom larger, mixing with the inky shadows. Event he water seems louder somehow, slapping off the rotting wood.
"So, you seem intent, Awenasa." Anno suddenly says, filling the quiet night. "On not leaving me alone. Is it considered polite to camp outside someone's home, where you are from?"
The Shoanti meets the looks of the townsfolk as she walks with Anno through the streets. They should be respecting their elder and not openly staring at him. When she meets their eyes, they quickly avert their gaze and awkwardly get back to their business.
Awenasa eyes the posts warily and can't help but be a bit surprised at Anno's agility as he hops out onto them. If she wasn't so confident in her mastery over her body, she would have shirked back from following. However, she barely hesitates before following, leaving Perey and Thak on shore.
She watches Anno deftly catch a fish in mere seconds and whistles low in appreciation. She tries her own hand at catching something, mimicking his actions.
What she is able to accomplish is serviceable but not overly effective. It has none of the ease or flair of Anno's movements. She decides that it is wiser to stay still and quiet and let Anno work.
When he asks his question she answers bluntly, "No one gets close enough to home to camp out. Strangers stopped at edge of land and most run away."
"If it just me, I not be here to camp outside door. But Shoanti survival depends on me getting to Halls of Reason. I not get to Halls without going through swamp. I not get through swamp without you. So I stay until you take us to Halls. I have no where else to go and have nothing else to do. My concern is my people, not being polite."
Anno is silent for awhile, hunched over the water. Around them the swamp swirls to night-time life as the sun fully sets. Soon the fisherman is little more then an inky outline, and the blackness is only broken by the flash of fish scales as he continues his catch.
"Sounds simple," The man finally says, voice quiet in the dark. "When you put it like that. "
Another pause and then, "I like you, Awenasa Windkeeper. A nice change of pace from the villagers, who refuse to say what they mean. They fear the truth, like most people." Somewhere, a large bird lets out an echoing call, morose.
"Let me ask you this." The angler says finally, "You ask me to head into the swamps. I do not wish to do so. Would you want a guide who is unwilling or unhappy? Is that best for your job?"