Daetha Tain
As Daetha reaches the relative safety of the bushes and hides, he can hear someone calling in a guttural voice. Then it is quiet again.
Time slows and then heavy footsteps stomp nearby, probably near where the silver flask was.
"Gurkakka!" a faint whiff of sweaty pig and urine and then there is a powerful slap. "Garkka!"
Finwe
"The best predator is a tall order. Arguably the best predator I know of was the green dragon, Chlorinax, killed by Lord Tenreth Ironwulf of Ironwulf Keep to the west of here. Maybe one day you will get the chance to test yourself against one of her children."
He shrugs and hands over dried meat. "Eat."
"Many of my tattoos refer to a specific woodland creature, the hawk, and that is a fine predator to follow. It has speed, silence and is afraid of nothing. The hawks are a clan among the wood elf families and we are always on the look out for new "predators." There are also bear, wolf, snake and owl clans to my knowledge. It can become a little confusing when an elf is part of one family but a different clan."
"We have much work to do."
Vladimir Wilhelm
As Vladimir turns from the woman, his hand is gripped in a vice. She speaks in a language he cannot understand. She says six words and then relaxes back. Something makes Vladimir itch all over and then he feels fine again.
Looking around, Old Movomm is busy with the soldier still and did not notice anything happen.
Old Movomm then continues to help Vladimir with the others, the cleaning and general work about the Infirmary.
While working she watches the youth and then goes into her backroom and pulls out a small scroll of nursing notes. "I give this to all my nurses. If you want to come back and help you can. I shall speak to Master Leeth and arrange it so. It's up to you. How about you come for every second morning at first?"
At the end of the afternoon she asks, "It is market day, do you wish to go now?"
Korgoth Darkhand
Across the market square are the Risper children. Feisam has sent Korgoth with two silver to obtain a replacement tool for cleaning hooves. He called it a half-hasp blearily from his cot.
It is a great day to be free of work and free of Asfer, who would usually be around Korgoth by this time.
The only note of discord has been bumping into Jeridd's gang near the stables but luckily they couldn't start anything and gave up chasing once Korgoth reached the gathering crowds. They've gone now.
Korgoth saunters across the market towards the Risper children. They have always been polite to him, unlike some others. He ignores an old woman who makes a sign of warding in his direction as he walks.
"Good day Nagy and Taya! It's a wonderful day today, no? You two know a bunch about horses, have you ever heard of a 'half hasp'?"
"Korgoth! You've been set free to buy things as well have you? Nagy and I are here for beech nuts."
Taya has always liked Korgoth and admires his cheery impudence in the face of constant bullying.
And why does everyone judge him on his parents rather than him? That's not fair.
"A hasp? I thought that was part of a padlock, but if you tell us what it's for we could help, couldn't we Nagy? Mother wouldn't mind if we both stayed a little longer this once."
Korgoth smiles at Taya. He always admired her cheeriness.
"My boss Feisam says it's for cleaning horses' hooves. We don't have to hurry though, it's too nice a day to run about!"
Korgoth falls in with the two Risper children.
"Why are you getting beech nuts?"
"Mother wants them. Our beech trees aren't bearing well this year. We'd no time to tend them properly."
Taya's smile widens at the prospect of a little time in the market.
"Something to clean hooves - well that sounds like a hoof-pick to me, doesn't it Nagy?"
"Daarraaaa..guuuuumm...llluuuu....reeeeeeemee."
Raggedy Sorda's back arches again in a violent spasm long after Beth prods him.
Watching Sorda spasm, Bethsemane thinks Ooops, guess I should'nt've poked him...
"Oh dear, I'm no healer! What can I do?"
Bethsemane suddenly realizes he might be trying to tell her something. She runs to the shelf of jars, looking for anything that's labeled something like "dara gum" or anything else that might be able to help him.
Over her shoulder, she asks, "Am I in the right place? Or is it the book? Did the book do this to you? What is dara gum?!?"
Daetha does not dare move, hardly dares to breath. What is it that is out there in the clearing? He wishes he knew how to properly fight … but no, that would be stupid. Whether man or monster out there, he would stand little chance against it. His best hope is to remain unseen and unheard.
"Something to clean hooves - well that sounds like a hoof-pick to me, doesn't it Nagy?"
Nagy nods, not really paying attention. "Do you think we can go see those halflings up close?" After a moment, he adds, virtuously, "After we buy the beechnuts."
Rispers/Darkhand
As the group looks over at Vulart, there is a small selection of tools hanging up.
Nagy/Taya
Something out of the ordinary is that there is a man in a chain shirt speaking from on top a box. He is vigorously pointing at the small crowd of men he has attracted. From this distance none of the three can hear what he is saying.
Daetha Tain
Guttural laughter breaks out in a cruel fashion and the two humanoids move slowly away. First the smell goes and then the sounds stop.
In what seems like an hour but is actually only a few seconds, Daetha notices that flower under his nose, the lucky one that Running Fox had mentioned this morning. He called it lucksy. It has small white petals and a bright green centre.
Bethsemane
The man's roll and fix on the half-orc for a moment. His face seems to be getting closer to the pages.
Meanwhile frustration builds as Beth sees lots of pots and jars, bottles and vials, but none of them labelled. The first one she notices is a jar of liquid with a strange large claw inside.
"bbbooo..bbboooo....cetttttrrrrraaarr...puuutt!" he forces these last few syllables out in agony.
Rispers/Darkhand
As the group looks over at Vulart, there is a small selection of tools hanging up.
Nagy/Taya
** spoiler omitted **Something out of the ordinary is that there is a man in a chain shirt speaking from on top a box. He is vigorously pointing at the small crowd of men he has attracted. From this distance none of the three can hear what he is saying.
Korgoth looks at Vulart.
"Excuse me Vulart, but I need to buy a half-hasp. Have you one? I'm not exactly sure of what it looks like."
Korgoth's attention wanders over to the mail-clad man.
Korgoth wonders
"Yes Movummn I would like to come back if you can arrage it. I would appreciate it. If you do not mind and my work is done, I shall leave to check out the Market. How long is that lady going to be here I would like to meet her properly" Vlad points to the resting rhenne woman
Many of my tattoos refer to a specific woodland creature, the hawk, and that is a fine predator to follow. It has speed, silence and is afraid of nothing. The hawks are a clan among the wood elf families..." Running Fox explains. She nods in understanding.
"The hawk appeals to me," she says. She holds the dagger as it were a talon, and swoops towards her prey from long distance, to finally lunge in a flurry of feathers and blood! "Yes, the hawk appeals."
He continues "...There are also bear, wolf, snake and owl clans to my knowledge. It can become a little confusing when an elf is part of one family but a different clan."
Finwe considers a moment, eyes darkening to starry night. with a shudder she finds her voice " 'Twas the night cat that brought nightmares night after night. First a roar, distant, but she lets you know she is on the prowl. The next time you hear her she is circling yet still unseen." Finwe leaps up and spins, dagger claw-like flashes arcs in the sun, then she stops, still and hurls the dagger!
"Is there a night cat clan, Running Fox?" She hurries to retrieve the dagger.
Orick Faust
The big merchant is already turning back to his water spring machine when - "you still here?"
The eyes momentarily redden then he grins and laughs out loud, "I see, payment up front. Right. Take this and keep what you don't spend. I want a good bucket, one, two, three, four, five silver, there you go. Now go! Ha Ha Ha."
He returns to his work laughing at the cheeky youth. In the background, a gnomish head pops up from the cart and grins at Orick.
Orick nods and darts off toward the general store, it's relatively close, and it's sure to have buckets for sale. Orick takes the broken bucket for reference.
Orick dashes into the store and looks for a clerk.
"Excuse me," Orick gasps, "do you have any buckets here like this," he asks while holding up the bucket, "I'm in a bit of a rush. I only need the one thing."
Rispers/Korgoth
"Korgoth, I see a half-rasp."
Taya nudges the boy and points.
"That's what you're looking for. Nagy, don't wander off please. I'm supposed to be looking after you."
She speaks lightly, but there is a tiny undercurrent of worry in her voice. As she scans the busy scene, her attention is caught by the mailed man and his audience.
What's he saying that so interesting I wonder she thinks, making a mental note to go and find out once the shopping is finished.
"Okay, okay, no dara gum. Maybe it's not a seizure. Maybe it is the book." Bethsemane is talking to herself, but doing so out loud. She looks closer at the laughing skull on the cover. "Is it trying to eat you?" she asks. Without waiting for a reply, she reaches down and tries to pull the book from the old man's grasp, closing it at the same time.
Daetha Tain
Guttural laughter breaks out in a cruel fashion and the two humanoids move slowly away. First the smell goes and then the sounds stop.
In what seems like an hour but is actually only a few seconds, Daetha notices that flower under his nose, the lucky one that Running Fox had mentioned this morning. He called it lucksy. It has small white petals and a bright green centre.
Daetha stays in hiding, clasping the flask within his shirt and breathing in the scent of the flower, until either Running Fox has returned, or he has counted to 100 twice.
Taya at Sorda's
Gazing at the strips of paper, Taya realises this is another pattern she needs to learn. She hunts out Master Sorda.
"It seems to me that however much I keep cleaning up, I'm never going to learn where to put things back if I don't know what they are. Master Sorda, I'm very ignorant, but putting those ingredients back wrong seems like a bad thing to do. Where should I start?"
At the market with Rispers/Darkhand
"Korgoth, I see a half-rasp."
Taya nudges the boy and points.
"That's what you're looking for...
Korgoth sees the tool Taya has pointed out.
"Thanks Taya!"
He looks to the merchant.
"That one if you please."
While the merchant is getting down the half hasp, Korgoth's eyes wander over to the mail-clad speaker again.
"Hey Nagy, Taya ... have you ever seen that man before? I wonder what he is talking about?"
Bethsemane
The book tingles to the touch, not painful but it's definitely on the edge. The cover feels rough like a freshcut wood made up of circular patches, but its black is more blue, very dark blue.
"Huhh!" as the old man starts to breathe easier. His body goes limp and he relaxes as the book snaps shut.
Slowly the eyes open and the man squints up from the floor. "I thank you. Whoever you are? I owe you something for saving me from that phantasmal killer. That blue dragon trap nearly killed me! Ha but no I live!"
The old man uncurls as he starts to stand.
Vladimir
The severe lady walks Vladimir out into the daylight. She takes a moment to smell the fresh air before turning back.
Along the way, Old Movomm explains that the Rhennee gypsies revere their Vetha more than anything or anyone. She is their seer and leader and she holds many strange powers of fate and future readings. Worse is the evil eye and curses that hit anyone who harms the Vetha or her people.
Old Movomm turns back, "an inquisite mind and a gentle hand are good to see but be wary of people like that Rhennee Vetha. Come back when I said and I shall introduce you to her. She is called Latieva."
With a faint smile she ends, "now go and have some fun!"
Daetha Tain
Running Fox spoke of lucksy as a plant without smell or taste, without any great growth, so usually found in small clumps. Its name comes from its use as a medicinal or warm healing tea when made well. It can cause great stomach pain if boiled too fiercely.
The elf did not go into any great deal on the preparation of the herb because the lessons concentrated on the knowledge not the practice or the craft.
As Daetha finishes murmuring his count again, Running Fox whispers quietly from the clearing, "Daetha the hochebi have passed."
Orick Faust
The young woman behind the counter looks down her nose at Orick. "A bucket? well yes we have some fine buckets, they are well made and built to last. Certainly good enough for your family. That will be 3 silvers," says the girl as recognition dawns on her face and she straightens in deference.
Quickly a wooden bucket is pointed out and the three bags it contains are removed. As she hands over the bucket, "I'm Burtha if you need anything master, just come and see me."
At the market with Rispers/Darkhand
While the merchant is getting down the half hasp, Korgoth's eyes wander over to the mail-clad speaker again.
"Hey Nagy, Taya ... have you ever seen that man before? I wonder what he is talking about?"
"No, I don't think so," Nagy answers, his eyes still drawn to the halfling perfomers.
Finally, realizing something else is going on, he starts paying attention to the speaker.
Taya at Sorda's
The numerous pieces of parchment and scraps of cloth are covered in tiny writing and they discuss magic and nature and its combination.
Words like necromancy, illusion and enchantment form whole chapters. The left side of the wall centres on the elven ley lines and the druids of the Gnarley Forest. The right side talks of Schools and man's magic.
--
As Taya steps outside, she sees Sorda stood among the three stones. His mouth snaps shut and for a moment he looks angered then he smiles, "Taya, taya, taya. You wish to turn my home into an orderly place. Clean them and replace them how ever you wish, but do that when you return."
"I would like that," he smiles all friendly and happy. "And yes I will teach you to control your powers."
At Vularts
Vulart gets the half-rasp down. "That is three silvers to you."
He turns to the Rispers and his small eyes slit as he adds, "it is a poor choice of friend that you make, this one is bad and will sour you too." He moistens his lips a little.
He offers the beech nuts for a fairer price than the rasp to help swallow the bitter pill of having a Darkhand friend.
The merchant leans forward and attempts to tousle Nagy's hair in friendship.
At Vularts
At Vularts
Vulart gets the half-rasp down. "That is three silvers to you."
He turns to the Rispers and his small eyes slit as he adds, "it is a poor choice of friend that you make, this one is bad and will sour you too." He moistens his lips a little ...
Korgoth looks at the piggy-eyed merchant, the smile never leaving his face.
"As I am afraid I cannot afford your price, O noble Vulart, I shall have to search elsewhere for Feisam's half hasp. May the gods show you all the courtesy you have shown me on this fine day."
Korgoth nods to the two Rispers and walks slowly towards the mail-clad speaker, unwilling to show Vulart the anger his jape has kindled in him.
"Thank you!" Orick says quickly counts out 4 silvers, grabs the new bucket and one copper's worth of candy, and waits for his change, "I'm in a bit of a hurry so I hope you don't mind me dashing off."
Orick then runs towards the Scabbard's Inn and quickly looks about for a stable hand. Preferably a strong looking one, and one that looks as though he could use some coin, perhaps one of the orphans from his father's 'charity'.
"How would you like to earn five coppers for just a few minute's work?" Orick asks the likely candidate.
Slowly the eyes open and the man squints up from the floor. "I thank you. Whoever you are? I owe you something for saving me from that phantasmal killer. That blue dragon trap nearly killed me! Ha but no I live!"
"My name's Bethsemane. I live in the village. I came here to see if maybe you could teach me some magic. I have my own book and everything! SO will touch me? Please?"
Bethsemane smiles, trying to look like an eager young student.
Bethsemane
"My life! I have already got one, but she isn't like you. It nearly killed me and my mind is scrambled, you did say teach you, didn't you?"
Orick Faust
"Master, master," shouts the woman as she chases after the boy. "You have given me too much silver!" But he is out of sight by now.
"I shall take it to your father." The words reach little Orick as he chats to the big lad.
"5 copper is good." He nods. "I do it for you."
Korgoth
The merchant laughs at the boy and truns to the crowd, "half-hasp? what's that? He is a fool just like his grandfather. They say that brains miss a generation and they are right. ITS A HALF-RASP!"
Many of the crowd laugh and point at the boy.
--
The mailclad man has his arm around the shoulder of the teenage boy. "Look son, the war will end soon and you don't want to miss out on the glory, the land gift and honour of defeating Evil Iuz could be yours. Sign now and we will turn you from bored farmer into soldier of fortune in a matter of weeks."
Korgoth/Rispers
As Korgoth moves away from Vulart's stand, little Seddani from the Refuge comes running up with a strange smile plastered across his thin face.
"I gots a word fer you. Is frum Asfer. She ses meets her in the red barn of the halflings Inn. She gots summat special fer you" he winks.
"An jus you!" he laughs like he knows something.
"You already have a life? She isn't like me?" His mind really must be scrambled. Bethsemane thinks.
"But yes sir, please can you teach me? I promise I'll be a good student. I want to learn everything I can about magic!"
Bethsemane
Sorda holds his head and slowly shakes it from side to side. He seems to be lost in thought.
"Come back in the morning and you can meet Taya. I have things to do. Go. Come back."
He leans over and prods the black book. "And you! Still got secrets for me. Ha."
He hobbles over to show Beth out. "Tattibye."
Korgoth/Rispers
As Korgoth moves away from Vulart's stand, little Seddani from the Refuge comes running up with a strange smile plastered across his thin face.
"I gots a word fer you. Is frum Asfer. She ses meets her in the red barn of the halflings Inn. She gots summat special fer you" he winks.
"An jus you!" he laughs like he knows something.
Korgoth, his ears burning from the laughter he has received from the crowd wheels on Seddani, a look of anger on his normally smiling face.
"You can tell Asfer that I will see her later. I am busy at the moment."
Korgoth departs from the marketplace in shame, humiliation burning in his heart. He heads for the outskirts of the village, looking for solace among the silence of the trees.
Taya
Furiously Taya turns to Vulart.
"My father says that you should deal fairly with all customers, whoever they are. He says doing anything else is short-changing the customer and yourself. I'll tell him about this and maybe we'll be buying our tools somewhere else."
Anger swells up and to her horrors she feels power stirring uncontrollably. Still furious, but knowing she needs to get away, she runs after Korgoth
"Wait - please. He's a vile man, but you're not. He shouldn't treat you like that. One day you'll prove how good you are to everyone. You will, I promise."
Taya at Sorda's
The numerous pieces of parchment and scraps of cloth are covered in tiny writing and they discuss magic and nature and its combination.
Words like necromancy, illusion and enchantment form whole chapters. The left side of the wall centres on the elven ley lines and the druids of the Gnarley Forest. The right side talks of Schools and man's magic.
--
As Taya steps outside, she sees Sorda stood among the three stones. His mouth snaps shut and for a moment he looks angered then he smiles, "Taya, taya, taya. You wish to turn my home into an orderly place. Clean them and replace them how ever you wish, but do that when you return."
"I would like that," he smiles all friendly and happy. "And yes I will teach you to control your powers."
Taya at Sorda's
"I didn't mean to be rude Master Sorda, I'm sorry if I was. It's just habit for me to put things away properly. If I didn't do it at home, I'd be in real trouble."
Before leaving, she goes back to the left side of the wall.
"Leylines. Are those like magical roots at all?"
She shakes her head. "I must go, but I will be back tomorrow Master Sorda and I will learn control. Thank you."
She smiles warmly at him, collects Epon and rides home.
Nagy/Taya/Korgoth
Anger swells up and to her horrors she feels power stirring uncontrollably. Still furious, but knowing she needs to get away, she runs after Korgoth
"Wait - please. He's a vile man, but you're not. He shouldn't treat you like that. One day you'll prove how good you are to everyone. You will, I promise."
Nagy glares at Vulart, then runs after Taya and Korgoth. "Korgoth, Vulart's a jackass." Nagy glances guiltily at Taya, then continues. "Don't listen to him."
Nagy/Taya/Korgoth
Seddani grabs Korgoth by the arm as he attempts to run off into the woods.
"Please come he will ...... I mean she really wants to see you!" he implores. "Asfer has been waiting for ages and, and, and there is no way you should not see her." He makes it sound very serious.
The boy face changes from pale to red to pale again as emotions play behind those eyes. "Please come. I said I'd get you. I promised!"
With Nagy/Taya
Korgoth looks at Seddani, his blue eyes narrowing. He wrenches his arm away from him angrily.
"What's this all about then? I'm sure Asfer can wait, and I told you I'm busy."
Korgoth looks at the Rispers. They can see hurt and anger in his eyes.
"I appreciate the kind words, but I really just want to be alone right now."
Korgoth starts striding off again.
"Come back in the morning and you can meet Taya. I have things to do. Go. Come back."
"But Master Sorda, it is morning. I just got here. Isn't there anything you can teach me today?"
"Thank you!" Orick says quickly counts out 4 silvers, grabs the new bucket and one copper's worth of candy, and waits for his change, "I'm in a bit of a hurry so I hope you don't mind me dashing off."
Orick Faust
"Master, master," shouts the woman as she chases after the boy. "You have given me too much silver!" But he is out of sight by now.
"I shall take it to your father." The words reach little Orick as he chats to the big lad.
"I need you to fill this bucket with water and bring it over to master Hortin's trailer. As fast as you can!"
.......
"I need you to fill this bucket with water and bring it over to master Hortin's trailer. As fast as you can!"
In the distance the girl shouts again. "No I see now! I've been a bit silly."
The big boy hurries along after filling it. Soon he and Orick are at Hortin's again.
"Well done my lad. That's just in time for the display. Stay around it should be good," he beams down at Orick.
The water bucket is placed under a table and then Hortin calls a crowd together. Soon he is deep into his pitch extolling the virtues of his little hand pump. Water gushes and splashes about and he talks on, of pressures and powers and how good the Kron Hills gnomes have made their fields with just such pumps.
People can almost see the rolling hills, their lush woods and fields with thousands of the little chaps busy at work. Tillispey nods in at various points to add weight to the arguments.
Bethsemane
"Now? oh I have just had a near death experience and you want my best now? I suppose I could show you something. Just to whet the appetite."
The old man beckons to Bethsemane to follow and enters the other chamber. The walls are dotted with parchment, notes and scraps of books, even the odd scroll pinned and nailed in mad abandon.
"I was a wizard. Like you wish to be so I once stood before by first master, Bleen of Hardby. He was hard, not like now and I should know. He had a long beard that often used to get caught on the stands and burner when we were working. Istus knows how many times his beard was set alight."
The old man hobbles close to the wall. He begins to openly discuss the various schools of magic and their powers and effects. He tries to make them sound equally powerful but somehow the subjects of necromancy and enchantment seem less and abjuration and evocation more. He openly answers any basic questions and it soon becomes obvious that the man has no idea who Beth is or what her past was.
Sorda continues on for about an hour and then his voice tires. "Look I have had a bad morning and so you come back tomorrow. Understand Bethsemane and answer me this then, which of the Schools interest you and why."
Again Sorda moves back to his doorway, "good morning Bethsemane and it was a good day for me when you came."