(DM Note: Thus begins Chapter Nine: Crossroads! This post was taken from Chapter Eight. Please continue posting here. =) )
At Wolf's command, Pecker burst forth from his enchanted talisman. Such was the energy from those unfurled feathers and the mad chirping that followed that Wolf may as well have unleashed a feathered typhoon. As if Pecker had been hearing everything going on, the feisty falcon immediately set upon Sparkle. Those that could speak the language of animals could understand his every excited chirp.
"Stupid old reptiiiiile!"
Sparkle hopped onto the ground and crouched into a battle stance, her eyes and tail gleaming. What?! You oafish avian!
Pecker soared down, his wings spread. "Steak lover!"
Sparkle reared up. Stinky fish-breathed buffoon!
And they "hugged." It was as affectionate a sight between two such creatures that ever was. Pecker and cleaning Sparkle's neck and wing while Sparkle leaned her head against his, both of them showing a clear fondness for one another. But there was sadness too, for no two real friends can part toward uncertain futures without the pang of sadness ringing loudly from within.
"Scale-face..."
Bird-brain...
The lives of birds have never been that of dragons, for dragons on Sharseya are known to have outlived humans, dwarves, even elves while the life of a falcon is fleeting by comparison. They both knew that should they meet again, time, precious time, would pass. And with its passing would come changes. If this were to be their last parting between young bird and old dragoness, this is the way they both wanted it to be.
And so it was until Pecker flew back faithfully to Leonard Wolf's shoulder and Sparkle loyally to Luna's. There, they continued to look upon one another, unknowing what time held for either of them, but heartfully glad for what time they had shared together.
*(GM mood music in spoiler)
Bren's words caused Ranthorn the Ranger to pause in thought. 'That's a tall order, Sarabina. I'm not used to having anyone around to do such a thing. Except Shalin, really. I don't know where I would be without him."
Shalin looked up to the tall human. With practiced hand, he scribed golden words that shone for a moment in the air. "Like rain and earth, our friendship has nurtured us both, rugged Ranthorn. May I offer my magic to transport you both northward and closer to Haydan?"
Ranthorn brightened. "And slice all that time on the road in getting there? By all means!"
"Where would your booted feet tread? What door would you lay hand upon?"
"Agnon Most-holy's high temple belonging to Thor. I--" he glanced at Leonard, "--we can begin our trek from there."
Shalin nodded.
"But first..." Ranthorn looked worried. "Tell me true, Shalin. Do you think we can recover Haydan from the Frost Giants? I yearn to know why they have not killed him. It is true that the sons and daughters of Ymir enjoy making slaves of humans, but..."
"Have hope, Ranthorn! We know Haydan draws breath still. For now, that must be enough. While he is alive, there is hope. The rest may be learned after you find him."
"Aye... It is as you say. But all these years..." Ranthorn cringed at the thought of the time he and Haydan had been apart. He kicked the corpse of an ogre so hard it shuddered. He roared. "More than twenty years! Why must rescuing him be like climbing a damned mountain?!"
Shalin raised a hand to his lip. Then he scribed. "Long ago in your years, a dear friend shared a poem of his people with me..."
*
Unbeknownst to the Wayfaring Wanderers with Shalin and Ranthorn, a similar conversation was taking place along The Road of Kings in the Adventurers' Wagon. Bria and Glider sat upon plush pillows in the candlelight reflected from the calm of the Grand Pool.
Bria put down her quill and journal. "Glider, I would not be who I am had I never left the Phoenix Mountain and became an adventurer, but... is it because of the journey that I am who I am now? Do you think I would be much changed I had stayed?"
Glider sat in lotus position with a smile across his face. "No, Bria-honey. Whether you like it or not, you are the path you have walked. We all are."
"And if I choose to continue adventuring?"
"By choosing to climb instead of walk, you will surpass survival and through your efforts, succeed."
"Wow... Does that path have a name?"
Glider looked into the water of the Grand Pool and reflected on that thought. Then he spoke in poetry...
*
At that moment... both Shalin and Glider shared the same words. Here are those words:
Long moments of silence followed. But then, at least for Otiorin, Bren, and Mamapaw, there was something heard. Not far from their very own feet, a patch of earth shifted and broke ever so subtly. There, unknown to all above ground, was a hole in the earth hidden expertly by some denizen of the wild. Something or someone in that hole was trying to get out and hearing nothing, slowly and cautiously came forth. However, as her fey-like eyes fell upon Shalin's charismatic casting, she could not possibly know that behind her were the three aforementioned adventurers watching her peek out from the earth.
Something in Leonard's instincts called to him and he turned. When he did, he laid eyes upon Nivirea who also saw him. Though complete strangers, they met eyes however briefly. Pecker saw this too.
It was then that Ranthorn, Leonard Wolf, and Pecker who was quiet for once, disappeared in a beautiful flash of sunlight and were gone.
Soft gasps and murmurs of wonder were heard from the Grugach who watched from the safety of trees and shrub. So equally-hid and protected Nivirea thought herself, so easily did this ageless elven sorcerer she gazed upon bring forth such powerful magic that she was distracted.
But Bren, Otiorin, and Mamapaw were not so distracted to miss this new human-sized young woman in the hole with her back to them.
What do Bren and Otiorin do?
At Wolf's command, Pecker burst forth from his enchanted talisman. Such was the energy from those unfurled feathers and the mad chirping that followed that Wolf may as well have unleashed a feathered typhoon. As if Pecker had been hearing everything going on, the feisty falcon immediately set upon Sparkle. Those that could speak the language of animals could understand his every excited chirp.
"Stupid old reptiiiiile!"
Sparkle hopped onto the ground and crouched into a battle stance, her eyes and tail gleaming. What?! You oafish avian!
Pecker soared down, his wings spread. "Steak lover!"
Sparkle reared up. Stinky fish-breathed buffoon!
And they "hugged." It was as affectionate a sight between two such creatures that ever was. Pecker and cleaning Sparkle's neck and wing while Sparkle leaned her head against his, both of them showing a clear fondness for one another. But there was sadness too, for no two real friends can part toward uncertain futures without the pang of sadness ringing loudly from within.
"Scale-face..."
Bird-brain...
The lives of birds have never been that of dragons, for dragons on Sharseya are known to have outlived humans, dwarves, even elves while the life of a falcon is fleeting by comparison. They both knew that should they meet again, time, precious time, would pass. And with its passing would come changes. If this were to be their last parting between young bird and old dragoness, this is the way they both wanted it to be.
And so it was until Pecker flew back faithfully to Leonard Wolf's shoulder and Sparkle loyally to Luna's. There, they continued to look upon one another, unknowing what time held for either of them, but heartfully glad for what time they had shared together.
*
"Fly By Night" by Rush! =)
He nodded firmly, his smile broadening, and then he turned to Ranthorn. "Take care of our Wolf, will you, and let him take care of you? I wish you all the best in your growing relationship. I know what it is to have a family member suddenly appear into your life, and I hope you two find the same joy in it that I did."
Bren's words caused Ranthorn the Ranger to pause in thought. 'That's a tall order, Sarabina. I'm not used to having anyone around to do such a thing. Except Shalin, really. I don't know where I would be without him."
Shalin looked up to the tall human. With practiced hand, he scribed golden words that shone for a moment in the air. "Like rain and earth, our friendship has nurtured us both, rugged Ranthorn. May I offer my magic to transport you both northward and closer to Haydan?"
Ranthorn brightened. "And slice all that time on the road in getting there? By all means!"
"Where would your booted feet tread? What door would you lay hand upon?"
"Agnon Most-holy's high temple belonging to Thor. I--" he glanced at Leonard, "--we can begin our trek from there."
Shalin nodded.
"But first..." Ranthorn looked worried. "Tell me true, Shalin. Do you think we can recover Haydan from the Frost Giants? I yearn to know why they have not killed him. It is true that the sons and daughters of Ymir enjoy making slaves of humans, but..."
"Have hope, Ranthorn! We know Haydan draws breath still. For now, that must be enough. While he is alive, there is hope. The rest may be learned after you find him."
"Aye... It is as you say. But all these years..." Ranthorn cringed at the thought of the time he and Haydan had been apart. He kicked the corpse of an ogre so hard it shuddered. He roared. "More than twenty years! Why must rescuing him be like climbing a damned mountain?!"
Shalin raised a hand to his lip. Then he scribed. "Long ago in your years, a dear friend shared a poem of his people with me..."
*
Bria put down her quill and journal. "Glider, I would not be who I am had I never left the Phoenix Mountain and became an adventurer, but... is it because of the journey that I am who I am now? Do you think I would be much changed I had stayed?"
Glider sat in lotus position with a smile across his face. "No, Bria-honey. Whether you like it or not, you are the path you have walked. We all are."
"And if I choose to continue adventuring?"
"By choosing to climb instead of walk, you will surpass survival and through your efforts, succeed."
"Wow... Does that path have a name?"
Glider looked into the water of the Grand Pool and reflected on that thought. Then he spoke in poetry...
*
"Climb, rise, yearn, strive, reach
Each plateau a new challenge
The Highest Mountain."
*
Ranthorn nodded. Once again, the sorcerer had dispelled his worry with his own personal brand of magic and now it was time to go. Ranthorn placed his hand on his younger son's shoulder and ready for anything, drew his notched battleaxe with his other hand. Sparkle looked toward Pecker who returned her gaze while Powerpaw paused in his sniffing of the earth to watch. His mother watched too. Then both Felane waved to Leonard Wolf and Ranthorn the Ranger as the Silent Sorcerer, Staff of the Magi in hand, closed his eyes and seemed to speak though not one word could be heard. Each plateau a new challenge
The Highest Mountain."
*
Long moments of silence followed. But then, at least for Otiorin, Bren, and Mamapaw, there was something heard. Not far from their very own feet, a patch of earth shifted and broke ever so subtly. There, unknown to all above ground, was a hole in the earth hidden expertly by some denizen of the wild. Something or someone in that hole was trying to get out and hearing nothing, slowly and cautiously came forth. However, as her fey-like eyes fell upon Shalin's charismatic casting, she could not possibly know that behind her were the three aforementioned adventurers watching her peek out from the earth.
Something in Leonard's instincts called to him and he turned. When he did, he laid eyes upon Nivirea who also saw him. Though complete strangers, they met eyes however briefly. Pecker saw this too.
It was then that Ranthorn, Leonard Wolf, and Pecker who was quiet for once, disappeared in a beautiful flash of sunlight and were gone.
Soft gasps and murmurs of wonder were heard from the Grugach who watched from the safety of trees and shrub. So equally-hid and protected Nivirea thought herself, so easily did this ageless elven sorcerer she gazed upon bring forth such powerful magic that she was distracted.
But Bren, Otiorin, and Mamapaw were not so distracted to miss this new human-sized young woman in the hole with her back to them.
What do Bren and Otiorin do?
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