Song of the Immortal Sky - Part 7
Know that sometimes, even the greatest of Adepts find themselves lost on the road. Know that it is by being lost that one finds the secret threads of destiny.
Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger did find himself upon a dusty road along with Sandrin of the Laughing Winds, Xeviouz Thundershield, Moe'Uhane the River of Truth, and Nez the Innocent. They had fought off an attack from a flock of Crakbills, but the merchant they were to protect had run off.
Know that these adepts were now very, very orange.
They set out on the road to see if they could find this merchant, and pay for their sweat and their blood. Instead, they found a flock of Chakta birds - the mindspeakers of the wind whose feathers are crimson and gold and who value respect and good manners above all other things.
Know that Temur can be polite. Know that this is not a joke. Know that I am totally serious and for real when I say this.
The others were also polite, and many were more so. The birds spoke of a settlement, not far away, and lent them directions. Their speaker was Claws that Hold, and he asked that the Adepts tell any other Chakta birds that they saw that Claws that Hold did wait for them at the mouth of the river (37.08).
The Adepts traveled to the village and found that it was a good place. Hale and healthy and fruitful. It was called Thelgil (Hex 35.09) by the people who worked the land and its people, mostly elves with a mix of humans and dwarves, were content. They welcomed the Adepts with a feast, and let them join the celebration of a new life. A woman named Aymla and her husband were christening their year old child: Thalwild.
Know that there was good food, and good drink, and good cheer, and that is all that is best in life.
On the wings of the next morning came the plaintive cries unique to parents who have lost a child. Someone had kidnapped young Thalwild. The Adepts rushed forward to help, to examine, to track.
Know that Temur did this all naked. Know that it does not require pants to find tracks or, indeed, to do many important things. Know that, having found the tracks, and before the Adepts did set out, Temur did put on his pants. Know and be grateful.
The Adepts, along with the child's grandfather and his loyal dogs, did follow the tracks of the perpetrators into the Servos jungle. These were dogs like unto the ones some tribes of Orks raised and loved. For these dogs did guard the caravans and watch the herds and fight side by side with their two-legged brethren.
Know that Temur was both impressed and envious.
In the jungle, the band was ambushed by cats that stalk the shadows. Furious and small, ferocious and adorable. They are known as Crojen, and they are nearly absolutely silent. They attack from ambush, but are fearless, and once they taste blood they will rage - even if it means attacking their own.
Know that these brave, proud Adepts were victorious, but wounded. Know that Nez the Innocent did feel the pain of these creatures, for they attacked out of hunger, and not malice. It was his way to feel for the beasts and to know their souls. It was also his way to rip beasts apart with his claws, which were sometimes as large in part as he was in full. He was like the Crojen, innocent and menacing at once.
The Adepts did rest, and after resting, they did continue, which is more or less the heart of every story of Adepts ever written.
They came upon an ancient place. A stone walled building built into the earth, caught in viney embrace. The tracks went in, and thus so did the Adepts, though they felt some menace in this place. Overhead did stormclouds gather, swifter than nature ever intended.
Know that in this place a madman attempted to sacrifice the child Thalwild on some foul altar to appease some foul Horrorspawned thing. Know that he was served by a storm-bound wolf of oily skin and no fur and eyes of death. Know that he was attended by two crows who summoned lightning from the wolf-storm. Know that he was guarded by corpses that moved as if pulled by puppet strings; dangerous in numbers but weak in person.
Together, they would have overwhelmed the Adepts. But Moe'Uhane who Knows the Truth told them a very powerful lie. He told them that the air was fire and that it rolled hungry across their flesh and scorching into their dessicated lungs. And the corpses and the crows did believe the lie, and in believing, they fell like coals to the ground.
Know that there was one of the smallest of the Horrors there (ed. Descriptions match references to Kreescra.). Know that it whispered words of oil and discontent to curse the luck of the Adepts. Know that Adepts do not need luck, when courage will do.
The Horror had no courage. And thus, it fled, and escaped. The madman was slain, the child recovered, the parents overjoyed, and the village grateful. In honor, the villagers offered a boon. And humbly, Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger did accept two pups from the old man's dog's litter; a male and a female. Now, his people would have their loyal companions again.
Know that this story has ended. Know that this story continues.Statistics:Posted by bronzemountain — Sun May 31, 2020 11:32 pm
]]>