Here is the rough of my part. I am not sure of some bits and a lot of the
details.
Chris
Jerrod's trip to the site of the monasterywas relatively uneventful. The
long wagon ride from the Keep to the site in GlenAvery was quiet. The monks
were polite but not too talkative.
The wagon was piled high with supplies ofdifferent sorts including building
supplies like floor tiles and the like. Sohe had to climb on and find a spot as
comfortable as it could be. It was toouncomfortable.
The ride itself was only a few hours but theslow movement of the wagon made
it feel longer. He got a good look at the farmland they passed thru before
entering the woods and making their way to GlenAvery.
Jerrod hadn’t been sure what t expect of thetown but he found the homes and
houses were carved into the trees themselves.
The monastery was far from finished but themain walls were up as was the
roof and various chimneys. The place would bewarm and dry all winter.
He was assigned a bed in one corner of thedormitory. It was a wooden cot
with a blanket and simple pillow.
They day began just before dawn. A simplebreakfast was followed by him being
taken to a large building that was stillonly partially done. The walls were up
and the roof was just being finished.Jerrod was taken inside and the floor was
unfinished. A large section wascovered with freshly laid mortar which was still
wet. By the door was two largepiles of floor tiling. One pile had blue tiles
and the other green.
“The work is simple,” the brother said. Hehad two tiles in his hand. One of
each color. He placed the blue tile into thefresh mortar and then set the green
next to it. Carefully aligned. “First youplace one tile then an alternate
color. Do that all the way across. Moveforward and do another row.”
The work was simple but was similar to whathe had done back home when he was
young. It brought back pleasant memories ofworking with his father. Happier
times.
************
On Friday, November 17, 2023 at 08:52:06 PM EST, Indagare
<[email protected]> wrote:
“We’ll meet near the Jollie Collie. From there I can lead you to a clearing not
too far outside the Keep. I want all of you to bring any weapons you have so
you can show me what training and skills you already have.”
Nyein translated and Talo nodded. “Yes, Talo meet there! Nyein go too?”
The bat looked a bit uncomfortable. He replied in Draconic, “I can come with
you as long as you’re here, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to come to the
east with you. I’d have to discuss it with my master and see.” He paused and
looked at Kasaima and said in Common: “I am an apprentice, and would need to
seek a release from my duties to travel so long and far. It is likely I will
only be allowed to stay until you head East at which time I will return to my
duties.”
“I understand. Do not fear–I can help Talo-san even if you do not get
permission to come with us.”
It didn’t take very long for everyone to get their things together and meet at
the Jollie Collie. Reed was looking pensive while Aldwin and Trey, now full
sized again, looked eager. Kasaima smiled at them.
“I saw the place as I was coming here. It’s not too far from the Keep, but it’s
far enough that we should have some privacy.” Reed had his bow and arrows and a
hunting knife, Aldwin had his long dagger, and Trey was bearing a long sword.
Nyein carried a staff and a small dagger on his belt. Talo had a bow and quiver
across his back and sword with dagger by his side.
They left the keep through Euper and made a right towards the Great Barrier
Mountains. Pretty soon Talo recognized the spot as near where he’d been found.
It was a large field, a fair distance from any trees. Strangely enough, there
was a large pile of hay and an archery target there.
“I made some inquiries as to where to get things to help with training. A
fellow named DeMule was gracious enough to help me. He mentioned you trained
under him Trey-san.”
Trey looked a bit embarrassed. “Yeah. It’s part of the Keep rules; anyone
between ages ten and sixteen trains under Jack. I’m just past that now. I’m
decent enough with a sword, but I don’t stand out.”
“What’s the hay for?” asked Aldwin.
“I’m glad you asked,” Kasaima smiled and raised his hands. He started speaking
in a strange tongue and the hay pile flew apart and reformed itself into five
straw figures. “Your sparring partners, or they will be soon. Go and touch one.”
When no one seemed eager to be first to try, Trey went first. When he touched
on it suddenly took his appearance! “Woah! What is this Kasaima-san?”
“A mimicking spell. The dummy now not only bears your appearance, but has a
copy of your skills. It is not alive, however, and it cannot actually harm you.
We usually have something a bit more sturdy back home, but these will do for
now.”
“Can they mimic magic? Our transformations?” asked Nyein as he went forward,
well aware of how convincing an illusion could be. Talo went with him, reaching
out to his strawman.
“Only seemingly. Everything about them is an illusion. It will seem real, but
they cannot do harm. They will not actually change shape or size or anything
else. I plan to craft them some wooden weapons tomorrow, but for now try to
attack them as well as you can.”
Aldwin and Reed had each touched theirs. Their visages even had their changes
-- tufts of hay-feathers on Aldwin's, thick hair for Reed. “This is so weird,”
said Aldwin.
“Yes, it’s a bit disconcerting, but it’s really the only way to get an
evaluation of your prowess. Remember, don’t hold back–they won’t! Ready?” They
all nodded. “Then, begin!”
The dummies began immediately, Nyein’s taking into the air, Talo’s leaping
forward, Reed’s nocking an arrow while Aldwin’s and Trey’s simply charged
forward with their weapons!
Though initially surprised, Talo and Nyein quickly responded to their
counterparts, dodging and jumping. Nyein readied some low-level spells to cast
at his counterpart even as it started lobbing magic at him. Trey and his
counterpart clashed swords, though since his dummy’s sword was only an
illusion, his went through and put him slightly off balance.
Talo’s mind set snapped, and his eyes narrowed. Mirror image or not this was
his enemy. He snatched his bow from his back and a small number of arrows. A
moment of surprise came on him as the enemy ran sword in hand while Talo
preferred a ranged attack first. His first arrow came very close to his foe but
a quick lash of his tail shifted his body enough for it to miss. Taking a high
leap in the air he spun and loosed an arrow at what he hoped was Nyein’s clone.
As he descended he switched to his sword, prepared to parry as soon as he would
land.
Aldwin had never encountered magic of this type, and he stared in wonder at the
hay dummy's lifelike movements. The dummy was already in mid-swing when he
realized this was no demonstration of Kasaima's power, but of his own. He
raised his arm to block the attack with a shield that wasn't there, and was
struck by his counterpart’s dagger – or what would have been a dagger if it had
been real. After striking the effigy went stock-still and toppled over.
Reed was also surprised, but he had already braced himself for combat. He drew
his bow and arrow, then leapt aside from a shaft of hay, barely dodging the
woven arrowhead. As if hunting a rabbit, Reed took aim and fired. He missed his
effigy's leg by only a few inches. His hay opponent darted off to the side,
crouching low to the ground even as it nocked another arrow. Reed had never had
to think before about how to fight off another scout; usually, a fight between
enemy scouts ended before the other even knew there was a fight. He drew
another arrow and aimed, even as his opponent aimed.
Nyein switched into bat form, swooped over top of his counterpart just as he
banked hard to avoid an arrow. His flight was brief and ment only to give
himself better position. Changing back to his most human form he lobbed a spell
that caused his clone to crash into the ground. Talo’s battle turned into a
series of attacks and counter attacks. It ended when an opening allowed him to
lash the foe with his tail, followed by a sword to its neck, ending their
fight. Both reverted as Aldwin had. Reed and his counterpart managed to shoot
one another with an arrow at the same time while Trey fought his to a
stand-still.
“Enough!”
Trey’s finally reverted, and he panted from the exercise. “Wow, I’m better than
I thought!”
Kasaima chuckled. “You all did excellently on your first tries. I know fighting
yourself is disconcerting, but it is a good way to evaluate.”
“What do you mean ‘excellently’? I just got stabbed by myself!” said Aldwin.
“That’s true, but it also means that you could have done it. Remember, these
are capable–temporarily–of what you’re capable of. I’ll try to adjust the spell
a bit so the visages aren’t exactly yours. Even when used at home, it’s very
disconcerting. The only advantage is we find out very quickly who’s capable of
attacking without hesitation.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” asked Trey.
“Yes and no. It is good to have someone who can put their feelings aside and
focus on the battle at hand. It is bad to have someone who can mercilessly
attack their comrades in arms with no hesitation. Now, pick up your partners
and we will begin again.”
They practiced until lunch, when Kasaima called for a break. Trey and Reed had
learned how to beat theirs and Aldwin had matched his. Aldwin panted heavily.
He had expected to be sweating heavily, but the feathers on his chest were dry,
even if his whole body was burning. There was only a slight clamminess on his
arms and his brow, where the sorest muscles hadn't been touched by feathers.
Reed was also sweating terribly, causing his shirt to cling to his chest, his
lean frame showing the slightest hint of a bosom.
“After lunch, we will try some meditation techniques for magic. Nyein-san, I
think you are already familiar with this?”
“Yes. I can help Talo, though.”
“I know a few too,” said Trey. “Not much, though. I can only do very minor
stuff.”
Kasaima smiled. “But even a little is more than none. This simplifies things a
great deal. If you would be able to help Aldwin-san, I’ll help Reed-san.”
“I can. The meditation isn’t that hard.”
“Wait, we're going to learn magic, too? Real wizard magic?” Aldwin gaped in
wonder. After seeing Kasaima bring a hay dummy to life, he could believe this
ogre could do anything.
“That depends on how patient you are to learn. For today, we’ll mostly focus on
just trying to gather the local energies. Hmm, but before we leave, Talo-san,
would you mind helping me? I want to see if I can find exactly where you
entered this world.” Nyein, as usual, translated.
“Talo help! Talo want to go home!” He eagerly walked up to Kasaima, who touched
him on the shoulder.
“Stay with me.” From a pouch he brought out the crystal Trey had seen used
earlier. “Hold this.”
Talo held it, and Kasaima held Talo’s claw. As before, Kasaima closed his eyes
and focused. A slight glow seemed to envelop Talo and the pendant began to
swing. Finally it stopped still in midair and pointed.
Nyein watched intently as the Oni worked his magic, watching every aspect of
what was taking place.
“Follow it slowly.” Kasaima kept contact with Talo and the two moved forward
slowly. They kept moving until the pendant suddenly pointed down.
“Yes! Here! Talo remember here! No no how got here, but yes!”
“Move a little, please Talo-san.”
Talo moved where Kasaima pointed. Kasaima then focused on the ground. He bent
down and gently removed ground and grass until he revealed a smooth, flat,
circular stone surface. The surface was a dull gray.
“What’s that?” asked Aldwin.
“A Gate,” said Kasaima. “It’s a Gate between worlds. Long forgotten and
neglected.”
“Likely a remnant from the Suielman Empire.” Nyein commented, examining it with
his mage sight.
“Go home? Talo go home now?” There was a desperate, plaintive tone in his voice.
Kasaima touched the surface of the stone and closed his eyes. After a long
time, he rose and look at Talo sadly. “The Gate has closed. The magic is gone,
for now. I do not know how long it may take it to reopen.”
Nyein translated and Talo’s whole body drooped. “Not go home? Never go home?”
“I didn’t say that. I now have a much better idea of the forces that brought
you here. With others, back home, we may be able to open one for you.”
Talo perked up after that. “Talo wait.”
“Once we’re back at the Keep, I’m going to report that to Master Myrtice. I’m
sure he and the other guild-masters will be very interested. It might be
quiescent now, but it’s best to keep an eye on it.”
Kasaima nodded. “I was going to ask you to do just that. Gates like that are
usually very old, their secrets lost with the secrets of the runes. Still, as
far as I can tell it’s dormant and will be for some time to come.”
***
The road was one that once linked the Suielman Empire and that of the Zhōngyāng
Empire, when they both still existed. It was mostly an abandoned way now,
though some travelers were still going on it. Trade happened slowly, but it
happened.
Yuèliàng wondered how close he was getting. It seemed like it was taking
forever, and if he couldn’t reach the Valley before the monster left, it would
surely destroy all nhe held dear! A scream drew his attention; a group of
bandits had surrounded a woman and her children!
He rushed forward to help them. *It seems everywhere there are those who want
to take that which is not theirs!*
“Give us yer money and no one gets hurt!” said what was likely their leader.
They wore animal pelts that were half-cured and had rusty-looking weapons,
though the leader’s short sword looked good enough.
“But I ain’t got no money!” The woman and her children huddled together. “We
was just on our way to town ta earn some!”
“Well, if not yer money, yer daughters will do. Been some time since me and me
men had fun!”
“You leave my sisters alone!” One child called out and rushed the lead bandit.
He kicked the boy hard enough to send him flying a few feet back.
“That’ll learn the bastard, if he’s not dead. Now then…”
Before he could do anything, he found himself unable to move! Vines wrapped him
and his men as tightly as any rope. “Carrion dog! You and your ilk are unfit
for the name human!”
Yuèliàng had acted as fast as he could, but hadn’t been able to stop him. He
first attended to the fallen child. The child was unconscious and had a nasty
wound on his head. He was still breathing, though.
“Is poor Elim dead? Me boy was so brave!”
“No. He’s badly hurt, though.” Yuèliàng looked to his sword. *Please keep those
thieves bound while I heal.*
*Sure, though if the child dies I will strangle them all.*
Yuèliàng nodded and placed Yuèjiàn into the ground. He concentrated, using his
arts to reach within. Yes, there and there! An internal wound that needed
mended. The head wound looked worse than it was, but he also used his energies
to staunch that and to ensure there was no head trauma. When he finished the
boy took a big breath and opened his eyes.
“Who–who are you?”
“My name is Yuèliàng, though you may call me Moonlight. This is my sword,
Yuèjiàn whose name means ‘Moon Sword’ in your language.”
“Are ye a magician from Marigund, Sir Moonlight?” asked the woman.
“No, I’m from the eastern coast of this land. I am on a mission to hunt a
monster who went this way. But why are you and your children alone on this
road? Where is your husband? Have you no uncles or brothers?”
“Ah, me husband’s been gone these many years and the children and me ‘ave been
doin’ what we can to get on. Me father’s sent me a stipend but now wishes me to
return ‘ome to Braasem, and it’s a fair march from Llarth.”
“Which are we closest to madam? I’d like to turn these over to authorities.”
“We’re closest to Braasem. Perhaps you ought to tie them regular-like?”
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Let me get my rope.” It wasn’t long before he had the
bandits tied and had taken their weapons as well.
When they reached Braasem, the woman helped him find someone to turn the
bandits into. He got a substantial reward for their capture. “What would be the
next town north of here?”
“Giftum, a fine place to visit. Aye, there are places further north of it too,
but do not be keepin’ too long to the north road or you’ll end up in a curst
valley fulla unnatural things!”
“I’ll keep that in mind, thank you!” Before he left, he gave most of his
earnings to the widow woman, who blessed him.
***
Giftum proved to be very interesting, with lots of hustle and bustle and a fair
amount of traffic up and down the river. From it, he went further north to
Komely and then a place called Midtown.
Yuèliàng was considering who to ask for further directions when a small trade
caravan caught his eye. Three guards were standing around an empty wagon, next
to a splendidly-dressed merchant and an austerely-dressed man in furs. It was
the latter that got his attention.
“What did I tell you? We got a fine deal and all five of us will be well off
until next time, eh?”
“I suppose,” said one of the guards. He was a homely-looking guard with
shabbier armor than the others, a reflection of long years on the road. “But if
it’s all the same, I feel I need to part ways. Oison and Achem seem well-able
to take care of you.”
“HMPH! If you’re still feeling guilty about Jarrod, Gallus, don’t,” said the
merchant. “He was a drunk and a fool and no better than those other two
deserters!”
“We left him behind to be cursed.”
“Hardly! They won't hold common brutes like him for long. Why, he’s probably on
his way south as we speak.”
“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear, did you say cursed?”
Gallus looked at the man addressing him. He was oddly dressed, and his eyes
seemed very odd, almost pinched at the edges. “Yes, the Curse of Metamor Keep.
I’d have thought everyone’s heard of it.”
“Oh, I have. I have something to do in that place. How far is it from here?”
Gwayn took over. "Not far at all. We were just up there a couple days ago. Just
watch out for the curse,” he said. “If you stay much longer than a week or
fortnight you’ll get one of three curses. One changes your gender, another
turns you into a youth, and a third will make you into an animal-man.”
“Ah! I see. I don’t intend to stay very long. In fact, I’m looking for
something odd.”
“Plenty of odd things in that Valley!” said Gwayn. “The oddest we saw was this
big red ogre with yellow horns. Walking around, drinking with the animal
people. Nasty, and judgmental too. He had the nerve to call me greedy! Why, I
never cheated a man in my life!”
Yuèliàng didn’t need Yuèjiàn’s warning to know the man was lying. “Ah, thank
you for letting me know! I’ll be sure to keep a look out!”
As he left, Gallus looked after him and wondered. Oison and Achem also had odd
looks on their faces, though Gwayn didn’t seem to notice anything and Howell
was, as usual, trying to stay out of sight.
Both Yuèliàng and Yuèjiàn rejoiced. Soon their mission would be over! They
would slay the evil oni and return home.
--[Next Part Below]--
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