Distant shores: Chapter 1 - The voyage North

[Kazilan]

Machaon

Machaon rubbed his belly and let out a contented sigh as the plates were cleared. He sank low into his seat as Armus told his tale and at the conclusion took a long gulp of ale, draining the mug. His face was a fair shade paler now than before the story.

"A magical illness..."

His eyes stared into the bottom of his mug as he lifted his hands to rub his temples.

"Magic magic magic. Sometimes I wish the world were rid of it." He slid his hands back to the table, where they lay motionless.

"This situation is worse that I expected. I assumed there would be dangerous natives, monsters, even disease, but natural disease, which could be countered with my knowledge of the natural world. This..."

Machaon's eyes settled on Armus for a moment before sliding back to the mug in front of him.

"I fail to see what we, four very non-magical people, can do to stop an enchanted plague. Far better for wizards in their towers to study it. I, I will need to hear the reasons for our trip, as you have not revealed them to us. As much as I wish to see the interior of the island, at the moment I can't but feel we are being sent on a fool's errand."

Machaon opened his mouth to speak once more, then snapped it shut. His hands returned to massaging his temples, his eyes unfocused as his mind coped with the information racing through it.



[ 03-01-2006, 12:11 AM: Message edited by: Kazilan ]

[dplax]

Armus Jallak

Armus sighed, drained his mug, then looked at Machaon.

"Magic. I have my own opinions on that subject, which might be more radical even than your own, but that discussion would be rather long to get into now. Suffice to say, that I agree with your assessment that the world would be off much better without magic."

Armus paused, and catching the momentary lapse in the conversation the innkeep came over and asked whether anyone wanted another drink. Armus at first moved to extend his mug for a refill, but then withdrew his hand.

"I think I've already had enough. It's but the middle of the afternoon. I won't stop any of you if you want something though."

He nodded questioningly at the others.

"Remember, it's all payed for by the town council." he added with a wink. He knew that someone would have to adress Machaon's and Aneuhl's other concerns sooner or later, but he did not quite feel up to the task, since some of those concerns he shared himself. He would have to take them to see the mage soon.

[Morgeruat]

Rastheme

The dwarf nodded, he'd feared that the mission would be bad, but a supernatural plague was significantly worse than he had suspected. Centuries of underground life had warded dwarves well against most natural illnesses, and some trick of fate, be it the gods, exposure to something in the depths of the earth, or something better left unkown had instilled in them an ability to resist a great deal of magic, magical plagues illnesses he thought would likely nullify any natural defense anyone possessed.

He waved down the waiter, and obtained a large tankard of a dark brown ale. Slowly drinking it, he observed, "So what you're saying is, we're signed on for suicide, but if we're successful, any who survive will be wealthy heroes. I think I prefer my odds in an honest fight, but I'll do what needs to be done." Noticing the ale was half empty he waved down the waiter for a refill and drained the rest before the man got to him.

[dplax]

Armus Jallak

Armus waited for Rastheme to half-drain his second mug, then spoke in a soft voice, as he remembered a moment of his past.

"There is always hope, always a chance we can clutch at. Sister Margaret at the nunnery where my mother is buried used to say that at each of our meetings. She-"

Armus was interrupted by the door opening and almost magically, every single gaze in the room was directed towards the man at the entrance. On first sight he was a simple old man, heavily leaning on a gnarled oak stick. He made his way straight towards the table where Armus was sitting with his three companions, and pulled up a chair.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting." - he said, and Rastheme, Aneuhl and Machao could recognize him from his voice as the old mage, who had been there in the room in the Town Council. "Bad news came soon after you left. It has struck in a village five days to the north of here, close to the jungle's edge. The news was brought by messenger pigeons."

He paused, and waived over the waiter. He ordered a strong local liquor, and with only a brief glance at Rastheme, another mug of ale for the dwarf.

"I realise that I did not introduce myself to you three. Of course Armus already knows my name, but I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name is Stendel, and as some of you might have already guessed, I'm the old mage, whom Armus likes to refer to as wizened and frail at times. And I'm sure that there are some questions that the three, even all four of you would like to ask me."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Nice to meet you, mister Stendel." Aneuhl answered slowly, "There are many questions that I wish to ask," he continued, glancing around to ensure they were not overheard, "The first of which is... why are you not sending a mage - or a group of mages in our stead? Where could we succeed that a mage could fail? Perhaps, if you explained how magic worked I might under a little better..."

Pausing he continued, "Forgive my abruptness, but this entire episode has me uneasy. I understand if there are secrets of magic you wish to keep. I would ask though, if any of us have magicial talent, latent or otherwise. Then of course, there is the disease itself... and if it is indeed born of a supernatural nature? If that is the case, can your magicks not counter it? And what if we are infected and bring it back home with us? What if, by seeking a cure... we inadvertantly destroy everything we hold dear? I understand that inaction is not an option, but..."

Aneuhl trailed off, deciding to let the mage answer first before throwing another string of questions at him. The young man sounded quite worried and indede on edge as he claimed, if not more so.

[dplax]

OOC: I hope this colour shows up ok for everyone, just guessed that Stendel should get his own now.

Stendel

Stendel nodded slowly at each of Aneuhl's questions, and then drained his drink before replying.

"All of those questions are valid questions, Aneuhl, questions which the council had longly debated after Armus brought us the dreadful news. I shall start by answering your question on why we do not send a group of mages."

"As you might be aware, magic is quite rare on this island. Now, Dosrothon does have a small school of magic, so the possibility definitely does exist to send a group of mages to investigate this situation, which as you have quite well guessed from Armus' description is a disease created by the means of magic."

Stendel paused for a moment, nodding at Armus.

"There are two problems with sending a group of mages though. As Armus might, or might not have told you, I am planning on giving the four of you some magical protection against this disease. Now, it is in the nature of magic that it takes much less energy to cast such a spell on those who do not have the gift, than on those who do have it. This isn't a very strong reason, as I do have the necessary energy to cast this spell on four mages, but the spell has to be kept up for a long time, until you return, and I'm not sure that I would be able to do that for them. And then there is the other reason, which is a much more valid one."

"To one well versed in the magical arts, and to be able to create such a disease as the one ravaging in the jungle to the north you have to be, the presence of another mage can be detected from miles away. I, for example, can sense where each and every one of the instructors of the magic school are at this very moment. The air is filled with their magical currents. Were we to send a group of mages, the target would be forewarned of their arrival. You four might slip through though."

Stendel thought for a moment on Aneuhl's words, picking out the question he had not replied to yet.

"Magic could counter this disease, but I am afraid that no one here in Dosrothon, or in any of the other human cities would have the power to do it. I certainly do not have the power. I can slow the tide, maybe erect a barrier against the disease, surrounding a small area, but I can not go on the offensive against it. The elves, far to the north-west might be able to stop it, but even getting a message to them would take months, and even then we can't be sure whether they would help."

Having answered all of Aneuhl's questions, Stendel ordered another shot of the local liquor, which had it been in the real world, would have smelt strangely like vodka.

"Oh, and as to why it was the four of you who were chosen, since I guess you were probably wondering."

"Machaon is a self-confessed herbologist, and knows about potions. Since the disease is also affecting plants, his knowledge shall be useful. Armus was an obvious choice. He already has first hand experience of the virus, and knows from where it had been spreading. Rastheme as a dwarf, has an already high natural resistance to diseases, and the group does need another strong man, since I am pretty sure that either wild animals, or unfriendly tribes shall stand in your way. And finally about Aneuhl. I do not think Aneuhl would want that to be made public, for even he himself does not know of the reason for which he was chosen."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Aneuhl met Stendel's news calmly, a frown furling at his brow as the mage's tale continued. Indeed, Aneuhl had been seeking only confirmation to these questions, rather than actual answers for he knew in his heart what the answers were already. It was a logical conclusion, after all...

But it was the final question that grabbed his attention, "And why would I not want that, mister Stendel?" He asked quietly, "If you know something of me that I do not, latent magical talents or otherwise, I would ask that you confide in me. Perhaps in private, if this is not for the ears of others." He paused again and frowned, "Unless there is some sort of reason that I should not know? I know that knowledge can be dangerous and change one's path, but I would know more of myself, even if it is a risk. Provided, of course," Aneuhl graced a smile, "It will put this mission in jeopardy."

Despite his smile, his eyes burned with curiosity, aflame with the light of 'knowing'. His curiosity was both his greatest strength and his most fatal weakness. It seemed to be almost as unquenchable as the desert. "But I also understand," Aneuhl put in quietly, "That some things must be discovered for one's self..." He paused again, looking up earnestly at the mage. "I also have questions on our method of transport for arriving in this place... ship, boat, or magic? I'm sure the last would be detected... and once we arrive, and if we find the source of it, what should we do? Report back, confront it?" he trailed off, his eyes still afire with more questions.

[dplax]

Stendel

At first Stendel did not adress Aneuhl's inquiries about himself, instead replying to his last questions first.

"Truth be told, I have been unable to localize the source of the disease, so you shall have to try finding it using more conventional methods. I could magically transport you up till the limit of the jungle, but would actually prefer avoiding any unwanted attention. The plan was travelling on horseback as far as possible northwards and then entering the jungle, using much the same route Armus had used during his expedition. After that you would have to just follow clues you find during your journey."

Heavily leaning on his stick, Stendel stood up. He motioned to Aneuhl to follow him outside.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Of course," Aneuhl replied softly, and nodded, rising to his feet and following Stendel out quietly. The young man's green eyes were still alight with curiosity, to the point where they almost looked golden. Running a hand through his hazel hair, he brushed it from his face almost self-consciously. For some reason he felt nervous, excited but at the same time, twitchy. It showed. Without realising it, Aneuhl found himself picking his way almost shakily across the inn floor, his usual natural grace evaporating as his lithe form stumbled. Forcing himself to calm, he took a couple of still deep breathes and tailed after the old mage.

To the ordinary observer, Aneuhl looked almost like a lost puppy or a student trailing his master.

For some reason he could not shake, a creeping feeling of dread had filled the young man. There were so many questions, always so many questions but he might finally get the answers that really mattered! But at what cost? He cautioned himself. He would have chewed on a nail had not the habit been broken out of him as a youngster. Waiting both patiently and impatiently for the mage to address him, Aneuhl had to keep from hopping from foot to foot, or at the very least, shifting his weight. Almost angrily, he thrust his hands in his pockets and waited for the mage to speak.

[dplax]

Stendel and Aneuhl part 1 of 2

The streets were surprisingly empty, considering the early afternoon hour, only a couple of idlers could be seen walking down them, and a couple, visibly in love, sitting on a stone bench several dozen feet away. Stendel took a pipe from one of his pockets, and slowly, almost graciously lit it, puffing a few times before speaking.

"How much do you know about your parents Aneuhl?" The question in itself was pretty innocent, but the undertones of this conversation suggested that it meant much more than it would seem at first.

Aneuhl shook his head slowly, biting his lip and not trusting himself to answer. Somehow, he had known this would come up sooner or later.

"Come now, I will not bite, I just prefer to know how much of what I shall have to tell you is new, and how much of it is already known to you."

"I mean, I don't know." He frowned, "I hear that my mother was... exceedingly beautiful. I know she died giving birth to me, or so my foster parents said. As to my father...? I do not know."

"I see. Well then I guess that this shall be news to you, but your mother was an elf, Aneuhl. As soon as you had entered the interview room, I had felt the elven touch on you."

Again, Aneuhl shook his head, "It comes as no surprise. I mean, it does, but... not really, if you understand. I mean, I have always known there was something different, something odd... but..." he frowned, "but there's more, isn't there? You said my mother was an elf. What of my father?"

Stendel took a long puff from his pipe, and turned to face Aneuhl, a caring expression on his face, almost fatherly.

"Your father was not human either, nor did he hail from the fair elven lands, or the depths of the mountains of dwarves." Stendel paused, watching Aneuhl's face for a reaction.

At this, Aneuhl's face had dropped and he stared, "Wasn't human? Or elven? Then... what? That leaves only..." His eyes narrowed, "No, that's impossible. It couldn't be any of those... are you going to tell me that I'm some son of a mighty wizard, or this powerful mage you're seeking? Or..." His eyes had turned a pale shade of gold and had widened, as though the scenario he suggested would be kinder, but he did not believe it for a second.

Stendel wondered what would be kinder. Telling Aneuhl a lie, or giving him the full truth. Almost covered in a haze of bluish-grey smoke, his thoughts raced a race against time. He knew that pausing now would not help Aneuhl in the least. The truth it was going to be. Stendel just hoped that Aneuhl would be able to support learning what he was going to learn. There were still things he had to tell him.

"Your father was a goblin, Aneuhl. Your love for shiny rocks comes from him."

"I see..." He answered very softly and slowly, his legs giving way as he did. Sitting back hard, he found himself pressed against the wooden window ledge, clutching the sides fiercy. "But... my mother? Did he... ...my father... did he?" Aneuhl visibly cringed, "Such a union... it would be impossible... tell me, how?" he stared up earnestly at the mage, his gaze imploring, knowing that somehow, this man spoke the truth.

Stendel put a comforting hand on Aneuhl's shoulder.

"I can not see what has happened in the past, therefore I am unable to give you a satisfying answer to your question, Aneuhl. I'm sorry."

Taking a deep, calming breath, Aneuhl swallowed, "Somehow... none of this comes as a true surprise. I mean, I should be in a state of shock." he laughed weakly though there was no humour in it and it sounded painfully forced, "...but you know what the worse part is? Somehow I've known, I've always known. Perhaps not the details... but I've known. It's like... awakening from a dream, recovering a memory that was long lost... I... I need a drink." he finished finally, and then added softly, "Thank you for telling me."