jj@rabbit.UUCP (12/06/83)
The graduates sitting at the king's table one by one, some with enthusiasm, some with reluctance, stand up and indicate that they will, indeed, embark on a mission to replentish the stores of medicinal herbs. The silence which had puncuated the hall for the last several minutes is lifted, first by the King, who says, "Thank you, we appreciate your kind offer of assistance" and then by the crowd, who starts cheering enthusiastically as the puddings are plopped down on the middle of each table. The retainers standing by the ale-barrels pop the bung on the barrels, and the celebration (finally!) is on. For most of the graduates, Tryllia, Ayudante, and Izugami excepted, the rest of the night is turns into a blur. Toward the end of the night, Bjarney emerges slowly from the celebratory fog to start planning for the trip. With a bit of effort, those four manage to drag off the hapless Balinor, Gavalin, Lendell and Hogue, who are unable to drag themselves off. On the next morning, the King's private retainers wander around to wake up the (non)celebrants. They are escorted into a quiet dining area in the upper parts of the castle (in an area where they've never been before) and sit at an empty table. A few minutes later, a young boy of noble bearing wanders in and tells them that they should stand, and remain standing until the King comes to breakfast, but that given the informal nature of the meal, they are welcome to sit and begin their breakfast as soon as the King does so. Ravenslock enters, sits down without fanfare, and starts talking: "Hello. As you have realized, the events of last night were somewhat of a charade. There is, in fact, a shortage of healing herbs in the South Quarter at the present, but that is normal, this being the usual harvest time of such plants. The call for volunteers was, as you may have figured (although not said out loud) a form of induction into the service of Ourselves. While We do, in fact, intend to send you on a mission to gather herbs, we do not, despite the dramatic methods of last night, depend solely on yourselves for such a supply. Your horses are being saddled as we speak. The tack will be new, and a bit rough, to begin with, but We suggest that you take the time to learn its design and use, as it will undoubtedly be worth much to you for a considerable part of your careers in Our service. Our own artisans will instruct you in its care and use later today. The mission to Erinsfell is not, I repeat NOT, just an excuse to get you started about your new positions in life. The mission there to gather herbs is of some importance even though we have other sources. Your mission, however, consists of more than the gathering of herbs from a mountain valley. You all have undoubtedly heard the tales of woe from the Northern Quarter, and you must realize, as do We, that this run of events is not natural, despite what's been said. (After all, it's common knowledge that nothing of the sort has been known in at least 1000 years.) The tales of strange creatures, nearly sentient cold, and mysterious disappearances are, it seems, true, at least to some extent. What does this have to do with Erinsfell, you ask? There is a ledgendary race of beings called the Ljosalfar who supposedly have superhuman knowlege and powers. None of these Alfar have been seen in recorded times, but occasional evidence has been found that suggests that such legends are not completely superstition. The "high" language, mostly spoken in the farest reaches of the Middle Quarters, is in agreement with some ancient materials that have been found from time to time in Erinsfell. <The group notices Bjarney looking on with suddenly increased interest. Izugami also looks up, and seems to be searching his memory for something or other. Ayudante has pulled some papers out of his pocket and is making a few notes, apparantly of the last part of the conversation. The Lay healer is heard to mutter quietly that there is a curious coincidence between the names of these legends and the names of healing herbs. The King continues:> It is Our VERY fond hope that you will find something of interest in Erinsfell beside medicinal herbs. It is with Our best wishes that we sent you off on what we hope will be a safe and fruitful trip." <Later that day> After having their entire equipment roster gone over, and in some cases replaced <although with nothing exceptional, a sword replaced, a cracked bow replaced, some arrows replaced with trued arrows, the Lay Healer's supply of herbs checked, much to the surprise of Tryllia, who didn't know that she owned any herbs.>, they are introduced to their animals. The animals are all medium to large horses, with very good carrage, and seemingly mild temperments. They are all about 4.5 years old, and equipped with new tack. The stablemaster suggests that the party take it easy for the first 3-4 days, as the saddles won't be broken in yet, and neither the people nor the horses should suffer as a result. The promised lesson in modern tack is forthcoming, along with enough supplies, in a compact sack, to take care of the leather for a reasonably long time. The party, after a full day, are invited to dinner with some of the King's retainers. At this dinner, there is no "work" discussion evident. After dinner, the group sticks around the dining hall to discuss life, the universe, and everything else. Gavalin, Ayudante, and Izugami get into a discussion of the Ljosalfar legend, and find out that little is known, besides some proverbs, the most widely known of which is: "Trust in the high and the light, fear the cold, and shun the low and the dark" <It's considerably more musical in Ljosalfar tongue.> Auyudante, as usual, writes it down. Balinor wanders off to get preparations for tomorrow's departure under way. He finds that they are mostly compleated, and takes the rest of the afternoon to finish and check out supplies, etc. Lendell stays mostly to himself and studies magical formulae from books. Bjarney absents himself from the room almost immediately, and explains at bedtime that he was learning what he could of the Ljosalfar written language. He explains that it is an unusual language, with many silent consonants, and unusual vowel/consonant interactions. He is heard to mutter things like "broad ? slender? aspirated? " in his sleep. Hogue wanders up to Tryllia after dinner. After a few words, he wanders off for a while. Tryllia joins the discussion with Ayudante, et al, in the middle, and is joined a little while later by Hogue, who listens in, occasionally asking basic questions about the appearance of Ljosalfar, and other scouting-related matters. <The next morning> The group saddles up, and proceeds north from Ravenswood. For the first 10 miles they are in the array of farms, little towns, etc, that make up the outskirts of Ravenswood. Everywhere they look, they see people working on the last of the harvesting, splitting wood, etc. At about 1PM, having travelled roughly 12 miles, they stop at a small inn for lunch. The name of this Inn was "Harry's Shaggy Dog", a name that all are likely to remember, given the proprietor's propensity for stories of the same genre. At about 3 PM, they enter forest, at about 14 miles from Ravenswood. <They are travelling slowly because of the newness (GROAN! says Ayudante) of their travelling gear.> The forest continues until nearly dark. At about sunset they come upon a house in a clearing, with smoke coming from the chimney. They, after looking at their map, realize that this must be the Land's Road Inn, where it's suggested that they spend the night. <In the middle of the night.> A loud knocking is heard from the entrance of the Inn. Balinor <always inquisitive, and easily wakened> heads for the door, meeting the innkeeper there. Together, with Balinor standing back a bit from the door, with bow in hand, open the door. A darkly colored individual of unusually tall, thin stature stands at the door. It says, in a quiet, high pitched voice, "Hello? I've come for Ayudante. I know of the things he seeks." Balinor looks outside, finds no more individuals waiting in the near darkness, signals to the innkeeper, and allows the strange person to enter. Ayudante, who was VERY sore from his first day's travelling, is not awake, or at least not downstairs. Bjarney, Hogue, and Gavalin are all present in the back of the room, and witness this strange interaction. Lendell, Tryllia, and Izugami are still upstairs. =========================================================== The next move is expected by this Friday, and must be present no later than next Sunday. <The deadline is extended this week due to time and machine problems. Next week's edition will be posted Monday, and the moves will be due on Friday.> -- -Diogenes stopped here- (allegra,harpo,ulysses)!rabbit!jj