galvarelli/heading-to-the-rock.txt
2021-11-20 23:01:11 -06:00

86 lines
3.5 KiB
Plaintext

Chief was excited.
He'd rarely had an excuse to actually see the Rock.
And with Sister Omig and Brother Jod here, they could get some hugely valuable information here.
It was still a couple hours before dawn, which made it easier to be in the entrance hall where the air was open.
The wide open space was less daunting when it was covered by darkness.
Brother Kab and Paias were there as well, a handful of other temple officials standing a few yards away.
Cruimo was trying to avoid acknowledging Jod and Omig's presence in anyway.
―Okay, Chief, Kab said.
I think we'll have everything in order.
The Stoneshod will be ready shortly.
―Brother Kab, something else on my mind.
You remember what Tejid said as we were leaving?
―Yeah, so the yaks have a Voiced Beast with them?
―Well, if they're powerful enough, they'll be able to influence the visions of the Rock.
It could be very handy.
―Hm, they haven't acknowledged having a Voiced at all.
That must be for a reason, right?
Either they're hiding it, or not one with any skill.
―I thought about that, but it takes a very strong Meadowlarker to weather and humify that amount of stone, right?
Not like we have any idea what yaks are capable of.
The other thing is, it could be a spy in the Hierarchy.
Or they could be lying about something to us.
But maybe, just maybe, they're on our side and would want to help out.
―Sure Chief, but I doubt we can take the risk, right?
Chief nodded, and took his leave to go talk to Jod and Omig.
Cruimo made a point of looking like he wasn't trying to eavesdrop, while very obviously eavesdropping.
―Are both of you ready for this?
Rested enough?
Jod nodded.
―Yes Chief, we're good.
I asked Paias for some of his charts, so we'll have a good lay of what Paths are available.
It's actually pretty wide open, not many long-term Paths at all up there.
―Great, thanks Jod.
As Chief walked away from them, Cruimo began to follow him.
The Stoneshod had begun to walk in as well.
Chief started to walk over, as Kab and Paias did the same thing, all reaching President Calvin at the same time.
―Morning, all, Calvin began.
As I've been explained so far, someone from the Temple will come with us to the shrine.
Is that right?
―Yes it is, Chief answered.
I believe that will be Paias Zuuri.
Paias looked a bit confused.
―Oh, no, not at all.
There will be another priest going, not me.
―Well hang on, Paias.
These two here, Chief said indicating Calvin and Cruimo, they're honoured guests.
You shouldn't pawn them off on some low-ranked priest.
As Chief reached the end of his sentence, however, a slight hush came over the entrance hall.
The mountain goat Caprina, Caprina Zeuit, Paias had said, had just walked out from the channel coming from the yak rooms.
She walked over to Chief and Paias.
―I am ready to go, Zuuri.
# They begin to head out.
# They make it to the shrine without too much incident, though Cruimo seems particularly quiet.
# The night before, there was more conversation between Cruimo and Kral.
# The silk cloths are blessed by Caprina, given to Cruimo and Chief.
# Head to the Rock from above the shrine.
# A Vulture stops them, and says that they're in search of a Bird fugitive.
# They say they're unaware, and the bird attacks them.
# Kral fights back, using the Witchfen Meadowlark powers?
# The Vulture stops short of killing him.
# Reveals that Kral is corrupted by Witch.
# Cruimo springs into action, Calvin disappears through a crack in the ground
# Vaughan is stabbed by Kral, who orders obedience from the guards.
#