galvarelli/intercepted-on-way-to-rock.txt

Kral approached Calvin and Vaughan as they began their trek from the shrine.

―Sir, could I have a moment?

Calvin gave him a skeptical look, but then nodded.

―I'd like to apologise.
	I was angry about everything, and the rioting, and I let it compromise my judgement.
	Going outside of my place, even if I was just trying to help out, it was a mistake.
	And I shouldn't have raised my voice at you.

Kral had to wait as Calvin seemed to think for a moment.

―I understand, Sergeant.
	I talked to Hermann as well, and he told me more about what actually happened.
	Obviously, you couldn't know that Mountberg was not the help we hoped it would be.
	Hopefully it doesn't happen again? he added, expectantly.

Kral nodded.
This was true, at least.

―And about our conversation, believe me, son.
	I understand what it's like to hate the filth the Hierarchy has peddled.
	Consider it forgiven.
	Just be careful in the future.

Kral nodded, and a wave of dismissal from Calvin, took his leave and rejoined the formation behind Hermann.
_He lies..._, the Meadowlark told him.
But as he heard it, he immediately felt Calvin's sincerity, and the Meadowlark seemed to agree.
_Not lies, but, misguided_.
Kral knew this much was true # remove Spandau Ballet reference? what does it even add?
That made it worse though, right?
If this was the best that the Republic could offer, the most sincere defender of the rights of farm animals, what right did he have to stay in power.
His mom and dad loved Calvin, but they could be wrong.

The air began to grow a bit thinner.
The dwarves with them were definitely moving a bit slower, although Kral felt fine.
Better than fine, in fact.
He could feel an energy rushing around within him, a sense of rightness.
_The Meadowlark sustains you_

# This section should be moved

He thought back to what Omig had told him during dinner, and as he walked, tried to feel the connection to the voice, to the things around him.
From everyone around him, he felt like he could feel a vibration, a pull and push, an ebb and flow.
The shape was faint around most, but around Calvin it had a different shape.
A connection of his own to the Meadowlark?
But as far as Kral new, Calvin didn't support the New Meadowlark either, which meant it was the Hierarchy that had taught him.
That would explain his unwillingness to clamp down, would explain how they had leverage over him.
Around Omig and Cruimo, the sensation was a different shape again, which would mean that he was able to distinguish the dwarf magic from the Meadowlark.
No such feeling from himself, which Kral thought made sense.

Kral felt out at the Meadowlark again, letting his self fall into it.
He felt the same connections again, feeling Calvin's connection to the Meadowlark, weaker now.
Omig and Cruimo as well, both immensely strong.

Something felt off.
Kral tried to relax more, to strengthen the connection, and the feeling worsened.
As though something Voiced was approaching, but neither Dwarf nor Beast.
It couldn't be, unless...

―Everyone, down! he shouted

―Guards, position up! Hermann echoed.
	Kral's squad, front.
	My squad, back.

They got into position quickly, surrounding the leaders and the dwarves.
Omig had her eyes closed, Kral noted as he looked back.
Readying her magic as well.
Apparently it wasn't just useful for travelling.
Hopefully she'd tell him more sometime.

―Kral, what's going on?

―There's something coming, Kral started to say.

But before he could say more, Jason pointed over to a nearby mountain, where a bird was moving towards them quickly.
Kral felt the same pulses as he did for the others, but in addition to a different shape, the pulses felt massive, almost pounding in his head.

―Don't attack unless we know it's a threat, Calvin was saying.

―Indeed, Kab said.
	Birds are known to fly here, even if they avoid the rest of the Hidden Lands.
	Although usually far overhead, never this speed.

It was now quite visible, a great vulture, wings at least twelve feet wide, and it soared effortlessly towards them.
As it approached, it gracefully settled on the path slightly ahead of Kral.
It was mostly black, with some white stripes on its wings, with a thick white collar around its neck.w
Tall, lean, with a hunger and intelligence in its red eyes.

For a moment, no one spoke.
Kral held his spear pointed at it, holding his stance, and with his squad formed a formation, as they'd drilled.
The bird surveyed them, slowly looking at each one of them in turn.
Kral reluctantly loosened his connection with the Meadowlark, no longer trying to sense the Voices around him.
There was no point in feeling how strong this bird was if it just demoralised him.

―What do you want, Bird? Cruimo eventually shouted, in the Open Tongue.

It looked at him without blinking.
Unsettling, Kral thought.

―The Aery has business here.

Kral hated the way it talked, its mouth not seeming to move in the right way as the sounds came out.
It didn't bother elaborating.

―Does that business involve stopping us from our pilgrimage?

―It does, Chartkeeper Cruimo.

Kral looked at Cruimo, and saw he bristled at hearing his name.

―They Who Watch have spoken, and by Their word and Their glory, this path must be barred to you carry corruption.

―Corrupted? Calvin asked.

The bird stood firm, without responding.

―Will you fight us if we insist? Chief now added.
	By rights, this Threding is ours, and keeping us from our own holy land seems like a declaration of war.

―The Aery has little interest in such a war, nor in fighting you, Chief Aoeuoie.

―How do you know our names? Kab called out.

The damn bird ignored him as well.

―Stand down, Bird! Kral found himself shouting.
	Advance, he said to the squad.

Kral half hesitated to move to his own command, wondering if there would be any objection from Calvin or Chief, or even Cruimo, but none came, and his squad advanced in formation.
Unsurprisingly, the bird stayed completely still, not moving at all.
They closed the gap, until the bird was within the distance of a spear thrust.

A compulsion seemed to build, energy rushed through his body and Kral thrust his spear at the bird, as powerfully as he could.
He hit nothing but the air, stumbling forward for a moment until he caught his balance.
Kral shook his head and blinked.
The bird was still standing in front of him, but it was though he'd missed entirely.

The tickle of the Voice touched Kral's mind, although it didn't say anything.
Kral pushed himself deeper into the Meadowlark, and again felt at the huge spring of energy coming from the vulture.
_Pull at it, take its power away_, he heard.
He tried, grabbing hold of whatever connection tied him to the bird, and tensed in the direction that seemed closest to pulling.
Something resisted, and Kral held it, and tried to relax further into the connection and hold tension against the force.
A moment passed and something seemed to snap.

Kral felt himself suddenly pulled out of the Meadowlark, dizzy with effort, but at the same time, the vulture made some squawk of protest and opened its wings wide, staring at him.
It stepped backwards, wings spread, as Kral felt himself drop to his knees

―O Calvin, see your guard's plight!
	You have torn at his soul, left him robed in ignorance and confusion.

The vulture folded its wings and stepped close to Kral, craning its neck towards him, inspecting him.

―Little one, we have no wish to fight you, it said quietly.
	They Who Watch have only compassion in their heart.
	Turn back, for the true Summit would destroy you before your appointed time.

The vulture hopped back, and raised its voice.

―I will tell you of the Emperor Yakob before you turn back.

### insert parable of yakob on the rock ###

―And so, would-be pilgrims, even Yakob was denied this pilgrimage.
	They Who Watch have seen your struggles, seen your failings.
	This power must be denied you.
	Turn back, and remember, no matter the depths of your goodness and compassion, your capacity to truly do good is bounded by your ignorance.