IoK session 13 – Wolf Dreams

“This is dangerous, Ha’ston.  It is her first spirit walk… how do you know she will not get lost?”

Ful’us paced outside the mud hut.  Though he kept a calm expression on his face, Ha’ston could see the tension in his hands.  The large tribal warrior clenched repeatedly, like he held a heart imprisoned behind his thick fingers.  Steady and slow, he squeezed the imaginary heart.  Squeezed and released… a rhythm which kept the warriors own heart steady.

“It is not her first, it is just her first as a guide.  She will be fine.  It is our new friends I worry about.” 

Ha’ston kept his hands open and loose.  In one hand was a wooden bowl filled with herbs and seeds.  A pungent, earthy scent rose from the mixture.  Ha’ston breathed it deeply, a slight smile unfolding across his weathered cheeks.

“Na’Pau has always traveled with you.  Now she is responsible for these strangers… why are we helping them?  We need to catch up with the others before the Maji recovers.”

“You worry too much, Ful’us.”

Ha’ston took a pinch of the herb mixture and placed it behind his lower lip.  His lips puckered at the bitterness as he chewed.  Standing, he brought the bowl with the remaining herbs to the leather flap of the hastily built mud hut.  A thin smoke gently rose from the seams of the hide roof.  Within, the six strangers slept.  In the center of the hut, minding the small fire, was a young flatlander.  Eyes closed, she chanted in a silent tongue.  The words not meant for this world. 
Reaching through the flap, he placed the herb filled bowl near an empty one of similar design.

"They will reach the tree soon.  There, they will need to face their demons.  This will be enough to judge our new friends.  If their demons are weak, then we have found ones that can be trusted."

The old flatlander smiled at Ful'us.  Black flecks of tobacco shown on his otherwise healthy teeth.  His cheeks peaked when he smiled, a gesture owing to his long practice of doing so often and wide.

Ful'us frowned, a gesture he was well familiar with.

"What if they defeat their demons because they are strong?  Not of heart, but of trickery and ambition.  These ones are protecting the sea-faring dwarves.  You of all people should know not to trust a dwarf of any mountain, let alone the Forgen."

Ha'ston's smile never waivered.  Ful'us continued to clench his hands. 

"Trust is a fragile thing my friend.  It can take a life time to build and be destroyed in a minute.  We do not have a lifetime, so I will give them a night within the spirit world.  It will seem like many.  In time, they will either convince Na'Pau that they can be trusted or she will leave them to their nightmares.  Either way, they cannot harm her or us.  If they awaken with their answer, then we will have gained their trust."

Ha'ston spat and wiped his lip.  The leaf was sour, but it calmed his nerves.  A lifetime of false smiles required assistance, and the bitter tobacco always made his checks tight.