IoK Session 23

It didn’t hurt this much when he was first cut.  The golynish spear was most likely filthy and Hardel’s brow furled as he considered what this may mean.  The wound was red and hot.  Veldamere, the elder of these three welcome warriors, had treated it with boiled wine and bread mold.  Orgren had winced a little himself as the wine poured across the ruined tunic and onto the gravel beneath.  His own skin was empty and the smell of a hot wine brought memories of autumn spices and kinder evenings.

“I think you’ll be fine.  The blade didn’t cut too deep and you seem a well fed sort.  Still… we should get you somewhere soon in case the black sets in.”

The dwarf began packing up his medical bag.  A quick task as it seemed to be short on essentials.  Clean linens, a silvered knife, and some willow root… looked to be a standard issue reminiscent of Hardel’s days about military ships.

“Are you soldiers?”

The words came with a grimace towards the end.  The wound stung as his chest expressed the sounds.

“Of a sort.  Regnit and I have been training with the men out of Davion Keep.”

He paused before asking the next question, letting the silence between them work its magic of eliciting more from his medic.  None came.  Before the attentive paused turned to awkward, he followed up.

“You’re a long way from Darian keeps… “

“Hardel… let’s work on chit chat latter.  For now, we need to get you and your friend out of these woods.”

Veldamere stood with that final statement, striking home that he did not wish to explain his presence at the moment.  This would have to do as the elf in question had already hinted of additional golyn nearby.

“Are you good to walk?  I could take your pack.”

Orgren held a deep concern on his face as his meaty hand hauled Hardel to his feet.  As he stood, he saw that the wine stain had given the impression of a greater amount of blood than the golynish spear had earned.

“I’m fine and there is no more wine in my pack so don’t bother with that trick.”

A quick smile sealed the understanding between the two as he hefted his pack to his shoulder.  The wincing returned, but this he kept his face from showing.

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“So Lan… what do we have here?  These tracks seem strange.”

As Regnit traced the outline of the tracks with his pen, Landralsine pulled at his ear in thought.

“I truly don’t know.  These creatures are not native to the Vernfel, and I have not learned of them.”

“Look at the placement… I’d say its larger than a man but not Dormaic.  Barefoot, so I’m guessing not civil.  These claw marks here and the lack of heel suggest a quadruped, but very close to golynish.”

Dipping the pen, he applied ink to paper and sketched the footprint. 

“I believe there is only the one, but it is escorted by many of the leechlings.  They follow, I think.  Perhaps this is an intelligent beast.”

The elf released his ear and moved the fidgety hand to his knife.  These tracks were unsettling.  Their time scouting in the woods had never revealed them before and nothing they witnessed leave the watery pits matched the description.  How had they missed it this whole time, just to discover them so obviously after a fight?

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“I have the reports you have requested, sire.  Folzine is in position.”

Belwick paused and waited for a response.  The childe before him appeared deep in thought, eyes fixed on the emerald glow emanating from the crystal pillar.  When no response came, he took an unsure step towards the table to the pillar’s left. 

“I haven’t read them myself… they are sealed with the stamp of the Glass King.  His emissary emphasized the urgency of the matter, sire.”

Placing the envelope on the table, the young Fellerin shielded his eyes from the glow with the silk cuffs of his robe.  The crystal glow was warm and enticing, but all his training had warned against falling into its direct light.

“Do you require anything else?”

“No… thank you, Master Belwick.”

The voice was distant, distracted.  Backing from the pillar with a modest bow, he turned and left the chamber.  He found himself moving quicker as he departed than he had when he entered.  Whatever was shown within that green glow had distraught Nul Iz’Wip more than he had ever witnessed.