Everyone knew something big was happening though none came even close to the truth. Some thought it had something to do with the war, everyone knew of the losses in recent weeks. Others thought it might have something to do with the food reserves. The last reports indicated they had enough to make it through this winter, but if something went wrong, weevils got into the grain stores or warm rot got into the frozen meat, then the clan could be in serious trouble.
Just as it seemed like everyone had made it inside and found their seat, one last elderly beastwoman rushed up to greet Jutmaek half out of breath.
“Good to see you made it in time, Hagatha,” said Jutmaek.
“Do not give me that sweet smile of yours,” said Hagatha. “I will not be falling for it again.”
“Were you successful?” Jutmaek asked. He couldn’t help but widen his grin.
“Yes, though I really wished you gave me some more warning on these sorts of things. And I want some more Mirot leaves, I had to use the last of mine to brew this,” said Hagatha. She reached into her thick multi-layered robes for something, but Jutmaek stopped her before she could pull it out.
“Later,” Jutmaek whispered. Normally, I wouldn’t have been able to hear Jutmaek over the other conversations around me, but Mai filtered the others out. “You will know when I need it. Give me a full list of all the materials you used. I will see that you’re fully reimbursed and then some.”
“Are you sure? Better not regret what you promise,” Hagatha chuckled.
Hagatha walked past Jutmaek and found an empty seat. Jutmaek took one last look outside and seeing no one else coming, entered himself.
The room quieted down as Jutmaek made his way to the center pavilion with the fire. All conversation broke off except for Truant and a pair of younger beastmen seated to either side of him.
“I know most of you are concerned that the suddenness of this meeting is because of some bad news, but do not worry. That is not the cause,” Jutmaek began.
“Come on, Wolfclaw. Hurry up and tell us why we are here. Some of us have better things to do this evening,” said Truant, earning a couple smiles from the younger beastmen seated around him.
“If you would let me speak, you would get your answer that much sooner and spare the rest of the assembly from your grandstanding,” said Jutmaek, bringing a frown to the young beastman’s face as the room went silent for a few seconds. Jutmaek took this silence as acceptance.
“I asked you all here because I have discovered a new hope for our people. Our clan has seen much disruption these past few years, but whether it be from poor hunts, to conflicts with other clans, to war with the humans, everything traces to a single source, the unusually cold weather. I know that we have been trying to put up with it, to adapt to it as best we can in the hopes of riding it out, and making preparations if we cannot, but evading the problem is not the way we should deal with it. We must handle it the Othan way. Now is the time we must directly confront it,” said Jutmaek.
The audience was strangely divided now. It was no wonder as to why. Half seemed to have figured out what Jutmaek was leading up to, you could tell from the stony looks of masked concern. But the other half were completely bewildered, was their leader suggesting that they try to fight the weather, they were men not gods. This suggestion especially seemed to bother Adriel and those seated nearer to him.
“Some of you already know what I am getting at. I speak of the reports from Kard Bearhip of Nest and his cohorts twelve years ago describing activity at the Permerine Shrine and some freakishly cold air around the site. I believe the activity and the strangely cold weather we have had since that year are connected and as such the best way to deal with this cold is to launch a grand expedition to the shrine, to investigate, and to put a stop to whatever it may be that is causing this weather,” said Jutmaek.
The assembly burst into a flurry of activity at this statement. A few of the slower individuals busily asked their neighbors who this Kard Bearhip was and what he did. But, most had already moved onto various other issues an expedition would create.
“You cannot be serious, clan chief,” said a beastman with charcoal grey hair and full beard seated beside Truant.
“Of course I am,” Jutmaek insisted. “I would not waste the time of the full assembly on a joke.”
As clan chief, Jutmaek could simply order the expedition. The Othal Confederation operated under strict executive authority, at least within the individual clans. However, Jutmaek also knew that such an undertaking might inspire enough dissatisfaction that the assembly could remove and replace him before the task could be completed. In order to insure this expedition happened, Jutmaek needed to convince a majority.
“But the resources required would be tremendous and given the current weather conditions it would surely fail,” said the charcoal beastman.
“Naturally, the expedition will have to wait until after the spring thaw. It will take time to organize what is needed and we have the Blood Moon in a couple months,” said Jutmaek.
You have acquired a new quest: †Investigating the Permerine Shrine†
A journey to what the Othans call the Permerine shrine may soon be launched. Do what you can to see this happens, join the expedition, and figure out the shrine’s connection to changing weather patterns.
Difficulty: *******
Reward: Unknown
“The clan is struggling as it is and you want to waste resources,” said a blond middle-aged beastwoman.
“It will be expensive,” Jutmaek agreed. “Which is why I have come for the approval of the full assembly, but I think it is worth the risk. We cannot stand by idly while we are slowly withered away.”
“But we are doing something, it is why we are currently fighting the humans and preparing a path south,” said Truant.
“Yes, but the cost of the war with the humans is too high,” said Jutmaek. Around five percent of the Doragan raiders had died so far and compared to other clans that was quite good. “All alternatives must be explored, especially this one.”
“But I do not see how an expedition could change anything,” said another beastman from the assembly. “Our ancestors have visited the site for a thousand years and not a single one of them could get the place to do anything, not a single one could do so much as get in the front door. What happens if we organize this thing and expend such resources only to sit outside the giant metal structure.”
“That is why I waited to suggest this course of action,” Jutmaek nodded his agreement. “It was not until now that we had a way inside.”
The assembly that had so recently managed to bring itself back into order burst into chaos once again. The Permerine Shrine was a place of legends, only the strongest and perhaps most foolish of beastmen even made it through the eternal winter that surrounded it only to get a glimpse. Hundreds of mighty adventurers had tried to get inside. All had failed. As boys and girls, many of the assembly had dreamed of seeing the place and getting inside. Even if the stories of wealth within proved false, getting inside would make any of them instant legends.
“I think it best to save arguments until after Wolfclaw proves his claims,” Truant roared over the din of conversations.
“I agree,” said Adriel. Between the two of them, the room quieted down.
I was starting to get a feel for the current political landscape of Doraga. I made out three factions. Jutmaek led his longtime supporters in the old guard. Many of them were on the older side and were resistant to leaving their home and moving south. Truant led the young guard. They believed expansion and conquest would ensure a brighter tomorrow. And finally, there was the religious faction led by Adriel, the old man in fanciful garb.
Jutmaek and Truant’s factions were in complete opposition. Truant would never support Jutmaek’s expedition because it diverted resources that, in Truant’s mind, were better spent on the war. This meant all of Jutmaek’s efforts were dedicated towards convincing Adriel and his religious faction.
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br /> “Of course, I have proof. Most of you are familiar with the symbol carved on what looks like the only door into the Permerine Shrine,” Jutmaek began. As he spoke he began carving the † symbol in the dirt floor with his foot.
“About a year ago my daughter,” Jutmaek indicated Izusa who was sitting in the front row. “Was in Xebrya leading one of the early raids when she came upon this.” Jutmaek reached into his leather poncho and pulled out a small steel cylinder. It was my first version of the extending spear I made in Mill Valley from before I learned to inscribe sigils and make them into artifacts. Jutmaek pressed the button on the shaft causing it to spring out to its full length. “As you can see the same symbol is engraved on this spear.” Jutmaek indicated a spot along the shaft, but since it was too small for those in the assembly without hawk sight, Jutmaek handed the spear to a random assembly member so it could be passed around.
“After a great deal of work, my daughter recently managed to track the spear’s origin to its maker. Isaac, could you come out here for a moment?” said Jutmaek as he gestured towards the closet in which I hid. All the eyes in the room turned to face me, although as I was on the other side of a partition, none could see me.
I froze where I stood in the back closet. In my enraptured viewing of the proceedings, I’d entirely forgotten to ask myself why Jutmaek had brought me here. I guess I had the answer. I’d wondered why he was so quick to accept my ability to enter the Shrine without convincing. It was because he wasn’t the one who had to be convinced, everyone else was.
‘I think they’re waiting and I wouldn’t keep them,’ said Mai, snapping me to attention. I didn’t see any benefits in remaining, it wasn’t as if I could hide.
I gently pulled aside the leather flap and entered the main assembly room. They could tell instantly from my small stature and unusual style of garb that I was human.
“How dare you bring a human spy into this meeting place,” Truant roared. “Have his people not killed enough of ours? Kill him right now.”
“Yeah, kill him,” the young beastman on Truant’s right agreed while the man on Truant’s left didn’t bother talking and simply got to his feet and started moving towards me.
A few other beastmen voiced their encouragement. Jutmaek slammed his foot down. A wave of energy rippled through the ground causing everyone to tremble.
“Enough,” Jutmaek roared as he waved me down to him. I quickly shuffled through the circle of chairs to Jutmaek’s side, intentionally avoiding the area in which Truant’s faction sat. “Isaac is a guest and besides he isn’t really our enemy. He may be human but he is not Xebryan, he appeared in this world a year ago.”
“He’s like the New Fallen?” one of the beastmen asked.
“Y…yes, you could say that,” Jutmaek agreed although with hesitation. He wasn’t sure if such a comparison was better or worse than being a Xebryan. The New Fallen had created a great deal of mischief and were probably responsible for a number of missing beastmen, but they weren’t officially declared enemies. Of course, that was only because the various leaders of the clans had unanimously agreed that would only cause bigger problems. Being declared enemies, a few young and consequently stupid clansmen would inevitably try to hunt them down. Not only would this risk direct injury but any New Fallen they slayed would just resurrect in the middle of town.
“In any case, he is here and he says he has a way to get inside the Permerine Shrine,” said Jutmaek.
“What proof is there that he can do that?” said Truant. “Do not tell me you expect the clan to expend its sparse resources on an expedition based solely on the word of a human.”
“Naturally, I do not trust his word,” said Jutmaek beside me. “I trust that fear of what would be done to him should he be lying is enough of a deterrence, but for your benefit I have arranged a more reliable measure. Hagatha, if you would.” Jutmaek turned to the old beastwoman who’d shown up last.
The beastwoman rose and joined Jutmaek and I on center stage. Once there, she brought out from the folds of her clothing what she’d tried to hand Jutmaek earlier. It was a small glass vial of an iridescent blue liquid.
“Eronict serum, as requested, clan chief,” said Hagatha as she handed the vial to Jutmaek.
Jutmaek popped the cork and took a deep sniff as if to confirm the content’s authenticity. He then passed the vial to Adriel who did the same. After the vial went around the room and all interested parties had checked the substance, it returned to Jutmaek.
“Thank you,” Jutmaek nodded towards the assembly. “The use of this tonic is rare, but you should all be aware of how effective it can be.”
Many in the assembly nodded back in agreement. Even Jutmaek’s enemies were silent at this point, there was no reason to fight facts.
While all this was happening, I was worried. I didn’t know what this Eronict serum did but knew I’d be the one drinking it. I also figured that I wouldn’t enjoy the potion’s effects, which was confirmed by the sly knowing smile spread across Mai’s face.
“Just… what’s going on exactly?” I asked both Mai and Jutmaek.
‘Don’t be such a spoilsport,’ said Mai.
“It is best if you don’t know. Less likely to worry you,” said Jutmaek.
“Just tell-.” I began voicing that disagreement but was interrupted by Jutmaek who suddenly poured the vial into my open mouth.
The liquid was surprisingly sweet and went down smoothly. If I wasn’t so sure there were other effects, I might have liked it.
I started to feel the serum’s effects in under ten seconds. The world suddenly seemed to be moving on fast forward and the room seemed glaringly bright.
“Mai, can you fix this?” I whispered. My words came out slurred as my tongue went numb.
‘No can do,’ Mai replied. ‘I can’t compensate for your brain misfiring. Don’t worry, you’re just feeling the initial effects of the truth serum.’
“Truth-.” My feet slipped and I started to fall. Fortunately, Jutmaek caught me on the way down.
“I got you…,” he said as everything lost focus and fell into an endless ocean of grey.
I don’t remember what happened next. People don’t remember their interrogations while under the effects of Eronict serum. Mai caught me up to what happened afterward. I confirmed that I’d gotten into other ancient ruins and could probably get into the Permerine Shrine. Of course, as I’ve already said I didn’t remember this so when I first came to, I had little idea what had happened.
“I assume that is good enough for all of you,” I blearily heard Jutmaek say.
“All this proves is that the foolish human believes he can get in. It does not prove that he can stop the weather. It does not even prove the shrine has anything to do with any of this,” Truant argued.
“Bearhip’s report on the Permerine Shrine preceded the change in the weather. It would be quite the coincidence for that to happen, so I believe the two to be connected,” Jutmaek said simply as his eyes turned to glance at Adriel. Religious people never chalked anything to coincidence.
“Do you really believe it is possible for anything to manipulate the weather? The weather is in the domain of the gods. If anything, the gods are telling us it is the perfect time to expand south. They are practically yelling it,” said Truant. He too knew Adriel’s faction would be the swing vote.
“War is costly and we will lose much more than we have already even if it is successful. We have a duty to investigate all possibilities,” said Jutmaek. “That is all I am asking for.”
Jutmaek turned and looked at Adriel, silently asking him to weigh in.
“Weather is within the domain of the gods and it driving us south may be the gods’ way of indicating their wishes. As always, our survival is tested and the war may be that test,” said Adriel, supporting Truant.
“But it is impossible to know the gods’ wishes except perhaps in retrospect and a part of any test is finding a way out of it.” Adriel went silent for a moment
as if considering.
“I think that perhaps we need a way for the gods to provide further signs, so that we may better understand their will,” Jutmaek suggested.
“Hmm… Not the worst idea. What do you have in mind?” Adriel asked.
“I thought that since the timing is right and young Isaac here is of an appropriate age, we might allow him to participate in the traditional means every Othan seeks favor from the gods,” said Jutmaek.
“But he is a filthy human,” said Truant. “He is our enemy. He cannot be allowed to partake of that sacred right.”
“He is not our enemy,” said Jutmaek. “As I said earlier, he is one of the people that arrived last year. He is a neutral party in our war with Xebrya.”
“He is not one of us,” Truant seethed.
“He is not one of us, yet,” Jutmaek corrected. “As you were not, not so many years ago. There is precedent to allow those born outside the clan, like Isaac, to participate. I believe there is someone in this very room who comes from such a circumstance.” Jutmaek looked towards a specific younger beastman seated not far from Truant.
“But Boartusk is simply from a different clan. He’s still Othan, not a pathetic human weakling,” said Truant.
“There are other cases where-.” Jutmaek began before Adriel cleared his throat. Adriel’s opinion would be the deciding factor so Jutmaek let him take over.
“There is sufficient precedent,” Adriel agreed. “Perhaps not in Doraga, but in the southern clans… I think we should let the gods have their say. Let this human participate in the Blood Moon. If he succeeds, he will be one of us and thus more trustworthy. Furthermore, it would be a sign from the gods that the expedition should be pursued.”
The Ice Lands Page 13